By Alexandra del Lago Photography by Ashley Love
Recently, on a sunny spring afternoon, guests of every age descended upon the newly renovated The LINE Hotel to support and celebrate Ballet Austin Guild as it presented its 35th Spring fundraiser, An Afternoon of Enchantment. In fact, for many the tea has become both a new and treasured annual tradition.
Following a VIP reception to honor the event’s major supporters, old friends and new began gathering to mix and mingle over welcome drinks while capturing the moment in the ever popular photo booth. Guests were dressed in their best tea finery but the festive hats and fascinators definitely took center stage. The ballroom doors opened to reveal the enchanted forest beyond and exquisite tables laden with every kind of delicious treat, tea, and champagne, all designed and beautifully executed by VP of Fundraising Events and Event Chair Shane Manning and his devoted team of Guild volunteers. Musicians Anthony Chen and Cory Blais performed, while Butler Fellowship Program dancers Meredith Stitt and Ellis Broderick posed for photos with guests in their balletic tutus.
Raffle baskets filled to overflowing tempted partygoers waiting for the program that Amanda Tatom emceed. Guild members enjoyed the opportunity to visit with Stephen Mills, Ballet Austin Sarah and Ernest Butler Family Fund artistic director, Cookie Ruiz, Ballet Austin’s Executive Director, and a number of Ballet Austin performers.
We love that 2019 marks the 44th anniversary of Ballet Austin Guild, a non-profit organization supporting Ballet Austin’s educational and community programs benefiting over 57,000 Central Texans each year. The Guild consists of energetic volunteers who want to learn more about ballet and contribute to one of Austin’s finest cultural institutions. Proceeds from the event, designed as prelude to Ballet Austin’s season finale production of the Romantic Era classic, Giselle, support the Ballet Austin Academy youth scholarship fund. This fund ensures that no child who has the talent and desire to study ballet is denied a formal dance education due to financial concerns.
For more membership information, visit https://balletaustin.org
