Theatre & Wine Lovers Come Together to Celebrate Steppenwolf

Chicago—Chicago’s young professionals will gather for a dramatic evening of wine, celebrity and song at Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council's 3rd Annual Wine Tasting Benefit on April 1, 2005. The Annual Wine Tasting, held at the brand new River East Art Center at 435 E. Illinois, is exemplary of the sort of innovative philanthropic events happening at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. The 2005 Wine Tasting will celebrate the world premiere production of Bruce Norris' The Pain and the Itch directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro. Honorary Co-chairs Norris and ensemble member Shapiro will join guests in sampling the sumptuous flavors provided by KAFKA wine co. and Jewell Events Catering. The evening will also feature a live drawing of three stellar raffle prizes and conclude with the music of DJ Plez and Maggie Speaks. The Wine Tasting Benefit serves as the primary fundraiser for Steppenwolf’s Auxiliary Council. Steppenwolf’s Auxiliary Council is a community of dynamic young professionals who develop new financial resources and audiences for the creation and presentation of new work. In just four years of operation, the Auxiliary Council has provided over a quarter of a million dollars in contributions, enabling Steppenwolf to continue to advance artistic experimentation and collaboration. "Last year’s Wine Tasting Benefit attracted more than 300 young professionals and raised more than $35,000 for Steppenwolf, more than double the amount from the first event" says Mike Noonan, Auxiliary Council President. "This year we've teamed with KAFKA wine co. and Jewell Events Catering to create a remarkably diverse menu. We are equally excited to have playwright Bruce Norris and Steppenwolf's newest ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro as hosts for this special evening to benefit one of the most innovative theaters in the world." KAFKA master sommeliers will team with Jewell Events Catering to create a savory menu based on stations from KAFKA's five wine themes. Examples from the dynamic tables include Olive Tapenade, Korean Beef Skewers, Ripened Brie and Baba Khanoush. Dessert wines and a chocolate fondue fountain complete the taste stations. The mouth-watering combination of high-quality wines and gourmet food, aided by the teachings of master sommeliers, promises to be both informative and memorable. Auxiliary Council Governor Joe Kafka, owner of KAFKA wine co. on 3325 N. Halsted, is one of the much-talked-about wine vendors in Chicago. "KAFKA has a unique but commonsense approach to organizing our wine: flavor. Our store in Lakeview is organized by earthy, spicy, fruity, toasty and floral/herbal selections, and we’ll be bringing the same approach to the Wine Tasting Benefit.” Lance Lawson, Auxiliary Council member and owner of the boutique JAKE on 3740 N. Southport is particularly excited about the raffle and gift bags. “The raffle features fifteen stellar packages specially created for the celebrity in all of us. Normally you would only find this caliber of prizes at a silent auction,” he explained. The Annual Wine Tasting Benefit will also be the inaugural event in the River East Art Center. "We are excited to welcome Steppenwolf as our first special event at our new home on 435 E. Illinois," said Mikki Markowicz, Executive Director of the River East Art Center. "The Wine Tasting is a fine example of our mission to promote and exhibit visual, aural and performance art.” Tickets to the 3rd Annual Wine Tasting are available online at www.steppenwolf.org. A limited number of VIP packages, featuring 2 event tickets, a 6:30 p.m. private champagne reception and enhanced goody bag are available, priced at $500. For more information, or to reserve your VIP ticket now, contact Colette Gregory, Development Associate, at (312) 654-5672 or cgregory@steppenwolf.org. Please Note: Last year’s Wine Tasting sold out.