The Lowline has been rapidly gaining popularity for their effort to convert a former early 20th century underground trolley terminal on Manhattan’s Lower East Side into the world’s first underground public park. It will be a new kind of public space, using solar technology for natural illumination, and cutting-edge design to capture and highlight a very special industrial space. In order to help raise crucial funding for this incredibly innovative project, the Lowline team entrusted Empire to produce their second annual Anti-Gala Benefit Dinner and Speakeasy After Party at the historic lower east side venue, the Angel Orensanz Foundation.

Empire worked closely with Lowline to create a speakeasy theme for the event, highlighting the era in which the trolley terminal was in use. When guests arrived, they were led upstairs to the balcony where they were transported back to the early 1900s with gorgeous antique décor and design including an elaborate, miniature vintage trolley re-creation. A secret entrance was provided for VIP quests where they were greeted by a costumed trolley conductor and taken on a journey back in time with the performance of a vintage barbershop quartet.

A cocktail reception for 300 guests included a three-piece banjo band, costumed performers and contortionists. Guests were then taken downstairs for the seated dinner provided by Neuman’s Kitchen and renowned chef Gabrielle Hamilton from Prune Restaurant. A spectacular menu inspired by the early 1900s included turtle soup, consommé, fresh cherrystone clams, broiled mackerel, poached stuffed chicken breasts, French peas, Duchess potatoes, thinned white asparagus, and crème de menthe parfaits for dessert.

After dinner, Lowline co-founders Dan Barasch and James Ramsey spoke and introduced a live auction that raised over $300,000 for the exciting new project. A finale performance of entertainers emerged from the crowd and led the audience into an after party speakeasy. LCD Soundsystem Phil Mossman and Pat Mahoney DJ’ed, where guests such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Lena Dunham, Mark Ruffalo, Spike Jonze and Ed Norton grooved into the night.

Empire is a leading creative producer for innovative new projects and ideas worldwide. To learn more about the effort to build the world’s first underground park, the Lowline, visit www.thelowline.org.

Each year, one of the world’s top food and beverage companies, PepsiCo, flies its highest sales achievers and their spouses from around the world to New York to celebrate them and recognize their accomplishments.

The trip includes sightseeing, business programs and an evening at Ellis Island. The highlight of the annual trip is the awards dinner called the Circle of Champions, held at the spectacular Milstein Hall of Ocean Life at the American Museum of Natural History. For the past several years, this company has consistently turned to Empire Entertainment to deliver a program of interstitial performances and post-awards ceremony entertainment.

This year, Empire was charged with creating a program of entertainment that translated amongst the multinational attendees and that could segue naturally into a night of dancing and celebration. Empire presented three different international dance groups: Mystic India, performing a dramatic Bollywood dance routine, the Mariachi Bustamante, with the traditional sounds of Mexico accompanied with Jalisco dancers, and Barynya, who showed the crowd how exciting traditional Russian dance can be.

For the after party, Empire booked The Eturnity Band, New York City’s best R&B, Funk & Motown dance band, who kept the audience dancing to all the best oldies and the latest pop hits until the end of the night.

Empire Entertainment is the leading producer of talent and performers for corporate events.

The Coalition for the Homeless is the oldest advocacy and direct service organization helping homeless men, women and children in the United States. More than 3,500 homeless and at-risk New Yorkers receive assistance each day through the Coalition’s initiatives, which provide housing, job training, emergency food, crisis intervention and youth programs.

Empire Entertainment once again served as producer of the Coalition for the Homeless 19th annual ARTWALK NY, New York's premier contemporary art auction event. More than 800 Coalition supporters, artists, art collectors, and celebrities gathered in 82 Mercer’s expansive Soho loft for a night of festivities, including a live and silent auction. Artist Roxy Paine was honored for his contribution to contemporary art, and Kim & Michael McCarty were honored for their continuous philanthropic support of the Coalition over the years.

Sotheby’s Aileen Agopian auctioned off over 115 works of contemporary art, donated by some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including Chuck Close, Jenny Holzer, Wade Guyton, Christo, Roxy Paine, Kim McCarty, Chuck Close, Israel Lund, Jenny Holzer, Pat Steir, Ed Ruscha, Alex Katz, Wade Guyton, McDermott & McGough, Adam McEwen and Ryan McGinness. The evening’s program also featured an impromptu and celebratory Irish Jig, danced by co-hosts Alec Baldwin and Coco Rocha after raising $100,000 for the Coalition's Camp Homeward Bound, a summer sleep-away camp for homeless youth.

The evening, generously sponsored by Dolce & Gabbana and Vogue, began with hors d’oeuvres by Pinch Food Design and cocktails graciously provided by Absolut Vodka, Peroni and City Winery. Several of New York’s best restaurants, including Michael’s, The National, Indochine, The Odeon, Crown Hospitality Group and David Burke Kitchen provided tasting stations.

The rest of 82 Mercer's multi-room space served as a gallery for the silent auction and featured vignettes of 18th century French and Italian style furniture, kindly donated through Dolce & Gabbana’s relationship with Newel. Throughout the night, guests bid on and purchased works from established and emerging artists while grooving to tunes spun by DJ Chelsea Leyland.

Working closely with Coalition for the Homeless’ events team and title sponsor Dolce & Gabbana, Empire Entertainment served as overall producer of the event and was responsible for aspects ranging from event design, layout, production and logistics to décor and restaurant coordination.

ARTWALK NY raised over $1 million to benefit the Coalition’s programs. Empire Entertainment is honored to have worked in collaboration with the Coalition for the Homeless and its many supporters, to make this year’s ARTWALK NY event the most successful one yet.

To learn more about the Coalition for the Homeless or to get involved and donate, visit www.coalitionforthehomeless.org

Brazil is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and its culture, brands and exports will become increasingly influential as the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games focus the global spotlight on the country. To seize on this moment to promote the Brasil brand and its products, Brazil's trade and investment promotion agency, APEX, along with its global marketing firm, Profero, worked with Empire to create a Brasil brand experience in New York City. The resulting project took shape as a week-long, open-to-the-public pop-up experience showcasing Brazilian brands, innovations, products and culture.

To deliver this message in an authentic environment, acclaimed Brazilian architects and design duo, Guto Requena and Mauricio Arruda, were engaged to help design the three story retail space in the heart of SoHo into a vibrant, interactive Brazilian experience. A multi-story work of Brazilian graffiti art, produced directly on the venue's staircase walls by Banzai Studio artists of Brasil, tied together the floors.

Focusing on retail, technology, and cuisine, Brazilian companies and brands including Embraer, Havaianas, Louloux, and Bauducco were represented throughout the interior spaces. On the ground floor guests could “fly” over various regions of Brasil by controlling a custom-designed Kinect app, that manipulated scenic views projected on 30’ of LED screens. On the lower level retail shop, guests could try on (and purchase) jewelry made of natural products found in the Brazilian rainforest, beauty drinks and sample shoes, denim and other fashions. On the second floor guests could relax in the Botequim (Brasilian Café) where traditional Brazilian fare could be sampled.

In addition to the open-to-the-public daily experience, a wide range of additional Brasil-centric programming were presented including private, invitation-only events, musical performances, wine & cachaça tastings, and informative TED-style talks by Brazilian experts in an array of fields, including Chef Alex Atala. Nights at the Be Brasil experience were filled with live music programmed by Empire Brazil Region Director Beco Dranoff and featuring artists Kay Lyra, Alexia Bomtemp, Eliano Bráz and DJ Greg Caz. For this project, Empire served as producer and was responsible for venue selection, café and event food and beverage management, design and decor execution, staffing and management, technical direction and execution, and partner management.

Empire is a leading producer of innovative pop-up and branded experiences for government clients and consumer brands. To learn more about the project, visit: http://bebrasilnyc.com

When The Gere Foundation and the Tibet Center invited His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama to present his teachings in New York City, they engaged Empire to serve as both producer and production company for the project. 2013 marked the third time that Empire has had the honor to produce these teachings following successful appearances in 2007 and 2010 at Radio City Music Hall.

Working in partnership with The Tibet Center, The Gere Foundation's Executive Director Mollie Rodriguez and the Beacon Theatre, Empire worked on every aspect of the program including stage design, logistics and technical production. As in past years, where footage of the teachings and public talk were packaged into television projects for National Geographic Television and Adam Yauch's Oscilloscope Productions, each session was recorded via a multi-camera HD set-up. This year however, Empire helped expand the reach by live-streaming all of the sessions, as well as simultaneously translating them into English, Mandarin Chinese and Russian.

Over the course of three days, His Holiness’ delivered five two-hour teaching sessions on the topics of the Heart Sutra, The Sutra of Truly Remembering the Sublime Three Jewels, and The Wisdom Chapter from A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life. To finish the weekend, His Holiness held a public talk on “The Virtues of Non Violence”, which included a question & answer session and introductory remarks by Richard Gere.

In addition to its role as producer, Empire was able to secure sponsors to donate services in order to keep event costs to a minimum. ABC Home & Carpet generously donated carpeting and furniture. Empire is honored to have had another opportunity to present His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. Empire is a leading producer of major public and civic event and programs.

Fitch ratings is one of the world's largest ratings agencies, responsible for providing data to financial firms around the world to help them assess risk and opportunity. On the occasion of the company’s 100th anniversary, Fitch Ratings and its branding agency, Addison, launched a new online and live event series entitled the Why? Forum to underscore Fitch’s commitment to qualitative and quantitative research, and to promote greater transparency by showing how Fitch asks the ‘why’ questions that provide deeper insight into the events that move markets.

For the inaugural Why? Forum event, Fitch and Addison tapped Empire to serve as event producer to bring the vision to life. The event took place at the New York Public Library in the historic Edna Barnes Salomon room with an audience of 150 senior financial executives and analysts from the world of institutional investing. The Why? Forum featured a panel discussion with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, and former National Security Adviser Robert Gates. The panel was moderated by Esquire Editor Mark Warren, and Fitch rating’s Asia-Pacific head, Brett Hemsley.

Following the panel discussion, which largely focused on risk and threats around the world, historian and best-selling author Niall Ferguson delivered a keynote address entitled “Why is there cause for optimism?” which provided a powerful counter-point to earlier perspectives. At the conclusion of the stage program, the extraordinary gallery of historic artworks in the Edna Barnes Solomon room was illuminated with a colorful series of Why? Forum projections, which modernized the room tnexpectedly coorng as the cocktail reception began.

For this ambitious and forward-thinking program, Empire served as overall producer, helping to secure the keynote speaker and contracting the panelists, handling all technical production, scenic and staging, catering, and guest logistics.To learn more about this innovative series, check out the Why? Forum website at www.whyforum.com.

Empire is a leading producer of thought-leadership forums that provide insight to business decision-makers worldwide.

Since launching over 2 decades ago, Travel Channel has become the world’s leading travel media brand. Their emphasis on providing experiential programming featuring high-end adventure, foreign lands and exotic palates has won over a highly-coveted viewer demographic. So when it came time to plan a Fall Ad Sales event, they wanted the party to represent the authentic experiences reflected in their programming.

Empire signed on to produce this year’s party dubbed “1 Night, 4 Countries, No Jet Lag.” Held at ESPACE on West 42nd Street, the blank canvas space was transformed into four large vignettes – Spain, Italy, Croatia and Morocco.Spain’s substantial backdrop included a fully-fabricated representation of Barcelona’s Plaza Real, complete with archways, orange trees, rustic wooden bar tables and a live flamenco band with dancers. Alongside a buffet of delectable Spanish tapas, guests enjoyed a Jamon Iberico carving station while tasting a selection of Spanish Sherries.

In Italy, a contemporary Milanese street café offered seating on black leather banquettes under outstretched awnings. An oleologist (a sommelier of olive oil) from Eataly taught guests how to properly taste and appreciate premium olive oils, while guests posed for Instagram photos on the Vespa scooters parked beside the café. Croatia -- the gem of the Mediterranean now known for its chic seaside resorts, featured terracotta-topped beach cabanas and sleek white lounge ottomans. Dubrovnik’s medieval walled city could be viewed through carved stone ruins.

Draped fabrics in blue and purple jewel tones created a sultry setting for Morocco’s souk filled with antique colored glass lanterns, pottery, glasses and rugs. Guests relaxed in the hookah lounge and received henna tattoos and haggling lessons while Moroccan musicians played traditional instruments accompanied by belly dancers.Watery blue LED lighting transformed the central bar area into the Mediterranean, perfectly tying in all four countries.

Travel Channel on-air talent was integrated into each of the vignettes in a variety of ways including a printed itinerary with expert tips that helped guide guests through the authentic experiences. For this highly detailed event, for which every element needed to be authentic, Empire was responsible for sourcing the venue, design, technical direction, site management, entertainment & activities, and overall event management.The travel Channel client was thrilled with the execution of the event and felt that it captured exactly the quality and authenticity embodied by their programming.

Empire is a leading producer of upfront and advertising sales events for the media and advertiser supported industries.

For the first time in college league basketball history, The BIG EAST Conference hosted Media Day for the men's and women's college basketball teams on the same day. To bring this carefully-watched event to a wider audience, Empire was contracted to produce a livestream webcast of both conferences. The conference kicked off at The Chelsea Piers Lighthouse and included star college players and nearly 300 members of the media.

The event was webcast live on www.BIGEAST.com and can be viewed via the link below.

https://new.livestream.com/bigeast/mediaday

Empire served as the webcast producer including technical production and creative direction. Empire is a leading producer of live webcast and broadcast events.

A catwalk is inherently glamorous, but the charity: water WaterWalk is a reality check. In 2013, W Hotels partnered with charity: water, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing clean and safe drinking water to every person on the planet, to help raise funds and awareness in new markets. As part of their sponsorship of the previous year’s charity: ball, the W Hotels pledged to host cocktail parties touring charity: water’s signature Waterwalk to six different cities- Boston, New Orleans, Chicago, San Francisco, Scottsdale, and Los Angeles.

Together, we helped create an evocative and enriching experience that brought the reality of how far people in developing nations have to travel for clean drinking water. For each participant who walked the Waterwalk, an assembled catwalk that symbolizes the distance it takes for 800 million people to find water, W hotels Worldwide donated $45 to bring one person clean water in Orissa, India. The local hotels invited tastemakers, hotel guests and press to this special cocktail party for their chance to walk the walk and give back, while enjoying drinks courtesy of Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

charity: water Founder Scott Harrison, came to the kick-off event at the W Boston. W Hotels Worldwide’s Global Music Director, internationally acclaimed DJ and music producer Michaelangelo L'Acqua also made it to W Boston to help launch the Waterwalk campaign and set the beat to this Happening. At the W French Quarter the Stooges Brass Band kept guests dancing all night, including the Pussyfooters, local Mardi Gras celebrities. Ultimately, every city created it’s own flair while helping spread charity: water’s mission.

We’re honored to continue to help produce charity: water’s events, while helping W Hotels Worldwide implement their corporate sponsorship.

For more information about the organization, please check out their website: www.charitywater.org.

Coined the “Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth,” the Maker Faire is a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, this all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, hobbyists, engineers, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors celebrate what they have made to share with the world.

When Zazzle, a leading e-commerce website specializing in custom made products and one of Maker Faire’s valued sponsors debuted in their first New York Maker Faire, they turned to Empire to help curate the Zazzle experience during the weekend-long, highly publically attended event at the New York Hall of Science in Queens, New York.

Empire worked closely with Zazzle to create an inviting family oriented interactive experience set under a 40’ tent in the center of the festival. Over the course of the weekend where over 10,000 enthusiastic innovators attended, children and their families gathered in the Zazzle space to create their own arts & crafts. From coloring in Empire’s custom designed Zazzle robot postcards to dressing up in mini robot costumes while posing for a photo booth, to creating personalized buttons, kids of all ages unleashed their inner “maker.” Empire also created a unique display showcasing Zazzle’s unique and customizable products.

Empire was proud to work with Zazzle on the Maker Faire, showcasing innovation and experimentation across the spectrum of science, engineering, art, performance and craft to bring about a nurturing ground for this growing community of creative and curious people.

To learn more about the Maker Faire and to find the nearest Maker Faire near you, you can go to http://makerfaire.com.