The event, which attracted about 400 guests, began with a cocktail hour and silent auction with more than 70 lots, including a party for 30 guests on the set of the PBS TV show America's Test Kitchen and lunch for five guests with Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino.
After the cocktail hour, guests moved into the main dining room for a three-course dinner and a performance by Jasmine Guy and a live poetry reading by a student from the Huntington’s Poetry Out Loud program. “The night helps to raise funds to support our youth and education programs as well as the programs of the Huntington,” says Howard Breslau, the theater's director of development.
Table decor included potted begonia plants, long rectangular wheatgrass centerpieces, and small candles. Paper “grass” placemats, coasters, and green grass-patterned linens were also used on select tables.“The Huntington and the performances really stand out on the stage: that’s what they do,” Rafanelli said. “So the table experience should be interesting and clever and maybe a little inspirational and smart but, again, a reflection of the organization and really telling the donor, 'Look, we can do something pretty terrific with less.'”
