Okay y'all I need some help on this one...

Every year the agency I work for (Minnesota AIDS Project) throws a 'gala fundraiser' tied to the Academy Awards, "Hollywood." This event orginated as a small house part in the mid 80s in Minnesota and did so well that it is now sanctioned by the Academy as an official event and happens in cities around the U.S.

So, the MN event is now thrown in a theater venue in Mpls (the State theater for those who know Mpls). The awards are broadcast in the auditorium. Entertainment acts and hosts fill the commercial breaks. Meanwhile, there is a silent auction, raffle and a huge, 2 floor spread of donated desserts (last year we had 15,000+ pieces of dessert!).

For a loooong time, this was one of the "see and be seen" fundraising events in Mpls. Now, not so much.

I'm on the steering committee for this event and we are looking for a new direction.

Specifically, we want a theme that can tie through the whole night and all the extras that occur. In years past we've had generic themes like "at the movies." We want something innovative, creative and fun for this year. Something that will set the event apart from other events.

Last year we had discussed having a "Hairspray/Beehive" theme (those musicals were in town at the same time). Ideas included having stylists at the event to do people's hair, dress for the theme, etc. An idea I've thought of is a "Carnivale" theme. Having tarot readers, palm readers, dancers, etc scattered throughout the theater.

We want a BIG theme like this for the 2005 event. A theme that will allow us to have extra things happening around the theater so people get a lot of bang for the buck. A theme that will leave people talking so in future years they come for the PARTY and not for the Academy Awards. A theme that will get more people through the doors so the event can again be uber-profitable for the agency.

At our next meeting we are brainstorming ideas. I'm kinda stuck here. I know the Org has some of the most creative minds I've ever met on it, so I thought I'd ask for your help!

Sorry this was so long! I appreciate ANY ideas.

Come on, people, LET'S PLAN A PARTY!!!!

ps- for more info on our event go here:

http://www.hollywoodevent.org/

pps- part of the fun of this thread is now I can sit on the Org at work and not feel as guilty, cos this is totally a work thread

Go with a martigra theme! New Orleans style... That leaves a world of openings....
[Edited 9/29/04 9:39am]

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

thats a good idea, or even like a Key West theme, I guess thats kinda the same thing lol

ella731 said:

interesting thoughts! and we have a "VIP" deal which gets people a fancy dinner...we could have the dinner connected to the theme and hopefully our liquor sponsor as well!

endorphin74 said:

Liquor sponsers would love the idea... the entertainment would be wide open... costuming very easy... fune party atmosphere... order up several rounds of those cheap beads and coins...audiance gets in on it... (there like a penny a piece in bulk....)

oh and no coke products in the building!

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

I know...How about a Purity Theme? Just kidding...I had to you know You can always serve Hot Fruit.

How about a spanish theme? Paella is really big this year. Have some salsa music (people like that) Do the whole sombrero thing. Have a Mariachi band.

Or

A Hawiaan Theme. Of course I am thinking of the food here...a luau is always cool. At least you get a Pig with an apple in the mouth

Each of those are pretty mainstream and easy to do...food/drink and entertainment.

Then again...There's Masquarade Balls..costumes are always good. My friend went to one where Baroque was the theme. Personally, I have helped put together an Easter Party that was wacked out too www.bunnyjam.com but that's best for Easter time.

Outerspace theme? Hobocamp?

good, good, GOOD ideas people!

the key west/new orleans/hawaii themes sound really fun- this party happens in the midst of winter, it could be fun to have a "warm" theme to stand-out in all the snow!

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

that's a given!

endorphin74 said:

i used to work for a fundraiser that had a lot of fun coming up with funky ideas for gala events...for one, they had noteworthy people design tables that were auctioned off...for another, they had a fundraiser where different designers "re-envisioned" famous movie costumes, only the costumes had to be primarily red (lots of scarlett o'haras, naturally)...i think something kinda simple, kinda elegant, kinda fun and kinda glam like this would be a big hit - people would show up just to see all the creativity on display. just some thoughts...

Anxiety said:

another thing to mull over! THANKS!

I'd go for one of the following themes:

Mardi Gras
Roaring 20s
Morrocan (have belly dancers and Morrocan food, etc)
Ancient Rome or Greece (you could have toga-draped girls and boys giving grapes out to people )
Or you could do one that celebrates famous artists and have look-a-like artists (DaVinci, etc) and fake famous works of art walking around (David...Venus Di Milo...Mona Lisa...The Scream)

This is fun!!

applekisses said:

Belly Dancers could be really fun! Roaring 20s offers a lot of costume/dress ideas. Good Stuff!

thanks again for the input, people!

endorphin74 said:

You're welcome! Let us know what you come up with!

Toga party!!!!!

althom said:

That's what I said, cheater!

applekisses said:

No you didn't!!!!!

althom said:

I did too!

Look again!

applekisses said:

I DID!!!!!

althom said:

This is what I said:

I'd go for one of the following themes:

Mardi Gras
Roaring 20s
Morrocan (have belly dancers and Morrocan food, etc)
Ancient Rome or Greece (you could have toga-draped girls and boys giving grapes out to people )
Or you could do one that celebrates famous artists and have look-a-like artists (DaVinci, etc) and fake famous works of art walking around (David...Venus Di Milo...Mona Lisa...The Scream)

This is fun!!

applekisses said:

I don't see anything!

althom said:

applekisses said:

Is this how you come up with care plans, too? Kidding, kidding.

RipHer2Shreds said: