The movie industry's glitterati will enter a serene world of Asian chic at the 78th Academy Awards' Governors Ball on March 5 as designed by Cheryl Cecchetto and produced by her and her team at Culver City, Calif.-based Sequoia Productions.
A press preview last week showed off the room design and menu at the event site, the Hollywood & Highland entertainment complex in Hollywood. The design team--which includes fabrications by Nelson Sosa, renderings and some fabrications by Rohit Fernandez at Studio RFD, floral by Mark's Garden and lighting by ELS--has crafted a theme based on "Design of Light," where the Governors Ballroom ceiling will become a reflective surface holding some 9,000 fluorescent tubes. The walls will feature up-lit columns and a glowing water wall on one side. Faders and dimmers will create motion and mood.
Guests will dine at rectangular tables on tiers cantilevered over the sidewalls. Seating includes banquettes and metal chairs encased in skintight white chair covers. The tables, which sit atop white box legs, will be covered in tailored white Ultrasuede with a self-corded edge. Centerpieces alternate between fountains that play water against pebbled glass and polished river rocks, and floral arrangements with white phalaenopsis orchids, lime green cymbidium orchids, horsetail, moss and lichen. The fountains were designed by Cecchetto and Mike Michaud; Michaud oversaw their manufacture.
Featuring a subtle interplay of textures, table settings will include pebbled, translucent glass chargers, cone-shaped glassware with translucent bases, "Olympus" stainless steel flatware with mother-of-pearl inlays from Unique Tabletop Rentals and linen napkins.
As the 1,600 guests prepare to enter the ballroom, they will be treated to ice bars backed by illuminated wall panels in a Zen garden area. Entertainment will include singer Patti Austin, sax player Tom Scott and the Greg Fields Orchestra.
Celebrated chef/restaurateur Wolfgang Puck will handle catering for the event, offering traditional Ball favorites such as his signature smoked salmon pizzas and 4,200 chocolate "Oscar" statuettes.
2006 Governors Ball Menu
Tray-Passed Hors D'Oeuvre
Smoked Salmon Pizza with Dill Creme Fraiche and Caviar
Spicy Tuna Tartare in a Sesame Miso Cone
Mini Prime Burgers with Aged Cheddar and Remoulade
Warm Gougeres with Potato, Cheese and Herbs
Baby Potatoes with Caviar and Chives
Steak Tartare in a Black Pepper Parmesan Cone
Duck Sausage Pizza with Leeks and Spinach
Antipasto Assortment
Marinated Baby Artichokes with Lemon Aioli
Tuna Tataki with Sweet Soy
Smoked Salmon 'Oscar' Matzos with Osetra Caviar
Chopped Vegetable Salad
Crab-stuffed Tiny Sweet Spanish Peppers
Citrus-marinated Shrimp
Green and White Asparagus with Prosciutto
Celery Root Soup with Fuji Apples and 24-Karat Gold
Pan-roasted Organic Chicken with Black Truffle Risotto
'Oscar's Sweet Fantasy' Dessert
