From magical fairytale themes and funky construction decor to a cool underwater concept, here's a look back at the top ideas and trends from winter benefits across the United States and Canada.
On March 18, the Little Lighthouse Foundation hosted its eighth annual Hearts & Stars gala at a private waterfront mansion on Star Island in Miami Beach. The “Mystic Dreams”-theme party raised $100,000 toward the organization’s programming.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation created an underwater theme for its DC on the Half Shell cocktail party, with wooden tables, fishing nets, and blue-water projections inside Dock5 at Union Market in Washington in February. The foundation also brought in live oyster colonies in tanks.
The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida, hosted its annual gala in February to celebrate a year of construction on its future West Wing. The design featured a hot pink color scheme with construction-inspired touches such as sawhorse tables and decor including yellow fencing and copper pipes.
In February, the Lyric Opera held a one-night-only event celebrating Chicago’s diverse music heritage. Following a cocktail reception, guests dined in the Graham Room and in the boxes of the Ardis Krainik Theatre before the performance. Vinyl records served as decor elements in the tablescape and centerpieces, as well as in the reception area.
On March 3, Canada’s National Ballet School hosted its annual fund-raising gala at Toronto’s the Carlu. The patriotic theme was Canadiana in honor of Canada’s 150th anniversary of confederation.
Brooks Brothers transformed its Beverly Hills flagship store into “Le Casino,” a Monte Carlo-inspired experience to raise funds and awareness for the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation, in January. The 200 guests enjoyed a Moët & Chandon champagne tower display, passed cocktails and casino-theme hors d’oeuvres, and a whiskey tasting.
On March 4, the Women of Tomorrow gala, which is organized by the Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program, was held at the Mandarin Oriental in Miami. During the gala, young women who have been impacted by the group’s work joined supporters for a moment of gratitude.
Boston Ballet’s Ball of Enchantment took place in February at the Castle at Park Plaza. The event’s theme celebrated Marius Petipa’s "The Sleeping Beauty," complete with a magical castle backdrop. The ball raised $1.8 million for Boston Ballet and its community programs.
At the Asian Art Museum’s annual gala, Got Light created a 96-foot-long LED tube chandelier with more than 200 tubes. The event, which celebrated art and technology, took place March 2 in San Francisco. Plus, interactive iPad centerpieces from Keep Interacting displayed table numbers, live auction items, and other program material for dinner guests.
On March 15, nonprofit organization Urban Arts Partnership celebrated its 25th anniversary at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. The event, which supports the group’s mission to advance the development of underserved public school students, featured neon sign centerpieces with words of inspiration.
The St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School’s annual spring auction in Washington combines a sit-down dinner with silent and live auctions to raise money for its financial aid programs. After the cocktail reception and auction, held on March 4, guests enjoyed a three-course dinner in the school's gym with bright superhero decor fitting the evening ’s “Be a Hero” theme.
Housing Works hosted its fund-raising event, Design on a Dime, in Miami in February at the Moore Building in the city’s design district. For the second year in a row, participating interior designers and influential tastemakers created more than 25 one-of-a-kind room vignettes with designer furniture, art, and home decor merchandise. The two-day benefit raised $320,000 in support of the organization’s mission to end AIDS.
The National Capital Area Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society held its annual ball on March 11 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Event producer Julie Hanson designed the event around the nonprofit's red logo with purple accents in flowers and lighting.
In January, the Miami City Ballet celebrated its 31st annual gala, raising more than $1 million to support the organization’s work both onstage and in the community. The theme of this year’s ball—an ice-kissed fairytale with frozen ballet shoes as centerpieces—was inspired by the world premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s "The Fairy’s Kiss." It was the first charity gala to be hosted at Miami Beach’s Faena Forum.
On March 11, the Lookingglass Theatre’s Glassquerade “A Night in the Forest” gala celebrated 29 years of theater at VenueOne Chicago. The event raised $865,000 for artistic and educational programs.
In January, the National YoungArts Foundation hosted its annual fund-raiser, the Backyard Ball, on its campus in Miami, capping off the organization’s weeklong workshop program. The all-white origami theme included geometric details and decor elements, including suspended paper butterflies, angular candleholders and vases on the dining tables, and structural signage.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s opening-night gala was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington in February. Volanni created four floral designs incorporating red flowers, monstera leaves, succulents, lily grass, and mini cymbidiums blossoms for the centerpieces.
