The Week In Events: The Volvo Ocean Race, Billboard Music Awards Pre-Party, Juicy Couture’s Beach Weekend Packing Party

Although the ratings for the Billboard Music Awards slipped this year, ABC still won the night for its broadcast of the award show from Las Vegas. Among the parties surrounding the show in town was a Friday-night event hosted by Billboard and Magnum ice cream at Body English nightclub at the Hard Rock. About 300 guests turned out for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and—the centerpiece of the night—an intimate set by Natasha Bedingfield.

The Volvo Ocean Race's Downtown Miami Race Village set up May 6 through 20 at Bicentennial Park. The village was public showcase of the 10-city, 39,000-nautical-mile race around the world and its sponsors.

The Juicy Couture boutique on Oak Street in Chicago hosted an in-store cocktail bash on May 16 to showcase its summer collection. Fashion illustrator Rosemary Fanti was on hand to provide personalized sketches—called Couture Caricatures—of guests.

Haven Gastro-Lounge in Miami Beach celebrated its one-year anniversary May 17. Chef Todd Erickson used the party as a chance to showcase a new menu and create visually fascinating treats such as Grey Goose ice cream treats created with liquid nitrogen.

There was gold, gold everywhere at the California Science Center in Los Angeles May 18 for its annual Discovery Ball. The event this year drew inspiration for its theme from Cleopatra, the subject of 'Cleopatra: the Exhibition.' A troupe from Zen Arts processed through the dining room to announce a feast hosted by Mark Antony and Cleopatra, also known as dinner.

The Museum of Modern Art’s annual Party in the Garden Tuesday sold out once again and drew 650 guests to dinner and 1,500 patrons to an after-party held at the New York institution’s home. Sponsored by Cartier, the event featured an Instagram wall for guests to upload pictures, as well as a performance by Santigold.

The Cat in the Hat theme was apparent throughout the ballroom at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa Saturday night for the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ annual fund-raiser. Gold Productions used colorful fabrics and lighting to bring the story to life for the 700 attendees.

The Alliance Française de Washington debuted its Urban Corps Inaugural Gala May 17 with a hip-hop theme. The ticket prices and entertainment were geared toward a younger audience, with classically trained dancers performing hip-hop routines.

The Fragrance Foundation's 40th annual FiFi awards Monday honored the best products and executives before more than 800 guests to New York’s Alice Tully Hall. The somewhat traditional show was in the Starr Theatre followed by a reception in the attached Atrium space.

The catering department at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, which hosted this fund-raiser Saturday night, created a giant replica of the nonprofit’s logo out of styrofoam and covered it in royal blue icing. A last-minute surge in ticket sales caused organizers to revamp the format just two weeks before the event.