Local Venues & Destinations > Los Angeles / Southern California | BizBash

Insomniac Events' Beyond Wonderland Virtual Rave-a-Thon drew more than 3.5 million views worldwide on March 20 and 21. The lobby of Insomniac's Los Angeles headquarters was transformed with effects, props, lighting, and lasers, while a small live stream crew captured performances from the likes of 4B (left), Audien (right), Dr. Fresch, Drezo, Elephante, Jack Beats, and more.

This Week in Los Angeles: the Clippers Buy the Forum for $400 Million, Plus Virtual Dance Parties From DJ D-Nice and Insomniac Events

In addition to donating 7,000 pounds of food to the Midnight Mission and Los Angeles Mission Men’s Center, the Staples Center—along with the Lakers, Clippers, and Kings sports team—has set up a new fund to help its 2,800 hourly event staff affected by coronavirus-related cancelations. Staffers including ushers, security offers, ticket sellers, housekeeping, and more will receive compensation for wages lost due to suspended sporting events.

This Week in Los Angeles: Staples Center's Event Staff Fund, Caterers Shift to Home Delivery, an Update on Rescheduled Events

Private workspace and cultural home NeueHouse opened a downtown location in January. Taking over the entire second floor of the historic Bradbury Building, built in 1893, the 25,000-square-foot Neuehouse Bradbury was designed by DesignAgency using many of the building's original elements. The venue offers four multi-purpose lounge areas, a variety of conference rooms and private work studios, common areas including a café and bar, and a private dining room. NeueHouse is coordinating with local galleries to feature rotating art installations.

10 New Los Angeles Venues for Spring 2020 Meetings and Events

Opened in November 2019, NIMA is the café counterpart to Animae restaurant. It holds 85 guests reception style or 65 guests for seated events, where Pan-Asian-American cuisine comes from Animae’s kitchen. NIMA offers views of downtown San Diego’s skyline and design that includes lush greenery across the ceiling, minimalist natural stone elements, and a custom terrazzo floor. Huge windows bathe the space in sunshine by day and city lights by night.

10 New San Diego Venues for 2020 Spring Entertaining and Events

To celebrate the spring season, Eataly LA has opened a pop-up bar dubbed Bar Fiorito. Located inside the venue's La Pizza & La Pasta restaurant, the bar is inspired by Italian spring flower fields and offers a selection of spritz cocktails and mocktails, plus Italian Aperitivo bites.

This Week in Los Angeles: Netflix's Retro TV Premiere, Eataly's Blooming Pop-Up Bar, Updates on Coachella and E3

The Los Angeles Ballet celebrated its 14th season at the Broad Stage on February 28. Honorees included producer and choreographer Kenny Ortega, designer and philanthropist Gelila Assefa Puck, and Anastasia Beverly Hills owner Anastasia Soare; Nigel Lythgoe hosted. The gala featured florals by Mark's Garden and a dinner catered by Wolfgang Puck.

This Week in Los Angeles: Coronavirus Cancellations, Plus Stylish Events From Paris Hilton, the Los Angeles Ballet, and More

To promote the Disney Channel's new Zombies 2 film, the company worked with GDX Studios on a family-friendly stunt that placed lockers at various locations around the country. Passersby of all ages were encouraged to open the lockers, where zombie, werewolf, or cheerleader hands would give them a themed prize. In addition to the Grove in Los Angeles (pictured), the stunt traveled to San Diego; Raleigh, North Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; Baltimore; Philadelphia; Orlando; and Miami; in all, some 10,000 gifts were distributed.

This Week in Los Angeles: Inside Kobe's Memorial Service, Plus a Family-Friendly Disney Stunt and a Tech-Forward Wedding

The Artist Project—which invites artists from all disciplines across the country to showcase their work, meet fans, and take part in panels—ran for its 14th year over the weekend.

This Week in Toronto: a Cannabis-Infused Cocktail Experience, Inside the Artist Project, a Queer Romance Marketplace

The second edition of Frieze Los Angeles ran from February 14 to 16 at the Paramount Studios backlot. Owned by entertainment group Endeavor, the international art festival drew more than 35,000 people, plus works from some 75 local and international artists. In one highlight, local multidisciplinary artist Channing Hansen transformed a townhouse on the studio's New York set into an immersive space inspired by Star Trek and other science fiction. Using hand-dyed and spun wool, Hansen crafted intricate, colorful weavings that filled the space and evoked patterns of cellular biology. Click here to learn more about Hansen's process.

This Week in Los Angeles: Frieze L.A.'s 'Star Trek'-Inspired Installation, Plus a Stylish IMDb Lounge and the Reopening of Bernie's Coffee Shop

In early February, P.C.M.A. hosted a 'Think Tank' meeting on the stage of the Terrace Theater at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. The theater was transformed with ornate chandeliers, a mix of banquet tables and lounge seating, and colorful projection mapping.

This Week in Los Angeles: P.C.M.A.'s On-Stage Dinner, 'How to Get Away With Murder's Wrap Party, an Oscars Party's Unique Photo Studio

The stage design for Sunday's Academy Awards will feature 40,000 Swarovski crystals. Swarovski worked with Emmy-winning creative director Jason Sherwood on the design, which includes a 1,100-pound swirl made of crystals, plus a 600-pound crystal curtain and a 1,325-pound crystal tower. 'My production design is a sculptural cyclone where Hollywood glamour and film-making artistry can combine visually to celebrate the impact of storytelling, and our partnership with Swarovski has allowed that vision to shine at every turn,' said Sherwood in a press release. 'Crystals imbue the design with the floating, magical sense of possibility, and bring an almost kaleidoscope wonder to a stage and a year of movies that celebrate the human experience.”

This Week in Los Angeles: Previewing the Oscars Stage Design, Plus an Over-the-Top Toddler Birthday and Kobe Bryant Memorial Plans

Create & Cultivate celebrated its third annual 100 list—honoring 100 forward-thinking women—on January 23 at the Valentine & Grass Room downtown. The Chevrolet-sponsored event drew attendees including Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Adrienne and Chris Bosh, and Samantha Ronson. A photo booth from OM Digital had a colorful backdrop with a 'Keeping it 100' neon sign. Click here to see the photo op in action.

This Week in Los Angeles: Remembering Kobe Bryant, Plus Events From Johnnie Walker, Create & Cultivate, and 'Birds of Prey'

On January 22 at the Netflix Home Theater in Hollywood, Gwyneth Paltrow and members of the Goop Lab team celebrated their new Netflix show, which premieres today. At the event, which was produced by Agenc, guests posed in front of a blooming floral wall resembling a vulva created by the Petal Workshop.

This Week in Los Angeles: Mac Miller's Immersive Listening Party, Goop Lab's Suggestive Floral Display, a Cirque du Soleil-Inspired Photo Op

HBO’s premiere of The Outsider took place on January 9 at the Directors Guild of America. Designer Billy Butchkavitz worked with HBO’s Anna Willey on the event, which took inspiration from the drama series’ key art. Images by Lighting handled lighting, Agile Eye Solutions handled large-scale decor elements and the press wall, and Town & Country handled event rentals. Audio came from Emerging Entertainment and catering came from the Food Matters, while Slay5 Media created a photo booth with a “dual identity” effect inspired by the Stephen King series. FireGroove offered sketch artists and a fingerprint analysis station, and DJ Johnny Knight performed.

This Week in Los Angeles: HBO’s Tree-Filled Premiere Party, Two Stylish T.C.A. Events, Sean Penn’s $5 Million Fund-Raiser

Netflix’s Golden Globes party on Sunday had a shoe valet, where guests could trade their high heels for a comfortable pair of Netflix-branded slides. The party was produced by the company's Catherine McTiernan and Kelli Hill along with Best Events. See more: Golden Globes 2020: Event Design Ideas From the Weekend's Biggest Bashes

This Week in Los Angeles: Netflix's Shoe Valet, the Oscars Go Hostless, Previewing the Grammys Floral Design

This Week in Los Angeles: the Golden Globes' All-Vegan Menu, the Rose Parade's 18 Million Flowers, Yahoo Mail's Interactive Pop-Up

Set the stage for serendipitous moments at Long Beach event spaces.

Set the stage for serendipitous moments at Long Beach event spaces.

The San Diego Mission Bay Resort is slated to open in January after a $21 million renovation. The 357-room Mediterranean-inspired hotel, formerly known as the Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa, is located on the Mission Bay Park waterfront; it offers a 4,000-square-foot pool area, five tennis courts, a spa and fitness center, and an onsite restaurant. For events, there's more than 25,200 square feet of contiguous indoor space, including the 9,600-square-foot International Ballroom, plus a pavilion with large windows and garden views that holds as many 1,100. For outdoor events, spaces include the Bayside Terrace, which seats 600, plus an 8,670-square-foot garden with a built-in stage. A sand beach can be rented for events and teambuilding activities.

10 New San Diego Venues for 2019 Winter Meetings and Events

On December 5 and 6, Lady Gaga and Amazon opened the first Haus Labs Beauty pop-up. The two-day shop at the Grove included holiday-theme photo booths and other interactive spaces; Haus Labs' global artistry director Sarah Tanno was on site to offer pro makeup tips. Allied Experiential handled production.

This Week in Los Angeles: Lady Gaga's Pop-Up Shop, Virgin's Inaugural Music Festival, a Neon-Lined Event Entrance

Popular Toronto restaurant chain Fresh opened its first U.S. location, Fresh on Sunset, in September. Located in the former Serafina space in West Hollywood, the Ruth Tal eatery is entirely plant-based, offering a menu of vegan dishes plus a beverage program featuring vegan wine, botanical cocktails, kombucha on tap, and superfood smoothies and shakes. The 5,000-square-foot space has four distinct seating areas and two cocktail bars. A highlight for private events is the sun-filled atrium (pictured) that seats 25 in velvet banquettes, or can be combined with the terrace to hold 75 for receptions. The space is wired for sound and has hand-painted wallpaper, hanging greenery, and a wall of windows.

10 New Los Angeles Venues for 2019 Winter Meetings and Events

On November 23, JJLA founder Jeffrey Consoletti married his longtime partner, Robert Czechowicz, at the Bougainvillea Estate in Indio. Consoletti planned, produced, and designed the three-day affair himself; the weekend kicked off on Friday with a 200-guest 'Roasts & Toasts' comedy show and dinner, and ended on Sunday with a 'Bikinis & Martinis' recovery-theme event. The main ceremony and decor-heavy reception on Saturday had 280 guests and a performance by pop star Betty Who. Additional vendors included florals from Bold Blossoms, catering from A Dash & a Handful, lighting by Ultimate Lighting, and special effects from Pyro Spectaculars.

This Week in Los Angeles: a Top Event Producer's Three-Day Wedding, a Natural Disaster Dinner Party, Lionsgate's 'Knives Out' Pop-Up

This Week in Los Angeles: Star-Studded Christmas Tree Lightings, Netflix's Charitable Holiday Activation, A.F.I. Fest's Last-Minute Shake-Up

The third West Coast edition of the Vulture Festival took place November 9 and 10 at the Hollywood Roosevelt. The pop culture-centric event featured a number of fun sponsor activations, including a Friends-inspired photo vignette from presenting sponsor AT&T, a poolside screening of A Star Is Born hosted by Virgin Voyages, a Heineken-sponsored green room, and a festival podcast from Mailchimp.

This Week in Los Angeles: Interactive Sponsor Activations, an Untraditional Gala Format, a Nostalgic Trade Show Booth

Opening in December is the first U.S. edition of Dumpling & Associates, a 90-day pop-up experience by artist collective ZJZM. The 5,500-square-foot, 14-room art exhibition will feature 'dumpling-theme installations that merge tradition, culture, design, optimism, and inclusivity,' according to press materials. It opens on December 3 at Row DTLA; early bird tickets are now on sale for $25.

This Week in Los Angeles: Maybelline's Subway-Inspired Beauty Event, a Dumpling-Theme Art Exhibit, Airbnb Shelters Wildfire Victims

On October 15, Billboard Latin's AMA's Fest celebrated top Latin music executives at Neuehouse Hollywood, where a geometric, eye-catching stage hosted performances by Dalex and Feid. The event was designed and produced by Shiraz Creative, with fabrication by Stoelt Productions, furniture by FormDecor, and florals by Of the Flowers. 'The stage elements were a bit challenging [because] daytime panel discussions used the video screen for sessions,' explained Stoelt Productions' Matt Stoelt. 'We pre-hung everything the night before and early in the morning, and then we took it all down until the two-hour changeover later that afternoon.'

This Week in Los Angeles: Kanye West's Phone-Free Listening Party, an Eye-Catching Stage Design, VidCon's New Event Exec

Independent research and treatment center City of Hope raised $4 million at its gala on October 10. Held at Barker Hangar, the event honored Epic Records C.E.O. Sylvia Rhone and featured a duet from Alicia Keys and Sara Bareilles, plus additional performances from Yolanda Adams and En Vogue. Larger-than-life letters spelling 'HOPE,' painted by artist Hueman, welcomed guests to the SO Events-produced gala.

This Week in Los Angeles: City of Hope's Star-Studded Gala, a CBD-Infused Baby Shower, a Fun Way to Showcase Honorees

The 10th anniversary of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic took place at Will Rogers State Historic Park on October 5. Drawing more than 7,500 attendees—including A-listers Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, and Regina Hall—the stylish, champagne-filled event and polo match featured flower-covered photo ops, bright yellow details, and upscale food trucks and lawn games. BrownHot Events and Revelry Event Designers handled decor and production. New this year was the ultra-V.I.P. La Grande Dame Garden, which offered fieldside views and champagne bottle service for $1,900 per person.

This Week in Los Angeles: Veuve Clicquot's Stylish Polo Classic, a 'Breaking Bad' Pop-Up Restaurant, a Batman-Theme 5K Run

Energy bar company Lärabar teamed up with Pandora to host a music- and wellness-focused event on September 29 at Palihouse West Hollywood. The rooftop event was intended to showcase how both music and healthy eating fuel people's lives; the gathering offered healthy snacks and yoga, meditation, and dance classes, all accompanied by a live DJ. Producer Stoelt Productions designed the rainbow-colored event, which was inspired by the different Lärabar flavors; six glass panels were covered in colorful translucent vinyl, while six custom shade sails provided sun protection for guests.

This Week in Los Angeles: Lärabar's Music-Fueled Yoga Class, Red Bull's Basketball-Theme Hotel Takeover, the Staples Center's New Audio Tech