Society / The Seen

This Groovy Party Brings Studio 54 Back to Life: Birthday Guys & Gals, Austin Powers and Batman All Show

BY // 02.03.17
photography Cameron Clark, John Cain Sargent, Rebecca Marie

Upon receiving the festive invitation for The Birthday Party Project‘s Fifth Year Anniversary, we were already contemplating what more this fabulous organization could possibly do to dazzle its patrons.

The groovy box delivered to our office offered the key essentials to prep for the ’60s Mod theme: Silver hairspray, Andy Warhol chocolates, and pop-art candies were among the mix. Furthering the excitement was the announcement of this year’s honoree — megawatt planner, social, and a man at the top of PaperCity’s list of favorites, Todd Fiscus.

Throw all these swinging treats in the bag of awesome, and we were practically halfway out the door in search of the perfect ensemble. As we all know, seasoned event extraordinaire, CEO and Birthday Party Project founder Paige Chenault shows out when it comes to hosting the ultimate birthday bash, and as some of her doting fans, we too wanted to throw in some extra sparkle for the momentous occasion.

With go-go boots on, hoop earrings in place, and a semi-perfect cat-eye (we’re working on it!), the night was finally here. Arriving at Deep Ellum hot spot, The Bomb Factory, we were met with a metallic runway giving off some major Studio 54 vibes. The event space was transformed into a kaleidoscopic wonder: disco balls hanging from the ceiling, Andy Warhol Campbell’s Soup structures wrapped around the DJ booths, ghost chairs for sitting, a dance floor for the taking, and a bevy of balloons patiently perched in a tent above, just waiting for their time to shine.

Socials turned up the volume with a cheeky sense of style: Austin Powers, Edie Sedgwick, Batman, and Hugh Hefner could be spotted mingling among the crowd. Others opted to dress as a group — the entire cast of Scooby Doo (sans dog) could be found by the interactive paintball booth while a flight crew from Pan Am could be found upstairs, getting up close and personal with the My Event Is The Bomb photo booth.

After happy hour came to a close, Chenault took the stage with her Birthday Party Project family, including Fiscus, and spoke about the meaning behind the nonprofit organization and her mission to bring joy to homeless children through the magic of birthdays. Since its inception in 2012, this benevolent bunch has celebrated more than 3,500 birthdays … with more than 22,000 children in attendance.

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Following a brief video presentation that left everyone inspired, it was time for the auction. Eager bidders raised their paddles in hopes of scoring one-of-a-kind goodies, including a covetable two-night stay at The Little Nell, a membership at Caribou Club in Aspen, and a VIP trip to Napa (replete with wine tours and a dining experience at The French Laundry). Slaphappy and carefree, partygoers spent the final hours of the evening breaking it down on the dance floor. From the twist to the pony, everyone had their party pumps in check.

The event raised more than $500,000 to go toward throwing birthday parties — now that’s something worth celebrating!

Seen in the Factory: CEO and founder Paige Chenault; Houston and Dallas-based honoree Todd Fiscus with husband and style savant, Ceron; co-chairs Katy Taylor and Sam Jacobson; auction chairs Jennifer Burns and Jamie O’Boyle; event coordination chair Mary Frances Hurt; F&B chair Dana Carroll; production chair Lauren Heiler; and the rest of the mod squad, including Robyn Sills, Lesley O’Leary, Missy and Tim Peck, Meghan Looney, Matthew Holmes, Caroline Harrison, Matt Humphrey, Chandler and Jeff Winslow, Hannah Claybrook, Mary Harrison, Colby Franklin, Myrna and Bob Schlegel, Patricia Quirino, Emily and Walter Clarke, JB Hayes, Joe Davis, and Kim and Sean Gleason.

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