With a scenic overview of the Boston harbor, more than 250 guests gathered Thursday beneath white-light-accented greenery on Fairmont Battery Wharf to raise funds for the Zack Heger Foundation for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Dubbed “Blazers and Baubles,” as men were requested to wear blazers and women fashionable necklaces, the patio party was hosted by WCVB TV’s Bianca de la Garza, who has known the charity's namesake personally for several years. The benefit raised $50,000.
To separate this event from the nonprofit's previous “Summer Soiree,” planners chose a higher-end venue and included more food and entertainment options. “We [wanted] to offer a better overall experience by [providing] guests a great view of the harbor, boat rides, and having a raw bar and high-end food and drinks available,” said Lauren Fish of Lauren Fish PR, who helped manage the event.
Island Creek Oyster Bar offered raw oysters on the shell, and Aragosta at Fairmont Battery Wharf created summery dishes such as red and yellow tomato, green bean, and mozzarella salad, and a light version of pasta Bolognese. Bartenders at an Ultimat Vodka bar doled out martinis with almond-, jalapeno-, blue cheese-, or peppadew-stuffed green olives. Signature drinks included the "Ultimat Blazers and Baubles," made with vodka, watermelon juice, and mint leaves, and the "Bianca de la Garza-Rita," which combined tequila with orange liqueur and fresh orange juice.
With drinks in tow, guests took advantage of the setting and the event’s partnership with Rowes Wharf Water Transport to take $10 sunset boat rides around the harbor, with a guided tour that included such sites as the World Trade Center, the financial district, and the Zakim Bridge.
Back on solid ground, a bevy of silent auction items were up for grabs on the patio area, which Party by Design sheathed with breezy, diaphanous curtains. Auction lots were as diverse as 3D baseball memorabilia, a night on the town at 28 Degrees lounge, and Visage Sculpture’s liquid nose job, playfully advertised with a pair of Groucho Marx-style sunglasses bearing a fake nose and mustache.
Also on the program was a live auction, led in part by de la Garza, that had lots such as a poker night with local author Ben Mezrich and a framed and autographed photo of the Boston Celtics’ "Big Three": Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. A “Last Person Standing” 50/50 split game encouraged guests to buy tickets for $20, and successive flips of a coin determined the winner of the combined pot, half of which went to the foundation.
At evening’s end, a partnership with Uber allowed guests to shuttle home safely with a $30 credit from the luxury car service.
