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Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation announces annual gala, ‘Maskerade,’ featuring VIP viewing of Arts in the Dark Parade

Posted  2 years ago

Press contact: Jessica Cabe | PR and Communications Manager, Chicago Loop Alliance jessica@chicagoloopalliance.com | 815-713-8909

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Oct. 6, 2021

CHICAGO—Chicago Loop Alliance is proud to announce Maskerade, a twist on the organization’s annual gala to support the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation and to celebrate the return of in-person events, arts and culture. The fundraiser will take place 5:30-10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, at The Palmer House Hilton, and tickets are now available at LoopChicago.com/Gala.

The Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation (CLAF) is a 501(c)(3f) affiliate organization that pushes the limits of what a downtown can be for its residents, workers and visitors. Most notably in 2021, the popular new open streets event series Sundays on State was a project of CLAF. The Foundation seeks to enrich the Loop’s public spaces through artistic expression and free cultural programing.

After taking the annual gala online in 2020, CLAF will gather supporters in person this year with strict COVID-19 protocols in place. All attendees will be required to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event. Masks will also be required throughout the event when attendees are not actively eating or drinking—hence the name of the event, a play on a classic masquerade. This theme also aligns with a major element of the gala: LUMA8’s Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade. The parade takes place on State Street from 6-8 p.m., and attendees of CLAF’s Maskerade gala will be treated to a VIP viewing from The Palmer House Hilton before enjoying a night of drinks, bites, live entertainment and dancing.

“We’re thrilled to be offering an opportunity for our members, partners and supporters to gather in person once again in a way that prioritizes everyone’s health and safety, and it’s so exciting to be hosted by the Palmer House Hilton during the hotel’s 150th anniversary year,” said Chicago Loop Alliance President and CEO Michael Edwards. “To tie our event to the Arts in the Dark Parade makes sense in so many ways. CLAF has sponsored this event for years and is responsible for bringing the celebration to State Street from Columbus Drive in 2018. We thought offering a VIP viewing experience to our attendees, and playing off a masquerade theme, would make for a fantastic evening of celebrating the Loop’s arts and culture scene.”

Maskerade is presented by Pressure Washing Systems and sponsors ComEd, Acadia Realty Trust, Auditorium Theatre, CIBC, CIRCLE Foundation, CityEscape Garden Center and Design Studio, DePaul University, Downtown Apartment Company and Springboard, with support from ABC-7/WLS Television, Inc., BJB Properties, CBRE, DL3 Realty, EQ Office, Gensler, Goodman Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, Macy’s, Mid-America Real Estate Group, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Staypineapple, An Iconic Hotel, The Loop and Walgreens.

About Chicago Loop Alliance

Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA)’s mission is to create, manage and promote positive and inclusive programs that attract people to the Loop and accelerate economic recovery. CLA is a membership organization as well as the sole service provider for Special Service Area#1-2015. For more information, please visit here.

About Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation

The Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation is a 501(c)(3) affiliate organization that pushes the limits of what a downtown can be for its residents, workers and visitors. The Foundation seeks to enrich the Loop's public spaces through artistic expression and free cultural programming. By building a connection between people and the places they share, the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation hopes to create an inclusive downtown environment that fosters creativity and enhances the Loop's appeal to the people and businesses that are a part of it. For more information, please visit here.

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