16 Cool Event Ideas You May Have Missed From Netflix, Miller Lite, ESSENCE, and More

More than $1.3 million was raised for amfAR’s HIV/AIDS research programs at the amfAR Gala Los Angeles, which took place on Nov. 3 at the Pacific Design Center and honored Paramount Pictures and Kelly Rowland. The event was designed by Billy Butchkavitz and his brother Brian, with decor influenced by the event invitation’s color palette and geometric background pattern. Butchkavitz opted for a golden mustard, white, burnt orange, and midnight blue color palette. A custom cubical-patterned textile was used for tablecloths, upholstered walls, and other decor elements.

A 22-foot-long by 16-foot-wide by 11-foot-tall white cubical sculpture was suspended in the center of the dining and showroom tent. The hanging sculpture was designed to mimic the cubical pattern of the custom textile. Additional geometric shapes were used throughout the event space for dramatic effect and design continuity, and “intense lighting played a major role in bringing the space to life and transforming the environment throughout the evening,” Butchkavitz said.

The designer worked with True Creative Concepts on the central sculpture; Agile Eye Event Solutions on the stage backdrop and press wall; Special Event Contractors on the staging, subfloor, walls, and decor elements; and PRO EM National Event Services on the tent. There was also AV from CBC Technical, carpeting from Event Carpet Pros, and rigging from Ricochet Rigging & Design.

Gold carpeting, gold walls, and a gold stage backdrop, along with white furniture, white decor pieces, and the central white sculpture all served as light reflectors, Butchkavitz added. “As the event lighting morphed, these assorted decor elements aided in the transition,” he said.

Lighting design came from Images by Lighting, drapery came from Dazian Fabrics, and rentals came from Town & Country Event Rentals. The Food Matters catered the evening event, which had custom desserts from Chef Sherry Yard and F&B staffing from 200 Proof. For entertainment, there was DJ Daisy O'Dell along with performances from Tinashe, Madison Beer, and Aloe Blacc.

Full-service advertising agency ARGONAUT hosted an event and concert on Nov. 17 at San Francisco’s iconic Avalon Ballroom, which has served as a collaborative office space for the company since 2013. The gathering served as a send-off for the agency as it departs the venue—and also intended to be a love letter to the San Francisco music scene along with a unique way to celebrate ARGONAUT’s workplace culture. It featured an immersive liquid light show from Mad Alchemy.

The event also featured a performance from Big Brother and the Holding Company, the legacy band made famous by its late former headliner Janis Joplin.

On Nov. 16, ESPRIT hosted an exclusive launch party at its first-ever North American pop-up store on Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles. The pop-up marked the first physical U.S. retail store for ESPRIT since 2012, and coincided with a relaunch of the brand’s e-commerce site. The colorful gathering featured music from Amrit along with a special live performance by Del Water Gap, and drew the likes of Ava Phillippe, Rumor Willis, and Zoey Deutch.

The pop-up will carry the brand’s current collection as well as special capsule collections that will launch throughout the season.

In a fun holiday promotion that kicked off in November, Miller Lite gave new meaning to the word “keg stand” with its first-ever Christmas Tree Keg Stand—a new way to tap into the holiday spirit and drink beer right from your evergreen tree. The fully functioning, limited edition stand is designed to fit around a quarter barrel keg of Miller Lite while also holding trees as large as five feet tall or 150 pounds. The stand is part of Miller Lite’s new holiday collection, which also features beer-inspired knitwear and festival can-holder ornaments.

Luxury skincare brand Augustinus Bader hosted its first standalone pop-up shop in the 250-square-foot Glass Box at LA’s The Grove. Produced by Gladiator Productions and in collaboration with Nordstrom, the stylish space showcases a range of products while offering complimentary skin consultations with beauty professionals. The shop, which opened in October and is on display until Dec. 3, also features an eight-foot-tall product bottle for photo ops.

The global red carpet and premiere screening event for Netflix’s Wednesday took place at Hollywood Legion Theater Post 43 on Nov. 16. The supernatural series follows a young Wednesday Addams as a student at Nevermore Academy, which inspired the after-party’s spooky decor. MKG handed design and production.

Other premiere details included a black carpet adorned with gargoyles, candelabras, gravestones—and even a guillotine.

Creepy props further evoked the new Tim Burton-directed Addams Family spin-off, and tray-passed catering featured items like "Scorpion Skewers," filets of beef spiedini with purple potatoes and heirloom carrots.

On Nov. 5, ESSENCE Girls United, a destination for professional young Black women, hosted its third annual summit at the Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center. The theme of this year’s summit was “Forever the Blueprint,” intended as a celebration of Black girls and gender-expansive youth who continue to be the blueprint for progression, tenacity, and resilience. Highlights included speed mentoring sessions with professionals from a variety of industries.

Attendees could also write down their goals and other inspirational messages, and clip them to a wall for others to see.

There was also a musical performance by Rubi Rose, a gaming station hosted by Cxmmunity and teen gamer Queen Khamyra, The Coca-Cola Company's mocktail bar, and food provided by Slutty Vegan, Soul Truckin Good, and Cereal & Cream. Other activities included nail art and hair-styling stations, a marketplace, and fitness classes.

The event was produced by Pop'N Creative.

On Nov. 18, Cookie Pop and Candy Pop—popcorn snacks from SNAX-Sational Brand Group—hosted the official launch party for The Popcorn Challenge #Snackgiving initiative to benefit the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, raising funds for the Seacrest Studios Children's Hospital network nationwide. Held at Hotel Ziggy in Los Angeles, the event featured multiple stations and activations that encouraged guests to participate in The Popcorn Challenge, where participants try to catch as much popcorn in their mouths as possible in 10 seconds. Oversized popcorn floats and human-filled popcorn balls filled the pool, while 360 photo booths, popcorn-covered step-and-repeats, and create-your-own-content stations encouraged social sharing.