Colorado Ballet To Host The One Gala on April 16, 2026
Event Honors Artistic Director Gil Boggs’ 20th Anniversary
DENVER, CO (February 26, 2026) – The Colorado Ballet will host its annual The One Gala at the Denver Performing Arts Complex on Thursday, April 16, 2026. This year’s gala honors Artistic Director Gil Boggs for his 20-year anniversary with Colorado Ballet and celebrates his leadership, impact and continued vision.
The evening includes festive cocktails, a unique ballet-themed live auction, an elegant dinner, and a lively dance party to close out the celebration. A standout moment of the evening will be a live performance of George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco and an exclusive, one-night-only performance of Elégie by the Artists of Colorado Ballet, accompanied by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. The One Gala will once again feature the spectacular Colorado Ballet Wish Tree, originally created by Handsome Little Devils.
“Celebrating Gil Boggs’ 20th anniversary is celebrating two decades of extraordinary growth for Colorado Ballet,” said Executive Director Sameed Afghani. “His leadership has expanded our company, added a thriving studio company, and helped make the Armstrong Center for Dance—with its dedicated rehearsal, academy, and office spaces—a reality. He has broadened our repertoire, commissioned new works, and grown our annual audience to more than 100,000 people. This milestone honors his remarkable leadership and the impact it continues to have on our company and community.”
“This year’s One Gala marks two extraordinary milestones: the 65th anniversary of Colorado Ballet and Gil’s 20th anniversary with the organization,” said Gala Chair Jill Anschutz. “Together, they represent a legacy of sustained investment in our community and stand as a testament to the Ballet’s remarkable growth and impact over time. This is not simply another ballroom gala. It is a vivid portrait of our past and our future—an evening shaped by the creative minds behind Colorado Ballet’s productions. You’ll join hundreds of people who share a passion for the arts, immersed in a night where dancers, décor, performance, dinner, and our silent auction come together to create unforgettable moments. As I look ahead, I am inspired by the extraordinary young talent at the Ballet and the opportunity we have to support their development. The One Gala is a purposeful, transformative event—every gift helps bring more dance to families and communities across Colorado.”
Limited space is available for media wishing to cover this event. Members of the media should contact Liza Lorenz at liza.lorenz@coloradoballet.org.
Tickets and Tables
Information about tickets and tables can be found at coloradoballet.org/Gala.
About The Wish Tree
The Colorado Ballet Wish Tree is a centerpiece of The One Gala, artfully symbolizing the generosity of our donors. Custom-designed by the local creative team at Handsome Little Devils, the Wish Tree reflects the many ways philanthropy supports and strengthens the three branches of Colorado Ballet’s mission. From March 16 through April 24, both Gala and non-Gala attendees are invited to make a meaningful impact by directing their gifts to the areas of our work that resonate most with them.
Wish Tree Areas of Giving for 2026 include:
- Dancer Wellness
- Academy Scholarships
- Education & Community Engagement
- Artistic Director’s Fund
The One Gala Committee
- Jill Anschutz, Chair
- Monica Owens Beauprez and John Beauprez
- Stephanie Berry
- Melissa Bigarel
- Annabel Victoria Bowlen
- Emily Garnett
- Mallory Hoffman
- Nicole Isenberg
- Auna Jornayvaz and Dr. Jack DeGrave
- Merry Logan
- Elisabeth Campbell McKinnon
- Dana Monfort
- Laura Giocomo Rizzo
- Denise Sanderson
- Cari Spiecker
- Nolan and Kristin Wessell
The One Gala Sponsors
DIAMOND
- The Anschutz Foundation
- Ida Rastegar and Todd Becker
- Anne and James Hillary
PLATINUM
- RNR Collectibles
- Mike and Pam Copp
GOLD
- Melissa and Mark Bigarel
- Annabel Bowlen and Charles Mains
- Ann and Ford Frick
- Merry and Steven Logan
- Cheri and Alan Rubin
- David and Marie Welch
SILVER
- Raydean Acevedo and Lisa Snider
- Jessica and Max Anderson
- Colorado Ballet Auxiliary Co-Presidents
- Brent and Melanie Backes
- Baroway Financial Group/Stifel
- Politicalworks
- Mark and Cari Spiecker
- CBS Colorado
- Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP
- Zelda DeBoyes
- Denver International Airport
- Denver Ballet Guild
- Emily and Alec Garnett
- Paul Goodspeed
- Denise and Scott Hasday
- Nancy and Curt Hockemeier
- The Jornayvas Family
- Elizabeth Katkin-Waryn and Richard Waryn
- Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger
- Geoff and Arika Long
- ANA Financial Services
- Richard and Marla Gentry
- Michelle Moorman-Applegate and Rob Applegate
- Jane and Skip Netzorg
- Laura and Paul Rizzo
- Joseph Schuster and Andrew Snider
- Thrivent
About Colorado Ballet
Presenting exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement, Colorado Ballet continues to inspire and grow an increasingly diverse audience base in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 65 years of excellence. As a world-class professional company serving more than 100,000 national and international patrons, Colorado Ballet presents 58 performances annually to sold-out audiences in the 2,000-seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Company’s 40 professional dancers and 20 studio company dancers come from all over the world. Colorado Ballet’s The Armstrong Center for Dance, a 35,000-square-foot building, boasts eight state-of-the-art professional dance studios and amenities for the professional Company.
Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet performs classical ballet masterpieces, full-length story ballets and its critically acclaimed repertory production MasterWorks, featuring varied works from neoclassical ballets to world premieres. The Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy serves more than 1,200 students from toddlers to seniors each year. Colorado Ballet’s Education & Community Engagement offers programs to students and community members, making more than 25,000 contacts and reaching over 200 schools and organizations annually. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses including youth, families, teachers, and people with and without disabilities. For more information, please visit coloradoballet.org.
