PARTIES OF THE YEAR!
From intimate dos at Guido’s to a splashy soiree at Savory and a big band bash at Disney Hall, Malibu peeps will ring in the New Year in style. But before we delve into 2012, let’s give a shout out to some of the most romantic, fab, fantastic, hippest and hottest gatherings of 2011.
GERSHWIN! GUSTAVO! GARDENIAS!
It was a “Symphony in Three Gs” at Walt Disney Concert Hall-Grand, Glorious and Glamorous.
Los Angeles Philharmonic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel is going on his third season, but the “Dude” never ceases to mesmerize.
The 2011-2012 season kicked off with a spellbinding evening of George Gershwin favorites. The theme was “Rhapsody in Blue,” so it was only appropriate that local LAP fans like Ginny Mancini, Marc and Eva Stern and David Foster waltzed their way down a sapphire-colored carpet into the elegant champagne reception.
The hall was elegantly dressed and packed with guests who enjoyed everything from foie gras and fresh figs to steak tartare and Camembert with honey.
The special program included the classic “An American in Paris” with jazz legend Herbie Hancock on the ivories.
After a standing ovation and a shower of silver and sapphire confetti, gala guests made their way to Grand Avenue and a scene right out of the 1920s.
The spectacular supper club was done up in shades of ivory and deep blues with ostrich plumes, opulent mirrors, brocade lamps, deco chandeliers, palm trees and classic movie photos. The fragrant scent of gardenias filled the air as a lively jazz band played on well into the night.
Phil VIP Deborah Borda set the tone by saying, “the music of Gershwin is the music of our nation, so let’s celebrate!”
A TASTE OF CALIFORNIA
The California Science Center raised a whopping $1 million at its high tech, interactive and always delicious Discovery Ball. The glitzy evening was a huge success thanks to longtime supporters like locals Bill and Cheryl Chadwick. This year’s theme was “Savor California! Celebrating Culinary Science and Sustainability.”
The California eating theme was inspired by the Monterey
Bay Aquarium. The location had the festive feel of an old-fashioned beach boardwalk complete with a merry-go-round, carousel and flashing lights.
Celeb chefs like Susan Feniger and Mozza’s Nancy Silverton served up small bites by the boatload.
After dinner the live auction got underway. This year’s goodies included a trip into the wild blue yonder on a Beechcraft T-34 propeller plane and a ride on an L-29 Delfin Military Jet Trainer.
Gala guests wrapped it all up with a private screening of “Adventures in Wild California” at the IMAX Theater and danced the night away at the Club Hollywood after party.
RED HOT WHITE NIGHT
It was an opulent scene of old Russia as the Los Angeles Opera kicked off its new season in grand style. L.A. Opera Board Chairman Marc Stern and his wife Eva, were among the Malibu music lovers who took part in the grand “White Nights” gala. Guests strolled the snow white carpet into the outdoor pavilion where they found a magical setting looking like a Russian winter wonderland. The space was filled with crystal chandeliers, white brocade, twinkling tree lights and elegant all-white arrangements of Casablanca lilies and orchids. They tucked into “A taste of St. Petersburg” with salmon torte, roasted baby beets and beef stroganoff.
For a little mood music, the band played everything from Russian favorites to American standards.
The fun didn’t end after showtime. Next, the opera the hosted a lavish after party with Russian dark rye grilled cheese bites and mini mugs of potato leek soup. To top it all off, desserts were served atop a massive ice sculpture.
The guest list was as impressive as the food with famous faces like Laurence Fishburne, Michael Eisner and Emmy Rossum in the crowd.
A ROCKIN’ ‘BU BLAST
The Malibu Inn was hopping with hipsters from Hollywood to Zuma. The iconic establishment celebrated its grand reopening with great fanfare, complete with paparazzi, performance artists and top name talent.
Owners Alex and Steven Hakim sent out sleek invites for an evening to remember featuring a special performance by hunky music man Gavin Rossdale.
After a few snaps on the red carpet, the glitterati were greeted with sweet rum “painkillers,” ice cold Coronas and sparkling flutes of champagne. Painted ladies, wearing mostly paint, added to the festive atmosphere along with a hip-swinging hula dancer sporting a ruby red grass skirt and a coconut shell bra.
The patio was packed with partygoers wearing everything from vintage Tiki blazers to sequined minis, ‘60s Hawaiian shirts to breezy, white linen suits. Many posed for pics inside a Woodstock-era VW beetle, snapped away on their cell phones and tweeted their play-by-plays so friends wouldn’t miss one exciting minute.
At one point, a Cirque du Soleil-style trapeze artist twirled from the ceiling in a dazzling body suit, wowing the crowd.
It was an enthusiastic celebration of Malibu’s historic past, present and future.
When Gavin Rossdale took the stage, the stylish shindig kicked into high gear. The band played on, the guests rocked out and partied into the night.
That’s it for our picks for the year’s best dos. Wishing you health and happiness in 2-0-1-2!