The charity hosted its fund-raiser at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington on May 8. Ridgewells handled catering, and festive menu items included pours of champagne over popsicles for dessert cocktails.
The Bata Shoe Museum celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala celebration on May 7 for 300 guests in Toronto. Fittingly, the event featured a shoe-theme sweets table.
The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Carousel played at the Lyric Opera of Chicago this spring. To celebrate the beloved music on April 17, the opera's women's board hosted a preshow celebration for 90 guests. The passed specialty drink was called the "Carousel Cocktail." It contained ginger, lemonade, and vodka and was garnished with fresh mint and a striped paper straw embellished with a miniature carousel horse.
The American Cancer Society hosted its Discovery Ball at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago on April 25. This year's theme had a futuristic overtone that inspired the look and feel of the 750-guest soiree. "During dinner, planes of light and hand-tied wire patterns that projected light striae ... visually transported guests into a future periphery," designer Rishi Patel of HMR Designs said.
Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater hosted its annual gala on May 9. Inspired by the setting of the then-current production The Way West, Event Creative's decor was inspired by a home in England, and the tabletop centerpieces were designed to look like window boxes.
This year's "Give Kids the World" benefit took place at the Hyatt Regency Orlando in May and had an "Under the Big Top" theme. For dessert, executive pastry chef Alain Vergnault put together a confection that combined caramel apple cake, cotton candy, and soft-serve-style vanilla crème fraîche.
This year’s Opera Ball, a benefit for the Washington National Opera, took place at the Residence of the German Ambassador in June. For the first time, planners incorporated video content into the decor. There were two 18-foot towers with an illuminated event logo and screens that rotated images of past Washington National Opera performances in German as well as images of German architecture and art to honor the culture of the host venue. The event's logo for this year also was incorporated into the towers.
The Women’s Committee for the Corcoran Gallery of Art hosted its 60th annual Corcoran Ball on April 17 at George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum in Washington. Design Foundry suspended strings of pink butterflies above the dance floor as part of the metamorphosis theme.
On April 25, the JW Marriott Marquis Miami played host to the Sylvester Gala, a benefit for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s research programs. The event had a "Brave" theme, and entertainers with Pop Art-inspired body paint had the word written on their chests.
The space known as Pier 36 Basketball City along the East River in Manhattan recently scored a few new baskets—of the picnic variety—for the Friends of the High Line's spring benefit, held May 20. A large grassy tableau, featuring actors reading, picnicking, and sunning themselves, separated the cocktail section from the dining area.
On May 21, the Baeumler Family Foundation held its third annual “celebrity karaoke” gala at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. The fund-raiser’s 450-guest crowd included several famous faces, among them DJ Joel Zimmerman of Deadmau5, Suits actor Patrick J. Adams, and celebrity chef Lynn Crawford. The evening included an interactive silent auction, cocktails, and dinner; its centerpiece was a karaoke showcase that helped raised money. Here’s how it worked: The celebrity guests had their head shots added to an app, designed by Ready Set Auction, which guests could access at the event or online beforehand. At the event, those in attendance could donate money via the app to see their favorite celebrity get up and sing karaoke.
On June 5, Chicago celebrated the opening of the 606, a public, elevated trail along a former railway, with a gala that paid homage to the host city. Limelight Catering serviced the event. Menu items included a first course of hanging flatbreads in two flavors: herb and olive oil and three cheese. The dish incorporated onions from an Illinois farm and cheeses from Wisconsin.
On June 4, the SickKids Foundation hosted its 14th annual “Scrubs in the City” benefit at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto. At the end of the night, a food trunk gave guests a taste of next year's theme: "London Is Calling." The truck had the date of next year's event written on its side.
Heal the Bay's annual fund-raising gala took place on June 4 at the Jonathan Club on the beach in Los Angeles. In keeping with the nautical theme, about 1,000 guests dined at tables with ocean-inspired design.
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery held its annual Power Ball in Toronto on June 4. Presented by luxury brand Max Mara, the evening drew 1,500 guests and had the theme “Appetite for Excess.” Instead of a traditional plated dinner, V.I.P. guests got an entirely different experience: an interactive experience from food artist Jennifer Rubell. Hands appeared through holes in the table, serving guests one morsel at a time.
The 2015 Wall Ball gave its 700-some guests an opportunity to make their own salad by ordering from a salad mural. Held on May 21 at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia and produced by Bread & Butter Productions, the annual fund-raiser supports the City of Mural Arts Program, which advocates community-focused public art that includes mural-making projects and educational programs. Complementing the event's artistic roots and inspired by the idea of a mural depicting community gardens, Catering by Design created a mural wall of salad greens.
In Toronto, the Luminato Festival kicked off with an opening-night party at Hearn Generating Station on June 18. The event's theme was "Nature Versus Industry." To play off the former concept, guests participated in a D.I.Y. flower-press activity that let them take home framed flowers. Hot Pop Factory sponsored the crafty station.
The Bark Ball, benefiting the Washington Humane Society, took place at Washington Hilton on June 20. The pet-friendly event drew 1,000 guests—and 500 dogs. To accommodate the canine partygoers, organizers plied the buffet with heart-shaped dog treats.
Chicago's Shedd Aquarium hosted its annual gala on June 20. The event's theme, "Metamorphosis," was inspired by the current exhibition of amphibian species. Event Creative handled decor and built a custom bar that celebrated the theme with glowing cutouts of salamanders.
Here's another animal-inspired bar. In late April, the Brookfield Zoo outside of Chicago hosted its annual fund-raising gala. The event featured animal-theme decor from the Flower Firm, including a bar with leopard spots and eyes.
Nashville's Ballet Ball drew 400 guests to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on March 7. The directive for the creative team from Syzygy Events was to create a clean, sleek, unfussy atmosphere. At the entrance to the event, ballerinas posed on platforms and transitioned slowly between poses. The ballerinas were meant to evoke elegant garden statues.
On December 4, the Chicago Botanic Garden hosted its "All Aboard" fund-raiser. After viewing the garden's elaborate, indoor miniature train set, guests had dinner in one of three dining rooms decorated by Event Creative. One room, with a "Frozen Radiance" theme, used glossy all-white furniture and frosty blue lighting to create an icy look.
On December 4, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago hosted its 13th annual "World of Chocolate" gala at Union Station. One photo activation, called "Take an Elfie," encouraged guests to pose with a costumed character inspired by the Elf on the Shelf books and dolls.
Held on December 11 at the Vineyard of Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, the benefit for Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation had a "diamond" theme that was reflected in glittering decor. The glass dinner tent was decked with elaborate crystal chandeliers, and tables incorporated hanging crystals. The team from SO Events spent a week leveling the hillside ground on which the tent was installed.
The January 10 event took place at the Miami headquarters of the National YoungArts Foundation. Stephen Starr Events catered the benefit, and menu items included tri-colored cauliflower, French beans, and French breakfast radish with house-made lemon hummus and roasted artichokes.
Based in Toronto, the Walrus Foundation hosted its annual gala on January 21 at the Fermenting Cellar. The event had a gold theme, and guests got miniature treasure boxes filled with chocolate gold coins as favors.
Held on January 24, the museum's gala offered several food stations from Sodexo. At one station, a portable, mess-free version of a salad offered greens in a crispy shell; dressing was drizzled on with a pipette.
Chicago production firm Revel Global Events hosted its annual Super Bowl bash at Chicago's Union Station on February 1. To reflect the event's colorful, Katy-Perry-inspired "Candyland" theme, the firm built a custom tray meant to look like a giant popsicle. The tray carried snacks from Limelight Catering. The evening raised funds for Oakley Square.
The Toronto Reference Library was lit up in pink lights for the February 5 black-tie affair. The visual theme for this year was literature, and novels came to life in many forms. Attendees observed the library's Digital Innovation Hub in action, where on-site technicians were using 3-D printers to create busts of famous writers.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay hosted its annual “Big Night” fund-raiser at the House of Blues on February 7. This year's event had a brand-new—yet throwback—theme: the 1990s. Guests, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay's C.E.O, Wendy Foster (pictured), posed in front of a graffiti-decked step-and-repeat.
The Boston Ballet hosted its annual gala at the Castle at Park Plaza on February 7. The theme was inspired by the current production of Lady of the Camelias, and the flower theme extended to the presentation of the silent-auction paddles, which were housed in planters surrounded by greenery.
The Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, held its annual gala February 7 at the Bullock Texas State History Museum with an "Off the Wall" theme. Both the gala and after-party featured statement floral pieces designed by Mandarin Design Lab, which drew inspiration from the theme and colors of the event invitations. The entry piece at the after-party, held at the Blanton Museum, was a collection of moss, vines, and flowers mounted onto four hanging frames.
Though it was held in early February, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's annual fund-raiser in Miami had a springtime feel. The dinner tent was bathed in bright pink light, and from the ceiling hung crystal chandeliers embellished with prop butterflies. Le Basque Productions handled catering and production.
The Miami institution hosted its annual gala on February 7. While raising funds, the affair also served as a celebration of the 70th birthday of co-founding artistic director Michael Tilson Thomas. The evening's decor from Shiraz Events incorporated the guest of honor's favorite color—blue—and Tilson Thomas's image was shown in illuminated boxes that appeared on tabletops.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra hosted its "Remix: Red Hot" fund-raiser at the School of the Art Institute Ballroom on February 27. The event had a New Orleans-inspired theme, so servers greeted guests with a "Southern Punch" made with Tito's handmade vodka, Grand Marnier, pomegranate juice, orange juice, soda, cinnamon, and frozen berries. Food for Thought handled catering.
The ballroom at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex was packed with a crowd of 2,500 guests for the “Motionball” gala in support of the Special Olympics Canada Foundation on February 6. A new feature for this year’s Motionball was a 130-square-foot art gallery. Artists including JessGo, Jimmy Chiale, and Jay Soule among others attended the event and painted live. “We wanted to transform [the ballroom] to feel like the streets of Toronto," planner Marsha Doucette said.
On March 1, Lady Gaga and Vince Vaughn were among the 4,500 shivering individuals who dipped into Lake Michigan for the Special Olympics Chicago's Chicago Polar Plunge. Event organizers developed a social media campaign that used the hashtag #VinnyDippin to playfully solicit Vaughn to serve as the “V.I.P.,” or Very Important Plunger, for the event, and the campaign worked.
Held at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Washington on March 7, the annual auction had a "Spirit of America" theme. Designed by Events by André Wells, the venue was decked out in red, white, and blue decor. To complement the theme, stars hung from the ceiling of the dining room.
Held on March 6 at the Carlu in Toronto, the ballet school's gala had a theme inspired by the classic film set in New York An Affair to Remember. This year, planners added casino gaming as a new form of after-dinner entertainment. The activity also helped raise funds: guests were given complimentary "play money" to begin with, but had the option to purchase more, and proceeds benefited the school.
Each year, the California Science Center's Discovery Ball gala dinner corresponds with the launch of a new exhibit. This year, the institution's March 7 bash was also the debut of the Dead Sea Scrolls. During the cocktail reception, goats and a costumed shepherd invited guest interaction and also served as a photo op.
United Way of New York City’s Women’s Leadership Council hosted its "Power of Women to Make a Difference" luncheon on March 11 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The event raised funds for one of the United Ways' projects, ReadNYC, which helps children learn to read. To emphasize that theme, the planning team from JFM Group used children's books as centerpieces.
The Human Rights Campaign hosted its annual gala in Los Angeles on March 14. Held at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live, the benefit went big on entertainment: Mariah Carey (pictured) was the headline performer. Other famous guests included Girls creator Lena Dunham, who presented an award.
