As 2015 nears an end, many sit and reflect on the beautiful moments that created this chapter in our lives. It is a time for family, friends, and good ol’ celebrations (well, for some it is a glorious excuse to have another glass of champagne)! This year marked the 8th annual NOVA Noel at elegant venue NOVA 535 in Downtown St. Pete (where you too can hold any type of stunning event as well). It was a night of laughter, joyous conversations, delicious food, Santa, and even a few titillating performances toward the wee hours of the morning.
As families walked through the entrance of the historic building, the beautiful mood lighting and enormous Christmas tree made it feel as though they stepped into a winter wonderland. Guests enjoyed a scrumptious meal prepared by Murray’s Chicago Deli and the spread included fire-grilled salmon that melted in your mouth (Bravo Murray, we love having you at NOVA 535!). The kids were having innocent fun and the adults were schmoozing and boozing, then the man of the hour arrived – Santa Claus (played by the incredible Ross Tarr). With countless opportunities for photos, he truly was a magical presence. Not only did Mister Red Suit provide fun for the families, Get The Picture was also in the house with plenty of holiday props to play with in the photo booth (Thanks Mark and Shelli for always creating fun for the guests! Did you know that they just celebrated their 20 year wedding anniversary at NOVA 535?).
Bryan Hughes and That Pack band provided lovely jazz, retro, and holiday tunes for everyone to get into the spirit. With the standing bass, saxophone, and Hughes’ dreamy voice, everyone enjoyed a dance or two on the floor.
The evening shifted moods from nice to naughty as the family-friendly portion of the evening drew to a close. Once the children left the building and the big-kid crowd began to arrive, let’s just say that Santa’s sleigh began to jingle a few more bells.
Mayven Missbehavin and Katie James were the risqué little reindeer of the night, performing beautiful burlesque acts for the adults to enjoy. Guests were left in awe with Katie’s Nutcracker strip-tease en pointe (she is the sexiest ballerina you have ever seen!) and things heated up a bit when Mayven lit up everyone’s chimney with her fire performance. The crowed hooted and hollered at the gals’ exciting (and perhaps stimulating) entertainment and begged for an encore, so Mayven and Katie each performed another holiday-themed spectacle. (As always, the two did a marvelous job!) This just goes to show, that if you stay late at an event at NOVA 535, you will never know what may happen!
Did you join Team NOVA, DowntownStPete.com, Entrepreneur Social Club, and Keep Saint Petersburg Local for NOVA Noel 8 and have as much fun as I did? If so, leave a nice review online! Don’t forget that if you wish to hold a 5 Star wedding ceremony, reception, corporate event, film shoot, or any other private function, NOVA 535 would love to share the memories with you. Start here or feel free to give us a ring or text 949-873-6682.
Cheers to a happy and healthy New Year to all of you!
Below are the remaining photos Michael Novilla, owner of NOVA 535, and I captured from NOVA Noel 8. Neither of us a professional photographers, he just is a cool guy with a nice camera who allows me to use it sometimes. Enjoy!
