Hedwignites is a special evening to support the artistry and community created by the Hedwig Dances company. Every year, friends, family, and supporters gather to celebrate an evening of food, art and conversation to help further the mission of Hedwig Dances. See the links further down the page for a treasure trove of images, video tributes and more for recent galas.
In 2018, the Board of Directors established the annual conferral of Hedwig Dance Awards to recognize and celebrate transformational leaders, artists, critics, mentors, and funders who create, illuminate, and nourish contemporary dance. Founder and Artistic Director Jan Bartoszek explained: “Having produced dance for more than three decades, we felt it was time we showed our gratitude to the individuals and organizations that have paved the way for contemporary dance in Chicago.”
Hedwignites 2024 – Gala, Performance, and Awards – Friday, June 7, 2024
Celebrating 39 years and bold, new moves ahead!
Please join us in ringing in an incredible year of new and vibrant dance work as we honor two stand-out members of the art community and look to bold, new moves ahead! Meet and mingle with our Hedwig Dance Award recipients plus Hedwig Dances leadership, dancers, and designers. Be the first to learn about Hedwig…
Honorees
- Alison Hinderliter
- Ken Bowen
Hedwignites 2023 – Gala, Performance, and Awards – Friday, May 19
Celebrating 38+ Years and Counting!
Meet and mingle with our Hedwig Dance Award recipients plus Hedwig Dances’ artists, leaders, dancers and designers. Be the first to learn about Hedwig Dances’ exciting plans for 2023 and beyond. 6:00 PM | WINE RECEPTION 6:35 PM | PERFORMANCE Welcome – Jan Bartoszek, Founder and Artistic Director, Hedwig Dances Exclusive Preview of Hedwig’s Newest…
Honorees
- Michael Reed
- Ladonna Freidheim
- Mark Kelly
Hedwignites 2022 – Gala, Performance, and Awards Program
Celebrating 37+ Years and Counting!
Meet and mingle with our Hedwig Dance Award recipients plus Hedwig Dances’ artists, leaders, dancers, and designers. Be the first to learn about Hedwig Dances’ exciting plans for 2022 and beyond. Enjoy a rare opportunity for an up-close view of iconic costumes from Bauhaus artist Oskar Schlemmer’s Triadic Ballet in its centennial year! 6:00 PM…
Honorees
- The Morrison Shearer Foundation and The Ragdale Foundation
- Maray Gutierrez and Victor Alexander
- Yolanda Cesta Cursach Montilla
HEDWIGnites 2021
Celebrating 36 Years + Counting
Hedwignites 2021 was our second foray in hosting our annual gala in virtual space to support the company’s accomplishments and endeavors. The turnout was marvelous, the unique Headwigs fashioned by our artists and guests were a celebration of creativity! Once again we were joined by guests from their homes all over North America. Guests checked…
Honorees
- Amaniyea Payne
- William Frederking
- Kathrene Wales
HEDWIGnites 2020 – H35
Celebrating 35 Years of Inspiration
Hedwignites 2020 was a truly festive benefit gala in virtual space to support the company’s accomplishments and endeavors. We weren’t sure how this new, online version of a gala would be received but we were resolved not to let our 35th Anniversary pass by unheralded. The turnout was marvelous! Guests joined us from their homes…
Honorees
- Richard Woodbury
- Susan Manning
- Ellen Chenoweth for Dance Center of Columbia College
HEDWIGnites 2019
Celebrating 34 Years of Inspiration
Hedwignites 2019 was held on March 8, at the Arts Club of Chicago. The evening began with a wine reception and silent auction, followed by dinner with a fun table game design competition entitled Play Bauhaus. We were gratified by an inspirational speaking program, beginning with a Keynote Address by Henry Godinez, followed by the…
Honorees
- Ping Chong
- Vin Reed
HEDWIGnites 2018
Celebrating 33 Years of Inspiration
Hedwignites 2018: Play + Bauhaus was staged in the adventurous and forward-looking spirit of the Bauhaus modernist movement on March 23 at the Arts Club of Chicago. It began with a wine reception and silent auction, followed by dinner with a fun table game design competition entitled Play Bauhaus. We were gratified by an inspirational…
Honorees
- Jackie Radis
- Ginger Farley
- Laura Molzahn