Mon Atelier

Cheryl DressGuided by designer Ali Rahimi, Mon Atelier is a leader in exquisite couture. With a client list that includes Amy Adams, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria and Reese Witherspoon to name a few, Mon Atelier’s mark on Hollywood has been well established over the years. Ali Rahimi designs his one of a kind pieces by hand-sketching ideas during a one-on-one consultation, and then masterfully bringing his visions to life.Mon Atelier

Over the past 8 years, Mon Atelier has crafted gorgeous dresses for Sequoia Productions’ Founder and President, Cheryl Cecchetto. From the Emmys to the Oscars and events in between, Cheryl has had between 15-20 dresses from the Mon Atelier collection, each one more beautiful than the last. Keep checking back on Celebrate! to see Cheryl’s incredible gown for this year’s Oscars Governors Ball on February 26!

Photo: Toky Photography

Marina Libia

With over 20 years experience, Marina Libia has established herself as an expert in the Tasting Australia food and wine promotion business. Together with David Evans and Ian Parmenter she started the successful ABC Television food-show “Consuming Passions” in 1992, and worked as the production manager throughout its 10 years and 450 episodes of production.

Among many other notable achievements, Marina has been the Event Manager for Tasting Australia (an international food and wine event in Adelaide, South Australia) since 1996 and has been responsible for sourcing and coordinating the Australian chefs and produce for the G’Day USA event since 2003.

 

We couldn’t resist asking Marina for her favorite dinner menu recipes! Enjoy!

Appetizer: Italian Style Zucchini and Parmesan Soup

Entree: Spice Pork Braised with Prunes and Apricots

Dessert: Pear and Almond Flan

 

 

Cheryl Cecchetto: Looking Back at 2011 and Onward to 2012

Favorite Sequoia Moment in 2011, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala: We produced three events for Children’s Hospital Los Children's Hospital Los AngelesAngeles commemorating their new, state-of-the-art hospital building in 2011: The walk, the street party, and the gala. There were so many wonderful moments with the inspiring, talented children we cast in our live celebration, as well as courageous and grateful children and their families who have been in the care of the hospital. We were so moved and honored to be a part of it.

As we move into 2012 I am swiftly rising to the occasion of rapidly expanding social media.  Real-time websites and blogs demand up-to-date information. In the highly visual Special Events world of Los Angeles, there is keen public interest in all aspects of conception and production. As the information highway picks up speed, I find that my own brainstorming of new ideas and concepts, as well as my strategic planning for the future, have also shifted into high gear. I am increasingly relying on my team to roll up their sleeves in the execution of our productions, while I’m visualizing and planning the next ten years.

Sequoia Holiday Traditions

From our family to yours, the Sequoia team shares some of our special holiday traditions!

Cheryl: This year we are returning to Canada for the holidays. We will enjoy:

  • Christmas dinner with family (sisters, spouses nieces and nephews) and Christmas morning with our immediate family.
  • Dec. 26th  with extended family, approximately 200 people!
  • An additional feast and Christmas caroling with my God-daughter’s family (including her brand new baby).
  • We will also clear off a section of frozen lake in front of our summer cottage for a skating rink, and cut down our own Christmas tree.

Heather: We have a big Hanukkah party with the whole family and friends (20-30 ppl total). We do a white elephant although it never seems to work “properly” because my grandma and aunt never seem to remember the rules! Christmas isn’t really Christmas in my family (well, according to my dad) without 3 things: My Aunt Janet’s peanut brittle, my Aunt Mary’s almond roca, and my Grandma’s lace cookies!

Rice KrispiesLauren: We have a Rice Krispie challenge on Christmas! On the evening of Christmas we all get together at my parents house (cousins, etc). We each get a huge block of rice krispie treats (about ½ a cookie sheet) and we’re given a theme. Last year it was Christmas movies. You have to come up with something to create based on the theme. There are all types of candy, cookies, frosting, etc to decorate with. My Mom, Dad and Grandma are always the judges. There’s a grand prize “cup” for the winner and runner-ups prizes too. You can even choose to use custom Christmas M&Ms to decorate. It’s SUPER fun and a good way to pass the time, talk, etc. while dinner’s cooking!

Samantha: On Christmas our family goes to see a movie and then we meet about 4 or 5 other families for Chinese food and play board games all night. On Hanukkah we get together with a couple other families and play dreidel!

Caitlin: We get together with my aunt, uncle, and cousins on Christmas Eve and eat dinner and exchange presents with one another.  On Christmas Day we go through our stockings and open our “big” presents, which of course are from Santa.  My dad makes our traditional Christmas Day breakfast every year and afterwards we lounge around the house opening presents and listening to Christmas music.  My mom always prepares a nice Christmas dinner for the whole family, who typically all come to town for the holidays. At the end of the night we all cuddle around the television and watch Christmas movies.

Photo Courtesy of theminibaker.com

 

Pam Levitt

Pam LevittGary Levitt, Vice President of Sequoia Productions, has frequently been asked who his inspiration is for all aspects of event production. His answer has always been “my mother”. Pam Levitt was kind enough to write us from South Africa and give a glimpse into her life of entertaining.

My Background

All my life, I have collected recipes from my family (who were wonderful cooks), my friends, magazines and cook books. I love coffee and cake parties when your friends come hungry and enjoy the decadent delights. The table laid with my favorite embroidered linen table cloths and matching serviettes, best silverware, elegant porcelain crockery, beautiful platters and bowls and of course vases of full blown roses.

When I was first married and had joined a book club, I wanted to serve a brilliant “tea” for the members. An Apple Tart seemed easy enough. The finished tart looked beautiful. One of the girls at the club said “I love the custard you have in the tart. Do you share recipes?” Of course, I never revealed that the custard was the pastry base that was still raw! I have learned that it is safer to cook the pastry blind before you add the apples and then complete the baking.

My Philosophy

I can tell you in seven words my philosophy in throwing a successful party:
PROPER PRIOR PLANNING PREVENTS PATHETIC POOR PERFORMANCE!

To make a party successful, you need a confined space, great food and drinks served “picture perfect”. Of course, compatible, outgoing people and fabulous music is essential. Not forgetting sufficient and efficient help will produce a relaxed host and hostess.

 

Cheryl Cecchetto: Balancing Business and Family

It’s extremely challenging to balance business and family. Truth be told, I have asked for it. I could never be a full-time mother, nor could I ever only work. I love the best of both worlds and that is my joy and my challenge. Unfortunately, I accomplish too much and often wear myself thin.  So out of necessity I have become an expert at delegation. I have an assistant who helps me structure my life and provides checks and balances. With a husband and two active children there are concerts, sports, homework, school obligations and friend interactions to coordinate. My domestic duties bring their own valuable rewards. I make sure I am at the dinner table every night with my family and I serve easy, efficient meals. This is an important time of day for all to connect. Using the same methodology with which I run my office, my personal life is scheduled with structured projects, timelines, calendars and check lists. These help me manage my two basic loves; the events I create, and our family experience. Organize all first, sit back and think through priorities of work and family. Of course I often accomplish this with a cup of coffee at 5 a.m.

I am convinced that I must maintain my physical health no matter how busy I become. If I’m not healthy and relaxed then stress and fatigue will sabotage my ability to meet my challenges and opportunities. My life would be much more difficult and not as much fun. Of course sleep is a very important factor so that we all have the energy and rejuvenation to concentrate and enjoy what we do. If I don’t get enough sleep, I am not a happy camper.

Last but not least, yoga practice is by far my most beneficial pastime. It not only stretches and relaxes my body, it allows me to keep fresh, alert and frankly, feel young.

I am grateful for my family who sees and appreciates what I do and I try to involve and hire them as much as I can. When the family is on-site with me (my daughter was a recent traffic controller and bubble girl artist and my son checked out and signed in radios at the most recent Emmys) both worlds are as one.

 

Special Events Magazine

Special Events Magazine is the go-to publication for Event Production companies. From food service to decor and entertainment, Special Events Magazine spotlights the most influential current events as well as forecasts upcoming trends and companies.

Lisa Hurley, Editor of Special Events Magazine since 1999, is highly commended for her honest reviews and inspirational recommendations. “It’s one of the most delightful jobs I’ve ever had. Events are a heady mix of decor, food and entertainment; it’s remarkable to see how the experts put all the pieces together.”

Every year, Special Events Magazine creates a list of the 50 top event planning companies in the United States, which Sequoia Productions is proud to continually be a part of. You can find the publication online at www.specialevents.com.

 

 

Williams-Sonoma

Williams-Sonoma offers the highest quality products for every room in your home, including the exquisite knife sets mentioned in Edgar Rosenberg’s Favorites!

The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Cuisine 10-Piece Knife Block Set is great as a starter for your kitchen and you can add additional knives as needed. 

Have everything ordered and shipped in time for your dinner party with Williams-Sonoma easy online shopping!

 

The Music Box Los Angeles

The backdrop for “Californians for a Cure” is the iconic Music Box in Hollywood.

The Music Box

“Constructed in the roaring twenties, The Music Box has been at the very center of Hollywood’s dazzling nightlife for nearly a century. The storied edifice, which for decades has been a lavish sanctum of glamour and spectacle, was painstakingly refurbished to its original Golden Age glory.”

The Music Box

Though steeped in a rich history, The Music Box is nevertheless a state-of the-art performing and special event facility boasting advanced sound and lighting, flexible floor plans, and a professional staff ready to cater to performances and special events of every size and description.

The Music Box averages 20 events per month, ranging from small rooftop parties to full-scale dance performances, from A-List musical concerts to much sought after underground clubs.

 

Photos Courtesy of The Music Box.

Personalizing Your Halloween Celebration

Keep your party fresh with some ideas for personalizing your event space!

  • Create your very own batch of M&Ms! You can choose to print words or pictures on the chocolate candies here.
  • Incorporate candles to create a mystifying ambiance for your guests. You can even design your own custom candle holders!