With the Grammys still weeks away—the show takes to the Staples Center on February 8—the Recording Academy hosted a press preview yesterday at the Annex at Hollywood & Highland to reveal some of the plans for the organization's official after-party at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The massive bash for 5,000 to 6,000 will get a '60s music theme, inspired by the 40th anniversary of Woodstock.
"I came up with the inspiration while we were installing last year's party," said Grammys vice president of production and process management Branden Chapman, recalling that event's milestone 50th anniversary challenge. "Last year it was very formal—appropriate for our 50th—but we realized immediately we wanted to do something completely different, a complete departure."
Along Came Mary, which has worked on the party for a decade, will again partner with Chapman on the event's overall production—a dream gig for owner Mary Micucci, you might say, because she launched her own company out of the back of a Volkswagen bug in 1975. Decor details include Pucci-inspired fabrics, vintage-style rock posters, and Dale Chihuly-inspired glass sculptures lining the walls. Roving performers from Lucent Dossier dressed in '60s garb will once again add a tinge of surreality to the party space.
Wolfgang Puck offered a demonstration of some of the dishes that will be available at the event's extensive buffets, which will include 12,000 pounds of meat, fish, and chicken; plus 800 pounds of chocolate; 400 pounds of strawberries; and 250 pounds of bananas served at the 56 food stations that will be set up in the cavenrnous convention center space. "The Grammys are my favorite party," said Puck at the preview. "We're going to have a lot of fun—great food and great music."
