San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Night Gala Unveils a Thrilling New Season
“I’ve been immersed in the arts my entire life, so being in an environment where I get to see and feel that again is really special for me,” Ayesha Curry—author, restaurateur, Sweet July founder, and Eat. Learn. Play. co-founder—shares with Vogue about her role as San Francisco Ballet’s honorary chair.
Standing outside of San Francisco’s iconic City Hall, Curry reflects on her creative upbringing while attending the 2025 Opening Night Gala in a black beaded gown by Prabal Gurung. Her mother, Carol Alexander, accompanied her, wearing an electric blue Carolina Herrera dress. “I had aunts and other family members who were ballerinas, and I’ve always appreciated it but never had the chance to try it,” Curry shares with a smile. “So tonight, I’m excited to satisfy that inner child and celebrate this incredible art form.”
As attendees made their way into City Hall for dinner, they were welcomed into the historic Beaux-Arts building, making their way through mirrored podiums with cascading florals—setting the tone for the evening. The menu showcased a curated selection of dishes, starting with a roasted golden beet, pear, and pomegranate salad, followed by a grilled beef fillet accompanied by wild mushrooms. Dessert was a decadent chocolate-glazed dome opera cake, mochi ice cream, and gooseberries.
Guests included actress Elisa Donovan (in a robin egg blue-colored gown), newly elected San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie, Paul Pelosi, gala chair Pam Preston (in vintage Vera Wang from the Ballet’s Russes collection), former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, and Kamperett designer Anna Chiu. After guests wrapped up their meals, trumpets sounded, signaling it was time to head to the War Memorial Opera House, located just across the street on Van Ness Avenue. Folks gathered underneath the building’s barrel-vaulted and coffered ceilings, accented by a sheer maroon-colored canopy, and began to take their seats for the show.
Presented by San Francisco Ballet artistic director and Vogue Spain cover star, Tamara Rojo, the gala’s program highlighted selections from the upcoming season’s repertory. It opened with a pas de deux from Manon, choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan and directed by Rojo, as well as a Hungarian dance from Rojo’s Raymonda. The program also featured a powerful pas de deux from Akram Khan’s Dust, adding a contemporary edge to the night’s celebration.
Board chair Alison Mauzé kicked things off with opening remarks, followed by Rojo, who took to the stage to share her direction and enthusiasm for the season. Rojo then passed the mic to Curry, who expressed admiration for the dancers, calling them the “ultimate athletes,” while highlighting the importance of supporting San Francisco’s creative community.
Rojo echoed Curry’s sentiments in her conversation with Vogue, “Our intention is to represent this amazing city all over the world,” she says. “I’m so conscious of partnering with other creative organizations—from the de Young and Legion of Honor to local artists—so we can represent what I believe is the spirit of San Francisco.”
Once the curtain fell, it was back to City Hall for the after-party. With live music filling the space, caviar carts making their rounds, and an array of artfully presented bites—the dancing and merriment carried on well into the night.
Photo: Drew Altizer1/15Betsy Linder
Photo: Drew Altizer2/15Jim Bradley, Pam Preston, Jack Preston and Marylou Bradley