The seventh annual Sea Grapes Fine Wine and Food Festival was held at the Florida Aquarium on May 3. Amid exhibits of aquatic animals from around the world, attendees enjoyed wines provided by Total Wine & More and samplings from 20 area restaurants, including the Salt Rock Grill and Mise en Place.
Building on the venue's natural aquatic atmosphere, Grand Events of Florida L.L.C. hung sheer voile fabric turquoise panels-along with an elaborate eight-foot crystal beaded chandelier-in the lower lobby, transforming the common area into a sparkling event entrance. Throughout the venue, the sea-themed color scheme continued with black linen-covered tables topped with clear vase centerpieces filled with turquoise and black aquarium pebbles, with red carnations added for a splash of color.Grand Events also transformed the aquarium's Café Ray restaurant into the Connoisseurs Club V.I.P. room for the evening. With assistance from Connie Duglin Specialty Linens, who draped white linens to cover kitchen openings and added sheer curtains over the usually uncovered windows, and the addition of black-leather-couch and love-seat lounge areas from Grand Events of Florida, the room took on the ambience of a stylish nightclub. Burnished aluminum tabletops from Aramark added a modern touch to the black-linen-draped banquet tables.
A bevy of performers entertained throughout the aquarium. A cappella group Men of Note from Busch Gardens Tampa was set up in the lower lobby, while Red Hot Jazz from Breezin' Entertainment & Productions performed in the Coral Reef area, and acoustic guitarist Tom Jemmott Band provided background music in the V.I.P. room. Stiltwalkers and performer Michael Norton as the "god of wine" rounded out the evening's entertainment lineup.
Attended by more than 600 guests and supporters of aquarium, this year's event raised $68,000 that will be used to support the organization's conservation and education programs, including coral propagation and restoration, sponsored admissions for underserved children, and a dolphin identification program.
Building on the venue's natural aquatic atmosphere, Grand Events of Florida L.L.C. hung sheer voile fabric turquoise panels-along with an elaborate eight-foot crystal beaded chandelier-in the lower lobby, transforming the common area into a sparkling event entrance. Throughout the venue, the sea-themed color scheme continued with black linen-covered tables topped with clear vase centerpieces filled with turquoise and black aquarium pebbles, with red carnations added for a splash of color.Grand Events also transformed the aquarium's Café Ray restaurant into the Connoisseurs Club V.I.P. room for the evening. With assistance from Connie Duglin Specialty Linens, who draped white linens to cover kitchen openings and added sheer curtains over the usually uncovered windows, and the addition of black-leather-couch and love-seat lounge areas from Grand Events of Florida, the room took on the ambience of a stylish nightclub. Burnished aluminum tabletops from Aramark added a modern touch to the black-linen-draped banquet tables.
A bevy of performers entertained throughout the aquarium. A cappella group Men of Note from Busch Gardens Tampa was set up in the lower lobby, while Red Hot Jazz from Breezin' Entertainment & Productions performed in the Coral Reef area, and acoustic guitarist Tom Jemmott Band provided background music in the V.I.P. room. Stiltwalkers and performer Michael Norton as the "god of wine" rounded out the evening's entertainment lineup.
Attended by more than 600 guests and supporters of aquarium, this year's event raised $68,000 that will be used to support the organization's conservation and education programs, including coral propagation and restoration, sponsored admissions for underserved children, and a dolphin identification program.
The aquarium's resident great horned owl, Hootie, mingled with event guests while perched on his handler's arm.
Joe Roberts
A crystal bead chandelier set amid turquoise voile fabric panels added sparkle to the venue's lower lobby.
Corie Monahan for Grand Events of Florida L.L.C.
The aquarium's resident great horned owl, Hootie, mingled with event guests while perched on his handler's arm.
Joe Roberts
Mise en Place offered fare such as Moroccan spiced tuna with preserved lemon vinaigrette and arugula olive salad in the V.I.P. room.
Joe Roberts
Cocktail tables were topped with simple centerpieces made from narrow glass vases filled with turquoise and black aquarium stones and two red carnations for a splash of color.
Joe Roberts
