Best of 2009: 5 Unusual Entertainment Ideas

December 4, 2009

At Redmoon Theater's Spectacle Lunatique benefit in Chicago, a rosy-cheeked guitarist serenaded guests in line for the restroom.

At Redmoon Theater's Spectacle Lunatique benefit in Chicago, a rosy-cheeked guitarist serenaded guests in line for the restroom.

Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash

At Redmoon Theater's Spectacle Lunatique benefit in Chicago, a rosy-cheeked guitarist serenaded guests in line for the restroom.

At Redmoon Theater's Spectacle Lunatique benefit in Chicago, a rosy-cheeked guitarist serenaded guests in line for the restroom.

Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash

The premiere party for HBO's Grey Gardens in Los Angeles included retro entertainment like bingo games conducted by drag queens dressed as characters Big and Little Edie.

The premiere party for HBO's Grey Gardens in Los Angeles included retro entertainment like bingo games conducted by drag queens dressed as characters Big and Little Edie.

Photo: Gabor Ekecs

For a Summer Fridays promo, SoBe Lifewater recreated a drive-in setup within New York's Stephen Weiss Studio, including real cars to sit in and servers with popcorn and snacks.

For a Summer Fridays promo, SoBe Lifewater recreated a drive-in setup within New York's Stephen Weiss Studio, including real cars to sit in and servers with popcorn and snacks.

Photo: Ray Tamara

Levi's Powersliding championship on the Santa Monica Pier included a DJ on wheels.

Levi's Powersliding championship on the Santa Monica Pier included a DJ on wheels.

Photo: BizBash

At the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, Levi's and The Fader's pop-up concert and promotional venue included stations of silk-screen artists who created custom posters as guest souvenirs.

At the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, Levi's and The Fader's pop-up concert and promotional venue included stations of silk-screen artists who created custom posters as guest souvenirs.

Photo: Benjamin Sklar for BizBash

FX's 'A Murder at the End of the World' Dinner Party

Trend Spotted: Murder Mysteries Are Having a Moment at Events

Since 1996, more than 175 people have lost their lives at U.S. concerts, with over 722 deaths reported globally due to event-related crowd incidents. According to the Pink Bows Foundation, 82% of these were caused by preventable hazards.

How a Tragic Loss Led to This Groundbreaking Event Safety Initiative

For a 2023 event, Pixis Drones created a massive Pac-Man game in front of the Manhattan skyline using 750 drones. Watch a video here.

Bringing a Drone Show to Your Next Event? Follow These Expert Tips

Makenzie Stokel and Channing Moreland started EVA when they were college roommates in Nashville. The pair, now 30 years old, are on a mission to connect corporate clients with high-quality event entertainment.

How This Platform Is Simplifying Corporate Event Entertainment Booking

Programming & Entertainment

Trend Spotted: Murder Mysteries Are Having a Moment at Events

From mystery-centric dinner parties to true-crime-inspired experiences, more and more events are letting guests channel their inner detective.

FX's 'A Murder at the End of the World' Dinner Party

Programming & Entertainment

How a Tragic Loss Led to This Groundbreaking Event Safety Initiative

The inaugural Showstop Procedure training and certification takes place in Houston this month in honor of Madison Dubiski, who was 23 when she was killed at the Astroworld Festival in 2021.

Since 1996, more than 175 people have lost their lives at U.S. concerts, with over 722 deaths reported globally due to event-related crowd incidents. According to the Pink Bows Foundation, 82% of these were caused by preventable hazards.

Programming & Entertainment

Bringing a Drone Show to Your Next Event? Follow These Expert Tips

Here's how brands and event hosts can safely—and effectively—grab attention with a high-flying drone display.

For a 2023 event, Pixis Drones created a massive Pac-Man game in front of the Manhattan skyline using 750 drones. Watch a video here.

Programming & Entertainment

How This Platform Is Simplifying Corporate Event Entertainment Booking

EVA—which just announced $2 million in funding—bridges the gap between planners and performers, offering a streamlined, tech-driven approach to booking event entertainment.

Makenzie Stokel and Channing Moreland started EVA when they were college roommates in Nashville. The pair, now 30 years old, are on a mission to connect corporate clients with high-quality event entertainment.

Programming & Entertainment

Booking a Controversial Event Speaker? Here’s How to Prepare for the Unexpected

Careful preparation and clear communication are key to managing the risks of booking a potentially polarizing speaker.

Pexels Jibarofoto 2774556

Programming & Entertainment

How to Creatively Execute Stunts at Events—Without Sacrificing Safety

Last month's The Fall Guy premiere grabbed headlines with five action-packed stunts on the red carpet. Learn how the team pulled it off—and see some other jaw-dropping stunt moments we've loved at events.

Action-Packed Stunts at Events

See Inside This High-Tech, Multisensory Experience from Don Julio

How U.S. Event Planners Can Navigate Global Attendance Challenges

C2 Montreal 2025: How the Business Conference Puts Creativity in 'Motion'

This Event Turned Home Decor Into a Celebration of Latinas' Life Moments

How BET’s Stylish Anniversary Dinner Honored the Past—and Embraced the Future

What's New in Meetings and Trade Shows: MPI WEC Heads to St. Louis, New Trends Report Shows Corporate Events on the Rise, and More

Programming & Entertainment

Event Personalization Moments That Really Worked

Personal touches, from custom playlists to innovative swag, are redefining attendee engagement. Here, event professionals share some of the most effective personalization moments they've created.

Programming & Entertainment

Smooth Moves: How to Create Engaging Transition Moments at Events

Moving guests from one room to another can be an unexpected place for some surprise-and-delight moments.

“We once had a premiere for a show that was set in New Orleans, and transitioning 250 guests from the screening room to the after-party was an opportunity for us to enhance the experience by bringing in a New Orleans-style second line band—who led the entire audience across a busy NYC street,' remembers Vox Media's Tara Reilly. 'It not only created a smooth transition, but it gave our audience an unexpected experience that was memorable and sparked conversation.”

Programming & Entertainment

Q&A: How Neon Carnival Became One of the Year's Most Coveted Event Invites

Hospitality veteran Brent Bolthouse discusses why the Coachella-adjacent party has stood the test of time, why he refuses to sell tickets, and the hospitality trends he's loving (and hating) right now.

Brent Bolthouse Discusses Neon Carnival 2024

Programming & Entertainment

7 Important Tips for Working with Event DJs

The right DJ can make or break the vibe of your event. Here are some tips for getting it right.

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Programming & Entertainment

SXSW 2024 Preview: Catching Up with the Festival's Chief Programming Officer on What’s New and Noteworthy

BizBash tapped SXSW’s longtime programming chief, Hugh Forrest, to dish on what to expect at this year’s fest, taking place March 8-16 in Austin, Texas.

Programming & Entertainment

7 Wellness Trends to Expect at Large-Scale Events in 2024

From tech-infused therapies to sound healing to new food waste efforts, we spoke with seven wellness industry players to find out which trends they predict at big events in 2024.

The team from Carillon Miami Wellness Resort plans to bring a variety of touchless wellness technologies to various trade shows that can offer quick, 10-minute recharge sessions to attendees.

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