The main Grammy Awards action took place on a high-tech stage at the Staples Center on Sunday night, but a vast array of events—both unofficial parties and official Recording Academy programming—took place all over town for days leading up to the ceremony, and well into the night after. Here are photos from 10 of those events, which included high-energy live musical performances—of course—and an array of clever decor and catering options at venues and with guests as diverse as the Grammy lineup itself.
Clive Davis and the Recording Academy presented the pre-Grammy Gala, continuing a tradition of more than 30 years. Artists and V.I.P.s from music, film, and television came out for the event at the Beverly Hilton, which included musical performances by Mary J. Blige, Cee Lo Green, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, R. Kelly, Janelle Monáe, Matthew Morrison, Mumford & Sons, and Dionne Warwick.
Photo: Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2011
Essence's Black Women in Music event at Playhouse Hollywood, overseen by the mag's Candace Purdie-Montgomery along with Jovanca Maitland, honored Janelle Monáe. It included a performance by Monáe, along with Big Boi. Playhouse special events director Kimberly Seeherman transformed the club into a gallerylike space inspired by the honoree's tuxedo style, with white leather stage and banquettes, and black and white flowers by Luna Gardens. Guests also checked out sponsor Lincoln's cars.
Photo: Andrew Herrold
The "Look Like You Give A Damn" Grammys after-party, hosted by Steve Rifkind, Scooter Braun, Music Loves Fashion, and Nivea For Men, went clear into the wee hours. Guests were encouraged to tweet with official hashtags for the event: #NFM, #NiveaForMen and #GiveADamn.
Photo: Wireimage
Ultimate Ears by Logitech presented EMI's after-party at Milk Studios, which was transformed into a lounge space with interactive games. The party benefited the youth charity GenerationOn; guests could make donations and then select a glittering envelope containing an Ultimate Ears prize from an eight-foot-high hedge flanking the studio. Guests could also play Ubisoft’s Just Dance 2, stop by the bar for drinks from sponsor Patrón, or get snacks from food trucks. EFG handled PR.
Photo: Brian Dowling/PictureGroup
Belvedere hosted an event at the Avalon benefiting (RED). Eleven Eleven produced the event, for about 1,200 guests, where Usher performed in front of a 30- by 22-foot LED screen from Power Plus, which showed tour footage.
Photo: Courtesy of Belvedere
The Grammy Foundation hosted a celebration of the evolution of hip-hop at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, a program including performances and historical footage from preservation archives. Performers included Arrested Development, Beat Freaks from America's Best Dance Crew (pictured), Jazzy Jeff, Kid Capri, MC Lyte, and Phife of A Tribe Called Quest, among others. Recording Academy president and C.E.O. Neil Portnow was on hand to make remarks.
Photo: BizBash
The Friends N Family party, sponsored by EA Sports and Rock the Vote, took to Paramount for 3,000 industry guests. Music management group AAM’s Mark Beaven and Andy Kipnes, and more than 20 top music executives, hosted. The event, the biggest in its history, was so large it required two soundstages. Ultimate Lighting handled the lighting, and Sound Factory the sound and stage. Evolutionary Media Group handled production and PR. UV Vodka and Red Bull provided the beverages for the bar.
Photo: Courtesy of Evolutionary Media Group
San Francisco-based independent label Om Records hosted an event on Saturday at Supperclub Los Angeles, celebrating electronic music with DJ sets from Groove Armada, Dirty Vegas, and KCRW's Jason Bentley. The crowd was energetic, and the dance floor remained packed into the night. MSO handled the PR.
Photo: Rich Kim/Blinkofaniproductions.com
Cash Money Records' pre-Grammy party at the Lot, produced by Colin Cowie, had a look, feel, and dress code that could all be described as "rich." Decor came from Angel City Designs, and Global Cuisine by Gary Arabia took a restaurant-style approach to catering. Images by Lighting handled the lighting, and Bart Kresa created a massive, moving projection display.
Photo: Noel Vasquez/WireImage.com
The Recording Academy Grammy Celebration after-party for 5,000 at the Los Angeles Convention Center had Studio 54 theme, a nod to the Grammys' 54th year, which began after Sunday night's 53rd annual award show at Staples. The academy's Branden Chapman, Rex Supa, and Clay Upton were the event's executive producers, and Along Came Mary Productions, helmed by Mary Micucci, again produced it. Angel City Designs handled decor, and Wolfgang Puck took care of catering.
Photo: The Recording Academy®/photo by Line 8 Photography (c) 2011
