Category Archives: Corporate Event Entertainment

What’s best for you?

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Events are an intriguing proposition. Depending on the stage at which you are at in life, certain acts may be perfectly suited to you. Others perhaps less so. You’re hardly likely to book a wine tasting for a child’s birthday party and the less said about the ‘Happy 75th’ bouncy castle booking the better. With that in mind, we thought it may be useful to run through a few ideas you may wish to have a look at depending on the life stage within which you currently reside.

Who can forget childhood? A time when you were completely carefree but were still liable to be dragged along to events at your parent’s insistence. Thankfully, many times there were acts at these events that were tailor made for you. Ah, life was hugely enjoyable when you were being entertained by such acts like a hired balloon modeller (“a dog please”) and a children’s entertainer that you happily got involved, all memories of missing your favourite cartoon on television completely forgotten.

The most important part of your wedding day is undoubtedly the exchanging of the vows, declaring a lifelong commitment to one another. Everything else is window dressing but hey, you want the finest window dressing there is. To that end, splashing out for the V&A was quite the declaration of your love. And nobody will forget the reception at the Waldorf in a hurry. And booking stilt walkers and aerialists was a great idea. With the photo booth images providing a fun way to scrapbook your event, everyone went home happy– Wait a second! Was that the Queen in attendance?

Of course, many of the acts depicted here can’t really be compartmentalised and we have lots of ideas that you can look through on our entertainment directory. So have fun, pick some entertainers that would be a real surprise and make your whole event a magical one…

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.

Time to plan New Year’s Eve 2015

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Plan your New Year’s Eve party this year and make it something truly amazing by booking from Red Masque entertainment directory. You will be able to use a lot more imagination than you thought possible – making 2016 come in with an even bigger bang!!!!

The celebration of New Year is one of the oldest annual rituals, observed globally for thousands of years by all the ancient civilizations from the Egyptians and Mayans to the Chinese and Maoris.

It is possible to take part in a New Year celebration almost every month of the year as our own western observance of New Year’s Day on January 1st only came into practice around 400 years ago.

Most of the older traditions base their new year around important social or astrological activities; the Egyptians celebrated the feast of Opet during the Nile’s inundation, the Mayan New Year varies Chinese New Year changes annually with the year of the Monkey starting on January 22nd 2004 while the Celtic celebration of Samhain is held around Halloween.

Did you know? The first people to make resolutions were the ancient Babylonians over 4000 years ago, in the belief that whatever they did on the first day of the year would affect their entire year.

The ancient Babylonian New Year was dated to the first new moon (visible crescent) after the vernal, or spring, equinox (usually March), so if you need an excuse to party, Red Masque entertainment can offer a whole year of new and unusual opportunities!

Most New Year celebrations incorporate the ideas of fertility and good luck with reviewing the past year whilst hoping for a better year ahead. The customs we follow in the UK stem mainly from old Scottish traditions of Hogmanay, whose roots date back to the pagan mid-winter practice of sun and fire worship which later linked with the Roman winter festival of Saturnalia, a decadent and uninhibited feast of food, wine and fun.

If you stay at home, make sure that the first person over the threshold after midnight is a tall, dark, handsome man, preferably carrying coal, bread and whiskey! This is the Scottish tradition of First Footing and ensures good luck, health and wealth for the coming year.

Blondes and red heads are considered bad luck, stemming from the fear of rape and pillage by the fair haired Viking invaders!

In English and German folk belief, special significance was attached to the sex, stature, appearance, complexion and even the occupation of the first person one encountered in the New Year, and over the years we have taken this one step further and made a tradition of kissing a special person (or whoever’s closest to hand) immediately as the New Year is ushered in. So get stuck in and have a very Happy New Year!

Engage in the idea…

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Your engagement is a promise to marriage as well as the period of time between the proposal and your marriage. During your engagement you are said to be affianced, betrothed, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Future brides and bridegrooms are often referred to as fiancées or fiancés respectively (from the French word fiancé).

Long engagements were once common in formal arranged marriages and it was not uncommon for parents betrothing children to arrange such many years before the engaged couple were old enough to marry. .

Engagement parties.

Some engagements are announced at an engagement party, traditionally hosted by the bride’s parents. These parties are given in the family’s usual style of entertainment. Traditionally, engagement parties were normal parties at which a surprise announcement of the engagement was made by the father of the bride to his guests. Therefore, it is not a traditional gift-giving occasion, as none of the guests were supposed to be aware of the engagement until after their arrival.

In modern times, engagement parties often celebrate a previously publicized engagement.

Because it’s often the case that many guests don’t know each other very well, it’s important to ensure you have plenty of ‘ice breakers’. When two families are coming together for the first time it can be a nerve racking experience and so the more you can put guests at ease the better.

Think about a magician or a caricaturist or maybe even a pianist to play light background music whilst guests arrive & chat.

If you have space then try a jazz band who could play up tempo lively music to keep spirits high and feet tapping whilst you great guests and show off your engagement ring!

Ensure the drinks are flowing throughout the party and in no time the two families will be getting to know each other and soaking up the party atmosphere.

Party themes…

If you got engaged in an interesting location, you might like to theme your engagement party to suit. Hawaiian or beach themes are relatively easy to put together, as are New York, Las Vegas, Mexican, Australian themes etc.

No party is complete without live music so if your budget can stretch to a party function band it will be a sound investment towards ensuring the success of your big night.

It’s important to consider the age range of the guests who will be attending your party as grandparents, although actually some of the ‘most-likely-to-dance’ members of the party might not be quite so keen on hard rock or gangsta rap.

Go Vintage…

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Vintage themed corporate events are a big hit this year. There are all sorts of great vintage style corporate entertainment to be hired, including: a 1950s inspired pool party, complete with dressed up waitresses and synchronised swimmers; seeing the likes of 40s/50s dance troupes with a Vintage DJ…. 
Why not have your very own Vintage theme party and serve up vintage style beverages– why not browse our Red Masque website today to arrange the ideal food and drinks entertainment for your corporate event.

Book string quartet for your vintage corporate event to give your guests the rare opportunity to relive the 1950s musical trend that was three-part harmony singing. Close harmony singing requires huge talent and many years of practice, and when executed magnificently, like our artists can, your guests will be blown away!  
Jazz bands and orchestras dominated what we now call the ‘vintage music scene’ of the early 20th century, which became popular in the 1910s in New Orleans and quickly spread to the UK and Europe. We have a huge collection of jazz bands, duos, trios and Jazz artists for hire to give your vintage themed corporate entertainment the sophistication and class it needs – enquire today!

Where jazz brings sophistication, class and charm; swing, jive and rock n roll will bring movement and lots of it! Get your guests dancing all night long with one of Red Masques directory artists using swing bands, jive bands or 50s style rock and roll bands. 

When you book your corporate entertainment through Red Masque entertainment you are guaranteed a class act from professional musicians and entertainers. 
To book your ideal vintage corporate entertainment, just click on the band or entertainer’s name and fill out and online booking form there and then. You are then able to discuss in personal all your needs and wants for your important corporate event.

Location, Location, Location

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With a rather ‘strange name’ this venue is one of London’s hottest new places to go called ‘The Mayor of Scaredy Cat’ This is located on Artillery Lane in central London guests have to enter this unusual venue by walking through a Smeg fridge – all you have to do is ask to see ‘The Mayor’!

Before journeying down through the Smeg fridge to see the Mayor guests can enjoy a delicious meal in the restaurant. Of course it is the basement bar that is the main attraction; the interior is a mix between industrial chic with bare brick walls and exposed ceilings and light fixtures, and rustic charm with high wooden tables and stools and even a stuffed deer’s head on one of the walls! Their intriguing cocktail menu is just as novel with delights like ‘Basil-No-Faulty’ and ‘Rosie and Gin’ on offer. The menu also informs guests about some of the rules of this quirky venue, including the method of exiting the bar, which we are told, is just as entertaining as the entrance!

The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town can be hired exclusively for private parties and events and makes a really unique venue that will be sure to impress guests no end.

Another venue to consider is Café de Paris offers a great position by bustling Coventry Street. From the moment you step through the doorway you are transported into another world seemingly hundreds of miles away from the modernity of the city above.

Home of cabaret and fine dining since 1929 Café de Paris is still regarded as one of London’s best cabaret venues. Retaining many of its unique original features, it truly is a spectacular and opulent venue – sweeping staircases, ornate finishes, glittering chandeliers and an exquisite ‘Titanic’ ballroom all add to the club’s naughty but nice feel.

Despite the venue’s antique look it houses state of the art sound, light and staging facilities capable of catering to even the most demanding of shows. Its versatile event space can be used in a multitude of different ways: standing events, seated dinners, dinners and dances, and theatre style shows. With a capacity of 180 to 715 people, a mezzanine level and VIP room it is a unique location for product launches, award ceremonies, presentations, incentive events and champagne receptions.

Red Masque directory is able to cater for cabaret style entertainment for Café de Paris where hiring a burlesque dancer wouldn’t go a miss along with some authentic dancers to really wow your guests.

Capital events

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London is one of the world’s most multicultural cities offering a whole host of exciting attractions and activities that you won’t find anywhere else. Amongst the bustling streets is a treasure trove of unique venues perfect for hosting corporate events and private functions. You can look forward to venues with stunning Birdseye views across the city, boudoir-style cabaret clubs, a floating cinema and the UK’s only permanent ice bar and to name only a few…

So let’s talk about this fabulous venue in London Ice Bar. This is one of the most unique venues that London has to offer; just off Regent Street. As the name suggests this stunning venue is made completely out of ice – the walls, bar, tables and even the glasses – kept at -5 degrees all year round, this venue isn’t just a seasonal occurrence.

Ice bar will give your guests a wow factor experience that will be a talking point for months to come. Ideal for receptions, hen and stag parties and even team building exercises as staff brave the environment with an icy cocktail in hand! After the 40 minute session you can recline in warmer areas outside of Ice bar. They can dine on delicious dishes in the restaurant which has a capacity of up to 180 guests standing. Enjoy drinks and canapés in the smaller lounge with space for 45 guests or the ground floor cocktail bar for up to 70 guests.

Using the clearest ice, a team of skilled ice designers and sculptors create this stunning ice landscape, which is completely reinvented once a year. Sessions are booked in 40 minute timeslots due to the low temperature inside the venue and guests are given thermal gloves and capes to wear when experiencing this amazing environment!

No corporate event is complete without entertainment to impress and engage staff.  Red Masque entertainment directory has a number of walkabout acts that would fit perfectly with this cool venue. Our canapé girls will look right at home wrapped in elegant furs handing out mini oeuvres will add to the winter atmosphere and create a great talking point.

The glory of Gospel

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If you wanted to make a great impression and entertain your guests on another level then why not set your sights high and have the best entertainment for your event. Have a blast by hiring one of the best Gospel choirs in the country. The power and beauty of gospel music is undeniable. If you’re looking for moving and enjoyable music straight from the soul then consider hiring a great gospel choir for your next event. The beauty, soul and tradition of gospel music is irresistible and we have the best in the business available here at Red Masque.

Gospel choirs are always uplifting and a great choice for any party and event. You could be organising a Wedding surprise, a corporate event or a launch party and in need of something special to mark the event. Hire a gospel choir for your event and provide your guests with an entertaining and unforgettable experience.

Finding top entertainers for a variety of different events is our business. We specialise in corporate event entertainment, party and wedding entertainment and understand that it is an important aspect of any business. Corporate events are used to impress potential clients and existing employees and when it comes to entertainment, making an impression with guests is paramount. Having a top entertainer as part of your party or event is crucial if you need to impress, which is why the entertainers we recommend are made up of only the very best available in the UK.

Bring on the bands…

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A great way to have a party with different genres of music is to hire some tribute bands. They can go all the way back to the songs of your youth up until the present day. Wouldn’t it be fun to dress up to really make the evening really authentic. A themed party is always a guaranteed crowd pleaser and with so many bands and DJ’s available you’re sure to find the perfect party entertainment here at Red Masque. 

Music can be used to create nostalgia and to create the ambiance that you have been searching for, for whatever event you have lined up. Why not hire all types of music from all era’s and dance the night away to different decades, this is a great way to include all ages in your special event.

Or why not try some of the big bands featured here on Red Masque. The thrill of the ‘big band sound’ wowing your guests. Why not show your friends or your corporate guests a really good time with a top band to entertain the masses. Enjoy the musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era with incredible singers and sensational bands recreating the sounds of the 1920’s and 30’s. The Big Band produces a sound and feeling unlike any other.

Knowing that Red Masque only advertise the best you will be safe in the knowledge that your chosen act will not let you down.  Finding the perfect party entertainers, wedding entertainers and event entertainers couldn’t be easier. Browse through our categories and book your chosen acts directly.

Party preparation

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Fireworks aren’t exclusive to bonfire night anymore; they are used to celebrate all sorts of celebrations or functions. Many weddings now organise a display of fireworks congratulating the new bride and groom and for a special event like this it can be the icing on the cake at the end of the evening. 

Young and old alike love fireworks, you can choose for the noisy option or keep it beautifully quiet and graceful the choice is yours. Find the best firework specialists available for hire in the UK today. From traditional firework displays designed to your requirements to firewriting and driveway spark showers. Add some sparkle to a wedding day or corporate event with brethtaking shows tailor made for you.

Ice sculptures can be another unique feature at your special event. If you were having a grand affair, ice sculptures ooze opulence and are very different. From ice sculptures to table pieces and vodka luges to objects frozen in ice, there’s a whole lot of things you can do with some frozen h2o. Creative, innovative and dynamic works of art that can be designed specifically with your event in mind. Whether it be your company logo or something intricate and beautiful, they guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. 

If you need a great Marquee for your event then you have come to the right place. Red Masque has the most elegant Marquees for hire and the best promotional staff that can entertain your guests or wait on them. Let the party come to you with marquees to hire for your weddings, parties and corporate events. A great range of top quality marquees and themed tents with all the necessary equipment including a selection of furniture and decorations. 

Here at Red Masque we also have the best fantasy photo and booths advertised, you had better be quick though as they are hot property at the moment. With different props and costumes for your guests to put on and just generally making a fool of themselves.  It’s a brilliant icebreaker at an office party or at a birthday party or wedding, a great souvenir of your special day. What could be more special than Uncle Ernie being captured wearing a ladies wig and huge glasses.

If you only wanted the most professional then rest assured that your event will run smoother by booking from a reputable entertainment directory which only advertises the very best.