TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show’s Post

Why are so many of our public and shared spaces so bad and why does this seem to be the norm rather than the exception? It's a question I've dwelled on. After 15+ years of producing hundreds of activations, thousands of hours of care, and many dozens of advisory projects through The Musicant Group, I found that it was not design, it was not the amount of money, it was not the number of events that led to a successful place. No, the key indicator was: A successful place and project was a function of the incentives and locus of responsibility of the entities that held authority within those places. My full reflection and a call for a new approach to placemaking can be found at the Practice of Place substack: https://lnkd.in/g-H6T6CN

Let the countdown start!

🍸🖤✨San Francisco will soon be home to the House of Spirits Cocktail Soirée, an immersive experience combining storytelling, live performances, and themed cocktails inside a mysterious mansion. As far as I can tell, the location is an unused piece of real estate in the SoMa entertainment district, and this is a great example of how a temporary pop-up can help reactivate empty spaces, making it well-positioned for plenty of foot traffic.🏰👻 Produced by Fever and MEYER2MEYER ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, House of Spirits is part of a broader strategy of activating multiple “houses,” each with its own unique mystery. The one in San Francisco is based in Volkov Manor. This approach creates several IPs that can tour across cities, while remaining part of the same overarching experience. It’s a smart model to entice participants to return and see how the story evolves in different houses, maintaining excitement across markets, and annual cycles. My one reservation is that I’m not drinking these days, so I won’t be able to experience the cocktail aspect firsthand—but I’d love to hear from others who check them out.🍷💀 NOTE: There is a 20% discount this weekend through Monday, September 16. How does the experience compare to other immersive cocktail events or Halloween season events? #HouseOfSpirits #ImmersiveExperience #CocktailSoirée #SanFranciscoEvents #SoMaSF #ExperientialEntertainment #Fever #Meyer2Meyer #TouringIP #ExperientialMarketing #InteractiveTheater #SFNightlife #HauntedSF #StorytellingThroughExperiences #EventStrategy #BusinessOfExperiences #SOMA #Halloween #Cocktail #ComingSoon #SF #SanFrancisco #Haunted #ImmersiveTheater #Discount #Immersive #ExperienceDesign #Experiential #WXO #WorldExperienceOrganization

Living in Prescott, AZ isn't just about finding the perfect luxury home; it's about embracing a community filled with vibrant outdoor festivals and events that make every season magical. As someone who helps discerning clients find their forever homes, I can't stress enough the value of experiencing our local culture firsthand. Here are some must-see outdoor events this season that capture the essence of Prescott: 🎨 The Prescott Fine Arts and Wine Festival: Enjoy a blend of local art, crafts, and exquisite wines. It's perfect for those who appreciate sophisticated, creative living. 🕺 Prescott Summer Concert Series: Get your groove on with live music performances under the stars. A great way to unwind and connect with the community. 🌼 The Bluegrass Festival: Tune into some incredible live bluegrass music. It’s a family-friendly event that brings everyone together with food, fun, and foot-tapping tunes. 🛍️ The Courthouse Square Market: Discover local vendors and artisans offering unique products every Saturday. Perfect for finding those one-of-a-kind home accents or gifts. These events aren’t just fun; they’re part of what makes living in Prescott so special. Attending them can provide insights into what life here is truly like, making home-buying decisions a bit more personal and meaningful. Have a favorite Prescott event that I missed? Share it in the comments! 😊 #PrescottAZ #LuxuryLiving #CommunityEvents #HomeBuying

Imagine planning a grand circus, only to discover a week before the big show that none of the tents have been pitched, the clowns are AWOL, and there's not a single drop of cotton candy in sight. Welcome to Milwaukee's Republican National Convention prep—or rather, lack thereof. Businesses in the heart of the city are frustrated, and who can fault them? Downtown Milwaukee, a vibrant tapestry of potential, now looks eerily like a ghost town in waiting. The prime venues stare back with dusty windows and vacant stages. You'd think with the buzz surrounding such a monumental event, there would be a mad scramble for reservations and bookings. But instead, the crickets have taken over, chirping away in the echoing silence of empty calendars. Here’s a hot take: - The city planners have seemingly mishandled the entire affair, leaving local restaurants and venues in a lurch. - Establishments are crying foul over the stagnation, emphasizing a significant opportunity loss. It's like inviting everyone to a potluck and not telling them what to bring – chaos, confusion, and quite a few hungry guests. Ponder this: Could this oversight be a mere hiccup in Milwaukee’s event-hosting capabilities? Or are we seeing cracks in the system that hint at a larger, systemic issue? Only time will tell. And what's next? - **Possible empty seats and strained smiles**: Expect last-minute attempts to spruce things up, but it might be too late to turn the tide fully. - **A lesson hidden within the folds**: Sometimes, even the most meticulously planned events can unravel, and adaptability becomes the unexpected superhero. On a deeper level, it’s heartbreakingly evocative of missed opportunities—promises whispering of success slipping into the void of what-could-have-been. So, what does this mean for Milwaukee? Businesses will need to hustle harder, innovate more profoundly, and play an penultimate game of catch-up. A city braced for the glamour of the spotlight must dance in the blaring grimness of an unlit stage. A piece of dark humor: maybe they should swap the keynote for a lead act from a survivalist manual instead. In essence, Milwaukee's prepping saga for the RNC fizzes like a can of soda left open—once effervescent, now oddly flat. Stay tuned, folks; the curtain is about to rise or fall. We’re on the edge of our seats. https://lnkd.in/emdgfXDV #Milwaukee #RNC2023 #EventPlanning #CityLife #OpportunityLost #LocalBusinessStride #UrbanEvents #HospitalityHiccups #UnexpectedTwists

Where can we take you?

Be sure to contact your City Council members and share your position. Only the residents within each respective district can vote for their district's representative, creating an imbalance between residents and downtown businesses. See my summary of the article Adam shared and my thoughts: The News & Observer article discusses the controversy over relocating and expanding the Red Hat Amphitheater in downtown Raleigh. Key points include: - The plan involves closing part of South Street, raising concerns among residents and local businesses. - The venue has hosted over 400 performances since 2010, generating substantial economic impact. - Local businesses depend heavily on the amphitheater's events for revenue. - Relocating to Dix Park faces opposition due to potential disruptions and reduced economic impact for downtown. - City leaders stress the importance of keeping the amphitheater downtown to maintain economic benefits. Downtown businesses need the revenue. Red Hat can be a phased rollout to work with the impact on residents... BUT IT MUST STAY DOWNTOWN.

Y'all we need your support. Hospitality business in downtown Raleigh is hanging on by a thread. Some of the most challenging months are during the summer when many folks head out of town to the beach, the lakes, the mountains or some other vacation destination. One of the only things that keeps us afloat is Red Hat Amphitheatre. We don't have a sports venue downtown like Durham, or Charlotte does. A sold out Red Hat show brings 5500 people into the heart of downtown. These folks spend their money in retail locations, restaurants, bars and other downtown businesses before and after the show. It is just one block from our front door and it's impact is make or break for us and many other downtown businesses. Red Hat is in danger. The convention center is expanding and it needs to be expanded. It will move across the street into the current location of Red Hat. This means that Red Hat has to move down a block. This move would mean that one block of South St. will have to close. If Red Hat does not move to this location with full capacity the project is dead and Red Hat is gone. I have asked questions about potential relocation and not closing South St. and here is what I have been told. There are no other city-owned sites in downtown that can hold this sized amphitheater. Other cities would win if we don’t build this at the 7500 person capacity. The booking manager for the Red Hat is Live nation and they will skip us for Charlotte and Wilmington. Durham may even build an amphitheatre of this size to accommodate. Dix Park is awesome but the city doesn't have the money to invest to build out the parking, and utility infrastructure that doesn't exist. Also there is a strong chance South Street may be re-routed but this is up to NC DOT not the City of Raleigh. How can you support? Great question! Contact your city council member and tell them that you support small local downtown businesses and going forward with the planned moved of Red Hat one block south. For more information see this article in the New and Observer: https://lnkd.in/eceyq9e6 If you have more questions let me know I will answer what I can and If I can't I will hopefully be able to get the answer. Todd Henderson Bill King Corey Branch Dr. Jane Harrison Christina Jones Mary-Ann Baldwin Gina Pearce Stephens Dave Rose Rick French David Meeker Ashley Christensen Jeff Mickel Jennifer Bradshaw Martin

My experience on Halloween weekend is a strong argument for investing in a new, high-quality speakeasy. Here’s why: 1. Market Gap for True Burlesque: Many venues are billing themselves as “burlesque” clubs, but they’re failing to deliver authentic burlesque. True burlesque is about more than just stripping—it’s a theatrical art form that combines storytelling, choreography, humor, and sensuality. A well-executed burlesque show builds tension, engages the audience, and creates an immersive experience, something that’s clearly missing in most London venues. 2. Demand for Unique Experiences: Today’s audience is increasingly looking for unique, immersive experiences over generic ones. A new speakeasy that offers authentic burlesque with thematic storytelling, character development, and high-quality performances can stand out in a saturated market. Instead of girls “just stripping” to loud music, a carefully curated lineup of performers with a cohesive narrative would attract patrons looking for more refined entertainment. 3. Atmosphere and Exclusivity: The speakeasy concept adds an aura of exclusivity, which can be incredibly appealing, especially in a city like London. A speakeasy with a true burlesque show gives the audience a sense of being “in-the-know,” offering them a hidden, vintage-inspired world. This setup is ideal for capturing the magic of a bygone era, which is often what modern burlesque aims to revive. 4. High-Spend Clientele: Speakeasies tend to draw an upscale crowd willing to pay for a well-rounded experience that combines atmosphere, quality performances, and exceptional drinks. Patrons who value exclusivity and artistry are more likely to appreciate, and return to, a venue that goes beyond the superficial. 5. Cultural Authenticity and Differentiation: By investing in a venue that’s committed to authentic burlesque, you’re providing something different from the “strip show” vibe of other places. This can quickly build loyalty, word-of-mouth promotion, and even media attention. Over time, such a venue could become iconic in London’s nightlife, setting a new standard and attracting those who want something more genuine. In short, there’s clearly a void in London’s nightlife scene for a true burlesque experience. #wealth #money #corporate #burlesque #cabaret #investing

Creativity, it takes a village (and a benevolent mayor). The professionals that envision and execute new rides and attractions deserve all the credit they receive. While we sometimes debated the economics (read budgets), I greatly enjoyed working with all of them. They mastered storytelling in three dimensions. The same can be said of those who imagine and produce live entertainment. I distinguish their impact from the experience of an attraction. I always counted on this team to deliver fun and spectacle. In my time Ron led this group and is appropriately credited with the move of Beauty and the Beast (and many shows to follow) from the parks to Broadway. In my universe there are too many to name individually, but some of the notables were Cliff at cruise, Matt at Disneyland (still) and Rob at Cedar Fair. In recent years the icing on the cake has come from the Food and Beverage teams. Every special event or holiday is made either more special or made possible by the chefs and their legions. I credit Mary with teaching me this business at Disneyland and Erling on the ships. Nancy was my F&B hero at Cedar Fair. There are many examples, but my favorite is the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival. It did more than sell food, it helped reinvigorate the brand.  I don’t have the numbers, but if you could isolate the full economic impact of the F&B teams, it might surprise all of us. It isn’t just the unique cupcake and the popcorn bucket; they drive valuable attendance generally in softer periods. Then there are the merchants. Joan led WDW and supported the cruise line and Carrie (former WDW cast member) lead the Cedar Fair team. Of course, collectable pins may be the most famous (and highest margin) item that was created during my tenure, but someone should take a shot at the top ten items created in the last twenty years. One of my all-time favorites was a glow-in-the-dark necklace which was called a “no boo.” Offered during the Halloween events, its purpose was to alert the monsters to not scare you. I was impressed that after paying X to enter the scary Halloween event, you purchased the no boo to avoid being scared – brilliant. In Disney’s case, the best creativity has always started with a great story; in most cases brought to life by an animator's pen. In every case – both large and small parks – great creativity comes from a culture that is committed to celebrating new ideas from wherever they originate. Leaders shouldn’t be scared when their ideas lose out to better ones from their colleagues. If it bothers them, I can get them a no boo.