Outfest, the leading LGBTQIA+ arts and entertainment nonprofit, hosted its 40th Anniversary Legacy Awards Gala on a warm Saturday evening in November. JJLA produced the milestone event centered around honoring those who have impacted the community.
Keeping the theme of ‘Bringing Fancy Back’ front of mind, JJLA created multiple event spaces and curated a menu for the evening with a keen eye for detail. Upon entering the event at the seven-week-old Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 400 guests were invited into a lush pre-reception space created on the Piazza. Home to an IMDb Photo Studio, Cadillac’s Escalade, and the sweet intro treats of WPK Catering, it was a classy introduction to the night!
Guests were then guided to the David Geffen Theater for the evening’s award presentations, collaboratively scripted by JJLA and Outfest. Along with honoring Victoria Alonso, Rain Valdez, Robin de Jesus, Neon, Jonathan Howard, Marissa Roman Griffith, and Alan Koenigsberg, there were special Broadway-inspired performances from Garret Clayton and a troupe of charismatic, dancers as well as a meaningful look back at the very first LGBTQIA+ march on Washington. JJLA was behind the scenes running the show, ensuring smooth transitions, overseeing the technical elements, and supporting the talent.
Following the program filled with a wonderful mix of celebration, pride, nostalgia, and powerful calls to action, guests were guided up to the Dolby Family Terrace for a specially-curated meal. JJLA turned the patio into a gorgeous lounge space where guests could take in the amazing views of the Hollywood Hills while enjoying a delectable dinner. It was the perfect environment for mixing and mingling, which was a priority for Outfest given how long it had been since many of the attendees had seen one another in person. Guests had the opportunity to capture their moments of togetherness at the IMDb photo studio as they exited the party.
JJLA was proud to be one of the very first event producers in the new Academy Museum space, bringing together friends old and new in celebration after a long Covid hiatus.