“How can anyone top this?!” was the exclamation from guests at the Bat Mitzvah of Lara Kay, youngest daughter of Dr. Bill and Mrs. Lynn Kay. This exquisite Bat Mitzvah was held at the beautiful Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton on Saturday December 1^st 2007.ME Productions staff, under the close direction of Skip Panse, Executive Sales & Events Manager, began this elaborate decorating feat two days prior to the event date! The planning of this event took months of meetings with Dr. Bill and Lynn Kay, countless hours of building props, designing custom décor and site inspections.

As guests drove along the holiday-lighted, palm-lined boulevard that leads to the Club, orange and fuchsia lights set the clubhouse ablaze as a group of young men twirling and spinning signs directed the vehicles to the porte cochiere. The guests exited from their vehicles and stepped onto a custom white carpet, stenciled with Lara’s name and a custom logo that ME productions had created just for Lara. Four giant dance platforms were rocking with talented break dancers from M Three Productions. Guests then entered the venue through a giant boom box entrance that was created especially for this event. The valet area was lined with panels of graffiti filled brick walls.Inside the lobby, tall back-lit light boxes presented six sensational photos of Lara in vintage gowns that once belonged to her grandmother. These photos were created by Lara Stern of Fotik Photography.

The children proceeded to their cocktail area on the first level where “Peanut Butter,” the renowned face painter and his staff, painted both the children’s and adult’s faces. Carnival booths and activities such as live crab races, slot car races and pop-a-shot basketball, surrounded Lara’s posh lounge that featured a tropical “virgin” cocktail bar complete with custom light-up drink glasses that were imprinted with Lara’s logo. White yucca palm trees with orange and fuchsia ostrich feather tops decorated the cocktail tables in the children’s area. The kids had a blast!!!

The adults ascended the staircase to the cocktail area on the second floor. This area was decorated with a network of silver trusses, revolving disco balls, near neon lights, intelligent moving lights, stretches of spandex illuminated with custom gobo’s and shimmering curtains of beads. The effect was mesmerizing. A looped track movie with sound featuring Lara was projected on a spandex screen at the top of the stairs. The guests were astounded.

The adult cocktail area was entirely draped from floor to ceiling with lush black crushed velvet drapery. Accented around the top of the drapes, yards and yards of orange and fuchsia organza created a gorgeous valance. Hightop cocktail tables were decorated with balls of orange and fuchsia roses that surrounded French shaded bistro lamps. Chef Bart created a dramatic ice bar that was filled with cracked crab claws and the largest shrimp that we had ever seen!

Some of the caterer’s cocktail fare was presented to the guests by two “living tables,” built around bejewelled and feathered models, dressed with fabric to look like grand ball gowns. These beautiful women glided through the cocktail area offering delicious hors d’oeuvres. The cocktail revellers spilled onto the Veranda where a terrific Latin band with salsa dancers entertained. Guests selected the premium wines from a wine tasting bar.

The gasps were audible as the guests entered the grand ballroom. The walls were draped in white crushed velvet. Yards and yards of white organza and Tivoli lights were draped from the ballroom ceiling. White spheres were suspended from the ceiling throughout the ballroom. Amazing lighting effects filled the guest’s eyes. The elevated dance stage was connected to the club’s regular stage by a railed cat walk that enabled the kids to get from the “posh” white-on- white leather lounge (created by M E productions) on the existing stage to the raised dance stage. “Sugar Bones” was the DJ/ MC for the evening and had all the guests shaking their bon bon’s till well after 1 a.m. The Music and dancers were awesome. The “highlight” of the evening for Lara was a guest appearance by the current top of the chart rapper Flo-Rida! Dr. and Mrs. Kay had arranged for Flo-Rida to come as a surprise for Lara. What a treat it was! The videographer caught the surprised look on Lara’s glowing face!

It is weeks later and people are still talking about the centerpieces and the room environment! Some featured giant mirrored acrylic musical instruments surrounded with a pave’ of orange, burgundy and fuchsia premium blossoms. These centerpieces towered 7 feet over every other table. They emanated from a base container that was covered with glistening CD’s “fish scale style.” Surrounding the entire setting, a myriad of glass-enclosed votives and floating candles rose from a bed of rock candy illuminated by pink and orange LED lights. The alternating centerpieces presented in the same color and flower scheme were gigantic 5-foot diameter balls of flowers that hovered above the tables. Keeping the tables uniform, these centerpieces were also surrounded by the illuminated rock candy, votives and floating candles. Fuchsia and orange custom Payette studded linens were accented with custom charger plates, and custom crystal stemware. Cushioned “Crystal Ice” Chiavari chairs were wrapped in organza chair ties, each adorned with “tussy mussy” styled bouquets of flowers that matched the centerpieces. Again culinary genius Chef Bart created a steak filet and lobster dinner that could rival any of the finest restaurants in the country.

Lara’s Candle Lighting featured a beautiful arrangement of fondant-covered cakes that matched the color scheme. These whimsical cakes aligned in a pyramid style took up an entire buffet table and each held a candle for Lara’s honored guests. At the end of the evening, each adult guest received a wonderful cake to take home. The children were given custom logo sweat shirts and gift bags to carry all of there winnings and treats from the carnival booths.

Gifts for the children were provided by ME Productions’ Premium department.

Hats off to everyone who contributed to this wonderful event!

Skip Panse

ME Productions

More Pictures of Laura’s Musical Moment

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