Category Archives: Uk

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.

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).

Easter entertainment ideas

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We love Easter and we love chocolate! But what fab ideas are there going on across the capital to keep the little ones entertained?

Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg?

At first glance, you might think that this macabre sounding title isn’t intended for children at all! A murder? Have no fear for this is a charming children’s film in the vein of The Goonies and other classics of eras gone by. Fans of Broadchurch may well recognise the Dorset coastline in a number of the scenes as children at a holiday camp attempt to work out just who killed Nelson Nutmeg, the name of the camp’s mascot. Fun for all the family and it even features Harry Potter’s Ginny Weasley!

Jurassic Kingdom – London

Fans of dinosaurs unite for there is a lot of excitement to be had at Osterley Park throughout the Easter holidays! We adore the use of animatronics at corporate events or private parties and in this exhibition, children and adults alike are free to explore the Osterley gardens and parklands, uncovering numerous life-sized moving replicas of everybody’s Jurassic favourites. From the Tyrannosaurus Rex to the Diplodocus, Triceratops and Pterosaur, you’re sure to have an amazing time.

Make a Mess!

If you have children who struggle to stay clean, then making a mess will be right up their alley. At the London Museum of Water & Steam, guests will be able to take advantage of the museum’s Splash Zones, where kids can experiment with gears, levers, buckets, pipes and more, all in the aim of moving water from one destination to another. You’ll also be able to see live chicks hatching, take part in Easter arts and crafts sessions or follow the cool family trail.

Easter Chocolate Workshop

There are so many chocolate related activities and workshops going on this Easter that we’re unsure exactly which one to recommend though My Chocolate sounds incredible! You can help build a giant flat egg or chick from molten chocolate, learn to create marbled effects through an egg and learn the history of chocolate. Is there anything cooler than knowing historical chocolate history? Probably not. You’ll also be able to decorate your own eggs and presumably eat them too. Yummy! It sounds like something Lick Me, I’m Delicious would be all over!

Set the stage with LED’s

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It’s one of those little things we take for granted, the glowing LED light that shows us that something is ON. Be it red or green, it’s a light that says, “Notice Me”, and it’s probably the one thing you can see at corporate events when all the lights go out on stage.

LED’s everywhere and extremely cost effective nowadays. They can brighten a whole stage and make a dark and gloomy place look wonderful. The power of LED’s is almost evident everywhere you go, for example:

• Most of Red Masque directory musicians use a PA system, and try finding one of those without LEDs on it.
• All of our artists have mobile phones, so they can contact us and clients about bookings, wherever they are in the country. What lights the screens? LEDs.
• And, of course, you wouldn’t be able to see our website in all its glory on your mobile or tablet without LED technology either.

There is one set of performers, however, who literally wouldn’t exist without LEDS; our LED light show performers. By whirling and twirling LED sights, these talented artists create intricate patterns and optical illusions in light for both indoor and outdoor venues, without the concerns over fire regulations and health and safety of their ‘real’ fire and glow counterparts.

Equally, any performers using a mobile device in their act, from iPad magicians, artists and caricaturists to function bands offering iPod-based DJ services would quite literally be out of a job.
And DJ’s and rock band lighting would be heavier, more expensive and considerably less exciting, as LED lighting is lightweight, energy efficient, cool to the touch and can create a whole variety of colours without the need for coloured ‘gels’.

Wonderful entertainment

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Ever wanted something different at your private party or corporate event that captures each of your individual guest’s personalities?

Why not hire the most popular and now fantasy photo booths? Your guests can choose to dress up in all sorts of costumes; it could be themed dress, days gone-by dress or a little saucy? Whatever occasion you had in mind we are sure when you get the pictures back they will be a scream and a much talked about affair for many months to come.

Fireworks nowadays are not just for Guy Fawkes night they can be wonderful at a Wedding, Corporate event or just at the end of an event to really finish off superbly!! We have read in the press recently that certainly celebrities have had them at their funeral!

A good firework display oozes opulence and class and tops off a wonderful celebration; young and old alike love to watch these spectacular fireworks in action.

Good lighting is also very important to hire if you were to have a small party or large event, creating the right mood is crucial to the ambiance of your function.

What if you have children at your event, and you would like to keep them entertained whilst your older guests can get on with some more socialising? Then don’t forget your bouncy castles. Bouncy castles are always a favourite. Or if your older guests are young at heart then hiring some giant games such as giant noughts and crosses, chess or snakes and ladders. The bigger the better, such good fun running up and down those ladders and good exercise!!!!

Bucking broncos are another great attraction to hire, you could hire for a charity event, where paying guests can see who can stay on the longest, or just to hire for a bit of fun with your mates. You must admit a bucking bronco is a good laugh!! Girls, you may need to wear some trousers for this event as there is no room for modesty when on the back of a bucking bronco!!!

Helping you make the right choice

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Red Masque will help you filter available options. You can get several options when thinking of hiring bands, singers, musicians, comedians and other artists. You may be confused especially when you don’t know any of the artists in person. You can save yourself the trouble by ensuring that Red Masque only advertises the very best and whatever choice you make will always be the right one.

An event entertainment directory is known for offering unique services at wedding receptions, meetings, corporate events, private parties and other special gatherings. We at Red Masque have artists who may be musicians, comedians, and singers and so on. They can thrill your guests at any event. There’s a lot to gain from us. Here are some of the benefits:

We advertise artists which we think are exactly what you want. You are able to contact various artists of your choosing and meet if you so wish to choose suitable music or songs for your event.
You can save enough time and energy when you engage a good entertainment directory. In most cases, we have taken care of the brain work you would have carried out, and have the best unique and highly acclaimed artists in the business.
With a reliable entertainment directory, you can get suitable price for hiring a band. You can also get the right price for other artists you may want to hire.

To locate us, you have to come online; which is the first step. There are lots of agencies offering unique services on the internet, but you need to consider some factors when looking for the right agency. You have to compare several agencies before making your choice. When you book one of our advertised artists you are able to arrange a private interview to help you make the right choice.

We all love a bit of Miss Banbury Cross

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We would say that everyone cannot fail to love a bit a burlesque; they are provocative and humorous and very sexy but in a very classy way, and that is where Miss Banbury Cross comes in:

She has that special something that will make you mesmerised from the moment you set eyes on her. Miss Cross was selected to perform at the Miss Exotic world and Burlesque Hall of fame in Las Vegas, the New Orleans Queen of Burlesque pageant,

Currently One of London’s most sought after headline acts and a firm favorite on the corporate entertainment circuit worldwide. She has wowed, entranced and broken the hearts of countless international and UK based clients. Boasting a “body from outer space”, Banbury is a vision of 1950s bump ‘n’ grind perfection with a sex appeal reminiscent of the golden age of Hollywood and mid century B Movie starlets.

Banbury has been dubbed the “Neo-Marilyn” of Burlesque “Bulletproof Blonde” and “The Atomic blonde” (to name a few), was voted one of the top 50 burlesque performers in the world in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and 3rd in the UK.

Banbury is hugely popular and has done many collaborations with others in this field at prestigious events.

A truly wonderful entertainer; she takes her work very seriously indeed and to her this is her life, which she lives and breathes and most importantly loves to entertain her adored fans.

Why not find out a little bit more about this act by looking on Red Masque Directory and clicking on Miss Banbury Cross profile and seeing a short clip of her work.

Could you pull off a surprise party?

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Surprise parties are great, but not for the surprise party planner. Trying to find party entertainers, invite guests, get your catering sorted and make sure the whole event goes off without a hitch (while keeping everything under wraps from your VIP guest) can be a real headache! Entertainment Ideas is here to help you take the mystery out of booking entertainment online by promoting only the acts we know and love and can personally guarantee.

The key to a great surprise party is to keep it just that. Sometimes when the person whose party it is for has inkling there may be a party planned for them you can actually tell on their face; the whole element of surprise will be forced.

Here are some tips to try and keep that party a secret. Make sure you do the entire organisation yourself and keep it under wraps then invite your guests at the very last minute. Telling your guests, a long time in advance can mean that someone will let the cat out of the bag. Obviously if you’re inviting people from abroad you will need to get your invites out as soon as possible.

You could also pretend to potential guests and your VIP guest that you are having a family get-together for Uncle Bob who is going away. Your unsuspecting VIP guest will be well surprised that the family get together is actually just for them!! Of course Uncle Bob would have to be someone who can keep a secret and is very good at keeping Mum, (there’s always one member of the family who is extremely discreet and you can trust them implicitly)

So now it’s time to hire party and event performers and cabaret to really get the party started. Red Masque directory artists advertised are always vetted and approved. Ready to party? Fill out our online enquiry form to book your entertainment. We’re ready to help you get your party started!

Great solo challenges

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Individual fundraising efforts can bring in substantial amounts of money. The publicity they attract can also help to boost a charity group’s profile.

This type of trial seems to really suit certain people. Sports enthusiasts, adrenaline junkies and others. None of whom seem happy unless they are taking it to the max!

The trick for your charity is to offer them a way to raise funds for you that matches their interests. This might include encouraging individuals or working with an existing club or corporate events to raise awareness.

There are also a large number of unlikely candidates for even some of the most extreme sports challenges and sponsored events. Of course it is this that helps attract money and publicity.

So if you are looking to bring a test of endurance or stamina into your life. Or fancy yourself as an all action hero. Or if you work for a charity and want to encourage others to raise funds for your group check out the great entertainment ideas below.

Charity Abseil

Charity Bungee Jump

Charity Parachute Jump

Firewalking

Run A Charity Marathon

Very English Fundraising Ideas

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St George’s Day & some very English Fundraising Ideas

Saint George – that renowned slayer of dragons is the patron saint of England (and a few other countries). His day falls on the 23rd April and is a great excuse to come up with some fantastic fundraising events and entertainment with a very English feel.
Decorations for St George’s Day
Decorations for St George’s Day should consist of:
Cross of St George bunting and flags
Pictures of Bobby Moore holding aloft The World Cup
Pictures of London landmarks

Start the day just right by offering a Full English Breakfast in your local hall, school diner, works canteen, local pub etc.

A typical Full English will include:
Bacon, eggs, sausages, black pudding, baked beans, tomatoes and mushrooms. Followed by toast and marmalade. All washed down with a few cups of tea.

Charge your guests by the plate or the individual portions. Who could resist.

What’s more the local press will love the story and pictures of your fundraising fry up will be sure to feature.

Alternatively team up with a local butcher and produce a special Full English Home Delivery Pack. Simply put all the ingredients together in a decorated bag called The Full Monty.

Either sell them in the couple of days before the 23rd or hand deliver to individual addresses the night before.

St George’s Day Special – Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding
Roast Beef the very stuff of Olde England.
Find a venue where you could serve this traditional English Roast Dinner. With lovely roast beef, yorkshires, roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots and peas with a beautiful thick gravy.

For afters its got to be a classic English Pudding:
Spotted Dick, Apple Crumble, Treacle Tart, Bakewell Tart, Bread and Butter Pudding. All smothered in lovely golden yellow custard.

As the cooking for this is a bit more involved you may like to team up with a local pub, bar or restaurant. You organise the event, publicise it and sell tickets. They provide the venue and the catering for an agreed split of the profits. For them this is a great marketing opportunity. They will love the publicity, and having their place full of potential new customers. You get the chance to raise some easy money.

St George’s Day Special – A Classic English Cream Tea
Ok a bit more refined but just as lip smackingly gorgeous. The best venue for this one is someone’s garden or the local village green. Serve up delicious home-made scones with butter, clotted cream, strawberry jam and a lovely pot of tea.

St George’s Day Special – Cockney Knees Up
That’s right we are all off to London Town for a night of pie and mash. A pint or two of best bitter. And a right good sing song around the old piano.

Partnering with a pub is again a good idea for this one, but the bar of a social or sports club would also work well.

This is the sort of event where you really need a good host or hostess, someone who can really get the party going.

Highlights of the evening could be:
Getting a few volunteers to do a music hall turn.
Find out who knows their Whistle and Flutes from their Kettle and Hob with a Cockney Rhyming Slang Quiz. Why Did Dirty Den Do It? and Who was always looking for her Little Willie? What about a special quiz all about the TV Soap Opera Eastenders

How Many buttons on The Pearly Kings Coat – OK a bit of needle work for someone but it would be a really nice touch to the evening.

A good old fashioned sing song. People will sing if you give them a sheet with the words on it, though a few drinks before hand help too!

Fundraising Quiz Night – All About England
Fundraising quizzes can be good fun and St George’s Day is the perfect excuse for a quiz night all about England. Just give all your rounds an English slant.
Question rounds could be things like:
English history
English sport
The geography of England
English TV shows
English pop and rock music
This would be perfect combined with a meal such as a curry or fish and chips.