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  1. Event Tech & Virtual

Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala Goes With Glow-In-the-Dark Theme

Mitra Sorrells
January 4, 2012
Neon lighting, glow-in-the-dark necklaces, and scantily clad dancers decorated with neon body paint filled Tampa’s A La Carte Event Pavilion Friday night for the Outback Bowl’s Gridiron Gala. More than 1,700 people attended the invitation-only cocktail party, including representatives from the bowl teams’ schools—Michigan State University and the University of Georgia—along with sponsors, members of the media, and local bowl supporters.

“It’s a challenge every year to come up with something different and new for a theme,” said Ashley McChesney, senior event planner at A La Carte Event Pavilion. "This is a fun party, so we try to think of something that’s not too serious. We’ve hosted a lot of events recently that have used the glow theme, so we decided to go with that.”

Two 14-foot-tall glow puppets from Event Show Productions greeted guests as they arrived at the party. Volunteers from the bowl’s hospitality committee handed out glow-in the-dark necklaces, bracelets, and LED-lighted rings to attendees to embellish their attire. Just inside the building, entertainers inside four neon-colored, life-size tubes directed guests toward the ballroom.  

To emphasize the neon accents, A La Carte’s designer, Corina Wian, used black linens throughout the room. The exception was the large bar in the middle of the room where neon spandex linens from ConceptBait Global Events and Floral Design Group shined under black lights. Dancers painted with glow-in-the-dark body paint performed on an 8- by 8-foot riser in the center of the bar and also on four smaller risers placed around the room. From above, two musicians played drums while suspended from the ceiling, and an acrobat performed in a large hanging hoop.  

The venue is owned by OSI Restaurant Partners, which also owns Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, and Bonefish Grill. Each of those restaurant brands provided food for the party, while A La Carte’s catering staff created the desserts.  

Mercedes-Benz and MetLife were presenting sponsors for the gala.

Satbt 0919png
Photo: Tacy Briggs-Troncoso/MamaRazzi Foto
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Two 14-foot-tall puppets greeted guests at the entrance to the A La Carte Event Pavilion.
Photo: Tacy Briggs-Troncoso/MamaRazzi Foto
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Guests could pick up various glow-in-the-dark items such as necklaces, bracelets, and rings as they arrived at the party.
Photo: Tacy Briggs-Troncoso/MamaRazzi Foto
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
An acrobat performed in a hoop suspended from the ceiling.
Photo: Tacy Briggs-Troncoso/MamaRazzi Foto
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Entertainers from Event Show Productions performed on an 8- by 8-foot riser erected in the center of the main bar.
Photo: Tacy Briggs-Troncoso/MamaRazzi Foto
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Two drummers suspended from the ceiling played along with music provided by the DJ.
Photo: Tacy Briggs-Troncoso/MamaRazzi Foto
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Dancers adorned with neon paint performed on risers throughout the room.
Photo: Tacy Briggs-Troncoso/MamaRazzi Foto
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
On the terrace, staff from Thompson Cigar created hand-rolled cigars for guests.
Photo: Tacy Briggs-Troncoso/MamaRazzi Foto
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
In the foyer, entertainers inside four large, brightly colored tubes directed guests toward the ballroom.
Photo: Tacy Briggs-Troncoso/MamaRazzi Foto
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
Outback Bowl Gridiron Gala
A La Carte Event Pavilion provided desserts for the gala, including cakes decorated with the Michigan State and University of Georgia logos.
Photo: Tacy Briggs-Troncoso/MamaRazzi Foto
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