Archive for the ‘North Carolina’ Category

“Wicked” Bat Mitzvah Raises The Bar For Halloween!

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Wicked Table Setting

Wicked Table Setting

Raleigh, N.C.’s biggest party this October 31, 2009 was the “Wicked” themed bat mitzvah at the Renaissance  Marriott at North Hills.  Performers from N.C. Theater’s hit musical “Wicked” entertained guests in an elaborately festive green, purple and blue setting.

Showtime Events handled all the lighting, creating a truly incredible atmosphere befitting All Hallows Eve.  This included dance floor lighting, spotlighting and LED up-lighting throughout the room, as well as additional room wash lighting.  LED lights on each table illuminated the elaborate (and amazing!) centerpieces created by English Garden Florals.    In addition all 200+ people in attendance wore custom designed “Wicked” acrylic party pass necklaces that were each illuminated with a personal LED.  This was the first bar or bat mitzvah in the area to have these at the event!

An Incredible Cake!

An Incredible Cake!

Swank Cakes created an amazing “Wicked” theme cake that really blew away everyone in attendance.  It was nothing short of cake artwork!  Evan Pike of Andrew Bryant Photography took spectacular photos during the night.

Showtime Events also provided a 21 foot, curving acrylic LED bar for the massive main bar in the room and a fun, multi-tiered acrylic LED candy bar station.  Both were big hits with guests as the lighting in the room widely varied in predetermined patterns and color morphs during the night! Above the bar and candy table  Showtime Events projected 2 full color gobos that matched the “Wicked” party theme of the event.

This bat mitzvah was one of the grandest events the Triangle has ever seen, and one that will not soon be forgotten.  We were honored to be part of the planning and execution of this incredible production.

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Gobo

Wicked Full Color Gobo Over The 21 Foot LED Bar!

Multi-Tiered Candy Table

Multi-Tiered Candy Table

Raleigh Wide Open Celebrates the New Downtown City Plaza

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Downtown Raleigh, NC  celebrated the completion of Fayetteville St. ’s renovation Saturday, October 24th with the fourth annual Raleigh Wide Open event!  The long-awaited renovations culminated in the unveiling of the new City Plaza.3

Showtime Events was thrilled to be involved in this annual event and was hired to provide our signature Ice Magic acrylic LED bars for the VIP invite only party held inside (and outside on the decks) the Raleigh Convention Center. The goal was to wow all the guests in attendance  with our custom lit bar and table options !

A parade opened the festivities, which included hundreds of food and art vendors, beer/wine tents, street performers, a kids zone, fireworks, and over twenty musical artists.  A great time was had by all!

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Stunning 60th Birthday Party!

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

showtime60bday1Showtime Events was thrilled to help produce a special 60th birthday party on October 17th at the Marriott Convention Center in Durham, North Carolina. Over a month of planning went into the special event that featured a national band, multiple vendors, and many regional VIP guests.

The main ballroom was stunning with a variety of IceMagic tables, white spandex chair covers, additional LED up-lighting, three foot floral centerpieces, a long central seating area featuring plush white leather couches and ottomans, and much more! A light show that includes multiple fixtures, locations, and design created the ultimate lounge feel that the client desired. The room felt “comfortable” and not “cavernous” for the over 250 guests in attendance. Attendees of all ages either lounged in one of the multiple lounge seating areas or sat at the more traditional dining tables. The layout drew people to the middle of the room, the dance floor, and the stage with the band.  The colors throughout the room morphed and changed multiple times during the night creating an unmatched atmosphere!

showtime60bday5The nationally known band The Embers entertained the crowd all night long with a DJ spinning dance music during the breaks. There was always a festive and upbeat feeling to the night.  Guests celebrated and enjoyed a varied display of food including heavy hors d’oeuvres, specialty hot dogs (a favorite of the hosts), sliders, pasta, sushi, and prime rib.

IceMagic acrylic LED cocktail tables surrounded the dance floor, providing the perfect location for fatigued dancers to catch their breath without wandering too far from the excitement. Several admirers pulled the guest of honor onto the dance floor and everyone danced the night away!

With multiple scheduled light changes the entire night the guests were dazzled by the entire production. A great time was had by all.  A special thank you for letting Showtime Events be part of such a truly spectacular event.

showtime60bday32showtime60bday42Central Seating Area

Event Management Intern Learns Varied Skills At NC Office

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Marcellina Burch is an intern at our North Carolina office. She comes to us from North Carolina State University where this fall she will complete her Communications degree. Marcellina’s interest in event management began in her teens when she was part of planning both of her sister’s weddings. Around the same time she also organized several youth conferences for the Unitarian Church of Charlotte.

Marcellina Burch

Unaware of the career opportunities available planning events Marcellina entered NCSU and pursued a public relations major. Her sophomore year she took a DJ role with WKNC-FM The Revolution also located in Raleigh, NC. As her role grew she shifted to a Promotions Management position. Many new connections were made with local media and music venues that continue to this day and Marcellina was again involved in the  special events industry.

As an avid lover of music, it was an initial dream for her to manage bands. After working as a booking assistant for Big Entertainment, and interning with Clear Channel Communications and Deep South Artist Management, Marcellina realized her real interest was in the detailed planning, budgeting, and creativity utilized in event planning. She went on to work for Blatant Mischief Promotions booking national musical talent paired with popular local acts to create profitable, phenomenal shows. A highlight while there was the Raleigh Undercover weekend to benefit the Bee Hive Collective that generated over $7,000 in donations.

An internship with a top event management firm being the logical next step, Marcellina began interning for Showtime Events in August of 2009. As an all-inclusive event management company, Showtime offered her a chance to experience everything from planning and budgeting, creating original and unique theme décor, and working in multiple different event venues.

“Working so closely with James Auerbach has really shown me the multiple facets involved in this business,” said Marcellina, “It is a challenge to stay on top of the ever changing details that each event has and I am learning the best ways to accomplish this through this experience with Showtime Events”.

Marcellina has also been able to be involved in and seen first hand the benefit of ongoing and constant industry networking. She has helped oversee and expand the company’s online social networking efforts and a variety of related promotional efforts.

Marcellina Burch

Marcellina Burch

Marcellina’s interests include anything outdoors (hiking, camping, canoeing), dancing, reading, fireworks, costumes and traveling. She is passionate about personal development and enjoys constantly learning.

Her future career pursuits include working for a destination weddings company, a large conference center, a museum, or an individual venue. Her future goals include taking her mother to Italy and starting a nonprofit company dedicated to increasing the self-esteem and financial literacy of teenagers. Future plans include a trip across the country as a graduation present to herself.

Annual NACE Charity Event Is A “Wicked” Success

Friday, October 2nd, 2009
aerial view of silent auction table

The Triangles area’s catering elite joined forces Tuesday, September 22nd to fight hunger at NACE Triangle Chapter’s annual community fundraiser.  The 5th annual Top of the Table Competition used the Broadway musical Wicked as a  theme and benefited the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.

Over two hundred people  enjoyed incredible food, live  entertainment, an amazing silent auction, raffles, and much more! In addition, the attendees were able to view and vote for their favorite tabletop designs  created by some of the regions best known event industry professionals!

Multiple vendors  raised funds by  sponsoring tables and donating prizes for a silent auction.  The incredible prizes ranged from Calvin Klein suits, overnight stays at luxury area hotels, dinners at the Angus Barn (and many other dining establishments, colorful handmade quilts, and much more!

Wicked Witch Presides Over Auction Prizes

Wicked Witch Presides Over Auction Prizes

Showtime Events provided the acrylic LED IceMagic tables to extravagantly display the silent auction prizes.   The 30+ foot long long tables exploded with a vivid green color that matched the event’s Wicked theme. It was hard to miss the silent auction items, which was the main purpose of using the lit tables. Topping off the silent auction tables, the Wicked Witch herself was situated in the center, charmingly bathed in a very witchy green featuring a 20 foot cape that flowed to the second level of the fabulous Bay 7 event space in Durham, NC.

The tabletop designs were amazing, sparkling with rubies and emeralds or draped in imposing charcoals and red roses.  It was definitely hard to choose a winner from such astounding talent and the incredible variety displayed.

Entry for Top of Table Design Competition

Entry for Top of Table Design Competition

The tabletop design competition was fierce, but so was the silent auction bidding.   The silent auction team of Amy Greene, Valerie Ward, Linda Giglio, David Casteel, and James Auerbach from Showtime Events (and interns Marcellina Burch, and Andrea Siracuse also from Showtime Events) worked hard to make sure the spread of prizes was flamboyantly showcased.   It was awesome seeing so many professionals donating their time, money, and efforts to a good cause. Many people in attendance walked away with some highly sought-after auction items!

Presentations went on throughout the night with great door prizes/raffles being given away. Prizes includes 2 tickets to see David Copperfield at the new DPAC in Durham, a hot air balloon ride for 2, cash, and more.

Representatives from the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle also spoke providing information about the great charity and why everyone had gathered for the event. On the big screen the movie The Wizard of Oz was shown all night long adding to the atmosphere and theme for the event.

It will be hard to top this year’s NACE Top of the Table charity event and Showtime Events was PROUD to be one of the sponsors! Below is a great picture of the Silent Auction Committee Team!

Silent Auction Team

Silent Auction Team

A special thanks to Scott Faber and Brian Mullins for the fantastic photos of a spectacular evening!

Rocking Wedding Show!

Friday, August 21st, 2009

What a wedding show on Sunday August 16, 2009! The Southern Bridal Show & Expo™ (produced by Forever Bridal Productions) was packed with excited brides, helpful friends, friendly parents, and happy future grooms.

weddingshowblogThe spectacular event held every April and August in the Jim Graham Building at the NC State Fairgrounds featured over 150 Triangle, NC area special event companies that covered all aspects of throwing amazing weddings! Exhibiting companies included caterers, florists, photographers, DJ’s, venues, lighting and decor companies, and many more! In addition hourly wedding fashion shows on the main stage featured the latest trends in bridal and wedding wear.

Showtime Events had a large 20 foot booth at the show that really stood out! Our booth featured dramatic fabrics and the coolest acrylic table and lighting options for weddings and special events.

The booth featured: 15 large LED lights, 1 60″ acrylic octagon table, two 6 foot acrylic buffet tables pushed together to make a large square table, 6 acrylic chairs with white leather pad, one acrylic highboy cocktail table, a Crystal 160 Airstar lighting balloon, 2 INCREDIBLE custom swag panel for backdrops, 3 acrylic lamp centerpieces, and much more! The booth literally exploded with color!

On top of our main booth Showtime Events had four 18 foot tall LED soft columns that all attendees passed when entering/exiting the show, as well as additional tables and lights at other company’s booths throughout the convention building.

weddingshowblog1Over 400 brides passed through our LED lighted columns to access the expo, driving many  straight to our booth.  Bride after bride quizzed the Showtime Events staff about our exclusive decor and lighting options for their receptions.   The brides were especially pleased upon realizing all of our lighting options and tables could be programmed to match their wedding colors and changed throughout the event if desired.  Beach brides and outdoor event planners marveled over the Airstar lighting balloon as an innovative and exciting option for their event.

Finally, we also featured Cobblestone Hall at the wedding show. This new and exciting venue that Showtime Events will be running garnered an incredible amount of attention as brides considered the downtown Raleigh historical event facility’s many benefits (downtown location convenient to many hotels, nightlife, parking transportation and highways. All of Showtime Events resources and products available in the space for events, etc)

The Showtime Events staff had a great time at the show talking to many wonderful brides, family members, and friends. The ENTIRE convention hall was filled with happy upbeat people who were excited about their upcoming events. It was incredibly motivating!

A special thank you to Brian Mullis for the exceptional photos of our booth (above and below) and Classic Party Rentals in Raleigh for providing plateware to decorate our tables! We look forward to an exciting upcoming year of fun weddings!

The Showtime Events Wedding Show Team: Marcellina, James, Janet, and Jen

The Showtime Events Wedding Show Team: Marcellina, James, Janet, and Jen

Wider Image Of The Booth

Wider Image Of The Booth

Hot Day & Hot Surprise Birthday Bash!

Monday, August 10th, 2009

8/9/09 Raleigh, NC:  Showtime Events was excited to be part of the wonderful surprise birthday pool party for Neil Boyd’s wife.  Neil Boyd is a good friend of ours and is the owner of Neil Boyd Photography in Raleigh, NC.

The party was filled with good friends, a heated pool, great food (full pig!), a fun band, and special memories!

Showtime provided a 21 foot Ice Magic Acrylic LED Serpentine shaped bar,  Ice Magic Acrylic LED high boy cocktail tables, and additional LEDs for centerpiece and area lighting.  The party was a lot of fun.

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Gaining An Insight Into the Event Industry

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Over the past 3 months Jennifer Munn worked at Showtime Events as our intern.  Starting in May and working for the next 10 weeks Jennifer worked daily at the Raleigh, NC offices.  Her daily tasks included;  going to client meetings and site visits, meeting deadlines for quotes, research for upcoming events and projects, maintaining the company website and blog, and much more! Jennifer was able to successfully gain an inside view on the event industry.

“Working with the Showtime team has helped me learn more about the events business and expand my knowledge of how this industry operates,” Jennifer said.  Jennifer also added that “it’s not always fun and games” and “at times a lot of hard work and hours to produce amazing events.”

Working from start to finish on many projects this past summer allowed Jennifer to work with and meet many professionals in the local area.  We wish her the best as she continues to pursue her career in the Event Planning Industry.

Thank you again Jennifer for everyting the past 3 months!

Lots of fun at The Umstead Hotel & Spa!

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

LynnESueWe love fun birthday parties for amazing kids! On Saturday, June 6, 2009 Showtime Events was honored to be part of an incredible birthday party being held at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, NC. This birthday party was the talk of the town as The Unstead pulled out all the stops and created a wonderful environment for all in attendance.

Balloon ArchOver 30 children and their parents (over 50 people total) enjoyed incredible balloon art that filled the room, a colorful and stuffed pinata outside on the deck, kids music all night long, interactive live entertainers, and an amazing and elaborate dinner and desert buffet for both kids and adults. We loved the kids buffet that was set at a lower height so everyone of all ages could easily reach the yummy food!

One of the highlights of the evening was the multiple live entertainers that were provided by Showtime Events.  LynneSue, one of Showtime Events entertainers, led the kids for 3 hours of interactive and movement games, dance routines, coloring, story time, face painting, balloon art, and much more!   In addition 2 full sized costumed characters of Dora the Explorer and her sidekick Boots danced with the children, participated in the games, and took pictures with everyone during the night.

Dora and Boots

We would like to thank The Umstead for hosting this wonderful party and for including Showtime Events in the production of this special occasion!

Contact Showtime Events today for more information about our wide variety of available specialty live entertainers for your next event. We have multiple options for events for all ages!

Meet Our Staff: Janet Turner

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Janet Turner, Graphic Design & Business Development Showtime Events would not be what it is today without the dedicated and enthusiastic staff members who make up our team! This week we are pleased to introduce you to Janet Turner. Janet is the graphic designer for Showtime Events.

Janet is based at our Raleigh, NC office and has been with Showtime Events since June, 2007.  You can see her work on the company’s print advertisements (magazine and newspaper), postcards, flyers, pamphlets, online media, banners, and much more!

Prior to coming to work at Showtime Events Janet was employed by Billion Trend International, Ltd. in Dong Duan, China where she designed various types of fabric ribbons.  She has a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Frostburg State University in Maryland and an Associates Degree in Fashion Design from Istituto Maragoni in Milan, Italy.

Janet has a cute 5 year old Chihuahua dog named named Sparrow (after Captain Jack Sparrow). She loves watching movies and spending time with her husband.