| EVENT REPORT 05.09.08 4:14 PM |
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| Hitting the Mall |
| For its inaugural benefit luncheon, the Trust for the National Mall put up with a rainy day to showcase its best asset—the Mall—for a garden-inspired, tented affair. |
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Yesterday wasn't exactly the best day for a garden party, with rain pouring and a storm brewing. But the Trust for the National Mall went ahead with its inaugural benefit luncheon, held under a series of circus-style century tents in the shadow of the Washington Monument, with the Capitol in sight. "We have 500 umbrellas," said freelance planner Allison Signorelli, who produced the event with Trust president Caroline Cunningham.
For the decor and flowers, Signorelli brought on New York-based planner David Tutera, who envisioned an English garden setting for the lunch. "The idea he had was, this is what the Mall is [with the view] and this is what the Mall could be if we had manicured gardens and beautiful flowers," Signorelli said. |
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PHOTO GALLERY |
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 | Moss and vines circled the tent poles, adding to the garden setting.
Photo: imagelinkphoto.com |
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 | The prelunch reception area included three-foot-tall birdcage-esque arrangements of irises, moss, and pussy willows.
Photo: imagelinkphoto.com |
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 | The tables ranged from long banquets to smaller rounds, with centerpieces cut to fit each shape.
Photo: imagelinkphoto.com |
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 | The linens alternated between patterns of grass green leaves and quilted silk versions.
Photo: imagelinkphoto.com |
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 | The centerpieces evoked an English garden with structured tiers of roses and moss, fenced by pussy willows.
Photo: imagelinkphoto.com |
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 | A miniature reflecting pool, edged with roses and stones, sat in front of the event's lectern.
Photo: imagelinkphoto.com |
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 | Hors d'oeuvres from Design Cuisine included sesame-crusted crab cakes with wasabi aioli on a sugar cane grid.
Photo: imagelinkphoto.com |
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Each table included tiered centerpieces of roses, moss, and small plants, tied and fenced by pussy willows, while the tablecloths alternated between grass-hued quilted silk versions and linens covered with a leafy pattern. To bring the garden back to D.C., Tutera also installed a miniature version of the reflecting pool, lined by hedges of multicolored roses and gray stones.
To keep the event private and away from prying tourist eyes, boxwood hedges circled the tent area, and troops of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts officially escorted attendees. (Trust chairman Chip Akridge is himself an Eagle Scout.) Inside the prelunch reception area, actors dressed as Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Pierre L'Enfant mingled among the crowd. After perusing the scenic shots of the Mall on display, guests entered the dining space through wrought-iron gates. The luncheon's menu was warm-weather-inspired, including yellow tomato gazpacho with poached shrimp, roasted escolar with cucumber and jicama slaw, and a rustic strawberry tart, all from Design Cuisine.
The 525-person crowd, which grew from the expected 350, helped raise over $500,000 to revitalize what the trust calls "America's Front Yard." "We had such tremendous response," Signorelli said, "and probably could have kept going." The crowd also looked the part, with the ladies wearing elaborate summer hats, appropriate for an English garden.
—Danielle O'Steen
RELATED TOPICS
Trust for the National Mall
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