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

The 2020 ESPY Awards are going virtual. The two-hour broadcast, which will celebrate heroism and humanitarian aid, will air June 21 on ESPN; athletes Russell Wilson, Megan Rapinoe, and Sue Bird will host from their homes. The star-studded sports event had long been held at L.A.'s Microsoft Theatre in July; last year's 5,000-attendee show (pictured) focused on sustainability, inclusivity, and—of course—the United States women's national soccer team, fresh off its World Cup win. See more from the 2019 show here.

This Week in Los Angeles: a Drive-By Art Exhibit, a Surprise Hollywood Bowl Performance, HBO Cancels its Buzzy Emmys Party, and More

On May 16, main street at The Grove opened to cars for a “drive-through” lunch and dinner experience from Rosewood Miramar Beach executive chef Massimo Falsini. Caruso, the property management company behind the outdoor shopping center, donated 100-percent of the day’s sales to Para Los Niños, a Skid Row-based nonprofit that provides support to children and families; ultimately, the one-day event resulted in 21,000 meals being donated.

This Week in Los Angeles: Will the 2021 Oscars Be Postponed? Plus TikTok's New CEO, a Glamorous Co-working Option, and More

Adobe's annual Adobe MAX conference is going virtual. The creativity-focused event—which typically draws more than 12,000 graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, and videographers to the Los Angeles Convention Center each year—will take place October 19-21. All keynote and breakout sessions will be available for free. The 2018 edition of the event (pictured) was named as BizBash's Most Innovative Meeting of the Year due to its increased focus on accessibility and diversity.

This Week in Los Angeles: The Grove's Drive-Through Fundraiser, a New Guide to Safe Events, a Pretty Spring Cocktail Idea, and More

On Tuesday, Wolfgang Puck Catering launched 'WPC Market on the Go,' offering curbside pickup of meals for four or more people. The menu, which changes weekly, offers meal kits, fresh produce boxes, desserts, and beer and wine; items are delivered fresh with instructions to reheat or assemble. Contactless curbside pickup takes place at the Hollywood & Highland garage valet. The service is also available in Dallas and the Washington, D.C. area. (Pictured: The catering company's Cacio e Pepe Macaroni and Cheese, which was served at the official after-party for the Oscars in February.)

This Week in Los Angeles: James Beard Awards Finalists Announced, Virtual Weddings Legalized, and More

CoCo & Co—a Los Angeles-based company that supplies custom branded coconuts for events, weddings, and music festivals such as Coachella—has launched home delivery services to add a tropical touch to your next virtual happy hour. Coconuts can be delivered throughout L.A. county; each one comes with 10 ounces of fresh coconut water, which can be served on its own or with liquor. A set of opener tools can be added if customers want to hammer open the coconuts themselves. Pricing starts at $10 each, or $40.50 for a case of nine.

This Week in Los Angeles: RuPaul's DragCon Pivots to Digital, Plus Revised Oscars Eligibility Rules, Freeform's New PR Head, and More

The Los Angles Tourism & Convention Board has launched a comprehensive resource page for event planners, offering virtual site inspections for more than 35 venues, plus customizable presentation tools and an online venue finder. The site also offers downloadable Zoom backgrounds (pictured) of sunsets over iconic L.A. landmarks, and is live streaming sunsets from the Hotel Erwin every evening. “Our team is harnessing the creativity, innovation, and cutting-edge technology Los Angeles is known for to help planners navigate the unforeseen challenges brought by the pandemic,” said Darren K. Green, the board's senior vice president for sales, in a statement. “Like any producer knows, events—like movies—are one part logistics, one part hard work, and a sprinkling of magic. These tools will help set the stage.”

This Week in Los Angeles: Food Boxes for Struggling Event Pros, Plus L.A. Tourism's Resources for Planners, Redbird's Cocktail Kits, and More

Yesterday, former Sasabune chef Ei Hiroyoshi launched Skinny Fish, a delivery-only restaurant that offers California-inspired Japanese food using cauliflower rice. Dinner delivery is available daily through Postmates, UberEats, and DoorDash. “I never imagined I’d be introducing Skinny Fish during a global pandemic. My team and I went back and forth about delaying, but ultimately decided that now more than ever, we’re in a unique and fortunate position to be able to contribute to the community,' said Hiroyoshi in a statement. 'People need nourishment, people need to stay home, and people need to work—including the vendors who supply our fish and produce—and Skinny Fish can help support all three.”

This Week in Los Angeles: Kevin Smith's Pop-Up Restaurant, Coachella's Behind-the-Scenes Doc, 'American Idol' Goes Virtual, and More

Alicia Keys performed live from her Los Angeles home for “Fox Presents the iHeart Living Room Concert for America' on March 29. The Elton John-hosted virtual event was planned after the postponement of the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which had originally been scheduled for that day at the Shrine Auditorium. Read more about what it took to plan the star-studded special: How Brands Are Thinking Outside the Box with At-Home Events

This Week in Los Angeles: Entertainment Event Producers Team Up for Good, Plus a Bodega on Wheels, a Vampire-Theme Pizza Delivery, and More

La Covid19 Edit Story2

'Conversations from the Inside' Virtual Discussion: Ideas, Insights, and Resources for Los Angeles Amid COVID-19

On Sunday, California's National Guard began transforming the Los Angeles Convention Center into a federal field hospital, in an effort to relieve pressure on hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. The 720,000-square-foot center typically hosts large-scale events such as E3, the 66,000-attendee video game-industry convention that had previously been slated for June.

This Week in Los Angeles: Hotel Cafe's Virtual Music Festival, Plus Ways to Help First Responders and Small Businesses

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

Long Beach: Where unexpected moments become magical experiences.

Long Beach: Where unexpected moments become magical experiences.

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.

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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

On December 11, Spotify hosted a listening party for Harry Styles's new album, Fine Line. The private fan event aimed to evoke the fictional seaside land of 'Eroda,' a reference from the singer's new song 'Adore You.' Held at a private home in Los Angeles, the gathering transported guests to Eroda with lush scenery, fishermen serving sashimi, boats docked on a small lake, staffers wearing branded raincoats, and a vignette called 'Harry's Little Blue Bedroom' (pictured). Styles himself made a surprise appearance at the event to hand out tickets to his December 13 show at the Forum, and fans were able to hear the new album in full.

This Week in Los Angeles: a Harry Styles Listening Party, 'Schitt's Creek's Sold-Out Pop-Up, Previewing the Golden Globes Menu

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.

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