
Aquarius 2020

*Certified 100% Plastic Free by Oceanic Global
A boundless journey of sensory and visual imagination at this 3rd annual festival highlighting sustainable seafood and farm fresh cocktails. The Foundry set the scene for this Arctic chic event. The historic venue is a fully-restored 19th century building, which boasts 3,000 sprawling square feet of space offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline along with a gorgeous indoor Greenhouse filled with delicacies from the sea, complemented perfectly with premium wines and spirits.
This year, Aquarius has partnered with Oceanic Global, a non-profit that engages new audiences in ocean conservation. They tap into universal passions to raise awareness for issues impacting our oceans and to provide individual and industry solutions that drive positive change. We are working with them to implement The Oceanic Standard to ensure a plastic-free event. CupZero will provide $2 cups for purchase upon entry to use throughout the festival.
Guests will have the ability to purchase seafood with sustainable offerings as deep as the sea, all of which will be recommended by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s rigorous Seafood Watch program. Festival-goers will be equipped with the latest sustainable seafood guides and have the opportunity to sample seasonal flavors by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Executive Chef Matthew Beaudin. Hudson Square’s Houseman Restaurant’s Chef Ned Baldwin will offer Fisherman’s Stew and more and Mattitaco will serve farm to food truck Oysters, Tacos and Moules Frites, courtesy of Chef Justin Schwartz. Ca’Pisci will make its festival return offering a rustic Italian menu featuring only sustainable fish. Salsa Pistolero will be on hand with an assortment of refreshing salsa flavors to snack on and My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream will hand out their sweet treats. MF Events will provide a local raw bar highlighting 100% local to NYC oysters and more…
The festival will showcase and serve up cocktails from the world’s most prominent spirits brands including COÇA PURA TEQUILA, Boukman Botanical Rhum, Koval, London Essence Co., KAS Krupnikas Nolet’s Gin, Chinola, Barrows Intense and Barrows Intense Ginger Liqueur. Q Mixers will be the official mixer, enhance the finest spirits and fresh cocktail garnishes will be provided by Square Roots, which is building a hanging Hydroponic Garden. Guests can also enjoy the Coney Island Brewing Co lounge with photo booth, and Owl’s Brew Boozy Tea And Botanicals, while Polar Seltzer, Harmless Harvest Coconut Water and sparkling probiotic drinks from KeVita will be there to help keep revelers hydrated.
This one-of-a-kind immersive experience, outfitted with floral and tree arrangements by Brenton Wolf Design, will also feature a winter séance and a symbolic sacrifice to the God of Aquarius, an art installation by HINT, outdoor fire pits and extraordinary fire breathers and aerialists. The evening will also feature a performance from the Brass Queens, the all female group that’s disrupting a male dominated genre. Guests can commemorate the magical evening with an impromptu photo shoot in the 4Five Photo Booth with fun props to kick your pictures up a notch. DJ Ryan Vandal will provide the soundtrack for the night in the Albra Room while DJ Samantha Michelle will take over the Main Hall. Who could ask for more?
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program helps consumers and businesses choose seafood that’s fished or farmed in ways that support a healthy ocean, now and for future generations. Our recommendations indicate which seafood items are Best Choices or Good Alternatives, and which ones you should Avoid. For more information, visit www.seafoodwatch.org
Oceanic Global is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that engages new audiences in ocean conservation. We tap into universal passions to raise awareness for issues impacting our oceans and to provide individual and industry solutions that drive positive change. Read more at: www.oceanic.global.
Cup Zero is on a mission to change the way we think about events and festivals moving towards zero waste one drink at a time. Cup Zero is a reusable cup service based in NYC. They deliver, pick up, wash, and store so you can focus on throwing a great party, without hurting the planet. Using a deposit system, cups get returned so they can be washed and sanitized for future use, keeping the venue clean, and plastic out of the oceans. To learn more, visit www.cupzero.com.
Inspired by the word husmanskost, “everyday food” in Norwegian, Houseman is a neighborhood restaurant where chef Ned Baldwin serves clear-headed food that ranges from the familiar to the unexpected. housemanrestaurant.com/about
This fall we collaborated yet again with one of our favorite clients Opening Ceremony and the Boston based investment firm Gordon Brothers. Farm-to-Table treats were on the menu for this fashion meets finance cocktail party in the fashion labels HQ. Hamachi Skewers, Hen-of-the-woods mushroom crostini, seasonal pumpkin croquettes and more were just a few of the delectable bites on the menu. The guests sipped on French 75’s and champagne flowed all night for this casual cocktail party for 150 guests.
Services provided: NYC Event Catering, Cocktail Design & Mixology, NYC Model Event Staffing, NYC Event Design, NYC Event Production.
Whether it’s an intimate birthday party, baby shower, engagement party, or private celebration, HighLife Productions specializes in a relaxed, intimate affair in your home or apartment. With a fully organic “Farm-to-Table” menu and hand crafted mixology, any event will stand out as special for 20, 40, 60, 80 people. 12-hour pulled pork sliders, Salvatore Ricotta and charred pumpkin crostinis are just a few of the featured canapes along with “Farm-to-Table” charcuterie and artisanal cheeses. For this specific event the HighLife Team brought in bespoke rose & earl grey cotton candy and created a one-of-a-kind Casa Dragones Cotton Candy Margarita with Pop-rocks! Delish.
Services provided: NYC Model Event Staffing, Holiday Event Design, Holiday Event production, Private NYC catering, Bespoke NYC Mixology Services.
Highlife Productions teamed up with BrunchCritic.com and TEAMFOX The Micheal J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation to produce NYC’s all Brunch ONLY event. HighLife provided production & design services, as well as staff and execution. Brand partners included Aperol, Effen Vodka, Herradura Tequila, Woodford Reserve, Valdo Prosecco, American Juice Company, Bruce Cost Ginger Ale and many more. 5 Elite restaurant partnerships provided the tastes and treats for this ALL ORANGE affair as well as the Empire Oyster Bar and choose your own adventure Bloody Mary Bar. The Chris North Band performed along with DJ lil’Rye and others. The highlight of the night was a luxury vacation for two to Napa and one spectacular giveaway to Tuscany. Over 500 people attended this star studded affair with guests from TV’s Orange is the New Black and more. Hosted in the heart of Brooklyn at the 501 Union space this was surely an event to remember.
Services provided: Overall Creative Direction, NYC Culture Creation, 360 Degree NYC Event Production, Strategic Conception & Planning, Innovative Experience Design, Immersive Experiential Marketing, Venue Sourcing and Logistics, Brand Activation & Partnership Farm-to-Bar Mixology, Farm-to-Table Cuisine, Vendor Sourcing & Contract Management, Event Marketing, Event Ticketing, Branding Program Analysis, Metric Measurement, Compliance and Regulation, Talent & Influencer Booking and Management, NYC Model Staffing.