A Record-Breaking Night: Inspiring the Next 75 Years at Starlight
On Saturday, October 4, more than 400 supporters gathered to celebrate Starlight’s 38th Annual Benefit Gala – Inspiring the Next 75 Years of Starlight. It was an evening filled with joy, generosity, and inspiration as guests came together to honor Starlight’s past, celebrate its present, and invest in its future.
Thanks to the incredible commitment of our sponsors, donors, and attendees, and the leadership of Gala chairs Bill & Denise Bade and Robert & Melissa Hingula, this year’s Gala raised $837,125, setting a new fundraising record for Starlight! These funds help Starlight continue to provide accessible live arts experiences, arts education for youth, and community engagement programs that reach tens of thousands of Kansas Citians each year. Thank YOU for making this evening such a success!
Guests arrived dressed to the nines for a red-carpet welcome in the Shirley Bush Helzberg Garden of the Stars, sponsored by Seigfreid Bingham. The evening continued with dinner and a celebratory program on the Jeannette and Jerome Cohen Community Stage, sponsored by JE Dunn Construction, where performances from talented Blue Star Award students and alumni filled the night with energy and emotion.
The program also featured a memorable performance by legendary performer Marilyn Maye, whose dazzling presence brought the crowd to its feet for a well-deserved standing ovation. Her performance was a fitting tribute to Starlight’s legacy of live entertainment and artistry.
The evening featured heartfelt tributes to this year’s distinguished honorees. Shirley Bush Helzberg, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, was celebrated for her extraordinary contributions to Kansas City’s arts and cultural community. As Starlight’s Board Chair in the early 1990s, she guided the organization with vision and dedication.
Starlight also proudly presented the 2025 Star Award to Jan and Lee Morevitska, who for over 55 years have shared their time, talent, and generosity with Starlight. Their leadership and commitment continue to uplift our community and inspire the next generation of arts supporters.
The celebration didn’t end there! Guests kept the night going at the After Party, sponsored by Beth Benedict Borders-ReeceNichols and Carbon Health, featuring live music from Twice on Sunday, dancing, and plenty of sparkle in the Applause Club and Garden.
This unforgettable evening was a reminder of what makes Starlight so special – our community. Together, we are ensuring that the magic of live performance and arts education continues to thrive for decades to come. We’re already looking forward to next year’s celebration!
Thank you for helping us inspire the next 75 years – the best is yet to come!
Relive the magic! View the full photo album from the Gala
Save the Date!
Looking Ahead to Next Year! Starlight’s 39th Annual Gala will be chaired by Howard & Debbi Cohen. Keep an eye on our website for event details (coming soon!) or reach out to Tess Prusa at tess.prusa@kcstarlight.com for more information!
Thank you to this year’s Gala benefactors for their extraordinary generosity:
We appreciate the support of all the additional donors who made this event possible!