To paraphrase Shakespeare, the play was the thing at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s spring gala, but so was the venue. Although a performance of Matthew Bourne’s mightily praised Play Without Words was meant to be the highlight of the evening, one might argue that another highlight was the party space: the entire 28th floor of 330 Jay Street, a new, unoccupied office and court building in downtown Brooklyn. Donated to BAM for the night by Bruce C. Ratner, chairman of Forest City Ratner and a BAM board member, it offered floor-to-ceiling, wraparound views of Manhattan, especially spectacular this crystal-clear night.
The evening began with a preperformance cocktail party in the Campbell Lobby of the BAM Harvey Theater, and Great Performances served a selection of Brooklyn Brewery beers, wine, and hors d’oeuvres including smoked salmon on black bread, and figs and serrano ham, both before the show and during intermission.
With the help of gR Associates, the office space at Jay Street, where the post-performance dinner was held, had a cool, London-in-the-swinging 60’s vibe, celebrating the era of Bourne’s production. Swags of fabric—some net, some jersey-knit, in red, green, orange, yellow, and some even rainbow-hued—were draped throughout the room, creating sculptural elements and helping to fill the vast space. Suspended above each table was a chandelier-type decoration, made of strings of very 60’s-ish silver spangles. Table linen was equally mod: hot pink cloths with lime green napkins. Lime green and white flowers—including calla lilies, spider mums, viburnum, and Australian pussy willows—in sexy arrangements echoed the color scheme.
Great Performances’ dinner featured tomato and watermelon gazpacho with roasted corn salsa and Spanish goat cheese; herb-crusted cod with vegetables and polenta; and a lemon cake and berry compote, amusingly adorned with a chocolate “B.”
The dance floor, decorated with curtains that sparkled with lights and projected photos of London in the 60’s, saw a lot of action, thanks to DJ Qool Marv. Fittingly, 60’s music and current pop hits were played, along with snatches of Terry Davies’ score for Play Without Words.
BAM patrons and celebrities Kevin Kline, Liam Neeson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Estelle Parsons, Lois Smith, and Philip Glass enjoyed the festivities and neon-pink gift bags, which contained retro sunglasses and a London-themed magnetic poetry kit. Jennifer Stark, BAM’s special events manager, oversaw the evening.
—Jane L. Levere
Read our coverage of BAM’s Next Wave gala...
Photos: Alan Klein/Brooklyn Academy of Music
The evening began with a preperformance cocktail party in the Campbell Lobby of the BAM Harvey Theater, and Great Performances served a selection of Brooklyn Brewery beers, wine, and hors d’oeuvres including smoked salmon on black bread, and figs and serrano ham, both before the show and during intermission.
With the help of gR Associates, the office space at Jay Street, where the post-performance dinner was held, had a cool, London-in-the-swinging 60’s vibe, celebrating the era of Bourne’s production. Swags of fabric—some net, some jersey-knit, in red, green, orange, yellow, and some even rainbow-hued—were draped throughout the room, creating sculptural elements and helping to fill the vast space. Suspended above each table was a chandelier-type decoration, made of strings of very 60’s-ish silver spangles. Table linen was equally mod: hot pink cloths with lime green napkins. Lime green and white flowers—including calla lilies, spider mums, viburnum, and Australian pussy willows—in sexy arrangements echoed the color scheme.
Great Performances’ dinner featured tomato and watermelon gazpacho with roasted corn salsa and Spanish goat cheese; herb-crusted cod with vegetables and polenta; and a lemon cake and berry compote, amusingly adorned with a chocolate “B.”
The dance floor, decorated with curtains that sparkled with lights and projected photos of London in the 60’s, saw a lot of action, thanks to DJ Qool Marv. Fittingly, 60’s music and current pop hits were played, along with snatches of Terry Davies’ score for Play Without Words.
BAM patrons and celebrities Kevin Kline, Liam Neeson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Estelle Parsons, Lois Smith, and Philip Glass enjoyed the festivities and neon-pink gift bags, which contained retro sunglasses and a London-themed magnetic poetry kit. Jennifer Stark, BAM’s special events manager, oversaw the evening.
—Jane L. Levere
Read our coverage of BAM’s Next Wave gala...
Photos: Alan Klein/Brooklyn Academy of Music
For the Brooklyn Academy of Music's spring gala, gR Associates decorated the 330 Jay Street office space with a brightly colored 60's theme to match the era of Matthew Bourne's Play Without Words, the gala's featured performance.
Swags of fabric—some net, some jersey knit, in red, green, orange, yellow, and some even rainbow-hued—were draped throughout the raw office space.
Great Performances' dinner featured tomato and watermelon gazpacho with roasted corn salsa and Spanish goat cheese.
