LAFRA Celebrates 110 Years
Looks like everyone got the message! The Relief Association’s Holiday Dinner Dance was sold out a couple of months in advance. There was even a waitlist that just kept getting longer and longer.
For the lucky 300 that were able to get a ticket, it turned out to be a night to remember. The event was held on December 17th at the Downtown LA Athletic Club, the perfect venue to embody the 110th anniversary of your Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association.
If you thought you saw more Amazon deliveries than usual in the months leading up to this party, you were right. There was some serious credit cardio going at ShopBop, Moda Operandi and Zappos. But the results were well worth it – the ladies were absolutely “dressed to the nines” and the guys didn’t turn out too shabby either.
The evening started at the Club’s rooftop bar where incredible views of the downtown skyline were highlighted by the fine wines and micro brews that were being poured. A couple of floors below in the Olympic Lounge, guests were treated to an array of tray-passed appetizers and cocktails.
Perennial LAFD emcee, Steve Ruda, guaranteed to look great wearing his holiday best from Men’s Wearhouse, invited everyone to be seated in the ballroom precisely at 1830 hours. The Club’s ballroom is a throwback to Los Angeles a century ago, with its rich, fine woodwork, crystal chandeliers, elegant banquet chairs, and spacious two-story ceiling. Steve introduced LAFRA President Bob Steinbacher, who came up and gave a warm welcome to all in attendance.
Next up was Mark Ellis – not to be confused with the former Dodger second baseman. This Mark Ellis is a comedian, actor and host you’ve probably seen on TV, heard on the radio or at least clicked on the internet. By the time the dinner buffet was open for business, Mark had left everyone with a smile on their face.
After dinner, the smooth sounds of R&B Jazz band DW3 filled the room. Absolutely everyone got up to dance and the floor was packed. And that’s how it was all the way until midnight.