Out with the Tide Album Release Party
Event Planning
In September 2021, I planned an album release party to celebrate and promote the release of Out with the Tide. Naturally, the event was themed around the album, so design elements reflected the album branding. With an expected guest count of 50-65 family members and friends, I had a maximum budget of $1,000 and a planning team consisting of myself. The venue for the event was the Verdigre Public Library. The event followed local Covid safety guidelines.
ALBUM RELEASE PARTY EVENT DESIGN
EVENT OBJECTIVES
Celebrate the album release – it finally happened!
Promote the release and sell/gift physical CDs
Thank all the folks who have supported me
Premiere the music in a live performance
AGENDA AT-A-GLANCE
7:00 – Doors Open
7:00-7:45 – Hors d’oeuvres, drinks, photos, signed CD giveaway, socializing
7:15 – Welcome from the Artist
7:45-8:00 – Opening Act: Max & Heidi
8:00-8:30 – Premiere Performance of the Album by Alex Hollmann
8:30-9:00 – Meet & greet, continued hors d’oeuvres, drinks, & photos
10:00 – Exclusive After Party
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Key factors in choosing the menu were a.) Preferences of the guests b.) The artist’s favorite foods c.) Handheld, not messy hors d’oeuvres d.) Can be easily, quickly prepared by amateur cooks e.) Budget-conscious.
MENU:
Mini Mac & Cheese Bites
Antipasto Kebabs
Mushroom & Onion Pinwheels
Smoked Gouda Wontons
Deviled Strawberries
Brownie Bites
Barefoot Wine Spritzers and Bubbl’rs
Strawberry Lemon Infused Water
ATTENDEE COMMUNICATIONS
I designed an invitation for the event using Canva. To contact guests, manage RSVPs, and send reminders, I used Invitd, an online app that sends invitations by text message.
DESIGN & DÉCOR
In developing the design concept for the event, I drew inspiration from the album design – motifs such as water, beaches & tides, pages of handwritten lyrics, the black and white of pianos, blue glass, the official album branding, and the dark blue that is the primary color of my personal brand.
Additionally, it was my goal to use a creative floor plan and lighting to transform the library into a lounge and music venue, reminiscent of the glamorous, celebrity parties we all imagine.
Drawing from my experience as a theatrical scenic designer, I developed the design concept using sketches and storyboards.
Reimagining the giant floral arrangements traditionally used as event décor, I designed and created three large “bouquets” of handwritten lyric pages, pictured here.
EVENT DESIGN SKETCHES
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EVENT
