On Saturday, September 10th, Marco Tempest gave Apple consumers something that they did not expect! Performing his unique brand of hi-tech magic and illusions, Marco filled the audience with wonder, laughter, and awe. Entitled "Multimedia Magic Made on a Mac", Marco's performance not only showcased is world-renowned and innovative routines, it also demonstrated his abilities to use MAC products to produce his magic. Using Wi Fi technology, integration between various products ranging from cell phones and cameras to computers and plasma screens, Marco proved once again that he is the most ground-breaking magician of the 21st century. Marco and a team of eight assistants attracted so many viewers, that the 2nd floor theater was at maximum capacity!

Performing in the heart of trendy Soho, Marco's audience was entirely diverse. Ranging from computer geeks to families to tourists to supermodels in town for fashion week, the result was unanimous: Marco Tempest had single-handedly made people believe in magic again! Marco was able to solve one of the most popular (and difficult) puzzles in the world; The Rubik's Cube! To the audience's bewilderment, Marco mysteriously pulled a cube right out of the TV monitor. As excited participants would jumble up the cube as much as possible, Marco would foil them all by solving the puzzle in less than 5 seconds. Marco then asked seven random audience members to punch their favorite number into a spectator's cell phone, which magically ended up dialing Marco's personal phone!

Marco continues to be a master at walking the line between the actual world in which we live, and the virtual reality that exists in our amazing technology and our imaginations. As the creative force and production designer behind all of his work, Marco is an event planner and producer's dream!

When one of the world's most respected and established publications, Fortune Magazine, celebrated its 75th Anniversary for its major advertisers in New York City, they turned to Empire Entertainment to help design, produce and execute a signature event for this very special occasion.Empire collaborated with Fortune's event marketing team to create an event that would reflect the values and traditions of the 75 year old brand and utilize imagery from the period of it's launch in 1930. The event would also need to provide a contemporary, relevant and entertaining experience for the guests that would project Fortune Magazine's contining vitality.The Mandarin Oriental Ballroom served as the perfect location for the party with it's art deco design and incredible views of Central Park and the New York City skyline.

In addition, Empire installed and lit a series of standing displays depicting classic Fortune Magazine cover artwork and bountiful arrangements of calla lillies. The party featured music by the Stingers, a 10 piece R&B Motown band, and a series of performances by acrobatic / aerial troupe Antigravity®. Guests were amazed by their skill and flawless performances. The final Antigravity® performance segment led by the "famous jumping boots," segued into remarks from the evening's host to a dance set by the Stingers who kept the crowd on their feet.Towards the end of the party, Empire opened the doors to yet another section of the ballroom to reveal a Diamond décor themed lounge. All white lounge furniture, glowing cocktail tables, diamond inspired decorations and Fortune Magazine branded pillows were all draped in blue lighting to create a cool and modern ambience. To top it off, sexy world music DJ Donna D'Cruz spun an incredible set of dance music for two hours on her customized diamond studded DJ façade. For this event Empire provided all decor and design, lighting, staging, sound, talent booking and coordination, onsite logistics and production management.

When the world's most respected brands celebrate their anniversaries, they turn to Empire Entertainment to do it right.Photos courtesy of Martin Nystrom Photography

One of the most critically-acclaimed motion pictures to debut in Fall of 2005 was the SONY Classics release "Capote" directed by filmmaker Bennett Miller, brother of Empire Entertainment Co-Founder and Co-President, J. B. Miller."Capote" is based on the life of acclaimed author Truman Capote and specifically on the period of his life when he wrote In Cold Blood, a groundbreaking work of American literature based on a series of shacking murders in the 1950's. The film stars an incredible ensemble cast of rising stars including Philip Seymour (Boogie Nights, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Big Lebowski), Catherine Keener (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Adaptation, The Interpreter), Chris Cooper (American Beauty), Bob Balaban (A Mighty Wind, Gosford Park, Best In Show) and newcomer Clifton Collins Jr. "Capote" made it's New York debut as one of the centerpiece films of the 2005 New York Film Festival and garnered outstanding reviews including the following:"Not only does Mr. Hoffman achieve an impressive physical and vocal transformation. . . but he also conveys, with clarity and subtlety, the complexities of Capote's temperament. . . Ms. Keener performs the role of foil with particular grace.  Through her wary, witty performance, she becomes the bridge that connects Capote with the audience."-A.O. Scott, THE NEW YORK TIMES"Philip Seymour Hoffman caps a decade of brilliant work on stage and screen with the lead role in Capote. . . he and the film are terrific."-Richard Corliss, TIME MAGAZINE"A clear, steady gaze graces the smart biopic "Capote," which takes a mordant look at Truman Capote (Philip Seymour Hoffman) at the time he was writing "In Cold Blood." It's an etched-in-acid portrait of a writer whose talent was as ruthless as it was brilliant."-David Ansen, NEWSWEEKEmpire Entertainment was thrilled to have the opportunity to produce, sponsor and co-host the premiere party for the film following it's screening to a sold-out house at Lincoln Center.

The party took place at Jean-Georges Restaurant and featured top shelf open bar and Jean-Georges famous food. The event was attended by the cast and crew of the film including all of the stars as well as a variety of individuaals including Pink Floyd's Roger Waters.Empire Entertainment is pleased to have played a role in the creation of "Capote" and to support an ever growing field of original ventures in film and television.

Empire brought its automotive industry skills to bear this Fall in connection with booking talent for a National Announcement Show for one of the industry's leading firms. For this top-secret meeting, over 6000 dealers from around the country and executive management from all over the world gathered together to look at the forthcoming models and to prepare for the coming business year.The show was bookended with performances by alternative pop sensation Lifehouse, and hosted throughout by the incomparable Robin Williams, who tore the house down with his fast-paced, hyperkinetic comedy, zany impressions and event-customized material.

Empire worked with the client to enhance the reveal of their urban-oriented product line by arranging for a customized hip hop collaboration featuring Common and Mos Def, backed by the 60 piece Dakah Hip Hop Orchestra, outfitted in all white.Luma, one of the most versatile performance troupes available for corporate applications, enhancedthe reveal of another client product line, with a visually stunning custom application of their black light performance art.As if the forgoing was not enough for a 90 minute experience, the gathering also featured two product-oriented industrial films, one of which featured three of the Desperate Housewives, and the other featured Whose Line Is It Anyway star, Greg Proops.For this annual program, Empire secured and contracted all of the above talent, managed all logistical artrangements and provided support for the crerative and production integration.

From speakers to musical artists, from comedians to theatrical talent, Empire is the corporate events indutry's leading one-stop-shop for all types of talent and speakers.

When this Major Financial Services Company sought to create a special evening for approximately 200 VIP guests attending the firm's 2nd annual Investors Conference in Japan, it called on Empire Entertainment's Tokyo office to help it create a dinner reception for it's mainly non-Japanese guests. The client's directives were that the dinner be both unique and memorable and that it effectively fuse both Eastern and Western influences, a major theme the conference.Working to the client's brief, Empire quickly outlined and began producing an extraordinary event. Empire was able to secure space at the Mitsui Club in Tokyo, a grand historical facility originally built and owned by the powerful Mitsui family of Japan. The building is now an exclusive members-only club. The club and its grounds are perhaps one of the earliest examples of East/West fusion in architecture in Japan. Built during the Meiji era, under the direction of renowned British Architect Josiah Conder, the compound consists of a large western style main hall located just inside the front gate, leading to a large 4.9 acre Japanese Garden accessible from the back terrace of the main hall.The fusion theme continued through the rest of the evening as guests were treated to a combination of Japanese and International cuisine and live dinner entertainment which successfully fused various western and eastern artistic and cultural elements in interesting and non-conventional ways.

The evening's entertainment opened and closed with energetic sword fighting performances by a group who are known for their work choreographing the fight scenes in Quentin Tarantino's motion picture Kill Bill, Vol. 1 and playing the Crazy 88 characters in the movie. The guests were also treated to a unique dance performance, during the mid point intermission, by an accomplished Japanese tap dancer tapping to the sounds of a traditional Japanese Biwa string musician. The heart of the evening's entertainment though was a live painting exhibition by talented calligrapher-painter, Toun Kobayashi, who created impromptu a large Japanese landscape painting covering the length and height of the main stage. Kobayashi sensei was assisted throughout his performance by the inspirational sounds of a musical fusion ensemble consisting of an Australian didgeridoo musician and traditional Japanese musicians playing the shamisen and the Shakuhachi flute. By the end of the program, Kobayshi sensei's performance finally culminated in a striking work of art that was traditional in its style, but also relevant to the client and the guests attending the evening's event.

The event was a huge success, thoroughly enjoyed by both the client and the guests. The only regret was that the evening had to end - at least the scripted part of the program. As those who are familiar with Tokyo know, the evening rarely ends with only one party. So Empire's staff stayed to help each guest to secure transportation and give directions to get to their next stop for the evening. Empire Entertainment's Asia-Pacific office, located in Tokyo Japan, enables Empire to better serve the needs of its clients in Japan and Asia. Empire Entertainment Japan adds to Empire's international reach by providing a high level of local expertise and on the ground support for its clients in the Asia Pacific region.

Whether you are a Japanese or Asian client planning an event locally within the region, whether you are a Japanese or Asian client planning an event somewhere else in the world, or whether you are an international organization from another region planning an event in Asia-Pacific, Empire Entertainment Japan is the ideal, full-service event production and entertainment booking partner for events in the Asia-Pacific region and throughout the world.

When CBS Television Network needed an exciting and creative way to promote the premiere of "Survivor: Guatemala", they partnered with Empire Entertainment to create and produce a unique street marketing program in the heart of New York City.As the Mayan Pyramids are one of the defining icons of Guatemala, Empire and CBS collaborated on the creation of a twenty-five foot high Mayan pyramid on Fence Island in Times Square within which members of the public would be invited to participate in a number of "Survivor" style challenges to win DVD sets and other promotional items.The Pyramid structure was open on three sides so that the activities could take place on a stage platform that would be highly visible to the public. Empire designed the stage to mimic the appearance of the famed "Tribal Councils" on the tremendously successful "Survivor" series.A stone-encircled working faux-fire pit was surrounded by actual tree-stumps that participants used as stools as well as tiki-torches, palm trees, and boulders. A ramp leading up to the stage and the surrounding area was covered with sod to give the area a more authentic Guatemalan appearance.

Hundreds of "Survivor" fans from around the country lined up to participate in the onstage challenges which included trivia contests based on previous seasons of the program, as well as other games inspired by the hit show. As on the show, participants were "voted off" of the councils based on theirperformance, until only one "Survivor" was left standing.The mock councils were hosted by Eddie Brill of "The Late Show With David Letterman" as well as a number of the most popular cast members from previous seasons of "Survivor" including "Boston" Rob Mariano and Ethan Zohn. "Survivor" host Jeff Probst was on-hand to sign autographs and mingle with fans, as were previous cast members including Rupert Boneham, Tom Westman, and Jenna Morasca.

It was an exciting day for Survivor fans, as is Thursday, September 15th when "Survivor: Guatemala" premieres on CBS at 8:00PM. Empire and CBS will partner together again on a speed-dating event at Vanderbilt Hall in New York City on September 29th to promote the new sitcom "How I Met Your Mother", which premiers on CBS on Monday, September 19th at 8:30PM.

Empire Entertainment is a leading street marketing / promotional / press event production company with unparalleled experience in designing and managing experiential marketing events worldwide.

When a major international electronics company wanted to celebrate their 50th Anniversary and kickoff an annual product expo in New York, their production company, MJM Creative Services, turned to Empire Entertainment to secure and produce the right entertainment for their dinner event.Empire worked with MJM's producers to identify and select various candidates that would appeal to their large, international audience which encompassed salespersons, customers and the company's global CEO. In the end, it was decided that the Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Diana Krall held all of the right attributes to make her the ideal choice for the engagement.

Talented, young, attractive and the top of her craft, Diana Krall was the right candidate for the job. To open the dinner event with just the right walk-in dinner music Empire delivered New York based group Paul Tillotson & The Love Trio who kept the audience of over 1000 entertained with their lively jazz background standards.Following the dinner, Diana Krall and her jazz trio took the stage and were introduced by none other than musical legend and husband to Diana Krall, Elvis Costello.Foe the next 60 minutes Diana delivered a set up sultry ballads and jazz standards that slowly warmed up the guests and overcame the size of the room with the intimate charm of a jazz club. At the end of the performance with an upbeat rendition of "I'm Walkin'", guests gave Diana Krall a standing ovation.

Empire is a leading producer of headline talent in New York and around the world and works closely with world class production companies like MJM Creative Services to accommodate the entertainment needs of their clients.

When FOX Broadcasting sought to generate public awareness and media buzz for their new series Prison Break, touted by critics as Fall 2005's top new drama series, they teamed up with Empire Entertainment to produce and execute a promotional stunt with street marketing teams in three cities across the nation.On August 25, Empire created a prison yard set of metal fencing and barbed wire on the plaza of the News Corporation Building at 1211 Avenue of the Americas. Inside this faux prison yard, a professional tattoo artist tattooed the body of a young man for the public to view, while thousands of passersby were invited to receive free buzzcuts and temporary henna and airbrush tattoos. On nearby street corners, a team of 10 young and energetic male models in orange prison jumpsuits and chrome manacles handed out Prison Break-branded nail files and water-transfer tattoos.

In addition to the promotional stunt and street marketing team in New York, Empire managed similar street teams in both Chicago and Los Angeles on the same day. Outfitted in their orange jumpsuits stenciled in black paint with "FOX Prison Break" on the back and the "082505" show premiere date on the front, the Chicago team promoted the new drama series along downtown's popular Wacker Avenue and even made an appearance on FOX's morning news show. The Los Angeles team worked the high-traffic tourist destination in front of Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.At the end of the day, 75,000 branded giveaways were handed out and hundreds of thousands of impressions were made with the public both on the street and through media coverage on television and in print.

Empire Entertainment was responsible for staffing, costuming, set design, talent wrangling, logistics and onsite management for the promotional stunt and street marketing teams in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

When Accent on Cincinnati, a top meeting & special event management company, wanted headline talent for a premier insurance company's annual conference, it once again turned to Empire Entertainment to secure, book, and help produce the talent.Always the highlight of the client's conference, the headline concert is traditionally kept top secret until the the moment the curtain rises. This year the audience cheered loudly the moment the curtain rose to reveal Hall & Oates playing their hit "Maneater."Over the course of the next 90 minutes, Hall & Oates delivered a superior performance to the excited crowd.

The Twenty-two hundred excited employees that filled Cincinnati's Aronoff Center sang along to favorites like "She's Gone," "You've lost that Lovin' feeling," and "Sara Smile" among others. After receiving a standing ovation, Hall & Oates returned to the stage for an incredible three-song encore including "Rich Girl," "Kiss on my List," and closed the show with "So Close."With over 19 gold & platinum records to their credit, Hall & Oates used their vast repertoire of chart topping hits to bring the crowd to its feet, where they danced in the aisles throughout the performance.

On the following evening, Empire Entertainment showcased comedian Vic Henley for the closing party. Vic's slow Southern charm and smooth drawl had the crowd in stitches.The client was thrilled with both performances, proving once again that a little rock and roll and lots of laughter can be an inspiration to everyone.

Empire is a leading booker and producer of major concert acts, comedians, and speakers for corporate meetings and events the world over.

When the rich and powerful celebrate, they do it in legendary style and in the most beautiful places on earth. So it was when one of the world's leading business leaders and entrepreneurs wanted to celebrate his 70th birthday with family and friends in the fairy tale Kingdom of Monaco, located between the French and Italian Rivieras. For this anything-but-ordinary birthday party, the client chose superstar event designer Colin Cowie to create a legendary event in the Sporting Club in Monte Carlo. Colin Cowie, turned to Empire Entertainment to help coordinate and produce the massive entertainment components of the evening.The event began with cocktails in the luxurious gardens of the Sporting Club, overlooking the beach and Mediterranean. The 350 guests were serenaded by Los Paraguayos, a France-based ensemble whose music is reminiscent of that of the Gipsy Kings.

The guests then entered the stunning Sporting Club venue for dinner in which Colin Cowie had designed and installed sumptuous table settings, ringed by a series of five giant, floor-to-ceiling rear-projection video screens on which graphics and animation shifted and moved to enhance the setting. A jazz ensemble played from the stage.After the appetizer course and a speech, the curtains opened to reveal a cast of 14 stunning French showgirls in specially-made feather costumes and headdresses, who performed an original, high energy Moulin Rouge-style dance number to a track of 'Copacabana' for which Empire had recorded custom vocals written in collaboration by the birthday boy's wife and recording artist Corey Hart.

After dinner, toasts and speeches, a giant cake was wheeled onto the dance floor and Bebe Winans led the audience in a special rendition of 'Happy Birthday.' While this happened and the guests of honor prepared to cut the cake, the entire roof of the Sporting Club was opened and, just as the cake was cut, an incredible fireworks display began with fireworks embedded in table centerpieces, spreading to fireworks on architectural elements and then revealed to the guests directly overhead as a massive pyrotechnic display was launched from barges in the Monte Carlo harbor.No sooner did the last fireworks of the finalé fade then the guests turned around just in time to see Bebe Winans introduce the incomparable Dame Shirley Bassey who then performed her hits "Diamonds Are Forever," "Big Spender" and "Goldfinger" in front of an orchestra led by keyboard legend and musical director Greg Phillinganes. As Shirley Bassey performed, images of falling diamonds and gold were projected onto the screens surrounding the room.

Next Natalie Cole stepped into the spotlight to perform "This Will Be" and "Unforgettable" to the awestruck audience.Bebe Winans then performed two songs including "It All Comes Down to Love" and the "Legends Theme" which he had first performed for Oprah Winfrey's Legends Weekend in Santa Barbara 4 months earlier.Then pianist Billy Stritch began the telltale piano intro to "New York, New York" as a skyline images came up on the screens and the great Liza Minnelli stepped into the spotlight - bringing to their feet an audience that included U2's Bono and REM's Michael Stipe among many others. Liza looked and sounded fantastic as she performed "New York, New York" and "Cabaret" before turning over the mic to the host to address the audience.

As the host thanked his family and friends and reminisced about his extraordinary fortunate life, an army of workers scrambled behind the curtains to reset the stage for the the next phase of the event - moving an entire orchestra and band set offstage and setting up a huge new stage set for the next performers. Just as the host concluded his remarks, he introduced his musically-talented grandson who stood onstage as the curtains parted with Wyclef Jean and his band. They performed a reggae version of "Hotel California" as the guests took to the dance floor and then Wycl