Boston nightlife players Ace Gershfield and Sal Boscarino of 6one7 Productions joined Boston Red Sox executive Kellen Benjamin and took to the Mandarin Oriental ballroom on October 18 to celebrate their birthdays in a casino-themed setting designed to bring a Vegas vibe to Boston. The second annual Casino Royale event raised $20,000 for the Home for Little Wanderers, which works to ensure the healthy behavioral, emotional, social, and educational development of children and families living in at-risk circumstances.
6one7 Productions called in Megan Leavy of Mpire Events to help produce a casino-themed fund-raiser that used local talent and highlighted the work of the Home for Little Wanderers. “It was my goal to really brand the party this year and make it a unique and great experience for all guests. To do this, I felt it was important to make every aspect of the event reflect the Casino Royale brand and that glamorous, flashy Vegas look and feel. The addition of live music, video photo booth, red lighting, and decor helped create a truly fun and exciting atmosphere,” said Leavy. Moving the event to the Mandarin Oriental’s ballroom lent a high-end, luxurious feel to the evening, according to Leavy. The home’s mission was highlighted through a visual montage of event and charity photos, created by VJ Cash, which played on a screen behind the evening’s three DJs.
The ballroom-turned-casino included gaming tables and prize wheels, provided by Boston Charity Poker, and on-theme tabletop centerpieces. Red roses, poker chips, and spiraled playing cards made up the centerpieces, which were accented with votives and red lighting throughout the space.
The evening began with a private pre-party reception for event sponsors and V.I.P.s, where guests sampled cocktails by Svedka and Rutini wines and bid on silent-auction packages, including Ray Allen's courtside Celtics seats. To cap off the evening, the Goonies and Lisa and Louie Bello performed live sets.
