My idea Your May

The performances/presentations read like a greatest hits of mainstream media. Neil Young opened with two acoustic songs, “Heart of Gold” and “Long May You Run.”

Education and content on the trade show floor helps to attract and engage attendees. At the P.G.A. Merchandise Show in Orlando in January, organizers used a stage in the corner of the exhibit hall for keynote addresses, award presentations, and panel discussions.

Fusion's Synergy invitation suite costs $387 for 50 sets, a price that includes custom envelopes printed with a return address and guests' addresses, as well as access to the company's easyinvite.com services.

At a preview for Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos’ new music initiatives held in New York in December, DJs spun behind a booth designed to look like oversize speakers by We Came in Peace Inc.

To showcase "S-Beam," a Galaxy S III function that allows users to transfer files by touch, the event offered a "beam bar." Attendees used the new phones to order drinks and bartenders would collect the orders by tapping their devices against them.

As part of AOL and T-Mobile's Signature Sounds program, indie pop band Fun took the stage at the House of Blues on June 4, performing a set that included their hit "We Are Young"—which also happens to be the highest-selling song of the year so far.

Microsoft executives presented new content and announcements, while developers from Ubisoft, Capcom, Treyarch, and other studios showcased live demos, exclusive videos, and new developments in gaming, entertainment, and fitness. Presenters included top executives from Electronic Arts and Nike, plus Joe Montana, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and a surprise performance by Usher in celebration of Dance Central 3. Zed Ink was the experiential marketing agency executing the creative and production for the event, collaborating with the Xbox Global Marcom team, led by Mark Harper, Craig McNary, Michael Cole, and Beth Honebrink.

The Xbox E3 media briefing took to the Galen Center, with an attendance of more than 3,000 people, including broadcast, print, and online press, as well as partners, developers, and fans. The program was broadcast live and commercial-free on Spike TV, as well as streamed online and through the Xbox console via Xbox Live. At the center of the space was a 35-foot-wide high-definition projection screen flanked by five LED screens varying in shape and size, 11 high-definition plasmas, and a surrounding LED surface more than 10,000 pixels wide, for a total of 1,000 square feet of video screen. A curved floor LED screen that pushed the content into the audience, 300,000 watts of amplification, 120 speakers, and 510 lighting instruments contributed to the creation of a fully immersive experience.

A 10-foot Lite-Brite-style decor piece matched the band’s vibrant branding.

In Race to Erase MS tradition, a rendition of "Lean On Me" served as the evening's finale, this year led by Stevie Wonder, who was joined by Nancy Davis, LaToya Jackson, Noelle Scaggs from Fitz and the Tantrums, Clay Walker, David Cook, the Tenors, and an array of past American Idol contestants.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park just opened its first local outpost of the walled trampoline court in Torrance. The sea of trampolines, all connected to form one massive surface, includes angled trampolines that allow groups to literally bounce off the walls. The 31,000-square-foot venue can accommodate groups as large as 100.

Silver Lake-based Pazzo Gelato, maker of all-natural, artisanal gelato, is now mobile for events. The cold treat purveyor can serve a variety of flavors from its custom-outfitted cart, like sea salt caramel with white chocolate, almond fig, and lavender earl grey. Non-dairy, vegan options are also available.

Take a group for a civilized tea-tasting experience at the Green Teaist, which is available for group tastings and corporate activities. The venue can arrange for sit-down-, reception- or classroom-style events, with flexible furniture configurations.

Patina Catering will offer a Meyer lemon curd tart with burnt meringue and wild berry coulis this summer.

Fonuts, from pastry chef Waylynn Lucas and partner Nancy Truman, recently opened with a menu that includes more than a dozen varieties baked using different methods of steaming and baking at high heat to replicate the texture of a doughnut, without the use of a fryer. Fonuts are available for large orders and pickup for events, and varieties include wheat-free, vegan, sweet, and savory. The cost is $38 for a baker’s dozen, or $16.50 for an assorted bag of mini Fonuts. Large orders require 24 hours notice.

Center Theatre Group will present War Horse from June 13 through July 29 at the Ahmanson Theatre. The National Theatre of Great Britain’s production, which was recently adapted for film, is based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo. The show will be the closing production of the Ahmanson’s new season, and is available for group sales. The theater offers additional group options, including discounts and receptions.

Just right for summer entertaining, Zen Arts offers an array of entertainment options that can work over or around a pool space. “Bubble spheres” are transparent spheres that hold performers and float on water. The company started with just one, and recently expanded to six, which are now available for dramatic outdoor entertaining. Zen Arts can also bring in costumed mermaids to provide poolside drama.

Three notable San Diego chefs have joined forces to launch the catering and event company Campine, A Culinary + Cocktail Conspiracy. Andrew Spurgin, Antonio Friscia, and Brian Malarkey are at the helm of the company, which can travel to L.A. for events. Summer entertaining ideas from Campine include picnics featuring bento boxes filled with sushi, seaweed salad, a thermos of miso soup, and chilled sake. Or, try a summer seafood meal made in a galvanized tub heated by a propane burner. The chefs fill the tub with water, potatoes, sweet corn, old bay seasoning, carrots, onions, artichokes, thyme, parsley, and shellfish. After draining the liquid, everything is poured out on a picnic table covered with butcher paper, and served with craft brew.

Take a group for some early-summer culture courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, which will present Rebel from May 15 to June 23. The exhibition, conceived by James Franco with Douglas Gordon, Harmony Korine, Damon McCarthy, Paul McCarthy, Terry Richardson, Ed Ruscha, and Aaron Young, will go up at JF Chen, a newly emerging contemporary art and design space. Rebel is a nod to Nicholas Ray’s Rebel Without a Cause, conceived by Franco to embrace the main themes and events in the original film through film, video installation, photography, painting, drawing, and sculpture. (Shown here is Richardson's "James Franco in Drag V," 2011.)

For a sweet gift, Platine’s chocolate chip kalamata olive cookies come in bags of two tied with a ribbon bow for $2.50, or as a gift bag of 12 for $14. Platine also offers the “salty sweet” collection that includes the kalamata cookie, as well as maple bacon, brown butter-dark chocolate-smoked salt, and the “snacky cookie” (with potato chips, pretzels, dark chocolate, and butterscotch chips), packaged in a silver tin for $40.