1. Sample the Flavors of the States
Give guests a taste of America with a regional menu. Sage Events suggests a menu with Maine lobster transformed into lobster rolls and a taste of Cajun spice in Louisiana chicken gumbo with andouille sausage. And what could be more appropriate for the G.O.P. than a taste of Texan barbecue, with brisket served as easy-to-handle bites atop cornbread croutons?
2. Salute These Flowers
A party for conservative guests doesn’t necessarily need conservative flowers. Designer Ritsuko Daye Deura of Flowers by Daye suggests a red, white and blue approach with a modern touch, like this tall clear receptacle filled with flat blue glass stones, a cluster of white hydrangeas and a tall spray of rich red anthuriums. And Studio Sweet Pea’s Lisa Fireman suggests a sophisticated arrangement with a twist—small cloth flags folded up as blossoms and tucked amidst four different types of real roses.
3. Get Liberty for All
The Statue of Liberty may stand with her torch over New York Harbor, but Jennifer Stewart, better known as Living Liberty, can come to your event. Covered in a weather-worn shade of green, Stewart can pose with partygoers and stand still for as long as 20 minutes. Performance fees start at $700 for the first hour and $300 for each additional hour.
4. Show Off With Lasers
Project rays of light to create patterns—or perhaps your favorite party animal—with laser displays from Long Island Laser Works. When shown in a darkened environment, word and images appear to float. Outdoors on a solid flat surface, such as the side of a building, short beams can be projected to draw attention to an event.
5. Teach a History Lesson
Out-of-towners expect to see certain sights—Central Park, the Empire State Building—but for a unique experience, PRA Destination Management can arrange historically minded tours in the city and surrounding areas. Explore the historical lanes of the West Village or the infamous gang past of downtown’s Five Points. Or try a coach tour into Westchester County to visit Kykuit, the opulent estate of the Rockefeller clan—including former Republican vice president Nelson Rockefeller.
6. Poke Fun at the Process
Spoofing the nature of politics, Theater to Go’s production of Murder on the Campaign Trail is an interactive murder mystery with a fake candidate and mischievous activity on the way to the polls. Guests audition for campaign commercials and attend a faux press conference to ask questions and find clues. The act can be performed around dinner. Customized shows begin at $3,000.
7. Cool Them Off
In the New York summer heat, ice cream and sorbets are a welcome treat. Compose a patriotic parfait with red, white and blue scoops. Ciao Bella Gelato Company makes deep red sorbets in blackberry cabernet and cherry flavors, ginger lemon and coconut in shades of white, and a blue concord grape.
—Mark Mavrigian
Posted 02.26.04
Give guests a taste of America with a regional menu. Sage Events suggests a menu with Maine lobster transformed into lobster rolls and a taste of Cajun spice in Louisiana chicken gumbo with andouille sausage. And what could be more appropriate for the G.O.P. than a taste of Texan barbecue, with brisket served as easy-to-handle bites atop cornbread croutons?
2. Salute These Flowers
A party for conservative guests doesn’t necessarily need conservative flowers. Designer Ritsuko Daye Deura of Flowers by Daye suggests a red, white and blue approach with a modern touch, like this tall clear receptacle filled with flat blue glass stones, a cluster of white hydrangeas and a tall spray of rich red anthuriums. And Studio Sweet Pea’s Lisa Fireman suggests a sophisticated arrangement with a twist—small cloth flags folded up as blossoms and tucked amidst four different types of real roses.
3. Get Liberty for All
The Statue of Liberty may stand with her torch over New York Harbor, but Jennifer Stewart, better known as Living Liberty, can come to your event. Covered in a weather-worn shade of green, Stewart can pose with partygoers and stand still for as long as 20 minutes. Performance fees start at $700 for the first hour and $300 for each additional hour.
4. Show Off With Lasers
Project rays of light to create patterns—or perhaps your favorite party animal—with laser displays from Long Island Laser Works. When shown in a darkened environment, word and images appear to float. Outdoors on a solid flat surface, such as the side of a building, short beams can be projected to draw attention to an event.
5. Teach a History Lesson
Out-of-towners expect to see certain sights—Central Park, the Empire State Building—but for a unique experience, PRA Destination Management can arrange historically minded tours in the city and surrounding areas. Explore the historical lanes of the West Village or the infamous gang past of downtown’s Five Points. Or try a coach tour into Westchester County to visit Kykuit, the opulent estate of the Rockefeller clan—including former Republican vice president Nelson Rockefeller.
6. Poke Fun at the Process
Spoofing the nature of politics, Theater to Go’s production of Murder on the Campaign Trail is an interactive murder mystery with a fake candidate and mischievous activity on the way to the polls. Guests audition for campaign commercials and attend a faux press conference to ask questions and find clues. The act can be performed around dinner. Customized shows begin at $3,000.
7. Cool Them Off
In the New York summer heat, ice cream and sorbets are a welcome treat. Compose a patriotic parfait with red, white and blue scoops. Ciao Bella Gelato Company makes deep red sorbets in blackberry cabernet and cherry flavors, ginger lemon and coconut in shades of white, and a blue concord grape.
—Mark Mavrigian
Posted 02.26.04