Ira and Jody Orlowsky hosted a wonderful Bat Mitzvah celebration for their daughter Bari at the exciting new Haute Cuisine venue, Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland Florida on March 29th, 2008.

Bari’s theme, “Sealed with a Kiss,” more commonly known as “SWAK,” started in the lobby with a lovely elevated arrangement of pink roses in different shades set atop a tall glass cylinder vase filled with wrapped Hershey’s Kisses. The display was set atop a table that was dressed in floor-length satin linens to match the color scheme of the evening. Place cards for the Orlowsky’s guests were arranged around this lush setting.

The children had their cocktail hour in the Oneg room that is located right off the lobby. Activities and entertainment for the children included nail fashions and gave each child (and quite a few adults) computerized nail paintings. The boys loved it as much as the girls and some of the Dads sported nail designs from their favorite NBA and NFL teams.

After being treated to the exceptional “fete’’ that Haute Cuisine created in the adult cocktail hour, the children and adults reunited in the Grand Ballroom for dinner and dancing.

Bari’s friends went to her “Hugs and Kisses” Lounge to “hang out” in style with the custom lounge furnishings created by Skip and his staff from ME Productions. Leather sofa groupings, hightop cocktail tables covered in fuchsia metalic shag floor-length cloths, tall cylinder vases each with a giant Hershey’s kiss set atop the vase and white Chiavari bar stools gave the children a “posh” Manhattan-style lounge to enjoy for the evening.

Ira and Jody’s guests dined at the most elegantly appointed tables that were fitted with custom fuchsia linens and black satin napkins. Sleek black spandex chair covers gave a chic contemporary look. Elevated centerpieces of dozens of roses gave the room the look and scent of a rose garden.

The stage was flanked on either side by giant photo/portraits of Bari that were back-lit. This created an amazing focal point to the ballroom that customized it and made it Bari’s very own. The guests all boogied until late night to the great music provided by the DJ under a custom ceiling decoration of black organza with a myriad of tiny Tivoli lights. Large glitter lips and oversized glittered hearts were suspended from the ceiling and added the crowning glory for this spectacular evening!

Congratulations Bari, Mazel Tov Ira and Jody, and Hats off to Skip and ME Productions for another beautiful event!

Ken and Ellen Kay hosted a wonderful Bat Mitzvah celebration for their daughter Sharon after morning services at Temple Beth Emet on February 23^rd 2008.

“Are You Smarter than a Seventh Grader?” was Sharon’s was very unique and fun theme! It started in the lobby right after services. A magnificent floral arrangement was elevated above “the teacher’s desk” place card table.

School bus and apple place cards for the adults were a novel and thematic way to let each guest know where they would be sitting in the ballroom.

The children’s area of the ballroom had school desks and the podiums just like the television show. A feature of the party and a big hit with the guests was the interactive game that was modeled after the actual reality game show.

An enormous arch of purple, silver and white balloons created a backdrop for the blackboard like sign with math problems that was elevated in back of the children’s area.

The ballroom looked bright and crisp. The adult tables were covered in floor-length purple satin cloths and the chairs were covered in white accented with purple poly chair ties.

ME Productions decorated the table tops with actual laptops that were placed on mirrored risers. All sorts of school supplies - protractors, pencils, erasers, markers, rulers, composition books and dictionaries - were clustered around the laptop. A purple and white floral arrangement was incorporated in the setting with a cluster of balloons that color-coordinated with the purple and white linens. Sharon had a Powerpoint presentation on each of the laptops on the tables that played during the event and her guests were delighted. (what a fabulous idea!!)

The guests were treated to a delicious luncheon by Haute Cuisine Caterer at Beth Emet. This was definitely a unique, colorful and fun luncheon.

Congratulations Ellen and Ken on your daughter’s Bat Mitzvah and Mazel Tov Sharon!

A big “Thank You” to Skip and the Staff at ME Productions for another beautiful event.

“Wow!” was the word for the evening at Sandy Lichtenstein’s Bar Mitzvah Celebration at the prestigious St. Andrews Country Club on March 8, 2008.

“Sailing Away with Sandy” was a very special theme for this young man. The guests were treated on arrival with glowing tiki torches and palm trees that lined the staircase to the cocktail room. Once inside the Club, the crisp royal blue, lime and white color scheme dazzled the eyes while the soft rhythmic sounds of the steel drum band, provided by ME Productions’ Entertainment Department, delighted the ears of each guest.

Sandy’s guests had a blast with the live crab races in the cocktail area. People were cheering and betting on which crab would win the race!

After cocktail hour, the Lichtensteins’ guests proceeded across a rustic wooden footbridge that traversed an actual “tidal pond.”

Once inside the ballroom, artistic backdrop panels of sail boats, set full sail in regatta mode, set the scene at the entrance. Lush foliage, sea gulls, buoys, dock pilings and lobster traps, gave the impression that you were at the seashore watching the boats race…

The ballroom was decorated in the same lime green, royal blue and white color scheme. White Chiavari chairs gave an “out doorsy” look to the room and complemented ME’s lush table linens. As an added touch, napkins were “French” folded and accented with a miniature white orchid blossom. “Exquisite!”

One of the highlights of the adult area were the custom logo Regatta Sail Boats that glided over a sea of wonderful blue and green premium blossoms elevated above the tables on tall glass cylinder vases filled with sea shells and blue tinted water. The additional drama of glass-enclosed hanging candles created a sensational effect. Every detail on the table right down to custom table markers were meticulously handled by the professional party planning and coordination of Skip Panse and the ME Productions renowned Floral, Production and Art departments.

The room was entirely draped in royal blue fabric from ceiling to floor. The ballroom ceiling was decorated with yards of white chiffon, accented with a multitude of Tivoli lights, creating a “crowning” effect.

A scenic backdrop of a setting sun on the ocean placed in the rear of the children’s area set the mood of a surreal seaside and three custom made sail boats with Sandy’s very own logo were placed in front of the backdrop to enhance the setting.

Sandy and his friends relaxed and “hung out” in his seaside lounge with leather sofas and area-pit seating groupings. Hightop cocktail tables surrounded by barstools were adorned with lighthouses and model sail boats to complete the look.

As additional entertainment area featuring foosball, air hockey, Black Jack and Texas Hold ‘Em tables was provided for the children. A terrific candy bar with both vintage and new candies was a big hit with the adults and the children alike.

Christine May, the catering director at St. Andrews, and her wonderful staff, made this event extra special with the personal, elegant, sophisticated touch that both she and St. Andrews are noted for. St. Andrews’ new Chef created wonderful dinner fare that delighted the guests’ palates.

The live and combined DJ music had the guests dancing and celebrating Sandy’s special evening to the fullest.

Congratulations Jeff and Barbara on your son’s Bar Mitzvah and Mazel Tov Sandy. Kudos Christine and St. Andrews. “Hats Off” to Skip and ME Productions on the Production of another sensational and creative event!

“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

Bar Mitzvah of Chad Kramer

December 1, 2007 was an amazing evening at Temple Beth Emet for the Kramer family! The Kramer’s and their guests were celebrating Chad Kramer’s Bar Mitzvah.

When Mitch and Evie Kramer selected a Martial Arts theme for their son, they came to event designer Skip Panse at ME Productions to plan and execute the event.

From the moment the guests exited their vehicles at the Temple, everyone knew that something very special was in store for them…….

The guests walked a plush red carpet lined with flaming tiki torches that led from the valet area to the front doorways and through the lobby to the sanctuary for Havdallah Services. Custom yarmulkes were provided through the premiums department at ME Productions and were presented to the guests on Asian-style tray as they entered the Synagogue.

The Bimah was decorated with magnificent floral arrangements that helped to create an elegant ambiance that Skip had created for the rest of the evening. Chad did a wonderful job reading from the Torah. During cocktail hour, the lobby was transformed into a plush lounge for the adult guests. The guests left the sanctuary to indulge in the amazing fare that Rene’ from Haute Cuisine had created. They were greeted by two costumed geishas as they entered the space. The geishas, who were provided through the entertainment department at ME Productions, mingled among the guests and signaled the end of cocktail hour by striking musical wind chimes. How very elegant!

The children exited the building after services to go to their cocktail space in a huge white tent that ME Productions provided. The tent was filled with games and activities that occupied the children for not only the cocktail hour but for the rest of the evening as well. They had a sensational time!

The Ballroom was transformed by Skip and his ME staff into a magical dining area with Asian-inspired décor combined with the special “Delano Hotel” influence.

The adult area was separated from the children’s area with a wall of white organza that had several openings enabling the children to come on and off the dance floor while maintaining a feeling of exclusivity for them. Hightop tables, sofas, interior lighted mahogany tables with cushioned benches and lighted bars gave the children’s area a rich masculine look amidst the all-white backdrop.

The adult tables were uniquely decorated with two separate table designs. Some tables were square, some were round. The square tables were set under an organza “dining alcove” that featured a sparkling beaded chandelier suspended from the overhead structure. Stunning premium white flowers, acrylic rods and Asian lanterns on the table were accented with a myriad of candles set into a bed of rock salt crystals. The round tables were decorated with Asian Soji screens that surrounded a tall glass vase filled with curly willow branches that were hand appliquéd with white orchid blossoms. Exceptional white blossoms, cylinder vases with floating candles, glass enclosed votives and rock salt crystals finished the base of each setting.

The entire ballroom was draped from floor to ceiling with white velour draperies. The ballroom ceiling was decorated with yards and yards of white organza accented with a multitude of Tivoli lights and giant white, air-filled spheres. The entire look was mesmerizing and the gasps of the Kramers’ guests as they entered the ballroom were audible. The adult guests also had access to an elegant all-white lounge area where they could have a cocktail and conversation.

Skip worked closely with the Kramer’s and Haute Cuisine on the Presentation of the food so that it matched the overall décor of the evening. Chef and Rene’ rose to the challenge and outdid themselves.

Chuck, Haute Cuisine’s noteworthy Maitre’d, remarked that one would never know that this was Temple Beth Emet’s ballroom. He was astonished on how Skip and his staff had transformed it so beautifully for the Kramer’s special evening!

DJ Galaxie from Atlanta” and the M Three dancers had the guests shaking their booties until parties end.

This was certainly the “event of the season” at Temple Beth Emet.

Hats off to Skip and everyone from ME productions for a totally creative event and memorable event and mazel tov to Chad and the Kramers on this special occasion!