Flash forward. A black-tie New Year's Eve benefit at the brand new Palm Beach County Convention Center. The first social event held in the new 350,000-square-foot center, which celebrates its grand opening on January 10. Circo di Primo Notte, or Circus of the First Night, an outrageous and socially prominent event, paid homage to the legendary party palace Electric Circus, and raised contributions for the American Red Cross. Sutka Productions International's team used their wild and vivid imaginations to push the envelope. "We couldn't recreate the club, but we wanted to recreate the ambience and the look. We even met with Stan Freeman, the club's original owner, who brought us photographs for visual inspiration, " said Bruce Sutka. "Thus, the projectors, the psychedelic look, dancers on platforms and our own little added twists. It was sophistication with an edge." Circo di Primo Notte continued the joie de vivre tradition well into 2004, replete with a champagne toast and midnight buffet catered by Aramark, the facility's exclusive food service provider.
Sutka Productions events are notorious for their blitz on the senses—and this evening was no different. Outrageous décor and whimsical costumes plus non-stop pulsating music drove guests to the large dance floor where they could witness the transformation of an empty space to a fantasyland, filled with energy and adventure. The event was expected to be a sparkling visual medley of the sublime and daring and it did not disappoint. Performers included drag queens, aerialists, acrobats and other sideshow acts. "New Year's Eve events are special because everyone is in a partying mood," said Sutka. "Our job is to create something memorable. It's always a challenge, but it's a challenge I welcome."
Sutka teamed up with some old acquaintances to turn the 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom into an imaginative adventure. Director of special events for the Greater Palm Beach chapter of the American Red Cross Donna Minard was excited to once again be working with Sutka Productions " They have a reputation of superseding the norm with absolutely spectacular work. The night was beautifully orchestrated and we were extremely pleased," Minard said. Electrifying the evening with lighting and sound was Hylite Productions while AVS provided hallucinogenic video projections on numerous screens, walls and inflatable orbs. It took time and some skillful manipulations to bring the concept to reality, but when it was finally done another year was over and a new one was under way.
—Jose Gomez
