Combining camel racing, a bustling bazaar, colourful silks and rustic lanterns, Workshop Events transported more than 500 guests at this year’s YWCA Mother Of All Balls fundraising event to the exotic Kingdom of Morocco.
As part of a newly-formed partnership with YWCA NSW, Workshop Events provided their event expertise to design, create and produce the Rock the Kasbah-themed party, held in the Oaks Lawn Marquee at the Australian Jockey Club in Sydney.
The YWCA’s Mother of All Balls charity event at the AJC Sydney
Incorporating rich washes of blue hues with Moorish patterns in antique gold, clusters of authentic Moroccan artefacts, intimate dappled lighting and the authentic sounds of the Kasbah, the Workshop Events team created an exotic atmosphere reminiscent of Morocco.
Guests walked a red carpet lined with lanterns, leading to a lively track-side souk, hidden under draped fabrics where they could accessorise with Moroccan fezzes, bangles and scarves. A sleek mirrored bar served cocktails while guests enjoyed the camel races.
Inside the marquee, Workshop Events styled tables with turquoise and purple silk cloths, and custom-made centrepieces featuring mixes of eclectic floral arrangements in brass and cut-glass vases, Moorish hand-painted plates and bowls, and an array of patterned tea glasses.
Workshop Events designed and built the entire staging area within their workshop, using Moroccan patterning in gold on pale blue walls, and cut-out backlit screens which featured different colour washes throughout the night, in a range of pinks and ambers.
The team sourced many of the decorative items, including the coloured-glass lanterns strung from the ceiling, from their Moroccan contacts to create an authentic look and feel.
Other highlights of the ball included SBS’s RocKwiz host Julia Zemiro as MC, HG Nelson as the camel race caller, live and silent auctions, a menu designed by Luke Mangan, speeches by YWCA NSW patron Rachel Ward, and 18 designer tables decorated by top local designers. The event raised nearly $300,000 for the charity.
Managing the project, Sarah Philips, event manager at Workshop Events, was thrilled with the outcome of this year’s spectacular Moroccan-themed event.
“Our team enjoyed transforming the marquee into a beautiful Moroccan Kasbah in support of what is a great cause, and we look forward to producing similar experiences for future events for YWCA NSW, as part of our new partnership,” Philips said.
Glen-Marie Frost, chairperson of the Mother Of All Balls committee was also delighted with the event, applauding the creativity and professionalism of Workshop Events’ team.
“In my many years orchestrating and being a guest at events both here and internationally, I believe this year’s ball was one of the best I’ve ever seen,” Frost said.
