Category Archives: Dance Group

Themed Dance Acts

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If you are organising an event with a ‘Theme’ and you don’t want it to be just your guests who look the part, then why not hire a Themed Dance Act to really make your event authentic.  Imagine you want a ‘20’s party and you would like to hire a group of dancers that will dance the Charleston, in that eras costume. You could be organising an 80’s event, Elvis event or even Abba. Make the most of your chosen theme and choose the fitting entertainment for the night ahead

Hire a Themed Dance act, they’re perfect for school reunions, corporate events or private parties. Your guests will think that they have truly gone back in time or to another era. Keep your guests entertained for hour with themed dance act from our selection of dancer available here at Red Masque.

If you’d like to book a professional Themed Dance Act for a great day/evening then simply have a look at our many Themed Dance Acts we have available.  Our online booking form is very simple to use, just fill out your contact details and your act of your choice will be in contact with you to discuss further. There’s no middle man and extra costs involved, you have direct contact with your chosen entertainers at all times

Click here To book Themed Dance acts for parties, weddings and events.

Podium Dancers

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Here at Red Masque entertainment agency you will be able to hire Professional Podium and Club Dancers for your special occasion. Book female and male podium dancers for your party from the best selection of club dancers in the country today. The podium dancers provide a fantastic show! They can be hired to perform a complete show including demonstrations, or as nightclub dancers to dance throughout the night, entertaining clubbers until the early hours of the morning!  It will be hard to get your guests to leave!!

Imagine you need that extra ‘wow’ factor for your Launch party event. Booking a Podium Dancer for an event is just a click away. You can book podium dancers for private parties, corporate events, nightclubs or promotional events. Add that something extra special to make your party one to remember.

Booking is easy you can look on the list of acts that interest you and will be able to book podium dancers using our online booking form, or if you prefer you can contact our friendly staff and they can guide you as to which act maybe suitable for your function, or you can contact your entertainer directly from the details provided in their listing. So to find podium dancers to hire look no further as we have the best in the UK, here at Red Masque.

Click here to book – Podium Dancers for hire in the UK.

Dance Groups

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Dance groups to hire for a party can be booked for any event large or small; Red Masque entertainment finder can bring you a variety of professional dance groups guaranteed to entertain your guests.

Red Masque can help add that spark to the day and make your event the talk of the town.  You can hire dance groups for many different events, whether it is for a product launch, street party or a birthday party, the choice is yours…

Any function, event or party can include dance groups of any kind from belly dancers, street dancers, contemporary dancers, ballroom or Irish. Any dance groups will make an excellent choice as an entertainment option.

If you don’t see what you are looking for, our entertainment agency can offer that personal touch by recommending favourite acts. So contact us and we’ll help find it for you. We offer the best dance groups to hire in the UK so are assured that we have only the top acts in our entertainment directory. If you do happen to find a dance group you particularly like then you can fill out an enquiry form and we will do the rest. Booking a dance group has never been easier thanks to Red Masque entertainer finder.

 

Street Dance

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The history of street dance is said to be divided into two eras.These are Old school and New school. Almost all of roots of street dance is African American culture namely, hip hop culture. Keep your mind that hip hop dance is one part of hip hop culture. Hip hop dance is categorized into New school.

In Old school, there are B-boying, Locking, Popping etc.

B-boying is frequently called Break dance or Breaking but these names are not actually correct. B-boying was born in the South Bronx of New York in the early 1970’s. In the beginning, B-boying is called Good Foot (It is the name of James Brown’s hit tune.). Good Foot was different from B-boying in that Good foot didn’t include acrobatic move. The middle of 1970’s Good Foot became to called “boie-oie-oings”. It is the base of today’s B-boying, but it does not include acrobatic move too. The last 1970’s, Puerto Rican young dancers revolutionized B-boying. They started acrobatic move in B-boying like Windmill.

Locking was born in Los Angeles in 1960’s. It was perfected by “The Lockers”. The roots of Locking is said Robot dance. In 1969, an African American young man became famous with his dance. His name was Don Campbell, and his dance was Campbell Lock. Campbell Lock was new in all point, it’s move was unique and comical. In 1970, Don Campbell formed The Lockers. Their style was amusing and unique so many people were attracted by them.

Popping was born in Los Angeles in 1960’s. It was created by ELECTRIC BOOGALOO. The roots of Popping is said Robot dance. As you may recognize, Locking and Popping is like brothers. But Popping’s move is stranger than Locking’s one. I’ll give you the video of Popping. check it out.

Hip hop has roots in all street dances. It means that Hip hop is free and it is difficult to define hip hop. Hip hop dance history is with Hip hop culture. So, I cannot tell you who started Hip hop dance but certainly African Americans made it.

The major source in house dance movement streams directly from the music and the elements within the music such as Jazz, African, Latin, Soul, R&B, Funk, Hip Hop, etc. The other source is the people, the individuals and their characteristics, ethnicities, origin, etc. You have people of all walks of life partying under one roof. Thus you have exchanges of information (body language) house dance is a social dance before these competitions.

Maypole dancing

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The earliest Maypoles were part of a celebration of Summer which would be linked in with mystical things like tree worship and more basic things like an excuse for entertainment, dancing and having a good time.

They were probably just simple trees cut down and re-erected in the centre of a village green. We know that by the 16th and 17th centuries they were often very tall as we have paintings showing people dancing around them and the Puritans, who hated them, described in great detail what they were destroying, although the actual dances were not recorded.

After the Restoration many Maypoles were reinstated and a notable one was in the Strand. This was 134 foot high (41m) and stood there until Sir Isaac Newton used parts of it as a base for his telescope! Some of the maypoles from that period still survive in villages around the country. None of these maypoles had ribbons so the dances were probably any circular dances that were popular at the time.

The Maypole Dancing that people know today, happened because John Ruskin introduced it at Whitelands College in 1881 and created a series of dances and a May Pageant.

Generations of teachers learnt all about these and took them wherever they went on to teach and by the middle of the 20th century it had become a major tradition, much of which survives to the present day but for some years had been dying out as fewer teachers knew the dances.

Fortunately over the last few years Maypole Dancing has had a bit of a revival for all sorts of reasons to do with a greater awareness of our own culture and the sheer enjoyment by dancers and audience alike. The difference now is that there is a far greater degree of creativity with new dances and styles being invented all the time.

Music
In the early days the music would have been played on instruments like the Pipe & Tabor or the English Bagpipes and we can see these in those early paintings.

By the time John Ruskin came along the concertina or the fiddle would have been added and then later instruments would have included the accordion, flutes or any instruments that were loud enough to work in the open air. That still hold true but now often people dance to recorded music, whether recordings of country dance music and instruments like those mentioned or even pop songs and rap.

Cuban dance

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After the arrival of Spain, various European dance forms began to take over in Cuba with the French contredanse being particularly popular. This gave rise to the Cuban contradanza, which spawned many of the ballroom dances found today including danzón, mambo and cha-cha-cha. Let’s look at them in more detail!

Cha-cha-cha

Cha-cha-cha or cha-cha (either is fine) came to be very popular in the 1950s when it was danced to the music of the same name by popular Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín. Another dance that originated from danzón, the name is onomatopoeic, derived from the sound of the scraper (a guiro) and the shuffling of dancing feet. It is notable for having a rhythm that many social dancers don’t get quite right; the count is meant to be ‘two, three, cha-cha-cha’ but many erroneously believe the dance to begin with ‘one, two, cha-cha-cha’. So now you know!

Bolero

The Cuban bolero or Trova does not owe its origin to the Spanish music and song of the same name, instead coming to prominence in Santiago de Cuba in the last quarter of the 19th century. The style began when a group of musicians earned their living by moving about the city and singing and playing the guitar to passers-by. Pepe Sánchez is widely heralded as the creator of the Cuban bolero but because he was so naturally skilled at the compositions, he never wrote any down and most are lost. Thankfully a few of Sánchez’s works remain as his compatriots would occasionally note them down after hearing him perform. The style is extremely popular throughout Latin America and has been since its inception.

Danzón

Watch that ó! Danzón is the official musical genre and dance of Cuba, which is also enjoyed across Mexico and Puerto Rico. Evolving from the contradanza, it is a fusion of African rhythmic dance styles and European influences. Developed in 1879, it is an important root for Cuban culture today and is highly distinctive; each dance begins with an introduction of four bars followed by a ‘paseo’ of another four bars. This repeats and is then followed by sixteen bars of melody. During the introduction and paseo, dancers walk to the floor, talk, choose a partner—And then begin dancing on the fourth bar of the paseo. After the initial melody is performed, the dance repeats – four bars, paseo, four bars, paseo, melody – and so on and so forth! It is most often performed to the tune of Charanga bands, which include a cello, flute, double bass and more.

Mambo

Mambo is a dance form that originated in Cuba and has since been developed by Cuban musicians across North America and Mexico. The word ‘mambo’ actually comes from Kikongo, a language spoken by Central African slaves who were taken to Cuba many centuries ago, and means “Conversation with the Gods.” Modern mambo began with a song called ‘Mambo’ from 1938 and was heavily inspired by danzón and African folk music.

Salsa

Salsa dancing originated from the cha-cha-cha and mambo dances of the early 20th century and actually began in New York in the 1970s. American dancers incorporated their own favoured dances like swing and hustle into the mix as well as guaguanco and pachanga, dances that are synonymous with Afro-Cuba and the Afro-Caribbean. Ideally, the upper body is to remain level whilst the legs move in time to the music. It’s a very rhythmic dance, often associated with passion due to the intensity of the dancers’ concentration.

Ballet

Cuba has ballet schools throughout the country with one of their most famous celebrities, Carlos Acosta, famous all over the world. To give some idea to the scale of Cuba’s love with ballet, the National Ballet School in Havana is home to roughly 3,000 students, making it comfortably the largest ballet school in the world. Such is the pride that Cubans take in their ballet that throughout Castro’s reign, the dance receive state support for both dance education and performance.

Dance group entertainment

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For entertainment that really gets your party started, it’s hard to beat a professional dancer for sheer energy, visual impact, and more than a touch of glamour.

Dancers and dance companies perform choreographed routines that combine music and movement into an energetic and elegant form of entertainment. Most dance groups offer a range of traditional, classical and contemporary dance styles, including elegant ballroom dancing, street dance, Las Vegas style showgirls, traditional Irish dancing, Latin American tango, Spanish flamenco, and the more risqué charms of burlesque.

Most dancers for hire and dance troupe offer either a standard show that can be adapted to your venue and event, or as bespoke option to create exactly the mood and feel you require for your event.
Whether you’re looking for a solo belly dancer to surprise guests at a birthday party, or classical ballerina to add grace and elegance to your product launch, dancers and dance groups provide an energetic, engaging, and ultimately highly entertaining show for your guests.

Most dancers and dance troupes are extremely versatile, often offering a wide variety of dance styles for your event. Chances are, if a dance troupe focuses exclusively on one or two dance styles or forms, they will have a high level of expertise in these forms and therefore put on a more authentic show.

Some of the dance companies featured at Red Masque Directory will create bespoke shows just for you, and bring in dancers and performers with the correct level of skills required. So, just because they don’t specialise in Street Dance for example, they can probably call on some very good performers if you require a bespoke urban style performance.

Take a little time to look at the Profiles of dancers and dance companies here on Red Masque Directory. All companies will feature photographs of their dancers, and some offer video, a great way to see what they look like in action.

Here are 10 things to consider when booking entertainment

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1. Type of entertainment for your event

What type of event are you hosting? There are different types of entertainment to suit different kinds of events. Booking the right type of entertainment is essential.

For example;
A Dance music DJ would be suitable for an 18th Birthday party but wouldn’t go down too well at a 70th birthday (Unless they are young at heart!).

Whereas a Country Band would be perfect for a 70th Birthday party but would not be suitable for an 18th party!

Make sure that the entertainment you book matches the theme and requirements of your event so that everyone can have a good time.

2. Plan Early

Make sure that you plan and book your entertainment early. Don’t leave it to the last minute as the most popular Bands, Entertainers and Acts have bookings 2 – 3 years in advance (especially with weddings). Avoid disappointment and start looking for entertainment as soon as you have your venue booked.

3. Location of Entertainer

When searching for the perfect Entertainer for your event, try to find someone local which can save your precious budget instead of paying travel expenses. If you book an entertainer located over 200 miles away they are obviously going to charge extra for travel, or even an overnight hotel stays. One exception is when you are booking a completely unique entertainer that you won’t find in your local area.

4. Date of event

Be mindful of the date of your event. You may find that your entertainer charges a smaller fee for midweek gigs. Also consider that most entertainers charge more for events like New Year’s Eve and Christmas Holidays.

5. Experience

How much experience does your entertainer have? Are they full-time entertainers? Have they previously performed at events like yours? Ask for testimonials – Every good entertainer should have them!

6. Setup Requirements

Different entertainers require different setups. Some bands will need a large stage area to fit their sound and lighting rig, while solo acts can stand in the corner of your room with just an instrument and microphone. Make sure that you plan the layout of your room and discuss setup arrangements with your entertainer. Ensure enough time for your entertainer to set their equipment up and sufficient access to load equipment into your venue.

7. Contract

Does your entertainer use a written agreement or contract? If they don’t, how do you know that they will turn up on the event? Start late? Finish early? Charge you more? A written contract is essential when booking entertainment, as it guarantees that your entertainer will provide the service that is specified on the date and times you require. The contract should also specify the fee for the entertainer.

8. Public liability insurance

Booking an entertainer without public liability insurance can end up being an expensive mistake. Firstly, some venues and hotels require entertainers to produce a PLI certificate. If your entertainers cannot prove that they are insured, the manager won’t let them in! Imagine you have a room packed full of guests attending your event and your entertainment is not allowed in… What a Disaster! Secondly you may be liable for the costs if the entertainer you have booked causes damage to individuals or property in the venue. What if your entertainer had equipment that fell on top of a guest or member of staff? For peace of mind; make sure your entertainer has Public Liability Insurance. Don’t take a risk!

9. PAT Testing

If your entertainers use any electronic equipment, they are required by law to have it PAT tested (Portable Appliance Test) for electrical safety. It is a UK legal requirement for your entertainer to have their equipment tested annually, to comply with The Electricity at Work Act 1989. PAT testing is also necessary to meet the requirements of the entertainers PLI policy. Does this matter to me? Yes, as some venues and hotels also won’t let your entertainer perform without a valid PAT certificate.

10. Price

When booking party entertainment, don’t always go for the cheapest entertainer. Why? Because booking entertainment isn’t the same as looking for the cheapest TV or the best Insurance quote. Your entertainer needs to be of a professional standard and have the experience to entertain you guests. Their equipment needs to be of a professional quality, so that it doesn’t break down on the night. Also their service needs to be professional so that you are happy with booking. Notice the word professional is used a lot?

Solo Dancers and Dance Groups

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For entertainment that really gets your party started, it’s hard to beat a professional dancer for sheer energy, visual impact, and more than a touch of glamour.

Dancers and dance companies perform choreographed routines that combine music and movement into an energetic and elegant form of entertainment. Most dance groups for hire offer a range of traditional, classical and contemporary dance styles, including elegant ballroom dancing, street dance, Las Vegas style showgirls, traditional Irish dancing, Latin American tango, Spanish flamenco, and the more risqué charms of burlesque.

Most dancers and dance troops offer either a standard show that can be adapted to your venue and event, or as bespoke option to create exactly the mood and feel you require for your event.

Whether you’re looking to hire a belly dancer to surprise guests at a birthday party, or classical ballerina to add grace and elegance to your product launch, dancers and dance groups provide an energetic, engaging, and ultimately highly entertaining show for your guests.

What to look for in a quality dancer/dance group

Dancers can be formally trained at dance schools, ballet schools and performance academies, or some may just be naturally good at dance. So, it’s not always a measure of quality to look at the training each dancer or members of a dance troupe have received. The exceptions are, of course, classical ballet and ballroom dancing, both of which involve many years of training, and there are definite advantages of years of training for dance forms such as jazz, tap and Latin American dance.

If they have performed at major venues, in professional dance shows, ballet companies or West End shows, or have performed for global brands, chances are they are of high quality, have relevant experience, and deliver a great show.

Most dancers and dance troupes are extremely versatile, often offering a wide variety of dance styles for your event. Chances are, if a dance troupe focuses exclusively on one or two dance styles or forms, they will have a high level of expertise in these forms and therefore put on a more authentic show.

Some of the dance companies featured at Red Masque Directory will create bespoke shows just for you, and bring in dancers and performers with the correct level of skills required. So, just because they don’t specialise in Street Dance for example, they can probably call on some very good performers if you require a bespoke urban style performance.

Take a little time to look at the Profiles of dancers and dance companies here on Red Masque Directory. All companies will feature photographs of their dancers, and some offer video, a great way to see what they look like in action.

A reliable Directory

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You can save enough time and energy when you engage a good entertainment directory in most cases, we have taken care of the brain work you would have carried out, and have the best unique and highly acclaimed artists in the business.

Red Masque will help you filter available options. You can get several options when thinking of hiring bands, singers, musicians, comedians and other artists. You may be confused especially when you don’t know any of the artists in person. You can save yourself the trouble by ensuring that Red Masque only advertises the very best and whatever choice you make will always be the right one.

We understand exactly what you want. You are able to contact various artists of your choosing and meet if you so wish to choose suitable music or songs for your event.

With a reliable entertainment directory, you can get suitable price for hiring a band. You can also get the right price for other artists you may want to hire.

To locate us, you have to come online; which is the first step. There are several agencies offering unique services on the internet, but you need to consider some factors when looking for the right agency. You have to compare several agencies before making your choice. You can ask the manager some questions. Or you can also arrange a private interview with each artist. This will help you make the right choice.