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  1. Venues & Destinations
  2. United States
  3. New York

Parallel Lines

To mark the opening of its New York venue, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation threw a party, entertaining some 2,500 guests with a circus of activities, Debbie Harry, and tours of the new museum.

Anna Sekula
December 3, 2008

Museum openings aren't typically rowdy affairs—at least in New York. But last night, to celebrate the opening of its new local outpost, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame hosted a noisy, crowded party where guests snacked on funnel cakes, tagged bars with graffiti, and head-banged along to some rock 'n' roll tunes. Approximately 2,500 guests (double the expected turnout) toured the new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex before heading upstairs to the main event, a fete produced by Relevent in collaboration with Running Subway Productions and Alison Brod Public Relations. Overseeing the affair for the foundation was Joel Peresman, president and C.E.O. of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.

In searching for an appropriate venue for the party, the producers happened upon an empty loft space just above the new museum. At 10,000 square feet, the warehouse-like site, with its dusty wooden floors and exposed brick walls, was an ideal place to house a party that needed to feel like a grungy, underground music club. Highlighting this, Relevent added wooden benches and bars, lounge furniture, and a simple stage surrounded by metal lighting trusses.

Even the sponsors for the night took on some sort of rock 'n' roll club motif. Maybelline gave guests smoky eye makeup applications and Garnier's crew styled hair into mohawks and other rocker dos. The rest of the space was filled with carnival-style food stalls serving hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, and funnel cakes.

Many in attendance moved between the museum and the party space, but at 9 p.m. an excited crowd gathered in front of the stage for the featured performance by Debbie Harry.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex opening
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex opening
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Sponsor Maybelline's setup included mirrors and chairs where makeup artists applied eye shadow and liner to guests.
Sponsor Maybelline's setup included mirrors and chairs where makeup artists applied eye shadow and liner to guests.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Guests at Garnier's station received new hairstyles.
Guests at Garnier's station received new hairstyles.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Adjacent to Garnier's hair-styling station was a photo booth where guests could don hats, feather boas, and sunglasses and pose for a mock Rolling Stone cover.
Adjacent to Garnier's hair-styling station was a photo booth where guests could don hats, feather boas, and sunglasses and pose for a mock Rolling Stone cover.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Rather than passed hors d'oeuvres, the event served food at carnival-style stands.
Rather than passed hors d'oeuvres, the event served food at carnival-style stands.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Stamped with the logos of the night's many sponsors, the surface of the wooden bar was also a place for guests to scribble messages with colorful markers.
Stamped with the logos of the night's many sponsors, the surface of the wooden bar was also a place for guests to scribble messages with colorful markers.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Met with whistles and cheers, Debbie Harry kicked off her set with a rendition of 'Call Me.'
Met with whistles and cheers, Debbie Harry kicked off her set with a rendition of "Call Me."
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
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