We are thrilled to invite you to See Chicago Dance’s 20th Anniversary BOLD IMPACT Gala—a community celebration and fundraiser benefiting the programs and services of See Chicago Dance!

Join us as we celebrate 20 years of dedicated service to Chicago’s dance community and honor two luminaries whose vision and leadership have left a lasting mark on the city’s dance landscape.

This year, we proudly present the 2025 Legacy Award to Kevin Iega Jeff, co-founder of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, choreographer, director, dance educator, cultural community builder, and creative consultant. We also honor Julie Nakagawa, co-founder and Artistic Director of DanceWorks Chicago and Hubbard Street 2, good dance citizen, with the 2025 Distinguished Service to the Dance Field Award.

Click here to read the biographies of this year’s honorees!

It is our privilege to celebrate the BOLD IMPACT of these two cultural leaders as we reflect on the past and look ahead to a bright future for See Chicago Dance.

Be a part of the celebration on Tuesday, September 30th, at Venue West!

This unforgettable evening will feature a reception, seated dinner, raffle packages, paddle raise, awards presentations, and not-to-be-missed performances by DanceWorks Chicago and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater.

Get your tickets today for one of the most uplifting events of the year. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

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Event Details:

When:   Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Where:  Venue West, 221 N Paulina St., Chicago, IL 60612

Parking: There is abundant free parking in the venue’s lot directly across the street.

Individual Tickets: $325

Sponsorships: Reserve your table for 10 now! Sponsorships start at $3,000. 
For more information on sponsorships or to purchase a table, contact Julia Mayer at julia@seechicagodance.com.

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Tribute Ads: Reserve your tribute ads today! Full-page and half-page ad sizes are available in this year’s digital program booklet! CLICK HERE to reserve your tribute ad!

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Accessibility:
Venue West is fully accessible. SCD will be providing ASL, CART captioning, audio description, and large print programs at the event. If you require other accommodations, please contact Kennedy Ward at kennedy@seechicagodance.com.

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Honorees: 

Gala Host: Lexi Sutter, Reporter, NBC5 Chicago

Event Co-Chairs: Mashaune Hardy & Vin Reed

Host Committee: Jan Bartoszek, Pamela Crutchfield, Robin Edwards, Patti Eylar, Carol Fox, Ted Grady, Judie Moore Green+, Winifred Haun, Gail Kalver, Kevin McGirr, Meghan McNamara+, Michael McStraw+, Niki Morrison+, Toby Nicholson, Brian Smith+, Janet Carl Smith, and Linda Swayze

SCD Board of Directors: Jorge Perez (President), Amanda Banks (Vice President), Dawn Stanislaw (Treasurer), Marisa C. Santiago (Secretary), Debra Bernstein-Siegel, Michael Foster, Ladonna Freidheim, Chelsea Hoy, Erik Kaiko, Bradlee Lathon, Danielle Pender, Sarah Venuti Yates, Allyson Ratliff, Kia S. Smith

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Sponsors
See Chicago Dance’s 20th Anniversary BOLD IMPACT Gala is generously sponsored by:

Media Partner

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+Past See Chicago Dance Board Presidents / The Presidents’ Club
*Generously underwritten by Pamela Crutchfield.
**Generously underwritten by Patti Eylar.
Photo Credits: Kevin Iega Jeff by Michelle Reid. Julie Nakagawa by Cheryl Mann.