The Petersen Automotive Museum is one of those places that Angelenos are always planning to visit but rarely get to, so for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s first annual gala, the hospital’s board of governors made it easy for them. About 800 people converged on the Wilshire Boulevard museum to party amid the hot rods and star cars.Event planner Judie Fenton of FTA Events and Marketing worked closely with board chairman Larry Powell and other board members to put together an evening that would raise money for the board of governors' center for cancer research at the medical center’s Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute. First stop was a hefty silent auction area decorated with festive white and metallic balloons. The cocktail hour stretched a leisurely two hours to allow for plenty of time to bid and moon over the Lexus up for grabs in an opportunity drawing—a 2007 Neiman Marcus limited edition Lexus GS 450H. Some 500 drawing tickets were snapped up (out of a maximum of 1,000) at $500 a pop for a chance to win the car, which event sponsor Lexus billed as “the world’s first hybrid luxury sedan.”
Guests moved on to dinner in the permanent tent the museum has constructed on top of its garage because of high demand for the space as a party venue. Party coordinators, who included board member and event planner Debbie Powell, were initially confronted with the task of warming up the cavernous space, which can seat 1,100. They did it by lining the perimeter with 46 ficus trees and softening the lighting by using a creamy rose tint. “You can change the whole design of a room with the lighting,” Fenton says. “We put stars [of light] on the ceiling to bring the room together. We didn’t want it to look like a football field.”
Powell designed the stage with logos and drapery in black, gold, and bronze to coordinate with the majestic look of the invitations. Fenton took her color cues from the stage: She selected leaf-patterned tablecloths in gold and tall, see-through vases that enclosed sprays of calla lilies and had jewel-tone roses spilling over the top. Comedian Kevin James entertained the throng.
—Irene Lacher
Photos: Berliner Photography
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Guests moved on to dinner in the permanent tent the museum has constructed on top of its garage because of high demand for the space as a party venue. Party coordinators, who included board member and event planner Debbie Powell, were initially confronted with the task of warming up the cavernous space, which can seat 1,100. They did it by lining the perimeter with 46 ficus trees and softening the lighting by using a creamy rose tint. “You can change the whole design of a room with the lighting,” Fenton says. “We put stars [of light] on the ceiling to bring the room together. We didn’t want it to look like a football field.”
Powell designed the stage with logos and drapery in black, gold, and bronze to coordinate with the majestic look of the invitations. Fenton took her color cues from the stage: She selected leaf-patterned tablecloths in gold and tall, see-through vases that enclosed sprays of calla lilies and had jewel-tone roses spilling over the top. Comedian Kevin James entertained the throng.
—Irene Lacher
Photos: Berliner Photography
Related Stories
Go Ask Alice: L.A. Display Space
Stella McCartney’s Wacky Decor Idea