March marked the 5^th celebration of the Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF). First launched in the summer of 2006, GIFF has grown into an annual entertaining and educational event in the Tampa Bay area. As the Director of Events for the Gasparilla Film Festival, we had one option—Go big or go home! Well, we did just that!

 Opening night of GIFF was held on March 24th at the Tampa Theatre. We kicked off the night with many of our amazing VIPs, staff, and of course our sponsors! Guests had plenty of photo ops on the red carpet, but it was the famous faces of Tom Berenger and M. Emmet Walsh who made the evening so memorable.

 Opening night was a huge success! Some of our favorite restaurants came out to provide samples… and what’s good food without a drink in hand?! Thanks to Stella Artois, Jana Water, and Barefoot Wine & Bubbly. The evening continued with a dance performance by Jumpin Bumpin, as well as the acceptance of M. Emmet Walsh receiving his Lifetime Achievement award.

 The lights dimmed and all eyes were on the big screen, where we showed “The Music Never Stooped.” Following the movie, we took the after party to FlyBar. This was only the beginning of our insane but AWESOME film festival!

Closing Night

 The GIFF Closing Night party was held on March 27^th in the historic Kress building in downtown Tampa. Despite the lack of electricity, water, and decaying floors and walls, the building never looked more alive! The Kress has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983… so it is only appropriate that the theme of the night was a “burlesque-circus.” The ingredients to this crazy night—a little bit racy, a touch freaky, and a WHOLE lot of fun!

 Finding fresh, new ways to put on events is what we do at Elan! We brought in water, ice, restrooms, and a generator for the Closing Night party.  We even had new doors installed at the Kress Building to comply with fire codes. Our friends at MMD Events created performance cubes that acted as a stage for the edgy but classy Le Teaze dancers, and burlesque performers. As if that weren’t enough, we took the craziness outside to include a fire-breathing stilt walker, contortionist, several flash mob performances, Taco Bus, beer, and bands.  As the night went on, our crowd only got rowdier (with a little help from our sponsors, Stella Artois, Red Bull, Ciroc Vodka, and Connelly Cocktails! An additional thanks to Kevin from Good Food Catering for providing the “Haute” Dog and Popcorn Martini stations. 

 The former dusty ground at the Kress Building became a lively dance floor, and as far as décor goes, it is an understatement to say that we decked this place out! Live models filled the window frames in custom-couture corsets designed by Russian Roulette. DJ Fresh performed center-stage atop a hand-crafted bar in the center of the room. Cocktail tables were garnished with circus colored linens, and an array of seating, which included church pews, select chairs, and vintage couches that acted as lounges from MMD Events Vintage and Found Objects Collection.  Mosaics by Dawn Hunt added a vibrant touch to the room, along with special effect lighting.

 Our 2011 GIFF Closing Night Party was one to remember! I should probably mention that were published: http://www.bizbash.com/historic_tampa_building_hosts_gasparilla_film_festival_party_despite_lack_of_electricity_water/orlando/story/20292

 Congrats to Tom Berenger for receiving the Career Achievement Award and a big thanks to all of our guests for coming out to support the Film Festival. To our devoted volunteers—we love you!

Planner: Us!

Décor/Lighting: MMD Events

Art: Dawn Hunt

Linens: Connie Duglin Linens

Chairs/Cocktail Tables: Signature Event Rentals

Bartenders: U Dream Events

Catering: Taco Bus, Good Food Catering

Atmosphere Entertainment: Jumpin Bumpin

Burlesque Dancers: Le Teaze

Catering Desserts: Micro Sweets

Beverages: Ciroc Vodka, Red Bull, Stella Artois, Jana Water

DJ: DJ Fresh

Video: CineZen USA

Official Photography: K&K Photography

Hair/Makeup: Athenia Montague

Corsets: Russian Roulette

Restroom: Royal Restrooms

At the event, founder of My Hope Chest Alisa Savoretti shed light on breast cancer and the ways in which we can help. For more information on this great cause, visit  http://www.myhopechest.org. “Losing a Breast changes your life… having it back is life changing…”

Planner/Coordinator: Us!  Elan Event Studio

Charity: My Hope Chest

Venue:  Tampa Improv

Entertainment: John Heffron

A few months ago we had the pleasure of helping our friends over at CSE Photography with the design and planning of  their Studio Grand Opening Party.  We have known CSE Photography for a while now and are so happy to see them grow.  It went fabulous and over 70 people got to check out their amazing new space.

Check out all the extra special touches they had: between the personalized cookies, signature drinks & menus, and goodie bags.

How great is their space!

Thanks to everyone who helped contribute:

Photos & Venue: CSE Photography
Event Planner and Design: Us!
Catering: Orange Blossom Catering
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates
Linens: Linens By The Sea
Cupcakes and Desserts: It’s Icing On The Cake

We have been really busy around here lately and we apologize for the lack of blog posts.  We are especially sorry since we left off with the opening night of the film festival and never posted about the amazing closing night soiree that we had which was PUBLISHED in Event Solutions Magazine, the national magazine for event professionals.

We originally planned (and designed) the party to be themed “Under The Sky With Diamonds” with a roof-top party on the top floor of the parking garage in Hyde Park.  However, Mother Nature had other plans.  So “Plan B” it was (which you MUST ALWAYS HAVE- it even happens to us!) which was inside an empty store front and it turned out better then imagined.

MMD events did an amazing job with the décor. We still had the sparkle and diamonds (which coincidently was our vodka sponsor for the night), but it was accented with a more modern feel.  We had a special VIP lounge draped all in white, with chandeliers and a glowing private bar where guests such as Stephen Baldwin, Rep. Kevin Ambler, Arielle Kebbel (the Rising Star recipient) and Governor Charlie Crist could enjoy themselves.  We had go-go dancers, a crystal ball juggler, underwear models behind the bar and male models handing out Barefoot Champagne to everyone as they arrived.

All of our hard work paid off in the end. See for yourselves!

Read the article HERE

Planner: Us! (Élan Event Studio) www.ElanEventStudio.com
Flowers, draping, furniture, lighting: MMD Events www.mmdevents.com
Linens: Linens by the Sea www.linensbythesea.com
Chiavari chairs, cocktail tables: Signature Event Rentals www.signatureeventstampa.com
Bartenders: U Dream Events www.udreamevents.com
Catering Main Food: Good Food Catering www.goodfoodtampa.com
Atmosphere entertainment: Jumpin Bumpin www.jumpinbumpin.com
Coffee: JavaWorks
Catering desserts: Events by Amore www.Eventsbyamore.com
Vodka: Diamond Vodka
Beverages: RedBull
DJ: DJ Fresh www.djfreshevents.com
Wine & Bubbly: Barefoot
Beer: Stella Artios
Video: Tampa Wonderworks www.TampaWonderworks.com
Detail photographer: Limelight Photography www.stepintothelimelight.com
Official GIFF photographer: CSE Photography www.csephotography.com

As brides entered they walked into our “cocktail hour.”  We had music going, food to feed the hungry “guests” and high-boy tables with ice-blue linen and orchids for a place to set their plates.  Outside, you could see the ceremony setup with the white draping, white paper lanterns and mahogany chivari chairs.  As guests entered the main ballroom, the “reception” was in full swing.  The DJ was playing some hit music, the room was uplighted, the tables were set, and the cupcake cake was set-up right next to the draped-off white dance floor with the bird gobo and origami crane chandelier.

 Take a look at these décor photos (keep in mind, these were taken by us and not a professional! Check out the end of this post for a place to see the some pro shots), and don’t forget to come and check out our next show to see what we come with for that one! Check out www.TampaBridalShowcase.com for all the latest happenings.

Planner/Coordinator: Us!

Venue: Intercontinental Hotel

Décor/Floral/Lighting/Draping: MMD Events

Linens: Linens By The Sea

Chivari Chairs: Signature Events

Cupcake Cake and Candy Buffet Table: Chic Sweets

Gowns: Elaine’s Bridal

xoxo

Erica

p.s.  To show off the amazing decor,  MMD Events did a photoshoot the very next day.  You can check it out HERE

The show was November 1 at the Intercontinental Hotel.  We had over 200 brides-to-be come and view the new products and services that Tampa’s best wedding professionals had to offer.  The brides (and some grooms!) got to sample tasty food, drink some wine, listen to great music, view stunning decor, win amazing prizes and just have fun and enjoy the planning process!  We even gave away a dream honeymoon to a lucky couple!

To learn more about the show, please visit www.TampaBridalShowcase.com

The Event Professionals who participated:

Bridal and Formal Dresses

Elaine’s Bridal Boutique

Cakes and Desserts

A Piece of Cake /   Chic Sweets /  Publix Greenwise

Catering and Restaurants

Byblos Café /    Lynn’s Catering of Tampa /   Catering by Rigatoni /  Chez Bryce

DJ’s and Music

Soundwave Productions /  Luke Entertainment

Event Planning and Coordination

Élan Event Studio /   Signature Events by Design

Flowers and Decor

MMD Events /     Cheral Floral Sudio

Health

Ardyss

Hotels & Banquet Facilities

Jake’s Grotto /    Palmetto Club at Fish Hawk Ranch /Hunter’s Green Country Club /Intercontinental Hotel /   Quorum Hotel Tampa

Invitations

Elan Event Studio

Linen and Event Rentals

Connie Duglin Linen Rental /Linens by the Sea /   Good Rentals

Make up and Hair

Michele Renee /     Mary Kay:  karimcgee@marykay.com

Media & Promotions

Brides Magazine  /   Bride and Groom Planner  /  Cafe Wedding

Medspas and Hair Removal

American Laser Centers /    Evolutions of Beauty

Photography

Marcia Simmons Photography /Chi Photography /Evo Imagery /   Life Long Studios /     Robin Highsmith Photography /      CSE Photography

Transportation

Ambassador Limo

Travel

Global Express Travel /    Travel by Horizon

Unique Services

Café a la Carte /      Shutterbooth Tampa /       Aspirations Winery

Videography

Artistic Media /   Key Video /     Storyboard Weddings

—————————-

Next post we’ll reveal the decor of the show!

xoxo

Erica

We had some amazing local talent donate their time & services.  Thank you to everyone for supporting GIFF.

Location/Venue:  The Ritz Ybor

Planner/Coordinator: Us!

Photography: CSE Photography

Catering: Lynn’s Catering of Tampa

Décor/Floral/Furniture:  MMD Events

Linens:  Linens by the Sea

Candy Buffet: Chic Sweets

Coffee/Expresso/Fraps:  Café Ala Carte

Cupcakes: Cupcake! Cupcakes

Music: Dan Feinman

You can learn more about the Gasparilla International Film Festival 2010 at www.GasparillaFilmFestival.com

xoxo

Erica