12 Cool Event Ideas You May Have Missed From Michelle Obama, CBS, American Ballet Theatre, and More

CBS recently celebrated its original series Ghosts with an immersive FYC activation in Los Angeles. Drawing inspiration from the show’s free-spirited character Flower, the brand hosted the two-part “Flower’s Flower” activation. Kicking off the day was a takeover of Alfred’s Coffee Melrose Place, where guests were gifted custom floral bouquets along with free coffee and limited NFT giveaways that offered access to a Web3 Ghosts experience. Renowned celebrity florist Jeff Leatham created custom-designed florals draped over a VW van, which was stationed outside for photo ops.

The day continued with a similar red-carpet floral experience at the El Rey Theater, where cast members like Rose McIver and Brandon Scott Jones posed for photos and attended a panel discussion about the series. BMF was the creative and production agency behind the activations.

First Lady Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote, an initiative of Civic Nation, hosted a first-of-its-kind gathering called The Culture of Democracy Summit from June 10-13. The hybrid, nonpartisan experience included free virtual programming on June 10 followed by Los Angeles-based community-building events from June 11-12. It culminated with a daylong program on June 13 at LA’s Banc of California Stadium (pictured), where Obama herself delivered a keynote address.

MKG produced the in-person summit, designing each element to encourage social sharing and reflect When We All Vote’s brand values of diversity, innovation, cultural relevance, and optimism. Attendees were welcomed to the event by an art installation that served as a metaphor for the idea of building together. Guests could walk through a series of blocks with unique graphics on each side; their environment and perspective changed as they progressed through the colorful installation.

Other highlights included a photo-friendly garden with oversize versions of the nonprofit’s checkmark logo, plus a 9-by-6-foot mosaic wall from tech company Luster.

The Orthopaedic Institute for Children’s Gala was held on June 11 at the Paramount Studios backlot in Los Angeles. The gathering featured a vibrant superhero theme designed by Billy Butchkavitz, which included animated projections from Bart Kresa on the backlot’s buildings along with costumed statues, colorful lighting from Images by Lighting, and fun photo activations from SLAY5Pictures.

The superhero theme extended to the step-and-repeat, which highlighted sponsor names inside comic book-inspired word balloons. Additional vendors included rentals from Town & Country, large-scale decor elements from Agile Eye Solutions, custom staging from Special Event Contractors, and truss structures from Ricochet Rigging. The Food Matters handled catering, while chef Sherry Yard provided dessert and 200 Proof handled staffing.

On June 4, otherwise known as National Cognac Day, D’USSE hosted a VIP experience at New York’s Hotel on Rivington. Attendees—including DJs Angel + Dren, designer Romeo Hunte, Top Chef alum Eric Adjepong, and artists Dixson and Maeta—enjoyed personal cocktail lessons and intimate musical performances, and posed for photos inside an oversize, illuminated version of the D’USSE Cognac bottle.

MoMA's annual Party in the Garden fundraiser was held on June 7 at the New York museum. Honoring Linda Good Bryant, Wolfgang Tillmans, Mellody Hobson, and George Lucas, the stylish gathering featured florals and decor from CONCEPT Event Group.

Inside the dinner, guests enjoyed catering from Olivier Cheng while seated among simple but elegant tablescapes featuring eye-catching florals and greenery. Additional vendors included lighting from Bentley Meeker, rentals from Party Rental LTD, furniture from Taylor Creative, and production from DreamVisible. The after-party featured DJ sets by DJ PEE .WEE (Anderson .Paak) and Michael Brun.

During RuPaul’s DragCon at the Los Angeles Convention Center, design, production, and fabrication company Unboxed Group designed an eye-catching booth for women’s fashion brand Pretty Little Thing. Pulling inspiration from the colorful world of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the team leaned into all things camp, using various pinks and fuchsias—and plenty of unicorns—to draw attention to the 20-by-20 space. According to the production team, the booth was designed to evoke an exclusive feeling while still having an open floor plan and large entrances and exits, along with strong branding moments that encouraged photos.

From May 25-Aug. 8, healthy snack brand KIND is partnering with experiential and event production company Tenure for the “Better Than Ice Cream" truck, a nationwide tour traveling to 10 cities around the country. Visitors to the truck can try out KIND’s plant-based, frozen treat bars while being surrounded by real plants, visually demonstrating that the first ingredient of every KIND FROZEN Treat Bar comes from a plant, either almonds or peanuts.

To celebrate Global Wellness Day on June 11, the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North showcased a number of mindfulness- and holistic wellness-focused offerings for both hotel guests and local residents. The day kicked off with a Desert Bathing experience that incorporated yoga poses, a light hike, breathing exercises, and fresh juices, followed by a 45-minute flow yoga class and sound bath. Proof, An American Canteen—the resort’s on-site restaurant—offered a special Global Wellness Day menu filled with healthy ingredients crafted by the resort’s culinary team. The 210-room Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North offers almost 36,000 square feet of versatile event space.

After a three-year hiatus, the American Ballet Theatre’s June gala returned on June 13 at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. The event featured a special performance of Don Quixote staged by artistic director Kevin McKenzie, which showcased three different principal casts in each act. After the performance, guests gathered on the promenade of the David H. Koch Theater for an elegant black-tie dinner, which featured vibrant lighting and dramatic overhead chandeliers.