Video: Behind the Scenes at Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Zarkana’ Opening Party

July 8, 2011

On Wednesday, June 29, we stopped by the Roseland Ballroom to go behind the scenes at the opening night party for Cirque du Soleil’s new show, Zarkana. We spoke with caterer Elegant Affairs and staffing company Model Bartenders to find out how the food, its presentation, and the costumed waitstaff incorporated ideas from the new production.

While officially buying the building before the gala was always the goal, event planner Sam Palmer was careful to ensure the gathering would be successful even if the timing didn’t work out. “We had a million different plans, because quite frankly, a million details needed to go right for that to happen,' he said. 'Our leadership and board worked very, very hard to get us across the finish line, and it was a beautiful moment.”

This Historic Theater Turned a 100-Year Milestone Into a One-of-a-Kind Gala

NFL Draft Red Carpet sponsored by Toyota

See How Teams and Brands Scored with Fans at the 2025 NFL Draft

'There’s really nothing else like it in California,' Meta's Damien Baines says of The Donum Estate, his favorite event venue to entertain a client.

Meta's Head of Experiential Marketing and Creative Shares His Favorite Event Venues

Woodford Reserve hosted another floral moment in the Paddock Plaza.

2025 Kentucky Derby: How the 151-Year-Old Sporting Event and Its Partners Attracted Younger Fans

Event Design & Decor

This Historic Theater Turned a 100-Year Milestone Into a One-of-a-Kind Gala

The Pasadena Playhouse celebrated its centennial with a bold, unconventional gala featuring immersive projection mapping and a surprise escrow announcement—all while shattering fundraising records.

While officially buying the building before the gala was always the goal, event planner Sam Palmer was careful to ensure the gathering would be successful even if the timing didn’t work out. “We had a million different plans, because quite frankly, a million details needed to go right for that to happen,' he said. 'Our leadership and board worked very, very hard to get us across the finish line, and it was a beautiful moment.”

See How Teams and Brands Scored with Fans at the 2025 NFL Draft

The annual event welcomed returning brands like Courtyard by Marriott, while the city of Green Bay spotlighted its local culture with special offerings.

NFL Draft Red Carpet sponsored by Toyota

Meta's Head of Experiential Marketing and Creative Shares His Favorite Event Venues

Damien Baines dishes on his favorite spots to entertain clients, get inspired, host an event abroad, and more.

'There’s really nothing else like it in California,' Meta's Damien Baines says of The Donum Estate, his favorite event venue to entertain a client.

2025 Kentucky Derby: How the 151-Year-Old Sporting Event and Its Partners Attracted Younger Fans

This year's Run for the Roses included an expanded partnership with Ford, along with efforts to lure in more Gen Z attendees.

Woodford Reserve hosted another floral moment in the Paddock Plaza.

Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships

Cue the Confessional: How Hulu Transformed a Beverly Hills Mansion Into a Reality TV Paradise

The streaming service celebrated its expanded unscripted slate with mini activations, reality stars, and... a live python?

On April 22, Hulu brought together 100 influencers and press, plus 150 of its reality TV icons and creatives, for Get Real House, a fully immersive event at Casa Lago Beverly Hills.

Event Tech & Tools

Event Tech Check: Cool New Solutions for Networking, Fan Engagement, Livestreaming, and More

BizBash takes a deep dive into the newest tech solutions for events of all types, plus the latest must-know industry news.

Recently, multimedia studio Moment Factory had the chance to contribute to Aquascope, a major indoor water park in France. Read more in our interview with co-founder Dominic Audet, who made our list of Industry Innovators in the event tech industry.

How Canva Used Creativity and Community to Reimagine the Typical Tech Conference

Step Inside the First-Ever, Brand-Packed Ulta Beauty World Event

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Cue the Confessional: How Hulu Transformed a Beverly Hills Mansion Into a Reality TV Paradise

See How Teams and Brands Scored with Fans at the 2025 NFL Draft

Event Tech Check: Cool New Solutions for Networking, Fan Engagement, Livestreaming, and More

How Canva Used Creativity and Community to Reimagine the Typical Tech Conference

With 4,500 attendees, interactive installations, and a showstopping musical finale made from user feedback, Canva Create 2025 brought the brand’s whimsical personality to life.

Canva's whimsical, festival-style conference featured areas like the Uncharted Studio (pictured), which gave attendees a look at newly launched products—and also encouraged them to share feedback both in writing and via retro phone booths.

Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships

Stagecoach 2025: Saddle Up for the Best Brand Activations From the Desert’s Country-Cool Festival

Check out 50+ ways brands like Facebook, BÉIS, Bud Light, NYLON, American Express, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and more embraced the spirit of the Wild West at the world's largest country music festival.

NYLON Desert Disco, Presented by Coach

Downtown Phoenix’s Arizona Center Is the City’s Newest Hotspot

New restaurants, pop-up businesses, and meeting space offer more options for event planners.

Phx May2025 Arizona Center3

Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships

Step Inside the First-Ever, Brand-Packed Ulta Beauty World Event

The retailer brought together beauty lovers, industry insiders, and top brands for its inaugural consumer-facing event in San Antonio.

The inaugural event welcomed 1,500 beauty enthusiasts, including more than 80 influencers.

Opinion & Experts

3 Event Profs in Canada Share Their Favorite Vendors

Event professionals reveal their preferred partners across entertainment, catering, photo booths, and more.

'I’ve worked with Edge Catering many times, and they are always my first call for the 'tricky ones'—which, as an event planner in the mountains, come up often!' says Heather Odendaal, founder and CEO of Bluebird, a destination management firm in Western Canada. 'Their staff, food quality, service, and organization are truly top of the line.'

WrestleMania 41: Get a Look at How WWE Took Over Las Vegas for Its Main Event

Sin City welcomed wrestling fans with open arms, offering plenty of parties, performances, and playful activations that packed a punch.

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