The Laboratory Schools’ biennial gala event, Connections, will be Feb. 29 at the Field Museum, with philanthropic focuses being on student financial aid and faculty professional development. 

Connections is from 6-11 p.m., and a ticket is $250. It will consist of a seated dinner, silent auction and raffles, with raffle tickets starting at $75. This year’s goal is to raise over $1 million.

Parent volunteers and U-High’s Maroon Keys have been helping the Alumni Relations and Development office prepare for this event. Students in the Dance Troupe, Chamber Collective and the middle school Jazz Band will perform. 

Unlike in 2018, this year’s Connections event is not themed, but it’s the first year where the venue is the Field Museum. 

“One of the reasons why we particularly choose the Field Museum was because it underscores the partnership that Lab has outside of its walls,” said Danielle Broadwater, associate director of special events. “Bringing people together — that’s the biggest point. It’s almost the name itself speaks to what the event is.”

This story has been updated to more accurately report the details of the event.