Guests entered the cocktail area, which was awash in red lighting. Small cocktail tables dressed in gold sequined linens bore bundled rose centerpieces from Roses by Karla. Red vases surrounded by candles housed the flowers. While the auction tables that lined the perimeter of the room were intended to capture the crowd's attention, the center of the space was dedicated to the hors d'oeuvres—tables decorated with gold ribbon, ice sculptures and many wonderful appetizers. And around the food, several characters dressed in rich rose-colored suits with fluffy gold collars, white masks and rose headpieces mimed gestures to the guests with the sole intent of stealing the show. "The Venetian Carnavale bore an infinite number of ideas, but we had to allow the auction items to be the attraction in the cocktail area," said Karla Dascal of RBK Productions.
Once the cocktail hour ended, guests entered the dining room and there was plenty to see here. Custom lighting designs cast various images including angels on a 50- by 18-foot stage. Simultaneously, joker masks were projected on both sides of a 13-foot inflatable sphere. Red lighting washed the numerous tables, each beautifully decorated in red linen with more than 1,000 payettes sewn on each. Finally, they were further illuminated in gold. Three uniquely designed centerpieces adorned tables, each utilizing iron, rose bouquets, red beading and a plethora of red-glittered candles. At many of the tables, random chairs stood out, dressed in gold and red joker-like hat covers.
Overhead, nearly 8,000 yards of gold- and ruby-colored Lamet fabric covered the ceiling. In the center, overlooking the wooden floor, two trapezes and pieces of fabric hung from ceiling to floor. As the evening's entertainment began, a hush fell over the room. Cirque Du Soleil's jugglers, aerial dancers and trapeze artists performed flawlessly and the Alex Donner Band played until the end of the evening.
—Torrey Grey
