With Labor Day come and gone, event pros are gearing up for a busy season of fall benefits. Before the onslaught of autumnal happenings, here's a look back at summer benefits from across North America. Ideas ranged from lavender-infused cocktails to balletic performances and picnic-style appetizer spreads.
On August 8, VH1 Save the Music Foundation hosted its benefit at a summer estate in Sagaponack, New York. The event, which featured a performance from Jason Derulo, also offered barbecue-ready snacks from Peter Callahan including corn with toppings such as lime and chili sea salt.
In late June, the Shedd Aquarium Gala in Chicago served edible terrariums for dessert. Prepared by Sodexo, the treats contained ingredients such as chocolate mousse, "dirt" made out of bits of cake, edible flowers, chocolate rocks, and rose crystals.
The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago's annual gala, “Zoo Ball: Arctic Blast,” took place on July 10. Nadeau's Ice Sculptures created an eight-foot-tall polar bear for the occasion.
"The dinner tables were dressed in a combination of white textured linens and silver birch linens to provide a polar-landscape-inspired foundation," designer John Hensel of HMR Designs said. Tabletop decor also included hand-carved "icebergs," iced-glass hurricanes, aluminum vases, and tall iced-glass cylinders. Hall's Rentals provided ice-blue wine glasses, and a box of Altoids at each place setting made for a thematic gift.
Italian fashion designer Alessandra Facchinetti, the creative director of Tod's, and Jessica Seinfeld hosted a charity luncheon at the Seinfeld residence in Amagansett, New York, in July. Facchinetti used baskets of fruits and vegetables to showcase Tod's signature brightly colored Gommino loafers. The custom farm stand paired loafers with the coordinating color of particular foods, including red peppers, lemons, oranges, and broccoli. The luncheon benefited Baby Buggy.
In Chicago, Lookingglass Theatre's junior board hosted its summer benefit on August 29 at a new venue: Water Tower Works. During cocktail hour, guests sampled deviled duck eggs with bacon from local eatery Highline Bar & Lounge. D.I.Y.-style toppings included a variety of hot sauces and flavored salts.
The event had a cabaret-style setup, and guests took in a performance while sipping drinks and snacking on appetizers at candlelit tables.
The inaugural benefit took place at the Loews Miami Beach on July 28. Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos, owner of the new Miami restaurant Elcielo, prepared a five-course dinner, which showcased his scientific style of food preparation. The “Smoking Cow” (pictured) included jasmine rice and coconut nigiri, finalized with a slice of rib-eye and white truffle oil, smoked instantly with applewood, rosemary, and thyme.
On August 28, Hamptons Stands for Heroes—a benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation—took place at a private home in Water Mill, New York. To integrate sponsor Manhattan Moonshine, a drink station offered "the Lavender Smash." Containing the liquor brand's new non-aged whiskey, the summery drink was also made with fresh lavender, tonic water, and lemon juice.Â
On August 1, Ravinia in Highland Park, Illinois, hosted its annual black-tie gala. For cocktail hour, Jewell Events Catering provided a spread of snacks that had a picnic-like presentation: a bed of grass surrounded the bites, and guests could take napkins from a miniature wooden basket.
On September 5, the Princess Grace Awards Gala was held—for the first time in its 33-year history—at the Prince's Palace of Monaco. The event raises money to support emerging talent in artistic fields including dance and featured a performance from Les Ballets de Monte Carlo’s principal dancers Noelani Pantastico and Lucien Postlewaite.
