The Bienes Center for the Arts, a recent addition to the St. Thomas Aquinas High School campus in Fort Lauderdale, held its invitation-only grand opening celebration on November 15 for the donors who helped make it a reality. Guests arrived by way of a 185-foot red carpet lined with rectangular pillar candles on one side and a modern, multicolored lighting display masked by sheer white drapery.
The event was split across the two areas of the center, the dance studio and two-story theater lobby, with the BCA logo evident throughout the decor of both areas on the napkins, programs, and several blue gobos.
The dance studio was converted into a loft-inspired martini lounge, with seating areas of beige leather and chrome chairs accented by dark wooden tables atop black shag rugs. Amber lighting gave the space a warm feel as guests sipped cocktails and sampled passed hors d'oeuvres like tartufo custards with crispy pancetta and vegetable samosas with spice curry dipping sauce provided by LeBasque Productions.
In the theater lobby, a four-sided custom bar was constructed around an oversize marble sculpture donated by the Bienes family.
"We didn't just want to do another glow bar," said Donald Braun of Donald Braun Events L.L.C., producer of the celebration. "So we covered the backlit panels in a sepia-toned duratrans material, featuring different images of dance, music, and theater."
After the cocktail reception, guests were escorted into the center's black-box theater for dinner. Braun transformed the space, also lit in amber tones, using a dramatic 23-foot drop of sheer silver fabric that framed the main stage, crystal columns lit with soft lavender, and elegant crystal chandeliers. Tables were draped in mocha-colored satin linens embossed with a silver brocade and chocolate paisley pattern from Nuage Designs, and topped with sparkling chocolate-colored chargers and silver satin napkins, wrapped in brown velvet cuffs with a rhinestone buckle from Atlas Party Rental.
For dinner LeBasque served an endive salad with toasted almonds, ash goat cheese, and vodka vinaigrette; rack of lamb with a port reduction; and a sea bass meuniere with tomato and artichoke confit. Following dinner, Broadway star Idina Menzel-best known for her roles in Rent and Wicked-performed.
