Transformations and Dramatic Statements 
Lighting & Color is ART is Color & Lighting
July 25, 2011
“Art After Dark“ is the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s annual gala organized by a dynamic group of young patrons dedicated to exceptional art and cultural education. This year’s gala was named “Vivid” in tribute to the Roberto Capucci special exhibit that was on display this Spring at the museum. The exhibit celebrated the forward-thinking Italian fashion designer and artist noted for his inventive construction, liberal use of color and creative layering of textures. Worn by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Gloria Swanson, Capucci’s creations have also influenced younger designers including Ralph Rucci.
Eventions, along with other local artists, professionals and performers, was called upon to create a dynamic event that reflected Capucci’s passionate love of architecture, color and fabric as seen through his incredible haute couture fashion design. An artist after our own hearts, one gown he designed was made up of 25 different shades of red to resemble the flames in a fire.
Live models provided by Saks Fifth Avenue greeted guests as they entered the Museum and were invited to a cocktail reception in Lenfest Hall which we had bathed in color washes. Guests strolled through the exhibit halls enjoying champagne poured by living statues and past spandex-covered models created by Sandy O of Creative Juice. As guests continued to mingle they were treated to a wide selection of stylish passed hors d’oeuvres served on colorful platters from Stephen Starr Events.
As guests continued upstairs into the Great Stair Hall they were mesmerized by the dramatic transformation we had created. We suspended 2,500 square feet of fabric over the entire area to form a “soft ceiling” that allowed us to project layers of vibrantly-colored light that changed and morphed as the night progressed. In fact, we used a total of 16 moving lights and LED color changing fixtures to constantly change the look of the room according to carefully choreographed timeline.
On the stairs below the soft ceiling the Museum placed multiple mannequins dressed in Roberto Capucci gowns. The stairs, the mannequins, the walls and the ceiling of the space were lit with ambient, directional and atmospheric lighting to provide contrast and spotlighting effects.
An Italian-inspired dinner by Stephen STARR Events included short ribs, seared salmon, roasted eggplant and mushroom penne. A romantically-lit modern lounge area served to create comfortable residential-style seating areas, meandering live models dressed in Capucci gowns, and a spirited live auction offered additional entertainment.
After the live auction an aerial performance in the Great Hall surprised the guests but didn’t keep them from staying to enjoy dancing under the soft ceiling and mini desserts served on the “skirts” of the live models.
CATEGORY: Community, Our Stage This Weekend
Lighting for a Neon, Cement and Metal Mitzvah
April 08, 2011
As lighting designers, we’ll be beating the “Lighting creates a mood” horse forever. Nothing demonstrated this basic concept better than last Fall’s bar mitzvah for an edgy, cool kid with urban tastes. Collaborating with event designers Beautiful Blooms Events we took a standard formal country club ballroom and turned it into a night club with layers of modern grunge appeal.
First things first, the walls had to fade to black. Literally. Wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling black drape was installed around the perimeter to wipe the slate clean. Next, Eventions’ lighting designer Rian Winther worked with the creative team to assess the room and determine what the dramatic focal points would be for the event. For social event lighting design our goal is always the same, to keep everyone’s eyes on the tables, the dance floor and stage, as well as each other. For this party concept, lighting would be one of the key design elements and our standard goals would expand to include lighting on multiple levels. Think NEON! Custom graffiti was hand-painted on cement blocks, canvas panels and faux walls in paint that we would not only high light but strobe out! It was illuminating to say the least. (pun intended). .
The bar mitzvah boy walked into a gritty modern environment that was alive with intense light! The dinner tables were covered in bright red, royal blue and bright green – harsh in daylight but effective and vibrant in dimmed party light. The painted cement blocks served as funky centerpiece vessels and were filled with dried electric blue roses that we pin spotted with meticulous precision. Sculptural metal spheres and industrial matte aluminum pipes were formed into other urban tablescapes that we washed with leikos for a wider wash on the table.
In the center of the room we placed a 30 foot x 30 foot metal truss system from which we suspended 22 intelligent light fixtures to provide dance floor, ceiling and room lighting. Many social events we do only require a soft color wash, or “blanket of light” on the dance floor. Very often we layer gobos, or patterned stencils made out of stainless steel or glass, over a light to project a design or pattern. Both good options but just not slick enough for this gig. We programmed the computer-based intelligent light fixtures to change, speed up and intensify as the party progressed to follow the action in the room.
Our dramatic “Pillow Wall” backdrop was a major sculptural element and a great backdrop for the Eddie Bruce Orchestra. This three dimensional metallic backdrop allows for amazing lighting effects using the combination of LED and intelligent light fixtures that we had on hand.
The design team also made use of our Chroma Dance Floor and our Chroma Bars. Our Chroma Series employ a great mix of furniture and lighting effect. Both are computer controlled to allow the event lighting designer to coordinate the bar colors and dancefloor effects with the intelligent lighting in the room.
We also worked with the videographer to coordinate what was shown on our six suspended 50” plasma screens throughout the party. Parties are theater, and to execute a “show” as we like to call them, we need to work with a detailed production schedule that includes everything that happens on the stage, as well as in the rest of the party space. That way, we can build up the energy or reduce down the vibe or pick up the pace or fade to black. It’s got to be a well-choreographed routine even for a private party such as this one. It’s got to be ELECTRIC!
Floral Design: Beautiful Blooms Events
Venue: Philadelphia Country Club
Entertainment: Eddie Bruce Orchestra
Photography: Susan Beard Design
CATEGORY: Design Ideas, Mitzvahs, Our Stage This Weekend
The End of the Spectrum: An Audio Story
February 17, 2011
Not every event we produce is about amazing lighting. Often Eventions is tasked to provide interesting and challenging audio visual services that no other company can provide.
This past November, we were asked to provide audio support for the demolition ceremony of one of Philadelphia’s most beloved landmarks, the Spectrum. “America’s Showplace,” as it’s affectionately called, will be demolished make way for Philly Live! an entertainment area with restaurants, bars, and retail shops. Built in 1967, the stadium was home to most of Philadelphia’s professional sports teams including the 76’ers (basketball), the Flyers (hockey), the Kixx (soccer), the Wings (lacrosse), the Phantoms (hockey), the Bulldogs (roller hockey) and the Freedom (tennis). Additionally, over the course of 40 years the Spectrum hosted well over 1,000 concerts including Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Presley, to name a few. Unbeknownst to many, the letters in the name Spectrum originally stood for the following: The ‘SP’ for “sports” and “South Philadelphia,” the ‘E’ for ‘‘entertainment,” a ‘C’ for “circuses,” a ‘T’ for “theatricals,” an ‘R’ for “recreation” and ‘UM’ as in “um, what a nice building!”
Knowing Eventions was experienced in producing challenging “out of the box” audio services, the building’s owners contacted us to assist them with this high profile event. But it was clear they were unsure how many people would be attending the demolition ceremony with estimates running between 50 to 10,000. That’s quite a difference! How on earth were we going to determine the audio range with no idea who would actually be attending? In the end, the client asked us to provide audio coverage for the entire parking lot to cover all live attendee areas as well as audio feeds to 30 local and national news crews including ”>Comcast Sports Net who carried it live.
During the planning stages of this event (which took place just days before the actual ceremony happened) we had a walkthrough with officials from the City of Philadelphia, SEPTA, the demolition team as well as the client’s operations and public relations departments. Needless-to say, there was a tremendous amount of tension in the air about the demolition ceremony. In fact, the demolition team was worried about “the demo show” and what it would actually take to bring the Spectrum down. The old building was well built and solid as a rock but a few swings of the wrecking balls finally managed to crack the facade. Interestingly enough, we did learn that the reason the demolition team could not use explosives to implode the building was due to the close proximity of the SEPTA subway lines. Smart decision.
As it turns out, there was no reason to worry. As the crowd quickly grew to over 3,000 people, there was a real sense of community and respect flowing around The Spectrum. In true Philadelphia fan tradition, many people arrived early to tailgate and reminisce about the great times they experienced in the building over the years. Many dwelled on the major sports championships won on property. Specifically, the Flyer’s recent two Stanley Cups and the Sixer’s NBA Championship in 1983. We’re certainly happy to have shared in the historic journey of an amazing Philadelphia institution.
And yes, if you visit our office, you can see a section of the actual basketball floor and a piece of hockey glass. You too can own a piece of history, bricks from The Spectrum are still for sale online.
CATEGORY:
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES MAKE THE BEST STORIES
February 10, 2011
Looking back, this has to be one of our favorite events of all time, and certainly, one of the best we have ever collaborated on. The party was in November, 2007, a bat mitzvah for 500 guests at the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal. The 40,000 square foot “Terminal” as it’s called amongst those who’ve worked there and lived to talk about it, is one of the most challenging locations to work in for its sheer massive footprint. A historic manufacturing building dating back to 1880, the Terminal has seen some incredible parties in recent years. This was the second mitzvah celebration we had the pleasure of working on for the same family, with the same guest list and in the same venue. Needless to say, the pressure to make this particular event a completely unique experience was INTENSE.
SUSPENSION OF 10,000 LB ICE CHANDELIER
There were two major highlights to this fantastic party that Eventions had a major hand in producing. The first was the suspension of a 25 foot tall chandelier made entirely out of ice and weighing almost 10,000 pounds. Created by Fear No Ice, the magnificent chandelier posed a few obvious logistical challenges, such as:
• How on earth do you hang a 10,000 pound chandelier one half hour before the first guest arrives?
• Will the circa 1880 ceiling support that kind of weight?
• How do you test the concept with it arriving onsite only 30 minutes before the party?
• What will happen to all the water as it melts?
The biggest challenge our rigging staff encountered was the fact that the ceiling of the Cruise Terminal is made of 120 year-old iron and teak wood. The iron work was forged 30 years before the Titanic sunk and we all know how well that went! Structural engineers determined that we could only attach to the iron structure with a maximum load of 300 pounds per attachment point. To meet those requirements, our rigging staff had to spread the weight out over 36 different attachment points. Unfortunately, we don’t have any pictures of the complicated design of the ceiling system, but it was impressive!
Once the ice was suspended, our lighting designers worked their magic to make the piece come to life against a backdrop of sensational lighting and special effects.
As to the concern of melting water from the suspended ice chandelier, event designer Katherine Warden from TableArt constructed an oversized “sandbox” made of lucite that not only caught the cascading water, but with an added lush floral design, became an eye-popping focal point enjoyed all evening.
CRYSTAL CHANDELIER GUEST OF HONOR REVEAL
The second dramatic feature of this bat mitzvah was an impressive 30 foot diameter crystal chandelier that served as the high-flying focal point over the dance floor. This concept grew out of a last minute struggle to find a fabulous way to reveal the guest of honor. While months of planning and design went into this event, it was only within the last two weeks that the concept came to life. But how?
As the guests entered the dining room, the crystal chandelier was sitting on the dance floor with the Bat Mitzvah girl hidden inside the concentric rings of crystals and lighting. After the band introduced all of the family and friends, the chandelier slowly started to rise to its position over the dance floor. Voila! as it moved up the guest of honor was revealed to wild applause!
Nothing like keeping guests on their toes and begging for more! Collaborating on this stunning event with the creative team of Peachtree & Ward Catering, TableArt, CinemaCake, Susan Beard Photography and Starlight Orchestras brought down the house yet again! But luckily, not the 1880 ceiling.
CATEGORY: Innovations, Mitzvahs, Our Stage This Weekend
Unplugged: Who Sits at the Top of the Event Design Food Chain?
February 01, 2011
We see it time and time again. Clients who enthusiastically jump right into wedding planning; yet, who mistakenly hire duplicative or conflicting event services that confuse, frustrate and muddy the event design waters. Not used to planning events on a daily basis, it’s certainly easy to understand how the consumer can be tempted by deals, packages and service agreements without knowing how the whole design picture comes together. But when the wedding market is confusing already, it’s doubly destructive and infinitely frustrating to assume everyone on your team is on the same design page. The assumption can lead to vendors and professionals assuming roles, providing unnecessary equipment, or worse, providing goods that are inconsistent with the event design.
For example, we were hired last Fall by an event designer to provide decorative lighting for an elegant all-white wedding at a local luxury hotel. Our lighting specifications were communicated to us through our client, the event designer, who asked for romantic soft pinks, ambers and white lighting throughout the space for an ethereal “pure” Winter wedding environment. White meaning, EVERYTHING white including the linens, draping, dance floor, flowers and china. Yet, it wasn’t until we were installing the event on the day of the wedding that we learned the band hired by the client was also contracted to provide decorative lighting for the event. Only the band’s lighting was on the other side of the design spectrum with intense tones of hot pink and purple up lighting behind the band as well as moving light effects on the ceiling. Needless to say, confusion and posturing erupted amongst the professionals and the vision had to be confirmed directly with the bride and groom. Pulling a client out of their cocktail hour to explain the situation and get a resolution just 30 minutes before their guests walk into the room is NOT the best teamwork we can offer as an industry.
What comes to mind is WHO SITS ON TOP OF THE EVENT DESIGN FOOD CHAIN? because that’s the only player who should be securing the event lighting for the job. In our world at Eventions, where 90% of our work is contracted by event designers and florists, we believe the event designer is not only the King Pin at the top of the food chain but the funnel for all design implementation. After all, an event designer’s entire job is creating the visual environment for the event from the big picture concept down to the smallest details and accessories. As lighting designers, we are able to collaborate with the designer to best enhance the vision they are bringing to life for the client. Obviously, not every client is able to work with an event designer. In that case, the venue, catering manager or wedding planner is best suited to maintain the event design. We also understand that not every florist is knowledgeable in lighting effects and may be more comfortable referring clients directly to a lighting company. When that happens at Eventions, we are happy to provide lighting services directly to the end consumer. But when lighting is booked through the band, DJ, photographer, venue or another event professional who is not directly in coordination with the event designer or who is not in charge of maintaining the vision, we end up with chaos and inconsistency.
When a bride and groom calls us to discuss lighting for their wedding, we know our first question has been and will always be “Who is your event designer?” From their answer we know how to assist, refer, collaborate and communicate our role effectively during the design process.
CATEGORY:
Eventions Lights up the NACE Gala
January 26, 2011
Back in the summer of 2010, NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) decided to bring back the long standing tradition of having industry gala after a 4 year hiatus. The committee brought together a dream team of the best industry professionals to produce an awe inspiring event. The theme decided upon was ” Bring Back The Glamour” a nod to the improving economic situation of the past few years.
Ed Knight and the team at Eventquip stepped up and offered to host the event at their facility in Lansdale, PA. A multi-level tent unlike most have ever seen was planned. Stephen Starr Events provided an amazing selection of delectable delights and Brian Kappra and the team at Evantine Design let his magic loose on the empty warehouse and tent.
The view as guests entered the tent
Eventquip’s tent washing machine. Yes, a whole tent fits inside along with a a few hundred gallons of water and a lot of soap!
Stephen Starr’s cocktail hour spread
Greeters by Creative Juice Group
The view as you ascended into the dinner tent
Eventquip’s new crystal chandeliers brighten up the cleverly hidden executive restroom trailer from Bobby’s Portable restrooms
View of the incredible floating stage - Brain child of Josh and Ed from Eventquip. The stage was a feat of engineering. It was cantilevered over a infinity edge pool of water. What you can’t see is the 30,000 pounds of weight, 24’ steel beams and the entire catering kitchen tent holding up the stage. A glass mirror front and glass back extending into the infinity edge pool enhanced the effect. We lit the pool with color changing LED fixtures. Eventions also employed its thunderous line-array sound system to hide all of the sound system equipment, allowing the stage to be clean and uncluttered.
Another view of the sleek and sexy stage
The Ice Lounge This lounge was completely made of carved ice… did you know it was actually contained in a 24’ delivery truck placed outside the tent and installed within 60 minutes of the beginning of the event?
Glass floor entrance to the dining tent with a living Marie Antoinette below
Evantine’s beautiful tablescapes lit from below with our exclusive Battery operated LED fixtures.
The View from the perspective of BVT’s Big Rick Rising, who ROCKED the gala
Our lighting designers specified a design that included a noted absence of pinspots and uplights. The combination of LED under table lights, 30 leikos and 26 moving lights lit the dining space in a dramatic way.
Lounge Furniture from AFR and light up bars from Party Rental LTD made for a sophisticated lounge area.
While this blog post highlighted some of the behind the scenes action, over 30 NACE industry partners contributed to this event. Thanks to everyone for an amazing event.
Photo Credits: John Armich
CATEGORY: Behind the Scenes, Business Partners, Community, Design Ideas, Industry News
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engaged: (08.24.11 - 10:58 pm) love the blog! bookmarked for sure!