Hard Rock Hotels hosted a VIP press and influencer event where the Hard Rock Hotels brand came to life via a unique pop-up installation that integrated and showcased the key components of a Hard Rock Hotel experience.

To create buzz around HRH's key music initiatives and highlight new additions to the portfolio, the Exit Art gallery space in NYC transformed into a chic, rock 'n roll destination personifying all that is Hard Rock Hotels. After checking in at the reinvented lobby, media and investors enjoyed cocktails and Kerry Simon creation in the lounge. These VIp guests were walked through the SOYS music program, as well as the latest additions to Hard Rock's rapidly expanding portfolio. Guests were also treated to an acoustic performance by the TRIBES along with a special guitar solo by Andy Rourke of The Smiths on the Fender guitar.

After the media presentation, the "hotel" opened up to tastemakers and influencers for a cocktail party featuring a special performance by Mayer Hawthorne and The County, with tunes spun by ?uestlove.

Each guest received a branded passport and event map where they received a stamp at each location they visited. A fully stamped passport allowed the guest to enter into Hard Rock's sweepstakes which included a prize package featuring two free nights at one of the HRH properties, a Fender guitar and amp, SOUL by Ludacris headphones, S2 from Native Instruments and a branded HRH blackjack table.

More: RollingStone: The Hottest Live Photos of the Week: Mayer Hawthorne & ?uestlove

Blackbox frontman Damon Ranger of CBS 2 takes you backstage and behind the scenes to show you the VIP lifestyle, celebrity swag and secret shows at the 20th anniversary of Lollapalooza.

Lots of exciting events happened over the three-day fest at Grant Park, including a celebrity kickball game pitting L.A. celebs against Chicago musicians.

Up until six years ago, Lollapalooza was a traveling touring festival. Now it makes its yearly residence in Chicago, but starting in 2012 it will also be in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

More: Lollapalooza: What You Didn’t See

Eyewear brand Carrera brought its traveling Carrera Sunglasses Escape series back to New York this past weekend, installing it at the penthouse space atop the Mondrian SoHo on Saturday and Sunday. Working with producers from BMF Media Group, the Safilo Group-owned company entertained more than 1,500 attendees over the course of two days and this year integrated new products and experiential elements from sponsors to round out the event.

Open during the day and at night, the promotion included comfy seating areas and beach towels for attendees to lounge on and offered activities such as a morning yoga session and complimentary spa services from Equinox.

More: Carrera Integrates New Products From Sponsors at Third Summer Event Series

Known for his polarizing, love-it-or-hate-it blog style, Perez Hilton celebrated his 32nd birthday with a party unlike most other people's personal bashes. For one thing, the "Carn-Evil Freak and Funk" event on March 27 had an over-the-top carnival theme, with a slightly surrealist bent. And for another, it was funded by corporate sponsors like Alizé, Arizona Tea, Lifestyles condoms, and Café Bustelo.

The hands-on blogger worked on the party at the Studios at Paramount with Paramount Special Events, event produce BMF Media Group and EMC Bowery, which handled PR. About 400 people, including media, celebrities, and personal friends, attended.

More: Hilton’s Sponsored Birthday Party Brings Carnival Acts, Liza Minelli, and Katy Perry on an Elephant

MIA MORETTI

“It Girl” D.J.

With apologies to Samantha Ronson and Leigh Lezark of the Misshapes, D.J.’ing is a boys’ game. “Girl D.J.’s don’t mix, they just play off iTunes and get hired just because they are girls,” Mia Moretti said.

She doesn’t believe that, of course — not when she’s lugging her turntables and MacBook Pro around town, loaded with 100-plus gigabytes of music, and spinning at all the right parties, like Le Bain, Prabal Gurung’s after-party and Chelsea Clinton’s wedding

Having cracked Billboard’s Top 10 dance chart two years ago with a B-more-style remix of Katy Perry’s “Hot ’N Cold,” Ms. Moretti was also named Best D.J. by Paper magazine last month, along with her frequent collaborator, the electric violinist Caitlin Moe.

More: The New Club Kids