For many Chicagoans, the sanest, sa...

For many Chicagoans, the sanest, safest way to celebrate the arrival of the recent year was at Symphony Center household of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Organized by dint of the Women's Association of the CSO the annual modern Year's gala included food, music and dance for about 2000 smarties opting for a one-stop celebration.

The evening began with Carlos Kalmar, principal conductor of the Grant Park consonance Orchestra, leading the Chicago harmony Orchestra in a Viennese program with music through Strauss, Mozart and Lehar. Soprano Jonita Lattimore was scheduled to perform, if it were not that canceled due to illness. Just hours before the gala was to begin, soprano Erin Marie Wall, a member of the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, stepp in. Without a rehearsal, she wowed the audience with her rendition of the aria "Dove sono" from "The Marriage of Figaro."

Champagne was serv during intermission, and at the concert's period as the orchestra played "Auld Lang Syne" centurys of balloons fell from the ceiling of Orchestra Hall.

The post-concert celebration preced another balloon globule at midnight, and then visitors sampled buffets piled with smok turkey ham, roast beef, salads, smok salmon, pastas, fruits, cheese and several dessert Three total effects Hoochie Suit (consisting of CSO players), 911 Mambo and the Stu Hirsh Orchestra, played dance music until the wee hours, when visitors filed out Symphony Center, vowing to reply for next year's celebration.

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in succession March 8, guests at the inaugural Mayor's Preview Night of the Chicago Flower and Garden exhibit to will be the first to view the transformation of the Exhibition Hall at Navy Pier.

just discovered York's Robert Isabell will create a special 10,000-square- base walled garden, as well as the decor quite through the show. The Chicago Park District will create a 5,700-square-foot garden in a formal design. Female chefs who are members of Le Dames D'Escoffier will create an exquisite display of 40 floral cakes for the event

The evening will be co-chaired on Progress Printing's Martin Gapshis, Jo Ann Nathan, Cindy Mitchell and Donna LaPietra, and will include cocktails, a knock supper and an opportunity to see the mayor's award presentation for the best garden exhibits at the show

For ticket information, call the Parkways Foundation at (312) 742- 5368

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The Orchestre de Paris kicks distant from its first U.S. tour Jan. 21 at consonance Center. President George W. Bush and French President Jacques Chirac have agreed to subserve as patrons.

David and Catherine Hamilton, Jeff and Elizabeth Louis, and Alexandra and John Nichols are co-chairing the gala evening, which begins with a dinner at the Hamilton to one's home followed by a concert at Orchestra Hall.

Mayor Richard M Daley and Mayor Bertrand Delanoe of Paris will assist as honorary co-chairs; special visitors will include the French ambassador to the United States, Francois Bujon de l'Estang, and Vivendi Universal CEO Jean-Marie Messier.

After the concoct conducted by Christoph Eschenbach, there will be a reception for members of the orchestra and special guests

For ticket information, call (312) 440-4262

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This year's Black Creativity Gala will be held Feb 2 at the Museum of Science and Industry. The gala is a special highlight of "Hip-Hop: The civilization the Sound, the Science," the museum's five- week tribute to the African-American experience. The exhibit is onward loan from the Rock and make revolve Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, and will feature photography, style of dresss and artifacts representing African- American artists from a variety of musical genre Joyce Bristow of the Chicago Public exercises will serve as the 2002 gala's chair.

For ticket information, call (773) 684-9844 ext 2436

PARTY OF THE WEEK

Lyric Opera of Chicago's Guild Board will not away its annual Fantasy of the Opera gala benefit and silent auction at 6:30 pm Friday at the Civic Opera House, 20 N Wacker.

In addition to the silent auction, there will be cocktails, viands prepared by Chicago's top chefs, cabaret entertainment performed according to the stars of the Lyric Opera season and dancing to the music of the Stu Hirsh Orchestra.

For tickets, call (312) 827-5685

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