Category Archives: Event

Thinking about 2016 summer

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Much as we love advertising entertainment for corporate events and weddings, it’s often a nice change of pace to remember the little people and to also remember that after Christmas you’re going to have to be thinking about Summer and BBQ’s (which is rather something to look forward to) 

To keep the youngsters busy, how about a Circus performer and a glamorous Circus Workshop with juggling displays, plate spinning unicycling and lessons in the age-old art of the Diablo. These circus performers will have the kids entertained for hours whilst their parents got on with the more pressing concerns of the rest of the event.

Young or old a magician with some of that ‘close up magic’. Close up magic specialist and all round entertainer give guests a bewildering display of sleight of hand and mentalism taking in card tricks, mind reading and more. 

A Portrait Artist drawer is very charming and quite flattering in a playful, unique style. Guests seemed to love a portrait artist and although they maybe a bit nervous as how they will be portrayed they can’t wait to see the result and a is a great keepsake!! 

A Steel Band is great background music for any event and will perform suitably exotic and energetic set of tunes that will transform a very English garden barbecue into an equatorial island party. Warm, enthusiastic and hugely entertaining – a steel bands infectious passion for their music will be passed on to everyone who hear them and will proved to be the perfect soundtrack to the event.

Themed event evening

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Event planners love organising a party around a specific theme. It makes sense since most guests turning should at least have some familiarity with the world they are about to experience. Perhaps the most popular party theme out of the many out there are parties based around Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Putting together Alice in Wonderland party ideas is something that simply requires imagination and a whole lot of fun. 

Alice in Wonderland

Well… No event is complete without an Alice, right? For many children’s parties, parents prefer Alice to simply be a walkabout costumed character allowing the kids to interact with Alice throughout the day. When it comes to Alice in Wonderland party ideas for adults though, there are a multitude of possible ideas, only limited to your imagination. You could hire a contortionist to play Alice, she could really squeeze into those small spaces then!!

With the UK seemingly more in love than ever with Alice in Wonderland (the theme has also been used for corporate events and Sweet 16 parties), the multitude of characters allows some truly inspired work.

Frozen themed parties…

One of the most popular films of the last few years, Frozen continues to take the world by storm, especially in the 2-7-year-old age bracket (if that’s an acceptable place to bracket off ages rather than the usual ‘3-5’) and you’ve no doubt been asked to host a Frozen party for your little one. But this is not just a theme for children, oh no! What with Christmas parties being upon us, this is the perfect time to ponder turning it into a Frozen theme but with a number of additions to ensure that any Scrooges at the party quickly turn into the embodiment of Christmas cheer!

Ice Sculpture

Any Frozen fan worth their salt will tell you that he is an iceman, responsible for cutting out blocks of ice for the people of Arendelle. Now since an actual iceman cutting out blocks of ice at a party probably isn’t that exciting to watch (and transporting the pre-cut ice is probably hugely expensive), what better way than to bring the magic of Kristoff’s profession to light with some Frozen ice sculptures! And by that we mean an ice sculptor creating a model of Olaf for your Christmas Party. 

Fake Snow

Because what could be more Christmassy than fake snow? You may be thinking that fake snow indoors just doesn’t work but cast your mind back to the very beginning of Frozen where Elsa first uses her powers, creating lovely little slopes of snow which she and her sister Anna play in. Naturally you can also make your own Olaf out of the snow and pose with it at a frozen photo booth too!

Costumed Characters

To be honest, this one is just a given. The very least that people would expect from a Frozen-themed Christmas party are some themed walkabout characters. Now you may be thinking, “But isn’t that more of a thing for children? Adults wouldn’t like that would they?” But you’d be very, very wrong for costumed characters are one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Guests can never get enough.

Naturally there are many, many more ideas that unfortunately couldn’t be included; from incredible Frozen-themed cocktails. To get some more inspiration look at our Christmas themed entertainment.

For the love of music

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The wonderful sound of classical instruments being played is second to none, the haunting sounds of a Harpist, or the classical sound of a Pianist, the timeless sound of a Violist or a string quartet.  If you wanted an upmarket affair than these are the artists to hire.

Solo musicians albeit a group of musicians they will add that extra je ne sais quoi to your special event.

Imagine the scene; a launch party for your new wine bar has finally been arranged and there is the sound of people talking and laughter -in the background is a professional pianist. A complete success and the right ambience has been created making you stand out a little from the competitors.

Karaoke has become one of the most favourite for party entertainment, we are all closet singers but put a microphone in front of us when we’ve had a few glasses of wine and we turn into Shirley Bassey or Tom Jones!!

Live band karaoke takes traditional karaoke to another level where your live band can play along with you – so if you do make a few mistakes then your live band is able to pick up where you left behind (making you look like the star you were born to be!!)

You must admit this would be great fun to hire this at a Wedding, Birthday or even a corporate event where even the shyest of persons will turn into a Diva for the night!! 

Why not get some culture in your life and hire some Latin or Middle Eastern music musicians? The mystique of beautiful ladies and gentlemen dancing to this music, it could be belly dancing or Salsa – the rhythm is definitely going to get you!!

Do you want to organise an act to sing songs from a popular Musical or do you want to put on a West End show?

You are able to do this by hiring only the finest singers and actors that will make all your dreams come true and perform and sing just for you and your guests in the comfort of your own home or venue that you have hired.

Musicals without a doubt have the most moving songs written, when sung well it can make the hairs of your neck stand up!!

Rein-acting a musical for a Birthday surprise would be a fabulous idea; you will have front row seats always, and will be safe in the knowledge that all our actors advertised are only the finest and have appeared in West End shows.

So to book a fabulous performance that involves all genres of music; just look on our gallery of amazing talent and book the one that most suits you.

The Dancers

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From belly dancing to Bollywood, acrobatics to dance troupes, all you need to know about booking dancers, dance companies and dance troupes.

What is a dancer or dance troupe and what do they do?

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 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 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.

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.

So, also look for the levels of professional experience dancers and dance companies have. 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.

Swing and jive is back!

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Swing and jive bands bridge the gap between the cool, laid-back sounds of jazz and classic rock bands, while performing some of the most iconic songs from the 1940s onwards. Swing and Jive Bands form the best of retro classic music that everyone knows bang up to date with energy, enthusiasm and superb musicianship. 

The style of swing and jive ranges from gentle lounge to irresistible dance floor filling sets that bring fresh energy and vintage fashions to any party, wedding or event.

What to look for in quality swing and jive bands

The best UK jive and swing bands share three essential qualities: extensive repertoire of music, excellent musicianship and an infectious sense of fun!

Most swing and jive performers have a deep-rooted affection for the music they perform and it shows in every moment of their performance. Many have a signature style of performance too, whether it’s pared-back skiffle versions of classic tracks or retro-arrangements of contemporary pop anthems.

Nearly all swing and jive bands will have a distinctive look, incorporating vintage fashions, authentic period instruments and some of the coolest haircuts you’ll see this side of London Fashion Week…

One of the key features of swing and jive bands is that their sound is immediate, energetic, almost raw, as opposed to the overproduced sound of carefully-tweaked pop album tracks. It’s this upfront, energetic sound that makes these kinds of bands so great for live events, as guests pick up on the band’s energy and your party suddenly gears up a notch or seven!

The best way to ‘get’ what a band does is to hear and see them in action. Many of the swing and jive bands at Red Masque directory feature both demo tracks and videos on their Profile page. This is a great way to discover the best band for your event, both in terms of look and sound. Try and listen to their demo tracks through quality speakers in a room rather than headphones or through your phone – it’ll give you a better feel for how the band will sound live.

What music do swing and jive bands perform?

These bands draw their music from the rich legacy of tracks from the 1930s onwards, including authentic 1940s arrangements, 1950s classic rock n roll, 1960s crooner classics right up to contemporary tracks with a retro twist.

For Jive Bands think:

1940s – up-tempo Glenn Miller Band, Count Basie, The Andrews Sisters, Cab Calloway

1950s – Bill Haley, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis

1960s – Nina Simone, The Rat Pack, Aretha Franklin

Freak out!!

Chill out or boogie on down with the superb sounds of some of the UK’s finest soul, Motown and RnB (rhythm & blues) acts. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about booking a soul or RnB band for your special occasion.

Children’s Christmas parties

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It’s hard to contain children’s excitement at this time of year, and who would want to!? Plan an early Christmas party for the kids to kick off their festive celebrations, get them into the holiday spirit and release some enthusiasm. It might see you through until December 25th with your sanity intact!

It’s a busy time of year with all that Christmas shopping, wrapping up the gifts and planning to do, so there’s no need to go overboard with the jingle-bells and whistles. Stick to party fail safes when it comes to food and games and give them a seasonal twist; you can keep it simple and still create a magical party, saving valuable energy for Christmas planning.

A children’s Christmas party is a great opportunity to use party plates and tableware with a bright Christmas theme, a seasonal backdrop for their preferred party foods. Friendly Christmas characters You’ll be using your best crockery and more sophisticated Christmas party decorations over Christmas with all the family, so the brighter the better here when it’s just for kids! Streamers and other paper decorations are inexpensive and will effectively deck out the room.

Santa’s Little Helpers

The fun needn’t break the bank; at an expensive time of year, why not try some creative activities Lay down plenty of newspaper and get them to make some Christmas cards using potato stamps and silver paint or glitter, wrapping-paper shapes and glue.

If you prefer, get everyone into an apron and have a Christmas biscuit-decorating session. You can buy or bake the biscuits in advance and provide different coloured icings and toppings, such as sweets.

Children will love to get involved in the Christmas preparations and will have something special to take to their loved ones at home-time.

Rocking around the Christmas Tree

Try a seasonal spin on traditional party games to keep kids amused inside. How about a game of Christmas-related charades; or pass the Christmas parcel? You could hide chocolate coins around the house for a proper treasure hunt, and play musical snowmen to a festive soundtrack; just make sure they freeze when the music stops! Get them each to have a go at an exciting Christmas piñata. Hang prizes on the tree or place them underneath it, to find after each game.

Festive Feasting

At each place at the tea table, place a cracker with their name on, or perhaps something for them to wear; a Santa hat, some reindeer antlers or a Rudolf-red nose.

Keep it simple and go for favourite party staples, but give the presentation a festive spin. Satsumas are child-friendly easy-peelers and packed with cold-busting vitamin C and a bowl of them will brighten up any table. Give some favourite sweet or savoury sandwiches a fun twist: roll up fillings in bread and slice into pinwheels, or cut into triangles and stack them up like a Christmas tree, dotted with cherry tomato ‘baubles’.

Add edible glitter to jewel-coloured jellies for some seasonal sparkle. Popcorn can be shaken in melted butter, sugar and cinnamon for extra winter warmth. For a festive finale, a chocolate Yule log will provide a show-stopping cake, complete with alpine accessories, such as skiers and reindeer, on top.

Jingle Bells

With the prospect of so many presents just around the corner, it’s great to fill kids’ party bags with something a bit different to add to the Christmas build-up. When it’s time for their sleighs arrive to take them home, why not put a decoration for the tree into their party bag along with a few sweets? They’ll enjoy adding it to their tree at home and will keep it year on year. As a twist on the party bag, why not send them each off with a little stocking instead?

If you would like to send them off with something more than a full tummy, a Letters to Santa Kit will ensure a buzz of excitement and remind them all that a visit from Father Christmas is not far away – and that he only visits little children who are good!

An extra something, like a little labelled bag of glitter and oats to scatter on the doorstep on Christmas eve especially for the reindeer will enhance the magic of it all. A really special finale could be a surprise early visit from Father Christmas himself, to hand everyone their party bag and to listen to their Christmas wishes.

How about a Ronald Dahl themed party?

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Many private parties and corporate events love theming parties around two staples in particular – a Midsummer Night’s dream and Alice in Wonderlands (Madhatters tea party). But with many other books available. We’re looking into the wonderful world of Roald Dahl party ideas.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

What a wonderful party this would be! There is no doubt a brilliant opportunity for caterers to get imaginative and conjure up all sorts of delicious treats for guests it also presents a brilliant theme for entertainment as well. Why not hire dancers to be oompa loompas and you could also hire a magical act to truly make you feel as though you’ve stepped into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

Matilda

The Natural History Museum’s Hinze Hall would be a wonderful setting for a Roald Dahl themed party, certainly a large enough room for some of the magic that will undoubtedly take place as a Matilda event reaches its peak. A graffiti artist would be a wonderful addition (referencing the chalk-on-blackboard scene) whilst magicians would be an obvious addition to the occasion. Illusions on the stairs amongst Dippy the Dinosaur will surely be a must see! Just make sure you avoid Miss Trunchbull, the scariest of all costumed characters!!

The BFG

Imagine attending a party where everything is giant-sized! That’d certainly make Roald Dahl party games more fun! From the chairs made out of cotton reels to a scone the size of a table, this is sure to be a 2016 party theme to celebrate the release of the Steven Spielberg film! Wouldn’t that be fun? Giant pencils and mugs can function as theming props whilst the BFG himself can lurk outside a window. But what of the entertainment? With some sneaky production, it’d be possible to magnify the image of a band or circus act so that giants are really performing at your event!

James and the Giant Peach

Ok, perhaps not a real peach but for a James and the Giant Peach party, we think repurposing a circular venue such as the Royal Albert Hall, the London Planetarium or the Round House will be perfect. After that, we can then work on the entertainment. If it’s fruit-themed ideas you’re after, what about hiring a cocktail waiter that can shake up some alcoholic or non-alcoholic fruit cocktails?

The Twits

As any fan of The Twits will tell you, there are a number of moments in the story that stick out to a reader, not least the finale where The Twits believe they’re upside down. As such, how about sticking everything to the ceiling of your venue and having an ‘upside down’ party? With bird pie on the menu (or not, as the case may be), various practical jokes provided by top comedians and magicians and a few costumed characters to play the titular characters, there is more than enough here to create a brilliant (albeit highly expensive and unsafe) event. But hey, The Twits themselves would probably enjoy it!

5 beautiful venues outside of London

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We all love London. Even those that claim they don’t still find something to enjoy, even if it’s for just one day a year when the London Marathon arrives or maybe even once every few years when it hosts the Olympic Games. Even so, it’s also nice to have a break from the capital city on occasion and these five venues are great places to hold your event if you’re planning to escape the M25.

Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons

Le Manoir is nestled in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Great Milton and is renowned as one of Britain’s finest gastronomic experiences. Not bad, eh? It has held two Michelin stars for an incredible 29 years, so if you’re a foodie then we can’t think of many places that would be better to hold your event. Surrounded by smart lawns and stunning orchards, this really is a gorgeous venue to celebrate your anniversary or indeed get married!

Wrest Park

Most people’s commute through London is about an hour but what if you went the other way instead? Well, you may very well end up at Wrest Park is a French chateau-inspired building that affords breath-taking views of its fountains, statues and ornate Baroque buildings. Available for party events both inside and out, this is a magical setting for activities and team building days for up to 1,500 people.

Chewton Glen

What a photo. Blue skies, croquet, on the outskirts of the New Forest— What more could you want from an events venue? A bit of a ‘modern classic’, Chewton Glen provides an ideal setting for meetings, incentives and social gatherings. With a variety of function rooms and extensive facilities (which also include golf, tennis and a spa), this is the ultimate venue to impress. So be sure to dress up and make a day of it!

Hedsor House

Located within almost 100 acres of impressive parkland and situated on the doorstep of London, Hedsor House is one of the most picturesque and private wedding venues in the UK. When you book, it’s yours for the day with the only limitation being your imagination. Wow! Yes, it’s a blank canvas of a venue and you may recognise it from The Golden Compass, where Nicole Kidman was able to call it her home. Having rubbed shoulders with Hollywood, its next big event could be yours!

Pennyhill Park

Located just south of London in Surrey, Pennyhill Park is secluded within 123 acres of woodland and parkland, a 19th Century mansion framed by terraces, formal lawns and flower beds. Wonderful for a wedding or just a private party, it is an immaculate venue for an intimate party and allows up to 190 guests to help celebrate your big day.

After all that, it sort of makes us wonder why we’re based in London!

A Vintage affair

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Tuesday was what would have been the 125th birthday of Agatha Christie. As we all know, she has unfortunately not quite managed to live to 125 years old, but to celebrate the birth of the creator of Hercule Poirot and The Mousetrap, which is still going strong on the West End after 60+ years, we thought we’d pull together a few vintage acts to get you pondering a vintage party theme!

Upon entering what is no doubt a sumptuous English country mansion (for which you have booked for this occasion), the first act that will bring you beautifully into the vintage theme are a jazz band. As you whisk a Champagne flute from a passing tray and sample a posh canapé, these superb musicians will perfectly set the tone with some vintage-style background music at your event.

As you pass into the next room – perhaps even a private dinner – a party performer can be there to greet guests with his unique vintage vaudeville entertainment. Calling to mind the many talented circus performers and silent comedians of the past, mime entertainers can juggle, spin plates and use an assortment of items including tablecloths, hats and crockery, which will have you convinced you’ve stepped back in time. A vintage mime performer who can perform for up to thirty minutes at a time, you and your guests are sure to be impressed!

Who better to work the tables than a charismatic and charming event magician? Magicians for parties are known for their witty repartee and abundance of magic tricks to stun and amaze. Be it a signed and folded card appearing in his mouth or correctly mindreading colours that a guest has picked on a card. Magicians can do it all. Magicians are a great vintage entertainment that will fit perfectly with your party theme.

Yes, there’s always room for classical music at a vintage themed event all are classically trained acts and it simply comes down to whether you’d prefer a quartet or a duo. Spectacular music in a stunning setting, what could be better? Agatha Christie certainly enjoyed fine music and there’s nothing better than strings in a great hall.

Why not book a harmony band of the 30s and 40’s, they will Provide the perfect soundtrack to your event, harmonies have stunned audiences for years and never cease to go out of fashion?

Of course, there are numerous acts that are perfect for an Agatha Christie or vintage theme (Great Gatsby) so feel free to take a look around the Red Masque directory and see what takes your fancy!

Office Party Planning Tips

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People get nervous at office parties. Nervousness can equal erratic behaviour so reduce the stress by setting some ground rules. Make sure you answer the following questions:

Will there be alcohol at the party and if so is it open bar or cash bar?
Are spouses and dates invited? This is particularly important if the party is off your property.
How long will the festivities last? Not everyone can get there at 5:30 so it’s nice to know people will still be there later in the evening.
What’s the proper dress? Not usually a big problem and not necessary in a majority of cases, but if you are hosting the party at a private club or a place no one has been to before a heads up about what to wear can save some people serious embarrassment.

Whether you plan to host a big bash or a small gathering try these suggestions:

Be as generous as your budget allows. Your employees work hard and they are looking for a show of appreciation. They view your generosity as a barometer of their performance.
Try to go somewhere different. If there is a tavern or restaurant close by your employees are probably there all the time. Why not drive an extra 5 minutes and meet at someplace different?
If you have the party on premises, make sure to decorate. Telling them to meet in the cafeteria will excite no one. Asking them to join you on the beach (a decorated themed area) they’ll know it’s a special day.
Invest in a cocktail waiter. They’ll monitor and control drinking. They also can make attractive and fun “virgin” drinks. People like picking a non-alcoholic “cool” option. Letting employees pour their own can be a problem and asking an employee to tend bar may be putting them in a bad spot.
Have a theme for your party entertainment. We mentioned luau because it’s always a hit but casino and Mardi Gras are also real favourites that can be planned for 10 or a 100.

Think about providing some great party favours or even door prizes. It’s nice to walk away with a remembrance of a great time. Finally make sure you have fun. If you’re a manager, mingle with your employees they’ll appreciate it and you’ll enjoy it.