The Gala Register

I go to galas, awards ceremonies, and charity events and write about what the evening was actually like. Each entry in The Gala Register is a first-person account of a specific event: the setting, the people in the ballroom, and the way the night unfolded.

The Gala Register is curated. I include events that are well run, meaningful to their communities, and representative of the kinds of gatherings people might genuinely consider attending.

These entries are meant to give readers a clear sense of what it feels like to attend an evening like this.

The Annie Awards
Animation’s largest awards ceremony, held each year at UCLA’s Royce Hall during awards season.

Lincoln-Way Foundation Gala
A community education fundraiser outside Chicago, bringing together supporters of local schools for an evening of celebration and giving.

Equality Illinois Gala
One of the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy galas in the Midwest, drawing civic leaders, supporters, and activists from across the state.

Costume Designers Guild Awards
An awards ceremony celebrating the designers behind film and television costume, where Hollywood craft meets gala tradition.

Human Rights Campaign National Dinner
A national advocacy gala in Washington, D.C., bringing together supporters of LGBTQ+ equality from across the country.

Gratitude Generation Gala

A community fundraising gala supporting programs providing food, personal care, school supplies, and essentials for people in need.

For broader reflections on gala culture and how these evenings work, see Inside the Ballroom.

And for a look at events by city go here