Lavish Fete at Palazzo Marrakesh: Sue Wong Event Honors Yue-Sai Kan 

A spirit of bonhomie permeated the aura of Sue Wong’s exclusive party on Sunday, February 18, 2024 for Yue-Sai Kan, the Oprah of China and one its most honored and well-known personages. The soirée was held at Wong’s fabled Palazzo Marrakesh, in all its splendor. 

Yue-Sai Kan is an Emmy-winning television host and producer, successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, fashion icon, bestselling author, and humanitarian whom People Magazine has called “the most famous woman in China.” Kan has also worked passionately and diligently to foster Chinese and American togetherness. 

Yue-Sai Kan attended the event with her companion Allen Pollack and gave an inspirational speech about her life and current humanitarian projects.

Sue Wong herself was later honored by Yue-Sai Kan at an awards ceremony at the Taglyan Center on February 27, 2024.

Among the entertainers at this Sue Wong event was London-based chanteuse and blues guitarist Bex Marshall, who has just released a new album, Fortuna. Marshall, who has been voted the Best British Blues Vocalist at the UK Blues Awards, has been touring with her partner Jonathan Lolley, and together they have formed Blues and Stews. Indeed, while Marshall performed, Wong’s assembled guests enjoyed a delicious feast created by Lolley, a masterful chef. 

Marshall regaled us with her deeply passionate voice and inspired playing, and other Sue Wong favorites gave spirited performances: bassist Djordje Stijepovic, guitarist and singer Steve Cooke, drummer Robin DiMaggio, keyboardist John Walsh, drummer Chris Grainger, and performers Jay Gore, Fish, and Polina.

Robin DiMaggio also graciously coordinated the entertainment for the evening; he is a famed musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, and producer who has worked for the United Nations, charitable organizations throughout the world, and countless well-known entertainers.

Dietmar Kohl was in attendance and photographed all of the event’s festivities.

Another star of the evening was the Sue Wong-designed Palazzo Marrakesh, featuring an absolutely stunning Moroccan-based motif throughout its vast and luxurious expanse, which includes six bedrooms. Every room in the house is an ornate wonder reflecting Wong’s genius for both detail and overall structure. Outside is an oasis, with palm trees and fountains and an inviting pool.  Sue Wong traveled to Morocco in 2023 and collected many treasures and artifacts from local markets and craftsmen which she then incorporated into this edifice, which has become a masterpiece of Moroccan architecture and design. Indeed, the Palazzo Marrakesh is a true design wonder and provided the perfect setting for the night’s festivities.

The Yue-Sai Kan One World Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to promoting respect, tolerance, and cultural inclusivity among individuals, societies, and cultures around the world. It’s mission further supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4, which aims to provide inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. A prime purpose of the foundation is to increase understanding of the history, geography, traditions, and cultures of Asian countries, Pacific Islands, Middle East countries, etc., by producing and distributing a diverse range of media including films, television content, radio broadcasts, digital media, and publications.

Sue Wong is a true visionary and creative genius who has made a lasting impact on the fashion industry and the world of design and art. She has recently created a magnificent home, Palazzo Marrakech, that showcases her love and appreciation for Morocco. This rare and exquisite property affords one the chance to live in a Moroccan fantasy. It is one of the jewels of Los Angeles and a testament to Sue Wong’s talent and style.

The honored guests at this joyous affair at the Palazzo celebrating Yue-Sai Kan represented the worlds of music, art, fashion, entertainment, business, literature, and journalism and included:

Abbot Shifu Yeanfan of the Shaolin Temple 

Activist and humanitarian Christine Antonovich

Screenwriter and director Mick Davis

Legendary news anchor Christine Devine and her husband, rock musician Sean McNabb

Actor/producer Scott Engrotti

Rock musician Dan Farrow

French healer Richard Garnier

Fashion designer and Sue Wong goddess model Anna Gupta

Journalist Valli Herman

Composer and instrumentalist Lucia Hwong Gordon

Life coach, author, public speaker, and humanitarian Lisa Haisha 

Actor Archie Kao

Restauranteur and Sue Wong goddess model Jazzika Kile

Publicist Jacqueline Lewis

Roboticist and sculptor Walter Martinez Marconi and his wife, singer M’Chel

Maryam and Matthew Morrison of The Eden Magazine

Actress and producer Jacqueline Murphy and her husband, real estate investor Fred Stahl

E! ENTERTAINMENT founder and producer/writer Larry Namer 

Emmy award-winning animator Ron Noble

Writer, director, producer, and MD Gerry Pallay

Composer and musician Chris Pitman

Documentary filmmaker @AlexPotaro

Actress Sandra Santiago

Realtor Brian Schlesinger

Artist Scott Siedman

Faith Harrington Boutin and Murray Rosen of FVM Global Magazine

FVM Global wishes to thank Dietmar Kohl for his photographs of this memorable event.