Conversation with: Marcy Blum, Event Planner Extraordinaire

Similar to how doctors shouldn’t treat their own family, it doesn’t work for me to plan my own parties. So, I turned to the best for help with the Celebrations launch party (and many others--Marcy and I have worked together for years).

...And just because she happens to be one of my longtime friends who makes me laugh endlessly is just extra icing on the proverbial 20 foot tall cake.

Enjoy!

PB: Let’s talk about how you became an event planner and why you wanted to embark on this career.

Marcy: When they released me from the asylum (from Preston: I could not help but laugh out loud) I decided that I needed something to do. Okay, actually I was a foodie and I went to school to be a chef and worked as a cooking teacher and all sorts of things and it evolved from there over the years.

PB: How are you different from other event planners? 

Marcy: (With a little smile) I’m good at it! (from Preston: More laughter from the two of us)

PB: What was one of your most challenging events?

Marcy: Every event is challenging. The interesting thing is that it’s always a different challenge. Just when you think, “Now I know how to build a tent in the middle of outer Slobovia in the pouring rain,” the next time, it’s in a desert or everything’s fine but the client’s impossible...Life is constantly different.

PB: What’s your favorite part of the event planning process? 

Marcy: You know, I hear this question all the time and the truth is most of us lie and most of the time, I lie (laughs) but really it's the joy of the process itself, rising to the challenge yourself.

I find people endlessly fascinating--both the good parts and the bad parts. I’m just fascinated by the mystery of what makes them tick; what makes someone come in and say, “I really want something simple and elegant,” and what they think of as simple and elegant is yards and yards and yards of satin wrapped around everything...

PB: What kind of advice would you give to a client looking for an event planner?

Marcy: Oh, to hire me! Of course. (Laughs)

PB: Okay, last question. Can you share some of the surprises you have planned for my Celebrations party?

Marcy: Well...we’re going to have a lot of very enthralling, sexy and interesting things planned--both in entertainment and the guests--don’t forget the invitation said the attire is “hot.” So, I’ve been looking for something hot for several weeks, I may just bring my boyfriend...

Your parties are about surprise and they’re very sensuous. I’m usually all about the food and you throw parties that are about the vibe. So, just wait for something very unexpected.

In the video below, Marcy snuck in one last thing she wanted to say after I thought the interview was officially over and I stepped out of the room. I was touched to hear what she said. Click play to watch.



For more info on Marcy Blum or to contact her, please email: lea@marcyblum.com or visit http://marcyblum.com/.

Now it’s your turn, share one event that took you months and months to plan, and tell me...was it worth it?

Conversation with: Olivier Cheng

I grilled Olivier Cheng, founder of Olivier Cheng Catering and Events, to get some insight on the catering business, discuss what food trends are in and out, and try to find out what special food he has on the menu for the Celebrations launch party.

But before you read the interview, here is Olivier’s tip on how to help your caterer help you find your food vision. Press play to watch.



PB: Tell us about how you got started in the catering business.

Olivier: My background is in business and architecture and I got started in the catering business because I worked for a friend of mine who was an architect and ran a little luxury resort in Colorado. He really loved what he did and I helped him on the business and design side to help run and manage it.

I came back here trying to figure out what I’d like to do and I liked the idea of working on food, catering and design so I worked for somebody I knew here in New York, and then I worked for a celebrity chef to help him start a business, and from there I started my own business.

I just really wanted to make something that was not your typical catering business. For me, it was more about doing beautiful food, about the way things looked in the whole story--from how the staff looked, etc...Obviously you have to complement everything all the way around. [I wanted] to really treat it like a fine restaurant but in a catering experience.

PB: Now let’s jump to what’s really important. What’s your favorite food?

Olivier (smiling): Well, I have to say that one of my favorite foods is one of your favorite foods...and that would have to be short ribs. I think you’d agree with me that short ribs with a little celery root is the way to go.

PB: What food trend do you think has been overdone in the past year?

Olivier: That’s a good question. Since New York is so eclectic, it’s hard for me to say what...

You know, I’m wondering if this sort of American comfort food thing is--with the cupcakes and everything--I feel like that’s really getting saturated and I think that’s something that has sort of seen its day.

PB: What’s the strangest food request you’ve ever had from a client?

Olivier: It would have to be for this wedding we did where it was just a two person wedding and the bride really didn’t eat anything. I think she was lactose intolerant or vegetarian and the groom was a complete carnivore. Since we were only feeding two people, I think for their hors d’oeuvre for their wedding we served her one type because that was all she could eat and we served him like 10.

It had to be one of the most unique parties I’ve done food-wise since their tastes were so different yet there was only two of them. When you’re doing that for 100 people, it’s a little different, but for just two, I think the clash stood out to me the most.

PB: How do you plan your menus? What’s your process?

Olivier: We’re very client-oriented. One of the very first things I always do is talk to the client and figure out what they love and what they envision for food. To me, it’s really about the client and to direct the client to help them find their vision.

PB: Here's the final question we’ve been waiting for. What are you planning on serving at my Celebrations launch party?

Olivier: Well, a lot of it is a surprise so I shouldn’t really be revealing to you what we have planned...BUT one of the things we’re doing is that I want to serve some of your favorite things.

At the parties we do together, I see that your eyes light up when you’re around the food table so one of the things I’m doing for you is that we’re going to serve what I was talking about earlier which is one of my favorite things as well... braised short ribs with celery root puree. So I hope you will love that.

Now tell me dear readers, what is one amazing dish you recently had and where did you eat it?


Photos by: Olivier Cheng Catering and Events or Jason Wyche

Conversation with: Ira Levy

Today’s interview is with Ira Levy, founder of Levy Lighting. Ira has worked with me on many past events, infusing my designs with his brilliant lighting sensibilities and creative touch. We talked about different lighting techniques, how to stay innovative in the industry, lighting trends for 2010 and so much more. Plus, don’t miss the video at the end where he shares what special surprises he has in store for the Celebrations book launch party.

PB: Can you tell my readers what it means to be a lighting designer and how you started your business?

Ira: I was in school and saw the Pretenders in our gym. I was completely blown away by the fact that this whole show was produced by students. The next day I joined the concert committee and got involved with producing the shows. That means when I was 19 I worked with U2, Eddie Murphy, Santana...all these groups, and I always took a liking to the lighting part of it.

We started a nightclub on campus and I continued with that after college and worked with nightclubs in general. From working with techno nightclubs, I became involved in the rave scene. One of the first rave parties I did in New York, actually, was at the Armory at 26th and Lexington! It was before Marc Jacobs, before VH1, before anybody did a party there. We were there. It’s funny to be coming back full circle.

PB: Oh, that’s such a great coincidence. Tell me more.

Ira: When I decided to go out on my own, I started in fashion. I did something for Donna Karan where she wanted water in her new apartment (because she does meditation) so I installed a water projection for her. From there, I started working with Calvin Klein and all these different companies.

My sensibility from a lighting point of view came from fashion, which is about clean lines, meticulous installations and a really professional approach. I wasn’t involved with social events at first, and for years people would say to me, “You know who would be a perfect fit for you? Preston Bailey.”

PB: Can you tell me more about staying on the cutting edge of lighting innovation?

Ira: I’m really married to technology. I think that especially with light, it’s such an important thing. It’s a mysterious art form and technology is an important aspect of what I do.

I like to be very forward thinking in what I do, for creative stimulation and from a competitive standpoint.  I think that a lot of people, especially in this social market, are stuck in a low-tech world, but I think there’s a way to use technology without it feeling “high-tech” and cold.

Let’s talk about lighting technology like cell phones. Every year they get smaller and lighter, and with lighting it’s the same thing. Now, we’re able to illuminate things brighter, cleaner and sharper but with a smaller fixture.

PB: What are some lighting trends for 2010?

Ira: Well, projection is getting to a point where it’s becoming much more user-friendly so we’re able to use projection as different types of light and backgrounds for different things. So, rather than having to constantly use fabric and material like that, you can now utilize light as actual projected elements.

There’s also interactive technology where people are now becoming part of the event. Rather than just walking in, people will enter a space and be able to play with something. Right away it sets a mood and tone for the personality of the event.

PB: What’s your favorite part of doing lighting design?

Ira: My favorite part is when you first walk into a space and you really visualize how you can transform it. For example, the first day of set up--I enjoy seeing the equipment, the trucks, the people... These jobs are on such a large scale, we spend a week or two working on them so we get to know each other, bond and become a family.

For the last question, Ira sent me a video clip of his plans for my book party and what he has in store for the guests. Click play below to find out what sort of lighting surprises guests can expect at the Celebrations book launch. 



If you’d like to contact Ira or need more info from him, feel free to email: info@levylighting.com

Can you tell me about a party you attended where the lighting really impressed you?

Conversation with: Darren Olarsch

I sat down with Darren Olarsch, President of On the Move Entertainment and Events to get his thoughts on the entertainment industry, how to stay innovative in the ever-changing world of music, and try to get you the dirt on who will be performing as the surprise guest at my Celebrations launch party. Did he reveal the secret? Read on to find out.

PB: Tell us about your company and how you got started.

Darren: On the Move has been around for 18 years. We started, literally, right out of college. We wanted to be in the business of having fun and being able to make a little money and found that the music business was the calling.

PB: What makes your company different from other entertainment vendors?

Darren: We’re a boutique entertainment company. We prefer to be a smaller company where my partner Joe and myself are in touch with every single client. We’re involved with every single song that gets played at every single party. That personal touch makes whatever we’re doing, at any party, pretty special.

PB: Can you share your thoughts about music and how it should affect the flow of the party?

Darren: Sure. Especially for a party like your Celebrations book launch, we believe in building the party. So, instead of hitting everybody hard as soon as they walk in the door, it’s a process. It’s taking people on a trip. When they come into the room, we start out with something ambient, a little mysterious and then build up the tempo from there. By the time this party gets kicked into full gear, it’s rockin’.

PB: How do you stay innovative within the entertainment industry?

Darren: You need to be in touch with what’s going on out there in the clubs and the scenes, not just here in New York but globally. My DJs don’t just work here in New York, they do events across the globe from Europe to Asia. There are hot tracks happening right now in Europe that haven’t even hit the States yet. So by the time they hit here, if we’re the first ones doing it, we look like the heroes.

PB: What’s your favorite aspect of each gig?

Darren: My favorite aspect of each gig is seeing the reaction of our client. When they’re on the dance floor and they’re movin’ and they look up and realize, “Holy cow, this place is awesome,” that’s when we get the good response. When they look over at us and give us a little wink or a thumbs up...that’s what it’s all about.

For the last question, you can hear from Darren personally in the video below. I asked him: Can you give my readers any information about who will be performing at my Celebrations book party?

Click play to find out the answer:



Who is your favorite band or DJ and why? Let me know. If you’d like to contact Darren or need more info from him, feel free to email: info@onthemove.com.