Category Archives: Party

Captivate your guests

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As with most corporate events, décor will be key and 2018 is no exception. Your party venue needs to wow your guests from the moment they walk in, creating a special and uniquely defined space for your event. Two highly contrasting themes are high tech interactive and natural materials, enabling your company to show off its tech prowess, or boost its eco credentials.

You could extend the theme beyond décor and food into acoustic musical acts, for a more ‘natural’ sound.

Take lighting to the next level and illuminate your event to create spectacle and visual interest. Any event venue can be transformed with clever and creative use of lighting even on the more limited of budgets. Use lighting to throw unusual shadows, to colour tables rather than using flowers, and use wireless technology to alter lighting states to reflect the various stages of your event. Look for party bands and DJ’S with their own light shows, rock and pop function bands that provide their own lighting, and artists that use light in imaginative ways.

For larger corporate events, book artists that have a strong visual impact enhanced by theatrical style lighting, such as dance troupes, ballet dancers or aerial artists.

Choose musicians that blend performances with tech, such as our interactive VJ’S, or a live DJ. Get your guests interacting with each other playing giant games with your very own theme.

Find ways to make your entertainment a pleasure for everyone by choosing acts that blend superb musicianship with accessible humour, such as a comedy string quartet. Or present musical acts with an international flavour, such as 1920s swing band just make people smile!

Hire Christmas entertainment now

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Christmas may seem far away when you are just about getting used to the unpredictable British Summer, but it’s worth thinking about planning your next Christmas party…

We thought we whet your appetite and tempt you with a few ideas for your Christmas Event this year:

Caricaturist
Caricaturists are a great way to entertain the guests and to salvage some memories from the year.
Most caricaturists are happy to pre-print paper with the date and logos, they can kick start conversations to kick the evening off and it’s nice to wake up with at least one thing in the morning to remind you of the night before.

Magician
Another great way to bring your guests together is with some magic and mindreading. Red Masque have some fantastic magicians advertised which will blow your guests minds without blowing your money.

These acts can mix and mingle with guests of all ages and they take little time to set up. They can be ready to go almost as quickly as this year has passed and as quickly as New Year’s Day will arrive so if you’re keen, enquire now.

Fire Performers
If it’s cold outside, or even inside, Fire Performers will add some heat to the New Year’s party and mesmerise your guests in the process. They can provide ambient performances spread throughout the evening whilst your guests mingle, or if you like they can offer a high energy, choreographed fire show that will leave them in awe. This is a sure-fire way to warm up the party.

Sound limiter

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One of the biggest worries about corporate events or private parties is that their venue has a sound limiter and they’re unsure how this will effect the band they want to book.

It’s true that a sound limiter may limit the style of band or live music you can book BUT this is not always the case AND even with the strictest of limiters there are still lots of great options available!
We’ve provided the following simple guide to make sense of what a sound limiter is and how it may affect your choice of band or live music.
What is a sound limiter?

A sound limiter is an electrical device that measures the level of noise in a room. If the volume reaches a certain level the sound limiter can temporarily cut the power supply to the stage. Limiters are put in place mostly to reduce noise pollution and to help the venue avoid noise complaints from nearby residents. The levels can vary depending on your party or event venue so it is always a good idea to check with the venue before planning your party entertainment and even better, before booking the venue if the entertainment is going to be the priority.

What to do if the venue has a sound limiter in place?
Firstly, find out exactly what the limit is and if possible, what kind of limiter is in place. Some of the more intrusive limiters will cut off the power without warning and some work on a traffic light system to give an amber warning to the act before the limiter is triggered and some are just a hand held device that give a sound reading.

By finding out the limiter level, you can ensure that only suitable acts are suggested.

Non-refundable deposits

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When you enter into a contract with your entertainment provider, whether it’s a wedding band, a magician or a DJ, you normally will be expected to provide some kind of non-refundable deposit along with your signature to secure the date. The amount may vary, but a 50% deposit is fairly common.

If you’re planning a party and this is first time you’ve ever bought entertainment services, this can be a scary thing. What if the event gets cancelled? What if someone dies the week before? What if it rains on our outdoor beach birthday party? Do I get my deposit back?

Of course the answer will depend on the wording of the deposit clause in the contract, but most likely if the event is cancelled because of unforeseen circumstances; you will likely be out your deposit. But let’s dig deeper.

It’s easier for people to understand why a caterer or even a venue would request a deposit. They have to buy food or they are reserving the space exclusively for you and must turn down other business. But a musician isn’t purchasing any perishables, right? Well, not exactly. The busy nights for any event entertainer are Saturdays, followed closely by Fridays. There are only 52 Saturdays in a year and each one represents an opportunity cost. If for example a family tragedy occurs 2 days before your graduation party, the band still needs to be compensated for that Saturday night that they committed to your party. It is entirely possible that they have turned down other clients to commit to your party. While it’s very sad that a member of family decided to pass two days before your big event, this is not the fault of your hired act.

What can you do if the unforeseen happens? The first thing is to have a conversation with your hired entertainment. While they may be under no obligation to reschedule, many will try to work with you and apply part or all of your deposit to another date. The flexibility they have will depend on how in demand they are, how full their calendar is and on what day of the week you want your new date.

You certainly can’t expect them to bump another client because you need to reschedule. And nor can you expect them to give you another Saturday night on the busiest part of wedding season. But maybe they’re willing to apply all (or some) of your deposit to a Tuesday night, or an off-season Friday night.

This is a conversation you can have with your entertainer BEFORE signing the contract. Ask the “what if” scenarios. Just understand that if this conversation drags out too long, your vendor may start to question your commitment to the date.

Another option is to take out Event Cancellation Insurance for your date.
What is typically covered by event cancellation insurance?
Fire, earthquakes, flooding, blizzards, hurricanes, terrorism, headline entertainers or speaker cancellation, outbreak of disease.
Event cancellation insurance probably won’t cover things like lack of ticket sales, or the time spent planning the event.

Celebrity lookalikes

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Everyone wants their party to be memorable. One fun idea is to hire celebrity lookalikes to mingle with your guests at your private party or corporate event. Nothing loosens up a stuffy corporate crowd quite like sharing cocktails with Gaga or Elvis.

Just imagine hiring Michael Buble, Bette Midler and Elton John impersonators to work your party! After, the impersonators can mingle with your guests. Then your acts will continue doing the show again and then 30 minutes later Elton can take over the stage with a medley of his greatest hits,

We at Red Masque have obviously chosen our favourite celebrities but you can choose whoever you like to invite to your party. We particularly think Lady Gaga, Tina Turner, Prince, Beyoncé and other larger-than-life entertainers would all be great choices too.

There are absolutely loads of great celebrity lookalikes to hire and some will be hard to tell the difference. They can be hired for a many other events too, you could use a few celebrities to open up your new shop or restaurant. A perfect photo opportunity and a great talking point to get people talking about your business!!

So when you are next thinking about entertainment for your event, think about a celebrity!!!

Eltham Palace

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This week, we’re taking a look at another party and event venue just outside London. Operated by English Heritage, Eltham Palace is a fine example of 1930s design; art deco buildings combined with sumptuous gardens that are sure to impress all guests. Combining a hint of Hollywood glamour with sleek style and sophistication, this is the ultimate event destination for those seeking the same… But different.

Opening in 1936, visitors might first wonder how the moniker of ‘palace’ came to be. It’s less than
100 years old so surely not..? The original property was built way back in 1066 before being replaced in 1296 with a grand manor house. The building and its gardens were acquired by the royal family in 1311 under the rule of Edward II and over the next 300 years, the palace was extended and renovated numerous times for each subsequent ruler. After the civil war in 1648, the palace was ransacked and by the 18th century, the ruins were being used as a farm, with the Great Hall being used as a barn. In 1828, the Great Hall was restored and over 100 years later, Stephen and Virginia Courtauld built the current palace next to the medieval restoration and that is what you can hire for your event today!

You may wish to move from the Entrance Hall through to the Italian Drawing Room, which also has doors out onto the terrace. Delicately adorned in hues of burnt orange, ochre and blue, this room is known for its beauty and intimacy and is perfect for dining your corporate guests with up to 60 people or for drinks receptions with 200 guests (including adjoining rooms).

All things vintage

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Why not have your very own Vintage theme party and serve up vintage style beverages– why not browse our Red Masque website today to arrange the ideal food and drinks caterers for your corporate event.

Book string quartet for your vintage corporate event to give your guests the rare opportunity to relive the 1950s musical trend that was three-part harmony singing. Close harmony singing requires huge talent and many years of practice, and when executed magnificently, like our artists can, your guests will be blown away!

Vintage themed corporate events are a big hit this year. There are all sorts of great vintage style corporate entertainment to be hired, including: a 1950s inspired pool party, complete with dressed up waitresses and synchronised swimmers; seeing the likes of 40s/50s dance troupes with a Vintage DJ….

Jazz bands and orchestras dominated what we now call the ‘vintage music scene’ of the early 20th century, which became popular in the 1910s in New Orleans and quickly spread to the UK and Europe. We have a huge collection of jazz bands, duos, trios and Jazz artists to give your vintage themed corporate entertainment the sophistication and class it needs – enquire today!
Where jazz brings sophistication, class and charm; swing, jive and rock n roll will bring movement and lots of it! Get your guests dancing all night long with one of Red Masques directory artists using swing bands, jive bands or 50s style rock and roll bands.

When you book your corporate entertainment through Red Masque entertainment you are guaranteed a class act from professional musicians and entertainers.

Look into the future

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Are you thinking about having a mystical event, where the thought of your future being read is very thought provoking? You will have to agree even if you were a bit sceptical you cannot fail to be a little intrigued?

People who read the future have been around for centuries and come in many forms it could be a Crystal Ball Reader, Palmist or a Tarot Reader.

Mind readers on the other hand as the name suggests can put on an entertaining event by reading many of your guests minds who want to participate.

Another act to consider are Hypnotists they can be used for medical issues but also for entertainment – a night with a Hypnotist can be an absolute scream, you just need to select your guests who are willing to participate. They will swear blind nothing happened when they leave the stage but leave all your watching guests in stitches at the silly things that the participants did!!

Illusionists are getting more advanced with their clever tricks that will misdirect you to looking elsewhere even though you thought you had your eye firmly on the ball – these professional and extremely clever illusionists will fool you time and time again and you will believe in Magic!!!

Magicians work the same but if you wanted the more traditional magic tricks then you are able to hire from our Red Masque Directory, from Children’s magicians to adult ones we have got something for everyone.

Or for something a little daring? Why not hire an escapologist with there up-to-the –minute death defying acts that would amaze the most sceptical of us!! An edge of your seat performance which leave little time for the escapologist to escape unhurt. We all know they will make it but it still makes up wonder ‘what if?’

Contortionists on the other hand can amaze us with bending their bodies in the tiniest of places; these contortionists can be part of a magic act where they can fit into the most impossible places making us believe that they have disappeared.

We are sure that you have found what you have been looking for by reading this – once you have decided what you want for your party event, simply book a few using an online booking form and make your event something special!!

Unique events

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We at Red Masque have the best unique entertainment artists to hire out for your special event; we have below suggested some great things to consider. It’s quite hard to come up with different things to do so we hope we have just given you a little taster of what we have on offer:

If you do decide for your private party that you are going to travel into town and visit some extravagant wine bars, why not hire a limo and be treated like a star all night too! You could include some true star quality and hire your own Paparazzi photographers to follow you wherever you go – you’ll be guaranteed to attract plenty of attention and have some fabulous shots of your night to treasure forever!

If you think that your party group are the outdoors type, then have you considered organise some giant games to play outside. Another great idea is circus training! Your party can learn a range of amazing circus tricks taught by professionals and come away from the party with a skill to enjoy and show-off for life. These artists are so much fun and guaranteed to thrill all your guests.

How about a Murder Mystery Night? Mingle your guests with brilliant characters and watch a murder unfold before your eyes leaving the guests as detectives trying to found out “who dunnit”! It’s a superbly thrilling evening where you learn who to trust and who not to trust while you work out who committed the terrible crime but beware of twists in the tale….!

Alternatively, you could hire some themed dance acts to really get all your guests in the spirit at they dance the night away in their themed dress. Don’t forget to include some suitable dance entertainment such as some Burlesque dancers which will be very entertaining for both sexes. There are a whole host of entertainment to book, just glance through all of our entertainment for hire to give you some more ideas.

We hope we’ve given you some food for thought.

Professional services every time

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There are reasons for engaging a corporate events entertainment directory. In the first place, you may not have time to make the right choice when hiring a band or a DJ. We at Red Masque entertainment agency will have the perfect choice for you on our website. We can link you up with the best bands in town. You are sure to find a reliable DJ that can handle your event.

It’s not an easy thing to organize an event no matter how small the size. The event may be a private party, corporate event or meeting, fundraising and the like. You need to entertain the guests if you really want to make them happy at the event. You can’t do it all alone. You need to engage the services of an entertainment directory such as Red Masque.

Often at times, some entertainment agencies offer band and DJ services. They do have artists who specialize in different areas of music. Such an agency can offer DJ and band services at affordable price. They also have MC’s that can make people happy at events. All you need is to get in touch with the right agency like Red Masque that can tailor make your special event.

You can be sure of proper accountability when you engage a reliable entertainment directory. Red Masque will give you accurate details online regarding the entertainment aspect of the event.
Professionalism is our game and trusted services when you engage with us. Your guests will be thoroughly satisfied with the acts you have chosen. You don’t need to suffer sleepless night once you have one of Red Masques acts at your event or party.

Indeed, there’s a lot to gain when you hire from a reputable entertainment directory. You don’t have to be in a hurry when searching for the very best. Now that you have found us we will guarantee that you will not book from anywhere else. Once you have chosen your event entertainment you are able to contact direct. You are able to ask the officials some questions, and get it right first time.