The Festival of Trees has begun! Join us at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens Dec. 3-12

The It! Girls will be rocking around the Christmas tree tonight at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens! With more than 30 designer Christmas trees, Christmas carolers, a holiday boutique and more, it is just what we need to get us in the holiday spirit here in balmy South Florida — the delicious noshes and open bar during the Gala Opening doesn't hurt, either!

The event benefits the garden's Community Enrichment Program, designed to provide cultural opportunities to all populations through innovative programming incorporating the visual arts, environmental awareness and interpretive history of Ann Weaver Norton.

Family and friends of all ages are invited to the gala, with tickets available for $200 for adults (ANSG members $150) and $25 per child. Gentlemen of the Garden will present Community Days with $10 admission (children $5) Dec. 4 and 5 and Dec. 8-12.

For more information on Festival of Trees or the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, call (561) 832-5328 or email annnorton@ansg.org. To view the latest schedule of events at the garden, please visit www.ansg.org.

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Inc. is a recognized 501(c)3 operating foundation established in 1977 by the prominent sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). The gardens are conveniently located at 253 Barcelona Road, at the corner of Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, FL. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are currently open Wednesday-Sunday. 11- 4 p.m.

Save the Date: Dec. 3, Festival of Trees Gala Opening!

One of our favorite Palm Beach events each year is the Festival of Trees to benefit Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. With more than 30 designer Christmas trees, Christmas carolers, a holiday boutique and more, it is just what we need to get us in the holiday spirit here in balmy South Florida — the delicious noshes and open bar during the Gala Opening doesn't hurt, either!

Festival of Trees kicks off with its annual Gala Opening on Friday, Dec. 3, and benefits the garden's Community Enrichment Program, designed to provide cultural opportunities to all populations through innovative programming incorporating the visual arts, environmental awareness and interpretive history of Ann Weaver Norton.

Chaired by Karyn Lamb and Mieke Van Waveren, Decorator Chair Joseph Pubillones and Honorary Chair David Miller, committee members include Robin Azqueta, Diana Bell, Jeff Blakely, Jonathan Cameron-Hayes, ,Joanne Colt, Chrissy Colton, Millie Dayton, Aime Dunstan, Jenny Garrigues, Amy Guerrieri, Austin Hancock, Margaret Horgan, Karyn Janssen, Kelly Kirkpatrick, Brian Kirkpatrick, Dana Krentschmar, Heléné Lorentzen, Denise McCann, David Miller, Tara Nicoletti, Eileen and John Otto, Joseph Pubillones, Analisa Ramos-Estaban, Chad Renfro, Jennifer Rodriguez, True Rodriguez, Ashley and Michael Ramos, Denise Silverman, Sandy Singer, Tracy Smith, Linda Soper, Diana Speight, Tricia Taylor and Emmy Wolbach.

The Gala Opening will Feature GREY GOOSE Vodka by Bacardi U.S.A. Inc. and fine foods by Rock Star Catering Company, Marky Caviar, The Breakers Palm Beach, Whole Food Markets, Sushi Jo and Opici Wines Company of Florida. Other sponsors include Gentlemen of the Garden, KOOL 105.5 FM, Palm Beach Illustrated, The Palm Beach Post, Imishmailmerritt Photography, Tree Towne Christmas Trees and House of Lavande.

West Boca Raton High School Choir, Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Stringendo School For Strings, BAK Middle School of the Arts Chorus, the Florida Classical Ballet Theatre and Palm Beach Atlantic University’s “Brass 5” are set to perform.

Family and friends of all ages are invited to the gala, with tickets available for $200 for adults (ANSG members $125) and $25 per child. Gentlemen of the Garden will present Community Days with $15 admission (children $5) Dec. 4 and 5 and Dec. 8-12.

For more information on Festival of Trees or the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, call (561) 832-5328 or email annnorton@ansg.org. To view the latest schedule of events at the garden, please visit www.ansg.org.

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Inc. is a recognized 501(c)3 operating foundation established in 1977 by the prominent sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). The gardens are conveniently located at 253 Barcelona Road, at the corner of Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, FL. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are currently open Wednesday-Sunday. 11- 4 p.m.

Devil's Night draws 500 for annual costume bash!

Body paint, prosthetic chest hair and larger-than-life candy dots were key costuming elements among the 500 revelers crowding Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens on Oct. 29.

Hosted by Gentlemen of the Gardens, Devil’s Night is one of the biggest and best-attended events to benefit the landmark property. And despite a $50 ticket price increase (guests paid $150-$300 each to attend), this year’s event broke all previous records, raising $50,000.

“It is the GOG's most successful event and Devil's Night to date,” said event co-chair Dack Patriarca.

Guests included honorary chairman Todd Herbst and wife Brandie, chairmen Kevin Clark and Dack Patriarca, Ladies Committee co-chairs Hilary Jordan and yours truly, plus Gentlemen of the Garden president Jonathan Cameron-Hayes, committee members Loy Anderson, Ryan Bridger, Christopher Dunstan and Jay Holmes.

Bobby Leidy took first place in the costume contest, winning a two-night stay at Sunset Key Cottages in Key West for his interpretation of Richard Simmons. “Avatar” Kirsten Braden nabbed second place and a two-day Porsche rental from Chariots of Palm Beach, and Kelly Murray’s vintage Barbie costume landed her a spa package at Jupiter Beach Resort.

Live music from the newly reinvented Big Bang Radio, along with free-flowing Ketel One Vodka cocktails, multiple open bars and ice luges, and food stations from Grease Burger Bar, Rocco’s Tacos, City Cellar and City Oyster kept the crowd entertained. Later, Pistache French Bistro served up bite-sized desserts, and the party continued at Monarchy Nightclub in downtown West Palm Beach.

Devil’s Night sponsors include the Big Time Restaurant Group (Rocco’s Tacos, Grease Burger Bar, City Cellar and City Oyster & Sushi Bar), Stephanie and Lamont Harris, Chariots of Palm Beach, Downtown at the Gardens, Monarchy, Monster Energy, Mario Nievera Design Inc., Palm Beach Medical, Pistache French Bistro, VIP – Very Important Paws, Hy-Lite Productions Inc., United Rentals, Dunstan Designs, It! Weddings & Events and Mac Fabrics.

For more information on upcoming events and exhibitions at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, log on to www.ansg.org or call (561) 832-5328.

Oct. 29: Save the date for Devil's Night in Palm Beach!

The It! Girl's Guide to Floral Design

To feed the minds of our favorite domestic divas in Palm Beach, It! Weddings & Events recently hosted the It! Girl's Guide to Floral Design at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach.

The evening began with a reception featuring international wines, mini bloody mary shrimp cocktails, Maine lobster on crostini, fresh crudites, fresh fruits, cheeses and — best of all — sweet treats from The Sugar Monkey. The menu complemented an aqua and tangerine color palette inspired by our favorite aqua hue and orange-handled scissors — the ones we love to grab when stripping thorns off rose stems, or cutting hydrangeas to create a compact centerpiece.

Before the It! Girls got down to business with an array of acid green orchids and mums, ivory roses and hydrangeas and plum-hued gerber daisies, It! Floral Designer Kim Votaw began the class with a few tricks of the trade for creating an impactful floral arrangement:

Stick to a color palette: Three different flowers — try ivory stock, roses and mums — in a similar hue will combine with a little greenery to offer a variety of textures and fragrances. Trying to combine too many colors and shapes in one container may result in sensory overload!

Think outside the vase: Create a tablescape using floral balls (pick up spherical oasis — that's the squeezy green florists' foam — at your local craft store), glass cylinders with floating candles and other accessories. You can also combine multiple arrangements in non-traditional containers to make a bigger impact with fewer flowers, such as three different pitchers or creamers. Got a pretty wicker ice bucket? Put some white hydrangeas in that puppy and sprinkle seashells and votives around the table for a seaside tableau.

Give it a squeeze: Healthy flowers are hearty and bounce back from a squeeze. If a flower feels wimpy in the market, it probably won't last long once you get it home. In Palm Beach, Kim recommends Publix for a great selection of stalks for DIY arrangements.


It! Weddings & Events is pleased to arrange floral design classes, wine tastings, gardening and cooking classes for your corporate or social group. Call us today for a consultation!

xoxo
Aime