Our 36th Annual Block Party on the back lot of Paramount Studios on Saturday, July 10 brought in a well over ONE MILLION DOLLARS, which will go towards the funding for 48 cancer researchers across America and around the world. The evening honored Jim & Ishita Ganguly-Morrison for their commitment toward finding a cure for cancer.
This year’s circus themed block party has become one of the most exceptional “foodie” events in Los Angeles, brought in 11 new restaurants/caterers and beverage suppliers this year making for a total of 63 stations throughout the venue. Some of the “newbie's” include Grace/BLD, Lemonade, Club Culinaire of French Cuisine, Delphine at the W Hollywood, Eva’s restaurant, Larchmont Grill, Napa Valley Grille, Tavern, Via Alloro/Tanino Ristorante, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Bakelab, Cakified, Gotta have S’more who joined long-time participants such as Akasha, The Grill on the Alley, Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Jazz Grill, Factor’s & The Mark for Events, Bar Hayama/California Sushi Academy, Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs, Ventura Limoncello, Reed’s Ginger Brews, Acadie Crêpes, Cookies for a Koz, La Provence Patisserie, La Cachette Bistro, the Chaya Group, Larsen’s Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao, Lawry’s Catering, Pane e Vino, Rosti Tuscan Kitchen, Samba Brazilian Steakhouse, Casa Torelli Italian Wines, Pasquini, Weaver’s Coffee, TeaZazz Sparkling Teas, Mr. Cecil’s Ribs, Savore Cuisine, Breadbar, Casablanca Restaurant, Joss Cuisine, Someone’s in the Kitchen, Il Cielo, Stockholm Krystal Vodka, Dos Lunas Tequila, Asahi Beer, Platine Bakery, DeLuscious Cookies & Milk, Dandy Don’s Ice Cream, San Genaro Café, Xooro, Se’ La Vi Sweets and The Bistro Garden. Other attractions included massages and manicures from LeSpa at Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles, which was booked throughout the night, digital photos sponsored by Hold the Date Events, and donation stations throughout the party where guests could purchase flashing hearts to wear on their lapels that raised an additional $6,000. Also present at the event was Concern’s community partner; the Save the Tatas Foundation, which has committed $50,000 toward Concern’s support of an upcoming breast cancer researchers. Los Angeles magazine, the event’s media sponsor, brought with them the Cadillac Dealers of Southern California who also showed their support of Concern Foundation with a check for $10,000 and a couple of their 2011 vehicles as well as some designer mannequins representing the opening of the new Santa Monica Place shopping center. Town & Country Event Rentals, Hold The Date Events and John Ferdenzi of John Ben Ventures provided the “streetmosphere” for the evening which included a full size merry-go-round, ferris wheel, palm readers & airbrush tattoos.
Musical entertainment was provided by the stellar Tom Nolan Band and DJ Layne who kept things hopping in the area adjacent to the 70 plus table casino. A tremendous silent auction area and live auction brought in some additional revenue to support the cancer research scientists. Clowns, trapeze artists and circus acts throughout the venue kept the over 3,000 guests entertained all night long. The evening’s MC was once again the fantastic Frank Mottek of KNX Newsradio’s Business Hour.
