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Social Butterfly Enterprises

February 27, 2017
Durham, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
http://www.meetdurham.com
Fiber-optic panels hung from the roof of the City of Hope gala tent to create the look of a starlit sky.
Fiber-optic panels hung from the roof of the City of Hope gala tent to create the look of a starlit sky.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
A half moon-shaped stage backdrop featured what appeared to be a lunar-like surface.
A half moon-shaped stage backdrop featured what appeared to be a lunar-like surface.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
Whiskey was served from a moonshine-like presentation from sponsor Stillhouse.
Whiskey was served from a moonshine-like presentation from sponsor Stillhouse.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
The tribute journal was blown up and presented in the style of sheet music.
The tribute journal was blown up and presented in the style of sheet music.
Photo:  Line 8 Photography
A guitar-shaped fountain was a nod to the invitation and the decor; it will move to the City of Hope Duarte campus.
A guitar-shaped fountain was a nod to the invitation and the decor; it will move to the City of Hope Duarte campus.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
Linens were in keeping with the celestial feel.
Linens were in keeping with the celestial feel.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
Clean black-and-white seating didn't distract from the overall look and feel.
Clean black-and-white seating didn't distract from the overall look and feel.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
David Monn: The Art of Celebrating showcases 26 of the designer's events, from weddings and birthday parties to galas and memorial services.
David Monn: The Art of Celebrating showcases 26 of the designer's events, from weddings and birthday parties to galas and memorial services.
Photo: Courtesy of the Vendome Press
The theme of the Guggenheim International Gala, held in November 2007 at Pier 40 in New York, was inspired by one of the event's honorees, Frank Gehry, and his creation of cardboard furniture.
The theme of the Guggenheim International Gala, held in November 2007 at Pier 40 in New York, was inspired by one of the event's honorees, Frank Gehry, and his creation of cardboard furniture.
Photo: Courtesy of the Vendome Press
Monn said that he likes to offer 'the appearance of richness even if it's something cheap like cardboard.'
Monn said that he likes to offer "the appearance of richness even if it's something cheap like cardboard."
Photo: Brian Dorsey
For the Plaza's centennial in October 2007, Monn collaborated with several city agencies to close off streets for the event's impressive fireworks display, which was timed to music from a live 50-piece orchestra.
For the Plaza's centennial in October 2007, Monn collaborated with several city agencies to close off streets for the event's impressive fireworks display, which was timed to music from a live 50-piece orchestra.
Photo: Brian Dorsey
A 12-foot-tall cake from Ron Ben-Israel—a replica of the building that included details as small as the planters out front and the bricks on the sides—took three days to build on-site.
A 12-foot-tall cake from Ron Ben-Israel—a replica of the building that included details as small as the planters out front and the bricks on the sides—took three days to build on-site.
Photo: Courtesy of the Vendome Press
The Park Avenue Armory's annual gala in October 2013, which was dubbed “In The Void,” featured Monn’s first piece of performance art.
The Park Avenue Armory's annual gala in October 2013, which was dubbed “In The Void,” featured Monn’s first piece of performance art.
Photo: James Ewing
Of the Armory gala, Monn said that he wanted guests 'to experience more than just the event, but an emotion.'
Of the Armory gala, Monn said that he wanted guests "to experience more than just the event, but an emotion."
Photo: Courtesy of the Vendome Press
Monn said that he is inspired by lighting artist Olafur Eliasson and fellow event designer David Stark. 'His work is always honest, true. It's a different application, but he follows the same rules as me.'
Monn said that he is inspired by lighting artist Olafur Eliasson and fellow event designer David Stark. "His work is always honest, true. It's a different application, but he follows the same rules as me."
Photo: Courtesy of the Vendome Press
High Line Art Dinner
High Line Art Dinner

In September, Friends of the High Line hosted its 2016 High Line Art Dinner featuring a seated dinner for 200 guests under the Chelsea Market passageway in New York. Proceeds from the event helped support the High Line’s public art projects as well as the ongoing maintenance and operation of the park. The colorful rainbow-inspired decor was designed by Van Wyck & Van Wyck, with catering by Bite Food and lighting by L&M Lighting and Sound.

Photo: Liz Ligon
Wolf Trap Ball
Wolf Trap Ball

The event design of the Wolf Trap Ball, hosted by the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, featured screens with scrolling images of the national parks that rotated throughout the reception and dinner. Plants and greenery walls around the dining areas, as well as floral centerpieces, also reinforced the night’s theme celebrating the National Park Service's 100th anniversary. The event was held in September in Vienna, Virginia, and raised $1.5 million.

Photo: A.E. Landes Photography
Headdress Ball
Headdress Ball

For the  2016 Headdress Ball, which was held in September at the Orlando World Center Marriott, the Hope and Help Center selected “Love” as the theme. It included a pre-party dubbed the “Love Lounge,” which was filled with red lighting and decor and logo gobos on the walls, while chocolate-heart centerpieces decorated the tables in the ballroom. The event is the largest annual fund-raiser for the nonprofit, which provides support and services for people infected with and affected by H.I.V./AIDS around Central Florida.

Photo: Kayla Hernandez for BizBash
MoMA PS1’s Fall Fund-Raiser
MoMA PS1’s Fall Fund-Raiser

MoMA PS1, which is housed in a former public school building in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, New York, hosted its first fall benefit in September. The event, which was conceived by performance artist Ryan McNamara, featured an artistic, subversive twist on the high-school theme, with guests dressed as they were back in the day and throwback activities such as paper airplane-throwing.

Photo: Cornelia Stiles/BizBash
The Canadian Opera Company’s Centre Stage
The Canadian Opera Company’s Centre Stage

At the Canadian Opera Company’s fund-raising gala, Centre Stage, held in November at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, lights and projections transformed the venue’s ceiling into a cloudy blue sky with 14 suspended orbs draped in white silk orchids that hung above the dining guests. The tabletop floral arrangements consisted of white hydrangeas and white orchids in gold vases.

Photo: Ryan Emberley
Spirit of Life Gala
Spirit of Life Gala

For the City of Hope’s Spirit of Life gala, which was held in November, Natalie McAdams of Namevents designed a night under the stars—inside a tent in the parking lot below the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. To recreate the outdoor evening look, the production team built a stage that resembled the moon's surface and used fiber-optic panels to resemble stars.

Photo: Line 8 Photography
The Grand Gala
The Grand Gala

Baptist Health Foundation’s The Grand Gala fund-raiser, which took place in November at the soon-to-open campus of the Miami Cancer Institute, featured a reception, dinner, and dancing, plus a silent auction. The cuisine and decor was created by Le Basque. The event raised $4.5 million for the Miami Cancer Institute, which is slated to open later this month.

Photo: Courtesy of Manny Hernandez
Big Orange Ball
Big Orange Ball

Howard Brown Health held its second annual Halloween soiree, the Big Orange Ball, at restaurant and event space Carnivale in Chicago in October. More than 400 costume-clad guests attended and raised money to provide health and social services to Chicago’s L.G.B.T.Q. and allied community. RuPaul’s Drag Race season eight winner Bob the Drag Queen performed and emceed the event, along with a special meet-and-greet for “R.I.P.” ticket holders. Kehoe Designs provided the themed decor.

Photo: Courtesy of Studio This Is
Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Night Gala
Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Night Gala

The Boston Symphony Orchestra held its opening night gala in September, raising $1.5 million. The gala dinner, created by Café ArtScience's Patrick Campbell, was served in four rooms at Symphony Hall, each decorated in different artistic themes (watercolor, charcoal, dance, and architecture) that were inspired by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," which had been performed by the orchestra prior to the dinner.

Photo: John Gillooly
Choral Arts Society of Washington’s Annual Gala
Choral Arts Society of Washington’s Annual Gala

At the Choral Arts Society of Washington’s annual fund-raising gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington in December, event designers created a snowy Swiss Alps theme complete with icicle-like chandeliers and wintry decor.

Photo: Shannon Finney Photography
Outward Bound’s National Benefit Dinner
Outward Bound’s National Benefit Dinner

Nonprofit educational organization Outward Bound hosted its National Benefit Dinner in October at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York. Artist Michael Arthur, who specializes in live drawings of key moments, sketched on a projection screen as current and former students spoke about their experiences in the organization. The artistic showcase was designed to capture the impact and inspiration created by an Outward Bound experience. The event raised nearly $700,000 for the group’s work and chartered schools.

Photo: Michael Priest Photography
DX Intersection
DX Intersection

Design Exchange's annual fund-raiser, held in November at the Canadian design museum in Toronto, featured the theme "Dispatch" and explored the country’s intersections of design, art, and culture. Each floor showcased interactive installations and multi-sensory experiences, while Drake’s producer DJ Boi-1da performed a live set. Proceeds from the event support DX's public and education programs.

Photo: Courtesy of Design Exchange
Knock Out Abuse Gala
Knock Out Abuse Gala

For nonprofit organization Knock Out Abuse Against Women’s Knock Out Abuse seated gala dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. in November, florist Millicent Bluford created a mix of centerpieces, including some with thistle, cabbage, and miniature carnations.

Photo: Davide DePas
Once Upon a Time Gala
Once Upon a Time Gala

In October, Events By Fabulous produced the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles "Once Upon a Time" gala, complete with whimsical storybook tablescapes and decor. More than 1,200 philanthropists, local dignitaries, and supporters gathered at the Event Deck at L.A. Live to raise $4 million in support of the hospital. The main stage featured a beanstalk-wrapped proscenium and larger-than-life props from fairy tales such as Peter Pan and Cinderella, while the cocktail area included theme performers and a Mad Hatter acrobat troupe.

Photo: Andrew Herrold
Keep a Child Alive’s Black Ball
Keep a Child Alive’s Black Ball

Keep a Child Alive’s Black Ball, which was held in October at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, evoked the spirit of '80s activism, when the fight against AIDS began, and paid respect to those who acted during that time. The decor reflected the theme with elements such as a glow-in-the-dark graffiti wall and street art-inspired linens, programs, and graphics. In addition, for the first time the event was live-streamed on Tidal. The evening raised $2 million for children and families with H.I.V. in Africa and India.

Photo: Kevin Mazur
Meridian Ball
Meridian Ball

In October, Meridian International Center hosted the 48th annual Meridian Ball. Following dinners at venues around Washington, guests, including high-level officials, ambassadors, business leaders, and media, gathered in the Meridian House’s gardens, as well as inside a tent on the venue’s lawn for dessert and dancing. The event’s inspiration was the Orient Express, featuring elements such as hanging faux gas lamps, luggage accessories, leather furniture, and a travel-theme dinner menu. In addition, the dance tent was transformed into the Moulin Rouge (since Paris was a popular spot on the Express) with marquee letters and fiery red accents.

Photo: Joyce Boghosian
New Yorkers for Children’s Fall Gala
New Yorkers for Children’s Fall Gala

In September, New Yorkers for Children hosted its annual fall gala, which celebrated its 20th anniversary benefiting youth in foster care in New York City. The event, which took place at Cipriani 42nd Street, included an evening of dinner and dancing, with a standout decor element in an oversize number “20” decorated with a collage of children who have benefited from the organization. David Stark Design and Production designed the event.

Photo: Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com
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