Tampa's Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) was the setting for the first BiZBashFla Creative Environment FunShop, but the scientific exhibits and high-tech surroundings faded into the background once attendees passed through a white picket fence in the lobby.
The main event, a lavish reception titled "The Dream," was set in an enchanted forest. Guests passed beneath an archway of willow and white rosebuds to enter, and were welcomed by fairies provided by Book It Entertainment. Stefanie Berry of SHOWORKS based the setting on William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Her crew transformed one of MOSI's spacious halls into a forest inhabited by fairies, nymphs, and a cast of other mystical characters. Iridescent table linens by Panache glowed under Bay Stage Lighting Systems' soft lighting. Bay Stage also layered the space with fog.
Each dinner and cocktail table featured a different centerpiece, made of knotty tree branches with roses, lilies, and hydrangeas clinging to them. Life-size mannequins dressed as fairies hung from the ceiling. Smaller sprites set on swings and brightly painted mushrooms were interspersed throughout the room. Performer Christopher Oz was dressed as Oberon, King of the Fairies, and wandered the room juggling glass spheres. Meanwhile, face painter Heather Tankersley worked her magic, complete with glittery fairy dust, on BiZBashFla guests.
TooJay's Gourmet Deli, best known for its sandwiches and desserts, served chicken Capri—fresh chicken breast cooked with mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and capers in a lemon-butter white wine sauce—and sautéed shrimp with broccoli and sweet red pepper tossed with penne pasta in a creamy garlic sauce. A white tree with branches hung with long strands of crystals decorated Catering by the Family's food station, where servers dished out sweet potato-encrusted shrimp with ginger and mango slaw with teriyaki reduction sauce. They also served sautéed grouper with corn pudding and roasted red pepper coulis, as well as "drunken" strawberries soaked in brandy and served with almond shortcake and sweet mint pesto. Guests were encouraged to take bottles of homemade salad dressing and tins of dry barbecue rubs as gifts.
And there was more: MOSI's in-house catering whipped up a spread of grilled vegetables served with dips, mango salsa, and hummus, plus slices of French bread and pita points to complement the beef tenderloin being carved at the banquet table. Sweet and spicy chicken wings, and scallops and shrimp wrapped in bacon drizzled with a wasabi-lime sauce were also served. For dessert, MOSI 's chefs flamb?ed cherries and served them piping hot over vanilla ice cream.
Continue reading about the Tampa FunShop
The main event, a lavish reception titled "The Dream," was set in an enchanted forest. Guests passed beneath an archway of willow and white rosebuds to enter, and were welcomed by fairies provided by Book It Entertainment. Stefanie Berry of SHOWORKS based the setting on William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Her crew transformed one of MOSI's spacious halls into a forest inhabited by fairies, nymphs, and a cast of other mystical characters. Iridescent table linens by Panache glowed under Bay Stage Lighting Systems' soft lighting. Bay Stage also layered the space with fog.
Each dinner and cocktail table featured a different centerpiece, made of knotty tree branches with roses, lilies, and hydrangeas clinging to them. Life-size mannequins dressed as fairies hung from the ceiling. Smaller sprites set on swings and brightly painted mushrooms were interspersed throughout the room. Performer Christopher Oz was dressed as Oberon, King of the Fairies, and wandered the room juggling glass spheres. Meanwhile, face painter Heather Tankersley worked her magic, complete with glittery fairy dust, on BiZBashFla guests.
TooJay's Gourmet Deli, best known for its sandwiches and desserts, served chicken Capri—fresh chicken breast cooked with mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and capers in a lemon-butter white wine sauce—and sautéed shrimp with broccoli and sweet red pepper tossed with penne pasta in a creamy garlic sauce. A white tree with branches hung with long strands of crystals decorated Catering by the Family's food station, where servers dished out sweet potato-encrusted shrimp with ginger and mango slaw with teriyaki reduction sauce. They also served sautéed grouper with corn pudding and roasted red pepper coulis, as well as "drunken" strawberries soaked in brandy and served with almond shortcake and sweet mint pesto. Guests were encouraged to take bottles of homemade salad dressing and tins of dry barbecue rubs as gifts.
And there was more: MOSI's in-house catering whipped up a spread of grilled vegetables served with dips, mango salsa, and hummus, plus slices of French bread and pita points to complement the beef tenderloin being carved at the banquet table. Sweet and spicy chicken wings, and scallops and shrimp wrapped in bacon drizzled with a wasabi-lime sauce were also served. For dessert, MOSI 's chefs flamb?ed cherries and served them piping hot over vanilla ice cream.
Continue reading about the Tampa FunShop
SHOWORKS created a fairy-filled forest for the BiZBashFla Creative Environment FunShop in Tampa.
One of the centerpieces used branches with strands of flowers and votive candleholders, which added a glow to the room.
Christopher Oz, dressed as the fairy king Oberon, entertained guests during the reception by juggling glass spheres.
The Museum of Science & Industry served as host and was one of the event's caterers, offering a tapas display with grilled vegetables and pita points.
