Guests arrived at the studio via a carpeted walkway, lined with small Moroccan lamps lit with candles
and then entered through an arch of thousands of chandelier crystals.
On the sides of the crystals were faux-painted brass panels with Moroccan lamps.
Once you entered the workrooms, the walls were hung with jewel-toned fabrics, hiding all of the tools and machines with which David makes his spectacular furniture. A standing candelabra lit the way, 
and there were tables with little finger cymbals for everyone and a small stage area for the belly-dancer. Lanterns and lamps, some of David's own design, hung from the wooden ceiling beams.
The main workroom's centerpiece was a sitting camel from Bug's extensive collection of light-up holiday display pieces, surrounded by dozens of votive candles. 
All around the perimeter of the room were huge lounging pillows that Bug - a seriously talented gal - had hand made. A full bar was tucked into a corner and hors d'oeuvres lined the table.
The library/office and showroom were also decorated, with a statue of a nude wearing a small bolero and a fez.
The food was Moroccan specialties, as well as familiar favourites including some of the most delicious roasted vegetables I've had in ages. 
It seemed that almost everyone at the party had come in costume, from nearly naked belly-dancers and fez monkeys to a completely covered woman in a full burka. People had either pulled their costumes from clothes that they'd picked up on trips to Morocco or had purchased on-line, or had hand-made out of sheets, pillow-cases and a Williams-Sonoma tea towel!Mr. Big.
The Fez Monkey.
Flip and Mr. Williams-Sonoma.
The Little Drummer Boy and the Shepherd.
The Knight Templar & Snake Man.
The Tin Man and a Genie.
The Little Drummer Boy and Me.
Ali Baba.
The Chorus Line
The Fez Monkey. Flip and Mr. Williams-Sonoma. The Little Drummer Boy and the Shepherd. The Knight Templar & Snake Man. The Tin Man and a Genie. The Little Drummer Boy and Me. Ali Baba. The Chorus Line Everyone left with wonderful memories of a fun evening, as well as a specially-mixed CD of Middle Eastern music. Thanks so much to David and Bug for inviting me and Mr. Big. It was just great!
Wonderfully exotic evening....'fez monkey'? Hmmmm.....
ReplyDeleteLooks like lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteMeg, What a party, how fun! I am not really into theme costume galas, I can see this as one I could be comfortable with!
ReplyDeletefun!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! The fez on Big is a keeper - I'll bet you're surprised how often it comes in handy. Love your beads.
ReplyDeleteThe be-dazzled kaftan looks fabulous!!! So glad you had fun...
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun...great pictures!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. Looks like a fantastic party.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fabulous time.
ReplyDeleteDo you people know there is a recession? What a lack of respect for your fellow countrymen!!
ReplyDeleteAnon@9:13... This is a man who employs 10 top-level craftspeople to make furniture. By having this party, he was also employing a catering company, buying bolts of fabric to decorate, and myriad other small things. Each of his guests bought costumes that they might not have otherwise. It wasn't hugely gaudy or fancy and it had been planned for a long time. It was his economic stimulus.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great party Meg. Thanks for sharing the photos.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is fabulous, P-D! Really, so much talent and creativity to put together something like this. The hand made longing pillows sound sound wonderful :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great time! And you look wonderful in your beautiful dress. ANd to Anon: people can't stop living or we will really be in a bigger mess. Optimism is what is needed and supporting craftsmen and other business'.
ReplyDeletelove the images ... the costumes! looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeletehere, here for the boost to the local economy and for having such a fun and exotic party - there are lots of other people out there who are hoping that more people like your friend would spend and support their local communities -
ReplyDeleteWOw, I really Love the Arabian nights theme. Middle Eastern music is so festive too! Love all of the costumes :)
ReplyDeleteKaren O.
As a former fundraiser and married to an endowment manager, our inclination to save now of all times is not what the country needs. We do need to spend if we can. We do need to stimulate the economy and we need to be generous to those who need our support in this difficult time. We also need laughter, good friends and a few moments to be transported to a more joyful place. Carry on.
ReplyDeleteThanks, LL... As a current fundraiser, I feel the same way. We were hit hard at our end-of-year appeal because people don't know where the bottom is yet. But the children we care for as in such desperate circumstances that if we don't provide care for them, who will?
ReplyDeleteHow fun! My family loves Moroccan restaurants and Middle Eastern music. We attended a Northwest Children's Theatre production of Arabian Nights a few years ago and bought the CD. It was original music, composed and recorded on traditional Persian instruments by Iranian master musicians Hossein and Bobek Salehi. It's neat to play it when we have a special meal at home with chicken and cous cous and hot sweet mint tea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your evening!
Bravo! And naysayers be damned. Recession or not, there's no reason not to have fun. And from the looks of the party, it looks as if it could have been done with little financial outlay. Food (make your own), wine (by cheap rosé), and candles (votive are so inexpensive), and the guests are responsible for their own costumes. How much trouble could that be?
ReplyDelete