Category Archives: Entertainment

Team Building Exercises

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Red Masque has got to mention the city of London for this and the surrounding region, providing fun entertainment ideas and equipment hire.

If you are based down south and want to organise an incredible team building adventure for all your staff and colleagues, fret no more. 

Here are 7 fun team building ideas for London…

 1. Sack Race/ Egg and Spoon Race/ Tug of War

Remember those classic school sports day events like tug of war and sack race? 

Relive the school days and have a laugh with your colleagues by hiring these activities and heading to one of the city’s green areas including Greenwich Park, Green Park, or Kensington Gardens. 

These are huge green spaces that are free to use and perfect for some fresh outdoor fun! 

2. Roll-a-Ball Donkey Derby 

London is renowned for its races from Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium to the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race. Channel your competitiveness and whittle out the boys from the men with our Roll-a-Ball Donkey Derby. 

Its great fun for all those involved and it can take place indoors so it’s not weather permitting which is ideal, especially given the great British climate!

3. Archery hire

Pick up your bow and arrow, take aim and bullseye! Archery is a fantastic team building exercise- it’s a low impact and a safe sport for all abilities.

Archery was a big sport in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Held over an eight-day period, four events took place in front of around 6,500 spectators. It is a truly historic sport, a contest of mind and body control, as well as precision. 

It has roots dating back to its use as a weapon of hunting and war in ancient times- so what are you waiting for, hunt for food and wage war with your boss with our help!

4. it’s a Knockout

It’s a Knockout was a classic British comedy game show first broadcast in 1966.

It was adapted from a French show and the series was broadcast for over 15 years on BBC1. It has since returned to our screens on numerous occasions but the games have always remained the same- school sports day for adults. 

Recreate the fun for your business with a frantic, energetic, highly motivating game that is thoroughly entertaining.

5. Build a tower

The Tower of London is a famous historical castle, otherwise known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress.

Based on the River Thames in central London, it’s a popular tourist attraction alongside the Tower Bridge and Big Ben.

If you’re fed up of looking out of your office window and seeing the iconic structures day in day out, why not recreate them in the comfort of your own office space with our Build a Tower Team Building.  

6. BAKTAK Pro 

BATAK Pro is a piece of equipment specifically designed to improve reaction, enhance hand eye coordination as well as stamina. 

Forget running round London Hyde Park to burn off some energy, sixty seconds against the clock with our BATAK Pro is just what you need to get the adrenaline pumping whilst your colleagues flock round to watch the show. 

 7. Cash grabber

Why not create your very own game show with a Cash Grabber Cylinder! They’re fantastic fun and perfect for competitions or promotions. For the extra ‘wow’ factor, hire alongside our Game Show Hire 

So there you have it- 7 team building exercises for London. Just take a look at all the other equipment hire you could have at your event!!

10 quick tips to help your day run as smoothly as possible…

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Whether you’re planning a family or a corporate fun day, you’ll want to achieve an incredible atmosphere. Here’s 10 quick tips to help you run your day as smoothly as possible, and ensure everyone has a great time!

1. Book a suitable space

Decide where your fun day will be held and book it well in advance. A local pub garden, school field or community hall are all good places to hold a fun day. You need to make sure there is adequate room for everything you have planned. Also check if there are toilets and power available. You can add some little touches, such as bunting to bring the place to life, or choose a theme for throughout the fun day.

2. Logistics

The chances are, your chosen location, will not have insurance for all the activities you have planned. You will need to make sure you have suitable insurance for everything you have planned and ensure all electrical equipment is tested by relevant inspectors.
You will also need to ensure risk assessments are completed to make sure everyone is safe.

3. Choosing a date and time

Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to organise the day. You’ll be much more relaxed when the day comes along if you know you’ve spent time planning all the details.
Choose a date that doesn’t clash with anything such as big sporting events like football cup finals, or Wimbledon finals. Create a realistic timeline for the day and take into consideration the time needed to set and clean up.

4. Something for the kids

A good variety of stalls and activities ensures kids will have a great time and never want to leave. Children of all ages enjoy face painting and inflatable slides. Play zones are a great option for little ones, and for those a bit older, circus school workshops and rodeo sheep are great opportunities to show off their skills.

5. Something for the big kids!

We all have an inner child that wants to get out and have some fun! Adults are bound to be competing with the smaller guests on most activities, but items such as cash grabbers, gladiator jousts, sumo costumes, and a rodeo bull are great fun for adults who enjoy a fun challenge.

6. Refreshments

Kids of all ages will be needing some refreshments to give them energy to keep on having fun.
Candyfloss, ice cream and popcorn, are great options to keep the party atmosphere.

7. Shelter in case of rain

As we all know, the British weather cannot be trusted! It is worth thinking about hiring canopies, tents and or marques for shelter, should it rain.

8. Something Personal

You may want to add that personal touch to your fun day. Whether it’s a business fun day and you want somewhere for business cards and flyers, or a fun wedding and you’d like somewhere to put the cake, an empty wooden cart is the ideal space to do this.

9. Somewhere to relax

Having so much fun can occasionally catch up with you! Your guests will really appreciate a spot to take the weight off their feet and recharge for some more fun. Deck chairs are a fab way to keep the fun atmosphere and provide a comfy spot to relax. If you want something really fun, a giant deck chair is just the thing!

10. Book us!

At Red Masque, we advertise a wide selection of high quality equipment to suit all ages, we offer advice through our blogs so your event will be hassle free making your event the most exciting day that you have ever hosted.

How to attract more visitors to your event

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One of the smartest ways to attract visitors in a trade show and convert them from prospects to sales and, consequently, loyal followers, is to have a magician on your stand! In fact, it has been evidenced that live entertainment and demonstrations comprise a powerful and highly effective marketing tool that help engage visitors in an exhibition hall. That aside, Magicians that perform a bespoke presentation can successfully communicate your brand’s messages and goals in the most fun, interactive, and engaging way. Ideal when product recognition and identification is the need!

What do you want when participating in a trade show or exhibition? Make the difference. Stand out from your competitors. Let the world know of your amazing product or service. Boost your sales. Inform. The list of objectives could be long, but bottom line, you want recognition and an unbeatable way people will remember you by. Then, the road is open for more aggressive marketing; marketing that will increase your revenue and help you create a database of loyal clients, who will refer you to others. Trade Show Magicians can achieve exactly that for you. It really is amazing how much you can accomplish with just a few inches of space on the edge of your stand!

In a nutshell, with Magicians you can:

  • Attract three times more people to your stand.
  • Keep your prospects warm when your sales team is busy, minimising the number of lost leads.
  • Create brand awareness and promote your corporate image.
  • Entertain your existing clients.

Engage and Inform prospects in a fun way that doesn’t feel like a struggle to promote your company and make a sale.

Boost your sales (guaranteed)

To encourage mingling, start the party off with some exciting party entertainment. This is a particularly good time to break the ice in those awkward moments when you have only just met other guests and family for the first time. Chosen Events can supply you with something completely unexpected, such as a magician, fortune teller, celebrity lookalikes, or a caricaturist. Guests will be drawn together to discuss what is going on, which will get them interacting with each other.

If you choose caricaturists, it also creates the opportunity to send your guests home with a truly unique party favour.

Whether you are planning a Private Party, Wedding, Prom, Bar Mitzvah, or Corporate Event, you can’t go wrong by hiring a live band. While it’s true that most guests are content with a party DJ, anyone who has ever attended a party with a live band will tell you that it made the night so much better. In fact, it is not unusual for guests or even the person the party is honouring to admit that a live band is what made the night truly unforgettable.

After all, live party bands will get your guests excited and pumped up. While not everyone likes to dance, even the most ardent anti dancer won’t be able to stop themselves when a great live band is performing classic and modern party songs.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Corporate Entertainment

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There are plenty of acts and performers geared towards the corporate entertainment market, ensuring that businesses ‘stand out’. But to get the most out of your corporate entertainment you must make sure that:

• You pursue a wow factor or unique entertainment idea that will impress guests and ensure that the event is talked about.

• If the entertainment you require is for an exhibition or trade stand, that the acts or performers you book will increase footfall and draw guests to your stand.

• You use entertainment that can incorporate your logo or corporate message.

• You are aware of the latest entertainment trends to appear ahead of the game/up to date.

Some Corporate Planning Entertainment Ideas

Enquiries for cutting edge entertainment that use the latest technologies and techniques to impress corporate guests at events are increasing as businesses strive to stand out and stay ahead of the game.

These top corporate entertainment ideas will ensure that you make the most out of your corporate event, and that it is talked about for all the right reasons:

• IPad magicians offer cutting edge magic shows that use the latest iPad technologies and performance techniques (and humour!) to wow corporate audiences. Can incorporate products, messages and logos. A definite talking point.

• Corporate percussion groups are geared towards corporate clients and will perform using products i.e. ladders, machinery, etc. These shows also have added wow factor, as they are a fast paced, high energy performance.

• LED and laser shows are the here and now of corporate entertainment. These seriously ‘in’ corporate shows will incorporate logos and even interact with audiences. This is entertainment for businesses that want their event to stand out.

• Walking, talking Robots are great for corporate events that include trade shows, exhibitions and conventions, or as great walk around acts who can meet and greet guests. Interactive robots will impress all the right people whatever your corporate event.

• Video mapping dance groups are proving to be a big hit so far this year for corporate events. New technologies have allowed performers to take their dance/visual performances to the next level as humans and computers merge. These acts can incorporate specific music and graphics, as well as logos and corporate messages.

• Sand artists have been popular with corporate events since Ukraine’s Got Talent featured a female sand artist that took the internet by storm. These talented artists will perform custom made sand animations for a variety of corporate events. These shows have definite wow factor that will ensure your event is remembered!

In Conclusion

Corporate event planners must keep a few key points in mind to ensure that their event is a success. 

Entertainment for corporate events needs to be targeted specifically towards key target audiences, ensuring that it is suitable for guests and attendees. Event professionals dealing with corporate environments must continually strive to seek out the best entertainment that will make an impact and a lasting impression. 

The acts, shows or performers must be current, be able to incorporate logos and branding, but most importantly, they must be unique. Make sure entertainment is interactive for a truly personal experience, and this will go a long way towards impressing your guests. Event entertainment is big business. Event planners are simply spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing acts and performers for events, as there is a plethora of entertainment to choose from.

Fantasy photos and booths for Hire

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Capture the memories of your event in the latest and most entertaining fun and unique ways. From photo booths and themed photo shoots to green screen systems that give you the unique ability to customize images to suit your event. Perfect for any occasion and a truly long lasting way to make your event one to remember.

Pictures Are Power

So much more than a photo booth…

‘Pictures are Power’ is a photo booth with a difference – walls have been broken down to create the ideal event entertainment centre piece.

Fantasy photo booths have beautifully designed background graphics, high quality props and Hollywood-style instant beauty effects, using state-of-the-art equipment and studio quality lighting to give breath taking photographs.

On site social networking service allows your guests to upload and share their photographs seconds after they have been taken, generating excitement and conversation whilst your event is still underway and encouraging thousands of people to engage with your brand.

Fantasy photo booths are all the rage at the moment, all weddings, birthdays and Christmas parties seem to have them. They come complete with props and costumes and will be a talking point for years to come.

What hilarious captions will you be able to make up when your guests have had a few too many sherberts?

Great fun and very popular, you could be having a launch party, corporate event or private party, whichever you choose these booths will be well received.

Find the one you like and your booth operator will do the rest, just fill out a form and they will be in contact.

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.

What a drag!!

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For those of you who aren’t familiar with the beginnings of drag, get ready for a (not so) serious history lesson…

Men dressing up as women have been going on for quite some time. It started in a theatrical setting, with female impersonation going back to ancient Roman literature and classical Chinese theatre. Since women were generally banned from performing on stage, men had to perform all of the parts. A modern example of this phenomenon can be seen in the film Shakespeare in Love, which shows men on stage dressed as women. When looking at the etymology of drag, according to the online dictionary, drag means the following;

Sense of “women’s clothing worn by a man” is said to be 1870 theatre slang, from the sensation of long skirts trailing on the floor (another guess is Yiddish trogn “to wear,” from German tragen); drag queen is from 1941.

The term ‘queen’, which was considered a more derogatory term to describe a gay man, has been around since the 18th century. The word has since been reclaimed in a more positive sense. The drag queens of which we speak today first started (particularly in the US) in the 1950s and 60s. Even though the drag queen scene started around that time, it didn’t properly flourish until the 1980s and 90s. This is, coincidentally, also around the time that gay culture started to develop. In the 1950s and 60s drag was far more underground and even criminalised.

However, during the late sixties the gay community started fighting back. It started with the Stonewall riots, which were a series of violent demonstrations by the gay community against a police raid that took place at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. At the time, the Stonewall Inn was owned by the Mafia. It was known to be popular with the poorest and most oppressed people in the gay community, including drag queens and the transgender community. It’s been said that these riots have partly been inspired by drag queens. Within six months after the riots, two gay activist organisations were formed in New York that was ultimately trying to bring attention to their lack of social rights and respect.

Thankfully today’s society is more tolerant to Drag Queen performers and is not ‘hid away’. We are able to enjoy their sharp tongues and witty banter which we have all come to love.

Show-stopping showgirls

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Hiring Showgirls is a must to meet and greet your guests. There fabulous costumes and allure will definitely impress your guests no end. You could be organising a themed party for example: Las Vegas, Hollywood, Moulin Rouge, Mardi gras and James Bond, These gorgeous girls make any event one to remember for all the right reasons.

Costumes and themes for your special event can be tailor-made for whatever you were envisaging.

Snake dancers no doubt will be a talking point if you decide that a snake dancer would be perfect for your event. Captivating the audience with amazement and somewhat fear, they won’t be able to take their eyes of this amazing act. Why not interact your guests with the dancer and the snake, where the snake can be passed around (humanely of course) and let your crowd get involved. The Snake Dancers are trained to handle the snakes and are always professional at all times…

If you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of Tango, then why not book a few professional Tango dancers. This sensual ballroom dance originated in South America. It is one of the most passionate and fascinating of all dances. You will love the seamless moves of this romantic dance which no doubt will make you yourself want to learn this beautiful dance. This intimate dance is guaranteed to keep the audience entertained and bring passion and life to any event or party. 

One of most entrancing dances of all time, you can’t fail to love the music which accompanies the Salsa dance. Many people all over the world go to Salsa classes to learn the art of this beautiful and sensual dance. If you are having a Salsa party or you would like some Salsa Dancers to start your event, then why not look on our directory to see if we cannot tempt you with professional dancers that we have advertised with us.

To book some beautiful dancers or showgirls with a difference, look on our directory and see which one you could be hiring for your event.

Magical mystery evening…

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Are you hoping to have a ‘magical event’ that is totally spellbinding which will have all your guests sitting on the end of their seats? Well, why not hire a group of amazing acts that can transform your dull usual entertainment into something spectacular. Why not hire an up-to-the minute illusionist that is very clever, having everyone trying to guess how on earth he managed to fool you before your very eyes. An escapologist is another act that is a race against time for him/her to get out of a life or death situation, or a contortionist that would squeeze into the tightest of spaces making it look so very easy but at the same time so mesmerising to watch.

You could be having a corporate affair and want some party entertainment which is a ‘bit out there’ which will be a talking point for months to come. Mind readers are always very fascinating, picking a member of the crowd and asking to write or draw something only for the Mind reader to copy exactly what they have done. 

Another great act is a hypnotist – you can hire hypnotists for medical reasons or they can be booked for entertaining. They can put a group of people together and hypnotise them before hand, every-time the hypnotist says a certain word somebody does something completely out of the ordinary which can be very entertaining for you – slightly embarrassing for them!

Trying to work out the future is something that ‘gifted’ people have been doing for centuries, whether it’s reading somebody’s palm, Crystal ball reading, or reading cards.  Each have their own unique way of interpreting what the future may hold but nonetheless all very enchanting and mysterious. Whether or not you believe in these fortune tellers they are always very welcome at an event or party.

You could be having a charity event where a Palmist, Crystal ball reader or Tarot card reader would raise lots of money with your paying guests.  Or you could be having a fete where acts such as these would draw a crowd.

You can be sure that all the acts you see advertised are professional in what they do and are the best of the best.  Our Red Masque entertainment directory will give you a brief insight into each act and then it is up to you to decide which you would like. Once you have decided you are able to fill out an online form which will go straight to your act, they will be in contact to discuss dates and services.

All tastes catered for….

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Having a group of singers perform for you is very entertaining, it could be a boy band where they would do their best harmonies and all the ladies would swoon or a girl band where not only will their singing be amazing but will add a bit of eye candy to your event. Or if you wanted you could have a group which is not defined by boy or girl but a group like Fleetwood mac? Your event will sparkle if you hired one of our groups from our directory.  Whatever you were organising we are sure a boy band/girl band or group would be just the thing.

Guitars are always exciting with that ‘Rock n Roll’ edge – we’ve all pretended to do ‘air guitar’? Well now you can hire your very own guitar group or guitar soloist. You could want the next Brian May at your corporate event or a Status Quo group at a special birthday – we at Red Masque entertainment directory have the very best advertised for your party.

A beautiful piece of music is always lovely to hear and even more so when it is played by a pianist, you could have a pianist play in a swanky new wine bar that you have just opened or at a Wedding where the pianist could play subtly at your reception in the background.

A Harpist is another beautiful instrument that has a mystical feel to it, in fact very much like a pianist a Harpist can play at any special event where class is needed, or indeed a violin where a haunting sound can be played at a funeral to send of your loved one.

If you needed a ‘soul night’ where Motown and Soul music is needed to be played at your party then hiring the best Motown and Soul musicians better be done by booking with Red Masque entertainment directory, where we have only the most professional and rated that advertise with us, so you are assured of a great evening.

Even if you wanted a ‘Tribute act’ for your Soul and Motown event then of course this can be arranged too. You could want a ‘Jackson 5’ Tribute or a Marvin Gaye the choice is down to you, or you could want lots of different ‘Tribute acts’ that run concurrently with each other.

Everybody loves great musicals and if they haven’t ever seen a west end show then you could bring the west end to them.  Musicals are so moving and tell many stories; you can’t fail for anyone not to fall in love with them.

You could be opening up a theatrical company and need to have a launch party where a West end musicals songs are sung or a production of a west end show could be re-enacted for your event.

Of course you would probably need a string quartet to receive your guests as they walk into your new theatrical company.