SW7, the celebrated showcase event hosted by the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and Natural History Museum, returned for the fourth time on 5 July, welcoming some of the biggest names in the events industry.
Companies such as ITV, the Prince’s Trust and Rolls Royce were among the 200 guests who attended the exclusive event. Guests were divided into three groups, with each one enjoying the drinks reception, main course and a dessert at a different museum, exchanging places at two separate intervals during the evening.
Those attending enjoyed a taste of the exceptional food, first-class entertainment and décor within each of the museums’ unique event spaces.
On arrival at the Science Museum (pictured), guests were greeted by a spectacular acrobatic performance in a human-size birdcage suspended from the rafters of the Energy Hall, by Full Circle. The guests were then lead through the dramatically lit Exploring Space Gallery by gymnasts who performed at the London Olympic Games opening ceremony into the Making the Modern World Gallery.
Guests enjoyed a delicious Olympic Games-themed menu by Moving Venue, celebrating the cuisine of former Olympic hosts. Production for the night was by White Light, who projected video animation of sports scenes and the Olympic torch onto the Gallery walls. The finale of the event was a dynamic performance by Afishal, who has pioneered his own visual DJ Rig, and has already gained a celebrity following with clients including Beyoncé, Man United and the England Rugby Squad.
The Natural History Museum’s Darwin Centre and Courtyard was transformed into a Rio inspired carnival party with production and florals by Event Concept and Veevers Carter. Filling the courtyard was a stunning wooden canopy structure covering the food stations, a tranquil bar area with colourful cushions for guests to perch around the amphitheatre, as well as outdoor seating.
Guests were treated to food by Rhubarb which included beautifully presented canapés and a Brazilian barbecue where delicious meats were cooked in front of guests on elaborate fire bowls. Later in the evening the fire bowls were transformed into interactive dessert stations where guest’s toasted coconut encrusted marshmallows and fruit before indulging in a selection of mini desserts.
Throughout the evening, the relaxed party atmosphere was kept alive with the musical backdrop of the samba band and visuals of the fire performers courtesy of Sternberg Clarke.
The V&A embraced a colourful celebration of summer in the John Madejski Garden with champagne, cocktails and live food prepared at a chef’s table by the recipe. Production by Light Motif included sweeping coloured back drops to the reception and a magical walking on water performance. Flowers were courtesy of Philippa Craddock while entertainment from Sternberg Clarke included Sararosa performing Jazz and Bossa music in the ellipse and Capoeira Ceara closing the V&A section with an energetic performance of Afro Brazilian music and dance.
Rachel de Woolfson, Senior Corporate Events Manager at the V&A, said, “This year’s SW7 event has been a phenomenal success. Following our last event in 2014, we wanted to make sure the showcase returned with a bang, bigger and better than ever. Each museum stepped up to the next level showcasing the fantastic opportunities available in each of our unique event spaces and the quality of suppliers. The feedback from guests has been fantastic and we are pleased to have once again provided a highly memorable night for all involved.”
(photo credit: Jody Kingzett)