Paris

The official after-party for 5,000 guests took to the Los Angeles Convention Center with a Rio carnival theme. The colorful look was inspired by the travels of the Recording Academy's Branden Chapman, who is among the co-producers of the event with Along Came Mary. "Last year following the awards, I traveled to Argentina and Brazil, ending the experience with a few nights in Rio de Janeiro during carnival," he said. "The culture is extremely vibrant, and the celebration is like no other. Trying to harness this into one space and time was a challenge, but witnessing it first hand left me awestruck and inspired for this year’s theme."

Sony Music Entertainment chief creative officer Clive Davis spoke at the event, calling for a moment of silence for Whitney Houston, who had been scheduled to attend but died on the Beverly Hilton property only hours before.

The event changed character after Houston's death, with producer Branden Chapman navigating significant changes to the performance lineup after several entertainers said they could not or would not go on in light of the circumstances.

Alicia Keys was among the performers who also spoke about Whitney Houston.

The annual MusiCares benefit tribute took to the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday.

Katy Perry was among the big-name performers on the event's lineup.

Pepsi hosted a party at Carondelet House on Friday night celebrating new artists. Pepsi, Pandora, and the Recording Academy recently launched an original-content video series showcasing the 54th Grammy "Best New Artist" nominees, including Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, and Skrillex.

Pepsi-logo lanterns added color and branding overhead.

Taryn Manning & Manufactured Superstars kept the energy up at the Pepsi party, while guests checked out various interactive activities, like viewing the "Best New Artist" video series on Pandora using Sony tablets and making a flip book at a photo station.

Delta Air Lines, the official airline of the Grammys, celebrated L.A.'s music industry on Thursday with a reception at Getty House.

Delta showed off its BusinessElite seats in a lounge intended to allow guests to experience the seats' comfort.

Red velvet raspberry cake pops topped with Pop Rocks from Patina Catering were a hit at the event. Chef Michael Chiarello of Bottega catered the savory offerings.

On Friday, an array of music industry executive hosts celebrated the Grammys with their 15th annual "Friends 'N' Family" event at Paramount, with charity beneficiary Rock the Vote.

Live entertainment included DJ sets by the likes of Robyn and Freeschool and a live performance by Kreayshawn. Jennifer Gross of Evolutionary Media Group was among the hosts, and her team handled the event's PR.

Essence honored Kelly Rowland and Sylvia Rhone at the third annual event at the Belasco. Rowland performed a set that included hits like “Dilemma" and final song “Like This,” which brought a guest performance from Eve. MC Lyte served as DJ.

Caravents brought a gold-framed screen to center stage.

The opulent Belasco made for ready-made decor at the Essence event.

Brands' wares were represented in plexi boxes that hung on the wall like art.

The Grammy gift lounge at Staples Center ran from Thursday through Saturday, with production by Distinctive Assets and a Candyland-like theme.

Candies and candy-colored flowers lent a springlike look on the first day of the suite, Thursday, when temperatures soared into the 80s around town.

Even male visitors to the suite stopped by to have a nail or two painted with 24-karat gold polish being offered by Red Carpet Manicure (one bottle of the stuff would retail for $5,000); here, musician Rickard Goransson takes advantage. Red Carpet Manicure also gave out gifts of its limited-edition award-inspired polish pack, which includes shades like "I Can't Believe It," "My Thank You Speech," "Award Winning," and "It's a Champagne Night."

Solstice Sunglass Boutique and Safilo USA were among the high-end brands hawking wares to attendees at the Grammys' official lounge. The Candyland-inspired look of the event was meant as a play off the notion that celebrities are like kids in a candy store at such suites, scoring abundant and expensive goodies.

In what executive producer Ken Ehrlich described as a "respectful musical tribute" to Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson performed a dramatic but spare homage to the pop singer, illuminated by a single spotlight on the Grammy stage at Staples Center.

Working with the Recording Academy's producers, Along Came Mary transformed the vast convention space, the size of three football fields, with dancers, acrobats, aerialists, projections, elevated lounges, and floor-to-ceiling water walls.

Performers shimmied on every available surface. Furthering the Brazilian theme was Along Came Mary's menu, which included a churrascaria station and versions of other traditional Brazilian dishes. About 500 servers and 400 culinary staff were on hand to execute the catering, which sprawled over 50 buffets.

Near the party's entrance, a model in Brazilian costume wore a prop headdress that seemed to extend almost to the ceiling.

The central decor piece was a 60-foot-long, multitiered stationary float covered with glittering fabric. Decor elements soared to 25 feet in the air from the structure, which doubled as a two-sided projection screen and carry 30 costumed performers, dancers, and drummers. Entertainment Plus Productions handled the performance art choreography for the event.

MasterCard Worldwide brought artists to the MasterCard stage, as well as in the MasterCard Jazz Lounge. Performances included Kenny Loggins, OneRepublic, DJ Michelle Pesce, and members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Waste Management returned as a sponsor of the after-party and collected all recyclable materials in keeping with the Recording Academy's green initiatives. ShowPro handled the lighting and video production, and ATK Audiotek took over the sound production for the bash.

Harman, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hyundai, and MasterCard Worldwide sponsored.

The gala and Salute to Industry Icons honored Richard Branson.

To celebrate its many Grammy nominations, Cash Money Records co-C.E.O.s Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams hosted their third annual pre-awards event at Paramount.

Colin Cowie produced the over-the-top spectacle for guests including nominees Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Drake. The party had a Parisian look and feel that appeared envisioned by Las Vegas developers—themey, opulent, and a little bit tongue in cheek. Catering from Jackson Catering included a creperie station and another hearty dinner station surrounded by bistro-style seating, reminiscent of a French sidewalk cafe. There were five mock bistros in all. Servers wore berets to complete the look.

The event included a burlesque dance performance mashup that began with the French national anthem followed by routines to Drake's "Motto" and Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass." There were also surprise performances by Drake, Lil Wayne, and Eryka Badu. Actress Taraji P. Henson served as the evening's host. And in tribute to Whitney Houston, the entire party paused for multiple moments of silence.

Digital screens, including a retractable LED chandelier that draped the stage, displayed images such as the Eiffel Tower emblazoned with YMCMB (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires) logos. And 14-foot white cherry blossom trees stood sentry.

Backdrops around the sound stage lent the look of a Paris street scene, with "La Maison De Cash Money" signage covering some of the shop facades. Gold lame furnishings, opulent chandeliers, and red roses on tabletops rounded out the look. Messages like "riche & fabuleaux" emblazoned cocktail napkins.

The assembled crowd entered the party through a faux cobblestone walkway, passing a 10-foot gold fountain.

The cast of Cirque du Soleil's Beatles show, Love, performed.

Pepsi logos and heart signage filled the space.

Soda cans and a logo spelled out the party's messages.

Signature cocktails stayed on message.

Guests scooped up cocktails at a bar faced with Delta Sky Club signage.

Raphael Saadiq performed at the event for notables including Cee Lo Green, Magic Johnson, Buzz Aldrin, and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Belvedere hosted a big pre-Grammy party at Avalon Hollywood to celebrate its partnership with (RED). It was the first of a series of activities to raise proceeds for the Global Fund, financier of programs to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Mary J. Blige was the event's headline performer, delivering a 10-song set including hits like “No More Drama” and “You Bring me Joy."

Fans worldwide could watch Blige's performance live on Facebook this year though a live stream setup. Production for the large-scale Belvedere event came from Mission and Event Eleven.

Following Blige's performance at Avalon, DJ Skrillex began spinning for the after-party.

The after-party included a surprise performance by Sheila E.

Niche Media's Los Angeles Confidential magazine and Porteon Electric Vehicles celebrated Tony Bennett's Grammy nominations with a party at Crustacean Beverly Hills on Thursday.

Supper club-style seating made for an intimate environment. The mag's New York-based event marketing director, Candace Purdie Montgomery, oversaw the event, with production from Caravents.

My Black Is Beautiful and Lincoln were the party's sponsors. Capital Photo Booth brought a booth with a logoed backdrop, where guests could snap their mugs and upload to social media.

Sponsor Lincoln parked its vehicle inside the venue.

Music-inspired gobos illuminated the floor.

The Recording Academy launched a new female-focused event this year intended to integrate music and glamour. Sponsors CoverGirl, Venus, and Olay were represented in beauty-themed rooms throughout MyHouse.

Guests could stop by the CoverGirl lounge for touchups. And the Olay lounge included a Regenerist bar where guests could choose from a variety of antioxidant and rejuvenating cocktails custom made with fresh ingredients by a mixologist.

Models greeted guests in costumes meant to evoke the look of goddesses, on-brand for sponsor Venus. Further integrating the three participating brands was a green screen photo opp that allowed guests to snap images as they would appear on a CoverGirl, Olay, or Venus magazine cover. Live upload to social media and email was available.

DJ Spinderella spun for the crowd.

Producing the party were Grammy event producer Suzy Ann Machado and the new DNA Events Inc.

In celebration of nominated artists Cut Copy, Wilco, Daft Punk, Maroon 5, and OK GO, New York-based event firm UG and Los Angeles-based DJ collective the Embassy hosted a party at the Hollywood Roosevelt on Saturday. Sponsored by Heineken and JetBlue Airways, the event brought Elijah Wood as DJ.

A checkerboard floor popped at the lounge.

Musician Anthony Hamilton, one of many celebrities and executives who stopped by, showed off his moves at the suite.