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Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Members of the Washington-based Peking Opera Workshop dressed in traditional costume served as greeters outside the chancery building, as guests... — Members of the Washington-based Peking Opera Workshop dressed in traditional costume served as greeters outside the chancery building, as guests arrived at 9:30 p.m. after attending formal dinners at 30 embassies around the city.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Guests congregated in the chancery of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China grand foyer near the receiving line... — Guests congregated in the chancery of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China grand foyer near the receiving line with hosts Ambassador Zhang Yesui, madame Chen Naiqing, Opera Ball chair Susan Lehrman, and Marta and Plácido Domingo.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

The evening kicked off with three different laser shows, inspired by nightly laser shows in Shanghai and Beijing. Projections on... — The evening kicked off with three different laser shows, inspired by nightly laser shows in Shanghai and Beijing. Projections on the ceiling and walls included images of the Beijing Olympic Games ceremonies, showcasing Plácido Domingo’s performance at the closing ceremony. A window at the end of the building was whited out with film to prevent the lasers from shining into the Singapore Embassy.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Passed hors d’ouevres served during the “contemporary China” portion of the evening included crispy lobster nests with yuzu garlic sauce. — Passed hors d’ouevres served during the “contemporary China” portion of the evening included crispy lobster nests with yuzu garlic sauce.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

At the sound of a gong at the end of the third and final laser show, guests descended a red... — At the sound of a gong at the end of the third and final laser show, guests descended a red carpeted staircase, passing a garden with bonsai trees and rock formations on the way to the ballroom.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

A pagoda served as a focal point on the lower level, evoking a Chinese classical garden through rock formations, bonsai... — A pagoda served as a focal point on the lower level, evoking a Chinese classical garden through rock formations, bonsai, and bamboo greenery.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Guests could sign a personal greeting to Plácido Domingo on a scroll in the Tribute Room, wishing the tenor well... — Guests could sign a personal greeting to Plácido Domingo on a scroll in the Tribute Room, wishing the tenor well as he concludes his 15-year tenure with the opera as general director in June. A video tribute to Domingo played on loop on flat-screens in the Tribute Room, with costumes from the Peking Opera on display as well.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Near the pagoda on the lower level, Los Angeles-based carver Jimmy Zhang brought in samples of elaborate fruit and vegetable... — Near the pagoda on the lower level, Los Angeles-based carver Jimmy Zhang brought in samples of elaborate fruit and vegetable carvings of birds, seahorses, and flowers. Zhang and an assistant demonstrated fruit and vegetable carving during the event.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Peking ducks dangled from a bamboo display in the lower level’s Peking Duck Gallery, where 10 chefs carved traditional Peking... — Peking ducks dangled from a bamboo display in the lower level’s Peking Duck Gallery, where 10 chefs carved traditional Peking duck for queues of guests.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

In the popular Peking Duck Gallery, 10 chefs carved Peking ducks to order, using all 260 ducks prepared for the... — In the popular Peking Duck Gallery, 10 chefs carved Peking ducks to order, using all 260 ducks prepared for the event.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

In addition to the carving stations in the Peking Duck Gallery, guests could sample additional duck items from two buffets... — In addition to the carving stations in the Peking Duck Gallery, guests could sample additional duck items from two buffets, including pan-fried duck dumplings, duck and mushroom broth, duck foie gras with salted plums, and duck steamed buns with smoky lapsang souchong tea.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

In the teahouse-inspired ballroom, dramatic accents included lanterns hanging from the ceiling and spare floral arrangements perched in bare bonsai... — In the teahouse-inspired ballroom, dramatic accents included lanterns hanging from the ceiling and spare floral arrangements perched in bare bonsai trees embellishing the dessert stations.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Occasions Caterers provided a spread of elegant desserts, including lotus blossom and double happiness cakes. — Occasions Caterers provided a spread of elegant desserts, including lotus blossom and double happiness cakes.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Glass bonsai trees and red Chinese fabric tablecloths topped the tables in the ballroom. A local dealer specializing in Chinese... — Glass bonsai trees and red Chinese fabric tablecloths topped the tables in the ballroom. A local dealer specializing in Chinese antiques and reproduction rented out furniture for the event.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

The ballroom’s two large bars displayed details like carved wood and images of pagodas as their backdrops. — The ballroom’s two large bars displayed details like carved wood and images of pagodas as their backdrops.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

In the chancery’s soaring main level, a sculpture inspired by the forces of weather hung above a spiral staircase. The... — In the chancery’s soaring main level, a sculpture inspired by the forces of weather hung above a spiral staircase. The main level’s bars, tech boxes, and tech booth were constructed for the event to blend in with the building’s limestone walls.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Ghost chairs added a contemporary element to the traditional rock garden in the courtyard outside the main level of the... — Ghost chairs added a contemporary element to the traditional rock garden in the courtyard outside the main level of the chancery of the People’s Republic of China's embassy.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Tianjin Youth Peking Opera Troupe member Liu Guijuan performed “The Brocade Pouch” in the auditorium for guests. — Tianjin Youth Peking Opera Troupe member Liu Guijuan performed “The Brocade Pouch” in the auditorium for guests.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

The China-based Tianjin Youth Peking Opera Troupe staged two performances in the lower-level auditorium during the event. — The China-based Tianjin Youth Peking Opera Troupe staged two performances in the lower-level auditorium during the event.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

Event Report

Opera Ball Channels Old and New China at Chinese Embassy

Guests exited the ball through a tunnel of 999 red Chinese lanterns, symbolizing good fortune. — Guests exited the ball through a tunnel of 999 red Chinese lanterns, symbolizing good fortune.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

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