The #HigherLove Project

If someone had told me a month ago that I’d soon be sitting up in my kids’ wooden playhouse at midnight, three cocktails deep, FaceTiming my hair stylist and talking about Whitney Houston, I would have told that person without hesitation that they were high. Same goes, however, for the person that would have told me a month ago that we were to face a deadly virus that would shut down businesses, schools, and render much of America unable to leave their homes or visit loved ones, and that toilet paper would be the new gold. Yet, here we are. 

Todd White is more than my hair stylist, he is a dear friend I met though my husband, and easily the most creative soul I’ve had the pleasure to know. FaceTiming each other is not something we do or ever have done, and during this recent interaction I came to the realization that there is a surprising intimacy in seeing someone face to face – even through a screen – when you’re accustomed to typically conversing with their reflection in a mirror.

Todd’s past as a professional actor/singer/dancer provided him with the contacts that helped him launch a career as a hair designer working mainly behind the scenes with the entertainment and fashion industries. In 2010 Todd launched “Platinum Entourage: The Blow Dry Bar and Vanity Lounge,” the first ever blow dry bar in the Las Vegas area. Hair stylists quickly followed suit and blow dry bars popped up all over the valley. Todd’s instinctive ability to sense a trend before it hits is almost more impressive than his myriad creative talents (almost), and it is this extraordinary sense that has led him to launch yet another creative endeavor. His newest creation Pop Up Photo Op – under the umbrella of his production company Todd Michael Productions – is more than a flashy photo booth for a generation that thrives on picture-perfect moments easily shared with friends through social media.  The visual appeal of each handcrafted Pop Up Photo Op booth is only part of the attraction, however, as it is a totally immersive experience complete with sounds and smells…Imagine stepping into a three dimensional cube designed as a rainforest or a disco or a dripping-with-diamonds-Gatsby-inspired-prohibition-resisting-party accompanied with the sounds and smells to really take you there. Todd Michael Productions is here to offer not only Instagrammable visual appeal, but a memorable experience to connect with and to  feel.

To bring his ideas into tangible fruition Todd has collaborated with the incomparable Sin City Scenic, a Las Vegas-based fabrication and design company that services the entertainment, convention, and theater industries. With decades of experience in the entertainment industry under their belts Owner/Head Fabricator Brian Rogerson and Vice President of Design Steve Paladie have designed and fabricated countless theater productions, private and corporate events, artistic displays, conventions, music festivals…Basically, unless you’ve been living in quarantine for the last five years – I know the last three weeks may have seemed like five years – then you’ve probably experienced the artistic talents of Sin City Scenic. 

When Todd Michael Productions and Sin City Scenic joined artistic forces to begin creating their immersive pop-up photo experiences, they pretty much hit the ground running. Requests came in by the droves wanting to include their unique photo experiences in all manner of events from weddings and private parties to large-scale corporate events. Additionally, Pop Up Photo Op began negotiations with a leading luxury Las Vegas resort and casino to permanently install several photo booth experiences throughout the casino floor, a game-changing deal that would earn Todd Michael Productions the financial security to green-light Todd’s true passion projects, which have always surrounded live theatrical entertainment. Todd says of his successful career as a salon owner and hair designer, “It’s my bread and butter and I love it, but producing live entertainment is my passion,” and it was at this point in the story that Todd would have come full circle; a theater career to springboard one in hair design, and then back to theater entertainment with a focus on producing and directing.

Unfortunately, the story will have a few more twists before that point because, as you know, about a month ago the world came to a screeching halt to address something much more pressing. In these last few weeks, we’ve all learned to better appreciate the little things and hold on to what is truly important, but for a town that thrives on the entertainment and hospitality industries, the spirit of Las Vegas is most certainly altered. Not irreparably, but indefinitely. The streets of the city are barren, the lights are dimmer, and the usual flashing billboards display the more continuous message of “Stay Home for Nevada.” Whether or not one works in entertainment or hospitality, each and every person in this city depends on these industries because they drive our economy; they are the city’s living, breathing livelihood. 

Like countless other businesses during this uncertain time Todd Michael Productions and Sin City Scenic have closed to the public, but a creator doesn’t stop creating in times of crisis…oftentimes it fuels the fire. My face-to-face (or rather, face-to-phone-to-face) conversation with Todd regarding my telling of this story could have easily been a regular phone conversation—even, dare I say an email—but that’s not what Todd is about. He wanted to connect. He wanted to see my unkempt, unbrushed hair in all its apocalyptic glory (the irony of Todd’s hair is that for an incredibly talented hair stylist he has the kind of naturally gorgeous locks that need no attention whatsoever) and discuss his latest ideas for enriching human interaction while continuing to implement the very serious social distancing guidelines recommended by the CDC during this time. Many of us are learning the importance of human connection, and the will to find creative ways to make those connections is stronger than ever. Social distancing doesn’t have to equal feeling alone, and Todd is keeping with his flair for everything flashy and fabulous while creating opportunities for people to feel together even in distance.

Since the governor of Nevada has urged our current social distancing practices, Todd Michael Productions has launched The Digital Disco, a weekly themed online party featuring a live dj, live performances, even costume and hair contests. You may be skeptical about the vibe of a party made up of a few dozen faces seemingly staring at you from your device while you sip your own drink from home, and rightly so. It’s a concept most of us aren’t yet very familiar with. So many questions ran through my mind before joining in on my first Digital Disco experience: how dressed up do people actually get; do I need a costume or will my quarantine outfit of yoga pants and a sweater suffice; am I supposed to make small talk with the strangers in the tiny boxes on my screen the entire time; does everyone just talk over each other for hours; how many pre-party drinks do I need to prepare myself for this? Upon entering the room, however, my apprehensions subsided because I quickly realized anything goes. In a fun, yet surprisingly organized fashion Todd spotlights and speaks with guests throughout the night so that we all become familiar with one another without the awkward party talk or anyone talking over others. His digital party-hosting skills are seamless allowing you to feel like you’re truly danicing in a room with friends. My experience included guests of all types from a roller-skating woman in a ball gown to those who popped in fresh out of the shower clad in pajamas. There are no rules or judgements in this space, only people listening to live music, dancing, and watching fantastic live performances together. The Digital Disco implements the idea that no one should feel alone, and no one told us we couldn’t keep having fun!

To spread the love and fun even further, Todd Michael Productions has teamed up again with Brian and Steve of Sin City Scenic to design a roaming float complete with disco lights, décor, music, and an incredibly fierce entertainer to fill up the silence and light up the dark. They’re calling it #HigherLove, inspired by the Whitney Houston song of the same name. If you’re anything like me you’ve heard the song but never truly listened to the lyrics, so I encourage you to look them up because no song could be more relevant right now. Todd, Brian, and Steve have created a set working around the clock in order to limit the number of people working together at any given time, and they fully encourage responsible social distancing for anyone who comes out to their doorstep to enjoy the show. Since the people can’t come to the Vegas strip, #HigherLove will bring the Vegas strip to the people. The team encourages onlookers to pump up the vibe by decorating their homes with lights and signs to show their love and support for the community. The brighter the better! A photographer will follow behind the float in a separate vehicle to catch all the special moments to be posted on the Pop-Up Photo Op Instagram for all to enjoy. The debut date for this roaming entertainment experience is set for April 24 at 7:30 p.m. Appearance requests will be taken by email at Kimberly@popupphotooplv.com privileging healthcare and other essential workers who are currently keeping our city going, and everything is free of charge. For those who choose to donate towards the families affected by the loss of revenue for these businesses, their Venmo @higherloveteam gladly accepts gratuity, however the primary goal of #HigherLove is to raise spirits, bring joy, and most importantly keep us connected in a time of distance. Even in distance we are in this together.

Questions about the #HigherLove project:

1.      When will the #HigherLove float roam the community?

The premier date is set for April 24, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. and will roam communities every Friday and Saturday between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

2.      How can I request #HigherLove to come to my neighborhood?

Requests can be made by email at Kimberly@popupphotooplv.com

3.      Does it cost money to request the float?

#HigherLove is completely FREE! However, if you would like to donate you may do so through Venmo @higherloveteam

4.      Where can I find the most updated information about #HigherLove?

Visit @popupphotoop on Instagram or Facebook to see updated information about #HigherLove