| EVENT REPORT 10.09.09 6:06 PM |
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L.A. Philharmonic Welcomes Director With Latin-Influenced, Goal-Exceeding Gala
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 | The philharmonic's gala honoring Gustavo Dudamel
Photo: Greg Grudt/Mathew Imaging |
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If classical music can still create a palpable buzz in modern-day Los Angeles, the L.A. Philharmonic's new music director, Gustavo Dudamel, has summoned that energy in town. The phil welcomed the incoming Dudamel for the young conductor's inaugural concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall Thursday night, and surrounded the festivities with lavish receptions and a gala that highlighted Dudamel's native Venezuela through multisensory experiences for guests. The gala committee included chair David C. Bohnett, Allen Brill, Margaret Eberhardt, Kimberly Marteau Emerson, Lenore Greenberg, Joan Hotchkis, Sherry Lansing, Ginny Mancini, Merle Mullin, Jane Nathanson, Carolyn Powers, Carla Sands, Elizabeth Segerstrom, and Alyce Williamson. Gai Klass—who had coincidentally returned from a trip to Peru when she secured the contract for the gala—produced and designed the Latin-inspired event.
"We began forming our gala committee a year in advance," said the philharmonic's vice president of development, Tim Landi. "The introduction of a new music director already garnering international buzz in the music world inspired us to give a special fresh focus to this year’s event. We were indeed hoping that we would be reaching and attracting a larger audience, both here in L.A. and perhaps across the continents and oceans. That wish came true—we attracted more than 800 gala patrons and sold as many seats to the general public." Landi explained that the biggest challenge in planning the event was estimating what affect the downturn in the economy would have on fund-raising goals. "So one of the real highlights was the day we were able to announce to our gala committee that we had exceed our very ambitious fund-raising goal," he said.
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RELATED TOPICS
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel, PBS, Rolex, Gallo, Youth Orchestra L.A. |
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| FROM THE EDITORS 06.16.09 11:01 AM |
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The 2009 BizBash L.A. Event Style Award Winners
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 | Ellen DeGeneres's 50th Birthday Party
Photo: Courtesy of Warner Brothers Special Events |
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On Friday, we posted a list of winners of BizBash's 2009 Event Style Awards, which were announced on Thursday at a ceremony following our annual expo at the L.A. Mart. Here's more on the winning work.
Best Corporate Event Concept (Over $50,000)
Ellen DeGeneres's 50th Birthday Party
Submitted by Warner Brothers Special Events
To celebrate the TV host’s birthday and her move from NBC to Warner Brothers Studios, Telepictures Productions hosted a celebration that doubled as a segment for the comedian’s show. Organizers designed a vintage carnival and incorporated her favorite things, including dancing and games, as well as some celebrity guests.
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RELATED TOPICS
Warner Brothers, Emirates Airlines, The Simpsons, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Stanford Cancer Center, Marriott International, Essilor, Autry Museum, Recording Academy, Grammys, Target, Converse, MTV Movie Awards, Chevy, Netflix, Film Independent, Spirit Awards, Event Style Awards |
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| TOP 100 EVENTS 02.16.09 8:00 AM |
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Southern California's Top Benefits 2009
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 | The Los Angeles Philharmonic
Photo: Mathew Imaging |
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1. Carousel of Hope
Barbara Davis’s fund-raiser is known for attracting celebrities and raising big bucks—more than $80 million since its inception in 1982. Last year’s ball at the Beverly Hilton honored Pauletta and Denzel Washington, and included performances by the Jonas Brothers and Josh Groban.
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RELATED TOPICS
Southern California's Top 100 Events, Tommy Hilfiger, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, U.C.L.A., Bon Appétit, Chrysalis, DesignCare, U.S.C. Libraries, Doheny Library Preservation Fund, Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, Concern Foundation, Fulfillment Fund, Tiger Woods Foundation |
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| EVENT REPORT 04.30.08 1:22 PM |
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Segerstroms, Breguet Send Off Phil Director at Carefully Orchestrated Dinner for 100
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 | Esa-Pekka Salonen's farewell dinner
Photo: Alen Lin for BizBash |
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Los Angeles Philharmonic music director Esa-Pekka Salonen, who's leaving the Southern California symphony at the end of this season, said goodbye in style to Orange County on Sunday with a farewell performance and private dinner party hosted by über arts patrons Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom and Swiss watchmaker Montres Breguet.
Salonen, who was recently appointed principal conductor of London's Philharmonia Orchestra, looked to Austria for his swan song, choosing a final program of works by Mozart and Bruckner. After the matinee performance (the final concert in the inaugural season of the Henry and Elizabeth Segerstrom Select Series presented by the Philharmonic Society), 100 guests of the Segerstroms and performance sponsor Breguet adjourned to a white tent next to the Cesar Pelli-designed Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. There, Elizabeth Segerstrom and event producer Ben Bourgeois had orchestrated a three-course supper including callotte de boeuf grille and hazelnut mousse cake prepared by Patina Group maestro Joachim Splichal. Fifty-five waiters rehearsed for 90 minutes before the meal to serve each course simultaneously.
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RELATED TOPICS
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Breguet, Swatch Group |
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| TOP 100 EVENTS 02.29.08 11:15 PM |
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Southern California's Top Benefits 2008
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 | The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's Dinosaur Ball
Photo: Lee Salem Photography |
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1. Carousel of Hope
Usually called the Carousel Ball, this red-letter event on L.A.’s social calendar is such a production that it’s held only once every two years. The host is Barbara Davis, half of a Hollywood power couple with her late billionaire husband, former 20th Century Fox owner Marvin Davis. Their A-list friends will turn out in droves at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in October for this fund-raiser for children’s diabetes.
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RELATED TOPICS
Southern California's Top 100 Events, Nancy Davis Foundation for MS, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Saks Fifth Avenue, Mercedes-Benz, Unicef, U.C.L.A. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, HollyRod Foundation, Chrysalis, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Friends of the USC Libraries, Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, Concern Foundation, Los Angeles Magazine, California Science Center, Fulfillment Fund, Geffen Playhouse, Tiger Woods Foundation |
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