One of the biggest challenges for a host entertaining 1,000-plus
guests is creating an intimate ambience in a venue the size of
a warehouse. For the popular 125th anniversary celebration of the
YMCA of metropolitan Los Angeles, soft, indirect lighting and spotlights warmed up the vast
California Ballroom of the Bonaventure Hotel. The lighting scheme did double
duty as a branding element: Gobos of the Y's logo shone at various
points along the walls at the May 16 event.The design was the handiwork of event producer Peggy Kelley
of Timeless Celebrations, who fashioned the space with fellow producer Progressive
Events, Y executive vice president of financial development Dyan Sublett, and vice president of financial development Wendy
Menchaca. The sense of warmth and inclusiveness
extended to the design of the stage, which featured large semicircles
reaching toward one another, representing "a hug, arms around the community,"
Kelley said.
A dense hedge of Brad Larsen Florals' purple hydrangeas at the foot of the stage helped brighten and unify the room, where tablecloths and centerpieces featured springlike colors of purple, apricot, and lemon.
After polishing off tarts embellished with chocolate Y's, guests rose to their feet with the 40-person choir's rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In." Los Angeles City Council president Eric Garcetti took the stage for an address, followed by award presentations and an encore performance by the choir. As the crowd trickled out the door, toting commemorative books and DVDs, there was a festive surprise yet to come: Silver streamers shot out of Artistry in Motion's confetti cannons lining the front of the stage.
A dense hedge of Brad Larsen Florals' purple hydrangeas at the foot of the stage helped brighten and unify the room, where tablecloths and centerpieces featured springlike colors of purple, apricot, and lemon.
After polishing off tarts embellished with chocolate Y's, guests rose to their feet with the 40-person choir's rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In." Los Angeles City Council president Eric Garcetti took the stage for an address, followed by award presentations and an encore performance by the choir. As the crowd trickled out the door, toting commemorative books and DVDs, there was a festive surprise yet to come: Silver streamers shot out of Artistry in Motion's confetti cannons lining the front of the stage.
Photo: Don Milici
Silver streamers shot out of confetti cannons for an unexpected bit of pomp.
Photo: Don Milici
More than 1,000 guests dined at circular tables for the YMCA's 125th anniversary party.
Photo: James Sequenzia
Seasonal colors added cheer to tabletops.
Photo: James Sequenzia
A mariachi band entertained the crowd.
Photo: Don Milici
Flanking the stage were thickets of young oak trees, one of whichwas to be given to each chapter after the event as a symbol of long life.
Photo: Don Milici
