The Latin Business Association (LBA) held its events in big, nondescript hotels for years, but for its 30th-anniversary gala, the group wanted something more exciting. So Judi Jordan of Latin Style Events selected a venue that was the opposite of the architectural equivalent of elevator music—Le Chateau Rose, an ornate private residence in tony Bel-Air that is a replica of Le Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette's summer palace in Versailles. Jordan, a former fashion designer, wanted a majestic backdrop for the LBA's ceremony honoring Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villairagosa and producer Moctesuma Esparza.The 600 guests luxuriated among half a dozen amenity tents, which are a trademark of Jordan's events. "The key to making a successful business gala is to give people time to network," Jordan said. "I wanted to give people their money's worth if they're paying $500, and that means meeting everyone you want to meet." She also wanted to accommodate some of the association's less flush younger members by offering $100 tickets to the tents, which sat in a leafy backyard cul-de-sac.
Jordan invited Latino interior designers including El Don Turner of Estylo, Fernando Diaz, Xavier Alvarez, and HARS Designto create tents showcasing goods from Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Peru, and Mexico. Guests mingled in tents offering tequila, cigars, artwork, wine tastings, massages, makeup applications, and exotic teas. Elaborate decor included Asian antiques, gurgling fountains, calla lilies, Moroccan lanterns, and furniture made from Brazilian woods.
After a leisurely cocktail hour that stretched into two, guests moved to the tennis court, which had been transformed into an outdoor banquet hall. There they feasted on a dinner of sea bass with mole sauce and bistec Palomilla from Wolfgang Puck and a smorgasbord of entertainment that included performances by comedian Ernie G., the bands Cale and Domingo Siete, and professional dancers who helped keep guests on the dance floor until midnight.
"Latinos love entertainment," Jordan said. "For any other group, this might have been overkill, but with Latinos you can do excess and they feel like, 'I got my money's worth. I laughed, I danced.'"
—Irene Lacher
Photos: Peter Brown Studios
Posted 07.07.06
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Jordan invited Latino interior designers including El Don Turner of Estylo, Fernando Diaz, Xavier Alvarez, and HARS Designto create tents showcasing goods from Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Peru, and Mexico. Guests mingled in tents offering tequila, cigars, artwork, wine tastings, massages, makeup applications, and exotic teas. Elaborate decor included Asian antiques, gurgling fountains, calla lilies, Moroccan lanterns, and furniture made from Brazilian woods.
After a leisurely cocktail hour that stretched into two, guests moved to the tennis court, which had been transformed into an outdoor banquet hall. There they feasted on a dinner of sea bass with mole sauce and bistec Palomilla from Wolfgang Puck and a smorgasbord of entertainment that included performances by comedian Ernie G., the bands Cale and Domingo Siete, and professional dancers who helped keep guests on the dance floor until midnight.
"Latinos love entertainment," Jordan said. "For any other group, this might have been overkill, but with Latinos you can do excess and they feel like, 'I got my money's worth. I laughed, I danced.'"
—Irene Lacher
Photos: Peter Brown Studios
Posted 07.07.06
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The Latin Business Association's 30th-anniversary gala took over an ornate private residence in Bel-Air and set up tables and tents in the yard.
The 600 guests luxuriated among half a dozen amenity tents.
The bands Cale and Domingo Siete performed for guests until midnight.
Event producer Judi Jordan packed the stage with entertainment.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villairagosa was one of the evening's honorees.
