WE JUST WON OUR 18TH ISES AWARD!

Cast of Thousands DC President, Pamela Burton, was a member of the winning "Best ISES team!" Kelly Gillespie of GEM Associates hired us to create characters to portray the theme of "The Elements of Suprise" - Air, Water, Fire, and Earth. The top photo, courtesy of Monica Vidal, of Washington Talent and Video, is of our "Water Dancers."

Some of the winning team members, from left to right: Maris Angolia, Dale Harmon, Kelley Gillespie, Pamela Burton, Robert Sherman, and Alain Ikombo.

Congrats to the whole team!

Alain Ikombo
Atlantic Valet

Andrew Horodowicz

eventEQ

Annie Senatore
A Vista Events

Christine Cadima
Design Cuisine

Dale Harmon
Plants Alive!, Inc.

Dave Edwards, CSEP
Dave Edwards Events Inc.

Maris Angolia
Karin's Florist

Monical Vidal
Washington Talent and Video

Robert Sherman
Washington Talent and Video

We're in Biz Bash!

This year's Leukemia Ball was all about "Painting the Town Red." We added a bright touch at the very beginning of the party: two dashing red caped gentlemen to welcome arriving guests. This fabulous annual event, held at the Washington Convention Center, is always a lavish affair, and raises money for a worthy cause. The photo above was featured in the recent edition of Biz Bash DC, a e-zine devoted to the DC events scene.

Photo courtesy of Tony Brown Imijination Photograpy.

Key West Theme at West Belmont Place

We were invited to add to the fun at a client party hosted by Sharon Meyers of the National Conference Center in Lansdowne, Virginia. The NCC was showing off its new ballroom at West Belmont Place, and wanted a light hearted theme to take everyone's mind of the current economic situation. Our interactive characters included a couple of "Tacky Tourists" loaded down with cameras, guide books, and the requisite black socks being worn with shorts! An Island Greeter on stilts welcomed everyone and surprised them with his "air cannon" that shot foam balls high in the air. He also wore a big rubber ducky flotation device and led everyone on a hilarious conga line. Joe the Beach Comber had a bag of silly trinkets which he tried to trade for nice jewelry and watches worn by some of the guests. (They didn't fall for it, by the way!)

Here's what Sharon had to say after the event: "The Tacky Tourists, Joe the Beach Comber & The Island Greeter were the perfect blend of characters for our 2nd annual Client Event - Beach Party Theme! All of the guests really enjoyed them wondering through the crowd. It is always great working with you & your company!"

Crystal City becomes Emerald City

We recently added a theatrical touch to the annual benefit for Arena Stage in Crystal City. In the photo above, our Wizard of Oz characters are posing with Mitchell Schear, Charles E. Smith President, and Angie Fox, Crystal City Business Improvement District President. The fund raiser was held to benefit Arena's enrichment programs that serve 20,000 kids!

As most of you know, Arena stage is now mounting productions in two venues, one in Crystal City, at 1800 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202, and at the Lincoln Theater, 1215 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. These wonderful stages are being used while the new Mead Center for American Theater is being constructed on Arena's site at 6th and Maine St., SW.

At Cast of Thousands we all share a love of the stage, so we were more than happy to take part in this wonderful fundraiser for such a worthy cause: bringing the joy of theater to young people in the DC area.

WE'RE NOMINATED!

The Greater Washington DC ISES chapter recently announced the nominees for this year's Capital Awards, and we are nominated, not once, not twice, but three times!

A corporate holiday party is up for "Best Entertainment Production" for "An Enchanting Holiday Brunch." Pictured above is our delightful Sugar Plum Fairy. At the brunch, she was joined by many other enchanting performers, including a stage show, craft activities, photo ops, visits with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus and a whole team of sketch artists.

The second nomination is for "Best ISES Team," for a corporate event entitled "The Elements of Surprise." The photo is of a dancer depicting the element of water in a flowing costume designed for the occasion. Our characters portrayed the elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire, bringing the client's theme to life in imaginative and colorful performances. Congratulations to all the other team members, and our client Kelly Gillespie of CSI-DC.

The third nomination is also for "Best ISES Team" and this event's theme was "An Evening in Tuscany." Cast of Thousands provided a living statue pouring wine, two "Fools" in the spirit of Commedia dell'Arte, and some costumed caricature artists. Hats off to the other fabulous team members, especially our client Ayran Kanter of Eventscapes.

For a complete list of nominees please click on DC ISES Nominees.

Photo of fools courtesy of Bryan Blanken Freed Photography, Inc.

Our "Obama" endorses Las Vegas

Our Obama lookalike dropped by "Strike Bethesda" on Tuesday, not to bowl, but to schmooze with 300 members of the PCMA. The fun party was hosted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Association, and the "Prez" put in a good word for Las Vegas as a great place for meetings.

He reminded the event and meeting planners that Las Vegas is the #1 destination in the country for meetings and conventions. Here's why: Not just the flashy shows and casinos! Las Vegas has 6.7 million square feet of convention space, and an additional 3 million square feet at individual properties. Last year 22,454 conventions and meetings came to Las Vegas!

These meetings pumped 8.5 billion dollars into the economy. We call that some kind of stiumulus! And oh yes, lest we forget--Las Vegas is FUN!

Oh, the places we go, the creatures we see!

One of the many reasons I love my job, besides working with some of the greatest octopi and jellyfish in show business, is where we get to perform.

Last year, the California Academy of Sciences opened up in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Or should I say re-opened after years of extensive renovation.

What an amazing place! Butterflies fluttering on the grassy rooftop, while all sorts of sea creatures swim in the basement aquarium...a white crocodile near the back entrance, and a four story rain forest in between.

Our company was lucky enough to perform at several of the pre-opening parties, and has returned for more special events since then. The Jellyfish and Octopus are fun stilt characters who seem to fit right in with the spirit of the place.

The Academy isn't just a great place to learn about our environment--it's also a great place for a party!