$4 MILLION MOCA GALA BREAKS FUNDRAISING RECORDS

The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles celebrated its 30th anniversary with a gala on November 14—and the benefit broke fund-raising records for the museum: The event for 1,000 guests—including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Jeff Koons—took in $4 million.

Following a performance piece starring Lady Gaga and dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet, the museum auctioned a Steinway & Sons piano customized in pink with blue butterfly motifs by Damien Hirst—and it alone fetched $450,000.

“Never before have so many people come from around the world to support an L.A. arts institution,” said MOCA founding chairman Eli Broad, who also served as gala co-chair, in a statement announcing the event's final tally.

The event at MOCA Grand Avenue began with cocktails and a private preview of the exhibition, followed by "The Happening." It took place inside of a 24-foot-long tent topped by a dramatic art installation in the ceiling: a sculpture made from 2,400 running feet of running white PVC pipe interspersed with 191 pieces of Versatube, originally conceived by L.A. architect Barbara Bestor and designed and executed by Bounce. Tent walls were a black-and-white-striped pattern inspired by a type of camouflage used in World War I known as "razzle dazzle." And on them were artworks in poster form from 18 different local artists, from Ed Ruscha to Catherine Opie. 

The night included musical performances by Devendra Banhart, Beck, and Caetano Veloso. Dinner included organic foods gathered from local community gardens by chef Joanna Moore, owner of Venice-based restaurant Axe; the meal was executed by Along Came Mary. Chanel Fine Jewelry served as sponsor.

NINE HONORED FOR GREATEST GIFT TO OTHERS

With the exception of the Girl Scouts color guard, Megan Mahdi of Laguna Niguel was easily the youngest person in the room at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon honoring Orange County's top philanthropists.

But Megan, 15 years old, held her own before an audience of about 900 guests to salute honorees that included such megawatt beacons of local charity. The distinguised awards included:

• Donald Bren, the chairman of the Irvine Company, has given more than $1.3 billion focused in the areas of education, conservation and research.  Univeristy fo California in Irvine has received over $60 million from Bren.
• Marion Knott has donated to Orange County arts, science and healthcare organizations, including $8 million to Chapman University.
• Phil and Mary Lyons have given financial support and many volunteer hours to Orange County arts programs, including the Pacific Symphony.
• Jerri Rosen founded Working Wardrobes, a nonprofit that helps unemployed women with professional "wardrobing" and career development services.

Paradise Delight, Orange County's leading floral and special events designer, was honored to be part of the design for the celebration.

ST. REGIS WEDDING CELEBRATION OF DAISY AND JOHN

Daisy and John tied the knot at the beautiful St. Regis Resort in Monarch Beach. The amazing wedding planner Maria Lindsay orchestrated the celebration.

The couple selected the colors of  ivory, creme and white to permeated the event. Touches of plum and fuchsia were incorporated into the ceremony.

Orange County Wedding Florist, Paradise Delight, created a monochromatic look. For all the guest centerpieces, clusters of six tiered arrangements created a harmonious unit.  It was embellished by sand dupionie table linens.

Check out amazing images taken by Justin Lin.  Click here for the slide show from Lin and Jirsa photography!

PARIS + SPAIN + PENTHOUSE IN SANTA MONICA = AMAZING CELEBRATION!

The couple met in Paris.  Their first  date in Los Angeles and lived in Spain.  They tied the knot at The Penthouse above the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica. 

The couple has selected a chic seaside flair of teal, sand and ivory.  Check out these amazing photos by Marianne Lozano.  The amazing Jeannie Ward of the Wedding Jeannie orchestrated the celebration.  Paradise Delight created a contemporary style for their wedding.

CHANGE THE WORLD WITH A GIVING HEART!

Orange County's top philanthropists will be honored at the 25th Anniversary National Philanthropy Day (NPD) Orange County luncheon celebration for outstanding philanthropy in the community. Paradise Delight, Orange County’s leading floral and event stylist has been selected to design the celebration.
 
NPD Orange County has become the most prominent philanthropic recognition event in Orange County, with more than a thousand individuals, businesses and support organizations honored since its inception in 1986.

A few of our outstanding honorees includes Mr. Donald Bren, Ms. Marion Knott,  and Phil & Mary Lyons of Newport Beach.

The 25th Annual NPD Awards Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m.to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel located at 700 West Convention Way in Anaheim. For more information, visit www.npdoc.org

1,000 LIMES + 400 LEMONS + 200 TANGERINES = COPACABANA GALA FOR MEMORIAL CARE

The Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center Foundation hosted its eighth annual fall gala, A Night at the Copacabana at the Balboa Bay Club on October 9th.

Proceeds from the black tie event will benefit the hospital’s MemorialCare Cancer Institute and MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute as well as its mission to become a Nursing Magnet Designation, the highest national recognition for excellence in nursing services and high quality clinical outcomes for patients.

Paradise Delight, Orange County's leading floral and philanthropy event designer, was blessed to have design the celebration.  Over 1,000 limes, 400 lemons and 200 tangerines were the foundation of creating an Copacabana.  Hues of citrus - greens, yellows and burned orange fused the room.

To find out more on Paradise Delight's services, please contact us (949) 851-4739.

STUDENTS GET $1,000,000. BOOST FROM UCI MEDALS AWARDS

Orange County's leading floral and event designer, Paradise Delight, collaborated with leading event professionals to orchestrate UCI Medal Award on Saturday, October 2, 2010.

More than 600 guests attended the UCI Medal Awards and pledged $1.265 million to the university.  Proceeds of $1 million to directly support students.

The awards gala recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the university’s mission, spirit and vision, and it serves as the school’s primary fundraising event. Proceeds directly fund scholarships, fellowships and other student-oriented programs at the campus.

This year’s recipients are Susan Bryant, UC Irvine’s former vice chancellor for research; Salma and Hazem Chehabi, for their philanthropic contributions; David Pyott, chairman of the board and CEO of Allergan Inc.; and Scott Samuelsen, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UC Irvine’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering.

UC Irvine Chancellor Michael Drake said the honors were well-deserved.  "I am indebted to our generous friends and community partners for supporting our students and for joining me in honoring those who have given so much of their time, talent and support to the university," he said. "Our 2010 Medal recipients personify the campus's mission and values, and I am grateful for their desire to help us improve lives on local, national and global levels."

This year’s honorees were fêted at the Bren Events Center on Friday. The event was co-chaired by First Foundation Advisors Rick Keller and his wife, Anne, and included a formal reception and dinner, tributes to medal recipients and entertainment by the Claire Trevor School of the Arts.