Time Well Spent

by Brent Beshore

March 21,2008

THE LATEST iN EVENT TRENDS
Weathered Chic: Want the ultimate in refined? Make it stand out against the rustic! Nothing is more eye-popping than combining the weathered and rustic with the beautiful and refined. To give you an idea, ask Les Bourgeois about using their barn for events. It's tough to imagine a better event than one with wine and white linens in an 80-year-old barn. They might even let you ride around on bails of hay. www.missouriwine.com

Personalized Chocolate: Everyone has a pen with a pharmaceutical company's name on it, but who has ever gotten a chocolate logo or a child's face printed on a lollipop? Now you can have it all for $1-3 per piece. www.imagesprintedonchocolate.com.

Reviews:

Model Citizen Fashion Show
Where: Holiday Inn Executive Center
When: March 8
Why: To raise funds for the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Cost: $75/Wine Reception or $25/Runway Show
Details: Somehow (with lots of hard work and skill) the Executive Center was transformed into a vibrant fashion extravaganza. The VIP reception was well-done (although a little warm), and the actual fashion show was something to behold. The crowd was jazzed up, Jann Carl was the perfect host, and besides a rare stumble here and a miscue there, it was something that could have been taking place in L.A. or N.Y.C. Special props go to Kellie Ann Christie for creating a unique, enjoyable, and inspiring event that still managed to raise a ton of money despite the fact that there was no silent or live auction. Kudos to you.
Rating: 10/10—For its grandeur, execution and bevy of notables, it receives the first perfect score!
Fechtel Distributing's Beer Dinner with Boulevard Brewing
Where: Meadow Lake Country Club
When: Feb. 23
Why: For the love of beer paired with food
Details: With music in the background and plenty of good appetizers, the event was enjoyable from the start. Then the real fun began when the Boulevard brew master paired a beer with each beer-inspired course. With traditional beer-food like sausage and red cabbage and lamb chops to a poached pear dessert, it was a fun beer-themed evening.
Rating: 8/10—Relaxed environment, good food and excellent beer.

Previews:

Pascale's Pals Auction and Benefit
Where: Holiday Inn Executive Center
When: Thursday, April 24, 5:30 p.m.
Why: Fundraiser for Pascale's Pals of University of Missouri Children's Hospital
Cost: $75/Person
Details: Come out and enjoy a night of fun for the kids. With drinks in hand and plenty of auction items to bid on, the benefit sounds like a fun time for a great organization.
More Info: www.pascalespals.org
Anticipation Rating: 8/10—Having fun to benefit kids is a great way to spend an evening.

Paintbrush Ball
Where: Pickard Hall, MU Alumni Center
When: Saturday, May 3, 5:30 p.m.
Why: Benefit for the MU Museum of Art and Archaeology
Cost: $70/person or $130/pair of tickets
Details: Consistently selling out the event says something. Join the "Kapital
Kicks" and the museum's board of directors for a night of artsy fun. The evening
kicks off in the Cast Gallery with a little wine and viewings of new acquisitions.
Then the evening gets kicked up a notch with silent and live auctions, dinner,
dancing and an opportunity to help influence the gallery's art selection.
More Info: www.maa.missouri.edu; Bruce Cox at 882-6724
Anticipation Rating: 9/10—Reserve your tickets now for a great art-filled night.

HIT LiST:
1. Concert Series: Moiseev Russian Classical Ballet and Sofia Symphony Orchestra Swan Lake—Tuesday, April 1, 7 p.m., Jesse Hall
2. Columbia Art League: National Equine Art Show—Tuesday, April 1- Friday, May 16
3. Big Smith with Blue Mountain— Saturday, April 19, 7 p.m., Blue Note
4. Blue Man Group—Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m., Mizzou Arena
5. Concert Series: Movin' Out—Monday, April 28, 7 p.m., Jesse Hall

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

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