600 yelpers. 25 food, beauty and bevvie vendors. A live Jazz band. Goody-filled schwag bags. A glammed-out, paparazzi-photo-snapping red carpet. Exhibits featuring sparkling gems, giant hippos, color-drenched butterflies and painstakingly constructed glass flowers. Plus—$3,600 raised for the worthy local charity Project Smile? Why, that's just another Tuesday night in the land of Yelp Boston!
In case you missed it (and where exactly where you?!) the glitteratti of Yelp Boston descended upon The Harvard Museum of Natural History on August 18, 2009 for an evening filled with mouth-watering samples from some of the hottest restaurants in Boston, heat-relieving sips from thirst-quenching liquor sponsors and an entire beauty room to get you red-carpet ready, with aromatherapy, eyebrow threading, makeup makeovers, mini-manicures, hair artistry and skincare demonstrations!
To start off the night, our illustrious Elite Squad got a VIP sneak peek of our fabulous sponsors at 7pm. Ben L's dashing white jacket sure turned some heads, while Ben K and Virginia Su M's vintage attire rocked the fashion house. Melissa M hit the carpet Kennedy-style, with a classic black-and-white number, and we welcomed Yelp Event first-timers: Tyler G, Nate R and Jessie Z!
And just who are these tremazing sponsors who made this night so delicious, so talked-about and so gossip-worthy? How about a little love for the swinging jazz music from selected members of The Beantown Swing Orchestra, nibbles provided by Tantric India Bistro, Poe's Kitchen at The Rattlesnake, Henrietta's Table, Temple Bar, Grafton Street, Gaslight, Masa, Boloco, and Bon Savor, sweets served courtesy of Still River Winery, Sweet & Taza Chocolate. Drinks mixed by Maker's Mark, Domaine de Canton, Narragansett, Honest Tea, Fuze, Sake2Me and SVEDKA, plus made-to-order fruit shakes from b.good. And don't forget all those hot, hot beauty treatments from Salon Red, Kameleon Healing, Naz Kupelian Salon and Rhone Botanicals. From food and cocktails, to pampering and atmosphere-enhancing music, these sponsors went all out, bringing their A-Game and impressing yelpers far and wide!
But the biggest reward of the night? Gala-goers raised $3,600 for Project Smile, a non-profit organization
which donates new and previously owned stuffed animals, coloring
books, crayons, small toys and children's reading books for police
officers, fire fighters and paramedics to give to children involved in traumatic situations. The money raised at The Red Carpet Gala will help Project Smile reach their goal
of providing all emergency responders throughout New
England and eventually throughout the nation, with a continual supply
of comfort items to help ease the pain and fear of traumatized
children.
A bow to The Harvard Museum of Natural History for being our fabulous hosts for the evening and welcoming yelpers new and veteran with open arms! And to those who made this event possible, it's been an honor: Sara S, Jane K, Peter D, Miriam W, Chantelle K, Kevin L and Andrea R…much love from Yelp Boston for coming up to the Hub!
OH! And the RAFFLE? Get ready to check your numbers because here there are: 962896 wins the $100 Dollar Gift Certificate to Upstairs on The Square, 962554 wins the VIP tickets to Wine Riot, 962570 wins ticket to Wine Riot I, 962710 wins tickets to Wine Riot II, (all Wine Riot tickets courtesy of our friends at The Second Glass) 962765 wins the $75 Gift Certificate to Shoebuy.com, 962780 wins the Boston Ballet Subscription, and 963063 wins the dinner prepared by Chef Brian Poe of Poe's Kitchen at The Rattlesnake. Claim your prizes by sending an email to boston@yelp.com and be prepared to prove your winnings!
The photos by Natasha Moustache and Tatsu Ikeda are fantastic. The photo booth shots by Lara Callahan are chic. Couldn't make the event but still want to donate to Project Smile? Be generous here! Got some favorite stories to add or an anecdote to relay: Write it up here! In need of juicy gossip or up-to-the-minute details? Peep the talk thread. But whatever you do, don't take your eyes of Yelp Boston for a minute…'cause the best is yet to come!!
Much Love, Vive le Pineapple and SYOY!
Cheers,
Leighann F.
