National Tree Lighting 2010

Last week we were in DC with Alex Colletti Productions for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree located on The Ellipse just in front of the White House.  It was certainly cold enough, but we had a great week getting the stage ready for Mr and Mrs Obama and the family to come and light the tree and enjoy the outdoor concert which went out on PBS over the weekend.  We even got a tour of the White House the morning after the show - a wonderful opportunity to see the amazing Christmas decorations that fill every room.
It was bitterly cold at times, but it was a thrill to be involved in something so close to the White House and to the President.  We made a donation of a set of FlatPack Walls to the Park Service, so that they could be used not only for the TV show, but also for the month-long series of concert events that happen here every year.  The Roof structure was set up only for the TV show, so my FlatPacks will be the only set onstage for the remainder of the time.  It feels like I have a sculpture installation right outside the White House…
The concert was memorable, especially BB KIng’s performance, surprisingly this was the first time he’d played for the president, something that one would have imagined would have happened long before with the Chicago connection.  After all it was the King of the Blues playing for the King of the HIll!