Later in the evening, spotlights revealed burnt-out cars and trucks with plants spilling out of them.
The inaugural New York Fashion Week: Men's took place at Skylight Clarkson Square in SoHo July 13 to 16. John Varvatos moved his men's show from Milan to New York to close the week and celebrated the occasion with a show that put the emphasis on the pinstripe. Produced by Jay Arcos for Moda Tech in Platform 1 at Skylight Clarkson Square, guests were met by 350 umbrellas hung upside down and a custom-made runway with striped fabric covering a one-inch MDF floor.
For the 2011 Museum of Modern Art’s film benefit in New York, the celebrity arrivals backdrop wasn’t a step-and-repeat of logos, but rather a wall of 20,000 fresh crimson-colored roses designed by Raul Avila.
The annual WeWork conference, which mimicked the classic elements of summer camp, took place August 21 to 23 at Raquette Lake Camps in Bedford, New York. At dinner time, images of animals and camping equipment decorated paper bags that housed candles on tables.
The Celebration of Hope Gala, which benefits Lungevity, took place at New York's Pierre hotel on October 14. Events by André Wells designed the event and decked tables with bright bunches of flowers. The tables also held cards that provided information on lung cancer.
The company's biggest annual fund-raiser, typically held in the winter, was known as "Spectacle Lunatique." And it was always full of surprises. At the 2008 event, a strange performance featured Redmoon performers pulling faces behind window panes.
At the next year's event, a Redmoon actor poured drinks from his perch atop the theater's wine bike—a machine with an umbrella of rotating glasses. The company offered the machine for hire, and it appeared (with an attendant) at several Chicago events.
Also at the 2009 gala, performers dressed as pregnant women opened papier-mâché bellies to reveal tiny puppet shows.
As guests arrived to the 2010 event, performers wearing giant fists cheered them on and shouted "ooh" and "aah."
The company routinely offered innovative ideas for food presentation. At its 2011 fund-raiser, a performer lay in a bathtub covered with a pool of candlelit wine bottles. Two trays at the side of the tub held hors d'oeuvres such as deviled eggs.
The company's "Spinning Vehicles" were rolling platforms with elevated, performer-activated, rotating vignettes including a tilted bathtub with a bather. The tropes appeared at the 2012 fund-raiser.
On highboy tables throughout the general receptions space, unusual centerpieces included flowers and bits of machinery sprouting from patches of grass. Other tables held jars filled with tiny winged ladders.
With the "Teapot Libation Machine," a Redmoon performer wore a metal backpack with an extended arm that held a porcelain teapot at its end. The teapot, mechanically operated by a switch on the performer's wrist, poured cocktails into guests' glasses.
A trio of roving characters in illuminated swan headdresses made their way throughout the event space. By moving their arms, the performers made the ghostly swans appear to fly.
Redmoon's musical entertainment was far from standard. Referred to as the "drum cart," a three-tiered, pedal-powered contraption held several percussion instruments. At the 2013 benefit, drummers dressed in bird masks and feathery headdresses commandeered the instruments as they rode the cart through the warehouse space.
The 2014 event showcased fresh ideas for raising money. A series of "give and get" experiences treated guests to Redmoon-style activities after paying for the opportunity via BidPal. One such experience was called the "Bearthday Party," which let guests celebrate their birthday (whether or not it was their actual birthday) on stage with a bear and a clown. Other treats included a cupcake with a sparkler and a birthday serenade. The experience ended with an explosion of confetti from the theater's so-called confetti cannon. "It was like your own personal celebration of you," said a rep for the theater company, after the function.
Another experience, given to guests who bid $1,000 (including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, pictured), was a 10-minute dinner prepared by Schwa chef Michael Carlson. Along with the rapid meal, bidders were treated to a private opera performance and champagne service from the theater's champagne chandelier. Dishes included melon with carbonated peaches, short ribs with dehydrated corn, and a caramel-apple-style dessert.
An amenity that was offered to all guests: snacks from the "Cyclone Grill." Stationed at the entrance to the event, the fixture contained 16 grills donated by Weber. At the start of the night, the grills held roasted pig, plantains, and black beans. Later in the evening, the grills held slices of pizza.
A costumed bear nodded to the theater's upcoming spring spectacle, "Bellboys, Bears, and Baggage." At the event, guests could bid $50 to play pool with the bear. Those who beat the bear at the game won a six-pack of beer.
The company also hosted events for holidays such as Halloween and Labor Day. The theater described its Joyous Outdoor Event—which took over Lakeview's South Belmont Harbor park over Labor Day weekend in 2010—as “a spectacular festival of performance, live music, and art for ordinary Joes and average Janes of all ages.” Lines formed outside the Luminarium, a cocoon-like, dimly lit structure from British company Architects of Air. Billed as "an inflatable, walk-in sculpture,” it contained a maze of glowing areas.
Described as a “skeletal spectacle,” Redmoon Theater’s 2012 Halloween party in Chicago featured dozens of the bony Halloween icons, and planners created unique ways to combine food and entertainment. At a s’mores station, two performers in lingerie and face makeup warmed chocolates over candles in a bathtub; blowtorches were used to sear the marshmallows.
Redmoon also threw parties to welcome in the New Year. At the 2013 gathering, aerialists in giant swaths of silk manned "sky trays" that held items such as strawberries and grapes.
The performers swooped down on silk swaths to drop the fruits into guests' mouths.
For a wedding at Union Station in Los Angeles, Sterling Engagements displayed escort cards printed to look like train tickets inside vintage suitcases.
Under pierced metal chandeliers, long communal tables dotted with candlelight were the focus in the middle of the room.
NBC Universal's annual rooftop party took place at the Beverly Hilton. Among the architectural elements in the Moroccan-style space was a sunken water feature that party producer and designer Angel City Designs custom built as the centerpiece of a raised lounge area. The fountain had a faux Moroccan tile bottom with two water sprayers, all accented with white floral petals.
For Rihanna's debut Fenty Puma runway show, held February 12 at 23 Wall Street, production company Prodject commandeered about 35,000 square feet of space in the financial district for a distinctly unique five-day build. Only the video floor portion of the runway was raised, covered by about 200 pieces of custom mirror. Models first walked on the runway, then around the perimeter of the space on the same level as the first row of seats, bringing the clothing closer to the guests.
Each year organizers create a variety of lounges where attendees can watch a simulcast of speakers. New this year was a ball pit filled with beanbag chairs and beach balls.
In Washington, Occasions Caterers recently unveiled its "Welcome to Washington" food station at an event at the United States Institute of Peace. Occasions worked with the sculpture artist AJ Strasser to create the custom display, which was inspired by the National Mall.
Screens printed with the New York City skyline enclosed the entry hallway that led to the reception space at the 2014 Robin Hood Foundation Benefit in New York. David Stark Design and Production designed the event.
The Recording Academy's official Grammy after-party for 5,000, known as the Grammy Celebration, had a candy land theme. The "Grammy Land" bash had whimsical, youthful details, like rainbow suckers tucked into tabletop centerpieces.
This year’s Governors Ball had a retro look inspired by the caricature-covered walls of Sardi’s and Brown Derby restaurants. Decor for the night included more than 170 commissioned black and white drawings of current and historic Hollywood stars.
MGM National Harbor celebrated its grand opening with a high-profile event on December 8. "Portal," a sculpted iron archway designed by Bob Dylan for the new venue, is the iconic singer's first permanent display of public art.
