The Mateo Gala Color Me Espresso Charity- The Birthday Party Project

The Mateo Gala: Color Me Espresso

The Mateo Gala ‘Color Me Espresso’ Dallas Charity Benefiting The Birthday Party Project was a night where sophistication met surprise. Held at the stunning Astoria Event Venue, the evening delivered a dynamic, immersive experience—each moment thoughtfully crafted, each space meticulously transformed. The event, hosted by @themateodiaz and captured by Mateo & Company, raised awareness and support for The Birthday Party Project, an organization that brings joy to children experiencing homelessness through the magic of birthday celebrations.

Event Partners: Party Host/Creative Director/Media Team: Mateo & Company @themateodiaz | Celebrity Personality: Trishelle Cannatella | Venue: Astoria Event Venue | Design Consulting + Floral Design + Rentals: Render Events + Scout Floral | Entertainment: Intensity Bands | Immersive Entertainment: Bravo Entertainment | Catering: Red Maple Catering | Crafted Bar Catering: Mama’s Medicine | Draping + Chandelier Rentals: Party! Dallas | Dining Design Elements + Rentals: Top Tier Event Rentals | Custom Stage & Dance Floor: Center Stage Floors | Lighting Design, Special FX + Party Signs: Austin Smith Events | Live Fashion Illustrator: ACA Event Designs | Coffee Experience: Nightowl Coffee | Water Sponsor: Acqua Panna & S.Pellegrino

Giving Back with Purpose

At the heart of The Mateo Gala Color Me Espresso Charity – The Birthday Party Project was our mission to give back—and thanks to the generosity of our vendor partners, sponsors, attendees, and the incredible support shared across social media, we did exactly that.

We’re proud to share that the funds raised from this year’s gala will provide nearly a full year’s worth of birthday parties at one of The Birthday Party Project‘s partner agencies—creating 600 to 1,000 moments of joy for children experiencing homelessness.

To everyone who contributed, attended, shared, or supported: thank you. This night was more than a party—it was a celebration with real, lasting impact.

Four Transformations in One Night

1. The Tunnel Entrance & Cocktail Hour

Guests stepped into Astoria Event Venue and were instantly transported. A fully draped tunnel-style entrance, masterfully executed by Party! Dallas, set the tone—mysterious and chic. No one could see what was ahead until a sleek greeter pulled back the curtain to reveal Cocktail Hour.

This first room dazzled. Guests were greeted with espresso martinis from costumed servers, while an aerialist spun gracefully inside a giant espresso martini glass filled with real espresso beans. Electronic violinists, glowing inside a laser cone installation, performed on a custom platform. A roaming Champagne Epicurean Cycle poured flutes of bubbly, and an open bar kept the vibe flowing. All of this unfolded under the creative, immersive lighting designed by Austin Smith Events, whose work elevated the energy of the entire building with precision and flair. Guests were convinced this was the main event—until the reveal.

2. The Main Event Room

After a buzzworthy cocktail hour, Trishelle Cannatella took the mic and surprised everyone with, “Get ready to see the main event.” Cue the curtains pulling back—and minds being blown.

Behind the drape was an entirely transformed ballroom: the Main Event Room. Designed in collaboration with Render Events and draped wall-to-wall by Party! Dallas, this space shifted the mood into sleek sophistication. Thoughtfully layered lighting by Austin Smith Events created a warm, cinematic atmosphere, guiding the eye to multiple feature areas—from custom bar builds to performance zones. The entire entertainment experience—from music to talent—was curated and produced by Bravo Entertainment and Intensity Bands, keeping the room buzzing with high-impact performances and music that flowed seamlessly with each phase of the evening.

3. The Secret Speakeasy

Tucked behind layers of velvet drape, the Secret Speakeasy offered a sultry contrast. Accessible only by word-of-mouth or invitation, this hidden VIP space evoked the charm of a prohibition-era lounge with plush seating, rich textures, and dramatic lighting.

Here, guests discovered an exclusive mixology experience courtesy of Mama’s Medicine & Nightowl Coffee, featuring curated cocktails and a custom espresso cocktail cart that played directly into the “Color Me Espresso” theme. Lighting by Austin Smith Events completed the ambiance—intimate, moody, and unforgettable.

4. The After Party Room

Just when everyone thought the night was winding down, a DJ rolled out—literally. A mobile DJ booth on wheels drove through the crowd, leading guests into a brand new space: the After Party Room.

The vibe flipped instantly. Lighting turned kinetic, lasers filled the room, and an entirely new color palette set the tone for this upscale club-inspired experience. Bold new lounge furniture, surprise late-night dancers, and curated entertainment by Bravo Entertainment and Intensity Bands turned the energy all the way up. The lighting design by Austin Smith Events transitioned perfectly, bringing out a sense of momentum and excitement that carried guests deep into the night. And yes—Red Maple Catering delivered late-night food that kept everyone going strong.

Reactions & Transformation

One of the most talked-about aspects of The Mateo Gala Color Me Espresso Charity – The Birthday Party Project was how a blank white warehouse became four totally distinct, immersive experiences. The layering of surprise—from hidden rooms to lighting reveals—kept guests energized and in awe.

Shoutout to Render Events for collaborating with us every step of the way to bring bold, unexpected ideas to life. And to Party! Dallas for proving once again that strategic draping can truly transform a space into something otherworldly.

Entertainment That Evolved With Every Room

One of the most unforgettable elements of The Mateo Gala Color Me Espresso Charity – The Birthday Party Project was how the entertainment transformed with each space—every room offering a new vibe, sound, and surprise.

The night began with an immersive Cocktail Hour, where guests were greeted by costumed servers offering espresso martinis, a Champagne Epicurean Cycle, and a dazzling aerialist spinning inside a giant martini glass filled with espresso beans. Laser-cone violinists performed atop glowing platforms, all curated by Bravo Entertainment, under moody and strategic lighting by Austin Smith Events.

When Trishelle Cannatella announced it is time to party after the quick program, guests were treated to a high-impact Sabrina Carpenter-inspired dance performance, followed by a nonstop rotation of music and talent from Intensity Bands. Their live band/DJ hybrid featured standout vocalists, musicians, and DJs, with costumed dancers weaving through the crowd to hype up the energy and create photo-worthy moments. Live fashion sketches by ACA Event Designs gave guests a chic, personalized keepsake during the Main Event.

Later, a mobile DJ booth rolled through the room, leading guests to the surprise Elevated Hour After Party, where the vibe flipped into a full-on nightlife experience. New lighting, a fresh crew of dance costumes, and club-style sets from Intensity kept guests dancing late into the night. And throughout it all, The Mateo Experience team ensured every VIP and sponsor guest felt celebrated, cocktail in hand, and fully part of the magic.

Cocktail Hour Entertainment

The Main Event Entertainment

The Elevated Hour Entertainment

Elevated Culinary & Cocktails

This wasn’t your standard sit-down dinner. Red Maple Catering brought creativity and movement to the culinary experience through waves of heavy passed items presented on trays, carts, and even with smoke-infused displays. It was elevated, interactive, and delicious.

Meanwhile, Mama’s Medicine served up next-level cocktails with gorgeous presentation and a focus on craft mixology. Custom cocktails were created just for the event—some only available inside the speakeasy, adding an extra layer of exclusivity.

Lounge Sponsors That Brought It to Life

Sponsorship at The Mateo Gala Color Me Espresso Charity – The Birthday Party Project was more than a donation—it was a full brand experience.

Our Title Sponsor Lounge received premier placement and visibility throughout the event—from a custom lounge with branded pillows and napkins, to logo placement on the dance floor and mic time during the program.

Premier Lounge Partners and Lounge Patrons were also spotlighted with custom branding, signage, and dedicated recognition across the venue. Every level helped make this night unforgettable—and meaningful.

Huge thanks to all of our sponsors for showing up in style and helping us deliver impact, one incredible moment at a time.

Full Photo & Video Coverage + The Mateo Booth Experience

All photography and videography from The Mateo Gala Color Me Espresso Charity – The Birthday Party Project was captured by Mateo & Company, including our signature Mateo Booth.

The Mateo Booth is a high-end mobile studio that delivers stunning, editorial-style portraits right at your event. We bring a stylist to assist guests and ensure they feel their best, while our tech assistant handles instant delivery—so every guest walks away with their photo in hand. Combined with roaming event coverage and cinematic video, every detail of the night was beautifully documented in real time.