Flowers said that the key to success with every party is to make sure he understands each client’s vision for their event. “We take their vision and their input and run with it,” he said. “But make no mistake - we do not follow others’ trends. We set them. That’s why our Mardi Gras Salute is the most extraordinary, spectacular event that guests in Galveston will ever see. At 1 a.m. when the event is just over, Mr. Fertitta comes to me and asks me what we will do to make next year’s party just exciting and take it to yet another level.” As with each Salute gala, the theme is chosen to coincide with
that of the Knights of Momus. “Since they’re doing a salute to South Beach, that’s what we’re doing for our theme this year,” said Beckwith. “The entertainment will be incredible, and we will keep adding new things to the evening’s lineup up to two weeks before the event,” she said. “Mr. Fertitta keeps pushing everyone until he has a complete “wow” of an evening.” She said that with the help of the planning team, including Dancie Perugini Ware, Paul Schultz, and many others, they come up with a top secret plan with just one objective - to amaze the guests. Although the evening’s schedule of events is indeed top secret, Beckwith was willing to share a few details. “I can say that we’re planning some high energy music performed by Jessie’s Girls, an incredible dance band coming in from the East Coast. We’ll have some showgirls direct from Las Vegas on stage, and then we’ve got some amazing finishing touches,” said Beckwith. “To go along with the high energy music and the showgirls,
we’ve got colorful, intelligent lighting and I can tell you that the décor this year will be bigger than anything you’ll ever see, even in Houston. Our guests say they feel like they’ve been to the Academy Awards.” Only the finest food is served at all the Hollywood parties after
the Academy Awards, and although Galveston is a long way from Hollywood, the standards are the same. Beckwith said she has planned a new menu to enhance this year’s South Beach theme. “We always do a play on the theme. South Beach can be Cuban, Japanese, or even Italian. We always have a theme drink, and people love how we twist the food to work with the theme. We call it “fusion” cuisine - it’s familiar food with new elements.”
But although the exact menu will be a surprise, one thing is certain, and that’s the entertainment. “There is no lapse at all in the music,” she said. “There is no silence. It’s continuous energy every second of the entire evening.” This particular party’s personality is so magnetic and so irresistible that Beckwith said it has its own faithful following. “People look forward to this party like no other, and they ask to return each year and even be seated in the same place. There is true loyalty to this event. The best part to me is the next morning when everyone calls me and tells me they had the best evening of their lives.” For ticket prices and more information please call Michelle Beckwith or Kim Schultz 409.744.1500 or
mbeckwith@ldry.com.
Galveston Umbrella Brigade going for Guinness World Record
Mardi Gras! Galveston Umbrella Brigade participants have been challenged to beat a new world record for the largest choreographed umbrella dance during the 101st Mardi Gras! Galveston on Friday, February 10. A group in Romania recently beat Mardi Gras! Galveston’s 2011 Guinness Book of World Records title for the largest umbrella dance with 1,461 people in September 2011. Last year the Mardi Gras! Galveston Umbrella Brigade set the first record with 492 participants on February 25, 2011. This year’s umbrella dancers hope to break the Romania record with another five- minute performance to the Hokey Pokey during the Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade parade in Galveston’s historic downtown on Friday, February 10 at 8:30 p.m.
More individuals, groups and organizations are needed to get funky with the Uptown Umbrella Brigade on opening night of Mardi Gras! Galveston. People interested
in participating in
Galveston’s 2012 Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade should register online at www.
mardigrasgalveston.com. All costumed participants will receive entry
FREE into the Entertainment
District with their decorated umbrella. The procession will begin at 20th Street between Mechanic & Strand and hokey pokey their way through the district. All participants must come with a mandatory decorated umbrella.
For more information on how to participate call 409.770.0999 or email
yagasentertainment@hotmail.com.
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