A Flower-full Evening in the Stacks
Sat, Feb 24, 2024 | 7 – 11 pm | HCLS East Columbia Branch
“Drink the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Breathe in the night air. Entice your senses at this lush affair filled with dreamy enjoyment and delight. Refresh at the open bar, bloom on the dance floor, and enjoy a bouquet of entertainment. Gourmet cuisine by Rouge Catering, signature cocktails by The Wine Bin, non-alcoholic selections by Sobar, and much more.
Proceeds from this year’s party benefit HCLS’ early childhood initiatives that serve budding learners, our community’s most precious blossoms.
This Event is sold out.
Tickets are no longer available for purchase
know before you go
Can my friends still buy tickets?
This year’s event is sold out! Please encourage your friends to buy tickets earlier next year.
What should I wear? Will you have coat check?
This is a black-tie optional affair. Cocktail attire and floral touches are welcome! We will provide coat check (available to the right as you enter the building).
Is this a sit-down dinner?
Rouge Catering will serve from stations throughout the library, and The Wine Bin and Sobar will serve beverages from the bar. While some tables are available, it is not a sit-down dinner.
What happens during the gala?
- The evening kicks off with short performances by local talent including KCAMD Stepping Stones, Misako Ballet Studio, and Mana Polynesia.
- At 7:35 pm, HCLS President & CEO Tonya Aikens and Howard County Calvin Ball will make brief remarks.
- Throughout the evening, DJ Bugatti will keep the dance floor hopping, you can take photos in our digital photobooth and selfie stations, browse and borrow pieces from our art gallery, have your caricature drawn, and get a floral hair stencil.
- This year we are excited to offer a Flower-full Mart featuring our staff helping you make floral loose tea blends and a floral seed blend; and The Blended Essentials to help you make a custom bath fizzy, travel candle, and fragrance roller. We are thrilled to welcome Gary Pilarchik of The Rusted Garden and Chiara D’Amore of The Community Ecology Institute, who will sell copies of their book, Growing and Edible Landscape, showcase edible flowers, answer your questions, and more!
- The Friends & Foundation of HCLS will be selling raffle tickets for garden and pickleball packages. They also will sell table centerpieces that you can take home anytime after 10:30 pm. Bring your credit card!
Dinner Stations
Bread and Roses, Too by Katherine Patterson
- Roasted vegetables and antipasti
- Fresh fruit
- Cheese assortment
- Roasted red pepper dip
- Accompanied with crudité, breads, and gluten-free crackers
Winter Bloom by Tara Heavy
- Beef short ribs with red wine demi-glace
- Mashed potatoes
Black Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin
- Maryland lump crab cakes
- Cornbread
- Old Bay Penne tossed with asparagus, sundried tomatoes and corn
- Sweet & Spiced Maryland chicken kabob
Cauliflower and Denney Boy by Marjory Lack-Skidmore
- Roasted head of cauliflower, with sweet potato puree
- Served with apple chutney and toasted pumpkin seeds
Passed Appetizers
- Coconut shrimp
- Mini tacos with chicken
- Brie Tartlets
- Cherry Tomatoes stuffed with hummus
- Edamame potstickers
- Deviled eggs
Desserts
Desserts
- Oreo Dirt Flower Pots (chocolate mousse and Oreo cookies)
- Lemon Merigue Daisy Tarts
- Fruit with orange blossoms and ginger syrup
Entertainment:
- DJ Bugatti
- KCAMD Stepping Stones Performers
- Misako Ballet Studio performance
- Mono Polynesian Hawaiian dancers
- photo-ops
- HCLS Art Gallery
borrow from our collection on site and take art home - Caricaturists
- Floral hair stencil artists
- Roving entertainment and more!
Flower-full Mart:
- Make your own floral tea blends
- Make your own seed blends for spring
- The Blended Essentials: custom self-care goods
- Meet the Authors: Ask an expert gardener…anything!
- featuring Gary Pilarchik & Chiara D’Amore Co-Authors of Growing and Edible Landscape
- book available for purchase and signing*
- And much more!
Friends:
RAFFLE $5 tickets or 5/$20
- Garden Package
- Pickle Ball Package
- Home Organizing Package
-
Gift Card to Ananda’s Restaurant
Floral displays-take home a bit of the party to reminisce and enjoy
-
Small and large floral displays*
-
Floral displays with a wine bottle*
* Items for purchase. Cash and cc payments are accepted at the party.
Event Sponsors
Silver
Clarksville Commons
M&T Bank
Ronald and Cynthia Gula Charitable Fund
Sabina Taj and Kyle Reis
Bronze
Downtown Columbia Partnership
Hoenes Family Foundation
Howard Community College
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
Library Furniture International
Open Sense Solutions
Ayers Saint Gross
Bill and Anne Santos
Columbia Associations
Common Wealth Digital Office Solutions
Connection
COPT Defense Properties
Evening in the Stacks is the biggest party of the year that supports the work of Howard County Library System. It has become one of Howard County’s most anticipated fundraising events, considered by many to be the county’s “premier” event. Approximately 400 guests joined our event last year to show their support and have a grand time.
