A serene atmosphere was created for the annual spring gala for the Caron Foundation, an addiction treatment center that has seen its share of rich and famous patients. The event—which raised more than $700,000 for the foundation—celebrated the working relationship between the foundation and Home Box Office, and honored the cable network's CEO Jeff Bewkes with the Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence in Communication.
For decor, a soft orange and lavender lighting scheme shot up from the floor around the beveled walls and columns of Metropolitan Pavilion, creating a lounge-like mood where guests could dance to light tempo music, or sit back and relax. Phillip Haight of Fiori Limited created a front room sectioned off with organically shaped spandex sculptures where guests mingled with Mayor Bloomberg and the cast of HBO's The Sopranos during cocktails. During a silent auction, iconic pieces of pop culture, including an autographed Allman Brothers guitar and photos by photographer Patrick McMullan, were up for grabs.
Handheld xylophones rang gently to move guests into the main room for dinner, where each table had a green, lavender or peach color motif with a small bouquet situated in the center surrounded by tea lights. Tentation served a three-course meal starting with a vegetable Napoleon, followed by filet mignon and a pineapple tarte tatin in caramel sauce for dessert. In between courses, everyone's attention turned to the front of the room where various speakers discussed the foundation's goals of creating a center in New York for teenagers struggling with addiction. The Sopranos' Lorraine Bracco, who also sits on the foundation's board, presented Bewkes with his award.
After a short video presentation, guests enjoyed music from Steve Tyrell and his orchestra and performances by Art Garfunkel and Patti LaBelle before taking to the dance floor (Liza Minnelli was slated to perform, but didn't show). For their parting gifts, attendees were offered either a complimentary CD of Tyrell's latest works, or a Sex and the City baseball cap. A few guests left with both.
--Paul Ohan
For decor, a soft orange and lavender lighting scheme shot up from the floor around the beveled walls and columns of Metropolitan Pavilion, creating a lounge-like mood where guests could dance to light tempo music, or sit back and relax. Phillip Haight of Fiori Limited created a front room sectioned off with organically shaped spandex sculptures where guests mingled with Mayor Bloomberg and the cast of HBO's The Sopranos during cocktails. During a silent auction, iconic pieces of pop culture, including an autographed Allman Brothers guitar and photos by photographer Patrick McMullan, were up for grabs.
Handheld xylophones rang gently to move guests into the main room for dinner, where each table had a green, lavender or peach color motif with a small bouquet situated in the center surrounded by tea lights. Tentation served a three-course meal starting with a vegetable Napoleon, followed by filet mignon and a pineapple tarte tatin in caramel sauce for dessert. In between courses, everyone's attention turned to the front of the room where various speakers discussed the foundation's goals of creating a center in New York for teenagers struggling with addiction. The Sopranos' Lorraine Bracco, who also sits on the foundation's board, presented Bewkes with his award.
After a short video presentation, guests enjoyed music from Steve Tyrell and his orchestra and performances by Art Garfunkel and Patti LaBelle before taking to the dance floor (Liza Minnelli was slated to perform, but didn't show). For their parting gifts, attendees were offered either a complimentary CD of Tyrell's latest works, or a Sex and the City baseball cap. A few guests left with both.
--Paul Ohan
Fiori Limited's created a serene atmosphere for the Caron Foundation's spring gala benefit and awards presentation at Metropolitan Pavilion.
Tentation served a vegetable Napoleon for the appetizer.
Tables had a lavender, green or peach motif with small bouquets surrounded by tea lights.
White dogwood was placed atop a white pedestal in the back of the main dining room.
