Summer Events

May 5, 2015

Entertain a crowd post-sunset with an alfresco movie experience. Utah-based Open Air Cinema is an outdoor cinema equipment supplier and event producer, with rental affiliates throughout the U.S. The company can provide screens up to 40 feet wide, as well as snacks such as popcorn and hot dogs. (The theater systems can also be set up for video games or karaoke.) Event production costs start from $2,000, and Open Air Cinema can help obtain a public performance license for movies, which can cost between $300 and $500.

Photo: Courtesy of Open Air Cinema

Companies including Turner Classic Movies and American Express have booked water ballet company the Aqualillies. The female synchronized swimmers wear vintage swimsuits, flowered swim caps, and red lipstick, while performing a tightly choreographed routine to music. Based in Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York, prices are available on request.

Photo: Resolution Photographics

New York-based GrooveHoops performs a mix of dance and acrobatics while manipulating Hula-Hoops. The six performers stage choreographed sets that typically last four to seven minutes, while using standard variety, glowing LED, or fire-lit Hula-Hoops. GrooveHoops travels worldwide; fees start from $500 for one performer.

Photo: Courtesy of GrooveHoops

Entertainment company Zen Arts offers an array of entertainment options for dramatic outdoor entertaining, including fire dancers, costumed mermaids, and transparent “bubble spheres” that float on water while holding dancers. Most recently, six female Olympians joined the company’s synchronized swimming troupe. Based in Los Angeles, Zen Arts performers can travel worldwide; performances cost between $10,000 and $100,000.

Photo: Courtesy of Zen Arts

Bicycle action performer Trevor Bodogh performs gravity-defying tricks on two wheels while traversing a portable set of obstacles like ramps and platforms. The 25-minute set features Bodogh executing moves like climbing up a six-and-a-half-foot-tall “Devil’s Staircase” on his seatless bike. Bodogh can perform outdoors on a variety of surfaces, and he brings his own equipment, music, and sound system. Based in Toronto, Bodogh travels across the U.S. and Canada; fees start from $1,500.

Photo: Calvin Frank Photography

In addition to nighttime fireworks displays, PyroTecnico can also present daytime “fireworks” shows using colored smoke. With offices throughout the U.S., the company can stage performances anywhere. Prices available on request.

Photo: Courtesy of PyroTecnico

Night Swimming

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina has partnered with San Diego Bay Adventures for a nighttime water activity. Dubbed “Nite Opps,” the experience lets guests take guided tours through the San Diego Bay while standing on LED-lit paddleboards. Afterwards, guests gather around a fire for refreshments and Hawaiian-style storytelling. A typical group for the activity is 10 to 20 guests, but the program is available for larger numbers of attendees.

Photo: Ken Farren

A Historical Quest

Hotel Madeline Telluride in Colorado offers a GPS Orienteering Quest that can be catered to any group size. Guests explore the mining town in a team-based mission to find hidden flags. Teams use two-way radios, GPS units, maps, verbal instructions, and a set of clues during the expedition.

Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Madeline Telluride

City Sailing

In Manhattan, Halcyon Sailing offers interactive sailing events for groups of 24. Participants get a sailing course at the company’s TriBeCa loft; then head to the New York Harbor to race 30-foot boats past iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty. After about two hours, the group returns to shore for a champagne toast. The entire outing lasts three and a half to eight hours.

Photo: Courtesy of Halcyon Sailing

Summit Climb

In New Mexico, Adventure Partners has teamed up with Four Seasons Rancho Encantado to offer a summit climb for corporate groups of 15. The activity begins with a scenic drive to Windsor Trail. Guests then hike through alpine forests and wildflower meadows to reach one of several summits; each offers impressive views.

Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Santa Fe

To Market

Art restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle has a new activity called Market to Art. Staffers take a group of 10 to the outdoor Pike Place Market, where guests are split into teams of two. Each team gets $60 and 30 minutes to select ingredients for one of five courses for the evening’s meal. The chefs at the hotel’s restaurant then make a dish using the gathered ingredients, and each team presents “its” plate to the group.

Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Pike Place Market

On a Boat

The Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach in Oahu has a new canoe-based activity for groups. Inspired by the ancient Hawaiian tradition of outrigger canoe paddling, the experience puts guests in canoes (or wa’as) that seat six paddlers apiece. Teammates use synchronized movements to make the canoe glide through the water quickly and smoothly, and each team member has a different role. The activity is available for groups of 50 or more.

Photo: Courtesy of Westin Hawaii

Marie Aiello Design Studio’s elegant Great Gatsby picnic spread included fresh flower arrangements, a tiered display of cookies, 1920s-style accessories, and a façade of the yellow 1929 Duesenberg Leonardo DiCaprio drives in Baz Luhrmann’s movie.

Photo: Becky Yee Photography

Hopscotch

Guests could play on a colorful hopscotch grid at the Sunglass Hut Summer Block Party Miami in 2012, which marked the opening of a Sunglass Hut in Miami Beach.

Photo: WorldRedEye.com

Oversize Jenga

Guests played oversize Jenga at Ocean Drive's Sun Covered pool party at the Raleigh Hotel during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.

Photo: World Red Eye

Outdoor Ping-Pong

Ping-pong shouldn't be limited to basements. At a match set up at Ocean Drive's Sun Covered Pool Party during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami, sponsor PopChips covered the table to promote one of its flavors.

Photo: World Red Eye

Beach Volleyball

For a stylish spin on classic beach volleyball, Hermes wrapped the perimeter of a net in its silk scarf print at its "Les Jeux d’Hermès" beachside event in Palm Beach earlier this year.

Photo: Matthew Carasella

Polo Teambuilding Activity

Executives can channel their inner Prince Harry at polo teambuilding activities offered by Executive Oasis International. Participants are taught how to play and then compete for a trophy.

Photo: Courtesy of Executive Oasis International

Balloon Darts

At a carnival-themed presentation of Stella McCartney's resort 2013 collection in New York, guests and models played games such as throwing darts at balloons.

Photo: David X. Prutting/BFAnyc.com

Lawn Bowling

An early summer event launching new flavors of Svedka vodka in Beverly Hills had several lawn games for guests, including lawn-bowling stations featuring prop bottles of the product.

Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraksPhoto.com

Glow-in-the-Dark Boccie

Guests played glow-in-the-dark boccie at Absolut's launch of its Orient Apple flavor in New York.

Photo: Gustavo Campos

Cornhole

Fans attending the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore last year played the backyard beanbag game cornhole on boards sponsored by Jägermeister.

Photo: Courtesy of Sidney Frank

Giant Chess

A giant chess set was placed outside the venue at a gala for the National Ballet of Canada in 2011. Event guests as well as passers-by could play or take photos.

Photo: BizBash

Sandbox Sifting

This sandbox is a bit more highbrow than your typical beach version. For an archeology-themed party at Ardbeg Day at Miami's Cafeina Wynwood Lounge in June, the whiskey brand invited HistoryMiami to create a simulated archeological dig site and competition.

Photo: Jipsy Castillo

Grilled corn on the cob with assorted toppings; roasted potato salad on chive sticks; watermelon cubes with feta and spinach; spinach salad with chopped eggs and microgreens in bacon cups; “hot dog” and “hamburger” macarons; and apple pie parfaits, by Windows Catering Company in Washington

Photo: Erika Rydberg for BizBash

Ahi tuna salad with pineapple-sesame dressing, greens, tobiko, and sambal aioli; cucumber rolls; hoisin duck salad with quinoa, wakame, and roasted vegetables; macadamia nut biscotti; coconut alfajores; and Absolut Ruby Red vodka, Soho lychee liqueur, and Patron Citronge cocktails, by Brûlée Catering in Philadelphia

Photo: Andrew Kahl for BizBash

Mac ’n’ cheese; chicken wings served with assorted sauces; kielbasas; Bavarian pretzels; and grilled chicken Caesar salad wraps, by the Garden at Studio Square NYC in New York

Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Grill-ready clay pot kalbi, with marinated beef, soybean paste, fresh garlic, red leaf lettuce, vegetables, and kimchi, by Miss Korea Barbecue in New York

Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Chopped salad with salumi, provolone, fresh oregano, and red wine vinaigrette; tarragon egg salad sandwiches with watercress and radishes; and ricotta pound cake with Meyer lemon curd and whipped cream, produced by Dandelion Ranch Events with catering by Cooks County in Los Angeles

Photo: Bridget Kenny for BizBash

Bento boxes including chilled Italian antipasti, served with sangria with blood orange ice cubes, iced tea with lemon zest and mint, and Peroni beer, by Parkland Chef in Boca Raton, Florida

Photo: Andrew King/LuvRox Photography

Urban Picnic bento box including a chicken ’n’ waffles sandwich; a prosciutto, parmesan, and sherried fig jam sandwich; gazpacho in a cucumber bowl served with a pipette of vinaigrette and a dusting of avocado snow; a Caprese potato salad skewer; and a trio of sweet-and-savory suckers, by Truffleberry Market in Chicago

Photo: Tyllie Barbosa for BizBash

1. Museum of Flying

For an airy (ahem) summer event, Santa Monica's Museum of Flying opened in late February, and is available for buyout. The main floor has a maximum seating capacity of 350, or holds 700 for a reception. The Douglas Aircraft executive suite includes the Douglas boardroom (a replica of the aircraft company's boardroom), a reception parlor, and a screening room with a capacity of 50. The aviation museum's three preferred caterers are Schaffer’s Genuine Foods, Bon Mélange Catering, and Gourmet Celebrations.

Photo: Chad Slattery

2. Planet Dailies L.A. and Mixology101

Planet Dailies L.A. and Mixology101 opened in March. The new concept from Planet Hollywood is a hip, high-tech coffee shop alongside a new cocktail lounge offering signature drinks by European barman Salvatore “The Maestro” Calabrese and head bartender Joseph Brooke. Planet Dailies has a private dining area for about 20 and offers diner fare from chef Adrian Tenorio. Groups can book a mixology class with Brooke, whose past work includes stints at Next Door Lounge, the Edison, and Bar Marmont. Two outdoor spaces, one outside of Mixology101 and one outside of Planet Dailies, are separated by a small walkway.

Photo: Courtesy of Planet Dailies

3. L3 at Santa Monica Place

Meeting and event production company Extraordinary Events is now managing the new indoor-outdoor L3 event space at Santa Monica Place. L3 spans more than 42,000 square feet on the dining deck of the shopping center and bills itself as the largest and most versatile event space in Santa Monica. A blank canvas, the space is customizable for events and has accessible parking and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

Photo: Robert Grycan Photography

4. Ace Museum

The Ace Museum, the newest contemporary art museum in town, has 100,000 square feet of space and a 250-car parking lot for events. Level one is an open-air space with a ramp leading to level two, which has 30,000 square feet of event space. The level-three rooftop has 360-degree views of the city.

Photo: Courtesy of Ace Gallery

5. Bagatelle

Bagatelle America, a partnership between Aymeric Clemente and Remi Laba of Brand Essence, and Jonathan Segal of the One Group, has just opened the first Bagatelle location outside of New York, the 2,700-square-foot Bagatelle L.A. Located in the former Boudoir space in West Hollywood, the restaurant opened in February with a multiroom St. Tropez- and Paris-inspired indoor-outdoor layout created by design firm Studio Brasa and food from executive chef Scott Quinn, formerly of Bouchon. For outdoor events, there's a manicured garden hedge surrounding the upper outdoor patio meant to evoke a Parisian city garden. Indoors, the bar area has an oversize fireplace mantle.

Photo: Ryan Forbes/Avablu

6. Hotel Amarano Burbank

The Hotel Amarano Burbank completed an $8 million expansion in March. The new facilities include 31 new guest rooms and suites, a swimming pool and spa, and an 1,800-square-foot penthouse, the Chairman’s Suite. Forchielli Glynn L.L.C. redesigned the hotel, including the giant new suite, which has a large outdoor private deck with a cabana-covered dining table for six guests, a private outdoor spa, sunning area, and exercise equipment. The suite’s entryway has hardwood floors, and the living room has a wet bar with a Viking wine cooler, L-shaped sofa, and a 50-inch television.

Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Amarano Burbank

7. Drago Centro

Italian restaurant Drago Centro has a new patio space designed by Gensler that occupies the space above the restaurant. Renovation of the area was completed in January. It holds as many as 60 for a seated event or 100 for a reception. The glass-enclosed patio has a fountain, greenery, and built-in ceiling heaters.

Photo: James Mann

8. Tar & Roses

In late January, chef-owner Andrew Kirschner opened Tar & Roses, which serves a menu of wood-fired, modern rustic cuisine. The variety of dishes includes small plates like wood-fired duck egg, large plates like roasted crispy pork knuckle, and family-style suppers like whole goose with traditional sides. Carrera marble and wood tabletops are topped with heath ceramic dishes, Staub and Le Crueset serving pieces, Schott Zwiesel stemware, and water glasses made from recycled wine bottles. Polished concrete floors are complemented by sleek black banquettes. The restaurant holds about 75 guests, with 45 in the dining room, eight at the bar, and 20 on the patio.

Photo: James and James Productions

9. Il Covo

Il Covo opened in the fall with a private dining room for 50 guests. The restaurant is the most recent project from veteran restaurateur Sean MacPherson (of Swingers Diner, Jones, and the Roger Room). Set in a 1920s former four-plex apartment, the venue has been reinterpreted with the look and feel of a Mediterranean home and garden. It has three salvaged antique fireplaces, a long bar area with carved wood accents, and an enclosed patio. With a menu executed by Milanese-born Roberto Maggioni (formerly of Santa Monica's Locanda del Lago), Il Covo offers a mix of classic and contemporary Italian dishes. The long bar area leads to a fully enclosed outdoor patio.

Photo: Greg Huebner

10. Malibu and Vine Bar & Grille

This August, in the hills just east of Malibu, the Malibu Golf Club unveiled Malibu and Vine Bar & Grille, a wine-centric steak house with farm-to-table influences and a 300-seat outdoor wine bar.

Photo: Courtesy of Malibu and Vine Bar & Grille