A Pink Moon for the Moondance Gala

From left: Michael and Evelyn Tracey, Jeryl and Stephen Oritaglio (cofounders of the Esplanade Association). Photo by Ruby Wallace Ewing

It’s the only black-tie event held on the Esplanade and, frankly, the only gala held in Boston where most guests arrive on foot or via golf cart. After all, there’s no other way to get down to the banks of the Charles river, unless you come by skiff, which a few intrepid guests did last Saturday night, including Belmont Hill School’s Latin teacher/head rowing coach Chris Richards. But come they did, in gowns, tuxes, and cocktail dresses.

Chris and Alexis Egan, and Elizabeth Georgantas

This year’s gala, co-chaired by Cynthia Croatti, Allison Hirsch, and Sandra Steele, featured a live auction helmed by Skinner’s Karen Keane. The 2015 Moondance Gala raised more than $900,000 to enhance one of Boston’s greatest resources, used everyday by kids, bikers, joggers, and tourists. Money will be used to tend to the park’s 1,800 trees, play areas, and programming.

In attendance were several Bruins wives, plus large-time donors committed to improving Boston’s open spaces.

Margo Newman (Chair of the Board of Directors) and Meryl S. LeBoff, Director of the Skeletal Health and Osteoporosis Center and Bone Density Unit at the Brigham and Women’s. Photo: Ruby Wallace Ewing

Jodi and Hal Hess

Illuminated trees were hung upside down from the roof. Photo by B Lindsay Ahern/Elevin Studios, courtesy of the Esplanade Association.

The glowing tent from across the lagoon. Photo by B Lindsay Ahern/Elevin Studios, courtesy of the Esplanade Association.