Avant-garde installations capturing the structure and color of New York City decorated the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s fourth annual Downtown Dinner last night. Some 650 art patrons filled the 52nd floor of 7 World Trade Center, where the bird’s-eye view of the city accentuated the Manhattan-inspired exhibits.

A former participant in the council's residency program, McKendree Key, created a hanging grid made of yellow mason twine that covered the expanse of the dining area. The display played on the city’s symmetrical design, with horizontal strings spaced five feet apart met by intersecting vertical lines. Adjacent to this, Katie Holten, another program alum, showcased “Old News,” a composition of papier-mâché tree trunks seemingly rooted in the floor’s concrete, reminiscent of city sidewalks. And across the room stood current resident Mary Mattingly’s “Kart,” a winged bicycle stacked with an endless stream of packages that literally hit the ceiling.

Working with the nonprofit's director of development, Elaine Bowen, and its marketing and communications manager, Savannah Gorton, producer Bruce Rayvid of Bruce Rayvid Projects combed through dozens of artists’ portfolios to find work that spoke to his concept for the gala. “We wanted New York City to be this year’s theme, so immediately we gravitated toward the yellows, grays, and blacks of the city,” said Rayvid, who was also inspired by the lattice layout of Manhattan. “So I started putting the concepts together and came across McKendree’s work.” The locally based producer teamed with designer Susan Holland, who executed the vision. READ MORE

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

EVENT REPORT

05.08.08 11:54 AM

The Bronx Museum Highlights Borough Cuisine at Spring Gala

Food was the focus at the Bronx Museum.
Photo: Joe Fornabaio for BizBash

Patrons, artists, and art lovers gathered at the Bronx Museum of the Arts on the Grand Concourse on Tuesday night for its 2008 spring benefit and silent auction, “A Bronx Feast.” The museum treated the 350 guests with a cocktail reception, free tours from teen docents, live jazz, a dinner highlighting Bronx cuisine, and an award ceremony recognizing four prominent local artists.

The night began in the museum's north wing, with plates of assorted Bronx treats like chicken dumplings and beef empanadas and an open bar with wine and mixed drinks, but guests gravitated toward the Kettle One martini bar at the center of the room, where the bartender combined drink mixing with performance.

Kettle One contracted the Canadian-based Iceculture to create an ice sculpture with two large Kettle One bottle carvings, each with a hollow spiral that started at the bottle’s opened cap and went down to a small opening at the base. Vodka and different juices met at the summit of the seven-foot sculpture, twisted down, chilling and mixing, and finally siphoned into a waiting martini glass. The line was 10 deep for most of the cocktail hour. READ MORE

Bronx Museum of the Arts

NEWS

05.07.08 1:59 PM

Amtrak to Host National Train Day Events on May 10

May 10, the anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad, will be the first-ever National Train Day, an Amtrak-sponsored event taking place in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., according to USA Today. In order to highlight its recent success (1.5 million more travelers rode Amtrak in 2007 than in the previous year), the national passenger railroad is spending $2.2 million on the event, in addition to bringing on as its spokesman Al Roker, who will host the Washington events at Union Station with singer Sara Bareilles.

The Harlem Globetrotters will make an appearance at the New York events at Penn Station. In all of the cities, Amtrak will set up displays, offering visitors the opportunity to walk through actual trains, and feature sweepstakes, giveaways, and concerts. According to the event's Web site, Amtrak has partnered with MasterCard and Wheel of Fortune for National Train Day. The game show is sponsoring an Amtrak train wrapped in a Wheel of Fortune ad running between Chicago and Milwaukee through May 15. —Wendy Wollenberg

Amtrak, Harlem Globetrotters, Wheel of Fortune, MasterCard

EVENT REPORT

05.07.08 11:55 AM

Crown Royal, In Touch Host Friday-Night Derby Fetes in Louisville

The Crown Royal Lounge
Photo: Playboy/James Trevenen

Several big-name brands showed up in Louisville over the weekend to host events surrounding the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. Dubbed the Run for the Roses, the horse race has become a breeding ground for tabloid-friendly celebrities—and where celebrities go, endorsement-seeking brands follow. (Ubiquitous types like The Hills' Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, model Molly Sims, Entourage's Adrian Grenier, and former Miss USA Tara Conner were on the scene.)

"The Derby is one of our favorite events," said Hi-Fi Marketing Group partner Brian Gefter, who produced Friday's In Touch Weekly Parlor party with his partner Mike Satsky. "We do all of these parties around national event properties like Super Bowl, but the reason the Derby is appealing to us is that it’s very celebrity-driven but it’s less cluttered. There's a real chance to make a huge impact in an area where there aren’t as many events going on, as, say, the Super Bowl."

Playboy division vice president of creative services Donna Tavoso, who produced the Crown Royal Lounge on Friday night, said, "I think as more and more people realize that the Derby is a celebrity event and a great consumer event, they are drawn to the whole idea. It's not surprising that others want to throw a party [on the Friday night before the Derby]. That said, we know the level and quality of the party we throw, and we rest on that reputation." READ MORE

Kentucky Derby, Barnstable Brown Gala, Playboy, In Touch Weekly, Pama, ProFlowers, Crown Royal, Grey Goose

EVENT REPORT

05.06.08 4:07 PM

Dark Knight Production Designer Stages Superman's Fortress for Costume Institute

Superhero statues at the Costume Institute's gala
Photo: Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art/Don Pollard

The movie world is teeming with superheroes (Iron Man made $104.4 million in its opening weekend), and last night, the comic-book genre pervaded the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute gala. Celebrating its spring 2008 exhibition "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy," the museum brought in Nathan Crowley—the production designer from Batman Begins and this summer's sequel, The Dark Knight—and event designer Raul Avila to design the look.

Filled with some of the biggest names in fashion and film, the event placed iconic comic characters front and center and even re-created Superman's icy fort in the dinner area. Attended by 750 carefully selected guests, the night was planned by Vogue special events director Stephanie Winston Wolkoff along with the museum's vice president for development and membership, Nina Diefenbach, deputy chief special events officer Ashley Potter, and deputy chief development officer for events Kristin MacDonald. Giorgio Armani served as honorary chair, with George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Vogue's Anna Wintour as co-chairs. READ MORE

Metropolitan Museum of Art, Costume Institute, Giorgio Armani, Vogue, Condé Nast

FROM THE EDITORS

05.06.08 3:01 PM

Tribeca Film Festival Mixes Thriller Zombies, Big Premieres, and Sponsored Lounges

The Tribeca Film Festival wrapped up Sunday, completing 12 days of indie movie screenings, big-budget studio premieres, sponsored lounges, lavish parties, outdoor events, concerts, and more. (Spokespeople confirm that the total attendance was just under 400,000.) We covered a variety of the offerings, from Thriller zombies at the Drive-In to American Express's new entertainment and hospitality lounge. And we talked to Joshua Cicerone, vice president and creative director of Dalzell Productions (the company that produces the festival) to hear about a typical day during the festival and how he works with city agencies to coordinate the event's logistics. You can find an archive of all of our coverage here.

Tribeca Film Festival

GUEST QUESTIONS

05.06.08 1:18 PM

Costume Institute Guests Like Superheroes, Hair

Last night an international crowd of fashion people and A-list Hollywood stars gathered for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute gala, pegged to the opening of the museum's “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” exhibition. In addition to the 60-piece showcase of movie costumes and couture designs, the Giorgio Armani- and Condé Nast-sponsored event brought in foam superhero structures, walls of mirrors, and the cast of the Public Theater's upcoming production of Hair to entertain the 750 attendees—some in superhero-inspired attire.

At the event, often heralded as the party of the year, we quizzed departing guests, including designer Carolina Herrera and retiring Met director Philippe de Montebello, to see whether or not this year’s gala measured up to the hype. Here’s what they had to say.

“It was fabulous. The costumes that they showed were extraordinary. The event producers absolutely tied in the superheroes exhibit with the decor, striking the right balance with the venue. Glorious Food served a pasta dish with a sort of nest with caviar, so it looked like a spider web. My husband had a great time.”
—Edith de Montebello, financial aid director, Trinity School, with Metropolitan Museum of Art director Phillipe de Montebello

“There was a wonderful theme to work with, the superheroes, and also the setting for the Met can’t be beat. The space they kind of left alone, but they did have these gigantic foam statues of superheroes. They made it look intergalactic. There was dramatic green and blue lighting. They really made a great effort. The event raised over $7 million.”
—Amy Fine Collins, special correspondent, Vanity Fair READ MORE

Metropolitan Museum of Art, Costume Institute Gala, Armani, Condé Nast

TED KRUCKEL

05.06.08 12:08 PM

High-End Hosts, Here's Where to Feel Cultured

The simply set tables
Photo: Ted Kruckel for BizBash

Just about the smartest thing the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation organizers did at last Thursday's dinner (and they did a number of smart things) was host their cocktails and dinner reception in the galleries of Sotheby's just preceding the Impressionist sale.

Planners of upscale parties, take note; this is a win-win. READ MORE

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Leonard Lauder, Nancy Corzine

EVENT REPORT

05.06.08 10:55 AM

Google Promotes Art Collaboration With Outdoor Projections

Google's outdoor projections
Photo: Courtesy of Obscura Digital

Google rarely does much advertising of its products—at least traditional advertising, like TV commercials and print ads. But the Mountain View, California-based Internet company put on a three-day experiential stunt over the weekend. Starting with a media launch on Thursday evening, Google promoted its new artist themes for iGoogle, the customizable homepage for Google users, with an outdoor gallery of sorts.

Google event marketing manager Lorin Pollack coordinated a stunt that projected moving images of the artwork onto the facades of several buildings on a highly trafficked corner of the meatpacking district—where Little West 12th Street and Ninth Avenue meet Gansevoort Street—between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Using large projectors, San Francisco-based Obscura Digital illuminated the front of the Hotel Gansevoort, Pastis, Theory, and Inn LW12 with colorful imagery designed by the likes of Marc Ecko, Jeff Koons, Michael Graves, Mark Morris, and Yves Behar. And to give visitors an area to play around with the themes, Google also provided a lounge with computer stations under a clear-top tent. READ MORE

Google

EVENT REPORT

05.02.08 6:01 PM

Target Filmmaker Lounge Brings Rock and Movies Together With Logos

Target's branded bungalow
Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

Where celebrities, filmmakers, and industry types go, so must heavily branded sanctuaries for them to hold quick meetings, catch up with work, or just relax. This year’s Tribeca Film Festival has them in spades, and one that runs for the festival’s duration is the Target Filmmaker Lounge at Parsons.

The mega-retailer is never one to shy away from over-the-top branding, so the gallery is fitted head to toe in red and white, with barely a square inch not showcasing a signature bull's-eye. Target has put on the Filmmaker Lounge in the past, but the new venue gave them considerably more space this year. Designer Daphne Shirley at ShirleyGirl decided to break up that space to allow for more private spots for people to gather. READ MORE

Tribeca Film Festival, Target

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Event Coverage

BENEFIT GALAS

Dark Knight Production Designer Stages Superman's Fortress for Costume Institute

New Yorkers for Children Still Stages a Chic, Stylish Benefit

Horticultural Society Design Showcase Brings the Garden Indoors

Diffa Showcases Big Tabletop Designs in Smaller Venue

AIDS Nonprofit Puts France (and Food) in the Spotlight

PUBLIC FESTIVALS

Music and Movies Split Attention at Tribeca Film Festival

Tribeca Drive-In Returns With Zombies, Michael Jackson Look-Alikes, and Lots of Dancing

Coachella Festival Boosts Art Factor, Green Initiatives—and Comfort Level

New Slate of Coachella Party Hosts Increases Nighttime Offerings

Gardening Association's Third Festival Blooms Despite Wet Weather

FILM, BROADWAY & TV PREMIERES

Real-Life Bride and Groom Marry at Made of Honor Premiere

Speed Racer Premiere Features Kid-Friendly Food and Activities

Cry-Baby Opening Party Restages Musical's Fun '50s Kitsch

Baby Mama Kicks Off Tribeca Film Festival at MoMA

Showtime Dresses Sheraton as Castle for Tudors Premiere

PRODUCT LAUNCHES

Google Promotes Art Collaboration With Outdoor Projections

Indoor-Outdoor Party Promotes New Paul Mitchell Product Lines

Carpet Map Introduces Dubai Developer's Projects

Smart USA Celebrates Earth Day With Carbon-Neutral Party

Burlesque Show Launches New Cointreau Cocktail

AWARD SHOWS

Light Show Illuminates FilmAid Awards

Savannah College of Art and Design Pays Tribute to Style Luminaries at the French Embassy

MAGAZINE EVENTS

Condé Nast Traveler Hot List Party Grows, Gets More Interactive

Us Weekly Party Integrates Sponsors' Wares at Buzzed-About New Beso

Food & Wine Puts Top Chefs Back in the Kitchen

ESPN Magazine Marks Anniversary With Live Concert

FROM THE ARCHIVE

TV Networks Host Jokey Upfront Week Events

Lincoln Center Pools Are Alphabet Soup

Mag Awards Travel Up, Up, Up for City View

The Costume Institute's Whimsical, Feminine Look

Beard Awards Stage Looks Like Child's Kitchen

Best Products from ICFF

Growing Whitney Party Is Chic in Black and White

American Express Brings U.S. Open to Manhattan

Hyatt Launches Program With Health-Conscious Promo

EVENT REPORT

Artists Dress Raw Space for Cultural Council's Downtown Dinner

EVENT REPORT

The Bronx Museum Highlights Borough Cuisine at Spring Gala

NEWS

Amtrak to Host National Train Day Events on May 10

EVENT REPORT

Crown Royal, In Touch Host Friday-Night Derby Fetes in Louisville

EVENT REPORT

Dark Knight Production Designer Stages Superman's Fortress for Costume Institute

FROM THE EDITORS

Tribeca Film Festival Mixes Thriller Zombies, Big Premieres, and Sponsored Lounges

GUEST QUESTIONS

Costume Institute Guests Like Superheroes, Hair

TED KRUCKEL

High-End Hosts, Here's Where to Feel Cultured

EVENT REPORT

Google Promotes Art Collaboration With Outdoor Projections

EVENT REPORT

Target Filmmaker Lounge Brings Rock and Movies Together With Logos