Chromeo; photo: courtesy Windish Agency
On Wednesday, April 25, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)’s highly anticipated 2012 Modern Ball—the Bay Area’s biggest art bash of the year and the institution’s premier fundraising gala—will transform the museum into a gigantic, ultrachic party.
With three decked-out venues to explore—the Gala Dinner, the Supper Club, and the Post-Modern Party—the Modern Ball promises a night of artful revelry, with sumptuous fare, cocktails, luxurious lounges, dancing, art, and a DJ set by acclaimed Montreal-based electrofunk duo Chromeo at the zenith of it all.
The event is chaired by SFMOMA Trustee Dolly Chammas, with honorary chairs Helen and Charles Schwab. Event designer Stanlee R. Gatti will bring his signature wit and creative flair to the décor. This year’s affair will have a Picasso-inspired theme, nodding to the artist’s defining impact on modernism. For instance, the Gala Dinner setting will conjure Picasso’s Blue Period, and the Supper Club lounge scene will channel the painter’s cubist style and fascination with African artifacts. With suggested attire as “dress up!” fashionistas and style-spotters should have plenty of inspiration.
The Modern Ball raises crucial funds for SFMOMA’s programs, enabling the museum to serve more than 50,000 students, teachers, and families each year with free access to innovative education programs. Proceeds also help provide free or reduced admission for over 180,000 families and community members.
Gala Dinner guests will enjoy a five-star feast featuring McCalls catering, Ruinart champagne, Robert Mondavi wines, and entertainment by DJ Vin Sol and Hot Club. The Gala venue also features a live auction led by Christie’s George McNeely, with premier items such as work by guest artist Doug Aitken and an America’s Cup Package offering a day at the races aboard the beautiful Far Niente Yacht. At the Supper Club, partygoers mingle in a stylish lounge with signature cocktails by Patrόn Tequila, gourmet culinary stations, and irresistible dance music by DJ CAMS. Guests at both venues will then converge with additional revelers at the Post-Modern Party, a museumwide fete with bubbly by Chandon; late-night bites by Aziza, Bix, and Tacolicious, and others; a performance by pop-inflected disco band Poolside; and electrifying sets by Chromeo and celebrity chef Hubert Keller (Fleur de Lys), who will be wearing another hat as a DJ, spinning his world-beat and jazz-infused international club sounds. Patrόn will host its crowd-favorite photo booth all night long.
The Modern Ball is generously supported by the Mimi and Peter Haas Fund, Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, and lead sponsors Wells Fargo and Giorgio Armani. SFMOMA would also like to thank the following for their crucial support: media sponsor San Francisco magazine; wine sponsor Robert Mondavi Winery; champagne sponsors Ruinart and Chandon; Post-Modern Party media sponsor SPIN; production services provided by Got Light?; spirits sponsor Patrón Tequila; Gala Dinner Media Sponsor Nob Hill Gazette; and water sponsors Crystal Geyser Water Company and Crystal Geyser Spring Water by CG Roxane.
SFMOMA is proud to partner with the Academy of Art University’s School of Multimedia Communications to capture the Modern Ball on video.
Tickets to The Modern Ball are still on sale and available for purchase online at sfmoma.org/modernball (surcharge applies). For more information or group inquiries call 415.618.3263 or email modernball@sfmoma.org.
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The Gala Dinner
6 p.m. Cocktails—Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Atrium
7 p.m. Seated Dinner—The Gala Tent
9:30 p.m. —Access to all Post-Modern party venues
Experience the ultimate night out, including a delectable dinner, entertainment, a live auction, and more fabulous surprises. Enter on Third Street. Valet parking is provided.
Grand benefactor tickets: 5,000 per person SOLD OUT
Benefactor tickets: $2,000 per person SOLD OUT
Auction highlights include:
· Doug Aitken’s 1968 (black), 2011, a large word sculpture by the California-based artist who won the International Prize at the 1999 Venice Biennale. The work references a year in world history marked by a global sea change in attitudes, politics, and movements. Its surfaces—made of black-tinted mirror— display a constantly changing image, relative to the viewer. Aitken considers them “existential signage.”
· The America’s Cup Package, featuring a day at the races aboard the beautiful 86-foot yacht Far Niente, with delicious menu and wine, followed by a private seated dinner later on at Pier 24 prepared by Chef Michael Tusk of Quince.
· Fashion and Art in Paris Package, offering tickets to the Armani Privé Couture runway show in Paris, a two-night stay at the Four Seasons Georges V Hotel, a curator-led tour of the Centre Pompidou, a private viewing of Christie’s jewelry vaults, lunch at Market Restaurant, dinner at Restaurant L’Ambroise, and a personalized wardrobe consultation and $5000 gift certificate to shop at the Giorgio Armani boutique in San Francisco.
· Napa Valley Wine Package, including a stay in beautiful St. Helena, California, and insider access to Auction Napa Valley’s American Wine Classic, with choice of dozens of VIP parties and private tours of Napa Valley’s architectural triumphs such as Dominus Estate Winery, Quixote Winery, Chappellet Winery, and Peter Michael Winery.
Packages are subject to change.
The Supper Club
6:30 p.m. Reserved tables seated for dinner
8 p.m. Evening lounge
9:30 p.m. Access to all party venues
See and be seen in a chic lounge featuring DJ CAMS, flowing drinks, and gourmet culinary stations. Enter at corner of Third and Minna Streets. Valet parking is provided.
Evening lounge tickets: $500
Reserved seating: $1,000
Reserved tables for 10 people: $10,000
The Post-Modern Party
9 p.m. (doors open) to midnight
9 p.m. DJ Vin Sol—Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Atrium
9:30 p.m. World-renowned chef and DJ Hubert Keller—The Gala Tent
9:30 p.m. Poolside —The Supper Club Lounge
10:15 p.m. DJ CAMS—The Supper Club Lounge
10:15 p.m. Chromeo DJ Set—Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Atrium
(All night) Patrόn photo booth—The Schwab Room
Mix it up in whole new way as dinner guests and partygoers converge at one gigantic celebration featuring Chromeo (DJ set), late-night bites from San Francisco’s hottest restaurants, drinks, and dancing into the night. Enter on Third Street.
SFMOMA member price: $100
General advance ticket (reserved by March 25): $100
General advance ticket (reserved after March 25): $125
General door price: $150
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About Chromeo
The music of Montreal-based electrofunk duo Chromeo has been described as “a shameless return to the glistening, sex-saturated synth-pop which ruled the eighties.” The duo is composed of P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) on keyboards, synthesizers, and talk box; and Dave 1 (David Macklovitch) on guitar and lead vocals. Highlights of their 2004 debut album She’s in Control include the club tracks “Needy Girl,” “Mercury Tears,” “Rage!,” and “Destination: Overdrive.” In 2005, Chromeo released a mix CD of dance tracks on Eskimo Belgium records entitled Un Joli Mix Pour Toi (A Pretty Mix For You). During early 2007, Chromeo supported indie rock group Bloc Party on their British tour and released their second album, “Fancy Footwork.”
About DJ Vin Sol
Since Vin Sol first hit the clubs in 2000, he has performed solo and alongside acts such as M.I.A., Biz Markie, Too Short, Pete Rock, Diplo, The Rapture, A-Trak, and LCD Soundsystem. Whether playing intimate venues or festivals, his expansive vinyl collection and tight beat-matching keeps any crowd dancing. In 2011, he issued vinyl releases on labels Fool’s Gold Records and Scion A/V, and collaborated with Chromeo for BBC Radio 1.
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2012 Modern Ball Committee
Honorary Chairs: Helen and Charles Schwab
Chair: Dolly Chammas
Event Committee: Alka Agrawal, Janice Barger, Janet Barnes, Yves Behar, Gretchen Berggruen, Joni Binder Shwarts, Gay-Lynn Blanding, Tamera Briones, Sabrina Buell, Carolyn Butcher, Patricia Calfee, Paula Carano, Heidi Castelein, Patrick Chammas, Kate Harbin Clammer, Nathalie Delrue-McGuire, Carol Doll, Silvia Edwards, Ann Fisher, Marilyn Hayes, Bradley James, Pamela Kramlich, Janet W. Lamkin, Gorretti Lui, Charlot Malin, Anne-Marie Massocca, Nion T. McEvoy, Lorna Meyer, Alexis Miller, Katie Paige, Gina Peterson, Becca Prowda, Anderson Pugash, Jacqueline Sacks, Allison Speer, Norah S. Stone, Christine Suppes, Laura Sweeney, Dana Tananbaum, Marina Tikhman, Pat Wilson, Annie Robinson Woods, Robin Wright, Victoria Yeager, and Mary Zlot.
2012 Modern Ball Honorary Committee
Nancy and Joachim Bechtle, Athena and Timothy Blackburn, Danielle and George Boutros, Jim Breyer, Graziano de Boni, Barbara and Bill Edwards, Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein, Concepcíon and Irwin Federman, Mrs. Donald Fisher, Randi and Bob Fisher, Patricia W. Fitzpatrick, Nancy and R. Patrick Forster, Marcia and John Goldman, Mimi Haas, Maryellie and Rupert Johnson, Mary Jo and Dick Kovacevich, Dr. Alan Malouf, Marisa Mayer and Zachary Bogue, Debbie and Jim Messemer, Carole Middleton, Lisa and John Miller, Hon. Nancy Pelosi and Paul F. Pelosi, Andy and Mary Pilara, Lisa and John Pritzker, Lydia and Doug Shorenstein, Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, Charlotte and George Shultz, Judy and Kim Siebel, Elisa Stephens, Ruth and John Stumpf, Roselyne Chroman Swig, and Susan Swig.
The Modern Ball 2012 is made possible through the talent and support of the following production partners and neighbors: Stanlee R. Gatti Designs, McCalls, GB Productions, Christie’s, Classic Party Rentals, The St. Regis San Francisco, San Francisco Fire Department, Academy of Art University, Eli Ridgeway Gallery, Catherine Clark Gallery, Chandler Framing, and RMG.