In one of the most challenging international projects ever undertaken by our company, Empire was responsible for producing a Chinese New Year's Gala Celebration at The Manhattan center for the emerging, independent Mandarin language global television network, New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV). For this massive undertaking, Empire served as the overall executive producer of the program, managing every aspect of the production and working in collaboration with an enormous group of international volunteers who had never before been involved with a show of this nature or scale. The Global Gala was held in the historic Manhattan Center's Hammerstein Ballroom, built in 1912 by Oscar Hammerstein. The two-night program, for which tickets were marketed and sold to both the English-speaking and Mandarin speaking public, was completely sold out.

The program included an extraordinary cast of more than 400 performers in 20 different performing groups that came from as far away as Taiwan, Australia and Germany to participate in the show. Performers included The Ying Tang Dance Company (32 members), The NTD-TV Global Gala Chinese Instrument Ensemble (35 members), The National Taiwan University of Fine Arts Dance Company (16 members), The Juilliard String Quartet, The Peking Acrobats of China, Australia's Returning Group, pianist Oliver Folger Jia, American Ballet Theater performers Gennadi Saveliev and Irina Dvorovenko who performed the Grand Pas de Deux from the Nutcracker, Soprano singer Bai Xue, The New York Repertory Orchestra (56 members), Dancer Wei Yu, the European "I Have Come Here for You" Chorus (90 members), bass vocalist Christian Bischoff, soprano Min Jiang, Erhu master performer Xiaochun Qi accompanied by Changzi Ma, famous tenor Guimin Guan with 21 supporting dancers and the Lotus Arts Dance Ensemble (30 members). The evening was hosted by Mei Zhou and Adam Montanaro and featured many surprises including onstage remarks by New York United States Senator Charles Schumer.

Presenting a live program with over 400 performers presents many challenges in addition to the communications and cultural impediments of working with an English-speaking crew and a Mandarin speaking cast and client. Empire was able to seamlessly surmount these challenges to present a smooth running program that delighted both Chinese and American guests of all ages. Empire managed all production for the program, working with the world class Manhattan Center production team and many outside vendors & sponsors to deliver elements including a 56' wide X 48' deep stage with custom risers & sets, a series of 4 sets of legs & borders, proscenium opening, main curtain and projection/cyc surfaces that needed to be flown on old-fashioned line sets, flying set pieces and scenery, Pani image projections, elaborate sound and lighting installations to fulfill the varied needs of all of the acts, special effects including fog and hazing machines, confetti cannons and electrified scenery, in addition to a 7 camera video crew using jib crane and dolly tracks to cover the live performance for broadcast into millions of homes around the world. The resulting performances were a unprecedented spectacles of color, movement, action and entertainment of every kind. The audience responded with standing ovations and this important program helped to put NTD-TV on the map as a global alternative in the world of Chinese Broadcasting.

Empire is a leading producer of internationally oriented programming for clients from around the world. With longstanding experience and productive relationships with Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other Asian businesses & communities, Empire is the natural fit for international entertainment & media projects of this nature. Empire is a skilled manager of even the most complex and challenging international entertainment projects.

Empire produced the Mercedes-Benz Tri-State Dealers Holiday Party at the world-famous ABC Studios located at Time Square Studios, in New York City. For this high-end holiday event for Mercedes-Benz Tri-State dealers and spouses, Empire created & brought to life four different themes for the various areas and segments of the evening from arrival to departure. Empire transformed the studio entrance (which is essentially a loading dock), into a classy, warm red & white holiday celebration complete with white drapes, red carpet with gobos projections of the client logo, holiday messages and snowflakes. The flowers were done in varying shades of deep red, accented with multiple arrangements of white calla lillies. These arrangements were placed strategically to mask building features such as the security window and also to adorn the beautifully draped red velvet reception table accented with white votives.

Empire greeting staff, dressed in elegant evening gowns and matching red pashminas greeted guests and directed them to the coat check and into the party. The cocktail reception was based on an "Oraganic Seasonal" theme. All décor and lighting elements worked in harmony to present a winterberry red, forest green and natural wood environment. A band stage was flanked with evergreen Christmas trees that sparkled with green & red twinkle lights and the backdrop was a fiber optic curtain that shimmered with tiny lights that faded slowly from red to green and back. Empire also created a white dance floor that lit in theme colors and featured a bold projection of the Mercedes-Benz logo. Cocktail tables draped in cherry shimmer linens with forest green organza overlays were placed around the dance floor and the room. On top of each of these tables was specialty red & green votive lamps surrounded with floral wreath arrangements. Two bars were created that were draped in these linens, and each held beautiful, impressive seasonal arrangements. Also, arranged on top of the bars was carefully selected glassware in the theme colors. Groupings of furniture consisting of green & red ottomans, side tables with colored votives and area rugs were placed underneath hanging arrangements of Mistletoe and Holly. All catering staff wore green and red bow ties and cumber buns. Live entertainment was provided by Soul Solution who played a wonderful jazzy and holiday themed set, slowly building the music and increasing in size of the band throughout the cocktail party. The dinner portion of the evening was a themed "Winter Wonderland". Empire designed and hand picked all tabletop items including linens, chairs, cushions, chargers, plates, flatware, and crystal stemware, votives and serving trays. Impressive, towering centerpiece were also designed by Empire and featured white branches that held hanging crystal ornaments which reflected light on to the tabletop along with specialty lighting design that put a striking azure blue wash over each place setting.

Mercedes provided one of their newest vehicles, which Empire placed in a winter vignette, in which dozens of Christmas presents were displayed. Utilizing the studios' in house camera and screens, Mercedes-Benz Tri-State branding was displayed throughout the space. All service staff wore silver and blue bow ties and cumber buns. Live entertainment was comprised of a: piano, guitar and saxophone trio who played continuous background music. While guests enjoyed a spectacular meal & wines, selected by Empire and the client and served by Great Performances, Empire completely transformed the cocktail room into the evening's final theme - "Starry, Starry, Night." In this area the color scheme was black, dark blue and gold. All linens, stemware, flower arrangements and lighting elements were completely replaced to create a fresh environment for the final segment of the evening. New furnishings were added including a chaise lounge, couches, club chairs, ottomans, a new floor rug and side tables.

When the Los Angeles based event and catering company, Along Came Mary, was asked to produce the premiere party for the movie "Big Fish" in New York, they turned to Empire Entertainment to secure and manage the talent for the party. "Big Fish" is an allegorical motion picture directed by Tim Burton and starring Ewan McGregor, Danny DeVito and Albert Finney about the amazing life stories of one the characters. A central component of the motion picture is a series of scenes that take place in the mythical 'Calloway Circus' and involve a variety of sideshow performers associated with that circus. Empire was tasked by Along Came Mary to deliver performers that would complete a remarkable decorated environment and serve as ambient entertainment to entertain and amuse the guests.

Working from a series of production stills and background on the movie, and accessing Empire's extraordinary network of talent contacts, Empire was able to make this vision a reality by finding, booking and stage-managing a cast of 11 acts for the event. The talent included a barker to welcome the guests to the event, a hanging trapeze act, the Wau Wau Sisters (who closely resembled the Siamese twins depicted in the film), Flambeau, the Fire Eater, Ula the Rubber Girl (contortionist), Clark the Magnificent fire juggler, a strong man and his assistant, a stilt walker, a tarot card reader, a palm reader, a graphologist, and a crystal ball reader. All of these artists wore costumes that resembled those of the period depicted in the film and performed on satellite stages in front of painstakingly recreated sideshow backdrops. In front of the big top ring, Empire produced acoustic bluegrass band, Trail Mix, to perform upbeat music that tied together all of the circus elements and established the festive and eccentric mood for the event.

Along Came Mary transformed the cavernous Hammerstein Ballroom into a series of carefully crafted environments including a forest, the picture-perfect town of Spectre and, of course, the Calloway Circus.The event was attended by all of the film's stars including Ewan McGregor, Danny DeVito and Albert Finney, as well as Tim Burton and the other talent & studio executives. The event was an unforgettable evening for SONY Pictures, it's clients and stars.

Empire is a leading resource for booking even the most obscure forms of entertainment.

When The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation sought to produce two time Grammy Award-winning, headline concert act The Wallflowers (featuring Jakob Dylan, son of legend Bob Dylan) at their sixth annual dinner & auction, their event producer, Candace Sands of CS Events, turned to Empire Entertainment to provide all production and technical support in mounting the show. The event was held in the historic event space, Le Capitale, which is the former East River Savings Bank building located in New York's Chinatown at Bowery and Grand. The marble interiors and soaring ceilings are both magnificent and a major challenge acoustically. Empire solved these challenges by selecting the right audio system and calibrating it carefully to meet the acoustical properties of the room.

There were also other challenges that Empire faced including the need to fit the Wallflowers' large stage plot onto a small stage that needed to fit between existing columns of the building and not block any of the fire exits. Empire was able to solve this issue by working closely with the venue and the Wallflowers' production manager to create a solution that worked for everyone. The Wallflowers performed for over an hour and brought the audience to their feet with a set that included all of their hits as well as closing with a cover of the David Bowie song "Heroes." The event drew nearly 1,000 people and raised over $1.6 million for this worthy cause.

Empire is a leading producer of talent for not-for-profits and fundraising events.

To launch 20th Century FOX's DVD for the blockbuster motion picture XMen2, FOX turned to Empire Entertainment to create a highly-themed, celebrity-driven press event in New York City just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. For this event, Empire provided all services from original conception and event design, to site and menu selection, talent booking, activities, video projection, silver carpet staging, step & repeat signage production, decor, lighting, sound, labor, security, sidewalk and lane closure, event staffing, celebrity and sponsorship solicitation and transportation logistics for all celebrity talent. The site chosen for the event was Club 40/40, a hot new event space and club in New York City owned by several partners including hip hop superstar Jay-Z. In addition to the main event space, the club features two private rooms that were used for VIP party areas and one-on-one interviews, as well as a well-appointed cigar room for which Cohiba provided free cigars.

The Studio directed that the main thrust of the press coverage should be based on celebrity attendance by the stars of the XMen films including Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen, Rebecca Romjin-Stamos, Anna Paquin and James Marsden as well as the film's producers and creatives. To supplement the attendance of these stars, Empire performed extensive outreach to the celebrity community through our own celebrity solicitation specialist, as well as leveraging relationships with Club 40/40, The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (a beneficiary of the event, arranged through Empire's relationships), and celebrity DJ Marc Ronson.

Empire also created decor for the event that mirrored the film's sleek stainless steel logo and imagery. Instead of a traditional red carpet, Empire proposed and provided a shimmering silver carpet. Silver tables, chairs, rope & stantions and a massive 50' long X 9' high silver 'step & repeat' to serve as a branded backdrop for celebrity photos were also provided. The step & repeat faced a press corps and paparazzi contingent that included more than 50 camera crews and photographers. The step & repeat and silver carpet were lit by a series of five 12' tall aluminum truss sections built on the sidewalk which also provided skytracker blue lights, animated logo projection and up-lighting of surrounding buildings and the Steel X2 logo which was mounted over the club entrance Inside the club, Empire provided a series of internally-lit blue cube tables, blue-lit floral arrangements, silver fabric accents and a dramatic lighting scheme created by blue gelling each of the club's hundreds of existing lighting instruments and accenting surfaces with blue votive candle holders. The event was DJ'd by celebrity DJ Marc Ronson and featured an oxygen bar, plexiglass chess sets featured in the film, and footage from the new XMen2 DVD playing on more than 20 monitors, plasma screens and projection screens throughout the club spaces.

Empire also managed the highly demanding ground transportation logistics, coordinating movements of the many stars and executives in a fleet of silver sedans, graciously donated for the event by Mercedes-Benz as a result of solicitation by Empire Entertainment. The resulting event was a carefully themed, smoothly run, heavily-attended and well-covered press event that generated a great deal of press coverage for a major entertainment property, just prior to the busy holiday shopping period.

Empire is a major producer of creative event marketing programs.

When a global financial services & travel company sought to entertain its' top customers at a multi-day client symposium's offsite event, they turned to Empire Entertainment to secure the right talent for the performance. The dinner and concert event took place in the outdoor courtyard at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. The entertainment needed to suit this environment in both character and form and provide an intimate concert experience for the 325 seated dinner guests.

Empire Entertainment was able to procure platinum-selling recording artist, Bruce Hornsby, to perform solo at a grand piano. Hornsby is best known as the leader of Bruce Hornsby and the Range. Hornsby is also an accomplished pianist and songwriter. He recorded many hits that reached the top of the Billboard charts. Hornsby has also recorded with Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, and even co-wrote and performed the hit "The End of The Innocence" with Don Henley. He has toured with the Grateful Dead and just a few nights prior to this engagement was in the United Kingdom recording with Eric Clapton and Sting. Bruce Hornsby performed all of his greatest hits, including "The Way It Is," "Mandolin Rain," "Look Out Any Window," "The End of the Innocence," and several other cover songs.The audience responded enthusiastically and the client felt Hornsby was the perfect fit for this engagement.

Empire Entertainment is uniquely qualified to selecting, book and produce the best-suited talent for any audience or event.

To celebrate the release of Avril Lavigne's highly anticipated FOX DVD, "My World," Fox Consumer Products turned to Empire Entertainment to stage and produce a red carpet press appearance to facilitate maximum press coverage. MY WORLD, is the first live concert movie by multi-platinum selling Arista recording artist Avril Lavigne. Filmed in Buffalo, NY on May 18, 2003 - the final night of her headlining five-week North American "Try To Shut Me Up Tour," "My World" Celebrates a mega-successful debut year and reprises all of Avril's hits and favorite album tracks from her six-times platinum album "LET GO. "MY WORLD offers Lavigne fans the only opportunity to own all four of Avril's MTV "TRL" #1 hit music videos - "Complicated," "Sk8er Boi," "I'm With You" and "Losing Grip," as well as an added video bonus of "Knocking On Heaven's Door."

For this collaborative promotional event held by FOX and Arista records, Empire handled all of the production and the on-site management, working with AMC Theatres and several other vendors to provide red carpet, crowd control, sidewalk permitting and lighting to facilitate press coverage. As predicted, the teen superstar and pop sensation drew a large turnout on the part of the press as well as swarms of screaming fans.Empire is a leading producer of press events.

When clients need to ensure a smooth running press conference, red carpet appearance or stunt, they turn to Empire Entertainment to manage the details.

To announce the release of Alicia Keys highly-anticipated new album, "The Diary of Alicia Keys," J Records again turned to Empire Entertainment to help create and produce their very important release events in both New York City and Los Angeles. The New York event was held at the fashionable West Village Photography center, Industria Superstudios, and was catered by Washington Park Caterers. The event included a listening and video room in which guests could view Alicia's new music video and a documentary of Alicia around the world, as well as listen to tracks from the new album. The event also featured a main performance room where Alicia performed at a grand piano in front of a photographic cyclorama with backing vocalists, bass and guitar.

For this event Alicia Keys wanted a very specific look & feel to match the vibe of the album. She wanted a loft-like setting with a relaxed and casual environment with visual elements like votive candles, oriental carpets, ottomans, pillows, burning incense and wood furniture. Empire was able to realize this vision and provided all services including site selection and contracting, design & decor, oversight of catering and bar operations, private and NYPD security, sidewalk permitting and street closure, tenting for the registration and oriental 'red carpet' arrival area for press, staging, extremely high quality concert sound, stage & decor lighting (including original lighting design and production based on album artwork), video projection (including live video & audio feed into a spillover room), video coverage of red carpet arrivals and the live performance, stage management and onsite event management.

The event drew a capacity crowd of 400 including celebrities ranging from Quincy Jones, Pink, Tommy Lee, Grandmaster Flash, Chris Judd and Starr Jones among others. J Records Chairman Clive Davis and President Charles Goldstuck introduced Alicia Keys before she wowed the audience with a 30-minute performance of her best-known songs and future hits from "The Diary of Alicia Keys."The following week Empire produced a similar event in Los Angeles at the Highlands Hollywood.

To celebrate their 185th anniversary, Brooks Brothers teamed up with Time Inc. business publication Fortune Magazine to throw a big bash at the Brooks Brothers store on Newbury Street in Boston, MA. Fortune Magazine turned to Empire Entertainment to help make the night a huge success. More than one hundred invited guests gathered at the store for a fabulous evening of drinks, passed hors d'oeuvres and shopping. The high point of the evening was the in-store concert given by jazz great and multiple Grammy nominee, Kenny Garrett and his amazing band. After performing an hour's worth of standards and hits from his eight albums, Kenny and his band were lauded with a standing ovation and, to cries of "One more, one more!" returned to the stage and played a three song encore that nearly blew the lid off of the joint.

Fortune and Brooks Brothers asked Empire to deliver and install first class production services that would compliment the sophisticated charm of the store's décor and not interfere with the store's regular retail operations. Working with the limited space, Empire provided and built a form-fitting stage that fitted around the wood paneled columns on the first floor, and washed the stage with warm amber light using ground supported instruments. Per Kenny Garrett's exacting standards, Empire provided the band's backline, grand piano and drums as well as all other instruments and sound without interrupting a single sale on the floor. The result was a successful show that celebrated Brooks Brothers history, created good will for their customers and strengthened the longstanding advertising relationship between Fortune Magazine and Brooks Brothers.

Empire has many years of experience working within the genre of "Value-added" programs within the magazine publishing industry and is expert at delivering our services in working retail environments without impeding on store operations.

When Mercedes-Benz Tri-State Dealers became a founding sponsor for Radio City's production of "Sinatra: His Voice. His World. His Way", they were given the opportunity to present a special preview night for 5,300 of their existing customers as a loyalty and retention initiative for customers coming off lease. This preview performance was a final dress rehearsal to take place two days before opening night.Empire conceived and designed a Sinatra themed event for it's 5,300 attendees which was divided into three periods of Frank Sinatra's extraordinary life that were to be setup in Radio City's main lobby, lower lobby, mezzanine and other "front-of-house" areas.

The Grand Foyer was to be setup as Sinatra's Twin Palms Estate, located in Palm Springs, California. Positioned in the center of the room were to be two 16' Palm Trees, a giant cabana in which staff in cabana shirts served sparkling water and fresh fruit juices.The Grand Lounge was to be set up as the Copa Room of The Sands Casino, Las Vegas circa 1960s complete with Vegas Showgirls and staging, a lounge singer and pianist and casino gaming tables.The Mezzanine level was to be setup as a Sinatra photographic retrospective with images ranging from Sinatra circa 1930's through to 1980's.In addition to the main reception, Empire created a VVIP reception to take place in the Radio City Suite, for the celebrities and Mercedes-Benz Tri-State Dealership owners.

For this exclusive gathering in the stunning Art Deco era backstage room at Radio City Music Hall, Empire hired caterers Fancy Girl Catering to put together a 30's style hors 'douerves menu to be served by staff costumed in 1930s attire. American Song Book Standards were to be played by one of NYC's premier jazz pianists, Matt Ray.Empire was also tasked with desiging and implementing the communications, invitation, RSVP and ticket distribution plan using Mercedes-Benz Tri-State Dealership customer databases. Empire set up an RSVP line to receive calls from attendees, updated the existing database with contact information and allocated 1,800 pairs of tickets to recipients. Empire continued to answer inquires and take down information from callers even after the show sold out, to send out gifts compliments of Mercedes-Benz Tri-State Dealers.

Empire also produced a custom "Sinatra: His Voice. His World. His Way" show compilation CD in association with Sinatra Enterprises. Empire designed the CD artwork and Mercedes printed 5,000 CD's to be given away to attendees and customers that did not make the RSVP in time.Empire also solicited celebrity attendance for the preview night and had confirmed celebrities including Spike Lee, Moby, Joan Osborne & Wyclef Jean to name a few to add sizzle to the big preview night.Empire was also responsible for several other areas of this far-reaching program including parking, logistics, vehicle placement, staffing and onsite management. Then, just a few days prior to the event, disaster struck. On Saturday night, prior to the Monday load-in for the event on Tuesday, Radio City Music Hall notified Mercedes-Benz that due to technical delays, the preview night would have to be canceled. All elements were in place and 5300 Mercedes customers throughout the Tri-State area were poised to come into attend the much anticipated event. Empire's immediate job was to notify guests who were coming from all over New York, New Jersey & Connecticut and to do so in a way that would limit their inconvenience and ensure that their experience would not reflect poorly on Mercedes-Benz. Within minutes of this notification Empire was working with Mercedes-Benz to avert a major marketing and public relations crisis, and together mobilized a force that sent out thousands of Emails, Fedexes and phone calls notifying the guests of the cancellation with a well-written and thoughtful letter of regret from Radio City Music Hall with an additional incentive for leasing new Mercedes