Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel grand opening | Photos
With blue walls, blue curtains, blue dresses and even blue-trimmed wait staff, the grand opening celebration of Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel was like stepping into the Emerald City. If, you know, Oz had a penchant for sapphires instead of emeralds.
Despite opening last November, the management of the Radisson Blu, which occupies the first 18 floors of the Aqua Hotel, cut their blue ribbon with blue scissors just this past Thursday, January 26. Hosting the event was Pierre-Louis Giacotto, the general manager of the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, while Jeanne Gang, principal and founder of Studio Gang Architects, which designed the Aqua hotel, and Jim Hamilton of Graven Interiors, the interior designer, were among attendees.
The entertainment for the night was impressive, almost visually overshadowing the hotel itself. Wacky contortionists, aerial performers and muscular shirtless men exhibited the mystery and power of the human body in cirque du soleil-esque feats. More puzzling however, was the choice to have a random slideshow behind the performers. Perhaps it was exhibiting the mystery and power of PowerPoint?
While though the auction to benefit the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute was silent, the Gold Coast All Stars and DJ Kitty provided live music to please the multi-generational crowd, inspiring some guests to bust a move or two. Italian cheese, pizzas, bruschetta and other small bites from chef Christian Fantoni appeased patrons' palates (was that charcuterie as scrumptious at it looked, blonde in the striped dress?) and gave an excuse to visit the ice luge at the vodka serving station, located by the 8-foot ice carving of the Aqua Tower.
There might be no place like home, but for this night at least, Radisson Blu proved an aquatic oasis.
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