This Year’s Green And White Gala Is About To Get Even Swankier

Boston’s most anticipated springtime gala is about to get even swankier. This year, the Friends of the Public Garden’s Green and White Ball will blossom at a haute new venue – the Four Seasons Hotel Boston.

Get your dancing shoes ready for Friday night’s Back Bay bash that will be put on by Frost Productions and PEAK Event Services. Hundreds of guests are expected to come out this weekend to check out the black-tie event’s third decade of celebrations. The Friends’ largest fundraiser of the year will start off with a cocktail reception followed by a three-course dinner and dancing with the band Night Shift.

Photo Credit: Frost Productions

Also new this year will be Marc Hall Design, who will be adorning the event with exotic plants and indigenous species local to the area. “The Friends of the Public Garden had changed venues to host the charity ball this year to the Four Seasons Hotel and they were seeking a fresh and new aesthetic for the occasion,” said Marc Hall. “My firm, Marc Hall Design, is very philanthropic within our community. Ecology is a huge focus of our support. I was quite familiar with the cause and I am elated that I was approached to partner with them.”

As for a preview of what Marc Hall and his team have planned? “Integrating hot-house plants and exotics among indigenous species was general practice in the mid-late 19th century; today it is reappearing, reflecting Boston’s Victorian heritage,” he said. “This year, as an homage to the late great florist William Doogue, the centerpieces my team and I have designed in monochromatic tones of green, are inspired by the beauty of Doogue’s thought process in utilizing exotic and hothouse plants to the landscape. Remember, this was a time when most of the populous didn’t have the means to travel as we do today and it was nearly impossible to import plants from other countries. I hope the guests enjoy discovering the many varieties we have incorporated into the tabletop décor, and to quote William Doogue, ‘The Garden is still today a public pride.’  It has been my aspiration to raise public awareness of my craft much in the same manner chefs in the culinary world have done so in the food industry. In addition, I hope that the botanical compositions that we create somehow weave their way into the subconscious reminding our culture of how beautiful and precious the living world that surrounds us is.”

Over the past two decades, the Green and White Ball has raised more than $6 million to support the Friends’ mission of caring for the Boston Common, Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

Photo Credit: PEAK Event Services

We caught up recently with Elizabeth Vizza, executive director of the Friends of the Public Garden, to talk about this year’s event.

Tell us a little about what a first time attendee can expect at this year‘s gala.

The Green and White Ball is a wonderful community gathering of people who care about protecting and improving Boston’s historic parks, the Boston Common, the Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The evening will feature a lively cocktail reception with signature cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, an elegant three-course dinner by the Four Seasons, followed by dancing with the band Night Shift.

It sounds like this year‘s event is going to be bigger and better than ever. What can a returning guest expect?

We’re excited to have our wonderful long-time Green and White Supporters experience the new look and feel of this popular event. We’re thrilled to work with our new creative partners, the Four Seasons, Marc Hall Design, Frost Productions and PEAK Event Services to build on the vibrant brand of this neighborhood event that people have enjoyed for so many years, while also infusing it with new energy. We’re also thrilled that this year, members of our Young Friends of the Public Garden will be joining us for dessert and dancing, adding their enthusiasm to the evening.

Photo Credit: Marc Hall Design

How did the partnership with Marc Hall Design come about?

We were introduced to Marc Hall Design by one or our Ball co-Chairs, Tamar Frieze. We were excited to learn of Marc’s passion for the Public Garden and captivated by his vision to bring the unique beauty of the Garden into the ballroom to create a beautiful event for our guests.

Why did you decide to have this year‘s gala at the Four Seasons?

The event has grown in recent years and we needed to find a larger venue. Also, with the Ball in its 21^st year, it was decided it was a good time to make some changes to keep the event fresh, even as simple as offering a new view of the Garden from the Ballroom.

Photo Credit: Friends of the Public Garden