3rd Annual Chicago Training Center Gala - Ready, Set, Row…

On Friday, November 13th Chicago Training Center is hosting their third annual Gala event to help raise money for their mission of providing under-served Chicago students with their after-school rowing program.

The evening kicks off at 6pm with a cocktail reception where guests will have a chance to bid on a wide variety of items including; a special selection of A.M. Feldman Jewelry, a signed B.J. Armstrong basketball w/ two Bulls tickets, dinner at Rustico, an ultimate Cubs fan package, Guest Chef package for Chicago’s hot spot restaurant MOTO, private champagne shopping experience at J. Mendel, photography by Dave Jordano, Chuck Shotwell, and Jeff Ross, plus so much more!

After the conclusion of the silent auction at 7:30 guests will be invited for a sit down dinner and program that will be lead by NBC News anchor Christian Farr. 11th Ward Alderman James Balcer and 20th Ward Alderman Willie Cochran will be receiving the Executive Director’s Award for their tremendous support of CTC and their impact in the community.

The Gala evening will then introduce British Olympic silver medalist, Colin Smith, who will share his impressive story. Called “the toughest man in British rowing,” he hopes to be an inspiration to these high school boys and girls by demonstrating that no matter how disadvantaged one’s background may be, rowing can provide the dedicated athlete with a college education, international travel, and a better life.  

This will be followed by a spirited auction, led by professional auctioneer Roberta Kramer ISA [Kramer and Associates], a 20-year veteran of Chicago’s arts and antiques community.

The live auction items include an all expense paid trip to England for the annual Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race, a luxurious house in Steamboat Springs for a fabulous week during ski season, and a private wine & cheese party at Moka Gallery hosted by the winning bidder where the host will go home with his or her choice of a piece of fine art.

Insider Info:

Tables are selling quickly with only a few left, go to www.chicagotrainingcenter.org/gala and buy your tickets today. (Individual tickets are $200 and groups of 5 are $900)

Chicago Training Center is pulling out all the stops with an after-party that is sure to get people talking. Free entry to Gala attendees and $40 door fee for non-Gala attendees.

From 10 PM to midnight, guests can enjoy a specialty open bar at Martini Park, 151 West Erie, to help raise even more funds for Chicago Training Center. Flying in from London and New York CTC's guest bartenders include Bill Fedyna - Word Champion, Colin Smith - Olympic Silver Medalist, Pete Cipollone - Olympic Gold Medalist, and Aquil Abdullah - Olympic Athlete.