| EVENT REPORT 07.01.08 1:21 PM |
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| Time Travel |
| The historic 1917 Ritz Ybor theater celebrated its reopening as a special event venue after undergoing $750,000 of major renovations. |
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Attendees walked down the red carpet-and memory lane-at the Ritz Ybor's grand opening event on June 26. The 1920s-themed festivities offered local vendors, press, and special guests a glimpse into times gone by and of celebrations yet to come. After 91 years and $750,000 of interior renovations, the beloved theater in historic Ybor City is now open as one of Tampa's premier special event venues.
Upon entering the historic theater, built in 1917, at the opening, guests were immersed in clever branding techniques with the venue's signature logo and motto, "Ritz Ybor: Rise to the Occasion." Everything from the welcome mats, lighting effects, napkins, and ice sculpture to the five-foot logo on the checkerboard dance floor was branded. |
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Branding the event was key in creating a cohesive theme. A large logo on the checkerboard dance floor acted as a fantastic focal point.
Photography by Chanele
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 | Tables were draped in simple black linens and surrounded by classic white chairs so as not to take attention away from the venue.
Photography by Chanele
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 | Partygoers were treated as celebrities as they arrived and departed, passing through a myriad of entertainers acting as paparazzi.
Photography by Chanele
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 | Lighting gobos projected the logo onto walls and curtains throughout the space.
Photography by Chanele
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 | Big-band music was played by Mainstream on the main stage in the theater space.
Photography by Chanele
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 | A large letter "R" ice sculpture, in the same font as the venue's logo, was on display in the theater.
Photography by Chanele
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 | Guests mingled and snacked on a multitude of passed cocktail favorites from Catering by Design.
Photography by Chanele
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 | A Marilyn Monroe look-alike glamorously stepped out of a white limousine, entered the theater, and sneaked out the back to repeat the process as if on loop.
Photography by Chanele
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Event planner Maria Pardo and fellow directors of the venue gave a nod to the golden era of Hollywood from beginning to end. Partygoers were treated as celebrities as they arrived and departed, with a plethora of entertainers acting as paparazzi. A Marilyn Monroe look-alike glamorously stepped out of a white limousine, entered the theater, and sneaked out the back to repeat the process as if on loop.
Inside, big-band-era music from Mainstream flooded through the 17,000 square feet of event space. The two smaller spaces flanking each side of the grand foyer featured Sidewinders Jazz and Tampa Bay DJ spinning Top 40 hits.
Throughout the night, guests mingled and enjoyed on a multitude of passed hors d'oeuvres from Catering by Design, as well as a chocolate fountain in a specially design black-and-white alcove courtesy of Events by Amore, where a model wore a 1940s-style hairdo and a bustier completely made of marshmallows.
The venue features four distinct spaces, including a theater with stage (accommodating 400 to 1,500 guests), two intimate spaces (each accommodating as many as 180 guests), and a mezzanine balcony.
—ANC
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