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Showing posts from 2011

We Wish You A Happy Hanukkah And Merry Christmas!

Dear Friends! We are wishing you all a very Happy Chanukah with Janet's song selection, the very funny Adam Sandler song "Happy Chanukah, Part 3". DJ Matt Cornwall: Just in case for those of you who may either perhaps  live under a rock, or on Mars,  " The  Chanukah  Song " is a highly humorous song written by comedian  Adam  Sandler  with  Saturday Night Live  writers  Lewis Morton   and  Ian Maxtone-Graham   and originally performed by Sandler on Saturday Night Live's   Weekend Update   on December 3, 1994.  Sandler subsequently performed the song as part of his stand-up act, later updating it with new lyrics. All variations center on the theme of  Jewish  children feeling alienated during the  Christmas   season, and Sandler's listing of Jewish celebrities (both real and fictional) as a way of sympathizing with their situation. Unfortunately, "Part 3" which was done back in 2002, is the last "update" we've

Our Snowy Winter Wonderland in Southern California, Indoors - and a Burlesque Lounge In Chicago's Convention Center.

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Dear Friends, Chris Gerstenblatt has been very busy, creating Holiday cheer in various locations on behalf of our clients. We really appreciate the indoor "Snowy Central Park". All the Wintery mood without suffering cold, wet feet! We installed this Winter Wonderland in the Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim, CA for a client's party. Chris dashed off  to continue with a  Holiday Showcase at an annual trade show in Chicago, IL.  Over 600 companies showcase their product to buyers in the incentive and association markets. Over  five thousand guests come through the show in just a four hour time frame. It is important to make the booth pop to get some attention. We produced this enticing booth for Starwood Hotels, using a bright, cheerful, attention-grabbing red. Wishing you all Wonderful Holidays!

EventWorks Presents: A Special Holiday Treat From DJ Matt Cornwall

Dear Friends, We found this one on DJ Matt Cornwall 's personal Facebook page. Our favorite DJ created this beautiful atmospheric musical mix just as a gift for his friends. We find it hauntingly beautiful and "Winter Moody Desert Lady Mix" really shows the amazing talent that DJ Matt is. Go ahead, download it from SoundCloud  and plug in, then head East on Interstate 10.  "It's been awhile since I've made what is called a "desert lady" mix, which is basically a sort of moody ethereal vintage-y cinematic collage intended to drive around the desert with... particularly Palm Springs. I've made several which I will find and post, and usually those mixes were made in the spring and summer, however, I decided to make a short one for the Winter.  Please feel free to get into your car now and escape to the desert listening to this mix... or just drive anywhere listening to it :)" DJ Matt Cornwall : )  Wishing you a Happy Holiday!

EventWorks Wishes You Oh Happy monDay - Ray Charles And Voices of Jubilation

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Ladies and Gentlemen: RAY CHARLES! I don't know about you, but there's one thing that definitely gets me through the madness of the holiday season in one piece .. and that is ... "simplicity"...... and especially if it's got one of the sweetest "right on the money" soulful grooves backing it up. My dear "behind the scenes" friend Marion at Eventworks turned me on to this little pot of holiday gold featuring Ray Charles joined by the world famous 120-member Voices of Jubilation Gospel Choir of Newark, New Jersey for his first Christmas special ever, recorded in 2003, singing " Oh Happy Day." It is truly magical to watch the brilliant beautiful genius that is "Ray"; never missing a beat, swingin' it, swayin' it, and keeping it oh so very real ... all done in the confines of a simple gorgeous rhythm, human hands clapping, and an ever powerful compelling simple repetition from this mighty choir; T'is

EventWorks Invites You To Celebrate The Season

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Dear Friends, The Holiday Season has become synonymous with packed parking lots and shopping stress. You may have heard about the California shopper who pepper sprayed other customers at Walmart.  We think it is high time to bring some of the fun and celebration back into the season. Let's think about what it is really about. Giving and Sharing will hopefully still have a place on our busy to-do lists. We have decided to send you our Best Wishes and Holiday Cheer every Monday morning this season, instead of sending you one card or one email. We are busy scouting some interesting music to celebrate and honor the moment. So, let's get the celebration started! "It's officially Christmas time... and although this song is soon to be 28 years old, it's message, spirit and music is more alive today than ever... and if you haven't seen it in awhile, (or for you youngsters out there who haven't ever seen it, take note that many artists today have either b

Chiming In Thanksgiving Week. Thank You, Michael Cerbelli, For Choosing This Video

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Dear Friends! Rockin’ you into this week should be easy! Most of us will enjoy a short work week before we head off into our Thanksgiving Weekend. Janet spent Sunday a week ago working with her friends of the SEARCH Foundation. President of Special Events for Total Event Specialists / Total Entertainment Michael Cerbelli  and Janet chatted about music. He is sending us this week’s video: “Sweet Dreams” by the amazing Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, aka Eurythmics. Michael: “A GROUNDBREAKING VIDEO! Happy MONDAY! Kisses M” We trust his musical instincts! Block Party DJ ranks among his many illustrous titles! And DJ Matt Cornwall concurs: "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" is an absolute  triumph of computer programming, boasting what i call  "the single greatest use of a prolonged synth line in the history of dance music." Truly.  By the early 1980s, the electro-pop sounds of Kraftwerk and Gary Numan had seeped into the pop mainstream courtesy of a slew of Br

We Are So Grateful For the 2012 Gala Awards Nominations!

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Dear Friends, Just in time for Thanksgiving, we got really happy news and a lot of reasons to be thankful! EventWorks secured nominations in four categories for the 2011 Special Events Gala Awards. Our nominations are: BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN TECHNICAL SUPPORT "Solutions: Spirit of the Entrepreneur" Technical Director Ted Bowers and his team, including Greg Holford, Greg Russell and Marcelo Cruz, pioneered 360° degree video projection, bringing the rock arena technology to the meeting room. BEST DECOR: BUDGET UNDER $20,000 "Legends Gala" Katie Rogers and Kate Brack worked wonders, re-purposing almost everything in items and decor from a multi-day program to create a glamorous Closing Event in Las Vegas. We worked "green" on so many levels. BEST DECOR: BUDGET $20,000 TO $49,999 EventWorks, Los Angeles, and Kuoni, Scottsdale, Ariz. "Alice in Wonderland" Melissa Yan Armstrong's cooperation with Jill Philipe and her team

This Is How We Like To Remember Michael Jackson

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Dear Friends, The sordid, sad news headlines keep coming but we prefer to remember the King of Pop for the amazing entertainment genius that he was. We in the event industry have a lot to be thankful for to Michael Jackson. His music and dance skills still entertain, more than two decades past the zenith of his career. And that will be his legacy in our minds. DJ Matt Cornwall: "As a DJ, I've spent alot of time with Michael. I always tend to gravitate to the "b-sides" of artists , and definitely did with Michael Jackson's music, as I often believe that this is where a lot of their artistry and creativity lie. Today's song choice celebrates a lesser known, quiet, subtle, deeply sensitive and warm "King of Pop." It's beautiful, elegant and simple." We hope you enjoy "Be Not Always" Thank you for reading and listening! Janet Elkins

Mazel Tov! Monday With the Black Eyed Peas.

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Our Monday Music has really started the conversation! Our friend Sam Trego, President of Imagination Entertainment , chose this song to rock into the week. Sam: "Black Eyed Peas get every party going and "I Gotta Feeling" is my son Alek's favorite song right now".  We are glad that we cross generations with our blog! Alek is 5! And he has the best smile and obviously great taste in music!  Now, how does B.E.P. work for experts in our field? DJ Matt Cornwall: " The Black Eyed Peas are clearly  absolute superstars in every sense of word. As a DJ, I can safely say I've played 'em at EVERY  gig I've done for at least the last 3 years now.  In fact, they are the second most requested at most parties I do..... the first being "the king of pop" of course.  From their inception in 1995 to now, their music, talent (not to mention notable bust out highly successful  solo careers from the fabulous Fergie and Will-i-am ) style , musi

EventWorks' Treat! The Best Halloween Song - Really!

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Dear Friends! We can't help it, we love Halloween. After all, it is the only holiday when we all have full license to get as creative and crazy with decorations and attire as we like. Talk about the most democratizing moment in the event industry! DJ Matt Cornwall is equally inspired and he is expert at matching music to a theme. "hey there all you Ghouls and Boo-ys (I know,it's a stretch~ :  )    Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday simply because it's the one day where zaniness reigns (well, the fun kind of zaniness   anywho, not the kind from our politicians or your job : ) Once upon a time, waaaaay before there was a "thriller," there was a   "Tarantula Ghoul and her Gravediggers" ....please allow them to teach   you the ways of "graveyard rock." everybody shake those skeletons! " ~   Have fun with Graveyard Rock! Trick or Treat!

Bon Appetit! We Are Serving Buttery Biscuit Bass for Monday Morning's Breakfast!

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Good Monday morning from DJ Matt Cornwall.... thought I might serve you up this one just in case you didn't have a big enough breakfast and might still be a bit hungry... nothing fills you up better then the "buttery... bisquit... bass" in the morning... that bass... that toasty nutty bass... bon appetit~ : ) Buttery Biscuit Bass works like a Triple Shot Venti! Wishing you a energized week! Your Friends from EventWorks

EventWorks Starts the Week With The Spencer Davis Group!

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Good Morning!!! It's your DJ .... DJ Matt Cornwall! .....with their gospel like infectious groovy heavy hard driving beats, the "Spencer Davis Group" can quickly incinerate any Monday morning blues for sure... I'm soo glad we made it .... : ) <br>H We hope we rock your Monday. Have a great week! Your Friends at EventWorks

Hi Friends .. DJ Matt Back With Monday Morning Musical Mischief

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Hi friends.... DJ Matt Cornwall back with some morning musical mischief for ya.... Monday Monday.... doesn't have to be sooo Monday Monday with a little help from Elvis.... and since I'm an 80's kid, that would be Elvis Costello... this video, with it's pop punk fueled Eighties minimalist style, will make you want to Pump It Up , turn it up... and pogo around .... try not to bump into anything or anyone : )

Happy Monday from DJ Matt Cornwall

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H appy M onday from DJ Matt Cornwall!!  Today's musical high voltage   double shot mashes everyone's favorite party jam now, and back in the   day... ladies and gentlemen ... this is how we party rock ....on   Monday Morning.... (hopefully you wore some stretch pants to work   today, you may need them for this one : )

Starting This Monday On Our Facebook Page: DJ Matt Cornwall Will Wake You Up!

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We could not help but notice that as the days get shorter we find it harder to get some pep into our step! There is one friend - we are big fans! - who always gets us amp'd and that is our DJ Matt Cornwall . Matt "likes" us on Facebook and he has promised to send us a song every Monday to get us going for the week. He will share a few words about the artist or the song or both and let us know about the latest and greatest in the DJ scene. Check it out on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EventWorksLA  See you on Monday - and have a fabulous weekend! 

We Are Thankful To Be Nominated For CA Meetings + Events Best Of 2011 Readers' Choice Award!

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A big Thank You to all the readers of California Meetings + Events Magazine!  We are very happy and grateful to be nominated in the floral design category for the Best of 2011 Readers' Choice Award! It means a lot to see Kate Brack's amazing work recognized by our peers! Now we have our fingers crossed! An Example of Kate Brack's work. We are looking forward to seeing colleagues and friends at the Best Of Party on October 19th at FLUXX in San Diego.

Hot Off The Presses: Our Food-and-Wine Experience in Event Solutions Magazine!

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We are very happy and grateful to be featured in the current issue of Event Solutions Magazine. Our thanks go to EventWorks' Katie Rogers and Kate Brack and our friends at Visions Lighting, OnStage Talent Group, inVNT and Mandalay Bay Sales and Catering for producing the Food and Wine Experience. All photos were taken by Bryan Marc.

How We Turned A Designer Dream Into Production Reality

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We have all been there. It's concept time and we are dreaming. We have amazing ideas, wonderful drawings, great renderings .... and then reality hits. Something gets in the way of that original vision. That's why Kate Brack and Katie Rogers came back so happy from a recent production at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas! For once, all elements fell into place! Their dreams turned into reality. Kate Brack:  “The client went to extraordinary lengths to give us creative freedom for this event. Whatever it took to make the vision into a reality, they were behind us 100%. From the beginning they supported and trusted our direction. As a result, our process gave them the confidence that from concept to opening night we would achieve their dream. It truly was the extraordinary working partnership between our team, our client and our vendors that made this event an overall success!” Here the images that tell the story: Bubble, the center bar. Rendering: Reality: A

Congratulations to Chris! Beautiful Work With Starwood In NYC and San Francisco!

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Chris Gerstenblatt recently returned from two successful productions with fantastic photo material we are happy to share. Event 1 - The Starwood Pow Wow Reception at the Westin St. Francis Hotel (Alexandria Room) - was showcasing Starwood Hotel's ability to host several themed events at any of their properties: On the evening of May 23rd, EventWorks produced a planners edge theme party for international clients attending the Pow Wow Conference sponsored by Starwood Hotels and Resorts. There were Premiere This!, Spa-ception, and Sing Along with Sushi. Each area was specifically designed with these concepts in mind for the guests to experience activities and theme parties that can be hosted at any Starwood Hotel and Resort. Starwood on Planner's Edge on their own website:   Planner's Edge on-site events eliminate the need for outside transportation and event planning. That means you as the planner have more time to focus on the meeting and stay within your meeting&

Ted Bowers Interviewed For Light & Sound America Online

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click to read the whole story We are happy to report that Light and Sound America wrote about our groundbreaking co-venture, introducing 3-D High Definition virtual reality technology in a business meeting setting for Mohawk Industries. And, yes, we know, a video says more than a thousand words! Please see the video about the 3-D experience by clicking HERE . Thank you for reading and please contact Ted Bowers with any questions about this exciting new technical application. Email: TBowers@eventworks.com

The New Website Is Coming!

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Dear Friends, We know, we know, we have talked about this for a while now but we are really working on a website update. www.eventworks.com will get a new look and updated information. We all got together yesterday in the office to take individual head shots and group shots. Courtney Lindberg doing her magic. Courtney Lindberg is so much fun to work with and she has such great energy that we found the process to be really pain free! It may be stereotypical but it's a fact: the women did make an extra effort! Everyone arrived with wardrobe choices and the two restrooms turned into make up studios. Chris Gerstenblatt is no slouch either! New haircut and very nice outfit! We cannot reveal any of the people shots, yet, but we have a snap shot from the process! Chewy and Beatrice already approved! We look forward to showing you the new site later this Spring.
CLICK TO SEE THE VIDEO: EventWorks' Flash Mob from EventWorks on Vimeo . Dear Friends! Just as the world news become almost too much to bear, Chris Gerstenblatt comes back from an the East Coast event with a smile on his face and a video from our EventWorks flash mob. The client wanted to include a fun, team-building activity. Knowing about the enormous success of TV dance shows and how everyone loves to dance, we hired two professionals and video-taped instructions and mailed the DVD to a number of participants so they could practice. During the event we invited the very surprised guests to join in our "flash mob" to dance to "Don't Stop Believing - The Glee Version". We had 150 people in business suits rocking out! The energy created by the surprise moment was wonderful. We loved the experience very much ourselves. The energy level went up noticeably and everyone ended up happy that night. We hope to have more opportunities to use dance at

EventWorks Honored As Special Event GALA AWARD Winners in Two Categories

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Dear Friends! We are thrilled and thankful that our hard work and efforts for the Amway China Galas were honored with two 2010 Special Event GALA Awards . EventWorks won -      Best Event Entertainment:  Budget above $100,000 -      Best Event for a Corporation or Association:  Overall Budget above $500,000 We also had a wonderful time at the gala. celebrating everyone's hard work and achievements and meeting our friends in the industry. Janet Elkins, Ted Bowers and Greg Holford, photographed by our floral designer Kate Brack 2010 Gala Awards Backgrounder The Gala Awards have been given by Special Events Magazine, the premier industry publication, since 1986, when the awards honored the "top 10 events of 1985." They recognize the finest work in special events worldwide. For the 2010 Gala Awards, the magazine received nearly 300 entries in 34 categories from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Germany, Ireland, Ita

Happy New Technology

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We - especially Ted Bowers - are keeping an eye on CES in Las Vegas to figure out how we can best use the newest, latest technology to enhance our event productions. The developments and applications in the last years have changed expectations of our clients and their guests. They watch "Avatar" and "Tron" in the movies, we explore how we can keep up and incorporate new possibilities and looks into our world. Ted Bowers just used 3D technology to maximum advantage for our client's annual meeting. Ted: "We wanted to transform the meeting room into a virtual world that needed to engage the guests. To this end we used a new media system to create an exciting and completely immersive experience for the attendees. The design of the general session room for Mohawk Industries featured a seamless 400’ wide projection surface including circular surfaces and 3D architectural scenery."  WATCH THE VIDEO WATCH THE VIDEO           "The key to