Event: San Francisco Ballet’s 2025 Opening Night Gala
Date: January 21, 2025
Location: SF City Hall, San Francisco
Photos (39): Katie Ravas for Drew Altizer Photography
San Francisco Ballet’s decadent 2025 Opening Night Gala was the ultimate convergence of dance, fashion, music, and visual art in the Bay Area on Wednesday, January 22. The evening commenced with a stunning dinner in San Francisco City Hall followed by a one-night-only performance to celebrate SF Ballet’s transcendent upcoming season, curated by visionary Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, at the War Memorial Opera House. The performance not only showcased the world-class talents of SF Ballet’s dancers, but also of the highly acclaimed choreographers featured in SF Ballet’s 2025 Season with glimpses of high-drama ballets such as Manon and Raymonda, contemporary North American premieres, and more. The celebration continued with a high-energy after party in City Hall featuring performances by DJ Umami and Tainted Love.
SF Ballet was delighted to welcome businesswoman Ayesha Curry as this year’s Honorary Gala Chair. The event was also supported by Gala Chair Pam Preston, Dinner Chair Terra Sollman, and Décor Chair Elizabeth Mitchell. Attendees included SF Ballet Chair of the Board of Trustees Alison Mauzé, Executive Director Branislav Henselmann, actress Elisa Donovan, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Curator in Charge Furio Rinaldi, artist Ranu Mukherjee, businessman Paul Pelosi, presenting sponsor John Osterweis, and many of SF Ballet’s current Company members. Revenue from Gala tickets directly supports the creation of groundbreaking new works, the preservation of classical ballet masterpieces, scholarships for SF Ballet School students, and community education programs that enrich the lives of Bay Area youth, families, and seniors.
Guests were treated to a special evening welcoming Aisha Ayensu to the Bay Area. The event showcased an immersive live model presentation of the Christie Brown x McMullen Fall capsule collection, offering a blend of high fashion and rich cultural storytelling. Attendees enjoyed a curated 3-course meal by Chef Lala of Jusla Eats, paired with delicious wines from Brown Estates, as they celebrated the seamless fusion of two distinct fashion perspectives coming together. A highlight of the evening was the debut of Christie Brown’s “At The Table” dinner series, originally from Accra, Ghana, now brought to Oakland, California. This unique experience fostered deeper connections among guests, creating a magical sense of community throughout the night.
