The BET Awards took over the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live Sunday night, and although the awards garnered critical praise, the biggest story to come out of the show's annual hoopla wasn't on the big night's main stage. Instead, the most noted development was that BET remade its annual telecast this year into a weekend-long event known as the BET Experience, a festival that drew thousands of fans downtown for music, yes—but also for panels, films, seminars, and more.
Here's a peek into some of the goings-on at the new BET Experience, as well as a look inside the annual BET Pre dinner, which brought V.I.P.s for performances and hobnobbing amid Events by André Wells's over-the-top decor.
Bright yellow dahlias, roses, calla lilies, and orchids from Eric Buterbaugh added pop throughout the space.
In the BET “We Got You” paviliion produced by Events by Fabulous, fans could check out BET shows in the programming lounge and listen to music at the gospel listening station. Crowds also gathered for meet and greets with cast members from BET shows. Activities included a greenscreen music video booth and a so-called “photo bomb” station to crash snapshots with popular BET celebs.
Events by Fabulous constructed a stage with multiple levels and a high-resolution 12-foot LED display to give fans at home a glimpse into the experience.
The custom carpet design used the BET colors, and custom furnishings took cues from its logo.
At the BET Experience Centric Pavilion, produced by Events by Fabulous, fans watched highlight reels from Centric shows, won prizes solving the Soul Train scramble board, and expressed themselves on a graffiti wall.
The space had a retro look and feel with design elements such as string curtains that broke up the space and vintage studio lights reminiscent of the Soul Train sound stage. Custom architecture throughout the space was inspired by the curvature of the Centric swirl. Custom programming walls showed off the network’s prime-time content, and custom striped carpet design led fans through the pavilion space. Furnishings were inspired by BET logos.
Lyfe Jennings and Raheem DeVaughn performed live at the Centric Pavilion.
At the annual BET Pre pre-award dinner at Milk Studios, Andre Wells's production and design included vibrant watercolors, peacocks, and an overall ethereal look and feel. Oversize lettering spelled out the event's name. Strong colors and prints were the name of the game.
At the cocktail reception, Andre Wells's team used tones of red, butter, fuschia, purple, teal, green, navy, and midnight blue to create a vivid look. Club sofas, ottomans, and circle chairs from Revelry were all done in the vibrant tones. A live Twitter wall showed guests interacting on social media.
Flowers from Eric Buterbaugh popped against patterned lighting in bold colors by ELS.
For the dinner portion, Wells's team used muted grays and silver tones. Silver sequin linens topped mirrored tables in various shapes and sizes, and each table featured different chair styles.
Love Catering catered the evening's meal, and Grey Goose provided drinks.
Tiara Thomas, King, and Sheila E performed at the event.
