- April 19, 2024
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The DUNDU production brought a light giant to UnGala.
Virginia Harshman and Christina Fraser
Ashley and Dejay Salmons
Susie Elton, Elisabeth Waters and Elizabeth Guliani
Each table had carefully-set decor by Victoria Blooms.
Jon Voigts, Kenny Toombs and Catherine Voigts
Clara Reynardus de Villanueva and Roberto Villanueva
Deb and Dennis George
John Leslie and Catherine Culp
Natalie and Jay Levy
Fabian Seewald effortlessly juggled some orbs.
Steve and Inna Snyder
Lorrie Bogart and Elizabeth Kalban
Jacqueline and David Morton with Jackie Massey
Veronica Brady and Sally Schule
Gavin and Jennifer Meshad with Charlie and Theresa Bartlett and Wendy and Shawn Merriman
The DUNDU production started with a small puppet that eventually made way for a giant.
Cyndi and Ray Burnett
Lynn and Richie Barrie, Frances Broussard and Siri and Dal Torbin
Tammy and Sarah Karp
Jerry and Lisa Wells
Executive Director Steven High with Tina and Dan Napoli
The DUNDU production brought a light giant to UnGala.
Carol Gollnick, Johnson and Sara Savary and Ted Gollnick
Sheila Espinol and Eric Peters
Johnny WIlson and Kate Atkin
Sarah Wertheimer, Helena Lopez, Amy Olschefskie and Sarah Beattie
Tiffany Khleif and Julie Page
The light giant got down with guests.
Taylor and Erica Aultman with David Otterness
Heather Dunhill and Terry McKee
Tatyana Stewart and Marina Bourantonis
Marci Marsh, Susan Jones, Elisabeth Waters and Lissa Murphy
Nicole and Dan Starostecki
Dave and Kyla Weiner with Jeffrey and Katie Jones
Kurt Lucas, Renee Phinney and Rolland Moser
Performers watched their balance.
Michael Stautberg, Stacy Medvetz, Viktoria Warren and Paul Allen
Mark Smith and Tamara Williams
David Yarletts and Regina Koda
Ray Collins and Erin Hurter with Yara and David Shoemaker
Stormy weather and a last-minute venue change couldn't stop The Ringling from throwing a successful and lively UnGala event Oct. 19.
"UnGala: the evolution", the first UnGala event in 10 years, had guests meeting at the Circus Arts Conservatory for a night of socializing, music and fun. While originally meant for The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art's courtyard, Assistant Director of Events & Rentals Christina Fraser said the new venue was challenging-but-rewarding switchup that still conveyed the spirit of UnGala.
"It was a lot of work," Fraser said. "So much of this was envisioned in the courtyard, we had to do a lot of improvising and reevaluating ... instead of separating the event from reception to dinner, we're opening it all up."
While some guests wore classic Black Tie attire, others took the opportunity to wear leisurely robes, inspired headwear, beach shorts, circus-inspired fashion, and more. The night's decor had the Circus Arts Conservatory in shades of silver and fuchsia lighting, with music from Nati Shabat and SRQbeats.
Rather than a sit-down dinner, supporters picked up food at food stations and sat down at their leisure. When dinner was done, The Ringling had everyone gather around the dance floor for an extravagant choreography performance from the DUNDU company, which started off with a small light puppet who eventually transformed into a massive light giant.
The cheering crowd eventually joined the light giant on the dance floor to rock out to music from the Actual Bank Robbers. The night ended with music from DJ Andy Kim.
