Transformations and Dramatic Statements 
The Lure of the Moon: Finding Event Lighting Inspiration in the Caribbean
January 25, 2012
Like most event professionals, the moment I can grab a little rest and relaxation to recharge my creative batteries, I take it! Ordinarily, that means my wife and I head to a tropical destination where we can literally sail into the sunset. The sailing community is close knit and you hear all about intriguing places to go, celebrations to share and parties to attend. So, last Winter, after hearing about the lighting effects that take place at the Fireball Full Moon Party, we decided to head to the British Virgin Islands to do a little “research” of our own.
For many people around the World the moon has a powerful allure: it is full of beauty, romance, legend and myth. During the full moon each month, people gather together to honor and give thanks to the cycles of life. These celebrations are important times for reflection, meditation and for building relationships. In the British Virgin Islands hundreds of sailors gather at Trellis Bay, located on Beef Island, to celebrate the full moon at the Fireball Full Moon Party. If you’re not familiar with the islands, Trellis Bay is a beautiful and well-protected anchorage complimented by an artsy and hip shoreline. Sailors love to anchor here year-round, but on full moons they sail in by the boat-loads to enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Fireball Full Moon Party. This is the real Caribbean! You can’t get here by cruise ship or tour guide, you need a sense of adventure to journey here and experience the full moon party and all of its lighting effects.
The Full Moon Party is a joint production of Aragorn’s Studio and the Trellis Bay Cybercafé. Trellis Bay’s fetes feature local musicians, a top-notch barbeque buffet, and local artist Aragorn Dick-Read’s flaming fireballs. The parties are a good place to sample Tortola’s traditional music form, scratch-band music called “fungi.” Entertainment also includes mocko jumbies, colorful stilt-walking characters that perform impressive moves at heights of up to 10 feet. But the stars of the event are the fire sculptures on the water. Aragorn’s fireballs are a story unto themselves. Spherical metal sculptures about five feet in diameter, the fireballs are stuffed with flammable material, fastened on stands over the water, and lit afire. The effect is mesmerizing; flames dance over the crystal water, allowing glimpses at the balls’ intricate carved designs. So much awesome inspiration in one kickin’ party atmosphere!
However, in talking with Aragorn, we learned that the fireballs have a checkered past. Aragorn engaged in a very public dispute with the island’s Conservation and Fisheries Department in 2004 and 2005 over whether he had the required permission to station them on the seabed. (Local law states that land ownership ends at the high water mark; the seabed is controlled by the government). At the height of the dispute, the fireballs were confiscated and locked up at the East End Police Station. Luckily for us, the matter seems to have been resolved for the time being. (Imagine the photo op of the fireballs all locked up in a Caribbean jail!)
No doubt, the Fireball Full Moon Party was pretty incredible! We enjoyed the local band who kept us dancing all night under the full moon’s spell, to tunes such as their own cool version of Alicia Keys’ No One, Bob Marley classics, and other great Calypso, Reggae and Soca tunes. Combined with the fire, water and moonlight, it was an environment that just screamed “celebration”!
Seeing the World and sharing unique experiences like this gives us great inspiration for the production work that we do every day. Now, if we could just book an event where we can introduce the elements of fire and water into an amazing lighting design…
By Brian Toner, Owner & Lighting Designer
CATEGORY: Design Ideas, For Fun, What We Love
A Jammin’ Holiday Party at URBN Headquarters, The Naval Yard, Philadelphia
December 16, 2011
If you’re going to throw a corporate holiday party for 2,200 employees from around the country, all of whom can rightfully claim they’re the coolest and hippest creatives around, you’d better plan BIG. That’s just what URBN, Inc. did with their recent holiday jam held at their company headquarters in Philadelphia.
Employees from all five of their brands – Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, BHLDN and Terrain – arrived in style to incredible modern décor and a mish-mosh of festive activities. From the moment guests arrived into the already-eye-catching building, they were greeted by glittering paper stars, giant tinsel and crystal curtains, dramatic lighting, upside down Christmas trees decked out in tinsel.
A modern Elf offered bubbly all night from a suspended Champagne Chandelier, glitter and sparkle makeovers were available at chic white lacquered makeup counters, pool and air-hockey tables encouraged team building, and a live photo booth shared images as they happened on multiple screens throughout the huge space.
URBN provided modern holiday displays of food and beverage throughout the space, right down to their candy bar of nostalgic favorites.
Two DJs spun groovy tunes from a custom-designed DJ Booth we designed specifically for the party. Entirely constructed of metal truss and clear Lucite, the booth sat high off the floor and allowed dancers to look up through the floor at the DJs spinning above. The ceiling over the booth was filled with 2,000 mylar balloons which multiplied the lighting effects like mirrors. To light the dance area alone, we used 36 intelligent light fixtures including 12 brand new LED moving lights! Yeah baby! Incredible way to celebrate the season and ring in the New Year!
[Photos: Kevin York]
CATEGORY: Corporate, Design Ideas, Innovations
The Great Pumpkin Carve… and lighting
October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween!!!
Sometimes Candlelight is the best lighting, especially when it comes to lighting your Halloween Jack O’ Lantern.
Last weekend we had the opportunity to attend the Chadds Ford Great Pumpkin Carve. This event, which is over 50 years old, is a spectacular display of pumpkins carved by local artists in the Brandywine Valley.
The Great Pumpkin Carve Event was started by the early Wyeth family artists and is cosponsored by the Historical Society & Concordville- Chadds Ford Rotary and has featured local and national artists including many members of the Wyeth family. Many famous and local celebrities join in the action, including celebrity mom April Margera.
The Pumpkins are native pumpkins, grown by SIW vegetables of Chadds Ford. They weigh between 150 and 400 pounds. Most of them are of the variety “Prize-Winner,” a drought resistant pumpkin that tends to be bright orange. There are also a few “Atlantic Giants” which tend to be paler and sometimes a less regular shape. Each artist is assigned a pumpkin when they arrive and then has to quickly design his work based on the shape and look of the pumpkin he or she is assigned.
Much care is taken to design the carved pumpkin to work with the candlelight. Many artists remove the outside orange skin and varying layers of the white interior to allow different intensities of light to shine thru the pumpkin.
Mark your calendars for the weekend before Halloween next year if you want to attend. You can witness the artists carving the pumpkins on Thursday night and then they are on display for the next two nights. The event also features local music, food, hayrides and vendors. More information can be found here: http://chadds-ford-historical-society.org/events/great-pumpkin-carve/
CATEGORY: Community, Design Ideas, For Fun, What We Love
Jennifer : (10.31.11 - 9:19 am) Some great pumpkins this year. My design was the Headless Horseman:)
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
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
engaged: (08.24.11 - 10:58 pm) love the blog! bookmarked for sure!
Last Minute Requests to Event Lighting Design Plans Don’t Scare Us
January 24, 2011
As lighting designers, we know how to evoke an appropriate mood, reinforce the style of the event design and highlight visual elements into a unified environment. Working closely with your event designer, florist or event planner, we begin the design process by listening to the event vision and overall goals before sharing ideas on how light can be used to enhance the vision. In fact, the earlier we get involved in the event design the better the collaboration is in achieving the client’s desired “look” for the event. But sometimes, as all creative or visual art professionals know, all the pre-planning in meetings, in computer-generated renderings or on paper isn’t the end of the design process. Invariably, last minute requests for changes or additions to the lighting design occur during the installation of the event. Most people are “show me’s” and can’t visualize how we can create effects to match or highlight the space, mood or action. And, frankly, very often the lighting designers see something on the job site that inspires an addition, change or logistical adaptation. We happen to love these kinds of last-minute “shoot from the gut” challenges because our ability to adapt on the fly generally separates us from the rest of the pack.
For instance, for a wedding at Winterthur Estate in Delaware our client, Evantine Design, collaborated with us for months on an outdoor celebration around the Reflection Pool. The lighting design would incorporate lighting the entire party area, from 65 foot trees around the perimeter to shrubbery, fountains, architectural statues, walkways, stairs and of course, dinner tables, a stage and dance floor. All was set and in place when a dramatic summer storm meant changing plans completely and moving the wedding inside the adjacent museum. Not only was the new party space rather clinical, with stone facades and walls of glass at either end, it required working with restricted conditions for attachment and installation timeframes. [Photo of the event space just before we began installation]
Our goals were simple: unify the entire room and ceiling with textural light using multiple gobos in layers of pink, lavender and magenta; highlight the stunning floral décor on dinner tables; wash the band and dance floor with photo-friendly hues of amber and pink; and let the rest fade into darkness.
As we were working through the details in the installation, Evantine asked us to light up the incredible columns surrounding the entrance area to the space. We were more than happy to use our new LED uplights at the base of the columns. This simple request turned out to be one of the more memorable design elements of the wedding.
Seen from the outside, who would know all this happened in a matter of hours.
[Photos courtesy of Laura Novak]
CATEGORY: Design Ideas, Our Stage This Weekend, Weddings
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melissa paul: (10.31.11 - 8:25 am) Awesome pumpkin carving ART! Wow, and local too!