Time Well Spent

by Brent Beshore

March 7,2008

THE LATEST IN EVENT TRENDS

Catering on Demand: A company in California recently added a new and innovative service: allowing party-goers to create their own hors d'oeuvres. Each food station has a variety of ingredients that can be combined to form a custom appetizer. Under the direction of the chef, the attendee selects from the assortment of savory components, and then the chef makes it happen. Talk about service!

Make It Morocco: As theme events go, most have been done (multiple times) before. But one hot theme is Moroccan. Along with belly dancers, the evening can include authentic fabrics and small urns filled with Mediterranean fare, such as nuts, apricots and citrus fruits. While you need not go over the top, be sure to serve lamb.

Light, the New Flower: As part of a recent trend, some big events are moving away from copious numbers of flowers to the innovative use of light. For example, an events company in Canada recently transformed Montreal's Bell Center into a special-event venue using thousands of specially made 10-inch-tall, diagonally cut candles, with small flowers ringing the displays. This is just one example of how well-designed lighting can make the event really pop.

Red Carpet Live: Magic of the Movies 2008
Where: Blue Note
When: Feb. 24 Why: To bring Hollywood to Columbia. Cost: $25/person or $140/table of 4 Details: What do you get when you cross innovative food, complimentary valet service, paparazzi, ice sculptures and plenty of entertainment? One heck of a night! The 350 people in attendance sampled flying fish on blinis, sparking wine and beer, and Hollywood's favorite awards night. During commercial breaks, Tom Bradley provided color commentary and mixed it up with the "critic's couch," a collection of local celebs. Each attendee even received a swag bag filled with gift certificates for local businesses.
Rating: 9/10—Although I'm a little biased, this one was hit out of the park.
Columbia Notables: Everyone was a star.
*Note: Event Solutions produced this event

Sweet Susie Soiree
Where: 16 dinner sites, concluding at the Kimball Ballroom on Stephens Campus
When: Feb. 22
Why: Raise funds for Stephens College Scholarship Endowment
Cost: $40 or $75 per person, depending on where you gathered
Details: The format was simple and elegant—16 hosts provided appetizers and wine for a small gathering of friends, followed by a large dessert reception at the Kimball Ballroom, complete with dancing and a live auction. We attended the gathering at PS:Gallery, which was young, hip and fun. At the main event, the complimentary valet parking was a great touch, and, surprisingly, the atmosphere was low-key and very enjoyable. While the food was not stellar, the great mix of people really made the night.
Rating: 8/10—Great people, nice setting, relaxed environment … fun evening.

PREVIEW                                                                                                                                                                                               The Shelter's Rhythm and Soul Revue
Where: VIP Event at PS:Gallery and show at The Blue Note
When: Friday, April 11, VIP at 7:30 p.m., show at 9 p.m.
Why: Raise funds for The Shelter for victims of violence (Comprehensive Human Services, Inc.)
Cost: $25 for VIP Reception, $10-$12 for concert tickets
Details: The Rhythm & Soul Revue features 12-14 talented musicians from Missouri performing some of the best soulful hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s. The show is polished off visually with a multimedia video background complete with live cameras and video footage from the era itself.
More Info: Brenda Baker at brendab@socket.net or 875-0503
Anticipation Rating: 8/10—New format, with different price points, should make for a fun evening

A Night at the Speedway
Where: Elks Club on Highway WW
When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15
Why: Benefit for Gurucharri MD Foundation
Cost: $30/ person
Details: Centered around racing, this benefit will feature appearances from Nancy Sterling (Carl Edwards's mother) and Kenny Edwards. There will be a live auction, including tickets to NASCAR events and other racing-related items. Ticket price includes admission and an appetizer buffet.
More Info: www.docg.org or call Lynnanne Baumgardner at 874-9055
Anticipation Rating: 7/10—With whispers of a Carl Edwards sighting, this event will likely be an evening of fast fun.

HIT LIST:
1. Thompson Center for Autism Model Citizen Fashion Show—6 p.m. March 8 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center; christieka@missouri.edu
2. Concert Series: Violinist Itzhak Perlman—7 p.m. March 9 in Jesse Auditorium, www.concertseries.org
3. Concert Series: Chicago—7 p.m. March 10 in Jesse Auditorium, www.concertseries.org
4. Miranda Lambert—8 p.m. March 14 at The Blue Note, www.thebluenote.com

Is your favorite charity hosting a fund-raiser? Is your company having an event? Are
you and your friends throwing a party? Let me know about it at events@eventsolutionsllc.com.

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