Brian Kappra, the owner and creative director of Evantine Design, is passionate about giving back to the community around him.  In fact, he’s been honored many times himself for his charitable work and has served on numerous non-profit committees and boards.  His generosity of spirit has contributed to the success of some of Philadelphia’s most prestigous benefits, such as the Ball on The Square, Project H.O.M.E.’s iCare Gala; the Foundation for Breast and Prostate Health; Gift of Life’s Donors are Heroes; and Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s Butterfly Ball; to name a few.  And he’s not done yet!  Help is needed now more than ever, if only through black-tie channels of support.  Despite the fact that charities, non-profits and now the positive-sounding ”civil society organizations” or CSO’s, have felt the brunt of the last few years of economic strife, we’re confident that this Fall’s gala season will bring public awareness and financial support where needed.  If it takes a party or a gala event to get everyone involved; Evantine will gladly lend a hand.

Over the years we’ve provided event planning, decor, entertainment and auction support to countless charity groups and organizations.  One of our favorites was the iCare Gala benefitting Project H.O.M.E, a powerful group of warm-hearted individuals who strive to eliminate the “cycle of homelessness, address the structural causes of poverty, and attain their fullest potential as members of society.”  Founded in 1989 by Sister Mary Scullian and Joan Dawson McConnon, Project H.O.M.E. has grown to over 450 units of housing and three businesses that provide employment and re-training to formerly homeless individuals.  To date, Project H.O.M.E. has leverages over $50,000,000 in equity towards housing and economic development.  AMAZING! And when you hear that 1 in 6 American citizens are now living below the poverty line and more people are living on the street; you know that if there is every a charity group to support in these tough times, it’s Project H.O.M.E.   One was to support the organization is to throw an event that not only encourages deep-pocket donations; but also offers an event experience unlike any other gala celebration.  The iCare Gala did just that. [Photos: Paul Loftland]

Hosted at a private farm deep in the heart of the Main Line just outside of Philadelphia, multiple tents were built on the side of a hill to accommodate a dinner dance for over 400 guests and supporters of Project H.O.M.E.  The event took place in the middle of October and Brian Kappra incorproated autumnal colors, flowers and textures into every moment of the experience.  Deep reds, burnt oranges, chocolate browns, warm ambers and metallic golds were found in linens, flowers, draping, china, goblets, menus and lighting.  A pop here and there of turquoise blue in vases, auction table linens and ceiling lighting added an element of surprise and freshness.  Even caterer, Peter Callahan, incorporated chocolate brown and turquoise blue into his stationary displays, sushi bars and serving trays.

Several well-stocked bars were available in the Silent Auction, Wine Auction and Cocktail Tents, as well as on either side of the main Dinner Dance Tent.  Passed hors d’oeuvres included Peter Callahan’s signature bite-sized Americana foods such as pigs in a blanket, grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, shrimp lollipops and “beef and beer” (see photo below).

Brian Kappra designed the main tent around the stage area in a traditional U-shaped fashion to allow easy viewing of all presentations throughout the night.  There were many!  Including an incredible live auction orchestrated by Sotheby’s, a live dance performance by the children of Project H.O.M.E.; and the fabulous and invigorating music of the Ray of Light Orchestra.

It was a truly a magical evening but there’s still so much to do.  Again, we encourage all of our friends to join us in supporting the many amazing charitable organizations across the Greater Philadelphia Area that give countless individuals hope and assistance when no one else can.

This Saturday night, Congreso de Latinos Unidos will host their Fifth Annual “Congreso Gala Latina” at the Hyatt at The Bellevue.  For another incredible year, the black-tie gala is SOLD OUT!  500 of the area’s most prominent leaders, partners and supporters of the Latino community will connect, celebrate, and support Congreso’s mission to strengthen the Latino communities found in the Greater Philadelphia region.  Each year, the Gala honors the tastes, sights and sounds from a Latin American country.  Last year, the Gala celebrated the South American country of Peru with their magically-themed evening ”A Night in Machu Picchu.”

[Photos courtesy of Marie Labbancz]

Established in 1977, Congreso de Latinos Unidos’ mission is to provide a bilingual network of adult and youth services including: truancy intervention, out-of-school youth development programs, workforce development, drug and alcohol counseling, housing counseling, health and wellness education, teen pregnancy prevention and intervention, maternal and child health programs, and HIV/AIDS services. Actively engaging the community means Congreso works with many different Latino and Hispanic groups including: Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican Republic, Central American, Costa Rican, Guatemalan, Honduran, Nicaraguan, Panamanian, Salvadoran, South American, Argentinian, Bolivian, Chilean, Colombian, Ecuadorian, Paraguayan, Peruvian, Uruguayan, Venezuelan, Spanish, and of course, Spanish American.  All of which are found right here in Philadelphia’s culturally diverse neighborhoods.  The Annual Gala Latina raises necessary funds to support and empower the ever-growing needs of the Latino community.

Evantine was honored yet again to provide event design for the gala, and working with the Peruvian theme of “A Night in Machu Picchu” was inspirational.  The abundance of sacred and natural elements found at Machu Picchu confirms the conviction that the Incas constructed a sacred city that served as a place of pilgrimage or sanctuary. Working with event planner, Linda Pick, we looked to this fascinating Incan heritage, the spirtual nature of the location and the impressive Peruvian geography, as our design inspiration.  As always, when we collaborate with non-profit clients we strive to create an impactful design that can be conveyed with the least amount of expenditure.  

The entire Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt at The Bellevue was layered with rich textural lighting to create an outdoor environment of ancient gray stone, natural green pastures and peaceful blue skies.  A scenic view of Machu Picchu was projected onto a giant scrim suspended on the stage which would serve as a backdrop all evening.  Ancient “weathered” stone steps and faux stone walls held ceremonial flame pots created a real-life Incan stage.  As guests entered the Ballroom, Peruvian musicians played haunting wooden instruments and hazers provided clouds of white  fog and mist.

All forty-five dinner tables were dressed in dark metallic gold brocade and antique gold linens.  A variety of centerpieces were designed using distressed iron, pounded metal, carved wood and metal beaded candle sticks, metallic gold vases and pottery.  No flowers were used; only heavy, hand-formed umber-colored pillar candles, stacked rusty pedestals and brass jars.  Gold Incan masks were added to the design of the tables, as were stunning ancient Incan-inspired table numbers and programs.

This year, indeed, this Saturday night, Congreso will celebrate another South American country.  Chile, home to delicious and world-famous wines as well as the legacy of poet Pablo Neruda, and thirty-three very brave miners.  In addition to an elaborate Chilean wine tasting, the evening will include latin dance lessons and Chilean music.  The esteemed Benjamin Leavenworth, Honorary Consul of Chile, will serve as the Honorary Gala Chair, symbolizing Chile’s strong ties to the Philadelphia region.

This month, the Opera Company of Philadelphia opens their imaginative interpretation of Romeo and Juliet at the Academy of Music.  But this production is seen from a new, fresh perspective that both opera lovers and fashion forward patrons will appreciate.  The Capulets and The Montagues are shown as major fashion houses in a modern 21st Century world of models, paparazzi and haute couture.  To bring this vision to life, the Opera Company partnered with three of the premier design schools in the region – Moore College of Art and Design; Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and Philadelphia University – to create cutting-edge costume design.  What an incredible vehicle to cast the spotlight on all the amazing young design talent that exists here in Philadelphia!  Bravo!  

Students at the three local design colleges were asked by costume director Richard St. Clair to create haute couture, vibrantly-colored designs that gave a nod to both Renaissance fashion and modern glitzy red-carpet silhouettes.   Sixteen winning designs were chosen from each of the three participating schools to be sewn and featured in a runway fashion show within the opera production itself.   The students’ designs will be previewed for the very first time at the L’Amour & Couture Gala this Saturday night at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia.   The gala celebrates the production of Romeo & Juliet but also the future of fashion and the power of nurturing young talent!  The Gala’s guests of honor and leading actors are talented vocal artists, soprano Ailyn Perez and tenor Stephen Costello.  Married in 2008, both honorees trained at Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts and have gone on to thrilling international acclaim.

We’re honored to be involved in Saturday’s Gala and have loved collaborating on the event design with the creative planning team at the Opera.   Congratulations to Gala co-chairs Eliana Papadakis and Maria Papadakis, and event chair Ellen Berman Lee on an incredible evening celebrating art in Philadelphia! 

Performances of Romeo & Juliet are scheduled for February 11, 13, 16, 18, and 20 at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.  Go to www.operaphila.org for tickets and more information.

Not even the winter storm could keep the Friends of Rittenhouse Square from planning their next Ball on The Square!  As the most sought-after gala ticket in town, the Ball on The Square raises funds to “preserve, protect and beautify” Philadelphia’s historic Ritttenhouse Square Park.  Every year it’s more challenging to raise what’s needed to maintain the 6-acre park, but proud members make a point to come together to lend a hand.  Evantine Design has been honored to provide event design services for the gala for 27 years, but the pressure to create a fresh and unique environment on a non-profit budget can be a daunting endeavor.  Luckily, last year’s black and white “Fantasy Garden” seemed to make quite an impression on Philadelphia’s high society. 

[Photos courtesy of Marie Labbancz] 

Entirely surrounded by luxury hotels, stylish restaurants and highrise condominiums, Rittenhouse Square Park is the beating heart of the neighborhood.  Being able to watch the transformation from community park to glamorous party is fascinating for passersby as well as local residents attending the gala.   But that’s exactly what will happen again this June 16, 2011 when we take over the park for this year’s gala.  Perhaps it’s why we do what we do – it’s a living breathing theater production.

Inspired by late blooming dogwood trees, co-chair and event designer Brian Kappra designed last year’s gala using classic black and white elements including stunning dogwood graphic design.  Scented bubbles, fragranced by Francis Kurkdjian, gently wafted through the air at the entrance to the event.  Guests slowly strolled past long modern white tables holding lush displays of allium blooms in glass vases and zinc planters filled en masse with delphinium stems.  Classic white place cards printed with a dogwood motif were lined up under suspended rectangular pleated lampshades.  Curtains of meticulously hand-strung silk dogwood blossoms were hung in the ceiling of the cocktail tent and alternated with long strands of crystals that caught the light.  Brian chose purple as the accent color and used the hue in cocktail arrangements of lavender roses and magenta dendrobium orchids. 

The entire cocktail area was given a dropped ceiling using a black and white dogwood fabric.  A row of hightop tables lead the way into the dinner tent provided by EventQuip. 

Stephen Starr Events provided the guests with delicious hors d’oeuvres that looked almost too stylish to eat (almost) as well as a champagne station and Mojito bar with 10 Cane Rum.  

The dinner tent was modern and whimsical all at once with its alternating black and white patterned dinner tables, dogwood fabric ceiling panels, glossy black dance floor and Victorian gazebo focal point.  Square and rectangular dinner tables were laid out across the tent in a precise geometric floorplan.  For the most part, the same “black on white” dogwood floral linens were used throughout but at key locations the same linens were reversed to ”white on black” for a little dramatic punch.   Five different tablescapes were used including statuesque black vases holding white silk rose spheres, modern glass vases holding silk dogwood lampshades, black trees with suspended black crystal rope and votives, white lampshades on black wooden bases and black glass tulip vases holding a mixed bouquet of white flowers.  On the surface of each table pillar candles and votives were placed for warm candlelight, as well as modern glass vases holding beautiful bouquets of white tulips, peonies, stock and lilac.  

By the time the gala guests entered the dinner tent, the sun had set and the event lighting was on full PURPLE!  The ceiling was washed with layers of purple and magenta proving the perfect backdrop for our floral arrangements of white hydrangea, peonies, lilies and stock.

Stephen Starr Events designed a sensational summer menu that included Dancing Hawaiian Blue Prawns, a Bento Box entrée with Kalbi Style Sirloin, Lemongrass and Ginger Steamed Chilean Sea Bass and Crisp Japanese Mountain Potatoes, as well as dessert tapas served around the garden.  The weather couldn’t have been more ideal, but just in case, air-conditioning units provided cool air in the dinner tent to encourage guests to enjoy the dancefloor until the wee hours.  Of course, having the Eddie Bruce Orchestra on stage made that goal even easier to achieve!  The 2010 Ball on The Square co-chairs Brian Kappra and Nicole Cashman (seen below) again thank the rest of the gala committee for their support and look forward to this year’s celebration! 

We’d like to thank the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia for including Evantine Design in the planning for The Thomashefskys: Music and Memories of a Life in the Yiddish Theater - a musical tribute and gala celebration here in Philadelphia!  Selling out performance houses across the country since its premiere at Carnegie Hall in 2005, The Thomashefskys is a multi-media musical tribute to the inspirational life of Bessie and Boris Thomashefsky,founders of the American Yiddish Theater and grandparents of the musical genius, Michael Tilson Thomas.   This incredible show will be performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra at The Kimmel Center on February 15th in tribute to Connie and Joe Smukler.  

An eight-time Grammy Award winner, Michael Tilson Thomas was born in Los Angeles and is the Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony, Founder and Artistic Director of the New World Symphony and Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.  His father, Ted Thomas, was a producer in the Mercury Theater Company in New York before moving to Los Angeles where he worked in films and television.  His mother, Roberta Thomas, was the head of research for Columbia Pictures in Hollywood.  

Along with four other performers, Tilson Thomas will share the stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra and will bring the original words and reconstructed story to life in authentic form.  With the modern inclusion of musicial numbers set against salvaged film clips and archival photographs, posters and memorabilia, the tale of Yiddish Life in America is re-told with humor and passion.

Bessie and Boris emigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe in the 1880s and, while still in their teens, began to play major roles in the development of American Yiddish theater.  For Jewish immigrants of the late 19th and early 20th Century who settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Yiddish theater was central to their lives.  It replaced touchstones of Eastern European life – the village marketplace, the temple, the rabbi – and provided a stage for the new ideas that were shaping the psychological, emotional, moral and educational transition to a new, American way of life.  In The Thomashefskys, Michael Tilson Thomas serves as guide through the lives and repertoire of his grandparents.  “My grandparents became mega-stars,” says Tilson Thomas, “and found themselves smack in the public eye. They were subject to adulation and relentless scrutiny.  Legions of crazed fans were obsessed with every detail of their work and their lives. It was a far cry from the simple Jewish family life in the Ukrainian villages of their origins.  In the old country, there was already an answer to every question. Now, in a new land of total freedom, new unimagined questions were waiting around every glittering corner.  They wanted to use their theatre to explore these new questions and serve as a forum to search for possible answers. I marvel at what they attempted and how well they succeeded, from the classics to avant garde dramas, to original productions based on current events and contemporary Jewish life.” 

The Thomashevskys became so popular that in 1939 the New York Times reported that 30,000 people lined the streets of the Lower East Side of Manhattan to attend Boris Thomashefsky’s funeral.   Celebrated and remembered for what they gave the community then, and now, we encourage the Philadelphia community to share in their story. 

Tickets for the performance are now on sale at The Kimmel Center. What a spectacular way to spend a cold February evening.  Come on out!

Over the past 30 years of producing events in Philadelphia there’s one thing we’ve learned here at Evantine Design - you have to give back to the community that supports YOU!  Aside from whatever charitable organizations we might support personally, and there are many, as a company we proudly support non-profit organizations that turn to us to jazz up their events with that little bit of extra style.  Style, that is, that doesn’t blow the budget.  

[Photos courtesy of Marie Labbancz]

In May, along with Stephen STARR Events, we were honored to produce MANNA’s Nourish Awards 2010 celebrating MANNA’s 20th year of serving the community, as well as the achievements of M•A•C AIDS Fund, the Abramson Cancer Center, and R. Duane Perry (the founder of The Food Trust).  Since 1990, MANNA (the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance) has prepared and delivered medically appropriate and nutritionally nourishing meals to individuals and families battling life-threatening illnesses.   Illinesses like HIV/AIDS and cancer amongst others.  In fact, they prepare and deliver more than 80,000 nutritious meals each month!  How’s that for a catering endeavor?  Impressive, to say the least.  Certainly a feat to be celebrated!

When asked to participate in their inaugural fundraising event, the Nourish Awards, it took us all of a second to say “we’d love to be involved!”  We find nothing more rewarding than helping others get the message out and remembered! 

The MANNA Nourish Awards was held at the 23rd Street Armory, usually a raw and cavernous space that we transformed into a vibrant dinner party and awards ceremony.  Rather than hosting a formal sit-down dinner, we worked with MANNA and STARR to design a large cocktail-style party that encouraged guests to mix and mingle.  That meant providing multiple food stations, bars and seating areas throughout the large space that allowed guests to graze here and there in a more intimate environment.  But those food stations weren’t shoved against a wall;  instead, they were placed in the middle of the space or popped in between furniture groupings.  Just like your living room!   No one had to walk far for a sexy cocktail or a plate of sushi.  STARR also kept tray after tray of delicious hors d’oeuvres and colorful cocktails coming from their hidden kitchen area! 

Turning to our warehouse for affordable-yet-stylish inspiration proved easy as it’s filled with ottomans, beds, cocktail tables, community tables, chairs, linens and pillows.  Something that again makes Evantine appealing to non-profits because we already have a large inventory of thematic props, trendy furniture and decorative elements.  Our various crisp white furniture pieces looked amazing paired with “Donny Osmond” purple.  Everything from the lighting, linens, flowers, pillows and candles was layered in tones lavender, magenta and grape.  All evening guests perched at the high top community tables or gathered with friends at the clusters of cocktail tables.   The casual, relaxed cocktail party vibe translated into a fundraising event which kept the crowd comfortably engaged.  Exactly what we hoped would happen!

The multi-media awards ceremony was made from the center of the space on a circular stage.   Multiple video screens were placed around the perimeter as well as at either end of the space to provide easy viewing for all guests no matter where they were situated.  The evening was a resounding success and we look forward to collaborating on the next Nourish Awards!

For more information about MANNA, visit www.mannapa.org or call 215-496-2662.

We’re thrilled to be a part of the newest holiday sensation in Philadelphia, the Festival of Trees, a charity tree auction hosted by Restaurant XIX at The Hyatt at the Bellevue and benefiting The Philadephia Orchestra.   Guests will wander through dazzling Christmas trees decorated by local artists, event designers, party planners and landscape designers.   Certainly guests can look and get inspired for their own homes, but we’re hoping they’ll take one of these sensational trees home to enjoy for the season!  A live auction of all the Christmas Trees starts at 6:30pm and delivery is included at no extra fee!  That’s right, guests can pick out a Christmas Tree with all the trimmings and have it delivered to their home or office!  Bidding starts at $1,000 per tree but again, all proceeds will benefit The Philadelphia Orchestra.  Celebrity Chef Daisy Martinez, cookbook author and Food Network personality, will provide her culinary expertise to the event.  Cocktails, holiday music and delicious desserts will add a little more magic to the occasion.  What an incredible way to kick start Thanksgiving Week and we’re honored to be a part of it!

As crazy as it seems, another year has gone by and it’s time for the Ball on The Square!  The Ball is one of the most prestigious social events in Philadelphia due to its incredible mission, dedicated membership and desirable location.  The 2010 Ball takes place on Thursday, June 17th in the heart of the city at Rittenhouse Square Park.  Over 350 guests will enjoy the delicious food of Steven Starr Events, the gorgeous decor of Evantine Design and the smooth vibes of the Eddie Bruce Orchestra.  This year’s co-chairs Brian Kappra and Nicole Cashman promise to make the 2010 gala another sensational summer evening in the Park!  Take a look at last year’s Ball on The Square if you need any further encouragement to step out and join the fun!       

Photos courtesy of Steve Legato.     

A floating green oasis in an otherwise urban jungle, Rittenhouse Square Park is a precious gem to the residents and businesses that surround it.  A gem worth preserving and protecting year after year despite shrinking public funding and ever increasing maintenance costs.  The Friends of Rittenhouse Square, the amazing non-profit organization that puts on this incredible shindig every year, relies on the proceeds of the annual Ball on The Square to fund such mundane-yet-necessary maintenance and preservation needs as landscaping, lawn care, arborist services, sidewalk cleaning, fountain maintenance, fence and ironwork repair, security services and holiday lighting.      

True, last year’s Ball was a bit wet and a tad muggy upon arrival but co-chairs Alan Sandman, John Pscolar and Brian Kappra planned ahead with aplomb and had plenty of tenting and air-conditioning on hand!   Even the colorful cocktail area was fully tented and guests enjoyed champagne, sushi, tapas and hors d’oeuvres without a hitch in their party spirit.  Of course, having Steven Starr Events provide such outrageously delicious food and impeccable service might have something to do with it.      

In addition to the many full-service cocktail bars, trays of colorful beverages were passed throughout the tents to ease up congestion at the main bar.  Tapas plates of Bruschetta, Herbed Goat Cheese Lollipops, Citrus Marinated Olives and Spanish Tortillas with Chorizo were served on the bars.  Our lucite trays lined with the Ball’s colorful logo held “Philadelphian” cocktails made with Blue Coat Gin, Juniper-infused Grapefruit, Orange Blossom Water and a fresh sprig of Rosemary.  (below).    

A large ice-topped Luxury Sushi Bar was centrally located in the main cocktail tent.  The talented sushi chefs from the famous Morimoto Restaurant kept the sushi coming as fast as the guests gobbled it up!  Look at this gorgeous presentation of fish!    

Other hors d’oeuvres were passed on elegant, stylish trays, including (below, left to right):  Gazpacho Sorbet with Creme Fraiche Ice Cream in Peppercorn Cones, Edamame Dumplings with Shallot-Sauternes Broth in Asian Spoons and Ahi Tuna Tartare on Sesame Chips.      

(Below)  Crispy Parmesan Roulade with Asparagus and Proscuitto were lined up artfully on a clean white rectangular tray.  One of the MANY things we love about working with the Starr Events Team is their tasteful food styling – why crowd a tray with multiple items when one hors d’oeuvre creatively staged can say so much more?  Food is ENTERTAINMENT to be enjoyed with your eyes, nose and tastebuds!     

Once the rain stopped, and the cocktails were flowing, boy was it a challenge to tear guests away from the open-sided cocktail tents!  But the vibrant dinner tent was ready for the PARTY!  The Victorian Guard House is always the center focal point of the large dinner tent and also serves as our control booth for the duration of the event.  It’s also a fantastic prop for dramatic lighting effects all evening long.   Brian Kappra, a long-standing Ball supporter and Rittenhouse Square business owner, created a festive environment using geometric shapes paired with orange, hot pink and crisp white decor.  Square tables were dressed in either Haute Pink or Tangerine Vinyl, pale gray Bellini chairs provided modern seating and white dance floor tiles brightened up the sections of the existing terrace floor.  The Gerber Daisy, such a happy flower, was used throughout the event from invitations to lighting.    

Brian designed the tables using four different high and low “Mod” centerpiece styles for aethetic balance.  All containers, vases and vessels were bright white to provide a consistently fresh contemporary look.  A mixture of blooms in all shades of orange, tangerine and pink provided summertime color.  Square and rectangular white china, white water goblets and tall pink candles completed the tabletop settings.    

The first course was pre-set just prior to the guests entering the dinner tent.  Tricky, no doubt, but possible if done with an army of precise and efficient waitstaff such as Starr provided for us that night!  Guests enjoyed Poached Lobster and Lump Crab Meat in White Albarino Wine Court Bouillon, Orange Oil, Haricot Vert, Summer Tri-color Tomatoes, Lemon Balm and Micro Greens.  Garnished with a Sesame Savory Tuille, Lavender and Thyme Salt and served with a Chilled Summer Corn Soup with Julienned Alba Truffles.  Sounds fabulous, doesn’t it?     

A bustling waiter dashing off to pour some of the delicious wines carefully selected to pair with each aspect of the meal.    

We have such tremendous respect for caterers.  Their careful attention to detail in the planning of such a complicated menu is remarkable, let alone the tedious logistical planning that has to be arranged to adequately prepare the meal in a field kitchen with rented equipment.  The pressure to think of all aspects of the service, from each and every ingredient needed to the precise number of serving forks required, is daunting!   Below you can see several Starr chefs working side-by-side preparing the entree course of Kennett Square Mushroom Encrusted Boneless Colorado Rack of Lamb.   The lamb was served with English Pea Puree, Warm White Bean Salad and Dijon Mango Compote.    

Here’s how the finished masterpiece appeared as it was plated to each guest.  A beautiful presentation!    

Vegetarian guests were offered a Napoleon of Vegetables a la Provencal with Roasted Eggplant, Grilled Portobello Mushrooms, Zucchini, Roasted Red Peppers, Spinach and Heirloom Tomatoes.    

Once the entree was plated to each guest, additional waiters appeared tableside offering a selection of locally grown summer vegetables and hash browns.    

Dancing, dancing and more dancing was only interrupted with a dessert service of Chocolate Pot de Creme and Strawberry, Basil and Black Peppercorn Sorbets.    

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But the food didn’t stop there!  At 10:30pm when the Young Friends joined the party for dessert and dancing, additional passed sweets made the rounds! (Below)  The Vanilla Panna Cotta with Balsamic-macerated Strawberries was a sensational ending to a wonderful culinary experience!    

For the past twenty years, the Ball on The Square has been the ONLY event permitted to take over Rittenhouse Square Park with tents, flooring, staging, air-conditioning units, restroom trailers and security vehicles.  Perhaps that’s why it’s such a sought-after ticket, it’s truly a unique event experience in Philadelphia!  But a new day has dawned and the Friends of Rittenhouse Square are now permitting the rental of the Ball tents on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights after the Ball.  If you are interested in renting the tents, a once-a-year spectacular opportunity, please contact The Friends of Rittenhouse Square for more information.  We’ll see you next week at the Ball!

Photos Courtesy of Marie Labbancz.

The IMAJNZ Foundation was founded just three short years ago by our good friends Judi Goodman and Sharyn Berman as a fundraising organization created specifically to support selected public charities in the Greater Philadelphia area.   As it did in 2008, this year’s event supported The Noreen O’Neill Foundation for Melanoma Research.  

The foundation’s Date with a Plate event celebrates stunning table décor as interpreted and presented by professional event planners, florists, interior designers, and caterers as well as personal collectors sharing their aesthetic passion.   From Neiman Marcus to Eddie Ross, some amazing designers were showcased at the event.

When it came to Evantine’s table design, the first piece of the puzzle was creating a modern canopy that would provide a ceiling of light over the table. 

The table wouldn’t have been complete without a beautifully presented first course of grilled shrimp with mango salsa.  

Modern elements like polished chrome lanterns, white patio furniture and crisp contemporary glass layered with saturated tropical flowers.  A slate fountain was placed at the back of the table.

Orchids, anthurium, ginger, protea, tropical foliage and bamboo were paired with river rock, shells and slate.

Over 250 guests sampled delicious, and beautifully styled, hors d’oeuvres and beverages by Stephen Starr Events as they wandered through the many fascinating design exhibits. 

The first Date with a Plate event raised $238,000 for the Noreen O’Neill Foundation and we are more than certain this year’s successful event will top that incredible achievement!