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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!