DaVinci Fusion Adds Bling Gala Charity Event

Northern California-based Da Vinci Fusion partnered with event planning company Nouvelle Roux to produce a gala evening at Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas benefiting the philanthropic efforts of NBA player Chris Webber of the Philadelphia 76ers. The event was part of C-Webb’s “Bada Bling Celebrity Weekend,” where the country’s hottest athletes and celebrities came together for some fun and gave to The Chris Webber Foundation, which provides educational and recreational opportunities to youth and families in need.

Da Vinci Fusion crafted the decor of the Palace Ballroom at Caesar’s in partnership with Nouvelle Roux, and designed a spectacular bar and stage area, while furnishing an extensive roster of lighting, sound, and video equipment for this hot soiree. The empty Caesar’s ballroom was transformed into a super swank supper club out of the 1950s. Mark Curry hosted the evening, which featured entertainment by Grammy winner Rafael Saadiq, the soulful Teena Marie, and Christine Deavers.

“Since this was the first Bada Bling weekend there was no precedent for what we did,” notes Da Vinci Fusion’s Bob Walker, vice president of sales. “With Nouvelle Roux, we opted for a Rat Pack-style supper club theme that was elegant in its simplicity, yet as pointed as a stiletto.”

Da Vinci Fusion surrounded the room with sapphire blue velour, dressed it with white palm trees and added white-leather booths placed on risers. White ruled the day, with tables defined by calla lilies and white flower arrangements. A 1950s-era stage featured silver eyelash drape and special lighting.

“It was a dream to light the stage and ballroom to get that 50s edge,” continues Walker. “Our lighting designer, Kevin Sterling, used a large package of fixtures to ensure that hot was hot, and cool was cool. 50s ruled.”

Martinis were “in” then (the 50’s), and they’ve come around again now. Nouvelle Roux wanted to feature a martini bar that looked sharp. Da Vinci Fusion designed a 50-foot Lexan and light bar that highlighted the specially selected glasses. The glitzy bar garnered lots of attention. Bars are afte rall, where the crowds hang out,” reports Walker.

For the onstage entertainment, Da Vinci Fusion constructed a triple truss for the extensive moving light rig required. Duplicate sets of band gear, controlled by separate sound consoles, enabled each act to roll on and off stage quickly and easily.