The annual Make-A-Wish Foundation gala, among the most formal social events of the season, got an infusion of hip-hop with a musical set by Wyclef Jean. Although the ballroom and reception area of the InterContinental Hotel Miami in downtown Miami featured fancy gilded decor with red velvet touches and shiny gold linens, the affair had a delightfully informal feel. By the end of the night, the well-heeled crowd was boogying on the dance floor.
Unlike its other fund-raising events, Make-A-Wish does not plan the gala, which is thrown by the hotel in honor of the foundation. Jack Miller, the InterContinental's general manager, hired event planner Lena Makurath of Harrison & Shriftman to organize the event. She booked Wyclef Jean because of his spirited performances, she said.
"We really wanted to make it different from last year," Makurath said. "We wanted to use rich colors and just have a really warm, seductive atmosphere." Last year's event had a black-and-white color scheme.
The night began with cocktails and appetizers in the reception area. Karla Conceptual Event Services created a golden environment with drapings from BBJ Linens-Dania Beach, soft champagne-colored lights, and gilded cocktail tables elegantly decorated with sumptuous red roses in sleek slender goblets and a mound of rose petals at the base.
Car dealer and event sponsor the Collection unveiled for the first time its Aston Martin V8 Vantage sports car, which was later auctioned off to benefit the foundation.
Appetizer stations served risotto and pasta, pork tenderloin, and sushi. At one station ice cream was available in tobacco, olive oil, red wine, Parmesan, and celery flavors. A 12-foot ice bar by Miami Ice Man that featured stone crab, lobster tail, Alaskan king crab, and other seafood delicacies stood near the entrance to the venue.
When guests entered the main ballroom, they found tables set with deep red velvets and gold linens. Clusters of red roses with petals spilling onto the tables surrounded the crystal candelabra centerpieces. The table settings included crystal goblets stuffed with gold napkins, and seats were covered in gold crushed velvet. Roving gobos displayed sunbursts in a spectrum of colors throughout the room.
The InterContinental Hotel catering staff served duck liver terrine with duck confit and potatoes and cranberries, and roasted veal tenderloin filled with Florida rock lobster.
Jean took the stage with a silver sequined guitar after dinner and presentations. He belted out his hip-hop flavored interpretations of Bob Marley and R&B hits. Before long guests loosened their bow ties and unc.phped their high heels and danced past midnight.
—Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Unlike its other fund-raising events, Make-A-Wish does not plan the gala, which is thrown by the hotel in honor of the foundation. Jack Miller, the InterContinental's general manager, hired event planner Lena Makurath of Harrison & Shriftman to organize the event. She booked Wyclef Jean because of his spirited performances, she said.
"We really wanted to make it different from last year," Makurath said. "We wanted to use rich colors and just have a really warm, seductive atmosphere." Last year's event had a black-and-white color scheme.
The night began with cocktails and appetizers in the reception area. Karla Conceptual Event Services created a golden environment with drapings from BBJ Linens-Dania Beach, soft champagne-colored lights, and gilded cocktail tables elegantly decorated with sumptuous red roses in sleek slender goblets and a mound of rose petals at the base.
Car dealer and event sponsor the Collection unveiled for the first time its Aston Martin V8 Vantage sports car, which was later auctioned off to benefit the foundation.
Appetizer stations served risotto and pasta, pork tenderloin, and sushi. At one station ice cream was available in tobacco, olive oil, red wine, Parmesan, and celery flavors. A 12-foot ice bar by Miami Ice Man that featured stone crab, lobster tail, Alaskan king crab, and other seafood delicacies stood near the entrance to the venue.
When guests entered the main ballroom, they found tables set with deep red velvets and gold linens. Clusters of red roses with petals spilling onto the tables surrounded the crystal candelabra centerpieces. The table settings included crystal goblets stuffed with gold napkins, and seats were covered in gold crushed velvet. Roving gobos displayed sunbursts in a spectrum of colors throughout the room.
The InterContinental Hotel catering staff served duck liver terrine with duck confit and potatoes and cranberries, and roasted veal tenderloin filled with Florida rock lobster.
Jean took the stage with a silver sequined guitar after dinner and presentations. He belted out his hip-hop flavored interpretations of Bob Marley and R&B hits. Before long guests loosened their bow ties and unc.phped their high heels and danced past midnight.
—Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean entertained the well-heeled crowd at the Make-A-Wish Foundation's annual gala at the InterContinental Hotel Miami.
BBJ Linens dressed tables in exuberant red velvets and gold linen.
Miami Ice Man emblazoned an icy 12-foot seafood station with sunbursts.
Decor included golden cocktail tables in the reception area.
