To quote Miley Cyrus, “It’s our party, we can do what we want…”

…and at Dance for Life 2015, we sure did. I took a stab at playing multiple roles as reporter, photog., and party-goer. Taking pictures, mingling, and drinking wine all at the same time is complicated, particularly when the whole place is dripping with red lights, and I have a heightened level of respect for any reporter who can manage to pull it off.

In any case, here are my favorite shots of the pre-party Dance for Life Gala at the Hilton Grand Ballroom, and the pre-performance bustling lobby of the Auditorium Theatre. Hopefully they give you a sense of the glamour and opulence, but also the warm and loving community that gathers for the annual Dance for Life benefit (click on an image to open the gallery).

Keep your eyes on Windy City Times in newsstands and online this week for a more in-depth report on the 24th annual Dance for Life!

Pre-performance gala at the beautiful Hilton Grand Ballroom

The dessert tray

Joanna Rosenthal (right, foreground), Artistic Director of Same Planet Different World

Chicago Dancers United Executive Director Anthony Guerrero

Parade from the Hilton to the Auditorium Theatre

Guests flood the Auditorium Theatre

The drinks were free flowing

The drinks were free flowing

Entering the theater