Cheryl Cecchetto: Producing Events in Foreign Locations

A growing trend in weddings and other landmark family celebrations is the Destination Event. With less and less free time in today’s world,  a “Destination Event” turns a classic celebration on its ear and adds a welcome and rare mini-vacation to the mix! Here are a few helpful guidelines for a seamless event at an exciting foreign location:

  • Your Host City: Educate yourself about the region’s culture. For example, if it’s Italy or Greece, pre-production and your actual program will run at a leisurely pace, much like the people. In France, be prepared to serve all your local vendors wine with lunch! In Jamaica, unpredictable transportation problems can occur, so you would build in extra time. (and in Jamaica all work stops when it rains!)
  • Site Inspection: Enjoy a weekend well beforehand at your chosen location to taste the food, see the sites, and meet the people who will be facilitating your event. In Europe, for example, beautifully classic locations and hotels nevertheless tend to have smaller event spaces, limited parking, smaller streets, a lot of stairs. Anticipate possible challenges well before your special weekend and before your guests arrive.
  • Make Yourself at Home: Ask Special Event vendors in your city to recommend favored local providers of event locations, transportation, catering, and flowers in your host city. Research a local producer who knows the terrain and can be your liaison and advocate. An interpreter will be vital for clear communication and no misunderstandings.
  • Take Your Time: For your own peace of mind, give yourself more time than you think you need. If you have a three-day load in, be there a week before.
  • Local Flavor: Add spice to your destination event with elements of the cultural area. With the help of your local contacts, you can resource creative accenting for your décor and table settings. Hire local musicians to feature the rhythms and sounds of your host country. Charm your guests with a small gift bag including little gems from the area. In Mexico you could include tiny tequila bottles, colorful local towels or beach mats, a pair of flip flops, sun screen from a regional manufacturer, a tourist guidebook, and a playful pair of mini-maracas. Perhaps inexpensive Mexican blankets would adorn your buffets.
  • Side Trips: Locate points of interest and research a few terrific restaurants or tourist sites that can be suggested to your guests for their free time. The day before your big night, a few organized excursions or casual group luncheon at a local haunt will be a wonderful way to acclimate guests and jumpstart the festivities.
  • Memories: Be sure to have a great photographer shoot not only the event itself, but also highlights of the local area.

Live Entertainment

Having great headliner entertainment will add excitement and cache to your fundraising event. Many performers will be interested in performing in support of a worthwhile charity. “Californians For a Cure” is honored and privileged to have Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Anthony Federov and Charlie Lustman perform at the event.

Rufus Wainwright has been coined by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet.” His iconic cover of “Hallelujah” was featured in the movie “Shrek”.

Martha Wainwright’s self-titled debut CD was released in 2005, followed in 2008 by “I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too.”

Anthony Fedorov, a featured American Idol contestant in 2005, has starred off-Broadway in The Fantastics, and as the title roll in “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” in productions across the country.

Charlie Lustman is the star of his own One Man Show, “Made me Nuclear,” a sweet, sad, and humorous pop-operetta about surviving cancer.

 

Halloween Movie Marathon

Choosing to stay at home this Halloween? Get ready to be spooked! From classic flicks to new horror films, here is a list of our favorite picks for a scary movie marathon.

1. The Exorcist (1973)

2. Halloween (1978)

3. The Shining (1980)

4. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

5. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

6. Paranormal Activity (2007)

Pair your movie marathon with a healthy snack and a Halloween inspired cocktail! Here are some recipes for Eyeball Caprese and the Spider’s Kiss Cocktail.

Tip: Watch something a little less terrifying before bed! Try The Rocky Horror Picture Show to lighten the mood.

Diwali Entertainment

The sitar is deep rooted in India’s history yet still plays a prominent role in modern music.
Artist Anoushka Shankar, who’s family includes legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar and Norah Jones, is available for download on iTunes to liven up your Diwali celebration!

Drum Cafe

There is nothing like the pulse of beating drums to stir the emotions of your guests. We use drums at our events to introduce a new phase or transition, get guests attention or simply for entertainment.

Drums have been part of almost every culture around the world and out of Southern Africa emerged Drum Cafe, a company that has evolved into a recognizable force in the events and entertainment industry. Sequoia Productions has used Drum Cafe for the G’Day USA Black Tie Gala and they were an integral part of the show. We think they are fantastic and so will you!

Non-Traditional Fall Wedding Menu

 

Richard Mooney of Kensington Caterers, based in Los Angeles, created a superb menu for our fall wedding. He also shared a few recipes with us.

Enjoy!

 

Tray Passed Hors D’oeuvres

Dinner Buffet

  • Filet of Local Sea Bass with Melted Fennel Jam, Cracked Black Olives and Kumquat Emulsion
  • Roasted Cornish Game Hen with Mediterranean Flavors and Five-Herb Sauce Verte
  • Ribbons of Grilled Yellow Squash and Green Zucchini with White Balsamic and Cracked Sea Salt
  • Layered Sweet Potato Lasagna with Toasted Pecans, Creme Fraiche and Wilted Leeks
  • Brussels Sprout Leaves With Manchego Ribbons, Dried Cranberries and Almond Sherry Vinaigrette
  • White Cheddar Corn Madeleines with Chive Butter

Dessert

  • Pear and Ginger Crostata with Vanilla Bean Creme Fraiche and Warm Caramel Sauce

How to Integrate Brands Seamlessly into Events

 

When planning Corporate Events, an early consideration is often integrating sponsorship into the event plan. This can be a beneficial process for both the event host and the vendor, so long as the event professional is skilled enough to keep the guests’ experience paramount in the decision making.

Many Fortune 500 companies see real value in branding their product through special events and promotional parties because they are an effective way to get their brand recognized and create a demand for their product. Product placement must be integrated very subliminally, so that guests are not obviously targeted by sponsor involvement.

Sequoia Productions President, Cheryl Cecchetto elaborates on the topic: “When we have a product which has to be incorporated, it must be integrated subliminally at the event…. so as not be too distracting to the guests and detract from the feeling of an exclusive and private experience. Yes, you may have a certain logo repeating occasionally on a plasma screen…..but I like the guests to experience the sponsor’s involvement by creating an interesting yet sponsor custom element which ties in beautifully at that particular event.”

One example of a brand that Sequoia Productions has worked with is Revlon, incorporated through the following features:

  • Created a chandelier made from their newest lip gloss, Gloss a Lévres
  • Fashioned pillows in the “Revlon Lounge” that were in the shapes of the gloss
  • Had classic cigarette girls giving out full-size samples of the gloss
  • Displayed mirrors at the bar with drink names written in lipstick
  • Used swizzle sticks that included the Revlon logo
  • Created full-size lipsticks and nail polish bottles made entirely of chocolate (see the photo above!)
  • Displayed photos of Revlon photo shoots featuring Halle Barry and Kate Bosworth
Stay tuned on Celebrate! with Sequoia Productions for case studies, tips and methods that have made events that featured Brand Integration a success time after time.

Pan Am Viewing Party Menu

In 1963, flying was a luxury complete with restaurant-quality food. A viewing party featuring a show about an airline is no excuse to serve “airplane food” as we know it today. Here at Sequoia Productions, we created our own Pan Am Menu inspired by the cuisine of 1963, updated for a 2011 palate.

Here’s what we recommend serving, from cocktails to canapes to dessert:

Cocktails

Martini
Manhattan

Hors d’oeuvres

Cheese Puffs*
Cucumber and Crab Canapes**
Salmon Canapes**
Spicy Chicken Drumettes**

Soup

Gazpacho in Demitasse Cups*

Main

Rib-Eye Steak with Bernaise**
Shoestring Potatoes**
Chef’s Salad**

Dessert

Peach Melba**
Coffee and Tea

 

*Recipe courtesy of Simply Recipes
**Recipe courtesy of Epicurious

Pan Am Viewing Party

Prepare for take off Sunday, September 25 by throwing your very own Pan Am watching party! Journey with your guests back to 1963, when air travel was regarded as a luxury, by transforming your party space into your very own Pan Am first class cabin.

Start to bring your event to life with Pan Am themed décor! Design your vintage travel napkins and coasters online.  Use the same service for personalized coasters and napkins with vintage family travel photos. You can also re-create the full “in-cabin” experience by creating custom snack trays, complete with attached utensils.

Now that your serving experience is up to Pan Am standards, a select variety of food will help to transport your guests back to 1963. We have designed our own First Class menu with recipes to get you started!

Be sure to stay tuned throughout the week for more tips and ideas for your Pan Am party!

63rd Primetime Emmy® Awards Governors Ball

It takes a powerful team to create the Primetime Emmys® Governors Ball. This is Sequoia Productions’ 14th consecutive year producing the Ball, and we’re going strong! Watch as the event appears right before your eyes in the ever-popular Time Lapse video, complete with interviews with Sequoia Productions Founder and President, Cheryl Cecchetto, Patina Group Executive Chef Alec Lestr and Client Relations Director Johannes Masserer. Learn fun facts about all the pieces, from tomatoes to Calla Lilies, that were needed to create this event.

Join in the celebration with us this weekend with up-to-the-minute details behind the scenes on Facebook and Twitter!