Hello Glamour!

Our first 50th anniversary gala has come to an end, and it definitely didn't disappoint. From the food to the entertainment—everything fell perfectly into place for a truly magical night. Plus, all ticket sales went to help the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center and the Neuroscience Institute at Henry Ford Health System continue their valuable research and treatment of those suffering from neurological diseases.

We couldn't have asked for a better event and want to thank everyone who helped make this one-of-a-kind evening such a success. Here's a look at some of the great memories we're still talking about:

iL CiRCo

Combining classic art traditions with modern cirque artistry, iL CiRCo delivered an exhilarating experience that thrilled and took us on an inspiring journey into a surreal world—a perfect fit with our gala theme. Each highly-trained acrobat blew us away with impressively choreographed moves that left us musing, "How does he/she do that?" You certainly need the right genetic make-up to pull off moves like that!

The talent and training the iL CiRCo acrobats need to perform is mind-boggling. It's no wonder they're in such demand and have traveled and performed in over 10 countries on three continents. We were so lucky to have them for our big night!


Sights and Sounds

What an incredible transformation! It really felt like you were inside a swinging jazz club or suave cabaret. The ambiance was elegant and the place was buzzing with an electrifying vibe. Since this was such a special occasion, we asked Huntington House to create exclusive pieces in a dazzling array of fabrics and shapes to help set the stage for glamour in our atrium. The chic Lydia settee features a gothic-inspired burgundy tapestry fabric for a good dose of drama, while Sheba offers a little animal magnetism with a fierce, bold tiger print. We'll have these pieces out until the first week of November, so if you weren't at the gala, stop by and check them out.

And man, did the Simone Vitale Band tear it up! They have a stellar reputation, which
is why they've been asked to perform all over the country, including for two Presidents. There's just something about a live band that gets your heart rate going and your
toes tapping.

Every detail about the night was perfect. It's hard to believe that in less than 24 hours it will all be gone and our entertainment venue will become a store again.

Oh! Did you look inside your custom gift box of Sanders chocolates yet? One special box contains a 'Golden Ticket' for a spending spree worth $2,500 at Art Van Furniture.



Star Power

Our version of the "red carpet" was packed with local leaders, customers, long-time employees and many others who were dressed "to the nines" for a night of mystery and intrigue. We were even fortunate enough to have Cindy Crawford join us. Can you believe she's been modeling for over 20 years... and is the mother of two? Cindy is a true natural beauty inside and out, and a smart business woman, too.

We like the Detroit Pistons' chances this season now that we've seen their 2009 NBA Draft pick Jonas Jerebko up close—which isn't easy considering he's a sky-scraping 6'10" tall!

Much like Art Van Furniture, Diana Lewis has been a familiar face in southeastern Michigan and is a trusted source for news. We were very honored that she agreed to be our Mistress of Ceremonies. Her graceful presence really added to the evening.

Thank you to everyone who came out and made this gala a "haute" affair, and we hope to see the rest of you at Flint on October 4 or Grand Rapids on October 28!