‘Waves of Japan’: A night of drums, dreams and Japanese culture at COD Foundation’s gala on Feb. 23
College of DuPage Foundation, in support of the McAninch Arts Center and the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, is hosting “Waves of Japan: Night of Drums and Dreams,” a benefit gala, on Sunday, Feb. 23.
It will be 4 to 9 p.m. at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.
The MAC will be transformed into a Japanese Night Market for the event which features dinner, Japanese art-making demonstrations, a silent auction and a full-length production by Yamato: The Drummers of Japan on stage in the Belushi Performance Hall.
The evening will begin with premium ticket guests mixing and mingling in the MAC lobby while enjoying an open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and a Japanese Night Market themed menu served via food carts, catered by Blue Plate.
There also will be the chance to observe a wood block print demonstration and engage in a tempting silent auction for travel opportunities, golf, dining, theater and one-of-a-kind items, including a “Smartless” T-shirt signed by Jennifer Aniston, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Sandra Bullock and Sean Hayes; an original print by Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick; and pearl jewelry by Cottage Hill Diamonds.
A major highlight of the evening will be the 7 p.m. performance by Yamato: The Drummers of Japan on the Belushi Performance Hall stage. This powerhouse performance featuring more than 40 taiko drums will channel the heartbeat of Yamato’s homeland in a spectacularly athletic show guaranteed to quicken the pulse and infuse the spirit.
The gala chair is Marcie Peterson. Lead benefit gala sponsors for “Waves of Japan: Night of Drums and Dreams” are DuPage Foundation and Steve and Megan Shebik.
Premium tickets are $250. A $150 Balcony Party ticket including refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and concert ticket on the balcony of the Belushi Performance Hall is also available.
A portion of the gala ticket price is a donation to the College of DuPage Foundation Major Exhibition Fund and will be dedicated to presenting the summer 2025 exhibition, “Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, Artworks from the Chiossone Collection.”
Event and table sponsorships are also available. For tickets, sponsorships or more information, call (630) 942-3088, email foundation@codfound.org, or visit hokusai.givesmart.com.