| EVENT REPORT 07.23.08 11:52 AM |
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| Justice for All |
| Bet Tzedek's annual Justice Ball drew 4,000 guests for a Psychedelic Furs concert amid cabanas that ranged from general to V.V.I.P. status. |
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The Justice Ball is such a draw for singles on the hunt that even the star of Bravo's reality TV show The Millionaire Matchmaker showed up at the Lot in West Hollywood on Saturday night to survey the pickings. The event, more popular than ever with nearly 4,000 guests, also drew daters, networking lawyers, and others who support its host, the poverty law organization Bet Tzedek—the House of Justice. Gunnar Productions Event Management was back at the helm for the ninth year, thanks to Bet Tzedek president and C.E.O. Mitch Kamin.
When the once-peripatetic event moved to the former Warner Hollywood Studios site last year, it morphed into an outdoor nightclub in the Lot's huge parking lot. This year, Progressive Events took over the design duties, and Chris Yeager's stylish touch was evident despite Bet Tzedek's nonprofit budget. |
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Alice in Wonderland-like red lamps dotted the space.
Photo: Courtesy of Classic Party Rentals |
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 | About 4,000 guests turned out for the benefit.
Photo: Courtesy of Classic Party Rentals |
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 | Colorful or patterned lighting designs added budget-friendly pop to the decor.
Photo: Courtesy of Classic Party Rentals |
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 | The Psychedelic Furs performed on the venue's stage.
Photo: Courtesy of Classic Party Rentals |
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 | Colorful uplighting striped the venue's perimeter.
Photo: Courtesy of Classic Party Rentals |
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Taking his color cue from the black-and-white-striped cabanas Gunnar whips out every year for the V.V.I.P. Section (the venue is divided into three areas: general, V.I.P., and V.V.I.P. cabanas), Yeager went with a black, white, and burgundy palette. He outfitted the general-admission area with gray velveteen ottomans topped with colorful pillows and cocktail tables with silvery or burgundy striped cloths. V.I.P. guests lounged on white shabby chic couches and banquettes, while the high-rollers who reserved cabanas relaxed on black or white rectangular seating and Barcelona-style lounges. Punctuating and unifying the entire space were giant, Alice in Wonderland-like lamps with red shades. Colorful lighting also added economical pop to the decor, with Flag Systems' cherry- and turquoise-colored uplighting striping buildings on the perimeter and red light illuminating the white plastic bar fronts from inside.
From 7:30 to 9 p.m., V.I.P. guests mobbed hosted bars and Global Cuisine's buffet of salads, chicken and pasta. (Global Cuisine also sold sushi and other snacks all evening.) After 9 p.m., everyone who didn't want to whip out a wallet lined up at liquor sponsor Smirnoff's vodka bars. Also at 9 p.m., '80s punk band Psychedelic Furs played an hourlong set while revelers mingled, played casino games and scouted the silent auction tables. Guests who preferred to make their own music haunted a karaoke lounge, and V.I.P. folk sampled Repicci's Italian Ice and picked up swag bags with Neutrogena body cleansers on their way to the garage.
—Irene Lacher
RELATED TOPICS
Bet Tzedek, Psychedelic Furs
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