1st Annual ARISE 5K Walk and Run at Leadbetter

The first annual 5K Walk and Run was a community friend-raiser and fund-raiser for Santa Barbara Rescue Mission’s Bethel House Women’s Residential Treatment Program. We accommodated 300 or so runners and walkers to help raise money and awareness for this organization’s mission.

Felici Events has built the website, created the marketing materials, digital media, and promotion, submitted free listings, and organized community efforts of sponsorship and word-of-mouth promotion with our partners and sponsors. Felici Events has also produced and managed the logistics of the event, including registration, rentals, volunteers, decor, food, beverage, and entertainment.

Asian Themed Fundraiser at Casa de la Guerra

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:

1. A candy station filled with assorted authentic Asian sweets and snacks for guests to enjoy.
2. 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.

The Good Fortune fundraiser would not have been possible without all the amazing event professionals and the continuous support of the community. 

Gong Xi Fa Cai! (May you have a prosperous New Year!)

Grazie Mille to the Felici-fied team that made the Asian Celebration a huge success:

Planner and Designer: Felici Events | Catering - Pan Asian Cuisine Lorraine Lim Catering |  Florist: Juniper Floral Designs | Lighting Bellavista Designs | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Greenery Village Gardner | Beer (donated): Asahi Beer | Calligraphy | Artist Yin Ping Zheng | Sushi and Sake: Studio Nihon | Taiko Drummers: Oxnard Buddhist Temple Taiko Group | Dancers Sino West Photographer: Clint Weisman Studio

Felici Events Featured in CASA Magazine

Article from CASA Magazine

Felici Events Makes News for Planning Santa Barbara's Largest Philanthropic Event

Special thanks to CASA magazine for their article, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” published in August 2009. The article, written by Jacqueline Dyson, provides a detailed description of the event and includes information about Michael Towbes. This birthday celebration also served as a benefit for the Granada Restoration Capital Campaign and raised approximately $1.2M.

As the evening drew to a close, the party was just getting started! Dancing under the stars to Lois Mahalia & The Georgetown Band, exuberant guests rocked the house. Michael enjoyed dancing to his favorite song ‘YMCA’ with wife Anne, granddaughter Allison, and the family. Michael and Anne savored a special moment with the favorite, At Last, and shut is down with a rousing last dance Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough. When all was said and diner, the party’s theme summed it up well: “It’s a Wonderful Life!” – CASA Magazine

Casa Magazine celebrates life in Santa Barbara. This award-winning weekly magazine focuses on cultural institutions and non-profits that support basic human rights and stewardship of the earth. Jacqueline Dyson has written other articles on local fundraising events, including:

• La Fiesta del Museo
• A Night at the Opera Santa Barbara

Felici Events is a first-class event design and production company based in Santa Barbara, California that produces events like this 80th birthday celebration. Contact us if you are planning an upcoming birthday celebration and looking for a company that listens to and expertly translates its clients’ visions into reality.

The Diana Basehart Foundation - for the love of animals

A Real Felici Events Fundraising Afternoon

If you know one thing about Zohe, it is her passion and advocacy for animals.

Felici Events was honored to be part of a committed and wonderful group of ladies, as we produced their second annual fundraising event.  Here is a sneak peek at this gorgeous afternoon full of animal lovers, video by by Brian Peddicord.

 Event Co-Chairs David Krieger and Tipper Gore, pictured with Diana Basehart,

little Nell and Salud Carbajal (Photo by Valori Fussell)

The Diana Basehart Foundation helps elders and those on limited incomes care for and keep their beloved companion animals by providing support for veterinary behavioral and nutritional needs; while also minimizing the number of animals being turned over to shelters.  CLICK ON THIS LINK to view more pictures of the event, as well as finding out more about the organization and how you can help.