Patti Eylar to receive 2011 Ruth Page Award

Patti Eylar

Photo: Herbert Migdoll

The Ruth Page Foundation announced yesterday that its annual award—an accolade with a broad range of prior recipients, including former Hubbard Street dancer Cheryl Mann (2002) and the Chicago Dancing Festival (2010)—will go to Patti Eylar this year.

Eylar was a founding member of Chicago City Ballet, a now-defunct company that originated under the umbrella of the Lyric Opera and was directed by ballerina Maria Tallchief, who later shared the role with Paul Mejia. Eylar now directs Chicago Ballet Arts, an academy in West Rogers Park, with Leslie Saunders.

She’s been actively involved with a slew of local dance organizations, including the Chicago Dance Coalition, Chicago Dance and Music Alliance, the Civic Ballet of Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet, Audience Architects and Dance for Life. Recently, Eylar cochaired the Chicago host committee for Dance/USA’s national conference here.

Before an 8pm performance of Botanica by MOMIX at the Ravinia Festival on September 10, the award will be presented to Eylar at a buffet reception, which begins at 6:30pm. Tickets are $35; e-mail Silvino da Silva or call 312-337-6543.