Presented by:

The Rodriguez Dance Theatre

at

St. Nicholas Episcopal Church

Friday, October 11, 2013
Red Carpet and Cash Bar at 6:30 PM
Elegant Small Plates, Live Music and Mystery at 7:30 PM

St. Nick’s Lisette Rodriguez and Rodriguez Dance Theatre (RDT) are kicking off their seventh season with their first significant fundraising event, to be held at St. Nicholas on Friday, October 11, 2013. All members of our community are invited to share in a rollicking, 1920s themed “evening of dancing and murder”.

Board Member Bob DeHaven explains that Dance to Death will be RDT’s first Gala event. “It has been great fun for me to see Lisette’s company grow, just in the two years that I have been on the board. The company members keep challenging themselves, and Lisette keeps raising the bar of both physical and artistic expectation. Although the main goal of a fundraiser is to increase our revenue to keep strengthening the company, it has been equally important to provide a great evening at a good value. We are still developing our audience and our reputation in the community. This event is intended to showcase the company’s talent, in the midst of a great evening. Our goal is to provide the best in food and entertainment for a donation that is equal to or less than what you might spend on an elegant night out. As we discussed the event with the company, everyone was eager to make it a party that anyone would love to attend.”

The mystery was written for RDT by Alesha Claveria, a freelance author and playwright who splits her time between L.A. and Washington D.C. Created for RDT, the storyline is about Lisette’s fictitious Grandmother Rose turning 100 years old, and begins like this:

“The wealthy Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village is abuzz with excitement. All the most upper crust citizens are gathering for the event of the year, a party no guest will forget! Rose Rodriguez, venerated founder of the world famous Rodriguez Dance Theatre, is turning 100 years old. Her family and friends are throwing Grandmother Rose a 1920s themed birthday party. After all, that’s when the old woman first rose to international dancing acclaim, during “The Roaring 20s” – era of speakeasies, short skirts, and bootlegged hooch. So in honor of Grandmother Rose’s contribution to the world of dance, the dancers in her company are bringing the 1920s roaring back with performances, dance lessons for guests, food and drinks. Guests can watch flapper girls tear up the floor, learn to dance the Charleston, and enjoy a little bootlegged hooch themselves! Anyone who’s anyone will be there to honor the famous Grandmother Rose as she turns one hundred. But, as it turns out, old Rose may have a surprise of her own! And when someone is found dead at the party, guests will have to wonder who, if anyone, will make it out alive. Murder wasn’t part of the evening’s scheduled entertainment . . . was it?

RSVP now for an evening of dancing and murder! Dress as you would for an elegant night out. ‘Roaring 20s’ garb not required, though it would be fun!”

Invitations may be found at the welcome table and reservations may be made online at www.rodriguezdancetheatre.com or by mail. For more information, call 630-310-7304 or ask Bob or Lisette.

Edited to correct the date and time, the webmistress regrets the error and will do the Charleston as penance for the next hour.