Category Archives: Entertainment

Throwing a Cocktail Party

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Hosting a cocktail party for your next corporate event is a great way to switch it up from the usual mingling at the water cooler. Not sure where to start?

If you have a proper space, like a big hall of some sort, it’s ideal to throw your cocktail party at work. However, if you don’t, it’s time to search for an alternative party venue. How many guests are you expecting? Ask yourself how many people work for your company and double that number, so that each person gets a +1. Now, it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone will attend. But, this will give you an idea of the maximum number of people you can expect to attend, so that you can plan accordingly.

When you’re choosing your event venue, it’s also important to consider how formal you would like this event to be and if you’ll be having a theme. Granted, you can decorate most spaces to dress them up as much as you’d like. But if, for instance, you’re hosting a saloon-themed cocktail party, you might opt for renting out a bar or other rustic space over a sleek, modern ballroom.

It’s important to let the party-goers know if this event is formal or themed. That way, each guest can come dressed to the nines, in character, or business casual – however you see fit! Customised invitations are a great way to introduce your event’s theme or dress and ask for an RSVP.

Chances are, your chosen party venue for the event will need a decorative touch to set the mood or fit your party’s theme. You can ask for volunteers to help decorate prior to the event, or rely on a Party Decorator to put their expertise to work.

You can’t have a cocktail party without the cocktails! This is a crucial part to throwing a successful cocktail party. Decide if you’ll be having a full bar or a cocktail menu with limited selections.

Obviously a limited selection makes purchasing alcohol much easier, as you can plan your cocktail menu, determine how many drinks can be made from each bottle, and stock up accordingly. Hire a Professional Bartender and talk to them about your guest list and your preferences. They should be able to help you get a better idea of what to purchase. If you’re hosting a themed cocktail party, or want to have company-centric cocktails, ask your bartender to help create a special menu just for your party! Together, you can create the perfect list of cocktails to celebrate all of the hard work your company does.

Hire a Caterer to make and pass out hors d’oeuvres, or to set up a buffet table at your party. That way, guests will be able to eat as little or as much as they’d like throughout the event, while they mix and mingle with their co-workers.

Whether or not you’re planning on having entertainment, chances are you’ll need to rely on rentals to pull off your party. Whether it’s tables, chairs, glassware, or other practical goods, make sure you have plenty of places for your guests to sit and chat, eat delicious hors d’oeuvres, and set down their drinks. Most catering teams will provide waiters to circle the room and collect empty glasses and plates. But it’s important to make sure your bases are covered so that your event is as clean and professional as possible.

Live entertainment is a great addition to any cocktail party. Depending on the nature or theme of your event, you might consider a String Quartet, Jazz Band, Cover Band, DJ, or other musical entertainment. Think about what types of musical entertainment would complement your party’s theme and keep spirits high!

The power of a gospel choir

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Gospel music can be joyful, soulful or romantic, so gospel singers and gospel choirs tend to include a wide variety of music in their repertoire, from classical and jazz to soul, rock and contemporary pop.

Today’s gospel choirs usually perform with a piano or keyboard and sometimes a drummer, and can be led by a choirmaster. They sing an infectious mix of music including traditional gospel, plus jazz, blues, soul, classical and Latin sung in the gospel style. For most functions, including weddings, corporate events, flash mobs, product launches, award ceremonies and parties, the best choice is a gospel choir rather than a soloist, as both the visual and sound experience of a choir delivers a real impact.

Gospel music has its roots in the spirituals and work songs sung by 18th century slaves in the US, enabling them to join in religious worship at a time when few could read or write. Most songs were sung ‘a cappella’ (unaccompanied), or with basic rhythm, so over time, distinctive harmonies developed to embellish the sound. By the early 20th century, gospel was going mainstream, with the first gospel recordings made in the 1920s, and gospel songs then taken up by high profile performers such as Elvis, creating the fascination and enjoyment of gospel that continues today.

A quality gospel choir has three key elements; a great sound, a coordinated look, and an infectious sense of enjoyment!

So, when judging the quality of a gospel choir, first of all, listen to their demo tracks, and consider:

• Do you prefer the cleaner arrangements with harmonies, or the more flamboyant vocalizations
• Does the accompaniment (piano or band) add to the overall sound?
• Does one voice/performer dominate, or does the choir share the lead vocal around, for more variety?

This last point is probably not as important if your choir is only singing a few number during your wedding service, but if you then book them to entertain at your reception or party afterwards (a great idea for guests to enjoy more), consider how they will sound in a 30-minute set or longer.
Now, look at their promotional photos :

• Do they perform in matching outfits?
• Do they look traditional or trendy?
• Do they vary their look to fit the performance type? (Hopefully, yes!).

Finally, do they look and sound as if they are enjoying themselves? While every song doesn’t have to be upbeat, the general feel should be one of energy and excitement bubbling under. Gospel music should dance, not amble!

Musical events

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We all love musicals. Even those people who say that they don’t can be found screaming Grease Lightning at the top of their lungs at private parties every summer. It makes sense then that musicals from the West End and Broadway are therefore commandeered for corporate events and private parties. They’re generally happy, always fun and are perfect for getting the party started. But what’s possible?

Mary Poppins
Famous for dancing penguins, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Dick Van Dyke’s horrendous cockney accent, this is a musical that combines animation and live action to great effect. A family classic for all the family. But how does that translate to events? How about hiring some costumes and umbrellas and create a wonderful Poppins medley in any Event Venue. Incredible, vibrant and a really great theme.

Phantom of the Opera
Why not assemble cast members from the West End to reprise their leading roles as Christine and the Phantom respectively, put them in the world famous costumes and perform a few classic songs from the smash hit musical to a hugely appreciative corporate events crowd.

Sound of Music
How about a corporate event put together singers are decked in full lederhosen for a merry West End sing-song of all the hits from the Sound of Music. Do-Re-Me, So Long Farewell, 16 Going on 17, Climb Every Mountain and My Favourite Things can all be belted out to a costumed audience, who absolutely adored it. Such an idea won’t be perfect for every corporate gathering but it certainly shows what one can do!

Mamma Mia
Ah, Abba. Knowing Me, Knowing You, Dancing Queen, Waterloo… The hits are endless and as a result, we’ve had a hit show in the West End for more than a decade (and a film where Pierce Brosnan reveals his god awful singing voice) For this particular event, you can combine the mega hit Glee with songs from everybody’s favourite Swedish pop quartet. The result will be fabulously fun and entertaining party that everyone will enjoy.

Brilliant ways to remember your event

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Eyecon Art
Technically we’re breaking our own rule in that opening paragraph as Eyecon Art is essentially a photograph. But don’t go thinking that this is the same as hiring a photographer for an event. Rather than capture you standing awkwardly by the DJ as you ponder which canapés to chow down on, Eyecon Art will have you heading home with an incredibly close-up shot of your eye. Every iris is unique and dare we say it, look tremendous!

Caricaturist
If you’re looking to hire a caricaturist for an event, then you have got to make sure that you are fine with having your eyebrows accentuated and your nose looking a little larger than in real life. But that’s all part of the fun! A good caricaturist knows how to draw a cartoon-style representation of their subject without causing offence and the best part is that with modern technology being what it is, you can take home a paper or digital version.

Duke Box
Why does everything that provides a memory of an event have to be visual? The answer is that they don’t, especially when you’re dealing with a Duke Box, a fabulous box of audio delights which allows you to be the DJ! Selecting your favourite hits and making a party to remember from nostalgic tunes to more up-to-date current hits. A duke box not only looks good but sounds great too. Your guests will be gathered around remembering their favourite tunes of yesteryear.

Screen Printing
Whether you call it screen printing, letter pressing or something completely different, these fabulous contraptions can have you created your very own work of art in no time! Popular at Somerset House every summer, you too can discover the art of the print. Remember not to limit yourself to paper or card; should you so desire you can create your design on a T-shirt. Wear your creation and remember that party in style!

Getting the right entertainment

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So, you have been planning your private party for ages and now the moment has come… the big day is now in sight! Of course, you already have an idea about your venue type, colour scheme, decoration and considered the entertainment

Ensuring you have the right event entertainment can be the difference between a ‘good’ party and an unforgettable one! It’s important to keep your guests entertained throughout and it’s important you get it right… including picking the right venue to suit your plans.

Whichever entertainment you decide on, you need to make sure your venue can accommodate. Whether you have ideas on a party band, or dance troupe you need to ensure the venue suits the entertainment.

We have come up with several foolproof tips to help you make the right venue decision to compliment your entertainment plans. From picking the right sized venue to ensuring you have the correct facilities to work with, we can make your planning a little bit easier.

Space

Ceilidh bands are always a great form of entertainment as they can work as a brilliant ice breaker and really help to get your guests on their feet and dancing. If you have a Ceilidh band in mind, you need to ensure not only that there is enough space for the band to perform,but plenty of space for your guests to get up and dance. If you were planning to have a dance performance, space is crucial and you need to ensure there is enough room for the performers and the spectators.

Other forms of entertainment such as closeup magicians or caricaturists only need space to move freely around tables, whereas more exotic forms of entertainment such as a fire dancer will need a large area for safety reasons.

Stage
Some venues will have a stage or something similar, such as a raised part of the room. These are quite useful particularly if you want musicians or entertainment acts to be seen clearly by your guests.

The size of the stage is also important. If you planned on having a dance troop come and perform, you need to make sure the stage will be large enough to accommodate their routine and numbers.

Accessibility
Checking that your venue is accessible can sometimes be the make or break for your choice. It’s important your venue can be accessed by all. If you’re having a twelve-piece band but your venue is on the top floor of a building with no lift, it’s certainly not ideal for a band to carry all their instruments up. You need to make sure that any equipment or props your entertainment may need can be easily transported to your venue.

Acoustics
Checking the acoustics of the venue before you book is also important, particularly if your entertainment plans involve music. Also take note of the different materials around the venue- if you are planning to have a marquee, remember that material absorbs sound.
If you have no idea about acoustics, check with your entertainment what sort of room or material would be suitable. You should always ask your venue as well.

Curfew?
When viewing your venue option, ask if there is a curfew for loud music or entertainment. You’ll find that quite a lot of venues have this in place, particularly hotels with other guests. If the curfew is ten o’clock and you always imagined you’d be partying through the night, perhaps find another venue that will be able to accommodate late celebrations.

We hope you take this advice on board when you are in the first stages of picking your venue. Remember, if you are completely set on a form of entertainment, you need to make sure it’s doable before you finalise your venue! If you’re still looking for ideas for your event, we have plenty to browse through on Red Masque.

Origins of Stag Parties

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Where does the term Come From?

When arranging party entertainment for your stag event, have you every wondered how a stag pary originated from. It is a party held for the single man just before he gets married. It is a celebration in the his honour, although it may not seem like it at the time as humiliation seems to be the order of the day. It is also sometimes known as his last night of freedom although the duration of the event over recent years seems to have changed from the traditional drink the night before the wedding to weekends away participating in things such as adventurous activities and generally getting involved in things his future wife may not approve of.

It is a last chance as a bachelor to gather together a group of people who have known the him since childhood, through school, in University and work colleagues, sports clubs and obviously last but not least his family. It can often be the last opportunity to get this grouping of people together before the Groom and his peers take on more responsible adult marital roles – mortgages, children and monthly bills. This is not just you average night for drinking in the pub or bar. It has a tradition and mystique associated with it involving tricks and lots of drinking usually at the groom’s expense. It often has a risqué element such as strippers or being stripped and tied to lampposts in the dead of night, body hair being shaved off, dressing up in fancy dress with the groom in female attire the list is endless.

The reference to stag and bucks also has strong male conartations. The leader of the pack or herd, virile, male vigour and ardour, males in their prime identified with strength and vitality. There’s another stag connection with male rites of passage – again possibly involving drinking alcohol to excess and soliciting the favours of ladies who are prepared happily to remove all their clothing for the appropriate sum. The Horned God referred to in both Celtic and early English mythology was a symbol of all things male – the Celts called him Cernunnos. Legend from these times is often confused, but it seems clear that in pre-Christian times, Brits definitely worshipped a large hairy god who sported antlers, ran around with the Einheriar, or wild hunt.

As to the word bachelor, again its history is murky. The earliest meaning of bachelor in English is ‘a young knight who followed the banner of another’. This reference is first found in the late thirteenth century. The use of the word in the context of ‘an unmarried man’, is found in Chaucer in the late fourteenth century.

The English word, seems to come from Old French. The source of the Old French word, many believe, probably comes from a Latin word baccalaris ‘farmhand’ but who really knows well your guess is as good as the next man

Can you do magic?

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When you want to organise a private party most would ponder on if to hire a professional magician. But what if you could learn the trade? So we thought we’d show you a few magic tricks that you can do on your friends and family first. It might not turn you into a brilliant magician overnight but hopefully with these few basic tricks.

Money magic

Jay Sankey is one of the best Canadian magicians out there, whose tricks have been performed by all of the finest illusionists around the world including David Copperfield and David Blaine (to name just two). Although he sells a lot of his magic tricks to the community, he also has a fascinating YouTube channel that is well worth a look if you want to stun your mates with anything from cards right through to paperclips. In this fab little trick, he changes a coin into a note. Well worth learning!

Cups and Balls

A classic from many a Paul Daniels magic set, the Cups and Balls routine is a magic stalwart that you can get to learning with just a few basic props – a few cups and a few balls. Since they do an incredible magic performance and then tell us how it’s done, we thought we’d show you the cups and balls as performed by Penn and Teller. You’ll have to watch it through over and over again before you solve it, but that’s part of the fun. Magic!

Slop Card Trick

If you’re looking to learn magic, then YouTube is a great resource. There are many, many magicians and performers willing to take you through learning a magic trick or two and although the tutorial qualities vary, some really do seem to go the extra mile. Before trying a card trick, we highly recommend investing in a pack of Blue or Red Bicycle cards as it certainly makes the performance that bit easier.

A party to remember…

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Remember that if guests are travelling from out of the area, it helps if the venue is easy to find. Consider how easy it is to find parking, and also how much accommodation is available near by. If you choose a great party venue you won’t need to spend as much time dressing it up to look good. There are loads of interesting venues out there to suit a wide variety of styles and themes.

Entertain Your Guests
Most people are happy to have a party DJ, but anyone who’s been to a party with a live band will tell you how much better the night was. You need something to really get guests excited and live party bands do exactly that. They’re interactive, energetic and fun. Not everyone likes to dance, but with a great live band, performing the best classic and modern party songs, even the most ardent anti-dancers will be rocking out, arm in arm, singing along on the dance floor with guests they only met a few hours ago.

Welcome Guests
Giving your guests a drink is a small touch that really shows you care about welcoming your guests, and it ensures everyone feels positive as soon as they arrive. It’s your way to thank people for coming, and it gets people in the mood to party.

In a practical sense, it also helps to alleviate the early queues at the bar, something which is sure to dampen spirits and cause frustration.

Some venues will arrange for a member of staff to personally serve drinks as your guests arrive, or you can choose to have a selection of drinks available on tables near the entrance

It’s also worth trying to book a party venue where the bar is in the same room as the party, otherwise your dance floor will only ever be half full. If the bar’s in another room, people will hang around talking when they go out to get a drink, and the reduced numbers can make the party room feel empty.

Have a fire party

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Party guests love a good fire act. Fire acts and performers know how to get a corporate party going and instantly provide a warm atmosphere to proceedings. If you’re looking to hire fire acts then you know where to come. You’ll see something that is entertaining, safe and perfect for all guests to enjoy. .

Way back in 1658, a nearby volcano erupted and laid siege to all in its wake. Incredibly, the town of Nejapa managed to avoid most of the destruction when the lava stopping just short of the local church. According to folklore – and it is a bit hazy – the town’s patron saint, San Jeronimo, wanted to douse the area in fire to get rid of the Devil or saved the town by stopping the lava from reaching the sacred building that bears his name. Whichever way you look at it, locals believe that San Jeronimo saved the town in some form so to celebrate they chuck fire at one another. That’s probably the only part of this festival that isn’t disputed.

So how do you set up the world’s most volatile festival? First, you soak rags in kerosene for a month before the matches and lighters are brought out. Wearing Halloween costumes – we know it’s starting to sound a lot like The Purge – participants then wear protective gloves and chuck fire at each other. That’s it. That’s the only rule. Even if you’re only watching, you’re still allowed to be hit so maybe observe from affair. Not only do people chuck the fire at each other, they even engage in hand to hand combat. It’s chaos..

Few serious injuries have been reported, although what denotes serious is never explained. You can rest assured we’ll never advertise this form of entertainment for your event but it’s certainly a fascinating fact.

Air Festival event ideas

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There’s nothing that signals summer like a beachside air show! Whether you’re going to be attending Bournemouth or Clacton, here are the ideas for you to ensure that when the planes stop flying, the party doesn’t come to an end!

Fantastic Fireworks!
Many people who attend air shows don’t just turn up for the afternoon to watch planes loop the loop; many attendees love to stay for the evening’s entertainment, long after the sun has gone down and boy do we have some party entertainment ideas for you. Fantastic Fireworks offer a Wow factor every time which will keep your guests entertained well into the evening…

Cirque du cabaret
Another act that looks stunning against a night time backdrop, Cirque du cabaret performers! That alone should be enough to convince you of the show’s quality and those in the crowd can expect special effects and stunts. We love all vintage forms of entertainment and try to pay homage where and when ever possible. These performers shows change current cabaret, circus and vaudeville formats as you know them, pushing the existing boundaries to create new parameters!

Red Masque are proud to be a source of unique kinetic cabaret sights, sounds and delights and we hope we can entertain and impress you with our amazing and talented performers.

Jenson Production
Jenson Production combines airborne entertainment with the circus as an aerial artist performs this modern show includes powerful and elegant parts of aerial and ground acrobatic in combination. These singular, modern presentations can be combined to a strong & elegant air-to-surface acrobatic, which can be realized and/or used in almost all kinds of shows! You can choose from a number of disciplines for the acrobat to perform including silks and hoop, giving a true feeling of bespoke entertainment.

Rob Roy
Many air festivals take place by the coast but as the night time rolls in, many people tend to avoid the sea and enjoy a warm summer’s eve.Rob Roy combines comedy, escapology and acrobatics, there is a perfect blend of laughter, danger and excitement. Improvisation, quick witted wise cracks and crowd participation create a unique atmosphere that leaves audiences both in amazement and hysterics and this highly polished show has made Rob a favourite among all ages and nationalities.for the ‘night air’ element of summer air shows.