Salon Soiree

Last week I hosted a fabulous salon party with ArtRoom and CREATE Gallery and Cocktail Lounge. We had live music by the incomparable Alma y Madera, playing both Latinx classics and current pop beats. My guests (basically everyone I love!) sipped on craft cocktails on tap and admired the work by local artists on the walls. It was a spectacular evening.

ArtRoom is an organization in Boston and the Netherlands that connects in-home or intimate party throwers with musicians for hire. So for example, if you wanted a violinist at your dinner party, you could easily book one through this platform. The idea is to create intimate concerts and musical centerpieces for parties. Artists get paid for their talent and you get to host an evening no one will ever forget.

Alexandra who runs ArtRoom reached out to me about throwing a party to spread the word about the organization. But because I live in a studio that only comfortably holds about 5-6 people, I went in search of a bigger venue. Enter CREATE Gallery & Cocktail Lounge, a spot recently opened by the very talented chef Louis DiBiccari who has been merging food, drink, and art for years.

CREATE is a small but beautiful space in the Bow Market pedestrian-only square in Somerville. They serve cocktails on tap created by some of Boston’s most innovative bartenders. The menu will rotate every few months to feature new drinks. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and the walls of the one room lounge display work by a number of local artists. Loungers can even create their own art on site with colored pencils, pens, and paper provided.

I knew immediately that this was the perfect spot for my party. Small but stunning and with art on the walls and in the drinks. I’m extremely grateful to both Louis and Alexandra for making this party possible at all for me and for making it seamless along the way.

Here I am saying a few words of thanks and introducing the band. When I invited my friends the first thing everyone asked was “what’s the dress code?” They know me well! It was Nineteenth Century Neighborhood Gossip. Because, what else? Everyone got along so well we didn’t end up needing a salon-style topic of conversation, but the one I had prepared was execution. Because it’s not a Celina event if we don’t discuss beheading at least once.

William and Valeria of Alma y Madera are incredibly talented. I feel so lucky that we were able to experience their work. Since I’m always looking to pay homage to my Latinidad I specifically requested a Latinx duo. But ArtRoom has artists of all different styles and skillsets to suit your event.