eta Creative Arts Foundation holds its annual benefit gala each year on the Saturday following Labor Day in early September. The festive fund raiser honors individuals who embody the year's theme, thoughtfully determined by a Blue Ribbon Planning Committee comprised of approximately 20 volunteers. They are supported by general chairs, vice chairs, coordinating chairs and the board of directors of eta Creative Arts Foundation. Past themes have included Multiplying the Voices, Demonstrating the Faith, Realizing Our Vision, Expanding our Expectations and Consider the Source, among others.

Honorees have included international figures such as Muhammad Ali, the Honorable Louis Farrakhan, Tavis Smiley, Dick Gregory, Chaka Khan, Dianne Reeves and Betty Carter and many outstanding local luminaries.

Held throughout the eta Square complex on South Chicago Avenue, the fanfare also spills over onto the grounds where a huge tent serves alternately as an elegant dining room, a spacious dance hall and a games room, depending on the time of the evening.

Guests are treated to a grand buffet, silent auction, live entertainment both on stage and off and a myriad of other activities befitting Chicago's oldest African American owned and operated theater and cultural arts center.

Proceeds from the event go towards eta's operating costs.

Paypal ticket purchase and donation buttons coming soon!