Posted by: classyapril on: November 9, 2009
It’s amazing how fast this year went. Yesterday it was the 4th of July and now we are seeing Christmas decorations at all the local stores. Trying to save on decorations and gift ideas this holiday season? Here are 3 quick tips to help stretch out those pockets.
1. Buy decorations that have Fall colors in them. Browns, greens, reds and golds are all colors you can use at the Thanksgiving and Christmas table.
2. Shop early, don’t wait until the last-minute to get your loved ones or yourself gifts. If you arent an early bird, waiting until Black Friday to do your shopping is not the best idea.
3. If you don’t know what to get a person, try a gift card. That way you control the amount you want to put on it and it gives them the power to pick what they want. Its a win-win for everybody.
Happy Holidays!
Posted by: classyapril on: October 4, 2009
if you need to cancel an event doing it as soon as possible will help you to keep a good working relationship with clients, vendors and guests. In life things come up at the last minute and keeping everyone in the loop from the beginning helps everyone in the end.
Posted by: classyapril on: September 22, 2009
Knowing at the last minute anything can happen, it is always important to know that parts of your event may be subject to change. This can range from changing the date, venue, menu and even the guest-list. As the saying goes, “If it can happen, it Will!” and preparing for the unknown will only help you to have a great and successful event.
Posted by: classyapril on: August 26, 2009
If your family doesn’t have any traditions, then start one. Find an activity the entire family could get involved in and make it annual. It could be as small as going to the local fair. You don’t have to settle with not having anything to do, if you think outside the box you could be the link that brings that family closer together.
Posted by: classyapril on: August 21, 2009
Labor Day marks the unofficial end to the summer. Don’t know what to do for this year’s Labor Day holiday, but are tired of the cookouts? Well here are a few suggestions to make this year’s holiday different from any other.
If you live in the DMV aka Washington, DC go to the Labor Day Concert. This year its held on Sunday, September 6, 2009. Gates open to the public at 3:20 pm, and the concert begins at 8 pm. This year it will be the free performance of the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

If you live here in NYC ,the biggest Labor Day parade is usually held in Manhattan, on Fifth Ave. The parade is more like a carnival because of the politicians, community organizers, and individual labor unions that join in to make it more like a celebration. In Brooklyn there is the famous West Indian Carnival Parade where you celebrate the Caribbean culture, food and music and it usually lasts the whole weekend.
Posted by: classyapril on: August 12, 2009
Seating arrangements at your event can serve as a way of easing tension among strangers and also help you stay in control of your event. Placing people in a certain order/manor can allow you to place people by industries, hobbies or anything you want. Just make sure you mix it up at every event so you are able to be the “ice breaker” and keep diversity among your events.
Posted by: classyapril on: August 6, 2009
Food can change the way people view an event; you might not remember everyone that attended but you will remember if the food was good or not. Tasting the food prior to the event, if possible, can help enhance your overall message and also bring a positive association between you and your events. You will be known for having great food which could potentially lead to future business ventures and other opportunities all because you served food that everyone enjoyed.
Posted by: classyapril on: August 3, 2009
Most people think of August as “Back to School” time or “The End of The Summer” but its actually one of the hottest months out of the year and a great time to have some fun in the sun. Before the summer ends if you haven’t already take the weekend to go to the water park with friends or family or even have a cookout. There are plenty of pre-Labor Day sales that can help you save money and allow you to have that event you couldn’t back in May or June.
Posted by: classyapril on: July 29, 2009
At the end of your event ask clients and attendees to fill out a questionnaire about the event. This information can be use as a base for collecting quantitive information to help improves sales, generate more business and make a database for follow-up mailings for future purposes.
Posted by: classyapril on: July 23, 2009

You could be here

You could be here

You could be here
Have a company conference coming up and want to do something different? Even in this economy you can plan corporate conferences at several destinations outside of the US that aren’t as expensive as you think. Places close to home such as the US Virgin Islands, Canada or Puerto Rico are some great examples of great places to hold meetings that won’t break the bank.
Posted by: classyapril on: July 19, 2009
Planning an event can be really stressful; especially as it gets closer to the event. As time gets closer to the event take a couple of hours a day to relax and not think about the event ahead. You will see that not only will you feel more refreshed, but your attitude will be better thus having the best event possible.
Posted by: classyapril on: July 11, 2009
At your next event push the envelope and use state-of-the-art technology to wow your guests. Something as small as a strobe light could change the mood and atmosphere into something trendy and spectacular.
Posted by: classyapril on: July 8, 2009
I decided that I would reference an article that relates to event planning in all aspects. The link below will show the article in its entirety.
Sometimes you will have to ask for help when planning your event because you may become overwhelmed or you might not have expertise in that area. Asking for help is not a bad thing; it can lead to building business relationship that will help you in the long run.
Posted by: classyapril on: July 6, 2009
Have you been to a good concert lately? Here is one that you might want to check out.
One of the summer’s hottest concerts will come from New York native Nas and Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, son of Bob Marley. This hip-hop reggae duo will highlight new material from their new collaborative album called, Distant Relatives, which has a great mix of the two’s musical talents. Other acts will include the Roots, OutKast’s Big Boi, Common, Busta Rhymes and the GZA. The performance will be held at the Nikon at the Jones Beach Theater. The show is July 19 and it starts at noon. Tickets are from $40.50-130.50.
Posted by: classyapril on: July 4, 2009
Want to spice up your holiday weekend? Plan a small event that has the American flag colors for the decor to give your event a different feel. You can also make foods that have red, white and blue in them to make the dish pop.
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Posted by: classyapril on: July 3, 2009
Want to have trendy events? Do your research; there are many ways to make your event extra special without compromising on a budget, style and taste. Ask around or even go to local markets to see what’s “hot” and what’s not.
Posted by: classyapril on: July 2, 2009
Part of having a successful event is staying on schedule. To make sure this happens, find a way to have a copy of the event activities on hand so you can be “in the know “and if other people ask ,you will be able to tell them right away what’s happening at what time just incase there are changes that need to be made. It looks really professional and helps you better manage your time.
Posted by: classyapril on: June 27, 2009
When it comes to planning your event pay close attention to the location of where you want to have it. Although it may look nice does it really fit the theme of your event? Will it be easy to set up and take down materials? Is it “user friendly” for children, the elderly or pets? If not it could ruin the event and also have costly consequences if you have to cancel and pick another venue at the last minute.
Posted by: classyapril on: June 24, 2009
Want something to do this summer? Are you visiting Harlem anytime soon? Well here are a few events that will be enjoyable for you and the family. These events will be taking place at Marcus Garvey Park (between 120th & Madison Ave to 124th & Lenox Ave) Some of these events are FREE and will be a great way to experience all the rich culture Harlem has to offer.
| Jun 4 – Jun 25 | FREE Yoga in the Park! |
| Jul 10 – Aug 28 | Jazzmobile: MARCUS GARVEY PARK |
| Jul 28 | Jessica Care Moore’s God is Not an American |
| Aug 6 | Jon B |
| Aug 6 – Aug 20 | Marcus Garvey Park: Music City Parks Foundation Concert Series |
| Aug 13 | R&B Singer Joe |
| Aug 20 | Hezekiah Walker |
| Aug 29 | Charlie Parker Jazz Festival |
Posted by: classyapril on: June 20, 2009

He's the Wiz and he Lives in Oz
Like Musicals? Like Ashanti? Well, you’re in luck! The Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, and actress Ashanti will be clicking her heels three times as she stars as Dorothy in the 1975 remake of “The Wiz” from June 12-July 5, 2009 at the New York City Center as part of the Encores! Summer Stars Production. She is working with some of the best in the Broadway World. Tony Award-winning Director Thomas Kail, Tony Award-winning Choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, and Tony Award-winning Music Director Alex Lacamoire, all three best known for their work with “In the Heights” which is an Tony Award winning show. (After you see “The Wiz” you can go “In the Heights” all in one day!)
Ticket prices are $25 and up (depending on the day and time you go). Other stars include Orlando Jones (Drumline), Tichina Arnold (Everybody Hates Chris), Joshua Henry (In the Heights), James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Dawnn Lewis (A Different World) and LaChanze (The Color Purple); Part of the ensemble is William B. Wingfield from “So You Think You Can Dance Season 4″ (Debbie Allen’s Protégé) .
If you’re in NYC and want to see something refreshing you still have time to see the show in the upper Midtown area.
Posted by: classyapril on: June 18, 2009
Make sure every event you plan, you have clear goals and objectives. If you don’t it could lead to the event not sending the message you are trying to convey.
Posted by: classyapril on: June 14, 2009
In order to have the best event possible you should plan your event at least two to four weeks in advance. This will give you more flexibility in days, times, venues and attendees that will be attending your event. Planning your event early also allows you to plan for risks that may occur last minute; if you wait until the last minute there will be no way to mitigate the risk and it can lead to expensive mistakes. Your guest will thank you when they know you took this amount of care into the event and will continue to come to your events in the future.
Posted by: classyapril on: June 12, 2009

75th Anniversary Harlem, NY
Harlem is so rich with history, its one of the reasons I love being in NYC. The Apollo Theater just celebrated 75 years and this event will go in the history books. Celebrities such as Jamie Foxx , Rev. Al Shaprton and Mariah Carey just to name a few, came out to this event to celebrate the opportunities the Apollo Theater has given to so many entertainers and how it continues to serve as an important part in the entertainment industry. Famous “Showtime at the Apollo” winners include: Busta Rhymes, Mary J. Blidge, Alicia Keys, and Dru Hill. If you are planning to come to NYC anytime soon, GO TO THE APOLLO THEATER! This would be a great family event for the young and old.
Posted by: classyapril on: June 11, 2009
If you are planning an outdoor event, make sure to develop a contingency plan. In the contingency plan you want to have plan “B” in case of rain, budget fluctuations and other situations so that you are always prepared for that special day.