The Forum’s Anniversary Party marked the end of its first year as Charlotte’s most esteemed nightclub. The Forum has remained ahead of it competition through a well-organized management staff, an in-house promotions director, residencies of nationally acclaimed DJ’s, and full-time professional lighting, and video operators. While planning the event, we discussed introducing permanent changes as well as one time party decorations that would make the Anniversary Party special. For the décor, we used fabric stretches, ice, and gobos. Beyond the décor, we decided to add a permanent two way screen in the middle of the room and a cryo-jet system.

A video screen in the center of a room naturally brings everyone’s attention to the center. When the screens are against the wall, one notices guests looking away from the party towards the screen, thus encouraging antisocial stares towards no one. I have come to the conclusion that video screens and TV’s should only be located behind the focal points of venues: bars, bands, and DJ’s. If video screens are placed anywhere else, they create an antisocial atmosphere. When screens are on dead walls, wandering eyes fall on the back of patron’s heads. You might as well leave a trail of beer leading them back to their house. I think the psychological effects of having a bartender or entertainer looking at you breaks the mindlessness of video. When your eyes begin to wander away from the screens due to boredom, the bartenders usually make a sale and the entertainment wins a fan. At the stage or the DJ booth, the duel visual element makes the entertainer more interesting adding multiple perspectives to the music. When screens are in the middle of the room, wandering eyes fall on friends looking back, and catching eyes with a stranger’s flirtatious smile thus keeping a social element.

Cryo-jets, cryogenic systems, cold flow fog, or whatever it’s called took a little research. Just to give you a heads up on my mistakes, I would like to make a couple suggestions. WARNING: CRYO JETS ARE LOUD. The music better be pumpin’ because it sounds like a plane is passing through the room. Choose your jets wisely. Le Maitre makes the most widely used cryo-jet system on the market. Don’t waste your time saving a couple of dollars for new generation or knock off units. The more I researched the cryo-jets, the more apparent that Le Maitres second generation cryo-jet system is reliable and the most popular cryo-jet for touring shows. Hear is a little wisdom: listen to those who make a living running the units not those that are selling the units. Unless you cannot make the space, use a Dewar system not a high pressure tank with a regulator. I was assured time and again that it wouldn’t make any difference. After talking to several club owners and other installers, everyone admitted trying to use high pressure tanks and failing. We were no exception. The jets just don’t deliver a proper plume with high pressure tanks. Also insulate your pipes, particularly over long distances. The furthest un-insulated jet from our Dewar system still occasionally doesn’t get the proper pressure, depending on the room temperature and humidity. Remember to adjust the rubber band till no ice comes out of the unit. It is tempting to go with the biggest plume; however CO2 will burn your skin. Lawsuits or slightly better show; I think it is wiser to play it safe.

For the entertainment for the evening we hired DJ AM, the nations hottest DJ. DJ AM’s list of clients looks like the guest list for the academy awards. From Kate Hudson to Brad Pitt, DJ AM has been the center of the Hollywood scene for years (www.dj-am.com). Professional from beginning to end DJ AM created the right environment for the sold out Forum anniversary party.

We finished off the party with an ice sculpture and large fabric stretches on the front of the building with the event logo projected by a Source 4 Leko. To add texture to the fabric, we cast a water lighting effect onto the fabric creating a motion advertisement. The large ice sculpture was set on a platform at the entrance with two color changing fixtures slowly scanning the ice fashioning dynamic hues of colorful delights.

If you missed the party, I am sorry. We would love to see you at the next party. The special events sell out fast so reserve your tickets ahead of time.