BizBash New York
BizBash New York
     ADVERTISE   |  FEEDBACK  |   SUBSCRIBE   |   ABOUT US  |  RSS   |  
GOOGLE TRANSLATE
  • English
  • catalā
  • Dansk
  • Deutsch
  • Espaņol
  • suomi
  • Franįais
  • hrvatski
  • Indonesia
  • Italiano
  • latviešu
  • Nederlands
  • norsk
  • Polski
  • Portuguęs
  • Svenska
  • Filipino
EVENT REPORT   03.11.08 10:26 AM PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
Courtly Cover
For the New York City Opera's spring gala, celebrating the opening night of Mark Morris's take on King Arthur, long sashes of fabric formed a tent over the promenade of the New York State Theater.
Taking its cue from the spring production of Henry Purcell's King Arthur—a performance presented by the Mark Morris Dance Group, with costumes by Isaac Mizrahi—the New York City Opera used long strips of fabric to create a tentlike covering for its spring gala inside the New York State Theater on Wednesday night. The Opera's director of special events, Sarah Denton, oversaw the event, which was designed by David Stark and set up in the two-hour window between the start of the performance and the beginning of dinner.

For Denton and Stark, the challenge was not only to devise a decor scheme that wouldn't take too long to construct, but also to create a look that was as modern and progressive as the production but still spoke to the medieval motif. (Director and choreographer Mark Morris chose to discard Arthur's spoken text, and the costumes are a mix of modern and historic.) So while long banquet tables replaced the oft-used rounds, the menu did not include cliché items like chicken drumsticks and steins of ale. Using a minimum of bells and whistles, Stark focused on bright, spring colors and added subtle touches like daffodils potted in pewter mugs to evoke a medieval feast.
CONTINUED >

PHOTO GALLERY

Behind screens in the promenade, Restaurant Associates prepared the food for dinner. - Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
Behind screens in the promenade, Restaurant Associates prepared the food for dinner.
Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
Evoking Isaac Mizrahi's colorful costumes, long, pastel-colored strips of fabric covered the dinner area, shaped to look like a tent by wires and a circular frame. - Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
Evoking Isaac Mizrahi's colorful costumes, long, pastel-colored strips of fabric covered the dinner area, shaped to look like a tent by wires and a circular frame.
Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
To emulate the style of a medieval banquet, the Promenade was filled with long tables. - Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
To emulate the style of a medieval banquet, the Promenade was filled with long tables.
Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
Each table held arrangements of daffodils in pewter chalices and mugs, as well as platters of lemons. - Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
Each table held arrangements of daffodils in pewter chalices and mugs, as well as platters of lemons.
Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
The canopy of fabric peaked over the dance floor. - Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
The canopy of fabric peaked over the dance floor.
Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
Musical entertainment included brass fanfare that signaled the start of dinner. - Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
Musical entertainment included brass fanfare that signaled the start of dinner.
Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
Sponsor William Grant & Sons supplied a bar serving Balvenie—single-malt Scotch whiskey—for the evening. - Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
Sponsor William Grant & Sons supplied a bar serving Balvenie—single-malt Scotch whiskey—for the evening.
Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash
   
New York City Opera's Spring Gala

Catering Catering by Restaurant Associates
Design, Production David Stark Design and Production
Music Duchin Entertainment
PR Lisa Lori Communications
Venue Lincoln Center—David H. Koch Theater

Honoring Edmée de M. Firth, the founder of the opera's General Director's Council, the event drew 600 guests and raised more than $1 million.

  —Anna Sekula
RELATED TOPICS New York City Opera, William Grant & Sons, Balvenie

MORE EVENT REPORT STORIES
Taking Advantage of Super Bowl, Tide Launches New Athlete-Targeted Detergent
DirecTV Celeb Beach Bowl Attracts 10,000 to Temporary Stadium on the Sand
Maxim and Playboy Bring Back Splashy Super Bowl Parties With Models and Sponsors
ESPN the Magazine Doubles Size of Super Bowl Party, Drops Fan Day
Super Bowl Parties Kick Off With Concerts and Customized Gifts From Pepsi, GQ, and Dockers

MORE STORIES ABOUT NEW YORK CITY OPERA
New York's Top Benefits 2010
Ceiling Makeovers
New York's Top Benefits 2008
MORE STORIES ABOUT WILLIAM GRANT & SONS
Before Fashion Week, Men's Style Mags Vie for Attention

More Suppliers/Venues to Consider ADVERTISEMENT
Mansfield Hotel
Just off the Mansfield Hotel lobby, the M Bar is the perfect venue for gatherings of as many as 75 people. Zagat’s described the M Bar as ‛off the beaten path—classy … elegant, and has clandestine affair written all over it.“ The M Bar features a domed skylight, mahogany bookshelves, Beaux-Arts lighting, and comfortable lounge seating, creating an intimate and elegant atmosphere where the finest original selection of specialty cocktails are served with unparralled service. More >>

EMAIL THIS RESOURCE
RentQuest
RentQuest is a specialized New York-based rental service company offering a wide range of custom-designed furniture, lighting, and accessories in one place. Their rental inventory includes stylish banquettes and ottomans upholstered in glove vinyl, microsuede, and velvets; unique cocktail tables; illuminated bars and Lucite bar toppers; designer pillows; and dramatic decor accessories, as well as their new eco-friendly furniture line. More >>

EMAIL THIS RESOURCE
Stone Security Service
Stone Security Service, is a Nationwide event security provider, with offices in Miami, New York, & Los Angeles. They secure over 400 events per year. More >>

EMAIL THIS RESOURCE
 
Search for Suppliers
Search for Venues
By Type

By Neighborhood/Location

Show Only New Venues
RECENTLY VIEWED












MOST POPULAR STORIES
1. Progressive Insurance Tries Event Marketing With Star From Its Commercials
2. Coty Drenches Union Square in Red Light for Beyoncé Fragrance Launch
3. Dining in the Dark for Foundation Fighting Blindness Was, Well, Eye-Opening
4. Dearfoams Slippers Uses Fireside Chat With Tim Gunn to Herald Relaunch
5. New Brooklyn-Based Production Firm Offers A la Carte Services
6. Apollo Targets Younger Audience With Revised Amateur Night
7. 82 Mercer: Former Manufacturing Facility Opens as Independent Event Venue
8. 5 New Takes on Chocolate Desserts
9. COPE, Preston Bailey, and Marcy Blum Hosting Planner Seminars in Coming Weeks
10. Recording Academy's Grammy After-Party Is "Dark, Mysterious" Circus Spectacle for 5,500