On February 15, Brian Irland of St. Louis-based Icehouse Events-along with Polynesian Proud Productions-converted a 21,000-square-foot airplane hangar at the Miami Executive Aviation into a scene from the 1940s. Split into two separate motifs, the hangar was a military bunker on one side and South Pacific-style island on the other for NY-based Magna Care's annual employee appreciation gala.
The military bunker was outfitted with life-size military planes, vintage cars from the era, tables draped in camouflage linens, and an officer's club complete with desks, fans, old posters, and antique telephones. Across the way, Polynesian Proud used tiki huts, canoes, lush foliage, and themed entertainment to transport the nearly 350 guests to the Pacific islands.
A variety of theme-appropriate entertainment was on hand including military-dressed models and old-fashioned cigarette girls, hula and fire dancers, and ukulele players as well as a 1940s-style swing band from G Productions along with DJ Rick Shaw.
In traditional Polynesian style, costumed warriors performed the pig presentation signifying the opening of the buffet. The Catering Group served island foods including lemon garlic chicken skewers, grilled shrimp with island rum sauces, whole roasted pig, grilled Hawaiian sweet potatoes, and island coconut cake.
