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Gentry Magazine Gala
When Gentry Magazine decides to host a fundraising gala, it doesn’t spare a single effort, which is good news for the Family Services of Mid-Peninsula, the non-profit organization that benefited from this year’s bash.
Over 700 guests attended this science-fiction themed, black-tie fundraiser, including many business leaders and social notables from San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
The party was held at the Palo Alto Sheraton and Westin Hotels, which were linked by a walkway and together housed an array of festive atmospheres, sumptuous spreads, and musical talents. Associated Entertainment Consultants provided the music, entertainment, and decor for the affair, with the help of professionals like Don Wallschlaeger of DWEtc., who transported five trailers worth of props and decorations from his Hollywood warehouses.
A gigantic, glowing planet model graced the party’s entrance, and exotic alien robots, provided by Atlas Robotics, welcomed guests to this out-of-sight affair.
While meandering through laser-lit hallways, courtesy of CTA, and greeting 10-foot tall cyborgs and pink aliens, guests pondered a big question: Which division of this party smorgasbord would they visit first?
Perhaps they should head to “Heaven”, where Marnie Boyd plucked her harp like an angel and Cupid on a Pedestal (a Skyana creation) posed vainly for admiring eyes?
Certainly tempting -- but then again, so was the “Milky Way”, where BOGO, a four-piece musical ensemble, treated visitors to eclectic world beats, and Skyana’s surreal moving sculpture awed the beholders.
Decisions, decisions! Better take it room by room. After all, there was plenty of time to visit all five sub-parties while feasting on delectables donated by more than 20 generous and top-notch Bay Area restaurants.
While munching, guests could enjoy The Cybernetics’ intergalactic beats and admire the awe-inspiring juggler who graced the Westin’s “Cosmic Lounge”.
Featured entertainment at this “Out of this world” event was Big City Revue, a 12 piece non-stop musical fun-machine that kept guests dancing ‘til the wee hours in the “Super Nova” wing.
For party animals of the directionally-challenged variety, Skyana’s the Millennium Bug and Galaxy Girl, both on skates, were available to escort guests from room to room and between hotels. Perhaps they might even lead you to the pool area, where a robotic skater and a mad scientist on stilts boogied-down to DJ Miguel’s funky sounds. (Many thanks to Star Tracks for introducing us to Miguel’s spinning sorcery.)
Of course, no odyssey is complete without a journey to down under, where fun and naughtiness reign. Indeed, Bacchus himself dwelt in the “Sub Zero” division of Gentry’s gala, where he treated friends to sinful red and white wines. Providing music for this opulent scene was genius pianist Ricardo Scales, seated at a grand piano on a rotating pedestal and dressed in decadent white tails. Ironic that such a devilishly fun scene was sponsored by the pure and generous Draeger’s Market.
And to think…all this frivolity in the name of charity! To fatten the night’s collection, the gala also featured a silent auction with donated gifts, trips, and sports memorabilia. No guilty consciences among these departing guests who, despite partaking in the many lavish pleasures of the evening, also raised a great deal of money for a worthy cause and made a difference in their community.
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