EXPERIENCE MUSIC PROJECT and SCIENCE FICTION MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME
Scores of spectacles: Sky Church, the central hall with a 70-foot ceiling, features the world's largest indoor video screen accompanied by a surround-sound system. On EMP's third level, a private event space holds the police car from the movie “Blade Runner” and the spaceship model from the movie “The Day The Earth Stood Still.”
ADDRESS: 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109
WEB SITE: www.emplive.org
PRETTY & PRUDENT: More than 80,000 artifacts that helped shape American popular music are on display at the museum. The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame is at the same site as EMP at the Frank Gehry-designed building at Seattle Center.
EVENT AREAS: The central hall, called Sky Church, can accommodate 1,000 guests for concerts. Other event spaces include the Blue Lounge and the outdoor plaza; the entire building is available for buyout for events of up to 2,000 guests.
MORE FOR LESS: Besides enjoying an event inside a building designed by renowned architect Gehry, guests can stay entertained with interactive presentations and exhibitions such as performing to a virtual concert audience or playing instruments. Also, computer-controlled lighting and a large video screen are available; rentals at the venue include an event representative to assist with audiovisual details.
GOOD DEAL: Events at EMP include access to its galleries of American music and rock artifacts, including such exhibits as the Guitar Gallery.
JOHN U. LLOYD BEACH STATE PARK
ADDRESS: 6503 N. Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL 33004
WEB SITE: www.billhansenevents.com
PRETTY & PRUDENT: Three miles of beach near Port Everglades in Broward County can accommodate as many as 10,000 guests.
EVENT AREAS: Six pavilions and an open-wall, 100-by-40-foot tent offer ocean views.
MORE FOR LESS: The one-of-a-kind location allows the use of the entire beach without the hassle of permits or curfews. Guests can arrive by land or sea; groups might see manatees swimming in the nearby creek.
GOOD DEAL: Besides tropical beach themes, past motifs have keyed on TV shows such as “Gilligan's Island,” “Lost” and “Survivor.”
Beach beauty: An emerging beachfront trend brings the inside out with clear-top tents, chandeliers, fancy furniture on the sand, and tents draped with fabric.
ENGLISH TUDOR ESTATE
ADDRESS: Pasadena, Calif. Contact Gianna & Co., which handles more than 4,000 estates, for more information.
WEB SITE: www.giannacompany.com
PRETTY & PRUDENT: Built in 1901, the house's foyer features a winding staircase and a large chandelier suspended from a hand-painted ceiling. A fountain, rose garden and large trees decorate the backyard.
EVENT AREAS: The two-story house offers diverse indoor spaces, including bedrooms, a library and a formal dining room. The front garden can accommodate 200 people for cocktails.
MORE FOR LESS: Use the entire house, including the bathrooms, kitchen and garage, for one rental fee.
GOOD DEAL: Movie magic was made here: Both “The Princess Diaries” and “The Good German” filmed scenes on the grounds.
Natural wonder: A large patio provides a view of Pasadena and the surrounding mountains, while trees provide privacy.
