Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - Keith Mattingly, Socal.com Writer
Skirball Cultural Center's beautiful Ahmanson Ballrooom played host to the classy gathering.
Niomisha Wilson of Aejay'e & The Full Spectrum Band kept the crowd singing and jiving to the band's soulful sounds.
While Mardi Gras and Mardi Gras celebrations are often bent or warped into many forms of festivity – such as Australia's traditional gay pride parade, or an implied synonymity with tasteless College Girls Gone Wild escapades – Date in L.A. put on an authentic and classy party in the traditional New Orleans style, at LA's Skirball Cultural Center. Located in Sepulveda Pass, the event took place on the night of Friday, February 1st. On top of the classic beads, masks, tiaras, and colorful hats, was outstanding music, dancing, and delicious treats to grace the complex's beautiful half-dome shaped Ahmanson Ballroom.
The quarters were decked out with plenty of green, purple, and gold, including fully-adorned tables and chairs circling the central dancefloor, and two cash bars flanking the sides. Sweet-tooths could find their fix at the lavish chocolate fondue fountain, complete with strawberries, pretzels, and crackers for covering.
The party lasted late into the night, providing older partygoers the opportunity to once again feel young and wild if they so desired. Better yet, the event's proceeds all went to Direct Relief International, benefitting victims of Hurricane Katrina and the recent Southern California fires.
Guests braving the dancefloor flaunted their moves in the contest; those looking to accessorize could find masks and decorations aplenty.
Headlining the evening's festivities was Aejay'e & The Full Spectrum Band, who combine elements of rhythm and blues, jazz, and disco/funk to create a smooth, sexy sound and contagious vibe of energy and soul. The band's captivating energy is led by Adam Jackson, an accomplished vocalist who has recorded with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross, and female vocalist Niomisha Wilson, along with accompanying guitar, bass, violin, keyboard, and trumpet. Covering hit songs such as "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé and Jay-Z, "Let's Get It Started" by The Black Eyed Peas, and Prince's "Little Red Corvette", the New Orleans-based group had the whole crowd dancing, oohing, and aahing.
Accompanying Aejay'e was DJ Danno, also native to the Big Easy, who spun classics and new
releases all night as well as putting on the popular couples' dance contest, and challenging the men in the house to do "The Alligator." The mainly middle-aged crowd clearly had a blast dancing to the latest youthful tracks, and seizing the opportunity to feel young and wild themselves.
Skirball Cultural Center is a nationally acclaimed center of Jewish culture, and hosts a variety of shows, displays, and events. The center, located just off of the 405 in the Sepulveda Pass, features its own museum, music, theater, comedy, film, and family events, all housed in a stunning visual wonder designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie. For more information on events and shows at Skirball, see the link below.
Photos by Natalie Fong and Nina Naydenova
Link to Party Photos: http://new.socal.com/photopost/
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