The San Francisco Ballet Kicks off its 2015 Season

Love was in the air when the San Francisco Ballet kicked off its 2015 season and Helgi Tomasson‘s 30th anniversary as its artistic director with its 82nd Repertory season opening night gala on Jan. 22 at the War Memorial Opera House. Tomasson, also the company’s principal choreographer, is the longest serving sole artistic director of any major U.S. ballet company. To fit the special evening’s “Infinite Romance” theme, J Riccardo Benavides created an amorous atmosphere using abstract shapes, sensual fabrics, and romantic lighting at City Hall, where the gala took place. The evening began with a cocktail reception in the South Light Court for guests of the three black-tie fundraising dinners, with all proceeds benefiting the San Francisco Ballet’s annual fund. Later, there was plenty of dancing at the after party, where deejay Chris Clouse and live music by Wonderbread 5 kept guests on their feet past midnight.