Local and national arts devotees gathered on stage at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center to celebrate the National Park Service’s Centennial and support Wolf Trap’s arts and education programs
- The Honorable Sally Jewell served as Honorary Chair and Mrs. Laura Bush, honorary co-chair of the National Park Service’s Centennial Celebration and former honorary chair of Wolf Trap Foundation’s Board, addressed guests and spoke to the special role that the National Park Service plays in America’s cultural heritage.
- Ball Co-chairs and Wolf Trap Foundation Board Members Fred and Kim Humphries and Tim and Ann Keating led fundraising effort, reaching $1.58 million in support of Wolf Trap’s national arts and education programs
- Invitations and décor represented the importance and grandeur of the 400+ National Park sites across America.
- Evening highlights included classic American cuisine, stunning imagery that brought the National Parks to life – including greenery walls and 28’ wide screens images of National Parks, dancing, and more.
Vienna, Virginia (September 18, 2016) – On Friday, September 16, more than 800 guests came together for the annual Wolf Trap Ball, celebrating the end of Wolf Trap’s summer season and raising a record-breaking $1.58 million in support of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Art’s arts education and community programs. Held onstage at the Filene Center stage at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, this year’s Ball celebrated the National Park Service Centennial.
In recognition of Wolf Trap’s unique role as the only National Park for the Performing Arts, The Honorable Sally Jewell served as Honorary Chair for the evening. Mrs. Laura Bush, honorary co-chair of the National Park Service’s Centennial Celebration and former honorary chair of Wolf Trap Foundation’s Board, addressed guests and spoke to the special role that the National Park Service plays in America’s cultural heritage. Special surprise guest President George W. Bush also made an appearance to introduce his wife. The Ball was Co-chaired by Wolf Trap Foundation Board Members Fred and Kim Humphries and Tim and Ann Keating.
Wolf Trap crafted an evening that rejoiced the importance and grandeur of the 400+ National Park sites across America. Upon entering, guests saw the Filene Center stage – the second largest stage in the nation – transformed with 28’ screens displaying stunning imagery of our National Parks. Design Cuisine created a spectacular multi-course dinner inspired by American classics and the National Parks – complete with a create-your-own s’mores station, and Karin’s Florist provided all the florals including several greenery walls. Guests enjoyed a performance from mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves and special remarks from guest Mrs. Laura Bush. Dancing to live music provided by Marquise was also a highlight of the evening.
Proceeds from the Ball benefit Wolf Trap Foundation’s renowned arts and education programs, including the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. As a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, Wolf Trap has served millions of preschool and kindergarten children, teachers, and caregivers around the country and abroad using performing arts disciplines to enhance academic and social skills. Similarly, Wolf Trap’s artistic programs range from eclectic multi-genre performances to classical, opera, and dance productions, including initiatives to commission new works and programming that addresses the need for performances that reflect the culture and diversity of the Washington, D.C. region.
The 2016 Wolf Trap Ball Lead sponsors were Dan and Gayle D’Aniello, with The Boeing Company and Microsoft as Presenting sponsors. Margaret and Shashi Gupta and Suzy and Bob Pence served as Host sponsors. Diamond level sponsors included Hillary and Tom Baltimore, Christina and Gary Mather, KPMG, MicroStrategy, PWC, SunTrust, and USAA.
Tickets were $750 for individuals, with access to a VIP Reception starting at $1,500. Sponsorship opportunities ranged from $10,000 to $100,000.
2016 Wolf Trap Ball –Friday, September 16, 2016
Event Timeline
7:00 p.m.
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Cocktail reception begins on stage |
8:00 p.m.
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Seating for Dinner
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8:15 p.m.
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Welcome Remarks
Arvind Manocha, Wolf Trap Foundation President and CEO
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8:20 p.m.
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Performance from Denyce Graves
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8:35 p.m.
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Welcome Remarks and remarks from Co-chairs, Honorary Host, and special guest Mrs. Laura Bush
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9:05 p.m.
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Dinner Service begins
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10:15 p.m.
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Dancing begins
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10:45 p.m.
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Raffle prize drawing from stage
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Midnight
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Event concludes
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Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, produces and presents a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington area, as well as nationally. Wolf Trap features three performance venues: the outdoor Filene Center and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, both located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and The Barns at Wolf Trap, located down the road from the national park and adjacent to the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. The 7,028-seat Filene Center is operated in partnership with the National Park Service and annually showcases an extensive array of diverse artists, ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to classical music, dance, and theatre, as well as multimedia presentations, from May through September. The Barns at Wolf Trap is operated by the Wolf Trap Foundation year round, and during the summer months is home to the Grammy-nominated Wolf Trap Opera, one of America’s outstanding resident ensemble programs for young opera singers. Wolf Trap’s education programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, a diverse array of arts education classes, grants, and a nationally recognized internship program.
Media Information:
High-resolution images are available upon request
Emily Smalling, Coordinator, Public Relations
703.255.4096 or emilys@wolftrap.org
Michelle Pendoley, Director, Public Relations
703.255.1917 or michellep@wolftrap.org