On Thursday, October 30th, over 300 philanthropists gathered in Boston’s District Hall event space for a Halloween-worthy masquerade fete to benefit the Jimmy Fund’s adult and pediatric care and cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

The first (and hopefully annual) UnMask Cancer event was presented by the Mandarin Oriental Boston and the hospitality was befitting of a five star hotel without the pretentiousness of many black tie benefit events.

By most event standards, the event was superbly orchestrated, even more so when you consider this was the first ever! Guests enjoyed top shelf open bar, and scotch lovers rejoiced at the scotch tasting lounge which included ultra premium Johnny Walker Blue Label, among many others. No scotch aficionado, eve I could appreciate the Blue Label’s smoothness.

Guests thoroughly enjoyed a generous selections of top shelf open bar with signature event cocktails, wine, prosecco, and beer throughout the evening. A generous never-ending raw bar including Island Creek Oysters and shrimp was a definite highlight, along with food stations and roving dim sum food carts.

The entertainment also truly set UnMask apart from other events. Aerial performers Urban Circus greeted guests and the Sultans of Swing got the crowd grooving all night on the dance floor while a DJ kept the vibe going in the food areas. Partygoers were also invited to participate in unique silent style auctions, including a board with gently priced packages (like food or wine lovers packages) you got in your swag bag. All guests left with a bag including the most recent issue of Boston Common magazine.

In addition to the entire UnMask Cancer Committee, notable attendees included Kara DioGuardi, Glen Kelley, Elena Krupennikova, Brad Salz, Dana Paille, wife of Boston Bruins player Dan Paille, and Katie Pan.

We have the feeling that next year this event will be even more popular, so make sure you save your Halloween masks!

Happy UnMasking,

Jenicka

Photos by John Deputy/Metrodesign and by Socially Superlative