| NEWS 10.03.07 5:46 PM |
PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
|
| Martha Wainwright Has Choice Words for Campari Crowd |
|
 | |
Wainwright sang at the House of Campari last night.
|
|
|
Singer Martha Wainwright performed for a loud crowd last night at a party hosted by Campari in a pop-up art gallery on Broome Street. But the noise wasn't for her—it came from the guests drinking and talking in other parts of the space, which has been remade as the "House of Campari" for an art exhibit and series of parties running from September 21 until October 7.
Throughout her set, the singer looked frustrated and made some references to the people not paying attention, but she went on, graciously and professionally, singing over the din in front of 40 or 50 people. Although the paper invitation we received billed the night as "An Evening With Martha Wainwright," most guests milled around the bar and the exhibit, which also stopped in Los Angeles in June. (The Italian brand staged a similar concept on West Broadway last year.)
Then, before playing her final song, Wainwright said, smiling, "This is for all of you on the other side of the room," and sang "Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole," a song from her album. Point made.
All of this prompts a few questions: If you're organizing an event that incorporates a performance and a crowd with cocktails—and purports to support artists—what respect do you owe the performer? How do you keep the crowd happy? And can you balance the needs of both?
Brody Brown of the Rose Group, who produced the event for Campari, said that during the soundcheck, he explained to Wainwright that there would be noise. "We took steps to make sure the performance would be audible throughout the space," he said, and the lights were dimmed to try to bring attention to the performance. "We're not in the business of shushing our guests," he said, adding, "We got really positive feedback from everybody."
As for Wainwright, "The great thing about Martha is that she's a real professional," Brown said. "She didn't take it personally."
Indeed, Wainwright appeared unfazed as she left, presumably satisfied with her paycheck and some free booze. And at least she can swap corporate-crowd stories with her brother, Rufus—when he sang at a party at ABC Carpet & Home in April, Sundance Channel C.E.O. Larry Aidem told a loud group to "Shut the fuck up."
—Chad Kaydo
RELATED TOPICS
Campari, Martha Wainwright, Pop-Ups, Noisy Crowds
MORE NEWS STORIES
Obama's First State Dinner Calls on Marcus Samuelsson, Jennifer Hudson
Art Basel Preview: New Convention Center Layout, Giant Beach Structure for Audi
Poll Results: Readers Opting for iPods Over DJs
Poll Results: Informal Nights Out Make Most Appropriate 2009 Holiday Parties
Poll Results: Readers Judge Invitations on Case-by-Case Basis
MORE STORIES ABOUT CAMPARI
Gen Art Reaches $100,000 Fund-Raising Benchmark With Alumni Support
Events and Pop-Ups Are a Boon to Troubled Retail Real Estate—and Vice Versa
MORE STORIES ABOUT POP-UPS
Diet Coke Emphasizes the Diet With Food-Focused Pop-Up
In the News: Cheap Rentals Pave Way for Pop-Ups, ISES Event Raises Money for Planners in Need
In Slow Summer, Museums Woo Visitors With Pop-Up Bars and Extended Hours
| More Suppliers/Venues to Consider |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
Broad Street Ballroom
The Broad Street Ballroom, down the street from the New York Stock Exchange in the heart of the financial district, offers several unique venues that can accommodate as many as 1,000 people for events ranging from concerts and theatrical performances to film and photo shoots to corporate and private events. The ballroom is adorned with 30-foot mosaic pillars and a state-of-the-art, Broadway-quality audiovisual system, complete with a 22- by 22-foot roll-down projection screen. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
MKG Productions
MKG Productions is an innovative experiential marketing agency dedicated to bringing brands and their marketing strategies to life. Many of the biggest brands in the world trust MKG as a valued partner, working with the agency to develop integrated marketing and sponsorship strategies, to launch new products, and to manage a wide range of events of all shapes and sizes. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
ShowPro
ShowPro is a full-service technical production company that provides high-quality lighting, video, audio, projection, and staging equipment and services. ShowPro set themselves apart from the competition by housing full-time staff positions that others pick up on a freelance basis. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
