With thoughts of warmer weather and the beauty it will soon bring to the park, the Esplanade Association (esplanadeassociation.org) has begun the planning for their annual Moondance Gala to be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, on the banks of the Charles River.
To kick off the excitement, Esplanade supporters Alexi and Steve Conine hosted a Gala preview party at their Back Bay home for the Host Committee. Along with Jill and Niraj Shah, the Conines will serve as co-chairs of this year’ Moondance Gala. Together the dynamic and committed group of Bostonians will organize the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Esplanade Association, the 100-percent privately funded friends group for the Charles River Esplanade.
With the theme, “It’s not easy being green,” this year’s Moondance Gala will remind guests of both the whimsy of children playing on the Esplanade and the serious work it takes to keep the park thriving. The evening will shine a light on the Esplanade Association’s continued efforts to create a thriving, safe, accessible park where people come together to share, explore, and enjoy nature and community.
Inspired by the vibrant colors and rich sounds of Morocco, the Gala promises to be an evening to enchant and delight. While the sun sets over the Charles River, guests will be transported to another world as they enjoy cocktails from within the Marrakesh lounge specially designed by Wayfair followed by an elegant dinner of Persian cuisine set beneath a canopy of exotic foliage and glowing luminaries. The party will then continue late into the night with dancing under the moonlit sky and stars. As the only tented black-tie event held on the Esplanade, this annual benefit brings together the Boston community and beyond to celebrate this treasured park and lend support to the Esplanade Association’s continued growth and vibrant future.
“It is with great excitement that Steve and I are serving as co-chairs of this year’s Moondance Gala. We have profound gratitude for the Esplanade Association and the organization’s tireless efforts to make life better in the park for all of us who use and love it,” said Alexi Conine, Gala co-chair and the organization’s board chair. “It is not easy keeping the Esplanade green and healthy yet, behind every tree, garden, playground, and so much more, the Esplanade Association is there, working to improve the park for the millions of people who visit this beautiful urban oasis annually.”
“Niraj and I are honored to be co-chairing this year’s spectacular Moondance Gala to benefit the Esplanade Association,” added Jill Shah. “We are committed to working with our Boston community to raise the vital funds the organization needs to continue their important work to revitalize and enhance our beloved park, ensuring it remains beautiful and vibrantly green for generations to come.”
“We are grateful to have such an incredible committee who understand that beyond being a beautiful evening, the Moondance Gala is a party with a serious purpose, which is to raise the critical funds we need to care for this historic riverfront park,” said Michael Nichols, the Esplanade Association’s executive director. “It is only through the support of the community that the Esplanade Association can continue its ongoing horticultural work and diverse programming, as well as the development of future initiatives and programs that will help us to continue to make life better in the park for the enjoyment of all.”
Last year, the Moondance Gala raised over $980,000 for the restoration, management, and beautification of the park. It is the 2018 committee’s goal to surpass this figure and for the first time, raise over $1 million for all the Esplanade Association is currently doing and hopes to do, to support the horticultural health and the beauty of the park.
For event details, sponsorship or ticket information contact: Abigail Fisher at 617-227-0365 ext. 102 or [email protected] or visit www.esplanadeassociation.org.