Category Archives: Wedding Entertainers

The last day of freedom

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If you have the task of organising a Hen or Stag night, you are going to have to ensure it is a memorable one – in a good way! Of course you will know the Bride or Groom well and you’re aware of what they possibly would like to have. You probably have a list of ideas already bubbling away and you may even have some possibilities of a venue. However, if you aren’t sure what to do or you want to add something different into the mix, Red Masque entertainment directory may be able to help take some of the strain away as we have some great suggestions for Hen & Stag night themed evenings. Before you start you might want to consider the following factors:

Before you book anything, firstly, you need a good idea of guest numbers. Ask the Bride or Groom who they want to be invited and show them the list of names before you fire off an email so you are sure everyone who needs to be is included.

Theme – When deciding on the theme, try not to surprise the Bride or Groom too much of course, there should be an element of surprise but make sure that what you choose is something they will enjoy. For an example, your shy, retiring Bride might not want a male strip-o-gram or similarly a Groom with a love of opera may not want to spend the weekend riding on a bucking bronco.

Budget – the money that is spent is very important. Canvas the guest list and find out what everyone wants to spend. Don’t start sharing amounts with all the guests as some can afford more than others. Take an average and suggest that be the limit. It’s normal for everyone to contribute (if they can) but the Bride or Groom should not have to pay. At the same time as organising the budget, suggest suitable dates in advance. Once you have decided the guest list, date and budget you are ready to decide what to do! A good tip is not to make the hen or stag night too close to the wedding; leave at least a week for recovery time!

You could include some extra entertainment ideas you can have a real point of difference… How about some gorgeous female or male singers who will waltz into the venue, maybe posing for a few pictures and bursting into song! Or think about have a celebrity lookalike to join you, especially if you know the Bride has a thing for Brad Pitt or perhaps the Groom likes Jennifer Lopez or Kim Kardashian? All can be organised to make the Hen or Stag one he or she will talk about for years to come!

Make it a night to remember with a Cocktail Night, which are just perfect for Hens or Stags! You can either decide to head into town or visit the best cocktail bars or pubs in the area. Or hire a cocktail waiter. As an example, enjoy a plush venue and spend the evening with a few cocktail games. Blow all the budget on champagne or even consider a cocktail making masterclass where you will be taught by a mixologist how to concoct great tasting, potent cocktails before drinking them! Don’t just turn up at a series of bars or pubs, do the research first so you have an itinerary to avoid not knowing where to go next.

As far as entertainment goes, you could hire a caricaturist to draw a group caricature of all the hens which can be then be framed as a lasting memento. Or the Stags might enjoy a cool, contemporary mind reader or a magician/illusionist to keep them entertained and completely blow their minds!

Things to consider when organising an exhibition

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You’ve got your booth and your display, and you want everyone to stop and see what you have to offer. But how do you get them to stop? Make your exhibition booth unforgettable with some un-boring additions!

Food and Drink

Every human loves food. It’s just a fact. If there’s food at your booth, you’re practically guaranteed to have a swarm of people. So if you choose to have food or drinks, be prepared with large quantities! You can usually get an estimate of attendees from the convention’s website or the sales person who sold you the booth.

Also, check the restrictions of the exhibition, because sometimes food isn’t allowed unless it’s pre-packaged. If that’s the case, try attaching your business card to the packages so your prospects will know where it came from later.

If food is allowed, try something a little more fun than a tray of quiches. Bringing in Concessions like marshmallow machines or gourmet candy floss can add an adult twist on classic childhood favourites. If the exhibition allows alcohol, mini cocktails are another winner. Hire a Bartender to handle the mixing while you focus on networking!

Celebrity Impersonators

Want to create a buzz around your booth? Bring in a celebrity, of course. It starts with one person whispering to their friend, “Is that Lady Gaga?” and before you know it, everyone is checking out your booth. Celebrity Impersonators can pose with guests for pictures, sign autographs, and add an air of glamour to what can be a dry event. Whether you choose a blast from the past like Marilyn Monroe or Elvis or keep it newer with James Bond or Austin Powers, you won’t regret it. And neither will the attendees!

Live Party Entertainment

Another great way to draw attention is a live performance at your booth. Close-Up Magicians can snag passers-by and get them involved with card tricks or other quick sleights of hand. If sound restrictions allow, you could even have a musical performance like a One-Man Band or String quartet. Send a Stilt Walker into the crowd with your company to recruit attendees for your booth, or have a Juggler or Belly Dancer for a more compact performance.

Unique Merchandise

Lastly, give your attendees something cool to remember you by. Most importantly, give them something they’ll actually keep and use. High-quality sunglasses are usually a hit, or well-made soft t-shirts are another. Go big or go home! Pens are a cheaper option, and everyone loves them. Portable phone chargers are a trending item right now, too. Whatever you choose, just ask yourself what you would like to leave with. Check out sites to order items in bulk with your logo on them. You don’t want people to forget who gave them such awesome stuff!

With a little creativity, you can have the best booth at the exhibition. Give people an experience that they won’t soon forget, and drum up some great relationships and potential new business.

Wedding anniversary ideas

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Wedding anniversaries are among the most joyous celebrations in a person’s life, and unlike birthdays, you actually get to pick the date!

But, year after year, it can become difficult to think of fun, new ways to celebrate your marriage. So we’ve put together some tips for you to do something wonderful with your partner this year!

Spruce Up the Classic Date

So, your first thought is dinner at an elegant restaurant? That’s great, it’s a classic, and classics are classic for a reason. But how about sprucing it up a bit? First of all, make sure the restaurant is nice, as nice as you can. It’s your anniversary, after all. Then, instead of simply driving to the restaurant, why not have a Horse Drawn Carriage take you there? Or a Limo? Afterward, take your partner on a lovely stroll and have a Singer waiting to serenade them. This is a great way to make a regular date-night activity turn into a beautiful memory!

The Bash

Maybe you don’t like to keep it simple. Or private. Maybe you want to throw a huge party with all your friends. For a real bash, there are some essentials we strongly recommend for you. First, a Bartender. This is a must. Nothing simplifies the logistics of an event like designating someone specifically to the alcohol. Second, a DJ, Cover Band, or a Dance Band– music, in other words. Hire some Tables & Chairs if you’re looking for a more formal affair, and hire a Caterer if you think guests will stop dancing long enough to eat. A bash is a joyful way to celebrate the love in your marriage, as well as the life you’ve created together.

Recreate Your Wedding

Depending on how long you’ve been married, recreating your wedding can be a fun throwback to your younger lives. Hire a Cover Band to play the same songs and ask your guests to show up in era-appropriate attire. Decorate the party with pictures of the wedding, which should incite stories and remembrances from times gone by. Nothing shows you how much has changed like going back and remembering how it all began.

Anniversary Roast

This one’s for the strong couples, the ones with a serious sense of humour. Divide up the roasters by partner, so that each one gets lampooned evenly. Hire a Stand-up Comedian to bring some professional legitimacy to the proceedings. Consider booking a Cover Band or a DJ for some filler music. A Roast works both as an anniversary celebration and a test of your marriage!

Destination Anniversary

Who says an anniversary has to be celebrated with a party? Why take your partner on a trip? What better way to honour the adventure of a marriage by creating a new adventure? Travel anywhere– fly abroad or a romantic cruise. No matter where you go, you and your partner will be a team, discovering the world.

We hoped we’ve helped you and your partner make the best of your special day. Always remember: the whole point of an anniversary is to take time to honour your marriage. So don’t worry too much about planning the perfect event. As long as you spend it with your partner, we have a feeling your anniversary’s going to be wonderful

How to entertain the simple way

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Universal Party Truths: The first guest will arrive early. The pots and pans won’t be washed. And a half-dozen people will squeeze into the kitchen while you’re still slicing and dicing. Instead of fighting the facts, finesse your game plan. With these clever tips, you can keep your guests happy and occupied—and make yourself less stressed, from hello to good-bye.

For the smoothest entry, give arriving guests a clear destination. A small table done up with essentials is a friendly gesture, and it frees you to get back to the kitchen if needed. Try to offer bar access from more than one side, to prevent a cue. Stock generously and make sure you chill white wine for two hours in advance so guests won’t need to come looking for anything—ice, glassware, bottle opener, condiments—but reserve some surface area for mixing drinks. Nobody wants to mix up a Manhattan in mid-air.

Guests go where the action is—besides, they want to socialise with the host. Be ready to make them feel welcome.

Give over the far end of your kitchen counter or island to appetizers, so people know exactly where they can linger without being too in-your-face.

Welcome help. Reserve certain small jobs for early birds and those who shy away from being chatty. Offer the sorts of tasks you could give to an older child: setting out dishes and cutlery, plating hors d’oeuvres, filling the water jugs, or putting bread rolls in a basket.

Hide signs of stress. If anything makes a guest feel guiltier than watching the host do dishes after the meal, it’s watching her do them before the meal. Use the dishwasher as a hiding spot for dirty dishes even those you’ll ultimately wash by hand.

Go with the sort of low-key nibbles you would find in a classy bar: small bowls of nuts, Bombay mix, and olives.

Spirited conversation is a dinner party’s bread and butter, but sometimes it needs a nudge.

Manage moods. At holiday time, people tend to arrive hungry (and ready to indulge), so don’t make them wait too long for the main event.

Use a white tablecloth, white dishes, and just one or two rich accent colours and centrepieces should be tall enough to talk under or short enough to talk over.

A place card for everyone. Seating plans may seem formal, but they actually make guests more comfortable. Think about who would benefit from particular placement: small children (seat near a parent), couples (split them up to encourage mixing), and hearing-impaired guests (reserve a quiet corner chair or seat them front and centre, depending on personality). Then fill in the blanks.

Turn a table into a convenient, arm’s reach refilling station. Load it with wine, jugs of water, and spare utensils to eliminate supply runs.  

Be present. Each time you get up to fetch something, you essentially abandon your guests. A host’s primary duty isn’t to feed people but to spend time with them. Serve family-style, and forget cleaning up mid-event. Carrying plates to the kitchen is one thing; but once you turn on a tap, you’ve dissolved the festivity.

Relocating for sweets and coffee lets guests stretch their legs and switch up conversation partners.

Cheer at the finish line. Champagne after the meal is a nice surprise. It’s one of those delightful little touches that people remember.

To really spoil guests, set out the dessert —fancy chocolates or salted caramels—while you ready the baked goods. (Don’t forget the desserts that guests brought!) Sweet cheeses and nuts with a dessert wine provide the right coda for the sugar-averse.

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.

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!

A West End Musical event

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We all love musicals. Even those people who say that they don’t can be found screaming Grease Lightning at the top of their lungs at party events every summer. It makes sense then that musicals from the West End and Broadway are therefore commandeered for weddings, corporate events and private parties. 

Mary Poppins

Ah yes. Famous for dancing penguins, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Dick Van Dyke’s horrendous cockney accent, this is a musical that combines animation and live action to great effect. A family classic for all the family. But how does that translate to events?  Why not hire a dance troupe with some costumes and umbrellas and create a wonderful Poppins scene at authentic venue of your choice?

Sound of Music

For a merry West End sing-song of all the hits from the Sound of Music. Do-Re-Me, So Long Farewell, 16 Going on 17, Climb Every Mountain and My Favourite Things could be belted out to a costumed audience. Who doesn’t like this film?  Such an idea won’t be perfect for every corporate gathering but it certainly be a unique and pleasant experience!

Mamma Mia

Knowing Me, Knowing You, Dancing Queen, Waterloo… The hits are endless and as a result, why not book a tribute band and dance away? Or go wild and have a full on 70’s costumed event. Abba is everyone’s guilty pleasure. The result; a fabulously fun and entertaining party that is thoroughly enjoyed.

Jersey Boys

“Oh what a night!” is exactly what you’d be saying after experiencing a Jersey Boys Tribute act. That was exactly what to sing a medley of brilliant hits. Cherie, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Who Loves You… Just some of the hits that can be Working My Way Back to You.

Rocky Horror

Richard O’ Brien’s greatest moment? Only if you wish to disregard his marvellous work on The Crystal Maze. Even so, the Rocky Horror Show is a huge cult musical that fans always like to dress up for.  These themed parties for the Rocky Horror never go out of fashion. Many bands love to recreate the songs from this show and everyone will love a bit of ‘closet’ dressing up!!

We will Rock you

There’s no reason this can’t be done in its entirety but for the certified Best Single of All Time, Bohemian Rhapsody. “Galileo! Galileo! Galileo Figaro! Magnifico…” We’ve got Freddie Mercury lookalikes before and know that an all-singing, all-dancing inspired Queen recreation would be the perfect musical experience for a corporate or private crowd. Fun fact for you: Robert De Niro was one of the producers of We Will Rock You in the West End. Amazing.

Business event ideas

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There are many ways to create a unique experience for your employees, customers, and potential customers. Hosting a business event like a happy hour or networking event is a great way to get in front of people and learn more about them at the same time.

Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to have a party? But first ask yourself, “what are the goals of this event?” Is it to gain more customers, is it to show your employees that you appreciate their hard work, or are you thanking your customers for their loyalty? Who is this event for, and what’s the benefit for you and your attendees? Once you have your goal(s) in mind, like every event, you have to plan ahead. Use these tips and ideas to make business event planning a breeze:

Planning Your Event Entertainment

Set your budget – How much can you afford to spend for the event? What will you need? Some of the usual costs associated with events include the venue, food, drinks, decor, marketing (printing/postage), giveaways and labour.

Create a guest list – How many people (and who) will you invite? How many people do you expect to show up? These answers will help you with the rest of the items on this list. Start by looking at your customer base and work from there. Use other networking events that you attend to pass out info about your event, if appropriate.

Select a date – When is the best time for your event? Select a few dates that work for you your potential invitees. Most people won’t be able to take time out from work just for your event. Keep in mind that your date needs to coincide with your venue availability. The more flexible you are, the better your chance of getting a great location, and a good price.

Scout locations – Should your event be held at your business, or do you need to check out other locations that might work? How much room do they have? What does the venue include (i.e., food, drinks, staff, audio equipment)? Can you use their venue in exchange for getting more people in their door or in trade for something from your business?

Pick a theme – Having a theme can help brand your entire event from invitations to decorations, food, and drink ideas. Remember, the holidays are right around the corner and people LOVE holidays. Use Pinterest to your advantage for finding inexpensive and fun ideas for your theme.

Promoting Your Event

Questions to ask yourself: How are you going to promote your event? What’s the right way to reach your target attendee, email, social media, print invitation? What will you offer people to get them to attend?

Send invitations – Try using different methods (paper, email, social media) to send out your invitations. You know your audience, what will work best for them? You may want to use multiple methods.

Additional Tips

Find a similar or complementary business to co-host an event with you. You can use their customer list to gain more attendees for your event and possibly more prospects for your business.

Get donations from other business that might benefit from your event. They can sponsor different aspects of your event or help with giveaways.

Have invitations available at your place of business (if you have one), and on you all times to pass out. You never know when you’ll need them.

Social media is free! Make sure to use it to your advantage. You can offer invitees a deal for sharing your event with their friends.

Last but not least, play the host/hostess. Make sure during the event that you work the room and keep the event, conversation, food and drinks flowing!

Have a business event of your own coming up? Share your planning tips with our readers in the comments!


Top tips for organising an event

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Organising an event may seem like a scary and overwhelming task, but with good planning it needn’t be, and the rewards of a successful and memorable occasion will eclipse the efforts involved. Here are some basic top tips for organising a triumphant event.

Choose an Event that you will enjoy

Successful events are organised by people who believe in the occasion and who want to put a smile on everybody’s face. They are also run so smoothly that not only do the visitors want to repeat the experiences, but organisers too. 

When choosing an event, it therefore important something that you would enjoy attending. If you don’t like the occasion then the role will quickly become a chore and be evident to everybody.

Plan Carefully

Well organised parties and events leave people with positive experiences and make them want to come back for more. Events that are poorly organised will probably still be remembered, but for the wrong reasons. 

If an event is not carefully planned it will flounder. With event management it is not simply a case of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best – too much is at stake. One simple error regarding the organisation of such aspects as the toilet facilities or the catering might be secondary to the main event, but it could ruin the whole occasion for many people.

Consider drawing up an event manual or a calendar to chart let you and everybody involved know what needs to be done, by whom and when. This will also help you to chart your progress. It is useful to plan in reverse, by starting at the event date and working backwards.

Don’t take on too much work

Very few events are one-man missions, they are largely realised by people working together in a team headed by a manager or an active small committee. This is the most effective way because event organisation involves a great many different tasks, some occurring concurrently. The organisers should therefore not be afraid of getting as many people involved as they need. The less people have to multi-task and more they can focus on one job at a time, the less chance there is of something going wrong.

Budget Carefully

A key aspect of the event plan is the budget. The initial plan should be accompanied by an estimation of the total costs. This will enable you to firstly see whether the planned event is economically viable, and then whether you need to modify costs and plans, and how much funds need to be raised. 

The basic budget plan needs to include all the expenses and the all money coming in to pay for them. To avoid any damaging financial mishaps, it should be diligently followed. Records of what has been paid for and when should be maintained, and receipts and invoices kept. 

Timing

Timing is another vital factor in successful event organisation. The occasion needs to be planned for a date that gives you plenty time to plan and action it, and save any last minute panicking. The day must also be appropriate for the event type and its audience – if it’s aimed at children then school day afternoon would for instance not be advisable. It should also not clash with any other occasions that might steal its thunder and its attendees, such as a major sporting event.

Contingency Planning

Even if your plans are very sensible and thorough, you cannot anticipate everything, there is always the ‘what if…?’ It is therefore important not to overlook contingency planning, and consider a wide range of potential problems during the planning stage.

Cool Magic

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There’s no doubt about it, Magicians like Dynamo and Derren Brown made the art of magic very cool again. It’s an art that constantly re-invents itself with the best magicians always adding more complex and up-to-the minute methods to keep audiences mesmerised.

Using the latest technology and what’s around them to wow people is something that a good Magician will always look to do and with smartphones and tablets being everywhere nowadays, it’s a great way for magicians to further impress their subjects.

 IPhones have now become an integral part of any illusionists act. Using it to create magic involving coins and other items adds an extra layer to their performance. There’s a whole host of occasions where this type of magic can be used – Weddings and Parties and even Corporate Events or Product Launches where it can be absolutely relevant to a product that might be being promoted. Being able to take an item that people can see digitally on the device and transfer that into a physical item from nothing is a really popular form of magic to guests.

Using an iPhone is probably preferable to an iPad because the illusionist can keep it in his pocket while performing in a mix and mingle style with guests, however tablets are often used too depending on the event.”

Corporate and Trade Shows are proving particularly popular for this type of magic where there are hundreds of stalls all vying for attention and where there’s a real need to add something that will stand out. Digital Magic is clearly proving very popular.

Some magicians perform street magic on a London street, which involves use of the phone to magic items – including making the phone appear from a magazine advert. The reaction from passers-by shows the effectiveness of bringing the traditional styles of magic together with technical innovation is a concept that will remain popular amongst Magicians and the people that love to be in awe of it.

Like all forms of entertainment, each Magician is different. While not all Magicians have this in their performance routine, Red Masque has some of the UK’s most exciting magicians and can help to find the perfect magician for your event.