Nikki & Rich @ The Roxy

I got the call for a job I've been dreaming of: Warner Records wanted the Roxy Theater on Sunset converted into the Cocoanut Grove. I've been obsessed with CG since it was torn down three years ago. It's legendary. And I'm devastated I never made it inside.


Nikki & Rich are the golden child of WBR and they seem to be putting all of their eggs in this basket. So the plan is to host a VIP showcase introducing them to everyone important in the music industry. And then, do the same thing in NY next month.

After a magnificent presentation and calling everyone who knows my passion for CG, Nikki & Rich decided to change the entire design. AND to make matters worse, I think after seeing the budget (especially how much my rate was), they mentioned they might already have a person in NY. They'll let me know. Devastating.

There were a few emergencies that came up. I know they might not seem like emergencies to other people. But let me tell you, I'm talking serious 911.

1) The Roxy had promised to take care of the staff's wardrobe and the day before had said they dropped the ball. Music people really have no idea what I do. At some point, I became the "event planner" in their book. Wardrobe is the same as decorating to them (not to mention much closer to my field than theirs) and in my rallying for NY, thought assuring them I would take care of it would help. But Roxy didn't even get exact sizes to me until it was too late. I had guesses like "I think one guy's like an XXXL and three are like XL and probably a few Smalls for women and a few Medium...."

2) The centerpiece of the stage, the table cover that I had custom built by one of the best carpenters I know (head carpenter for all of the theme rooms on Extreme Makeover Home Edition)... turned out to be 6 inches too high according to sound. We still have to paint the logo on the center with a stencil... Oh, and we're at about an hour and twenty minutes before doors open. Thankfully, my leadman has a saw on his truck... and knows how to use it. But it's low on batteries and is going to take a long time with recharging in between.

3) Omega had forgotten a key element for these little lamps that I had for the tables and thankfully, they delivered them. But now, about 15 of the battery operated tea lights don't work. Also an hour and twenty minutes before doors open.

4) The logo is getting painted on and it's run all over - black letters on white background. Situation is not good because NOW, it's about 30 minutes until doors open. I'm so glad this is happening outside away from WB because I know Lisa and she would have a heart attack if she saw this. We paper towells and amazing Drew cutting the edges.

5) As everything is getting steamed, Lisa is silently freaking out that the women's shirts are too big. And then as I was looking at it, I was panicked.

The wardrobe fit everyone perfectly. I had Bed Bath and Beyond hold battery opereated tea lights at the front desk for a WB intern to pick up and rush back. Those made it in within 10 minutes of doors open. And when the table cover was brought onto the stage, Nikki & Rich were ecstatic - they screamed and cheered and wanted to keep it when we wrapped.

The crew I had was unbelievable. After the doors opened, Drew and I went next door to Rainbow for a drink and my first meal of the day. After it's all done, I'm really grateful to have had such great people on my team and realize there is NO WAY I could have done it without them.