As winter draws to a close at last, here's a look back at highlights from winter benefits across North America. From tropical themes and wintery lighting to bookish centerpieces and an impromptu beach party on the dance floor, these ideas will add some fresh life to your next meeting or event—or to keep your guests feeling warm next winter.
A winter-white decor scheme decked the Mirror Ball in Toronto in late November. Pale blue lighting added to the frosty scene at the Fairmont Royal York.
At the February 26 event in New York at Park Avenue Armory’s drill hall, the Jewish Museum and David Stark used more than 5,000 T-shirts to form walls and a ceiling. The custom tees were painted with tongue-in-cheek takes on classic slogans, like "Frankie Says Relax It's Purim" and "Got Spiel?”
Redmoon Theater hosted its annual Spectacle Lunatique gala at its Pilsen warehouse space in Chicago on March 15. On the main floor, a series of "give and get" experiences treated guests to activities after paying for the opportunity via BidPal. One such experience was was a 10-minute private dinner prepared by Schwa chef Michael Carlson. Along with the rapid meal, bidders were treated to a private opera performance and champagne service from the theater's champagne chandelier. Dishes included melon with carbonated peaches, short rib with dehydrated corn, and a caramel-apple-style dessert.
Held at a private residence in January, the event had a "TaHEATi Beach" theme. Planners from A Joy Wallace Catering, Design, and Special Events filled the venue with beachside-style decor, including cabanas and wicker lounge furniture.
A similarly tropical feel pervaded the Valentine’s Day event at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Hula dancers added to the Hawaii-theme atmosphere, and the band Aloha Live performed.
Held on February 7 at Toronto’s Liberty Grand, the event had a Four Seasons theme. In the “summer” area, orange and yellow lighting mimicked the sun, and guests bounced around a giant beach ball as they danced.
Country-style comfort foods appeared at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s December benefit in Chicago. During cocktail hour, servers made the rounds with warm pots of camembert cheese, spiced pears, and toasted baguettes.
The National YoungArts Foundation hosted its annual gala in Miami on January 11. With a new name, the Backyard Ball, the event took place for the first time on the organization's new campus. Thierry Catering's homestyle menu items included hollowed-out tomatoes filled with chicken curry salad, fresh figs filled with cheese mousse, and jars of country-style pâté.
At the January gala in Chicago, Sodexo designed several themed food stations. The “Lil' Bit of Soul” buffet had shrimp and grits shooters served atop wood crate tables.
The Big Give charity event took place at Toronto's new Ripley's Aquarium on January 23. Debra Novack, president of LOL Candy, brought in desserts that would match with the “Under the Sea” theme. The dessert station included “sweet sushi” (or, candy in the shape of sushi) that rested on miniature ships.
On January 23, the Walrus Foundation—the nonprofit behind magazine The Walrus—hosted its annual gala at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto. With a “Literary Life” theme, the event had tabletop decor that included books created by Toronto artist Kalpna Patel. The books had pages that were artfully folded and glued together.
On February 8, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay hosted its “Big Night” event at the House of Blues—and Little Brothers and Little Sisters were in attendance, too. As guests arrived, the "Little Brothers" and "Big Brothers" handed out prop glasses and mustaches for guests to wear while posing for goofy photos.
At the February 8 event in Toronto, teams of chefs battled it out in a timed cooking demo onstage. The audience also had a chance to participate in a challenge: a doughnut-decorating contest. Materials, including doughnuts and toppings, were placed on each tabletop.
Held at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto on February 6, the event had a lush, pastel dessert display from Sweet Table. The display was decked with illuminated trees, which fit in with the event’s “adopt a branch” fund-raising for the Toronto Public Library. Stacks of books also underscored the literary theme.
For this year's New World Symphony Gala, held February 8 at the New World Center in Miami Beach, the theme was “the Art of the Possible,” an inspiring but not obviously visual theme. To bring it to life, planners used word art displayed in various forms. The waitstaff even wore custom bow ties with the word art graphics that were used throughout the gala.
Shiraz Events produced and designed the fund-raiser for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. The event took place on February 13 at Miami's Ice Palace, where producers cast geometric light patterns over the event. "The inspiration behind this lighting was the linear detail of the building's façade and windows," said a rep from Shiraz. "We accentuated this by using a similar design for the exterior gobos."
In mid-February, the Diabetes Research Institute's Love and Hope Ball brought plenty of shimmer to the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida. At the benefit, tables were draped in sequined tablecloths—and the centerpieces quite literally sparkled. Sparklers from Sparktacular Inc. were placed in flower arrangements and triggered remotely by event staffers at a certain point in the evening's program.
The late January event in Chicago had a “Petals and Pearls” theme that was inspired by the opera’s then-current production of Madama Butterfly, which is set in Japan. Event Creative hung strings of Asian-style lanterns and surrounded existing light fixtures with custom black-lattice pieces.
YourBash produced the March 1 event at LA Live Deck. Glittery linens swathed the tables, and eye-catching fixtures—including lampshades surrounded in fringe—hung overhead.
