No, that wasn't actually Bette Midler hovering around the hors d'oeuvres at the Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Trust fund-raiser. Nor were Barbra Streisand and Elton John chatting each other up by the bar. Still, these stars and others were present in spirit, brought to life by impersonators from Unreel Hosts. The impersonators added sparkle to the fifth annual event—co-chaired by Holly Pencer Bellman and Stacey Cynamon—which, quite appropriately, was dubbed "Sparkle."
The evening was a variation of the traditional "Denim and Diamonds" theme. Guests played their part by dressing in denim and what the invitation called "sparkle chic." Karen Jacobs, event planner with Up & Coming Events, worked pro bono with Brain Trust volunteer Bonnie Gotleib to organize the benefit. Designer Nicholas Pinney, of Nicholas Pinney Design transformed the ballroom of the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex into a stunning palace of crimson and gold.
At the entrance, a round padded bar gave rise to a soaring treelike centerpiece, highlighted by faux gold leaves. Tea lights suspended from the branches added a soft look to the splendid piece. Elsewhere, circular lounges, inspired by 1920's supper-club design, boasted high backs and decorative pillows with touches of gold. And 20-foot drapes, used to separate the dance floor from the caf? area, displayed a deep-red base with gold flecks, suggesting a West Indian influence.
Out in the courtyard, Pinney employed a mosaic of crystal, mirrors, and candles to fabricate a one-of-a-kind a champagne lounge. Metallic-green couches from Contemporary Furniture were positioned around mirrored tables and bars. Finishing touches included clear acrylic, classically designed table lamps and cymbidium orchids suspended in tall glass cylinders from Bridge the Gap.
To separate the outdoor lounge from the live-air auction tent, Pinney hung silver beaded curtains from the venue's natural arches. The auction tent, located in the centre of the courtyard, was adorned with crystal chandeliers and black and silver furnishings.
Guests nibbled on appetizers provided by the Liberty Grand, danced to the sounds of the Travoltas, and opened their wallets at the silent auction in support of the Pencer Brain Tumor Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital.
—Patrick Allossery
The evening was a variation of the traditional "Denim and Diamonds" theme. Guests played their part by dressing in denim and what the invitation called "sparkle chic." Karen Jacobs, event planner with Up & Coming Events, worked pro bono with Brain Trust volunteer Bonnie Gotleib to organize the benefit. Designer Nicholas Pinney, of Nicholas Pinney Design transformed the ballroom of the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex into a stunning palace of crimson and gold.
At the entrance, a round padded bar gave rise to a soaring treelike centerpiece, highlighted by faux gold leaves. Tea lights suspended from the branches added a soft look to the splendid piece. Elsewhere, circular lounges, inspired by 1920's supper-club design, boasted high backs and decorative pillows with touches of gold. And 20-foot drapes, used to separate the dance floor from the caf? area, displayed a deep-red base with gold flecks, suggesting a West Indian influence.
Out in the courtyard, Pinney employed a mosaic of crystal, mirrors, and candles to fabricate a one-of-a-kind a champagne lounge. Metallic-green couches from Contemporary Furniture were positioned around mirrored tables and bars. Finishing touches included clear acrylic, classically designed table lamps and cymbidium orchids suspended in tall glass cylinders from Bridge the Gap.
To separate the outdoor lounge from the live-air auction tent, Pinney hung silver beaded curtains from the venue's natural arches. The auction tent, located in the centre of the courtyard, was adorned with crystal chandeliers and black and silver furnishings.
Guests nibbled on appetizers provided by the Liberty Grand, danced to the sounds of the Travoltas, and opened their wallets at the silent auction in support of the Pencer Brain Tumor Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital.
—Patrick Allossery
Event designer Nicholas Pinney created supper-club-style furnishings inspired by 1920's design for the fifth annual Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Trust fund-raiser at the Liberty Grand.
Flowers suspended in water, by Bridge the Gap, decorated mirrored tables from Contemporary Furniture Rentals in the champagne lounge.
Pinney created a tree with faux gold leaves and tea lights suspended from its branches at the centre of the round bar.
The open-air auction was held in a solid tented structure, complete with crystal chandeliers and black and silver furnishings.
