big events

Guests entered the event through a giant camera lens, alluding to the portraits used throughout the decor and program.

A gallery of portraits from the photo blog Humans of New York led the way to the cocktail space.

Photo stations set up throughout the cocktail space featured backdrops of iconic New York scenes such as Luna Park at Coney Island. The finished photos inserted guests into those locations.

Fifteen-foot letters spelled out “Together,” the evening’s theme. The letters were staggered throughout the center of the room, but “the idea from David Stark is that you walk into that room and regardless of where you are the ‘together’ phrase is intact,” said Lindsay Carroll, one of the event’s producers.

Major Food Group provided cocktails during the reception at bars hosted by four of its famed New York restaurants: Dirty French, Carbone, Santina, and ZZ Clam Bar. Each bar had unique decor and served a signature cocktail as well as a full bar.

When it was time to transition from cocktails to dinner, a drum line and choir provided an energetic version of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” and guided guests through the space.

A tunnel with dramatic lighting connected the cocktails space to the dining room. Since guests would quickly pass through the space, lighting was a cost-efficient way to provide decor.

Four-sided centerpieces featured portraits of Robin Hood beneficiaries taken by the Humans of New York creator Brandon Stanton.

Union Square Events catered a three-course dinner that started with a first course of artichoke and fennel salad with grains, sunflower sprouts, and lemon-parmesan crumble. Hot Bread Kitchen, a beneficiary of the Robin Hood Foundation, baked the bread.

The dining room seated 4,000 guests. Sixteen screens lining the perimeter of the room gave all guests a close-up view of the stage, videos, and other elements of the program.