With a theme of “Pandora: Curiosity Unveiled,” San Francisco City Hall’s atrium and grand staircase once again served as the elegant backdrop for the gala’s pre-show dinner and after-party for the first time since 2020.

Attendees paid for tickets priced between $2,000 and $10,000 for the chance to mingle with a who’s-who of San Francisco’s high society. This year’s honorary chairs were U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi.

Other notable guests included former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, actresses Rita Moreno, Ana de la Reguera and Elisa Donovan, and fashion designer Karen Caldwell.

After dinner, patrons crossed Van Ness Avenue to take in the inaugural gala performance, curated by the SF Ballet’s first female artistic director, Tamara Rojo. Scenes from “Swan Lake,” “Marguerite and Armand” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” entertained those in attendance.

After the show, the party returned to City Hall, where DJs and the band Wonderbread 5 provided the soundtrack for those glamorously partying until late at night.

The San Francisco Ballet’s 2024 repertory season runs until May 5 and is slated to feature performances of “Mere Mortals,” “British Icons,” “Swan Lake,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Dos Mujeres.”

The annual gala is an essential fundraiser for the organization, funding new performances, scholarships for ballet school students and community education programs. 

Scroll below for more images from the SF Ballet’s Opening Night Gala.