It was a coming out party, but not the debutante sort. This was Hollywood, where bad boy actor Michael Madsen revealed his soulful side to 150 friends and relatives gathered to celebrate the publication of The Complete Poetic Works of Michael Madsen, Vol. 1: 1995-2005. Who knew?
The occasion called for a cozy atmosphere, where the Madsen tribe could relax and enjoy the company of intimates. So Randy Olsen, C.E.O. of Celebrity Events, decided to create a Zen ambience at indoor-outdoor venue Loggia at the Highlands, part of the Hollywood & Highland retail and dining complex next to Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Olsen and his design team worked with Brendan Barry of Barong Furniture & Accessories to select 40 pieces of Tibetan and Balinese art, a huge gong and low-slung teak and rosewood tables, brought in to blend with the venue's deep-cushioned living room furniture. The actor's mother, Elaine Madsen, selected five poems for Celebrity to blow up into wall-sized posters and decorate with plant stems and leaves. Lighting was key to the mood. “We did an ambient wash of ambers and warm chocolate tones, which are conducive to relaxation, completing that Zen theme," Olsen said. Celebrity installed amber bulbs in the chandeliers, pinspotted the decor and flowers, and lit the perimeter to make the party's edge pop. Jamie Findlay's classic jazz duo of acoustic guitar and sax, which Olsen discovered at an event at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, added another layer to the mellow mood. While guests mingled during cocktail hour, organic Rooibos red tea was served at the entrance to the terrace.
The tabletop continued the Zen motif. For the centerpieces, Celebrity built square boxes of black wood and lucite and filled them with river rocks, succulents, and cymbidiums. The tables were covered with cream-colored linen topped with chocolate-colored napkins, which were accented with river rocks. Each of the eight tasting courses was served on different dishes of stoneware and glass. Olsen's attention to detail even extended to his choice of wine: he selected chardonnay, pinot noir, and merlot from the Sanford Winery in Santa Barbara because it was one of the locations for the film Sideways, which starred the actor's sister, Virginia Madsen. Guests left with gift bags filled with a copy of Madsen's book, a mug commemorating his poetry book 46 Down, a CD of Madsen reading his poetry, a DVD of his film Kill Bill Vol. 2, and a package of Rooibos red tea.
—Irene Lacher
Photos: Jeff Carrillo
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The occasion called for a cozy atmosphere, where the Madsen tribe could relax and enjoy the company of intimates. So Randy Olsen, C.E.O. of Celebrity Events, decided to create a Zen ambience at indoor-outdoor venue Loggia at the Highlands, part of the Hollywood & Highland retail and dining complex next to Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Olsen and his design team worked with Brendan Barry of Barong Furniture & Accessories to select 40 pieces of Tibetan and Balinese art, a huge gong and low-slung teak and rosewood tables, brought in to blend with the venue's deep-cushioned living room furniture. The actor's mother, Elaine Madsen, selected five poems for Celebrity to blow up into wall-sized posters and decorate with plant stems and leaves. Lighting was key to the mood. “We did an ambient wash of ambers and warm chocolate tones, which are conducive to relaxation, completing that Zen theme," Olsen said. Celebrity installed amber bulbs in the chandeliers, pinspotted the decor and flowers, and lit the perimeter to make the party's edge pop. Jamie Findlay's classic jazz duo of acoustic guitar and sax, which Olsen discovered at an event at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, added another layer to the mellow mood. While guests mingled during cocktail hour, organic Rooibos red tea was served at the entrance to the terrace.
The tabletop continued the Zen motif. For the centerpieces, Celebrity built square boxes of black wood and lucite and filled them with river rocks, succulents, and cymbidiums. The tables were covered with cream-colored linen topped with chocolate-colored napkins, which were accented with river rocks. Each of the eight tasting courses was served on different dishes of stoneware and glass. Olsen's attention to detail even extended to his choice of wine: he selected chardonnay, pinot noir, and merlot from the Sanford Winery in Santa Barbara because it was one of the locations for the film Sideways, which starred the actor's sister, Virginia Madsen. Guests left with gift bags filled with a copy of Madsen's book, a mug commemorating his poetry book 46 Down, a CD of Madsen reading his poetry, a DVD of his film Kill Bill Vol. 2, and a package of Rooibos red tea.
—Irene Lacher
Photos: Jeff Carrillo
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Michael Madsen celebrated his Complete Poetic Works at Los Angeles' Loggia at the Highlands, given a Zen look by Celebrity Events.
Celebrity Events’ tabletops had a Zen motif.
Barong Furniture & Accessories provided 40 pieces of Tibetan and Balinese art.
Centerpieces were square boxes of black wood and lucite filled with river rocks, succulents, and cymbidiums.
