Dart Collective Holiday Party 2022

We’re delighted to share these holiday party photos Steve Cowell captured with you today, of the decor and details seen at Dart Collective’s 2022 gathering, where MatchBook was a media partner this year! Dart is a boutique music collective that has wowed many 100LC couples and their guests with everything from vinyl-only sets to custom live band performances over the years. Since 2013, they’ve thrown an epic annual holiday party to celebrate the talents among the SoCal events industry.

The party puts 300+ industry pros in one space meet, drink, dance, and connect, and having paused it for two years, they knew this one needed to be extra special. And they sure delivered! Jessica of Art & Soul Events, along with Inessa Nichols Design and a slew of other talents brought a sophisticated, moody Jazz club vibe to life at Lombardi House in in the best way.

Jazz club inspired Dart Collective holiday party at Lombardi House

Holiday Party Design

Art & Soul Events designed the holiday party with a sophisticated, loungy, underground jazz club in mind. They wanted the atmosphere to be welcoming, inclusive, and warm, while also being a celebration of music, creativity, and connection. The first thing guests saw when entering the Lombardi House gates was a custom Prim + Pixie “Can I Kick it? Yes You Can” welcome sign. The sign was surrounded by a dramatic cascading floral installation by Inessa Nichols. Found Rentals provided three stylish, cozy, and chic lounges, and Lombardi House made it easy to host an indoor-outdoor party that could comfortably fit 300 guests. There were also two bars, cocktail tables, food stations, and space for performances and dancing.

The Party Food

Fundamental Events brought in a Bao Bun chef station and a grazing table featuring cheese, charcuterie and fruit along with farmer’s market crudites with seasonal veggies, herbs, hummus, and dips.

Inside The Lombardi House

Guests entered the large Lombardi House barn doors by passing through a black and white tinsel installation, a subtle to nod piano keys. Inside the barn, Inessa created a hanging installation over the dance floor using bronze tinsel and vintage cassette tapes. They removed the classic white light bulbs within the barn and incorporated amber lights, candles, and table lamps to set the mood.

cassette tapes and fringe for party decor

Treats & Drinks

The Milk Bar ice cream truck offered cereal milk and mint cookies ‘n crème dessert bites and bookies with cereal toppings. LA Speakeasy served three signature cocktails at their two bars:

Digable Planets: vodka, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, homemade rosemary syrup, prosecco

93 ’til Infinity: silver tequila, fresh strawberry puree, fresh lime juice, jalapeno tincture, agave

Jazz & Juice: rye whiskey, apple cider, fresh lime juice, cinnamon syrup, vanilla bitters

Entertainment

Dart Collective featured musical acts inspired by 90s hip hop, jazz, neo soul, and R&B. They kicked off the evening with a musical duet (guitar + piano), followed by a solo soprano sax player. Later guests moved inside for the party band, and ended the night with a DJ set. The party also featured roving magician Chad Nelson who blew everyone away with close-up magic. The Smilebooth photo booth was another fun element of this memorable night. Prim + Prixie celebrated the vendor team with this custom record wall and included a nod to the annual celebration with #holidaypartydown gold vinyl decals on the dance floor.