Felici Events Presents: Good Fortune Fundraiser

Happy Chinese New Year!! As we enter the year of the rooster, we are reminded of one of our favorite fundraising events we have produced. Since we specialize in ethic-centric event production, Felici Events loves bringing culture and traditions into the event design as well as the guest experience. Naturally, when the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation' hired us to plan their Good Fortune Fundraiser, we were ecstatic to take on the challenge of planning and transforming the location to create a FeliciFied event.

The purpose of the evening was to honor the rich Asian American heritage (infusion of all the cultures living convivially) of Santa Barbara, as well as recognize the iconic Asakura hotel (which is now occupied by The Pickle Room and Three Pickles).

The ethnic event took place at the historical Casa de La Guerra, which embodies an open and private courtyard in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Felici Events transformed the Spanish style location into a variety of Asian adventures for guests to sample throughout the evening. This non-profit fundraiser infused a variety of Asian cultures and traditions by using logistics, entertainment, food, beverage, lighting and decor.

As guests entered the "Good Fortune" fundraiser, they were greeted by an installation of Japanese silver cranes hung above the entry corridor. Once in the plaza, an Asian font inspired sign provided guests the opportunity to quickly scan what the night offered, and in which direction each narrative is located.

Inside the plaza, the celebration was a night filled with exciting entertainment including the ever impressive Japanese Taiko drums, spectacular Asian dance performances, an authentic Chinese calligraphy station, an origami making station and the highly successful silent and live auction furnishing authentic Asian art and a myriad of gorgeous themed jewelry. A fan-inspired program provided guests with their numbers for auction and paddle raises, as well as informed them of the different items for auction, food and beverage stations and activities available.

The appetizing adventure embodied a variety of Asian posts including made to order sushi, Chinese noodle to go boxes, custom-made rice stir fry and a Vietnamese vegetarian station. Refreshments included a Sake Tasting station, Asian beer, a full bar and a private specialty hot tea tasting for 10 guests every 1/2 hour.

Lastly, Felici Events even created two of our favorite culinary-decor focal experiences:

A candy station filled with assorted authentic Asian sweets and snacks for guests to enjoy.
A "Jimmy’s Lounge" sign inspired by the iconic "Jimmy's Oriental Gardens" sat above a specialty drink bar serving two signature drinks: a Thai Chili Spicy Lychee Martini and an Asian Pear Mojito.

The unique element to this event is that it was a flow, without formal seating. Stations, tasting activities and entertainment available throughout the night were a huge hit, and a #FeliciFied component of "bringing the group together" for the fundraising and announcement aspect of the program.