UNIVERSITY VILLAGE — The Green Tie Ball is moving south.
For the first time, the annual fundraiser will be held at Parking Lot 6 at the UIC campus in the city’s University Village neighborhood. Thousands are expected to attend the gala Saturday to raise money for Chicago Gateway Green, a non-profit dedicated to greening and beautifying expressways and communities.
This year, Jane’s Addiction and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell will headline “The Great Green Gatsby”-themed evening, honoring the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald story, as guests enjoy tastings from more than 55 top Chicago restaurants and an open bar.
Tickets to the Green Tie Ball range from $150 to $250 online. Prices are higher at the door.
In the last few years, the gala had been held at A. Finkl & Sons, 2011 N. Southport Ave. But when the Lincoln Park-area steel site announced it would move operations to the South Side, Tony Abruscato, chairman of Chicago Gateway Green, knew the summer soiree would need to relocate, too.
The outdoor location in the UIC parking lot at 1135 S. Union St. was a good fit, Abruscato said.
“[Moving to] UIC gives us the opportunity for expanded space while featuring all of the neat things the Green Tie Ball is known for,” Abruscato said — noting a large main stage, tons of food, DJs, a light show and confetti. “It was hard to find a space that’s large enough to hold 3,500 [attendees] and UIC has been a fantastic partner.”
Saturday night’s lineup will also include DJ Rock City, DJ Matt Roan, DJ JRose & DJ Kane and DJ Justin Jacobson. ABC7’s ‘Windy City Live!’ co-hosts Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini will emcee the evening.
Co-chairs of the 23rd annual bash include SPLASH Editor-in-Chief Susanna Negovan and Lee Golub and Company’s Lee Golub.
Participating restaurants include Nightwood, Mercadito and Shaw’s Crab House.
Founded in 1992, more than $500,000 was raised at the Green Tie Ball last year, according to Jamie Weil, spokesperson for the fundraiser.
Streeterville-based Chicago Gateway Green impacts the community with three key programs: Expressway Partnership, transforming city roadways into landscaped parkways; the International Sculpture Program, beautifying gateways through the installation of public, international art on expressways; and the Tree Partnership, a large-scale tree planting initiative that transforms unused land into green spaces.
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