The museum hosted a gala in 2013 to fete its "Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity" exhibition. Event designer Bill Heffernan of HMR Design Group used a black-and-white color scheme inspired by some of the 19th-century dresses on display. To complement the fashion-inspired setting, tables were topped with 19th-century-style wire urns set atop black-and-white hat boxes.
In 2012, the symphony decked its ball in elegant, black-and-white decor from Blueprint Studios.
The Yards hosted its second annual Side Yards at Yards Park on November 7 in Washington. The sideshow spectacle featured three stages of entertainment by Circus of Wonders, and a variety of hanging umbrellas were part of the event's decor.
Prudential Financial's first "4.01K Race for Retirement" took place November 7 at the R.F.K. Stadium Festival Grounds in Washington. More than 5,000 people participated, and post-race, runners played interactive games on iPads that helped them learn about retirement savings strategies.
To promote its new Twin Wash washing machine, LG hosted a daylong series of Broadway-inspired performances involving giant puppets in New York's Times Square on November 3. Choreographed by Joshua Bergasse, the show integrated the way the washing works by staging a "battle" between a pink robe (representing "delicates") against a striped shirt and pants (representing "regulars"), which were maneuvered by six puppeteers alongside dancers specializing in acrobatics, martial arts, and Brazilian martial art capoeira.
The 26th annual Fight Night, Fight for Children's largest annual fund-raiser, took place November 5 at the Washington Hilton in D.C. The evening paid tribute to Mohammed Ali and his iconic "Thrilla in Manilla" fight of 1975. A backdrop wall incorporated three screens that showed footage of iconic Ali fights as well as a trailer for the new boxing movie Creed.
Hargrove suspended boxing gloves from the ceiling behind the check-in desk.
Guests could test their strength with a speed bag machine at the V.I.P. reception.
Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS hosted Dining by Design at Chicago's Merchandise Mart November 4 and 5. Installations included a setup from Herman Miller Geiger Furniture by Gensler that was loosely inspired by a hospital waiting room. Syringes and small red toys were found on trays next to the wooden seats, and a ceiling of white balloons hung overhead.
Wolf Gordon by the Getty's Group curtained off its booth, and guests stood in line to enter the mysterious installation. With a "Secret Society of Benevolence" theme, the space had a back wall made of black envelopes sealed with golden hearts. Guests could take the envelopes off the wall, and instructions inside bid them to perform kind tasks, such as offering compliments to fellow partygoers. A large-scale graphic design was slowly revealed as guests took more envelopes.
A vignette from Leopardo by VOA evoked a Moroccan train car. Simple wooden tables, topped with white flowers and Moroccan tea glasses, were placed beside windows that appeared to look out onto scenery in motion.
Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art hosted its first Benefit Art Auction since 2010 on October 23. After the event, guests headed back to the museum to check out the auction artwork, which was displayed in the galleries. Glowing red tables held desserts, including mini caramel apples, dark chocolate tartlets with peanut butter mousse, mini Pop-Tarts, and "boozy heart" truffles.
The second annual Mac & Cheese Fest Chicago took place in late October at the UIC Forum. The event featured plush characters dressed as a macaroni noodle and a hunk of cheese; a step-and-repeat bore the slogan "Say Cheese."
This year's event drew some 4,000 guests and had more than 100 participating vendors.
The event had two sessions; in each, 50 restaurants competed for the "Golden Noodle" award. The award was given to the macaroni and cheese dishes that were deemed to have the best taste, texture, and creativity. Judges included chefs, food critics, and bloggers.
The first Mac 'n Cheese Festival Toronto took place June 5 to 7 outside Liberty Market. More than 20 chefs dished out variations of the comfort food, and toppings varied from lobster to wine-braised steak; there were also fusion dishes such as mac 'n' cheese sushi.
Big E's, a Hawaiian restaurant, served cold mac 'n' cheese salad.
Organizers were surprised at the crowd size at the first-time event. Though the target attendance was 20,000, some 52,000 guests showed up.
