LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Recording Academy) - Natasha Bedingfield, Cyndi Lauper, DJ Chris Cox,
Fourplay and the Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles will perform at the 2008 GRAMMY Celebration, an exclusive invitation-only, star-studded event, it was announced today by The Recording Academy. The gala, catered for the first time by Chef extraordinaire Wolfgang Puck, attracts GRAMMY winners and nominees, music industry executives and celebrities who attend the live telecast. The lavish event will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Feb. 10 following the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
"Exceptional food, distinctive decor, and top-notch entertainment have always been a hallmark of our GRAMMY Celebration," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "This year's after-party will be a most fitting and exciting component of an extremely memorable evening and an extraordinary way to top off the GRAMMY Awards 50th milestone celebration!"
"Drawing from the undeniable influence and inspiration of music, this year's design concept takes guests on a journey not unlike an evening at the opera in turn-of-the-century Europe," said Branden Chapman, Vice President of Production and Process Management for The Recording Academy. "It takes an army of skilled and renowned industry professionals to pull off an event of this magnitude and caliber, and we've brought aboard the very best."
Wolfgang Puck has developed a custom menu fitting for a 50th anniversary event including Italian (shrimp and white bean bruschetta; roma tomato caprese cups with fresh mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes and torn basil vinaigrette; and lamb osso bucco with tomato orzo and lemon parsley gremolatta), Latin (paella royale; peach sangria shooters; rosemary olive oil rubbed filet mignon; and baked spicy crab fondue), Thai (spicy beef, braised short ribs, woks of Bangkok fried rice with eggs, and glass noodles with spicy shrimp), and traditional English (bangers, carved prime rib, fish, and mini mugs of ginger beer). Delicate desserts like English toffee trifle, homemade ricotta chocolate chip cannolis, assorted Thai flavored mini cupcakes, tiramisu, ginger creme brulee tarts, creme puffs, orange caramel flan, and warm zeppolis with raspberry jam also will be served throughout the evening.
The Recording Academy once again will partner with highly regarded event producers Along Came Mary Productions (ACM) to orchestrate the post-telecast GRAMMY Celebration, overseeing all of the event entertainment, decor, and many other logistics. Led by The Recording Academy, ACM and its design and lighting team will take the vast convention space and transform it into Victorian and old European theatrical elegance. Beautiful crystal chandeliers will hang from the ceiling, lush red fabrics accented with gold will be draped from floor to ceiling and neoclassical statues and living-statues will anchor the room. A mainstay in the entertainment industry, ACM has masterfully orchestrated many of Hollywood's most distinguished events. The Recording Academy has hired ACM to co-produce the GRAMMY Celebration nine times, as well as the 1st, 3rd and 5th Annual Latin GRAMMY post-parties.
The 2008 GRAMMY Celebration also will feature beer, wines and spirits provided by Anheuser-Busch Beer, Patron Tequila, Ultimat Vodka, Pyrat Rum, Forest Glen Wines and Domaine Laurier Champagne. Hosted by the Mango Board, one signature bar will feature mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim's signature mango cocktail "The Sweet Escape," which was created in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the GRAMMY Awards.
This year's GRAMMY Celebration special guest gift will be provided by Kinerase and Bed Head.
As part of The Recording Academy's ongoing greening efforts, Wolfgang Puck Catering will be using locally grown produce, dairy and meat, sourcing environmentally sustainable packaging - compostable, biodegradable and recyclable products - and donating any unused/leftover food to Angel Harvest, a nonprofit that organizes the collection and delivery of the food and items to local social service agencies providing emergency food for those in need.
