The Architectural League of New York piqued partygoers' curiosity by inviting them to the recently opened Governors Island for the annual Beaux Arts ball. In the hands of the U. S. military for more than two centuries, the island was given back to the city and state of New York in 2003. Given the chance to ride on the water and head to an unknown part of town seemed in itself a thrill for guests. The choice of an unusual location is nothing new—last year attendees were lured to the cool Tobacco Warehouse in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dumbo.
A group of 100 sponsors and high-level benefactors were served dinner in the Admiral's Quarters, and given a short historically minded walk and a tour of nearby Fort Jay. But the party really got started as the droves of 500 guests started to arrive from the island's ferry landing.
Not far from the landing, the party was situated in a tent alongside the water on the island's esplanade, with views of the downtown skyline. This year's theme for the ball—the league's biggest event of the year—was the Blue Room.
MaryBeth Morris, the league's membership and development associate, coordinated the annual fete and looked to designer Roy Braeger to design it. Braeger tethered together an array of different-size white balloons to produce a series of undulating walls that filled the tent and created different sections. Lux Lighting cast the room in moody shades of blue and magenta.
With bluish lighting and the harbor only a few yards away, it was only fitting that fun seaside-style entertainment and snacks were incorporated into the event. The bizarre and captivating performances of the Coney Island Circus Sideshow brought an urban circus vibe to the party and featured shows from the legendary amusement park's freaky acts. (Members of the group were also on hand at the opening party for Target's Brooklyn store in July.) Featured acts included Diamond Donny, who drove spikes up his nose, the contortionist stylings of Ravi, the Bendable Boy from Bombay, and the pain-proof character Eak the Geek, and other human oddities.
Indiana Market & Catering coordinated a kitschy array of servers dressed as boardwalk characters, including a cigarette girl who served gourmet candies, a pizza guy who offered slices of white chocolate with .phpberry cream, and a server who wore a fish head mask and mingled with the crowd while serving a blue cream cocktail.
—Mark Mavrigian
Read our coverage of last year's Architectural League benefit...
A group of 100 sponsors and high-level benefactors were served dinner in the Admiral's Quarters, and given a short historically minded walk and a tour of nearby Fort Jay. But the party really got started as the droves of 500 guests started to arrive from the island's ferry landing.
Not far from the landing, the party was situated in a tent alongside the water on the island's esplanade, with views of the downtown skyline. This year's theme for the ball—the league's biggest event of the year—was the Blue Room.
MaryBeth Morris, the league's membership and development associate, coordinated the annual fete and looked to designer Roy Braeger to design it. Braeger tethered together an array of different-size white balloons to produce a series of undulating walls that filled the tent and created different sections. Lux Lighting cast the room in moody shades of blue and magenta.
With bluish lighting and the harbor only a few yards away, it was only fitting that fun seaside-style entertainment and snacks were incorporated into the event. The bizarre and captivating performances of the Coney Island Circus Sideshow brought an urban circus vibe to the party and featured shows from the legendary amusement park's freaky acts. (Members of the group were also on hand at the opening party for Target's Brooklyn store in July.) Featured acts included Diamond Donny, who drove spikes up his nose, the contortionist stylings of Ravi, the Bendable Boy from Bombay, and the pain-proof character Eak the Geek, and other human oddities.
Indiana Market & Catering coordinated a kitschy array of servers dressed as boardwalk characters, including a cigarette girl who served gourmet candies, a pizza guy who offered slices of white chocolate with .phpberry cream, and a server who wore a fish head mask and mingled with the crowd while serving a blue cream cocktail.
—Mark Mavrigian
Read our coverage of last year's Architectural League benefit...
The Architectural League of New York's Beaux Arts ball's Blue Room theme used a multitude of balloons and lighting.
Guests entered the tent on Governors Island to a space lit with moody blue light by Lux Lighting.
Indiana Market & Catering dressed up servers in fun, kitschy costumes. A cigarette girl served guests treats like rock candy, candy cigarettes, lollipops, and salt water taffy.
Ravi, the Bendable Boy from Bombay and other entertainers from the Coney Island Circus Sideshow kept the crowd's attention.
