Maggie Graham
Maggie Graham during Spectacle Lunatique at the Redmoon Theater. (Travis Haughton, Chicago Tribune / March 15, 2014)



Redmoon Theater hosted a night of fantasy for more than 750 guests at its annual fundraiser, Spectacle Lunatique, held March 15 in its cavernous warehouse space in Pilsen.

Partygoers experienced interactive installations, culinary delights from top restaurants, pyrotechnic displays and aerial artists. Howard Tullman, CEO of tech startup center 1871, was honored with the Galvanizer Award.

Guests took turns on a giant swing set and enjoyed barbecue tastings supplied by the "Cyclone Grill," a merry-go-round-type apparatus with Weber grills. Aerial artists from Redmoon and Aerial Dance Chicago performed, while actors dressed as bears played pool with guests for a $50 donation. Special keys provided entry into the VIP Luna Lodge, where attendees were treated to a private bar, desserts from French Pastry School, massages and faux tattoos.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his wife, Amy Rule, participated in a "Ten-Minute Table for Two" with tastings from Schwa restaurant's executive chef Michael Carlson while a classical opera singer serenaded them for a $250 donation.

Redmoon's executive and producing artistic directors, Jim Lasko and Frank Maugeri, greeted the crowd via video. The short film introduced the company's vision for the future, which includes the Great Chicago Fire Festival, a citywide event that will launch this summer.

After the video, Tullman was honored with the Galvanizer Award in a dramatic ceremony that began with a 38-drummer percussion procession. Spotlights followed the honoree, who arrived in a rickshaw.

Co-chaired by Lucy and Matt Moog, the event raised nearly $400,000 to fund free summer programming in the parks, primarily in underserved areas.

Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.

Visit Candid Candace's website here.