Femmes for SIMS was a smashing success!!

After 8 months of creating, planning and production, Femmes for SIMS finally came to fruition on Saturday, December 1st.

As Creative Director, I could not have been more pleased with the results!!

Here are some of my favorite reviews:

"This ENTIRE thing has been nothing less than absofuckinglutely fantastic. Good god, you have vision."

"Celeste, where do I start to tell you how amazing and yes, magical the evening was? I loved every second from decor, dancers, food, drinks, and most importantly THE MUSIC thank you Adrian Quesada, the ladies all gave once in a lifetime performances and the house band was world class. I love and admire you so much and know that this was a labor of love and all of us that support SIMS thank you for this beautiful gift you gave us. Femmes for SIMS: Night of the Chanteuse is my event of the year!"

"Well, it's official. You are my hero. You're magical. You're incredible. Teach me your ways, Jedi. Thank you for everything."

"What an absolutely enchanting evening you created, Celeste! Of course, it came as no surprise; you really know how to throw a party. ❤"

Yay!! Glad folks had a great time!! 

And now for just a few of the pictures... that truly speak for themselves.

Sassy Delure and her fabulous backup dancers, Lilly LaFleur and Lady Luck

Jazz Mills and Music Director Adrian Quesada

The stunning Jazz Mills

Florals by Antonio Bond

The ever-so lovely DJ Mahealani

The gorgeous rocker Nina Diaz

Niaz Diaz killing it.

Sassy Delure and her dancers

Sexy Sassy Delure

The incredible Pamela Hart

Pamela Hart

Pamela Hart casting a spell on the audience.

Afterparty with Adrian Quesada

Magical Winter White Models created by Jennifer Ayers

Look. Think. Make's beautiful work.

Anna Ibay (Event Co-Chair), SIMS Foundation's Lila Tenenbaum, Nichole Filson (Event Co-Chair) and Creative Director, Celeste Quesada

Celeste Quesada with the performers!

Celeste Quesada, Creative Director of Craftbox Agency

 

Femmes for SIMS: Night of the Chanteuse

Craftbox Agency is STOKED to produce Femmes for SIMS: Night of the Chanteuse to be held at the Scottish Rite Theater on December 1st, 2012.

Inspired by the Glamour of yester-year and combined with the energy of modern-day Chanteuse, we'll transform the Scottish Rite Theater into a French, psychedelic, winter wonderland for one night. Featuring songstresses Jazz Mills, Nina Diaz, and Pamela Hart along with musical director Adrian Quesada and choreographer Sassy Delure, this show is sure to knock your socks off and raise lots of dollars for the SIMS Foundation.

Check out these fabulous pictures from our photo shoot that was the foundation of the show's artwork, created by LOOKTHINKMAKE. But before I do,  I must give MAD PROPS to the team that created these incredible images:

Creative Direction: Craftbox Agency

Photographer: Annie Ray

MUA: Jacqueline Fernandez of JAX MAKEUP and Mahshad Vakili of Make-up by Mahshad

Hair Stylists: Lati Domi and Cameron Allison of Propaganda Hair Group

Wardrobe Stylists: Nichole Filson of Kendra Scott, Lacy Pool and Jessica Epstein of Grayson Elise and Serendipity

Wardrobe: Grayson Elise, Serendipity, Anna Ibay and Shontae Moeller

Jewels: Kendra Scott and Coco Coquette 

Props: Loot Vintage Rentals

Craft Services: Lila Johnson Tenenbown 

Production Assistants: Lauren Stone and Alan de Anda

Location: Scottish Rite Theater

 Sassy Delure on a piece of Loot Vintage Rentals. Dang!

Grammy-winner and Music Director of Femmes of SIMS, Adrian Quesada.

 Whoa.

 The Goddess Nina Diaz, of Girl in A Coma.

Pamela Hart, the legendary Jazz Diva.

 

 The Lovely Jazz Mills (a la Cowboy and Indian), sporting a wig from Coco Coquette.

Aren't all those white dresses AMAZING?? Giant shout out to Lacy Pool and Jessica Epstein of Grayson Elise and Serendipity, who generously donated those gorgeous gowns!!

 And the out-takes of this day we're awesome too!! 

We had blast making this magic happen.

 

Cameron from Propaganda Hair Group

 

Lacy and Nichole, these women aren't stylish, they ARE style!

 

Power Latinos. Adrian and Nina. (When is Adrian gonna produce her solo album, that's what I want to know!!)

 

Pamela, looking fabulous as always.

 And what do you know...my daughter Amelie's class 

even got to take a field trip to see her mama's handiwork!

Now are you ready to go to the show?? You can buy your tickets here and you better act quickly, because this intimate performance of Femmes for SIMS: Night of the Chanteuse is going to sell out FAST!

And don't forget, SIMS Foundation provides life-saving mental health services for over 800 Austin musicians per year. So you know you aren't only enjoying music, you are supporting the musicians that live, breathe and make it!

Cherrywood Art Fair, here we come!

Craftbox Agency is thrilled to produce the 11th Annual Cherrywood Art Fair on December 8-9, 2012!!

Cherrywood Art Fair is an art filled two-day event showcasing awesome local artists, live music and great food, as well as activities for children in a FREE, family-friendly environment. With more than 100 artists, Cherrywood Art Fair has established itself as one of the premiere art fairs in Austin!

"One of the must-see holiday shopping events", says Austin American Statesman

And let's be honest, Craftbox Agency loves some crafts...but only really well-made, original and cool stuff. Cherrywood Art Fair makes your holiday so easy because you can bring your kids, get something good to eat, listen to some jams and know that you are supporting your local artists.
Ain't nothing wrong with that.

Check their cool posters from years past:

Craftbox Agency is so stoked to be a part of this fab fair. 

Stay tuned for further details!!

Enjoy some Cronic Love!

I don't know about you, but I finally feel caught up from the tidal wave of SXSW that hits Austin every year.

I finally have a minute to mention the World Premiere film screening and afterparty I helped produce for the delightful US-Cuban film, Amor Crónico. 

 

Amor Crónico stars the glamorous Grammy-nominated artist CuCu Diamantes as she returns to Cuba for an 8-city tour of the island.  Directed by Jorge Perugorría (lead actor of Oscar-nominated “Fresa y Chocolate”) and produced by Grammy-award winner Andrés Levín along with Oscar-nominated producer Sarah Green, Amor Crónico is a unique Cuban music docu-comedy that weaves live footage of CuCu Diamantes’ musical performances across Cuba with a fictional love story that captures her return to the island.  

It is such a charming film and the music is AWESOME!!

It was a blast to work with producer Andres, Cucu, Ayleen Perez and Morgan Pollitt from Sarah Green Film Corporation.

Check out Amor Crónico's trailer and some fun pics.

The Afterparty, held at the Highball, was a total blast - -with the drinks flowing, Cucu's amazing performance and lots of Austin's local celebrities.

Cucu Diamantes is an amazing performer and if you ever have the chance to see her, seize the opportunity!!  And hopefully, Amor Crónico will come to your town soon!

Texas Film Hall of Fame 2012!!

I just produced the Texas Film Hall of Fame for the fifth year in a row! And this year was AMAZING!! Better than EVER.

What is the Texas Film Hall of Fame, might you ask?  

Short story: it's a fabulous red-carpet, star-studded cocktail party, sit-down dinner, and awards show for about 1300 people.

Long Story: The Texas Film Hall of Fame was founded in 2001 by the Austin Film Society to honor outstanding Texans who've made a significant contribution to film-making and entertainment, and non-Texans who have made strides in the Texas entertainment industry. Classic Texas films and television programs are also honored, with a member of the cast or creative team accepting on behalf of his or her colleagues. After a decade of celebrations at AFS’s own Austin Studios, this year the elegant, Austin-styled, red carpet event moved downtown to ACL Live at the Moody Theater. As always, it falls on the Thursday before the world-renowned SXSW Festival.

What's my job? I'm the Creative Director. That means I come up with a show/concept/design (aka the whole enchilada) and direct a team of fabulously creative folks to help carry out the vision. I also get to wear two headsets, pass out parking permits and unload heavy boxes in the rain.

Just livin' the dream, just livin' the dream.

Here's a few pictures of the event:

(foto by Houndstooth Studio)

(foto by Houndstooth Studio)

(foto by John Leach)

(foto by John Leach)

(foto by John Leach)

 

(foto by Gary Miller)

(foto by Gary Miller)

 

(foto by Gary Miller)

(foto by Chale Nafus)

(foto by Chale Nafus)

That's me, Folks!! I look a wee bit tired after 16 hours on my feet. 

(I'm much cuter around 12 hours... on my feet.)

I couldn't even begin to thank all the people and businesses who need thanking, but here are a few:
Lauren Stone, Amy McDonnold, Blue House Design, FBA, Grupo Fantasma, Houndstooth Studio, Kendra Scott Jewelry, Coco Coquette, Vintage Vivant, Transplants, Ruby Rico Productions, Olden Lighting, KLRU, ACL Moody Theater and of Austin Film Society, who lets me spend oodles of their money... to raise BIG-TIME oodles of money, of course.

And let's raise our glasses to the photographers that capture the moments and make all of us look so foxy: John Leach Photography, Fun Loving Photos, Champion Printing, Chale Nafus, Annie Ray, Alison Narro and Gary Miller.