From Larry and the Redhead to opera nightclub to the Scotto sisters, for 34 years, Lawrence Scott Gottesman of Lawrence Scott Events has always been the life of the party. We checked in with the master to hear the secret to his success.
Larry Scott in the main tent at the Feinstein Summer Concert.
No ordinary catered affair, a Lawrence Scott event (lawrencescottevents.com) aims to be an unexpected experience full of extravagant details. Guests enter a striking environment that excites the senses. Food and drink flow in a seemingly endless array to satisfy every taste. The fun never lags, thanks to precisely timed entrances that jolt new energy into the event. Founder Lawrence Scott Gottesman believes that parties should transport guests to a special place of fantasy and fun— and he has been delivering just that for 34 years and counting. Most importantly, a Lawrence Scott celebration has heart. The welcoming atmosphere encourages connections between family and friends, and behind the scenes, the company generously supports numerous charities to help worthy causes. Employees feel like family in the close-knit operation. Here, we asked the party pro to share some special moments from over the years.
“ONE OF MY FIRST BIG CHALLENGES WAS OPENING UP THE RESTAURANT LARRY AND THE REDHEAD IN 1989. IT EVEN GOT THE ATTENTION OF THE NEW YORK TIMES. THEY WROTE, ‘LARRY AND THE REDHEAD HAS TAKEN GREAT NECK BY STORM.’ PEOPLE WERE DANCING ON TABLES. EVEN HOWARD STERN CHECKED IT OUT.”
“I WAS PRIVILEGED TO GET TO KNOW ELAINE KAUFMAN OF THE ICONIC ELAINE’S ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE. I WAS IN MY 20S AND JUST STARTING OUT. ELAINE SAT ME DOWN AT HER TABLE AND ENCOURAGED ME. I FELT OVERWHELMED BEING IN HER ICONIC RESTAURANT WITH EVERY BOLDFACED NAME. SHE MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS JUST AS IMPORTANT. SHE EVEN ALLOWED ME TO USE HER RESTAURANT AS MY OFFICE.”
Scott and singer John Legend at a Hamptons magazine event in Montauk.
“LONG BEFORE I WAS DOING PARTIES, I OPENED UP OPERA NIGHTCLUB IN CHELSEA WITH MY FRIENDS. WE FELT LIKE WE WERE PIONEERS IN THAT AREA. MOST OF THE OTHER CLUBS WERE IN SOHO. BUT OPERA BECAME AN EPIC PLACE TO PARTY. ... SOON AFTER, MY FRIEND AMY SACCO OPENED UP LOT 61.”
“MY BUSINESS IS BASED ON REFERRALS! IT’S VERY OLD SCHOOL, BUT MY CLIENTS WANT SOMEONE THEY CAN TRUST. WHETHER IT’S THE FAMILY FROM GREAT NECK OR FIFTH AVENUE, THEY WANT SOMEONE WHO IS EXPERIENCED TO CONVEY THEIR STORIES AND SHARE THE LOVE— PLUS A LITTLE LARRY MAGIC SPRINKLED IN WILL HAVE EVERYONE TALKING!”
Scott with the Scotto sisters.
“PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK ME, WHERE DO I COME UP WITH ALL MY IDEAS? I TRAVEL ALL OVER THE WORLD. MY BRAIN IS LIKE AN ENCYCLOPEDIA. I TAKE IT ALL IN, TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN AND CREATE A LARRY PARTY!”
“I’VE GOTTEN TO MEET AND WORK WITH SOME INCREDIBLE PEOPLE. JUDGE JUDY HAS BECOME A DEAR FRIEND AND HAS HIRED ME FOR HER FAMILY PARTIES. SHE HAS GIVEN ME INCREDIBLE ADVICE: ‘IT’S SWEETER WHEN YOU DO IT FOR YOURSELF.’ IT’S A GREAT WAY TO APPROACH MY EVENTS AND LIFE!”
“I NEVER TAKE MY BUSINESS FOR GRANTED. I AM ALWAYS THINKING, LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION AND READY TO CREATE A STORY! I’VE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 34 YEARS. I APPROACH EVERY PARTY AS IF IT’S MY FIRST TIME. I’M EXCITED TO SEE WHERE MY IMAGINATION WILL TAKE MY CLIENTS AND ME. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED FOR THE FUTURE!”
“I AM GRATEFUL TO HAVE WORKED FOR SOME VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE. I DID JOHN AND JOYCE VARVATOS’ WEDDING. A SMALL PARTY FOR VERA WANG WHEN SHE WON A FASHION AWARD. I PROVIDED CUISINE FOR ONE OF MADONNA’S BIRTHDAY PARTIES. I WORKED WITH ELAINA AND ROSANNA SCOTTO ON CREATING THEIR OUTDOOR DINING SHED AT FRESCO BY SCOTTO. AND I HAD A WONDERFUL TIME PRODUCING MANY OF THE PARTIES FOR HAMPTONS MAGAZINE WITH LYNN SCOTTI. ALL DIFFERENT AND FUN!”
“WHEN I DO A PARTY OR EVENT, I AM TRUCKING! BIG TRUCKS FILLED WITH MAGICAL LIGHTS, WHIMSICAL DISHWARE, YOU NAME IT. IT’S LIKE A DOCTOR’S BAG. I TRAVEL WITH ALL MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE. I’M SORT OF LIKE A BOUTIQUE HOTEL ON WHEELS.”
“ATMOSPHERE IS SO IMPORTANT. OF COURSE, THE FOOD HAS TO BE DELICIOUS… BUT I WANT TO TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY WHEN YOU WALK INTO THAT ROOM!”
Photography by: PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL STUDIOS; PHOTO BY MARK SAGLIOCCO/GETTY IMAGES FOR HAMPTONS MAGAZINE; PHOTO COURTESY OF SUBJECT
