On Saturday night, Washington’s Woodley Park neighborhood took a cue from Italy for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s sixth annual Heartsongs gala at the Marriott Wardman Park. Also dubbed Passport to a Cure (previous years featured destination themes like the Philippines and South America), the event brought a bit of Italian life to guests, with several regions represented by entertainment, decor, and, of course, food.
“This is a wonderful way for us to give something back and create something magical,” said Nancy Shaffer, whose company, Bravo! Events by Design, worked with M.D.A. regional coordinator Angie Brennan to produce the event. “I wanted people to experience how Italians live, instead of just showing the landmarks of Italy.”The event celebrated culture from all over Italy, from the Venetian-style check-in counter (complete with staffers in gondola hats) and V.I.P. room (filled with carnival masks) to the piazza-reminiscent reception and silent-auction area. The space, with a grand fountain in the center and an accordion player setting the tone, introduced guests to Italian life with themed areas devoted to coffee (with centerpiece candles filled with beans), olive oil (featuring tastings), and sweets (from gelato to large lollipops).
The dinner in the grand ballroom brought attendees to Tuscany, with long tables covered in brown settings and a bounty of sunflowers, lemons, eggplants, tomatoes, and other vegetables overflowing from baskets and silver bowls. Wooden lanterns and tall candelabras lit the meal, which covered the basics from antipasto to parpadelle pasta to miniature cannolis.
Shaffer filled the evening's entertainment quota with a tap-dancing-and-singing number by Tony Danza, who had some help from the Radio King Orchestra.
“This is a wonderful way for us to give something back and create something magical,” said Nancy Shaffer, whose company, Bravo! Events by Design, worked with M.D.A. regional coordinator Angie Brennan to produce the event. “I wanted people to experience how Italians live, instead of just showing the landmarks of Italy.”The event celebrated culture from all over Italy, from the Venetian-style check-in counter (complete with staffers in gondola hats) and V.I.P. room (filled with carnival masks) to the piazza-reminiscent reception and silent-auction area. The space, with a grand fountain in the center and an accordion player setting the tone, introduced guests to Italian life with themed areas devoted to coffee (with centerpiece candles filled with beans), olive oil (featuring tastings), and sweets (from gelato to large lollipops).
The dinner in the grand ballroom brought attendees to Tuscany, with long tables covered in brown settings and a bounty of sunflowers, lemons, eggplants, tomatoes, and other vegetables overflowing from baskets and silver bowls. Wooden lanterns and tall candelabras lit the meal, which covered the basics from antipasto to parpadelle pasta to miniature cannolis.
Shaffer filled the evening's entertainment quota with a tap-dancing-and-singing number by Tony Danza, who had some help from the Radio King Orchestra.
The grand ballroom evoked a family-style Tuscan feast.
Photo: Colin Loughlin for BizBash
The main reception room was split into four spaces devoted to Italian delicacies such as olive oil and gelato.
Photo: Fotobriceno
A garden piazza, complete with a working fountain, was the center of the reception.
Photo: Fotobriceno
The V.I.P. area included Venetian carvinal masks and sculptures.
Photo: Fotobriceno
The grand ballroom was set with long tables, evoking a family-style Tuscan feast.
Photo: Colin Loughlin for BizBash
The stage featured a landscape of Tuscany.
Photo: Fotobriceno
Earth tones, sunflowers, and vegetables covered the tables.
Photo: Fotobriceno
The dinner began with an Italian antipasto plate.
Photo: Colin Loughlin for BizBash
The hotel entrance had a Lamborghini on display and M.D.A. staffers dressed as paparazzi.
Photo: Fotobriceno
