Category Archives: Book

Planning is key to a perfect Corporate Event

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Corporate events are a very important part of any company’s annual calendar, as they help promote the business internally and externally, as well as reinforcing brand values and corporate messages. 

They can also forge links with existing and potential clients and improve staff morale. A lot can hinge on a corporate event – be it a convention, exhibition, awards dinner or conference – including the good name of the company and its reputation.

A successful corporate event will be down to many factors including location, food, and atmosphere and, of course, the all-important entertainment. 

Entertainment can make or break a corporate event and making the most out of any act, show or performer can be hugely beneficial. Good corporate entertainment can leave guests with a memorable experience and reinforce a company’s image, brand and corporate message. Good entertainment can even attract publicity (of the good sort!).

Deciding on the Right Entertainment

Corporate event professionals will first have to take a few factors into consideration when ensuring that the entertainment ‘fits’ the event:

• Determine age, social background and sex, and choose entertainment accordingly. A tribute to ‘One Direction’ or ‘Justin Bieber’ may be suitable for a corporate family day event, but not for a black tie gala dinner.

• Venue size and location is a factor that many event planners and organisers forget (or remember at the last minute!). This is important, as it will play a part in deciding whether or not you can have that aerial team you want or full scale swing band!

• Cost. Do you have a strict budget that you have to work within, or is money not a problem? The amount of money a company is prepared to spend on entertainment will affect the options available.

What to look out for when booking a band

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Booking a band for any event can be tricky. What type of music, what size of band, and what price should I pay? These are the most common questions a person asks themselves when they have been given the task of booking a band. Yes these are important questions but there are a few small things to look out for when booking a band. Here are 5 things to look out for when booking a band- 

1- Always sign a contract – More often than enough we hear the ever dreaded horror stories of bands. Whether it is the band hasn’t showed up at all, the band has double booked or the band has got a flat tyre and can’t make it to your event. Well this is why you need to sign a contract; if any of these unfortunate circumstances happen then at least you have the right to get your money back. So always ask for a contract and make sure that it covers you under all circumstances. 
2- Reviews- These are the Holy Grail of bands and also for customers. You can look for testimonials on Facebook pages, the bands own website and even on online forums. Also ask friends and family if they have heard of any good bands in the local area. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful sources so use it, it is free!
3- Price wisely – This is where you’re budget comes into play. Please stop everything you are doing and read this part as this is extremely important… You are not going to get a fully live 4 piece band for £200!  At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. So be realistic with your budget. A live 6 piece band would cost you between £800 – £1200 so if this is the size you would like, and then expect to pay the higher bracket of money. If you find a 6 piece band and they are charging less than this then as the saying goes, it is too good to be true!
4- Past Clients – Bands styles can change in various events. Music that perfectly suits a wedding ceremony may not be so well suited to an awards ceremony. Make sure that the band you are after fits your event and music style perfectly. Therefore if you are a corporate event organiser ensure that your band have had vast experience playing at corporate gigs. Same goes for weddings, birthday parties, award ceremonies etc. So always research the bands past clients and this will be able to give you an insight into the bands history. 
5- Local Bands v Further Afield Bands – This is a secret tip within the entertainment industry… if you have an event and need a band hire a band within a 30 mile radius. This means you are not paying extravagant amounts of money for extra travel and most entertainers will have the first 30 miles free. Some bands will even charge £2 a mile, after you already pay for your band I’m sure that £100 for travel alone will just not be worth it. So source out some great local bands that will play the exact music you like without the crazy travel costs!

International party ideas

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At Red Masque entertainment we are always on the lookout for interesting and unique party ideas for our blog. This week’s post is about using international themes for your event. Every culture has its traditional outfits and performers, and many of these performers are available for hire.  Here are some ideas:

1. Moroccan nights with belly dancers, snake charmers, hukas and waiters dressed in caftans. Drape the place in beautiful Moroccan fabrics; add candlelight and torches and you’ve got yourself something special.

2. Bollywood theme with traditional Indian Marquees (think an extravagantly decorated tent with lots of throw pillows and fabrics), beautiful Indian ladies in lovely silk saris, Henna artists and Yogis.

3. A sushi night with Japanese geishas dancing and playing traditional instruments such as the shamisen or shakuhachi, and singing. If you want a more hearty fare, hire Tepanyaki chefs to cook in front of your guests. What could be better than a fire-shooting volcano made of onions?!

4. Argentinian Tango night with costumed dancers/instructors, plain wooden tables with candles or lanterns, low lights, bottles of Malbac, tango posters or paintings on the wall. Remind the guests to dress in black and red.

5. A Queen’s Jubilee with royal footmen, cockney tourists, and a royal court. High tea anyone? If that’s too high-brow, just add a Beatles tribute band.

6. Brazilian Carnival with costumed stilt walkers, samba dancers, Brazilian bands, and vibrant carnival costumes and statues.

7. Chinese Circus with fire performers, Chinese circus acts, martial art dancers and extreme martial art performers. Throw in some body painters and origami and calligraphy artists just for fun.

We sure you have some of your own ideas, and at Red Masque Entertainment we are sure that you will be able to hire exactly what you had in mind.

A History of the Crystal Ball

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Find the best crystal ball readers available for hire in the UK today. Have a question? Want to know the future? Have a clairvoyant at your event and open up your guests to a whole new level of entertainment. Every reading is unique and the psychics use their expert judgement and intuition to interpret the messages being sent through.

It is very common that most of the persons associate to the crystal ball with the witches and the fortune tellers, since as well we know, the crystal ball is one of the methods of prediction and clairvoyance more used in the world. 

Basically it is a question of a crystal sphere that uses the reflex of the light to create an images effect in his interior, but the fundamental thing to manage to use this type of clairvoyance, it is necessary that the person who realizes his this one under a deep concentration. 

The origin of the use of the crystal ball dates from the Celtic tribes who were living in the island of Great Britain from 2.000 B.C. and they were unified on the part of the druids, who were one of the group’s first in using the crystal ball as a clairvoyance method. In fact, if it is analysed deeply we will be able to realize that the druidic religion had many resemblances with the megalithic religion of the ancient Great Britain, for this reason it is possible that thanks to them the crystal ball took so many relevancy in the world of the divination and the clairvoyance.

During the middle age in Central Europe many wizards, clairvoyants, magicians, gypsies and psychic began to use like inevitable instrument, to the crystal ball, so much to see the past as the present and the future of the clients and the consultants. Due to his transparent nature, the beryllium was one of the materials most used to make the crystal balls to make the crystal balls, and many escocia mountain-dwellers began to name it like the “stone of energy”. Anyway although the first crystal balls were made by this element, at present the rock crystal is used since it turns out to be many more hialina. Now then, it is said that the crystal ball “invented” a lot of time before the Celtic tribes, and was in the ancient Egypt, several millenniums previous to the Christian age, although also there are affirmations that they indicate us that the crystal ball has his origins in the Mayan civilization. 

Some information that turn out to be very interesting with regard to the use of the crystal ball is that for example, in the island of Fiji, when something bad happens or a crime happens, one always resorts to the crystal ball since it is decided that the same one has the aptitude to show the happened events and this way there can be obtained the tests of the one who was the culprit; this method was used by the Aztecs and the Incas. One of the uses most known in the history of the crystal ball is that of the astrologer Dee, who was using it in order to Reina Elizabeth I showed him the events of the past. Although many people doubt the credibility of this method of clairvoyance, we cannot deny that in the ambience of the magic it is the resource most used by witches, magicians, wizards and fortune tellers.

Whether they admit it or not, everybody likes to be told what going to happen in the future. A Crystal ball reader can be very popular at an event and will guarantee to be a crowd pleaser which will be a talking point for weeks to come.

You may be organising a charity event, local fete, launch party or corporate event. Whatever your event a Crystal Ball Reader will be very well received.

Rock on!!!

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Why not hire an awesome line up of jaw-dropping musical talent that has graced the biggest stages in the world, from Wembley stadium to London’s West End! The greatest music from your favourite classic rock bands rolled into one incredible, guitar-shredding, drum-thundering show! Rocktastic hit after hit of the biggest and best guitar rock anthems!

Furious fun fused with powerful audience participation, gives you permission to rock, mosh and head-bang till you drop! You’ve been waiting to feel this good again and now the wait is over – rebel and be prepared to rock your socks off! Your Rock Band performs a pulsating, plethora of pounding rock. Unleash your inner Rock God (or Goddess) to the songs that have become the backdrop to your life.

If you’re having a theme Rock night then a Rock band will be the icing on the cake if you hire from Red Masque party entertainment directory. All extremely professional that have been highly acclaimed you will be guaranteed an amazing event.

Rock & Roll music was born in the 1950’s from a fusion of electric blues, country and gospel music. Confined to the Rhythm & Blues charts early in the decade, rock crosses over to the Pop charts from 1955 onward. Electric Blues, R&B, Doo Wop, Rockabilly…. 

In the sixties rock music comes of age and dominates the popular music charts. Rock diversifies with new styles such as soul, surf, folk rock, the British Invasion, psychedelic and hard rock. Television becomes a factor as prime time variety shows feature rock… 

The early seventies are marked by the deaths of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. Psychedelic music declines, but morphs into hard rock, progressive rock and heavy metal. Touring bands move from playing clubs and theatres, to playing sports arenas…

Go Gospel!!!

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Why not hire a Gospel Choir? These brilliant singers are united by their love of gospel music. We believe that Gospel music is for everyone. 

Gospel Choirs use a blend of close harmonies and ability to mix traditional gospel with jazz, soul, blues and Latin styles. They can be hired as small group’s right up to a big strong choir and full bands are available to hire. They bring their positive attitude and professionalism to every performance and can be hired for all occasions such as weddings, tours, church events, private functions or product launches. They can also arrange a favourite song for your wedding.

So how did Gospel music come about? Gospel music is a music genre in Christian music. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music vary according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Gospel music usually has dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) with Christian lyrics. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century, with roots in the black oral tradition. Hymns and sacred songs were repeated in a call and response fashion. Most of the churches relied on hand clapping and foot stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Most of the singing was done a cappella. Gospel music publishing houses emerged. The advent of radio in the 1920s greatly increased the audience for gospel music. Following World War II, gospel music moved into major auditoriums, and gospel music concerts became quite elaborate.

Urban contemporary gospel (sometimes still marketed as “Black gospel” to help distinguish it from other forms of Christian music) is a subgenre of contemporary gospel music. Gospel blues is a blues-based form of gospel music (a combination of blues guitar and evangelistic lyrics). Southern gospel used all male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet make-up. Progressive Southern gospel is an American music genre that has grown out of Southern gospel over the past couple of decades. Christian country music, sometimes referred to as country gospel music, is a subgenre of gospel music with country flair. It peaked in popularity in the middle 1990s.

We are sure that if you do decide to hire a ‘Gospel Choir’ it will be such an uplifting experience for anyone listening and is extremely easy on the ears.

A summer garden party for all…

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If you have the space, or even if you don’t and want a small an intimate garden party then we have all the party and event entertainment you will need for a great Spring or Summer Garden party.

With the general election coming up in May you could go all Patriotic and have a themed garden party with your favourite ‘parties’ colours or you could bring in some MP lookalikes along. Go head to head with Cameron or Miliband with a little bit of Farage mixed in, all doing the hokey cokey together will be a right laugh!!

Hiring a string quartet to play some thought provoking ‘losers’ music; or some upbeat ‘jazz music’ for your ‘winning’ side.

It doesn’t have to be a serious affair – just a group of friends or neighbours around allowing everybody to get to know each other that little bit better.   

If you are having more of a corporate event and space is no object go full on with food caterers, promotional staff, cocktail waiters or a big brass band welcoming your very important guests.

Big outside garden games to hire for everyone to join in and don’t forget to hire some Marquees and sometimes the British weather is a little bit unpredictable (as we all know)

Lighting for when the sun sets is especially important for ambience it could be some romantic fairy lights or some light changing LED’s that will compliment any ‘theme’.

Walkabout artists engaging your guests or illusionists there is loads of entertainment to choose from.  There will be something for everybody and nobody could say they were bored.

So don’t just book some outside caterers for some ‘limp cucumber sandwiches’ for your next Garden Party – have fun, and look on Red Masque to see what other entertainment is on offer.

Bring some culture to your event…

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We appreciate that although many people want their wedding to be a loud, all singing and all dancing affair that gets people off their seats and having a great time, the simple truth is that some venues have a sound limiter, so that amplifier will have to be turned right down. But rather turning it down, why not get rid of it completely? Grandma won’t complain about the noise and in some cases, the musicians can mingle with your guests creating a more immersive and enjoyable atmosphere (not that it’s not enjoyable already – it is your wedding after all).

How about you hire entertainment like an experience pop quartet who can deliver the pop classics exactly how you need them? They will work well as both background music and providing a party atmosphere and will have your Auntie screaming ‘Come on Eileen’ at the top of her lungs. Within the sound limits of the venue, obviously

A pop group are exactly the kind of band that makes venues smile. No amplifier needed, a bit more quirky than what they see normally and some brilliant tunes to get everybody dancing at your wedding! From Britney Spears to Muse via Beethoven and Frank Sinatra, they really have it all. If you can find a better band comprising a violin, a guitar and an accordion then we’ll eat our wedding hat.

You could find that an A Capella group would be an idea choice for your entertainment, with their soulful voices in perfect harmony at your very special event.

Make it classy; make it memorable and get bring some ‘culture’ to your event.

Hottest Corporate event trends

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For all 2015 Christmas corporate events, décor will be key. Your venue needs to wow your guests from the moment they walk in, creating a special and uniquely defined space for your event. Two highly contrasting themes for decor for Christmas 2015 are high tech interactive and natural materials, enabling your company to show off its tech prowess, or boost its eco credentials.

If you choose a high tech theme, your entertainment must be 100% integrated to the whole tech ambience. Look for entertainers that offer a tech twist in their act, such as iPad illusionists, LED light performers and street magicians that work with the latest phones and mobile gadgets. 

Turn your corporate event into a natural winter wonderland with ice sculptures. Christmas walkabout artists, pine forest greenery and seasonal winter menus. Welcome guests with the warming aromas of mulled wine, or entice people out into the crisp winter air with heated seating areas, piles of rugs and sweet chestnuts roasting on a real coal brazier.

Then, extend your ‘mother earth’ eco-friendly theme beyond décor and food into acoustic musical acts, for a more ‘natural’ sound. Entertain with acoustic performances by Christmas Carol choral singers or a gospel choir singing Christmas songs, cool and trendy A Capella group.

And when you want your corporate party to finally hot up, keep the theme with classic Christmas tracks that really evoke the sights and sounds of the season with top UK function and party bands who know their Slade and their Sleigh Ride!

Take lighting to the next level and illuminate your event to create spectacle and visual interest. Any venue can be transformed with clever and creative use of lighting even on the more limited of budgets. Use party lighting to throw unusual shadows, to colour tables rather than using flowers, and use wireless technology to alter lighting states to reflect the various stages of your event.

Your entertainment should be equally well lit! Look for party DJ;s with their own light shows, rock and pop function bands that provide their own lighting, and artists that use light in imaginative ways, from fire performers to bespoke firework displays.

For larger events, book artists that have a strong visual impact enhanced by theatrical style lighting, such as dance troupes, ballet dancers or aerial artists, or the outrageous wigs and costumes of drag act.

Every guest or delegate should find your event pleasurable. This might sound like a given, but this applies just as much to winter conferences and sales meetings as high profile product launches and Christmas hospitality events.

Christening party ideas…

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The christening or baptism of a baby or child stems from the Christian religious practise of immersing oneself in water to wash away sins (The Greek word ‘baptizo’ literally means to immerse, plunge, dip, or bury in water) and in later years the ceremony became associated with the taking of a name to symbolize new life.

Adults may choose to be baptised later in life but whatever the age of the participant, the naming ceremony whether religious or otherwise is usually followed by a family celebration.

Regardless of the size of your christening or naming-ceremony, musical accompaniment will both enhance the atmosphere and entertain your guests throughout the day.

Classical music such as hiring a string quartete, harpists or solo singers are popular choices for the ceremony, with jazz bands, soul bands and pianists proving good choices for the drinks reception afterwards.

Many Christenings now also run on into the night with a party function band or DJ.

If you will have a good number of children attending then it pays to hire entertainers to keep them occupied. Check out Red Masque’s directory of great children’s entertainers, magicians & street entertainers. Also think about face painting & fancy dress costumes which are always a great way to keep them entertained.