Our customer, Viktoria Voller is a living, breathing marketing campaign for both Martin Binder Jeweler and Encores, Chicago Street Theatre’s largest fundraiser of the year.
That’s because the piece of jewelry, courtesy of Martin Binder, that she won at last year’s event became her engagement gift. It wasn’t as if the engagement was a surprise – her long-time beau Don McAuliffe had proposed a month earlier while the two were out dancing at a local restaurant, “but he didn’t have anything to make it official,” explains Viktoria.
What was a surprise, however, was the way their engagement became official.
Don bought champagne during the Bubbly & Bling portion of the evening for a chance to win the pendant from Martin Binder. Neither of them favors champagne, but they wanted to support the theatre, so they gave the champagne away to other people seated at their table. When Don learned he was the winner, he was stunned. “He told me he hadn’t won anything since he won a candy bar in fourth grade,” laughs Viktoria.
He looked at her and said, “Well, this could be your engagement gift.” Viktoria didn’t want a ring anyway – she preferred a different piece of jewelry to solidify their intent to marry - so the beautiful pendant was just fine with her.
“We officially became engaged at Encores. From that night on, we started planning the wedding.”
The couple, both avid ballroom dancers, were married seven months later --- on the dance floor at Shorewood Forest Club House to a choreographed Viennese Waltz as John Denver’s “Annie’s Song” played.
“I’ve always enjoyed Encores and coming to the shows,” says Viktoria, who has been involved with Chicago Street Theatre and Community Theatre Guild since 1982. She’ll be back at this year’s event – this time with her husband.
Encores, now in its 14th year, supports Chicago Street Theatre productions, ongoing building improvements, and educational programs. The gala will be held on Saturday, March 12, at Strongbow Inn. This year’s theme is “Serenade the Moon: Enjoy music celebrating life, love, and laughter.”
Martin Binder Jeweler is again sponsoring a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry for Bubbly & Bling. The lady’s 14-karat yellow gold pendant features 20 white diamonds surrounding a black diamond that was hand-selected in Mumbai, India. Owner and Gemologist Robert Flude traveled to India in January searching for great values and discovered this particular black diamond.
Encores tickets are now on sale, and reservations must be received no later than March 4, 2011. Individual tickets are $50 each, and Celebrity Circle seats are $75 each. A Celebrity Circle table for 10 is $750. To reserve tickets, e-mail Apryl Niksch at http://www.vendini.com/e/rd.php?id=30639436&cid=24703&link_number=&u=mailto%3Aapryln%40chicagostreet.org or call (219) 464-1636, Ext. 101.
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