Many guests would consider it an inauspicious beginning to a party when a half-naked man in a devil get-up greets them at the entrance bellowing, "Welcome to hell!" But the stunt was all part of the red-hot theme of the New York chapter of the International Special Events Society's (ISES) Big Apple awards gala at Pressure, planned by ISES vice president of programs Liz Sanzo.
After passing through the red-lit registration area, guests moved to a cocktail area where a juggler and whip-wielding she-devil from Michael Bongar Entertainment roved and Latin dancers from Opening Nite Entertainment heated up the dance floor. Spa Chicks on-the-Go provided massages and manicures. Prominently displayed sponsors' tables sat next to red floor lamps and lounge seating by Cort Event Furnishings, and a structure over the bar mimicked a starlit sky with pinhole-sized lights.
For dinner and the awards ceremony, guests took their seats at red-clothed tables from Party Rental, where chili peppers tucked into black napkins added color. Canard's dinner buffet included flank steak with red pepper sauce, plantain-crusted red snapper, guava barbecued duck and sweet coconut cornbread.
The evening's award winners included Parties With Pizzazz for best social event under $50,000, iStar Financial for best corporate event under $50,000 and Impressive Events for best corporate event over $50,000.
—Alesandra Dubin
After passing through the red-lit registration area, guests moved to a cocktail area where a juggler and whip-wielding she-devil from Michael Bongar Entertainment roved and Latin dancers from Opening Nite Entertainment heated up the dance floor. Spa Chicks on-the-Go provided massages and manicures. Prominently displayed sponsors' tables sat next to red floor lamps and lounge seating by Cort Event Furnishings, and a structure over the bar mimicked a starlit sky with pinhole-sized lights.
For dinner and the awards ceremony, guests took their seats at red-clothed tables from Party Rental, where chili peppers tucked into black napkins added color. Canard's dinner buffet included flank steak with red pepper sauce, plantain-crusted red snapper, guava barbecued duck and sweet coconut cornbread.
The evening's award winners included Parties With Pizzazz for best social event under $50,000, iStar Financial for best corporate event under $50,000 and Impressive Events for best corporate event over $50,000.
—Alesandra Dubin