Empire Japan had the great honor to organize the launch event of the first Bulgari Hotels & Resorts book, La Cucina Di Luca Fantin, introducing the amazing work of Luca Fantin, executive chef of Bulgari’s famous Il Ristorante Luca Fantin in Tokyo. A press conference, discussion, lunch, and cocktail reception were held at the magnificent Bulgari Ginza Tower.

Luca Fantin offers a contemporary interpretation of the Italian culinary tradition, reinventing the concept of Italian cuisine while using the best local ingredients from producers across Japan. La Cucina Di Luca Fantis introduces the reader to Luca's journey and what inspires him each day to create dishes that are comparable to Bulgari’s famed jewelry.

The book launch event began with a press conference for a select group of 56 Japanese journalists and a panel discussion introducing Chef Luca Fantin; Silvio Ursini, Group Executive Vice President of Bulgari; Andrea Petrini, journalist and author; Takanori Nakamura, journalist, all who partnered to make this adventure possible.

Top media elite, politicians, and other notables were invited to a press lunch, including Domenico Gorgi, Italian Ambassador to Japan. They enjoyed a late summer menu prepared by Luca Fantin.

Later that evening, Bulgari Hotels & Resorts hosted a celebration and cocktail reception for over 400 guests at Bulgari Ginza Tower's La Terrazza Dom Pérignon lounge, with music provided by the famous Italian DJ Nicola Conte. Il Ristorante was transformed into a gallery presenting a selection of beautiful photos from La Cucina Di Luca Fantin.

​Empire is a proud producer of high-profile luxury events around the world.

​One the eve of the 2016 Olympic Games, Empire kicked off the festivities by producing two high-profile reception events for Worldwide Olympic Sponsors Panasonic and Bridgestone.

Panasonic’s reception event took place on top Sugarloaf Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Empire proposed and secured this venue for not only the reception party, but also as a technology showcase called the “Panasonic Stadium of Wonders”, which will be open to the public throughout the Olympic Games. Sugarloaf is also the site of the Empire-produced Panasonic Find-Your-Dreams CityCam web activation featuring Neymar Jr., which can be seen here: http://find-your-dreams-rio2016.panasonic.com/2016/

Guests arriving at the reception via cable car were treated to the vaunted panoramic views of Rio, including Copacabana and Corcovado Christ the Redeemer. Following a dramatic sunset, the party began. Entertainment planned and delivered by Empire included a live Bossa Nova band and performance by 20 Samba dancers and musicians, including the 2016 Queen of the Rio Carnival, Clara Paixão.

At the same time, down on the Copacabana Beach at the famed Copacabana Palace Hotel, Empire helped new Worldwide Olympic Sponsor Bridgestone celebrate their first summer Olympics with live performances by Bossa Cuca Nova and São Clemente Samba School.

What makes a perfect evening? How about a performance by the legendary Andrea Bocelli at the world-renowned Sporting Club in Monte Carlo? Empire presented and produced the beloved tenor as a surprise for nearly 1,000 corporate guests on August 31, 2016.  

His performance was a surprise to the audience and there was an audible gasp from when Mr. Bocelli was first introduced to the stage. The Maestro then enchanted and thrilled the crowd with two sets; the first accompanied by piano and a quartet, and then, after a very quick stage changeover, the second set featured the Maestro backed by the Orchestra Philarmonica Italiana.  

Bocelli mesmerized the attendees with classical pieces, and was joined onstage by Alessandra Marianelli and Ilaria Della Bidia to duet with him operatic renditions of more mainstream hits, such as "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" and "I'm In Heaven". As the audience gave Mr. Bocelli a tremendous standing ovation, the windows and roof of the Sporting Club opened for the final surprise of the evening - an incredible fireworks display over the Mediterranean.  

In addition to his performance, Mr. Bocelli also joined client VIPs for an intimate meet & greet and photo op prior to the show.

Empire has presented many of the world’s elite performing artists at incomparable venues in more than 100 countries around the globe. From Andrea Bocelli, Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman to Jennifer Hudson, Tony Bennett, and Norah Jones, Empire is always able to provide classic, elegant headline entertainment for sophisticated audiences.

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Ozy Media, in partnership with presenting sponsor, Fusion Media, launched the inaugural OZYFusion Fest, a fresh and unique addition to New York City’s busy summer festival calendar. Billed as “TED meets Coachella” and “Aspen Ideas + Burning Man,” OZY Fusion Fest was an experiential festival of ideas that presented music, current affairs, humor, politics, technology, food, art, and social interaction in one memorable day and evening. Although Ozy.com was founded in 2013 and boasts a rapidly growing base of over 20 million monthly users, OZY Fusion Fest was in many ways OZY’s coming out party, a chance to celebrate with its diehard readers, and to introduce itself to an entirely new group of fans.

Over 2,000 attendees descended on Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield to enjoy over ten hours of thought-provoking and highly-entertaining programming. By the time doors opened at 10:30 AM, it was 90 degrees in the shade, but a line had already formed of eager guests waiting to get inside.

Once guests entered, they were emerged in the completely transformed Rumsey Playfield. In addition to the main stage, a series of large tents each adorned with custom signage, designed with a colorful graffiti splash and furnished with colorful seating and displays. Individual spaces included the Town Square Stage, Chef’s Tent, Good Sh*t Bazaar, Intel Theater, Virtual Reality Theater, a VIP tent, and an Ask OZY station in addition to food & beverage kiosks and open air activity spaces.

On the main stage, the day kicked off with author and thinker Malcolm Gladwell, delivering an electrifying and very personal speech on the state of College Admissions in the U. S. Hint: we have a lot of work to do. Columbian musical superstars Choquibtown then brought their Latin /Caribbean grooves to the crowd followed by a hilarious conversation with Broad City’s Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, moderated by WNYC’s Phoebe Robinson. Asthe afternoon cooled and the sun set the audience danced and sang to hour-long sets by Grammy Award performer Andra Day, Wyclef Jean and Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am.

Across the field, the Town Square Tent provided a more intimate setting and an opportunity for many deep discussions. OZY Founder Carlos Watson led a series of interviews with political heavyweights and thought leaders. Former Chief of Staff and republican strategist, Karl Rove, weighed in on this year’s Presidential election followed by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, who discussed the Black Lives Matter movement and his views on the most urgent issues facing the incoming president. Editors Cole Bolton and Ben Berkley of The Onion led their own political panel discussion in their unmistakably irreverent style. Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, sat down with Laurene Powell Jobs, Founder of the Emerson Collective, and will.i.am to discuss their visions for the future of philanthropy in education. HBO rising comedy star Issa Rae delivered a multimedia comedy set, while other Town Square participants included Grover Norquist, Island Records & Golden Eye Resorts Founder, Chris Blackwell, Judy Smith, Beatbox House, artists Kazuhiro Tsuji and Zaria Forman, and more.

For the foodies in the audience, Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, host of Chopped and founder of Butter Restaurant in New York City, led a series of live cooking demos, curated discussions, and food samplings in the Food and Beverage Experience tent. She was joined by her friends Miroslav Uskokovich, celebrated pastry chef at Gramercy Tavern, as well as Benjy Kirschner, sommelier and owner of Wilson Daniels wine. Chef Guarnaschelli also curated the menus provided by Summer stage concessions managed by Brooklyn Flea’s Smorgasburg, allowing guests to purchase items that were exclusively available to OZY FusionFest attendees.

In between stage programming, guests meandered through the Good Sh*tBazaar, a live version of OZY’s online content vertical, where unique vendors and products were showcased alongside prized pieces of art, including Kazuhiro Tsuji’s famed (and giant) Abraham Lincoln head sculpture. Vendors included the Ugly Fruit Guy, a rock &’ roll celebrity stylist, a digital photo booth, and a register to vote station. Lounge furnishings situated in the center of the Bazaar provided guests with a shaded area to relax while waiting for the next program to begin.

And those lucky enough to have purchased a VIP ticket were able to enjoy a stage-side lounge complete with hosted beer, wine, and food.

As if all of the above wasn’t enough, guests had the opportunity to screen original films and content by the likes of Bill Gates in the Intel Theater, walk on Mars via a VR experience, watch artworks created live in an open air art zone, and reimagine what future high schools might belike via the XQ Super School Project.

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​It isn’t easy to entertain a room full of celebrities, but Empire was asked to do just that for a financial services company holding an annual celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. To fill the bill, we contracted Tom Papa and Sebastian Maniscalco, two of the top comedians touring today.  

Tom Papa starred opposite Matt Damon in the Steven Soderbergh film, The Informant, and is the host of the hit SiriusXM show, ‘Come to Papa.’  He was also personally chosen by Jerry Seinfeld to host the NBC series, ‘The Marriage Ref’. Tom had a recurring role opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the CBS series, ‘The New Adventures of Old Christine’, and starred in his own NBC series, ‘Come to Papa.’  He is a regular guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan, and The Late Show with David Letterman, and regularly opens for Jerry Seinfeld.

Sebastian Maniscalco is the proverbial “next big thing” in the world of comedy. A 2014 American Comedy Award nominee for Best Club Comedian, Sebastian is a frequent guest on networks such as Showtime and Comedy Network, and has made appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and Conan. Of Sebastian’s performance, our client said "I've never laughed so hard from a comedian in the past. He was so animated and got a cardio work out on the stage.”

Empire recommends, secures, and produces entertainers for special events throughout the world and are proud to have delivered many of the most acclaimed comedy performers including Billy Crystal, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Jim Gaffigan, Kevin James, Dave Chappelle, Brian Regan, Louis CK, Dana Carvey, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Broad City, and dozens more for our clients' programs.

The annual summer party held by Herbert Smith Freehills was held again this year at the Ritz Carlton, with over 250 guests in attendance.

Special attention was given towards the decoration of the room with the usage of vertical banners hung from the ceilings as well as structures placed on the party floor.

The guests entering into the room were instantly transported from Tokyo to the Middle East and Africa, the two main themes of the party.

Rin Nakashima on the Japanese Koto brought to the venue a wide range of sounds, with songs specifically arranged for this event. She was joined by her colleagues on guitar and drums and they rearranged well-known songs in a Middle Eastern and African fashion, further adding to the ambiance of the evening.

The party finished off with a special sand art performance by the duo group Emullenuett, with images shifting and constantly changing on the screen—a journey that took the guests around the world and the various regions that Herbert Smith exists.

Empire’s Tokyo-based Asia division was responsible for all event production and management, technical production, and artist coordination.

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​Following a successful 2015 run on Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA, online mattress retailer, Casper, opened a second pop-up shop, dubbed the“Casper House” on the “Coolest Street in America.”

Conceived as an illustrated house erected inside a brick and mortar store, this playful concept perfectly integrated Casper’s whimsical nature while providing practical & cozy areas – in the form of bedrooms – for guests to try out the Casper product line which includes mattresses, sheets, and pillows. The shop also hosted numerous events over the course of its run such as cocktail events, influencer parties, and even yoga classes! Interior walls were built on castors to provide flexibility for the space to function for multiple purposes.

The initial two-month Summer run was so successful that Casper extended the project to eight months to run through the holidays!

Learn more on Casper's blog here

​Playworks celebrated its 20th anniversary by raising more than $200,000 at the second annual New York Get in the Game Gala, recognizing Inspiring Leadership Honoree ESPN and Most Valuable Principal Heather Foster-Mann of Brooklyn’s PS 133 William A. ButlerSchool. This school year, acclaimed nonprofit Playworks will provide safe, healthy, and inclusive play for nearly 900,000 children in more than 1,800 elementary schools nationwide to reduce bullying, increase physical activity, improve learning, and promote social and emotional skills.

The evening featured remarks from Olympic gold medalists Edwin Moses and Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, a live auction led by CK Swett, entertainment from Grammy-nominated artist John Forte, and international recording artist ELEW, recess games, a friendly pingpong tournament, plus food and drink. Funds raised support the expanding efforts of Playworks to bring the power of play to every girl and boy in New York and beyond.

To help make this event a success, Empire produced the fundraiser at the elegant TriBeCa Rooftop venue, where we transported guests from the ballroom to the playground on the transformed rooftop space. Attendees enjoyed stunning Manhattan views and experienced play through sophisticated and immersive activations of traditional recess games like Four Square, along with life-sized installations of Chess, Jenga and Connect 4.

Working closely with Playworks, Empire served as the event producer, managing elements including venue, décor, technical production, and performing talent.  Empire is a leading producer of fundraising events and we are honored that Playworks continues to work with us to produce successful events.

To support or learn more about Playworks, please visit www.playworks.org

Philanthropist and supermodel Petra Nemcova and the Happy Hearts Fund team called on Empire once again to produce their 2^nd Annual Fight for Education gala in the renowned Hammerstein Ballroom. Leaders from finance, sports, and fashion gathered to support the Happy Hearts Fund mission to rebuild safe, resilient schools in areas impacted by natural disasters.

The action-packed evening was kicked off by internationally-acclaimed tenor James Valenti and soprano Jessica Fishenfeld, singing the National Anthem. After the moving performance, veteran sports announcer Mark Fratto invited Petra to the ring to thank the guests for their attendance and lead a traditional ten-bell salute, honoring the passing of Muhammad Ali.

The night proceeded with six fights featuring amateurs in finance representing Blackrock, Deutsche Bank, and Oppenheimer, among others. Models Hind Salhi and Arlenis Sosa also showcased some exciting boxing in support of the cause. The last bout consisted of acclaimed professional MMA fighters Nick Pace and Julio Arce.

In between the action, auctioneer Patrick Tully led the live auction of eight lots, including a trip to Monaco and Cannes to experience the famous Formula E-race on the Monaco Grand Prix F1 track, and a special VIP package to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. As a compelling finale to the event, Ms. Petra “Trouble” Nemcova surprised guests by taking on comedian Dane “Kiss The” Cook in an entertaining fight using cupcakes, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup.

Throughout the elevated evening, the nearly 400 guests were treated to a three-course meal of caprese salad, chargrilled filet of beef, and family-style desserts for a sweet finish, all catered by Abigail Kirsch.

Over $1.1 million was raised as a result of the Fight for Education gala, continuing the exciting annual tradition benefiting the Happy Hearts Fund.

Empire was proud to be a part of this creative fundraising event, having been the producer of Happy Heart’s annual events for the last six years and is a leading producer of not-for-profit events globally.

To learn more about the Happy Hearts Fund, please visit www.happyheartsfund.org.

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The team behind the Lowline has been working for the past several years to generate support and awareness for their vision to convert an historic underground trolley terminal on Manhattan’s Lower East Side into a subterranean public park. Using breakthrough solar technology for natural sunlight illumination and plant growth with cutting-edge design, the Lowline will be the world’s first underground park, adding a much needed acre of green space to the neighborhood.

The Lowline opened the Lowline Lab, a long-term laboratory and exhibit open to the public, designed to showcase the power and potential of the technology to grow and sustain a wide variety of plant life. Located inside an abandoned market on the Lower East Side just two blocks from the proposed site of the future park, the Lowline Lab serves as a prototype, letting the public preview what's to come. Over 60,000 visitors have come to date and dozens of free community-based programs have been held.

The Lowline held its inaugural spring benefit at the Lowline Lab, to raise funds and welcome guests into an underground, other-worldly garden experience.

Guests were greeted by scantily clad nymphs in body paint and ivy, tempting them to drink tequila spiked elixirs from flower-covered watering cans before moving deeper into the Garden of Eden. An interactive cocktail hour allowed guests to pour their own drinks from irrigation wall taps, where specialty cocktails were surrounded by plants, herbs, and spices. Guests could also add basil, mint, and lavender to add infusions and garnishes to their drinks.

The evening included a seated dinner where attendees enjoyed a DIY-style meal featuring an “interactive salad” that required chopping their own vegetables and an entree that encouraged guests to eat with their hands and serve each other from the family-style dishes. The appetizing menu was created and curated by Chef John Fraser of Nix, Narissa, and Dovetail.

The program featured speeches by Lowline Co-Founders Dan Barasch and James Ramsey, and honored Openbox’s Marquise Stillwell and Lowline Young Designer student, Nasir Mouzon-Cooley. CK Swett hosted the live auction, garnering over $50,000 in proceeds for auction lots that included a trip to Tuscany and a video message from singer/songwriter Sia.

Amber Martin, vocalist and comedic performance artist, closed out the program with an original three-song, jaw-dropping performance with chosen musical and comedic vignettes from her fascinating repertoire of characters. The audience could not keep their eyes off of her. DJ Sammy Kim created the playlist for the evening.

Empire is honored to serve as the Lowline’s event producers since 2013 and proud to support the creation of the world’s first underground park.

To learn more about the Lowline, visit http://thelowline.org/