Giving Back With Gershwin

Gershwin came to Saturday evening. Not the man, of coarse, but his music, for By George! The Great Gershwin Gala.

The event was organized by the Ravinia Women's Board and raised money for Ravinia's which serve underserved students in Chicago Public Schools and parts of Lake County.

The occassion marked the 75th anniversary of George Gershwin's only performance at the ampitheater in 1936.  

"We know people who were at that concert," said Ravinia President  of the performance. "Apparently there were people hanging in the trees it was so packed and so popular."

Song selections for the evening recreated the program as Gershwin played it decades ago, including "Cuban Overture," selections from "Porgy and Bess," "An American in Paris," and "Rhapsody in Blue."

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the being at Ravinia.

Performers for the night inluded vocalists Sylvia McNair, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Kelli O'Hara, as well as pianist Kevin Cole. The CSO played under the direction of conductor David Miller.

Kauffman explained the event provides any interesting opportunity for Ravinia.  

"It's a regular concert that anyone can come to. The prices are the prices we normally charge but then people are paying a premium in order to have those dollars go to the education programs that we do.

"This event shines a light on what we do for the underserved in a better way than almost anything else because it's not just us, it's everybody enjoying it," Kauffman said.