Northeast D.C.'s Union Market district broke ground on a new Latin marketplace concept from chef Jose Garces on June 13. Putting a unique spin on a traditional groundbreaking, Union Market's From the Ground Up initiative enlisted local artists, sculptors, restaurateurs, and international painters to decorate a number of ceremonial shovels for the event. The shovels were accompanied by paintings of Union Market by artist Brooke Bronner.
The seventh annual Amfar Inspiration Gala New York took place June 9 at Skylight at Moynihan Station. Sponsor Moët Hennessy brought an on-site champagne vending machine to the event.
Luxe Linen and Rayce PR hosted the Luxe Launch showcase at Vibiana in Los Angeles in May. The "Hibiscus Glitz" table—designed by A Good Affair, Little Hill Floral Designs, and Dish Wish—provided whimsical rentals that included plates with sayings like "Holy shiitake" and "It takes two to mango."
The Hospital for Sick Children's 15th annual Scrubs in the City benefit took place June 2 at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto. Going along with the "London Calling" theme, the event had a selfie station that included an English garden rose wall and tea set built by sponsor Caspar Hayden Design.
The event also featured a larger-than-life pool table that mimicked a game of soccer, one of England's top sports.
The 10th annual Google I/O took place May 18-20 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. Organizers gave the event a fun, festival-inspired vibe in numerous ways, including dividing the grounds into four zones by stacking shipping containers to create towers that designated each area. Colored smoke wafted from the towers at night.
What organizers dubbed "art cars" were decorative elements during the day that became stages for musical performances at night.
The sixth annual Governors Ball music festival took place June 3-4 at Randall's Island in New York. MAC Presents created the Miller Lite Beer Hall, an interactive fan experience that paid homage to the brand's start in Milwaukee in 1855. The activation included wooden fixtures, beer barrels, and gun-metal enclosures, as well as original artwork including a mural made out of Miller Lite cans.
The House of Extraordinaire by Perrier featured a clear tent structure that included a photo station, which imagined guests in a high-flying hot-air balloon.
Bacardi brought its Untameable House Party to the festival in the form of a two-story public space that included specialty cocktails, outdoor seating from Lux Lounge, and a 50-person indoor stage where surprise performances took place. Community Agency produced the activation, and Taylor Creative handled decor.
