The busy, hectic holiday season is upon us and gift wrapping is probably top of the list for many of us. Here at MK Event Studio we are happily wrapping up our busy fall event season. MK put on three fabulous events; Fusion of Flavors, Women for Women International’s Annual Awards Gala, and a gala evening to benefit the Theatre Development Fund. To say it was a busy time is an understatement, but with hard work came great results. Here’s a look at our events!
On November 4th the Don Bosco Community Center (DBCC) of Port Chester, NY held Fusion of Flavors, a special evening of food and wine tastings, live music and a silent auction at the Apawamis Club in Rye. This celebration of local cuisine featuring small plates and big tastes prepared by area chefs to support the Don Bosco Culinary Institute – Café Alma. Program host Father Richard Alejunas greeted guests with a huge smile and shared the exciting update that with the anticipated opening of the new culinary training center in 2012, DBCC will be enhancing the quality of life within the community and providing economic stability to many deserving families by offering career training for teens and adults in the culinary arts.
Co-Chair Chef Rafael Palomino of Sonora and Greenwich Tavern created scrumptious dishes for every palate and was joined by Andy Nusser from Tarry Lodge and a slew of Port Chester’s favorite dining spots. Kai Palmer’s Wine at Five in Rye offered outstanding wines for tasting and pairing, with a percentage of all purchases going to support Café Alma. And, as if the food and wine offerings were not tasty enough, many guests took home wonderful auction prizes that included a behind the scenes tour at The Food Network, dining certificates at the areas hottest restaurants, cooking classes, and even an ice cream party for 100 people!
On November 17, 2011 MK produced the Women for Women International Gala at the Museum of Modern Art. This red carpet blockbuster included such VIP guests as Dave Matthews, “Fergie” aka The Duchess of York, Gloria Steinem, Uma Thurman, Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, and Katie Couric.
The evening began with a cocktail reception and private viewing of the spectacular De Kooning exhibit. Guests dined on a delicious internationally themed menu by our favorite caterer, Union Square Events and the program saluted several outstanding humanitarians. Among the honorees was President Bill Clinton who served as the evening’s key note speaker. Melky Jean ended the program with a rocking performance that had many guests joining her on stage to dance! And, the night was just getting started! Guests then headed to the after-party where DJ Rehka’s awesome sound had everyone on their feet dancing to her signature beats.
December 1st marked MK’s last event of the season and we celebrated it Broadway style with a gala for the Theatre Development Fund that celebrated the exciting new theatre education partnership between TDF and CUNY colleges. The BEAT gala (that’s Bridging Education And Theatre) took place at the CUNY Graduate Center and honored two outstanding CUNY grads -- Matthew Goldstein, the current CUNY Chancellor and City College class of ’63 and actor Jimmy Smits, Brooklyn College class of ’80.
Guests were treated to moving remarks by Matthew Goldstein and Jimmy Smits reminiscing how important their exposure to the arts was to them as students in NYC, and was followed by a rousing musical program that featured performances by Billy Porter, Julie Halston and Eden Espinosa.
