From out-of-this-world food to Ferris wheel rides, here’s a look at some ideas from the winter season’s benefits, galas, and fund-raisers across the United States and Canada.
Gardner Museum’s Winter Soiree: Rococo Rebellion
In January, Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum hosted its Rococo Rebellion: A Winter Soiree, an event inspired by the gatherings that the institution’s namesake once hosted. Inside the museum’s Little Salon, guests sipped on signature drinks such as “the Versailles” with elderflower syrup and sparkling wine. Rococo-inspired macarons were crafted by pastry artist Hana Quon of Café Madeleine.
Photo: Matthew C. Teuten
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Grand Chefs Experience
The Grand Chefs Experience brought together Chicago chefs, pastry chefs, and mixologists who prepared signature dishes and drinks at the Field Museum in February. Following the tasting, guests dined in the Main Hall with the world’s largest dinosaur.
Photo: Courtesy of Grand Chefs Experience
UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability’s Hollywood for Science Gala
UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability (IoES) held its 2019 Hollywood for Science Gala in February at the private Bel Air estate of Jeanne and Tony Pritzker in Los Angeles. This year’s annual event honored Barbra Streisand and Gisele Bundchen for their environmental activism. Grant Associates handled event management and production.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images
UNICEF Gala Dallas
More than 420 guests attended the second annual UNICEF Gala Dallas, which took place in February at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas and raised over $1.15 million in support of UNICEF’s global mission. The event honored singer Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley with the Global Philanthropist Award for their work with children both domestically and abroad.
Photo: Cooper Neill/Getty Images for UNICEF USA)
The National Audubon Society’s 2019 Gala
The National Audubon Society hosted its annual gala in February at the Plaza Hotel in New York. Susan Edgar of Flowers, Sticks and Stones incorporated nature into the event decor including the centerpieces, which featured moss, twigs, stones, wood, flowers such as lady slippers, and duck decoys. Video projections of birds appeared across the ceiling. The event raised $2.5 million in charitable donations, which will fund conservation efforts across the country. Fremont Blue Events produced the event.
Photo: Luke Franke
PAMM’s Art of the Party
On March 9, Perez Art Museum Miami hosted its fifth annual Art of the Party, presented by Valentino, honoring artist Christo and philanthropists Dorothy and Aaron Podhurst. The event, which raised over $1 million, included dinner, an al fresco lounge on the waterfront, and an after-party. Funds support the museum’s arts education program.
Photo: World Red Eye
Alvin Ailey’s Opening Night Gala Benefit
In February at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater hosted its 20th-annual opening night benefit. Proceeds from the event support Ailey’s Washington programs. The post-performance party was produced by Events by André Wells.
Photo: Tony Powell
National YoungArts Foundation’s Backyard Ball
In January in Miami, the National YoungArts Foundation raised $1.5 million at the organization’s annual fund-raiser, the Backyard Ball, presented by Harry Winston. The evening featured an opening vignette choreographed by Chanel DaSilva and performed by DaSilva with dancers Javon Jones and Gaby Diaz to original music by Parisalexa and Michael Mayo. The inaugural Jorge M. Perez Award, a new unrestricted grant for emerging and mid-career artists, was also announced at the event.
Photo: World Red Eye
The Jewish Museum’s Purim Ball
Event designer David Stark created a colorful carnival atmosphere for the Purim Ball, which took place in February at the Park Avenue Armory in New York. It featured a giant illuminated Ferris wheel, aerial performers, and games.
Photo: Courtesy of David Stark Design
St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum’s Biennial Dada Ball & Bash
Caterer Butler’s Pantry prepared an outer space-inspired menu based on the ball’s theme, “Everyone Is a Star at Dada.” Held at the Palladium Saint Louis in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 2, the event supports artist education, outreach, and new exhibitions.
Photo: Courtesy of Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
The Washington Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty Soiree
The Sleeping Beauty Soiree, a fund-raiser hosted by the Women’s Committee of the Washington Ballet, raised $140,000 to benefit the company’s artistic programs. Over 250 guests were invited to Princess Aurora’s 16th birthday celebration at the Homer Building in downtown Washington in February. The event featured heralding trumpeters, dueling knights, courtiers, singers from the Washington Revels, and costumed dancers from the Washington Ballet. Attendees were encouraged to come dressed in royal court attire.
Photo: Neshan Naltchayan Photography
A Night With Blue & White
In January at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, the MLSE Foundation, the charitable arm of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, hosted its annual gala, “A Night With Blue & White,” presented by Rogers. Proceeds from the event benefit projects such as the MLSE LaunchPad, a place where youth use sport to recognize and reach their potential.
Photo: Courtesy of Toronto Maple Leafs
Janie's Fund Gala
Steven Tyler hosted his second annual viewing party at Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles in February. Sponsored by Live Nation and Hilton, the event raised $2.8 million for Janie's Fund, a nonprofit for girls dealing with abuse and neglect. Virginia Fout from V Productions produced the event, which included a live auction from AAB Productions, a seated dinner, and a performance by Aerosmith.
See more: Grammys 2019: Event Design Highlights From Music's Biggest Week
See more: Grammys 2019: Event Design Highlights From Music's Biggest Week
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
