Kate Risker's blog

Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project

 


 

On the 27^th November – The World Swaped Nights. London exchanged the highlights of nightlife with Miami. I produced the Miami themed event for RPM at art deco venue Troxy. For a video clip of the event click here. The event was such a success Smirnoff decided to tour the event around four UK cities, which I have also just completed this Spring.

Production

The main room was themed in a Miami Superclub style, with set design from Honest incorporating neon, palm trees and an interactive pool put into context in a roof terrace. The main stage was dominated by a huge Square Screen System from Lumacoustics and the Smirnoff crate which was the focus of the experiential campaign. I approached Lumacoustics to projection map the crate with three dimensional visuals, both branded and party visuals to entertain the crowd- see some of the innovative effects here. Along with a state of the art laser show from ER Productions who did the Brits this year it made the stage show spectacular. I also produced a ‘Little Havana’ themed back room where we created a gritted Havana street party feel.

Talent

Zane Lowe hosted the event, and stole the show for the night. Example and Tinie Tempah also played energetic live shows and Jaguar Skillz finished the show with a tune packed set.

Press

MTV covered the event and recorded the USA Masters of the Mix show at the event. The event has been the most successful campaign for Smirnoff yet- now having over 40,000 followers on Facebook.

http://www.mtv.co.uk/events/smirnoff-nightlife-exchange/news/249065-smirnoff-nightlife-exchange-project-grand-finale

Client Feed Back

Aoife McDonald, Smirnoff Brand Manager, quoted followed the production of the event "The highest production standard the brand has even seen! Truly fantastic work from all of you guys. Again long hours and dedication put in to your delivery. The output of which was hugely innovative and has been presented to the global Smirnoff team and other 13 countries as best in class examples."

 

 

 

Secret Cinema- Unknown Culture Movement

 

Shaun O’Connor kindly offered me a last minute ticket to the launch of Secret Cinemas new project ‘Unknown Culture Movement’. Shaun is a visual artist, who specialises in projections and visuals in clubs and for brands.

We made our way to Tobacco Dock- a fantastic Grade 1 listed building in Docklands. Entertainers greeted us in 1940’s style and about 150 extras were sauntering in the street depicting everyday life in the era.

Ten out of ten for Secret Cinemas creativity: inside Tobacco Dock they had created the look and feel of a 1940’s street scene. In each of the small cavernous spaces they had put in vintage shops, interactive art installations, dance workshops, restaurants, performances, various catering outlets and traditional pubs. The space felt like a 1940’s town centre, with a specific ballet and cinema feel.

After an hour or so feasting our eyes on the quirky entertainment, shop scenes and interactive performances we were asked to go through to the cinema halls. The film of the evening was Red Shoes, hence the ballet theme throughout the reception. Sadly it was so cold in the auditorium that I had to leave after the first twenty minutes! It was evident that other people who had been before had wrapped up in fur jackets for the occasion…

Overall it was great to eventually attend one of their events, Secret Cinema certainly has a certain amount of hype surrounding it. It was a shame I didn’t stay for the after party, all the entertainment, bars and food outlets were said to be open after the film.

Interview with producer

http://www.huhmagazine.co.uk/view_article.php?id=1026&s=film&t=interview

Jasmine Studios :: Galaxy High

I was the event manager at Jasmine Studios, a high end photographic studios in West London for the last two years. The venue was run by GSP, who also manage the events at Saatchi Gallery.

During my time at the venue I ran a yearly promotional party for the events industry . This year I designed the theme around future space and brought the concept to life via my innovative suppliers such as the-recipe, Lumacoustics, Renegade Lighting Design, True Staging and Fantastic.

Highlights were the futuristic canapés, Pic Flips and the Sonic Manipulator who I scouted from a busking gig on Broadway Market.

Check out the time lapse video of the production...

JASMINE V7_LOW RES

Fashion Week February 2010: Backstage with Blonstein

This year I received a very last minute invite to to go behind the scenes at London Fashion Week at Somerset House. I was invited to get to grips with the Fashion East show produced by Sara Blonstein and shadow blog the affair.

 

Sara Blonstein runs Blonstein & Associates, a company that produces high end, creative events that are bang on trend for clients such as London Fashion Week, MTV, Vivienne Westwood, Agent Provocateur and Stolichnaya vodka. The production company organizes a variety of luxury brands fashion shows, film premiers, experiential marketing and last but not least the most fab parties on the planet. It seems to me that Blonstein has been so successful in her industry by offering a cutting edge service that boasts trendy influences from the fashion, music and entertainment industries and fuses them into her events, wowing a mix of East end creatives and ‘A’ listers.

 

Interestingly, Blonstein's show is set in under the vaults of Somerset House, what was formerly called The Dead House, where there are still tombstones visible on the walls. The venue is the smallest show at LFW, seating a capacity of 280 guests but this give it the most incredible atmosphere. The raw space is split into three catwalk spaces and has a gritty East end feel to it. Blonstein sourced and refurbed the venue into a useable space in 2009, hosting the first Fashion East show in there in last season. It was the first show I’ve attended, normally being behind the scenes on the organizational front and I was really impressed with the calm and professionalism of the team and the overall creative design and production.

 

The Fashion East concept was set up as a not for profit organization to promote up and coming artists and has been firmly established at LFW since 2000. The founder of the show is Lulu Kennedy who works with Blonstein to produce the show. People attend seeking the next best thing in the fashion industry.

 

“Fashion East has a high profile and 8 year track record in the industry for launching future stars; scouting and working with some of the most exciting new designers and thus directly contributing to London’s reputation as the epicenter for creativity.” LFW

 

The Autumn/Winter designers selected for the show were Heikki, Michael Van Der Ham and Nasir. Good luck to the young designers launching into industry and big up Blonstein and her team for showcasing such a seamlessly organized show.

Rare Breed Turning Thirty

To celebrate my 30^th birthday I planned a country folk themed party and named it ‘Rare Breeds’. The theme was inspired by the venue, The Redchurch which is decked out in traditional red velvet seating, frilly lampshades and hunting scene paintings.

I asked guests to dig out there country props and attire as a stylish take on the fancy dress theme. I planned a photo shoot at the venue which included my own personal props including a huge trophy I won for eventing, rosettes, saddle and vintage hunting crop. Check out the pictures here. The super friendly bar staff served punch in huge vintage glass bowls which were devoured by guests. 

People came from far and wide and it was amazing to have so many friends from all different walks of life: school, horse riding, work and other friends from London. It was a great opportunity for new friendships as many close friends had the chance to meet that had never met before.

BOXED

BOXED PIC

Back in my student days I ran a charity gig called ‘Break-In’ showcasing emerging talent in Leeds. One of the artists was Shlomo, experimental human beat boxer. His vocal talents have taken him far and he is now an artist in residence at the Southbank Centre.

 

Shlomo kindly invited me to the launch of his new night ‘Boxed’ a theatrical beat box show. On surely one of the coldest nights of January with several people snowed in, it didn’t stop the crowd giving the beat boxing crew a extremely warm welcome onstage. The crowd were so enamored and frenzied by the end of the show, people stood in applause.

 

I felt the show could have been shortened a lot, but there were some terrific highlights. My favorite parts were the Human Turntables and Human Drums where people became instruments- very clever stuff, LOVED it. The finale was also a highlight where the ten beat boxers performed songs from 80’s, 90’s and noughties via pure vocal styles. I’d totally recommend the show, although I believe they were only doing a handful of dates. I hope they will perform it again at this years festivals.

Tropical City: Underground themed party

Tropical City was inspired by the likes of Santogold and De Tropix and designed for the summer festivals. Think forward thinking international sounds and feel good summer vibes, with added fancy dress fun. Our latest themed party was programmed to be held on several summer festival stages; Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Castle Palooza and Bloom Festival.

 

Music genres touched upon ranged from reggaeton, hip-hop, tropical, grime, bashment on an electronic tip. Conrad the Scoundrel kicked the night off with his up front mc style and comedy introductions. Then AJ Holmes presented his electric-hi-life tunage, sweet summer melodies ravished by all. Cherry B from De Tropix took the mic for the headline act, bumping and grinding her crotch in time with her lyrics! Finally our super hero DJ, Gabriel Heatwave drew in the crowd for two hours of bashment bliss. We rocked the boat to the early hours swinging our hips, arms in the air. We were truly impressed by Gabriel’s sounds and the party spirit that was created on the Tamesis boat.

 

Thanks to all that made the party so special- bring on the summer festivals! 

 

 

 

Tropical City

Tropical City

Visions of city streets and tropical lands,
Sporting steamy sun visors and hand held fans.
Stand your ground in the battles of Krump,
Feverish moves to rhythms that jump.
Exotic sounds from faraway,
Fused with the modern beats of today.
For the best spot by the bass bin we fight,
Follow the neon pulse, to the tropical city night.

Put your ghetto blaster down, put your aviators on and lets get Fabulous.
The waters are heating up down the Albert Embankment.
The Tamesis dock is the venue for the summers first Tropical City party.
Presenting the freshest sounds from the tropical scene, expect heavy beats and bass with an afro/urban influence. Live music, Mcs and D.Js and explosive street style performance.

Featuring;

A.J Holmes: The New Electric Hi-Life - A blend of tropical pop, afro beats and beautifully melodic highlife guitar loops
http://www.myspace.com/ajholmesthekingofthenewelectrichilife

Detropix - The group this party was made for. More refreshing than Rubicon Lychee juice, expect a cool electro reggae sound with sweet female vocals from MC Cherry B.
http://www.myspace.com/detropix

Conrad The Scoundral - Experimental electro grime, "I got more beats than an abused house wife I tell ya"
http://www.myspace.com/conradthescoundral

The Heatwave - skankin dancehall and tropical tunage from DJ Gabriel Heatwave.
http://www.myspace.com/heatwavelondon

8pm-1.00am
£7
Dress Code: Ghetto Fabulous/Tropical/neon

Cosmic Disco

The quirkiest, the craziest Sci-Fi Halloween party- the Cosmic Disco. The genius invention of Simon Harris (my co-partner in crime) descended on a number of party goers on the 1^st November for the weekend of Halloween. The concept of our parties is somewhere between an intimate boutique music festival and a themed party, this time taking on the theme of a haunted space ship from outer space.

The venue was The Crypt, deep beneath St. Giles Church in Camberwell. The entertainment was twisted and futuristic, seeing electronic performances from all female The RGB’s, Ezra Bang and the Hot Machine, and solo act Dimbleby and Capper. The upbeat electronic music was juxtaposed with spoken word from the self-branded ‘miserable’ Babalon Anon and Lisa Devaney’s ‘Ghost from the future’.

Thanks go out to all the creatives and artists involved in the event- we couldn't achieve these parties without you. Special thanks to Lisa Devaney, Wendy & Amanda, Symmetrix, Pev, Amanda Birch and Chin Supressor.

Watch this space for an up and coming brand of these festival-themed parties. Onwards and upwards…

Look up, get down, Cosmic Disco!

The countdown has begun……

Banished from the banality of modern life the cyber freaks, space pirates, punk mutants and star ship stowaways roam the city streets for sanctuary. An interstellar portal lies deep under St. Giles Church in Camberwell. The crew of this cryptic star ship is waiting to take you on an intergalactic odyssey of hyper Stella purgery.

The doors to this rocket from the crypt open for one night only, November 1st All Hallows Day when the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolve. Bounce, bump and grind, raise your hands and be divine, the night is long the sound is strong.

The end is nigh, draw in the dawning of a new apocalypse with the sounds of low fi astral beats, gravitational grooves and sub atomic bass lines. Be petrified by scenes of demonic possession and shocking depravity. Prepare to be dazzled.

Doors: 7.30-9pm, show ends at 1.30am
Venue: The Crypt- Camberwell, London
Dress Code: Cosmic
Entry £10

www.myspace.com/wearehotmachine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3xZIJTWEHQ

www.myspace.com/thergbs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N9hegWeKLI

www.myspace.com/dimblebyandcapper

www.myspace.com/riksymmetrik