Great Gatsby at Blairsden: A Triumphant Gala for Music in the Somerset Hills
As we reflect back on some of the musical milestones from our recent past that have shaped the present of our organization, foremost among these reflections is our triumphant 2023 gala. This past October, after many years of conceptualizing and planning, we recently realized one of our long-held dream of filling the great halls of the Blairsden Mansion with music and merriment!
On Saturday, October 7, 2023, about 350 patrons from around the Somerset Hills and beyond attended our “Great Gatsby at Blairsden” gala, a roaring 20s-themed musical evening to raise funds for our nonprofit mission of fostering education, artistry, and community through music.
The event was made possible with the generous support, vision, and fortitude of Anthony Melillo, Blairsden’s latest owner, who purchased the estate in 2022 under 30 Blair PG, LLC, a subsidiary of his Gladstone-based real estate private equity firm, Melillo Equities.
Built between 1897 and 1903 by C. Ledyard Blair, Blairsden is a fine example of Beaux-Arts architecture that proved to be the perfect backdrop for MISH’s intentions of highlighting music from the 1920s.
To create a lavish atmosphere worthy of Jay Gatsby’s outlandish tastes, Pamela Nardone of Gladstone, Chair of Events for MISH, along with a committee of dedicated volunteers worked diligently to transform the interior of the mansion for the gala.
A color theme of black, white, and gold brought the elegant space to life, as did the historical and larger-than-life paintings for sale from Borregaard Fine Art & Design of Gladstone that adorned the walls. Decorative floral arrangements by Laura Clare Design added a sense of sophistication and drama to tables and mantelpieces.
A smorgasbord of tasty hors d'oeuvres were served by Chef Becky Geisel of Bex Kitchen in Califon, and the drinks were flowing all night with an open bar of signature cocktails, fine wine, and champagne donated by Penelope Bourbon, Balls Vodka, and Cree Wine Company.
Whiskey crates and overflowing bags of fake money strewn about were campy reminders of the Prohibition laws in the 1920s and the corruption that resulted.
Guests enjoyed dressing up to the theme with outfits reflecting the finest fashions coinciding with the musical era being featured. When fused together, the decorations, costumes, and period music transported attendees back in time, out of the present to a time of frivolity, revelry, and opulence.
“At the heart of every MISH event is the driving force to offer musical experiences of the highest quality,” said Artistic Director Stephen Sands of Basking Ridge. “Since 2010, we have come to be known for hosting events in the Somerset Hills to rival the arts scene in New York City, and this is a reputation that we hope to build upon for years to come.”
Sands continued, saying “One of our top priorities is the careful curation of top-notch programs so that our neighbors don’t need to schlep into the city when they have the itch to experience the best that the music scene has to offer. In turn, we also strive to attract our city-dwelling friends to our neck of NJ by highlighting the many fine venues and sprawling landscapes that are the hidden gems of our own backyard!”
Merynda Adams, a Harpist based in Madison, NJ, played from the grand central staircase to welcome guests as they arrived. Following that, the NYC-based Western Wind Vocal Ensemble crooned and serenaded listeners with the tight harmonies in their renditions of popular songs from the era.
Brooklyn-based pianist and composer Daniel Schlosberg’s Viennese-style string ensemble started off the dancing portion of the evening with energetic waltzes. The dancing carried over to a lively grand finale by The Oscar Perez Jazz Ensemble, and by the end of it all the ballroom was nothing but a blur of feathers, sequins, and rhinestones.
Through the sale of tickets as well as sponsorships and in-kind donations from 25+ community partners, the funds raised from “Great Gatsby at Blairsden” will not only help MISH provide scholarships and quality education to students of all ages hoping to pursue music, but will close the gap between ticket proceeds and rising concert expenses in a post-pandemic economy.
“It’s been a difficult few years for the arts, and specifically for live music performances,” Stephen Sands stressed. “However, hosting this gala showed us that communities like ours and all over the world still crave and find deep meaning in the social togetherness and novelty that music is so well-suited for creating. We can’t tell you how happy we were to see that, and we look forward to continuing our work of holding space to satisfy those very uniquely human needs!”
We can’t wait to share more details with you soon about our upcoming 2024 gala - click here to sign up to receive mailing updates about the event!