The Green Blog Network: 2011-02-20

By Gina Hall

“Ever help plan an Oscar® party?”

“Oh, sure. Lots of times. The key is having lots of snacks. I make an awesome veggie plate. It takes a lot of work, though. Like an hour to make. You need chips – no cheese puffs though. Orange stuff gets all over the fake ballots…”

“Um, no. A real Oscar® party. For Global Green USA. Green Carpet, celebrities, Hollywood venue, paparazzi. It’s for a great cause. No cheese puffs.”

I had been to a lot of Hollywood parties, living in Los Angeles it’s often part of your job. So the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes of Global Green’s 8th Annual ecofriendly Pre-Oscar® Party peaked the interest of this writer. And as a part of this experience, it’s my privilege to fill you in on how this all goes down – and believe me it takes a lot of blood, sweat and organic vodka to ensure you, the partygoer, have a good evening.

Global Green is a national non-profit environmental organization committed to protecting the environment, stopping global climate change and nuclear proliferation, and making the world a safer, more sustainable place. It would be hard not to like these guys. And to add to the goodwill they put out into the world, they stage events, like the Pre-Oscar® Party, that put on a good show for the public all while using the proceeds for initiatives like rebuilding New Orleans and greening public schools.

The Pre-Oscar® party was conceived of by Global Green President Matt Petersen and Board member Sebastian Copeland who are chairs of this year’s event. The annual party and fundraiser grew out of the success of Global Green’s Red Carpet Green Cars initiative which began in 2003 and has taken a who’s who of Oscar nominees and winners to the Academy Awards in fuel-efficient vehicles instead of gas-guzzling limousines.

The Pre-Oscar® party venue was a given -- the Avalon Hollywood, where Global Green has held this event for the last several years. Historically, it was The Palace where The Rolling Stones, Prince and Nirvana had played before it was restored. Across from Capitol Records and in view of the Hollywood sign, it’s as iconic Hollywood as you can get.

Entertainment is also key. Events Manager Nina Storm, way cooler than me and hip to what the kids are listening to these days, spent some considerable time coordinating Global Green’s volunteer music committee while working her own connections and wound up with an enviable indie band line-up, featuring Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Portugal. The Man and Best Coast.

Of course, once you decide to throw a party, you need to make sure lots of people will turn out. And that’s where Director of Communications, Ruben Aronin, shines. If modern scientists ever needed proof that the singularity is near, they need look no further than Aronin who has seemingly merged with his desk phone and iPhone to coordinate many of the logistics of the event. Celebrity attendees, media coverage, sponsorships, and social media outreach all flow through him. And while a lesser man may crumble under the sheer volume of information he has to process in a day, Aronin is probably the most low-key guy in the office.

Then there’s the external coordination of the event team, publicists, web designers, graphic artists, videographers, party staff, and organic wine and alcohol deals – when it comes down to it, throwing a party is actually a pretty sobering experience.

But the reward comes February 23rd when it all comes to life. Daytime media events will unveil Global Green’s Model City Carbon Index, which demonstrates how cities like Los Angeles contribute 70% of our carbon emissions and includes action alerts on what you can do to help reduce that number. Celebrities, musicians and eco-luminaries will glide down a green carpet made from 100% sustainabile materials. A Red Carpet, Green Dress design competition created by Suzy Amis Cameron, wife of James, will be unveiled and helps to support sustainable fashion design. Sponsors, like Planters, Chevy Volt, Pureology and more than a dozen more will have displays showcasing some of the latest in green products and technology.

Organic cocktails, customized video loops and live Twitter feeds are all details that have been coordinated by someone on the Global Green staff. So if all of these people are prepared to put in an enormous effort to promote a message of sustainability, you might say that the cause is worth checking out. When you come to the party, take a moment to appreciate the atmosphere, the talent, the people and the cause behind the evening. And the next time you brag about the awesomeness of your veggie plate that takes a whole hour to make, just make sure it isn’t to someone who’s planned one of these things.

The celebrity host committee includes Orlando Bloom,Jim Carrey, Rosario Dawson and Alison Brie as well as event committee members Eric Garcetti, Walton Goggins, Mia Maestro, Oscar NomineeLucy Walker, Deirdre Wallace and Richard Wegman. Additional celebrity attendees include Carrie Underwood, Hayden Panettiere, Kara DioGuardi, Dane Cook, Maggie Grace, Oscar Nominee David O'Russell,Dr. Drew Pinsky, Dana Delany, Sharon Lawrence, Yvonne Strahovski,Ian Ziering, Daniel Sunjata, Sam Trammel, Stephen Dorff, Paul Stanley, Daniel Powter, Elizabeth Rohm, Daphne Zuniga, Gillian Jacobs, Jonathan Sadowski, Alexandra Paul, Luke Matheny & Ryan Silbert, Thomas Kretschmann, Enrique Murciano and more.

WHAT: Global Green USA will host its 8^th Annual Pre-Oscar® Party featuring special musical performances from Black Rebel, Portugal. The Man, Best Coast, and DJ’s Jeremy Sole and Michael Smith. The theme for this year’s event is “Greener Cities for a Cooler Planet” and willbenefit Global Green’s initiatives to promote smart solutions to climate change by creating healthy, green communities. The event will feature the debut of the nation’s first ever Model Carbon City Index tool

Tickets for this year’s Pre-Oscar Party are still available at www.globalgreen.org/preoscarparty and you can follow all of the excitement at their twitter feed @globalgreenusa

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