DJ Levi Brown, a friend of mine, ask me to bring lighting for the White Party in Charlotte NC. I was free so I agreed. I have never done a party at the Van Landingham Estate and love to work new spaces. The VanLandingham Estate is one of charlottes premiere Southern homes and event locations. Lighting this beautifully maintained historic estate was both a joy and exposed my work to over 1000+ of Charlotte’s philanthropist and party goers.

The trick to club lighting in the home is keep it in the air. When I work with young lighting programmers, they usually place gobos on the floor and walls because the room is empty. Once the room is full all the beautiful floor effects are lost in the crowd. One is left with a weak 5 foot beam throw from the fixture to the first person it meets. I like to keep the lights low 5 to 7 feet off the ground which allows three things. First, the lights scan the crowd; the sweeps throw the entire length of the room just above everyone’s head maximizing beam effect and visibility, particularly when a hazer is used. Second, the lights can now project onto the ceiling. If the lights are near the ceiling they can only cast light on the floor and walls, leaving only the beam effect with few possibilities of projection surfaces when the room is full. The ceiling is always the most unobstructed location in any building and the best place for projections. Finally, ground mounted fixtures are easiest to set up, adjust, and break down. Although the foot print is large the possible effects grow exponentially.

The 6 Robe movers and 6 LED pars created a rich texture in the VanLandingham Estate filling the entire room with color. The tall ceilings were conducive to dramatic lighting with plenty of space for beam effects and projection surfaces. Unfortunately they nixed the hazer and naturally smoking was not allowed. Not that I encourage smoking . . . just that I have been known to ask smokers to stand near the lights when they smoke (insert cheesy grin here).

The grounds and the home are lit with low color temperature lamps giving an amberish antique glow throughout the estate. With the lighting splashing off the stone walls, ceilings, and white clothing, the view into the room was spectacular. Throughout the estate, the party room exploded through the elegant windows attracting the curious, establishing the dance floor and creating the mood.

The White Party at the VanLandingham Estate is a benefit for the Metrolina Aids Project. M.A.P. improves the lives of individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS and strive to prevent further spread of this disease through services, education and client advocacy. MAP helps as many as 3000 clients a year. With 1000+ attendees the White party raises 10’s of thousands of dollars every year on a single night, increasing awareness of MAP. When our community bonds together we can over come this tragic illness. Although AIDS has affected many, progress is being made. There are reasons to celebrate our small victories, which encourages us to win the war against this terrible disease.