The Apollo Theater Foundation enlisted old-school glamour for its spring benefit Monday night. A look recalling hangouts such as the 1940s supper club El Morocco and speakeasys filled both the cocktail reception area and the after-party space, with blue draping separating the two zones in a sprawling tent on 126th Street.
XA, the Experiential Agency returned to design and produce the fund-raiser's cocktail hour and after-party for 950 guests; the Apollo produced the award show and performance portion of the evening. Hosted by comedian Chris Tucker, the night's program included performances by the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Mos Def, and Miri Ben-Ari; the presentation of the Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis Arts and Humanitarian Award to Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon; and the posthumous honoring of James Brown.
"Every year we try to do something different," said Adrienne Edwards, vice president for development for the Apollo Theater Foundation. "This event is about the new Apollo and its position as a premier performing arts venue. We're bringing back some of the elegance." Additional changes to the event included a move to a warmer palette, increased investment in decor, and at least 130 more attendees. (The budget, however, remained the same.)
To create the subdued and sophisticated setting, XA built bars branded by sponsor Hennessy and topped off by lamps with speakeasy-style shades; constructed several cabanas draped in gold and blue satin; projected golden images of palm trees onto the tent's ceiling; and placed palm trees made of gold-painted canvas throughout the space. "It's something different from just bringing in palm trees," said Darren Andereck, XA's president and creative director. "They're stylized and more sculptural."
The spring benefit is the organization's largest fund-raiser of the year; this week's event brought in $1.3 million.
