Category Archives: Uk

Stuck for party ideas?

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If you are stuck for some ideas for your event or party then Body Art is another way for young and old alike. You may have opened a new theatre company and wish to use Body Art for a completely different concept, or you may be holding a party where women or men are painted from head to foot in the most amazing paint that you wouldn’t know they had any clothes on!!!  (That’s how talented these Body Art artists are) and then there’s your face painter which can create the most amazing art on anybody’s faces…

Clowns are another good choice, usually you would book them for Children’s parties; and of course you still can, but why not hire a Clown for an adult event. Clowns have been around for centuries, first derived from the ‘court gestures’ of many moons ago to entertain Royalty and the Rich and Famous.   Clown’s slap stick humour is able to make both adults and children engage.

You are able to book Clown’s for any different event depending on what you need, but be safe in the knowledge that we only have the best Clowns on our books.

A contortionist is another slightly ‘off the wall’ act to hire, the amazing way these people bend their bodies to get into the tiniest places – are these people human? In fact the suppleness they have has taken hours of training every day to keep them this supple, to enable them get into these impossible spaces. With an act like this you will find that your guess will be mesmerised and will definitely entertain.

Fire Acts are definitely welcoming crowd pleaser. You could be opening up a new night club where 2 of these Fire Acts could be standing outside your new club. A must if you want that dynamic entrance for your new guests.

Or how about a Hula hooping act to hire? Strange as it may seem hula hooping would be a different but entertaining act to hire; maybe to meet and greet your guests as they arrive, serving drinks but hula hooping at the same time? Hula Hooping for a long time takes skill. Your Hula Hoop Act could have many on them on different parts of the body – great entertainment and a great way to keep fit.

So why not book a whole array of acts for your party – just break out from the usual dull entertainment that’s usually hired at such occasions.

Professional entertainers are second to none…

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You need to put on a show or want a different kind of ‘wow’ factor to greet your guests, or you want to use as a distraction when you are changing scenery. Well why not hire Acrobats that can put on an amazing choreographed performance jumping over your crowd or through fire.  

Another act to consider is Ariel performers which can be quite beautiful.  Imagine the scene, your guests have sat in their seats a few hoops or ribbons come down over your guest heads and the most dazzling display of performers gracefully move in sync like ballerinas in the sky. 

A tightrope walker could also be considered where they too walk high up over your crowd’s heads taking entertaining to another level 

Do you want to have a circus in your own back garden? Or you may be hiring a piece of land that could have a circus erected, everyone loves the excitement of a circus and if you wanted to hire one then we have the right circus at Red Masque directory for you to hire.

You could be holding an extravagant party for somebody or it could be for a corporate evening.  The choices are endless; it’s good to know that Red Masque only advertise the best of the best.

You may want to hold a children’s party where a clown is needed to entertain the children whilst you sit back and have a well-deserved break.  Our clowns advertised come in many shapes and sizes, some can do magic, balloon modelling or some that do good old fashioned ‘slap stick’ humour. Whatever you would like your clown to do we have the best advertised on our Red Masque entertainment directory.  

Fill out an online booking form so your chosen act is able to contact you to take things further.

Why book Rappers?

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There’s not an easy way to tell you this… but just cuz you can say some words that rhyme and sound good together, it doesn’t mean that you can rap. So you probably shouldn’t perform at your daughter’s sweet 16th party or any other party for that matter… just leave your rhyme spittin’ skills for the shower. But no worries! At Red Masque party and event entertainment directory we have advertised some new, up-and-coming rap artists know how to string their words together, put ‘em with some sick beats, and wow the crowd. Any event of yours will be off the charts with one of these rappers! 

When it comes to teenagers knowing their rap – you will be a very ‘cool’ Mum or Dad if you just leave it to the professionals.

So if you want to get a little more ‘info’ on the rap scene here is a little insight into how it all began…

Rapping essentially involves the speaking or chanting of rhyming lyrics, often set to a beat. The rhyming created by rappers is considered by many to be o­ne of the most sophisticated styles of poetry. What’s more, these rhymes often address provocative subjects such as sex, violence and socio-political issues.

Rapping first gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1970s as a kind of street art, especially among African American teenagers. But it wasn’t until 1979, when the Sugarhill Gang released their breakaway hit, ‘Rapper’s Delight, that record producers took notice of this emerging musical genre. O­nce they did, numerous rap acts, including Run-DMC and N.W.A., surfaced, and rap’s audience began to swell. It wasn’t just African American male rappers getting in o­n the act, either: By the 1980s, white rap bands such as the Beastie Boys and female rap bands such as Salt-n-Pepa were reaching the top of the charts.

By the 1990s, rap matured from an old-school-style – which was based o­n relatively simple lyrics – to a new-school-style, which was louder and included more complex lyrics. Artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dog and Tupac ruled the charts during this time, as did Eminem – o­ne of the most popular white rappers of all time.

Rap has stood the test of time and its popularity rages o­n with today’s artists such as 50 Cent, Ludacris and Jay-Z churning out hit after thought-provoking hit. The beat truly does go o­n.

Brazilian Carnival Dancers

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With the carnival fever fast approaching isn’t it better to hire these amazing dancers early? You wouldn’t want to be disappointed, after all Carnival dancers are the icing on the cake!

These gorgeous dancers will carry a feeling of elegance and prestige providing a very energetic performance with a modern twist featuring spectacular costumes and choreographed routines which will dazzle your guests getting everyone off their feet and onto the dance floor! The show will give the audience an authentic taste of the Latin & Brazilian dance experience including Samba, Salsa, Cha Cha, Lambada, Axe’ and much more!

Dancing to up tempo Latin & Brazilian songs as well as Latin pop and contemporary charts, be assured that these Brazilian Carnival Dancers will create an exciting party atmosphere!

You will deal with experienced artists who have been performing not only in the UK but all over the world. Their reputation has grown significantly over the years making them becoming the Capital’s leading show business dedicated to this kind dance.

Discover how you could indulge yourself and your guests with a dazzling and classy party entertainment! With many dancers available, the group can satisfy any request and cater for any budget, no matter how small or large!

Hire Brazilian Carnival Dancers to cater for Corporate, Galas, Weddings, Bar Mitzvah, Cocktails reception, Product launch, TV Commercials, Casinos, Theatre Production, Award ceremony, Themed Event, Office party, Fundraisers, Festivals, Venues and more.

You may need a Brazilian Carnival singer. As well as Carnival Dancers, it would be good to provide a Brazilian Carnival Singer who will entertain your audience singing up-tempo Latin & Brazilian songs in Portuguese, English and Spanish as well as Latin pop and top charts to quality backing tracks.

The singer can also perform a background music set featuring a classy repertoire of smooth Latin jazz and Brazilian bossa nova. This would be ideal for wedding reception or to delight your guest while dining. Please look on our Red Masque directory for more details.

Swing away!!!

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Swing music, or simply swing, is a form of American music that developed in the early 1930s and became a distinctive style by 1940. Swing uses a strong rhythm section of double bass and drums as the anchor for a lead section of brass instruments such as trumpets and trombones, woodwinds including saxophones and clarinets, and sometimes stringed instruments such as violin and guitar, medium to fast tempos and a “lilting” swing time rhythm. The name swing came from the phrase ‘swing feel’ where the emphasis is on the off–beat or weaker pulse in the music (unlike classical music). Swing bands usually featured soloists who would improvise on the melody over the arrangement. The danceable swing style of big bands and bandleaders such as Benny Goodman was the dominant form of American popular music from 1935 to 1946, a period known as the Swing Era the verb “to swing” is also used as a term of praise for playing that has a strong rhythmic “groove” or drive.

Swing has roots in the late 1920s use of larger ensembles using written arrangements. The period between 1935 and 1946 is when big band swing music reached its peak and was the most popular music in America. This period is known as the Swing Era. A typical song played in swing style would feature a strong, anchoring rhythm section in support of more loosely tied wind, brass. The most common style consisted of having a soloist take centre stage, and improvise a solo within the framework of his bandmates playing support. Swing music began to decline in popularity during World War II because of several factors. Most importantly it became difficult to staff a “big band” because many musicians were overseas fighting in the war. By the late 1940s, swing had morphed into traditional pop music, or evolved into new jazz styles such as jump blues and bebop. Swing music saw a revival in the late 1950s and 1960s with pop vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Nat King Cole, as well as jazz-oriented vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald.

In comparison with the styles of the 1920s, the 1930s represents a more sophisticated sound, but with an exciting feel of its own. The audience of young white dancers favoured Goodman’s rhythms and daring swing arrangements. “Hot Swing” and Boogie Woogie remained the dominant form of American popular music for the next ten years. Standards like “Moten Swing” by Bennie Moten and the Kansas City Orchestra were important in the development of swing music and the move towards a freer form of orchestral jazz. Audiences raved at the new music, and at the Pearl Theatre in Philadelphia in December 1932, the doors were let open to the public who came crammed into the theatre to hear the new sound, demanding seven encores from Moten’s orchestra.

If this all sounds like your sort of music, take a look on our directory to see which Swing or big band entertainers you could hire for your very own event or party.

Eurovision Party?

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Celebrate Eurovision with a Party Theme Night & tributes to Cliff, Lulu and Abba. A European Themed Event with French, Bavarian & Greek Bands & Music! 

Drag queens will definitely be a big hit on this occasion the louder the outfits the better. Don’t forget to hire your Abba Tribute acts or even a Lulu lookalike (hopefully she’ll sound alike too?) but it doesn’t matter if they can’t; as not many can sing at Eurovision!!! It’s all about taking part that matters right??

Eurovision parties can be as elaborate as you like, the weirder the costume the better you can even dress up as a lady even if you have a beard!! Just have fun and enjoy. Tribute acts or themed acts will be needed though taking you through the eras or Eurovision from when United Kingdom was popular to vote for, all the way to nowadays when United Kingdom is always at the bottom! Why not have your very own ‘voting system’ and put on your very own talent show; you could make it a ‘fantasy’ where United Kingdom always gets ‘Twelve Points’

If this has got you thinking then get planning.  At Red Masque entertainment directory we have so many entertainments that you can hire ready for your big party ahead. The right lighting would be very important to create the ambiance it deserves.  European food caterers and don’t forget ‘Fish n Chips’

A live band, a host, decorations that would be key to this colourful event and don’t forget your flags!!!!

Now sit back and enjoy your every own Eurovision

Incredible Circus acts

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A circus event is great for all the family – we have some great circus acts for you to choose from. You could hire a full on circus or just a few acts. Here are some suggestions to really get you thinking:

A good juggler today can juggle almost anything from fire to dangerous objects with their complex routines that has been practiced and practiced over and over again. Have you ever wanted to learn the art of juggling?

If you needed a juggler for a children’s party or a grown up event then look no further than our choice of fine jugglers that are very professional and can put on a good show for your special event. You could be launching a new product, having a private party, corporate affair which will get the attention your event needed to be a success.

Another exciting entertainment act to book would be a Knife Thrower. If you were thinking that this would be a good way to get rid of your boss at this year’s Christmas party – think again, as we have the most professional Knife Throwers advertised with us here at Red Masque entertainment directory.

This act is terrifyingly dangerous and you will have one eye open when you see the Knife Thrower in action.  Toe curlingly good and great entertainment, we are sure you will love this act.

Another one to consider is a sword swallower it will be the most jaw dropping, show stopping, act that you could possibly see and everyone will want to watch it – it’s extremely clever and obviously well practiced and these guys are obviously a master in their field. From regurgitating, to swallowing razor blades we find it almost impossible to comprehend but ever so fascinating to watch.

A tightrope walker watched from great heights is breathtaking, these tightrope walkers will amaze you with their amazing balance where sometimes they can juggle, sword swallow or even knife throw all rolled into one amazing act.

So forget your normal clowns and have a circus event to remember which will ‘wow’ your guests and if your guests would like, maybe they would like to be taught the art of a few of these acts?

Be confident in Red Masque’s chosen party entertainment guide and believe that we have the best on the books advertised just for you…

A Casino themed event

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You may well want to go all out at your event and have a ‘James Bond’ theme and have a few celebrity lookalike ‘Bonds’ or some ‘Pussy Galore’ lookalikes gracing your event.  

It doesn’t have to be an all adult affair either you could make it family orientated and hire some bouncy castles, children’s entertainers or some fairground stalls.

Just make it your own – we have some great ideas on our website which will fit into whatever you were deciding.  A birthday party or fund raising event which would be very unique and anyone receiving an invitation would be very curious and definitely want to turn up.  Use your imagination and your event could be the most talked about for many months to come.

Going back to a ‘Casino Theme’ you may have the roulette wheel, or the black jack table, but why not indulge in a few arcade games for the younger ones or indeed the older generation who love to have a go on retro ‘Pac man’ or ‘out run’. You may want some ‘slot machines’ where you will find that people will be hogging them for hours.

You could be organising a charity event where all proceeds go to your favourite cause, or you may want somebody to win big!!  The choice is yours and your event will be a very tempting invitation.

Don’t forget to hire some all-important Paparazzi for when your guests arrive, they will be ‘papped’ just like the stars of today, and after they will be able to see their escapades on a souvenir dvd, now that’s what memories are made of!!!

To book some of the ideas that we have listed or to get some more inspiration simply look within our Red Masque party and event entertainment directory to see which would be ideal for you. 

Some ideas for a great proposal…

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There are many ways that you can make a grand proposal to your loved one. You may have the perfect one lined up but if you need a little help. We have made some suggestions:

1. Love Letters: Just Mind the wind.

If you wife to be is a country girl at heart, the prospect of getting up and going outside on possibly a very cold day will certainly not faze her. The idea of going up in a helicopter and viewing the beautiful British countryside that she loves will definitely excite her though. Then, imagine her face when she views the words ‘Will you marry me?’ written across the hill…breath-taking! I have met someone recently who instead of actually writing it on the hill just used paper to create the shapes of the words. Unfortunately, it was a rather windy day and he had to use his faithful friends to lie across the paper to ensure she did not get a mangled message!

Alternatively, recently a farmer in Gloucestershire allowed a creative groom to write the letters ‘Will You Marry Me’ on his sheep. As far as we’re aware no sheep were harmed in the creating of this proposal.

2. Enter Loversville

As its’ name alone suggests that the village of Lover (pronounced like Dover) is one of the UK’s most romantic destinations. Located just south of Salisbury on the edge of the New Forest this tiny village is an ideal place for couples to visit, if only to pose by the village sign for an amusing photo opportunity!

Also in Wiltshire, is the interesting heart shaped wood on Huish Hill near Pewsey. Created by Lady Keswick in 1999 as a memorial to her brothers the wood has developed nicely so that when in season it appears to look like a giant red heart. This phenomenon is due to the woods being planted with two varieties of Hawthorn which produce pink flowers. Totalling an acre in size, the wood is visible from the top of Huish Hill and is really spectacular!

3. Stop the press; or the traffic at least.

Why not show the world, or rather a high percentage of commuters, how much you love the woman in your life by proposing on London Bridge, during rush hour.

OK, so it may not make you the most popular guy in London, but it will certainly win you an infinite amount of brownie points for the most imaginative and heart felt proposal.

4. Get a Cheer

Picture the scene, you’re having an amazing time at Glastonbury, it’s warm, the sun is setting and you’re watching your favourite band perform on the stage. And then you get engaged; now that’s quite perfect.

This actually happened to a young couple in 2010 and Chris Martin announced; “I don’t know if you saw, but someone just proposed and got a good answer” The audience all cheered in celebration, and he then went onto explain that he would dedicate the next song to them! Imagine getting a cheer from 20,000 people after you have just got engaged, I think that would make it pretty memorable. 

5. Melt your snow queen

The Dolomite Mountains in North Eastern Italy is a ski resort with over 1, 200 km of slopes, which leaves plenty of open space for a romantic and secret proposal. If you and your girlfriend are both a fan of the slopes, this would be the perfect place to visit and pop the question.

The Dolomite’s have been described as brighter, more colourful, and more monumental than any other mountain range and are unique in that they seem to be architecturally inspired. Deodat de Dolomieu discovered and clarified the exceptional composition of the stone, giving the mountains their name.

So there you have it, our suggestions for the most romantic and memorable proposals. Take them as they are or with a pinch of salt, but whatever your proposal idea is, make it personal to you and no-one could say no.

Of course if you look at the party entertainers that are located on our website there are countless ideas that you can feed from. Try hiring something a little unusual to give your wife to be the proposal she so deserves…

5 mistakes Christmas party planners make

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Planning a Christmas party seems quite straight forward, but you’d be amazed at how many people leave it to the last minute. And it might seem a little early in the year to get started but you’d be surprised how much planning goes into creating the perfect Christmas even. So what are you waiting for? 

A few helpful hints to make sure your next Christmas event runs smoothly….

Not laying down a budget

OK, it’s not like Christmas parties – depending on the size of your organisation – are particularly cheap affairs, but foregoing a budget for some entertainment might make it seem more like one planned by Ebenezer Scrooge rather than Father Christmas.

What’s important, as with any budget is that you look to get the most value out of the event as possible and a common mistake is that many planners fail to get the most value out of the oft-overlooked centrepiece for the night’s festivities – the entertainment.

Budgeting the right amount for the entertainment can sometimes be the difference between a good Christmas party and a great one and setting a budget in place means that you won’t spend too much or too little on such a crucial aspect of the evening. 

Not booking it early enough

Christmas parties aren’t exactly surprise affairs and you’d be surprised at the amount of last minute entertainment bookings that take place in the run up to the big day.

Obviously, the festive season is a peak time for many acts, performers, bands, DJs, you name it to receive bookings and as such – the best ones will be snapped up by the early birds.

A common mistake that many Christmas party planners make is that they don’t book their acts early enough and as such; they miss out on the very best entertainers and acts at the best possible prices. Through booking your entertainment early, you ensure that you have more options at more prices levels than if you left it too late. 

Not taking any risks

No one’s an expert in entertainment (although Red Masque directory do have an array of great entertainment) but that’s no excuse for not jumping online and seeing what options are out there to book for your Christmas party – alas it’s a common mistake to just ‘go by the motions’ 

As well as tonnes of resources online (you’re looking at one right now), there are so many options for unique and creative twists on the usual. Christmas jazz bands, a walkabout snowman or a magician, a freestanding aerial artist that looks like she’s on top of a Christmas tree, we have a lot interesting acts to choose from. 

Taking the time to think about more creative and unusual entertainment options means that your Christmas party will be an extremely memorable, not to mention unique, event that will show you’re not afraid to take risks. 

Not thinking about how it can fit into your event

Well this one is a little bit trickier and it’s a common mistake with a lot of Christmas parties – and lots of events for that matter – but many planners forget that entertainment, much like the décor, is an integral aspect of the event’s theme and getting it wrong spells d-i-s-h-a-r-m-o-n-y.

Luckily, there are tonnes of entertainment options out there to help bring your event into blissful harmony. Think about your venue, what your aims with the party are, who your guests are etc… and then look at how you can match the entertainment to all of these aspects. 

For example; let’s say you’re holding a party in a grade II listed building; does a DJ really strike you as ‘vintage’? Well it might if you work with the act a little to get the look right, but surely your theme, and event as a whole is much better off with an act that’s almost tailored perfectly to the venue; a troupe of Christmas carollers or a jazz band that plays Christmas covers will combine for a much stronger impact. 

Not booking any entertainment at all

OK, it’s not like forgetting to book some entertainment for your Christmas party means that it will be the worst one ever and everyone will hate you for it – nor does it mean you’ve ruined Christmas. 

What it does mean is that you’re missing out on tonnes of opportunities to try and give your guests and experience that they will remember as, quite simply, being ‘the best Christmas party ever’. It doesn’t have to be big and it doesn’t have to be fancy, in fact it could be anything from hiring a DJ or a magician. But one thing that will make a good Christmas party great, is having a source of entertainment that has been well thought out and will ensure that your guests’ experience is unparalleled by any other. Do otherwise at your peril.