The 2016 Grammy awards started with Taylor Swift’s “Out of The Woods” and ended with Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara looking extra sexy next to Pitbull.
Sure in the middle Kendrick Lamar brought hip hop front row and center, Adele took the stage after 4 years, and Taylor attempted to put Kanye West in his place.
The Recording Academy indeed put on another epic show, but the night didn’t end when LL Cool J finished his 5th year hosting music’s biggest night. After the show, Grammy ticket holders made their way to the LA Convention Center for the Official after party celebration.
This year’s theme was “Grammy Land” – a play on the famous kids’ game Candy Land and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. The enormous ball room took attendees into a confection infused utopia designed to draw out the inner child of each guest.
Life size candy displays, an interactive water fountain, two arcades and 60 dancers and acrobats took over a ballroom equaling the size of 3 football fields. Sweets were indeed part of the night with dessert stations serving cookies, cupcakes, flavored popcorn, cotton candy and custards.
Food is always a big part of the annual celebration and this year was no different. The Patina Restaurant Group filled 5 dining stations after iconic California travel destinations like taco truck bites, Napa-inspired cuisine, Santa Monica Farmers’ Market seasonal favorites and gluten-free dishes from Beverly Hills. Cocktails were made with Cîroc Ultra-Premium Vodka, Johnny Walker Black Label and Don Julio Tequila and since we all know what can happen after a few drinks, McDonald’s was on hand serving items from their All Day Breakfast menu.
Past Grammy nominees Aloe Blacc performed Avicii’s and his hit song “Don’t Wake Me Up”for which he also penned the lyrics for. Heart and DJ Michelle Pesce also each took the MasterCard stage through out the evening while E! News was broadcasting live from the event with special host Vanessa Simmons.
We left the party wondering how the Recording Academy would outdo themselves next year, but somehow they always manage just fine.
