Dance With Me

In the past few years ballroom dancing has become increasingly popular and that is in large part due to the ABC reality hit “Dancing with the Stars”. Just like most of America, I am a huge fan of the show and never miss an episode. Another thing that I’m sure of is that I’m just one of thousands of women that have fallen in love with a certain professional ballroom dancer named Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Since the first time I saw the show I knew that I would one day like to take a dance lesson with him and this summer that actually came true. It all happened because intern Sarah let me know that Maks has two studios called Dance With Me- one in Glen Head, NY and the other in Ridgefield, NJ. As soon as I found out that the dance studios were so close to Manhattan, I decided that I needed to go pick up some new dance moves and got myself a private lesson.

When the day came that I had to go to the private dance lesson with Maksim, I was a nervous wreck because I hadn’t done any dancing in about five years and was about to learn from a ballroom champion. Another thing that I am ashamed to admit is that I’m from Argentina and have no clue how to dance any type of Latin dance. On the show Dancing with the Stars they had always depicted him as arrogant, which added to my nervousness, but the second that I met him I realized he is not arrogant at all and a real sweetheart. As soon as the lesson started I began to relax and feel more at ease because he made me feel very comfortable by joking around a little about my past dance experiences and the fact that I shouldn’t call my self Argentine until I know how to dance the tango. I ended up learning a little Salsa and the Mambo, and to my surprise I was actually keeping up with all the steps and even doing some spins. The whole experience was so much fun and once it was over, I wanted to do it all over again. Since that lesson with Maks, I have been back for more lessons with another instructor named Clyde, who is also extremely talented, just like the rest of the staff, and the manager Eugene, is attentive to the students’ schedules and dancing goals. Everyone at the studio makes it an amazing experience. I recommend going to take lessons and workshops if the dance studios are near you. Even if they are far, make sure to make the trip to one of the two when in the NYC area. In the meantime you can look for studios in your area because ballroom dancing is a great way to exercise and have fun at the same time.

Besides being a great atmosphere and place to dance, Dance With Me in Glen Head is getting involved in our charity golf outing benefiting the American Diabetes Association, by donating lessons, a gift basket, and perhaps even coming out to golf!

For more info about the golf outing visit www.golfdigestplanner.com/1380-PENTACares/
Also check out Dance With Me online at http://www.dancewithmecorp.com/

-Carolina

Maks with partner Melanie Brown from the Spice Girls on Dancing with the Stars Season 5.

We are hiring!

We are looking for an entry-level event coordinator assistant to join our growing team. Assistant will support the President and Director of Business Development, as well as assist in planning and executing events and fundraisers.

Primary Role
Administrative Assistant
o Assume receptionist duties, answer phone, route calls, and take messages.
o Assist with completion of necessary reports as requested.
o Distribute incoming mail and prepare outgoing mail.
o Arrange meetings, prepare agendas and take minutes at team meetings.
o Support business development through Internet research
o Assist staff with administrative duties as requested

Association Management (manage the day to day operations of non-profit associations)
o Learn about the various associations we manage
o Respond to emails and handle Board Member requests
o Manage memberships
o Process payments via credit card and check

Event Planning
o Event registration and preparation of event packets
o On-site support and trouble-shooting at events

Secondary Role
Junior Event Planner
o Research venues and vendors for events
o Conceptualize unique event ideas
o Attend meetings to pitch event ideas to existing and prospective clients

Key attributes for the new hire include:
o Excellent verbal and written communication skills
o Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator proficient. PhotoShop a plus
o Ability to take direction and complete tasks upon request
o Ability to work independently and as a team in a small office environment.
o Organized with the ability to set tasks and meet deadlines
o Social and friendly attitude
o A go-getter with a positive attitude and tough skin
o Must have an entrepreneurial mindset

As you can see from our website, we are a small firm looking to expand and grow. We're looking for the right person to grow with us. Because the firm is small, personality and a connection at the interview is very important.

To apply, please email your resume and coverletter to Christina Weber at cweber@pentaevents.com.

Single in the City?

There is a way to find love & Penta is here to help!

Penta will be hosting its first speed dating event on Monday, August 18th at 7:30 pm. The event will be held at a favorite new bistro of ours- Prespa for ages 27-39.

Prespa
184 Lexington Avenue
Between 31st and 32nd

Join us for free appetizers, drink specials, promotional giveaways, a great time & up to 12 mini dates!
Hey, you never know, Cupid’s arrow might strike!


For more information, contact us at nyc1@predating.com

Happy Hour at The Town Tavern

Yesterday we gathered with some friends at the Town Tavern for happy hour. Free drinks are always a plus. Thanks to everyone who came out!

A Review: Prespa & Fresco on the Go

Lately, daydreaming about vacationing on a Mediterranean island has become an everyday occurrence for me and hot, humid summer days in Manhattan are more of the reality. However, a few days ago I was lucky to find an amazing compromise- Prespa. Prespa is a Mediterranean Bistro with terrific food, great music, helpful staff, unique décor, a private room available on a separate floor and outdoor dining on Lexington Ave that makes you feel like you are in a foreign villa. Penta Events looks forward to planning some holiday parties, corporate gatherings and events at this restaurant. Visit: http://www.prespanyc.net/

I thought that after Prespa, I was on a lucky streak with finding new restaurants and was excited to notice Fresco on the Go, which just opened on Pearl Street. On its first day, I ventured inside to buy lunch. The beautiful interior left me wanting to buy a little bit of everything- sandwiches, pizza, salad, smoothies, pasta and more. There were too many options and in attempt to save time, I chose salad. I ran back to the office, eager to try my new salad and let everyone at Penta know about my discovery but I was disappointed with my lunch. I think I will give Fresco another try but will definitely stay away from the salad next time. Check them out online: http://www.frescoonthego.com/

Can’t wait for tomorrow- it’s Christmas in July! Maybe it will snow.
Probably not, but you never know- at Penta Events, anything is possible!

Sarah

Christmas in July at The Town Tavern

By Carolina Tijman

Come join the ladies of Penta Events in celebrating Christmas in July at The Town Tavern located at 134 West 3rd Street! The happy hour is from 6:30PM till 7:30PM. All guests will receive free draft beer and wine for an hour, so don’t be late! Bring a gift for a child (toy, learning tool, book etc.) and receive a complementary burger! Hope to see all of you out Thursday!
Visit http://www.towntavernnyc.com/ more information.

If you can’t make it out to happy hour with us, here are some drink ideas with holiday cheer:

Christmas In The Tropics
2 oz Captain Morgan® Parrot Bay coconut rum
6 oz eggnog

Pour the Captain Morgan Parrot Bay coconut rum into a cup, then pour in the eggnog after. Stir it around a bit to mix it together, and serve.

Christmas Martini
3 oz gin
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1 tsp peppermint schnapps

Pour the gin, dry vermouth and peppermint schnapps into a cocktail shaker half-filled with cracked ice. Shake well, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a candy cane, and serve.

Christmas Elf's Revenge recipe
2 oz Luxardo® white sambuca
1 oz Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps
1 oz apple schnapps
20 ml ginger syrup
90 ml apple juice
1-inch cube ginger root
1 pinch cinnamon powder

Crush the ginger root and add the ginger syrup, apple juice, sambuca and schnapps. Shake well and strain into a pina colada glass, which should be about half full of crushed ice. Add the goldschlager then sprinkle the cinnamon powder over the top. Serve with a slice of apple floating on the top, and a straw.

All recipes from http://www.drinksmixer.com/

Bigger Isn't Always Better

A recent article in Special Events magazine titled Sweet Talk by Christine Landry caught my attention. The article discusses one of the latest trend when it comes to dessert, make the the desserts small and make lots of them.

Check out the article for yourself:
SWEET-TALK

Going Green

By Erica Finkelstein

“From everyday collection to environmental protection, Think Green”. It can be agreed that this motto of Waste Management has going green in the back of everyone’s minds these days. For instance, the bottle of Poland Spring water on my desk right now has a new look and feel to it. The company redesigned it using an average of 30% less plastic in order for it to be easier on the environment.

The event planning industry has joined in with these efforts to become environmentally friendly.

The Association for Green Meeting & Events will launch the first-ever program for Certification in Green Meetings and Events this August in Long Beach, California. The company intends to help people plan socially and environmentally successful events, reports Michael O’Connell of BizBash.

AGME explains that green meetings are performed in ways to reduce the environmental burdens imposed by such activities.

Recently, Penta Dynamic Solutions helped the Contingency Planning Exchange (CPE) go green at its last meeting. We made all information accessible to the members via the internet instead of handing out hard copies. By doing so, we saved some trees!

Going green is really simple; to start take baby steps.

Ten Easy Ways to Go Green Today

1. Use a mug for your morning coffee or tea
2. Turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and make use of natural light when you can
3. Try to make it a habit to always turn off your computer when you are not using it. Also, setting your computer to go to sleep automatically during short breaks can cut energy use by 70 percent
4. Print on both sides and use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts
5. RECYCLE EVERYTHING YOUR COMPANY COLLECTS
6. Brighten up your cubicle with plants, which absorb indoor pollution
7. Make it a habit to take the train, bus, or subway when feasible instead of a rental car when traveling on business
8. Purchase office supplies and furniture made from recycled materials
9. Make the internet your primary means of communication
10. Refill ink cartridges instead of buying new ones each time they run out

4th of July Plans

It just dawned on me that July has officially begun and everyone around me seems to be getting ready for the 4th of July weekend but I don’t have any plans.

Hi, I’m an intern at Penta Events. I grew up in the NYC area but I have never been around during this time of year to experience the spectacular fireworks. This year, I vowed to stay in New York City for July 4th but the weekend is just days away and I still haven’t finalized my plans.

I narrowed down my options but making a decision is not something I can do alone, as I normally tend to keep coming up with more ideas instead of concentrating on one. I would be the perfect example of someone who would need to hire Penta Events for any sort of party planning; otherwise I would find myself hosting some sort of insanely tacky affair with an infinite amount of clashing themes.

My first idea was to host a pool party and so I began to research online. Logged in to my computer, signed onto the best site ever- GOOGLE, and within seconds had tons of information at my disposal. On celebrations.com, I found the Ahh-Qua Floating Pool Bar, a bar that literally floats with room for 4 people. This intrigued me, obviously, so I started to look into drinks for my party. I came across a Drink Calculator on evite.com- which helps determine how much alcohol to buy depending on the length of the party, the type of alcohol and the number of guests. Genius! Of course, the red, white & blue Jell-O shots and Mojito recipes really helped me get an idea of what my party would be like!

At the same time, I read about a July 4th Festival on Water Street filled with vendors, international food, Chinese pottery and more. Being that I am a sucker for those sorts of things (where I tend to spend more money then any of my friends), I was quickly drawn to a day near the Seaport, shopping, wrapped up by Macy’s fireworks.

But wait! There is also the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is held at Coney Island. I am a vegetarian so participating is not an option, but I’d love to witness people sitting in 100 degree weather competing over who can eat more meat wrapped up in buns.

NYC is incredible and the choices are endless! I will probably wind up deciding on Friday, July 4th what I am doing but I’m certain I won’t be disappointed.

Oh yeah, and the SPF will be part of all of my plans because the lobster look just doesn’t work for me. That is, unless it rains (yay umbrellas) but I am staying positive and hope the weather channel made a mistake.

Till next time!
Have a great weekend!!

Sarah


MojitoIngredients:
Ice
6 ounces light rum
12 mint sprigs, or spearmint,8 roughly broken apart
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 tablespoons sugar
Club soda
4 slices lime

Preparation:
Place ice in beverage shaker then add in the rum, 8 broken up mint sprigs, lime juice and sugar.
Shake well and serve over ice in a high ball glass.
Top off each glass with a splash of club soda.
Garnish each with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint.
*Recipe Courtesy the Food Network
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_17225,00.html