The Duracell Mobile Smart Power Lab Pop-Up Event featured two Power Rovers being used to collect human-made energy to assist in the many lights needed in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. The special event took place over two days in Madison Square Park and the Times Square Visitor Center, respectively.
Both days included several VIP guests who helped in lighting the 2011 numerals with human-generated energy. This is the third year that the method has been used.
New Yorkers, tourists and the VIPs all helped in a unique way—boarding one of the Power Rovers and pedaling, creating usable power that is stored in Duracell Battery Centers until it is needed during the annual New Year’s Eve celebration, when the 2011 numbers light up at the stroke of midnight.
First Round
The reality star VIP guests included Padma Lakshmi (“Top Chef All-Stars”), Carla Hall (“Top Chef All Stars”), Kyle Richards (“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”), Reichen Lehmkuhl (Logo Network’s “The A-List: New York”), Rodiney Santiago (Logo Network’s “The A-List: New York”), Aasif Mandvi (“The Daily Show”), Erika Jayne (dancer/electronica singer), Dr. Elmo (music artist) and Jessica Cimato (VH1’s “You’re Cut Off”).
Bravo’s “Top Chef All Star” Carla Hall and host Padma Lakshmi help celebrate the holiday season in New York's Madison Square Park. (Photo/Stuart Ramson)
Pop-princess and #1 Billboard chart-queen Erika Jayne put the pedal to the metal. She has triumphantly jumped over Katy Perry and Cher to the #1 spot for the fifth consecutive time on Billboard’s “Hot Dance Club Play” chart this week, tying C&C Music Factory whose first five singles also went to #1. www.PrettyMessRecords.com
While Richards pedaled, she revealed information about the addicting drama that makes the newest edition of the “Real Housewives” series on Bravo a success. She said that the feud between her and Camille Grammar comes from Grammar’s “she’s jealous of my hot husband Mauricio.”
Kyle Richards strikes a pose on a Duracell Power Rover. (Photo/Stuart Ramson)
“Top Chef” contestant Hall came equipped with some energy for the pedalers by way of Pumpkin Bisque soup and Parmesan short-bread. “Top Chef” host Lakshmi used the Duracell pedaling for her daily work out and expressed her excitement to be a part of lighting the numbers and watching with her new daughter Krishna.
Reality TV personality Jessica Cimato generates power at Duracell Power Rover. (Photo/Stuart Ramson)
And being a festive time of year, Dr. Elmo donned reindeer antlers and sang his Christmas hit “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” while generating his share of energy. Everyone joined in on the familiar chorus as Elmo pedaled and simultaneously played guitar to the tune.
Music artist Dr. Elmo entertains the masses with his Christmas hit “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” (Photo/Stuart Ramson)
“New York City and Madison Square Park share such a rich culinary history,” said Bob Jacobs, Duracell Marketing Director, North America. “Duracell is excited to be here today with our Power Rovers and special guest Carla Hall gathering energy to power the New Year.”
Aasif Mandvi strikes a pose on the Duracell Power Rover. (Photo/Stuart Ramson)
Lehmkuhl and boyfriend Santiago competed against each other during the pedaling, looking to see who could create the most energy to store in the Duracell Battery Centers. Lehmkuhl won, and the two awarded themselves with a cup of Hall’s soup afterwards!
Reichen Lehmkhuhl and Rodiney Santiago pump their fists at Duracell Smart Power Lab. (Photo/Stuart Ramson)
Second Round
A second day of the Duracell Mobile Smart Power Lab Pop-Up Event occurred featuring television stars, all working to create energy to illuminate the seven-foot tall numerals creating next year’s 2011. The number one was brought in on a chauffeured limousine to the Times Square Visitors Center.
The VIP guests on Dec. 21 included Penn Badgley (CW’s “Gossip Girl”), Tristan Wilds (CW’s “90210”), Alex McCord (“The Real Housewives of New York”), Simon van Kempen (“The Real Housewives of New York”) and Daniel Kass (snowboarder and Olympic medalist).
Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New York” personalities, Simon Van Kempen and Alex McCord welcome the arrival of the numeral '1' on Dec 21, which will join the iconic '2011' numerals to be illuminated on New Year’s Eve in Times Square. (Photo/Stuart Ramson)
Husband and wife pair McCord and Van Kempen are planning to spend the holidays in Dallas and then finish them in Brooklyn, and McCord surprisingly said that she’s never actually been to the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration.
At the event, Badgley explained that he’s leaving New York for New Year’s for a tropical climate down south in Miami, and of all the TV shows available, he most watches “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and would love to be a guest. He said, “Jon Stewart, I’m coming for you!” Badgley is headed to the Sundance Film Festival in January to support his new film “Margin Call.”
Penn Badgley and Tristan Wilds strike a pose on the Duracell Power Rover. (Photo/Stuart Ramson)
While pedaling, Wilds sported an appropriate New York Yankees baseball cap and revealed his New Years resolution: “to be better than last year!” Here are Wilds’ top picks for 2010 in entertainment: Favorite TV Show: “Family Guy”—Favorite Movie: “Inception”—Music Artist: Kanye West—Gadget: iPad.
For more information, visit www.duracell.com or follow the brand at Twitter.com/Duracell_Power and Facebook.com/Duracell.
