The Martin Memorial Foundation's annual Chrysanthemum Ball kicks off Martin County's social season. This year the black-tie soiree for 600 set a high standard with a vibrant and colorful affair that took place in a 24,000-square-foot airplane hangar at the Stuart Jet Center.
The private airport proved to be an effective venue for the foundation's event coordinator, Jessica McLain. "Using the hangar was a challenge," she says. "But I wanted [the donors'] jaws to drop. We got the complete 'wow' factor. They could not get over the atmosphere."
McLain hired George and Dana Coates of Eventmakers International to produce the party. They created a multihued affair that filled the enormous space with sophisticated decor and a circuslike atmosphere.
Eventmakers covered the entire floor of the hangar with metallic black carpeting. Fort Lauderdale's J Entertainment & Productions split the space into reception and dining areas with trussing and 45-foot sheets of spandex, onto which colored lights were projected. The reception area featured an oval illuminated plexiglass bar with a metallic finish. Sofas and loveseats were decorated with turquoise and silver sequined pillows and arranged to create loungelike areas. Cocktail tables featured triangular spandex lamps that glowed in green, yellow, and pink. Passed hors d'oeuvres from Elizabeth Kennedy Catering included endive stuffed with lobster salad, mustard-bourbon chicken skewers, and shiitake mushroom tarts.
In the dining area, authentic Indian fabrics in a spectrum of colors with half-dollar-size mirrors topped 65 tables. Harbour Bay Florist's dramatic centerpieces stood five and six feet tall. Illuminated with LED lighting, each piece matched its table's linen and was crowned with hula hoops covered in vivid flowers. Dinner began with grilled jumbo.phparagus topped with lemon-coriander shrimp. For the main course, filet mignon and lamb chops were served with roasted vegetables and herbed orzo with red pepper sauce.
The New Vision Cirque topped off the night with an inspired performance. The troupe's eight acts included contortionists and jugglers. EC Model and Talent Agency provided additional performers who roamed the party, as well as the music that played on past midnight.
—Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Photos: Steven Martine and Bob Dobens
The private airport proved to be an effective venue for the foundation's event coordinator, Jessica McLain. "Using the hangar was a challenge," she says. "But I wanted [the donors'] jaws to drop. We got the complete 'wow' factor. They could not get over the atmosphere."
McLain hired George and Dana Coates of Eventmakers International to produce the party. They created a multihued affair that filled the enormous space with sophisticated decor and a circuslike atmosphere.
Eventmakers covered the entire floor of the hangar with metallic black carpeting. Fort Lauderdale's J Entertainment & Productions split the space into reception and dining areas with trussing and 45-foot sheets of spandex, onto which colored lights were projected. The reception area featured an oval illuminated plexiglass bar with a metallic finish. Sofas and loveseats were decorated with turquoise and silver sequined pillows and arranged to create loungelike areas. Cocktail tables featured triangular spandex lamps that glowed in green, yellow, and pink. Passed hors d'oeuvres from Elizabeth Kennedy Catering included endive stuffed with lobster salad, mustard-bourbon chicken skewers, and shiitake mushroom tarts.
In the dining area, authentic Indian fabrics in a spectrum of colors with half-dollar-size mirrors topped 65 tables. Harbour Bay Florist's dramatic centerpieces stood five and six feet tall. Illuminated with LED lighting, each piece matched its table's linen and was crowned with hula hoops covered in vivid flowers. Dinner began with grilled jumbo.phparagus topped with lemon-coriander shrimp. For the main course, filet mignon and lamb chops were served with roasted vegetables and herbed orzo with red pepper sauce.
The New Vision Cirque topped off the night with an inspired performance. The troupe's eight acts included contortionists and jugglers. EC Model and Talent Agency provided additional performers who roamed the party, as well as the music that played on past midnight.
—Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Photos: Steven Martine and Bob Dobens
A hangar at the Stuart Jet Center was transformed into a playful dining room for Martin Memorial Foundation's annual Chrysanthemum Ball.
Mirrored Indian fabrics and dramatic centerpieces by Harbour Bay Florist decorated the tables.
Draped banquettes and tables were used for stark lounge areas.
Members of the New Vision Cirque performed acrobatic acts.
