Saturday, October 10th 2015 marked the 24th annual Green Tie Ball hosted by Chicago Gateway Green. The Green Tie Ball is an annual fundraising gala (extravaganza is more like it) to support CGG’s Expressway Partnership Program. The Expressway Partnership Program is Chicago Gateway Green’s ambitious initiative to reduce air and noise pollution in Chicago land communities by creating and maintaining beautiful and sustainable landscapes along the city’s expressways. The program already has over 100 gardens to show for it, adorning over 150 acres of roadsides and expresswa
ys entering and leaving Chicago.
This year’s Studio 54 theme, hosted for the first time by the Luxurious Venue One, brought back the grooves, lights, and glamour of the disco era, with guests dressed to the nines in sequins and glitter and the décor complete with disco balls and flashing lights.
Walking up to the entrance of Venue One, guests were greeted with a glass of champagne before ever entering the building- a sure sign it was going to be a night of extravagant celebration. Upon entering, looking one direction was a room of craps, black jack and poker tables brought to the event by one of CGG’s sponsors, River’s Casino, where all night the sounds of excitement and laughter filled the room. Another corner held rows upon rows of coveted auction items that guests could bid on throughout the night, and the center of the entrance hall was where guests were found posing in their lavish attire with friends and special guests. When one thinks special, they don’t often consider the most adorable 4 year old French bull dog. Yep, CGG truly thought of everything when inviting Manny the Frenchie, the most followed bulldog on the internet, to make an appearance for VIP meet and greets.
Continuing through Venue One, just about every 20 feet, guests could find a fully stocked bar offering an array of Chicago craft beers and all the premium cocktails one could manage to drink (the Orange Mule’s were to die for). If guests hadn’t already realized they were in for a very special night, entering the main ball room would do the trick. The space was beautifully and aptly lit a dim but sparkling shade of green, the lights bouncing all around the room off the numerous disco balls. The ballroom was equipped with a beautiful stage hosting music from the incredibly talented and entertaining Dr. Bombay band and Matt LeGrand, and a DJ booth that brought the best dancing tunes from the disco era, and a glamorous VIP lounge area complete with bottle service.
It would be difficult to choose a favorite part of an event like this, but in trying to decide, it would be impossible not to consider the food. Just outside was an enormous tent (also lit in green) filled with tables representing over 30 of Chicago’s finest restaurants. Walking the isles of the dining space, guests could sample (and sample again) all the food they could manage to eat, from cheesecake to sushi to prime cuts of steak to crème brulee, it was all there and it was ALL delicious.
The gala, bringing over 1700 guests, attracted Chicago’s environmental supporters, young professionals, local celebrities and prominent political and media figures. It was truly a memorable celebration that should not be missed. The talk of the night was simply how it gets bigger and better every year, and to top off such a beautiful night with knowing it’s all in celebration of a wonderful, conscious cause can only leave guests feeling great, even after a night stepping back in time and into Studio 54.