Friends of Smuin
Join Friends
Friends of Smuin
Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s premier social club.
Friends of Smuin is a spirited community where dance enthusiasts can come together to share a love of ballet and enjoy exclusive social experiences. Your membership helps bring groundbreaking choreography to the stage, supports Smuin’s talented Company Artists who bring the art form to life, and fuels the creative vision behind each exquisite performance presented on our stages across the Bay Area.
Friends of Smuin Membership Benefits
As a valued member of the Friends of Smuin community, you’ll enjoy VIP access to a range of exclusive events and behind-the-scenes experiences designed to deepen your connection with the art of dance and the Artists behind Smuin Contemporary Ballet, such as:
- Discounted tickets (20% off) to all Friends of Smuin events including the Annual Opening Night Dinner in San Francisco, pre-performance cocktail parties, and the end-of-season luncheon at Neiman Marcus
- Invitations to insider events and activities and members-only meetings to connect about opportunities to grow the Smuin audience
- Access to exclusive sponsorship opportunities
- The satisfaction of knowing you play a vital role in advancing the evolving world of ballet, ensuring that this dynamic art form continues to inspire and captivate audiences of all ages for years to come
2026/27 Friends of Smuin Events & Season Highlights
View the full Season 33 schedule here.
- Thursday, September 10: Member Meeting via Zoom (4-5pm)
- Friday, October 9: San Francisco Opening Night Dinner at Greens Restaurant (5–7pm) & French Kiss at Cowell Theater (7:30pm)
- Thursday, November 12: The Christmas Ballet Private Rehearsal & Member Meeting at the Smuin Center for Dance (4–6pm)
- Thursday, December 10: Opening Night Reception at St. Regis (5-7pm) & The Christmas Ballet (7:30pm) at Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA
- Tuesday, December 22: LGBTQ+ Night & After Party (7:30–11pm) at Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA
- Thursday, March 4: Member Meeting via Zoom (4-6pm)
- Saturday, March 13: Smuin Annual Gala at SF Design Center (5–11pm)
- Thursday, April 22: Member Meeting via Zoom (4-6pm)
- Wednesday, May 5: What’s Going On Private Tech Rehearsal (time TBD) at Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA & Happy Hour (5-6pm) at Dirty Habit
- Saturday, May 22: What’s Going On at Lesher Center in Walnut Creek (2pm) & Reception (4-6pm) at Massimo Ristorante
- Thursday, May 27: Opening Night Reception at Rootstock Wine Bar in Mountain View (5-7pm) & What’s Going On (7:30pm) at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
- Tuesday, June 1: End-of-Season Luncheon at Neiman Marcus (12–2 pm)
If you’re not yet a member – and would like to become a Friend of Smuin – join today!
KEY CONTACTS
Leslie Taglio, Friends of Smuin President
leslie@leslietaglio.com
Bonnie Fisk, Development Director
bfisk@smuinballet.org
Terez Dean Orr, Interim Development Manager
torr@smuinballet.org
Jason Hertenstein, Patron Services Manager (Box Office)
jhertenstein@smuinballet.org or 415-556-5000 ext. 108
MEMBERS OF FRIENDS OF SMUIN
Leslie Taglio, President
Shohreh Bahmanyar
Barbara Bessey
Richard Binkoff
Garland Carter
Lorinda Clemens
Katie Colendich
Alan Crouch
Pamela Rummage Culp
Carol Eggers
Gabriele Federal
Julia Francis
Bill Gregory
Harvalee Grimm
Kathleen Hall
Barbara Hebert
Debbie Hutchings
Rita Iorfida
Tracy Jaquier*
Carol Kaganov
Elizabeth Leep
Sam Leftwich
Anne Lenkert
Debra Leylegian
Susan Lowe
Peggy Lowndes
June Lund
Sharon Melodia
Kati Miller
Markham Miller
Leslie Murdock
Farzaneh Nakhjiri
Vickie Nelson
Maureen O’Shea
Mark Palmer
Marcy Taylor Pattinson
Alice Pidgeon
Gloria Pfister
Rae Sansa
Carla Sarett
Benjamin Schein
Susie Stitt
Kirsi Tiemroth
Valerie Toler
Lilian Wagner
Karen Wiel
Steve Wiel*
Nat Wong
*Deceased
