Bands From The Decades

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60’s

The swinging sixties sounds as good today as it did back then… From the Beatles to Hendrix and The Rolling Stones to Tom Jones, the 60s decade produced some of the best music of all time. Red Masque provides a huge selection of 60’s bands and tribute acts from that era. Even today it is listened to not only by the 60’s generation but by our children and grandchildren.

Red Masque provides the ultimate in party entertainment and to hire a sixties band or one of our tribute acts couldn’t be easier… Either find the act or acts you’re interested in on our website and fill in their booking enquiry form or simply give us a call. We’re here to help with any enquiries you might have so please don’t hesitate to contact us.

70’s

If ever a musical style defined a decade, Disco was the definition of the 1970s. It created a great deal of songs and artists that people are still dancing to today. Red Masque provides parties and events with a fantastic selection of 70’s bands and tribute acts available for hire.

Jazz, soul and progressive rock created a whole new generation of bands whilst flares and funk created a whole new look. Add some 70’s to any party, hire a seventies band and dance the night away!

80’s

From rock bands to solo acts and big hair to shoulder pads. The fabulous sounds of the eighties… The decade that saw the emergence of pop, rock and dance music. When R&B, hip hop and urban music became commonplace and electronic instruments were as popular and as mainstream as ever.

For the ultimate party or event with an eighties party theme, Red Masque can supply you with a fantastic selection of 80′s bands and tribute acts available for hire.

90’s

It was a time when musical taste was as varied as the events that were happening at the time. A fantastic decade with a continuation of pop, rap, hip hop and dance music still enjoyed today.

From brit pop to urban music… the sounds of the 90’s are unmistakably good.

For the ultimate party or event with a nineties party theme, Red Masque have a fantastic selection of 90′s bands and tribute acts available for hire.

Click here to view all Bands for hire

Ideas for a 1920’s evening

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If you’re looking for that knockout concept for your next corporate event, why not take advantage of the popularity of the movie version of The Great Gatsby and people’s love of all things vintage?
Whether it’s a private party, product launch or corporate event, check out these ten event ideas inspired by the 1920s.

1.Cabaret Evening

The roaring twenties was an era full of decadence and entertainment, so a cabaret evening would suit the 1920s theme perfectly, and will be a whole lot of fun for guests! You have a whole range of fantastic entertainment ideas open to you, like lounge singers, aerial acrobats or even risqué burlesque performers.

2.Murder Mystery Night

If your client’s looking for something unusual for a smaller group (ten to twenty guests is ideal), a 1920s themed murder mystery night will definitely fit the bill. This works well for both private and corporate events, but will rely heavily on participation, so your client needs to be sure that their guests will be happy to join in!

3.1920s Canapé Party

If your event needs to be dazzling but on the informal side, work with your caterers to produce a 1920s canapé menu. Canapés really came into their own during the 1920s, as they were perfect for soaking up all that bootleg liquor!

4.Jazz Night

A live jazz band will really let guests get into the swing of things; the 1920s were, after all, known as the Jazz Age. Out of all the event ideas inspired by the 1920s, this is just the thing for music lovers.

5.Dance Event

A 1920s dance with live music is perfect for capitalizing on 1920s fever, and when you’re thinking about the perfect venue for this, don’t just consider the obvious. Maybe there’s a slightly run-down hotel in the area that you wouldn’t usually consider as a venue, but that could be hiding a fantastic art deco ballroom?

6.Cocktail Party

For a glamorous cocktail evening, think decadence and style. 1920s cocktails like Mint Juleps are sure to go down well, and a champagne tower will make attendees feel like they’re in the home of Jay Gatsby himself.

Christmas party ideas

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If it’s your turn to plan the annual Christmas party. It’s a lot of pressure, —but don’t fear! Whether you’re planning a fun office party, a classy dinner, or a traditional yuletide soirée, we’ve got some great Christmas party themes to get you thinking..

1. Winter Wonderland
A winter wonderland theme works for almost any Christmas party and event. But, with such a majestic aesthetic, it works especially well for dinner parties!

Frosted and/or clear crystal, white Christmas trees, polished silver, candles, snowflake confetti, metallic decorations, tinsel, fake snow, ice sculptures, and white string lights.

Use a String Quartet, Jazz Band, Harpist, Acoustic Act, or Classical Ensemble.

2. Christmas Themes Around the World
Christmas is celebrated in a number of different ways around the world. Throwing a Christmas Around the World party is a great way to learn about other cultures! With so many various traditions, you’ll have plenty of options — mince pies and Guinness of Ireland, the Christmas Eve feast of KFC in Japan, the ‘mass’ rollerskating in Venezuela, French nativity scenes made of radishes, and the large straw goat of Gåvle, Sweden that gets burned to the ground almost annually.

International Christmas foods and beverages, flags and informational cards, and decorations made from world maps.

Use, World Music Act, Father Christmas, Carolers, or any of our wonderful International-Inspired Acts.

3. Entertainment
Ballet Dancers, String Quartet, Classical Ensemble, or hire a Choreographer to teach a simple routine! Don’t forget a DJ, not out of the ordinary but classic entertainment!

4. The worst Christmas Jumper
The worst Christmas jumper party has been a popular theme for several years and there’s no doubt why — it’s fun! everybody buys their costume at a pound shop and the more pompoms, the better. The worst Christmas jumper parties can be a hit in any crowd, but we think they’re especially fun for office parties (and it’d make for a great office photo).

Want to focus on judging the ugly sweater contest? Leave the rest of the work to a Bar staff, Caterer, Photo Booth, or Photographer!

Stay Within Your Event Budget

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Large private parties like an anniversary or graduation party can cost thousands. If you plan a corporate event, the cost can go up exponentially. Planning a corporate event or another major event can be expensive.

As a party planner, it’s important to work with your clients to stay on budget while also planning the event of their dreams.

Before you can create a budget, you need to have a good idea of what things cost. You may be shocked to learn what caterers cost, or you may have had no idea that a photographer could cost so much. Call around to get a few estimates based on some standard details, or do an online search to get a ballpark for what others have paid in your area. Once you have that information, you can get a rough idea of what you might like to spend for each item on your party planning checklist.

Start by determining how much you can afford for your event. Create a couple of amounts: Set the amount you’d like to spend, and set the amount that you could spend if you stretched things a bit. By having a budget range, you will have some wiggle room for unexpected expenses. You’ll also give yourself some flexibility to indulge if you find a more expensive caterer that you love or you decide you want to spring for a nicer venue.

Break down your budget into categories for each item you will need for your event. For example, a typical event planning checklist for a wedding would include things like catering, venue, wedding cake, the officiant, flowers and wedding attire. Create a range for each budget item, ensuring that the total still falls within your overall budget range.

When you are shopping for party supplies, you might think their costs fall within your budget, but you might overlook the smaller costs than can push you over. For example, if you have £5,000 budgeted for catering and you find a caterer that gives you an estimate of £4,800, you might think you will be saving some money. However, after tax is added and you pay the tip, you could be well over your budget. Be sure to include these smaller expenses when calculating your budget.

Working within your budget also ensures that you stay on track and that you find ways to cut corners without sacrificing on quality.

Toga, Toga Toga

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There are only a few requirements for throwing a Toga Party. First and foremost: dress code. No Toga, no party. To create your Toga, you will need white bed sheets, rope sandals, and an ivy headdress. Cut, wrap, and tie your bedsheets into a Roman-inspired dress. This is a universal look, but creativity is expected. Construct an ivy halo from materials found at your local craft shop. Throw on the hippie rope sandals you’ve been saving in your closet since freshman year, and you’re ready to go!

Organised games for your party-goers are a must. Expect your guests to be three sheets to the wind at this point, so keep game rules buzz-friendly. Choose games like Chariot Races, where participants will pair up for a piggy-back race to the finish line without spilling their beers, or Still As Roman Statues, where your party-goers will pose as Greek statues and see who lasts the longest. Beer Pong and Flip Cup are also acceptable.

Although Grecian-inspired games and drinking contests are entertaining in their own right, it’s best to have multiple forms of party entertainment for your guests. Book a DJ or Band to keep the party alive all night long. Hire a Bartender to serve up Roman-inspired cocktails and beer.

Togas, drinking, and Roman-inspired games – it’s pretty hard to mess this up. Just have fun and drink responsibly, and don’t forget Toga! Toga! Toga!

Hiring Great Event Staff

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Hiring event staff at party and event venues is an investment in your company and it’s important to find the right mix of skills and abilities in the people you hire – whether they’re part of your day-to-day team or contracted for a specific event.

No business owner has single-handedly built a successful and sustainable business on their own and it takes a great team to thrive.

Create an ideal employee description – write out a description of the person you’re looking for that defines their work ethic, what skills they have and their job responsibilities.
Speak to your accountant so you know how to legally handle full- or part-time employees vs. contract employees.

To save time and help narrow your search, create an online application.This is a great way to see someone’s personality and their communication skills before you decide to meet them in person.
Reach out to your business contacts for referrals– often this results in the best candidates when you hire event staff.

Interview Questions To Ask During The Interview
Once you’ve identified who you’re looking for, it’s time to narrow your search and interview and screen the top candidates. Here are some questions to ask during the interview.

What area(s) of event planning do you need more improvement or training in?
How do you handle a situation when things don’t go as planned?
What makes you love coming to work everyday (or for each event)?
Describe a time when you were asked to do something you weren’t trained to do. How did you handle it?
What do you like to do in your free time?
Is there anything stopping you from working long hours, weekends, evenings or last minute?
Describe your event planning experience
What attracted you to this position?
How do you make decisions?
What are your strengths and how do you use them when planning an event or working for an event planner?

Retirement Party Ideas

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For almost everyone, music is the key to many wonderful past memories. And it’s one of the easiest ways to host some retirement home musical entertainment! Take your residents on a walk down memory lane with a musical group.

1.Barbershop Quartet
With perfect pitch and harmony, a barbershop quartet can dazzle any crowd! They generally have a large repertoire of tunes from years past and love singing for older crowds. If your guests have a request, most groups are happy to oblige. And get ready to see the ladies swoon!

2. Boogie Woogie Tribute
The Boogie Woogie is best known for those who lived through World War II. With lively patriotic songs, they entertained troops and kept their spirits up during a tough time in our history! Show your veteran retiree how much their service has meant with a Wartime tribute act. Songs like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Pistol Packin’ Mama” will keep the crowd swaying to the beat!

3. Gospel Group
Depending on the religious diversity of your guest, a Gospel group may be a meaningful performance for them. As people are nearing the end of their lives, faith begins to play a bigger part. Booking a Gospel group guarantees a great show!

4. Crooner
Crooners were king in the ’40s and ’50s, with their smooth voices and sultry songs. Some of the best artists in history came out of this era, including Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby. Your residents are sure to feel some nostalgia with a performer like this! Whether you want an actual Rat Pack show or just a Frank Sinatra tribute, these performers love an older crowd that appreciates their act.

5.Beach Boys Tribute
Gaining popularity in the 1960’s, the Beach Boys launched a new type of musical sound with their “surf songs.” Their killer harmonies and clever lyrics helped them rise to the top of the music charts. Booking a Beach Boys tribute band is definitely one of our more energetic ideas for retirement home entertainment! If you want to see your residents groove to the music, you can’t go wrong with the Beach Boys.

Plan wisely

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When you’re first deciding how to plan an event there are many things you need to do.
There’s an overwhelming amount of information and action to take – especially if you’re looking online.

Event planning is the process of budgeting, scheduling, choosing a venue for your event, coordinating permits and licenses, arranging entertainment including bands and speakers, and meeting with caterers to choose a menu. The term event planning is used when planning party and event venues.

Event Management is the process of overseeing and managing the entire event from start to finish, including the event team and/or volunteers. Typically, event managers have more experience than a planner and manage the entire project. The term event management is usually used when referring to large-scale events like festivals, conferences, or concerts.

Regardless of which title you choose to give yourself, there are 3 key qualities that an event planner must have to succeed.

Time Management – you must be able to coordinate multiple schedules at once, in order to be a successful event planner.

Resourcefulness – thinking quickly on your feet is critical to planning events – no matter what size – because even the best laid plans don’t always go as planned and you’ll need to know how to seamlessly fix issues without your client or the event guests knowing.

Budgeting – one of the most important skills to have as an event planner, yet often ignored because many of us like the creative side of event planning more than dealing with the bottom line. However, in order to be a successful event planner and make a profit, you must know your numbers. If budgeting scares you, sign up for a class at a local college to learn the basics.

Knowing how to schedule and organise correctly can make for a wiser selection, and have better organisation at your event.

Christening Entertainment

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After the Christening ceremony many couples now opt for a family private party, complete with live music and children’s entertainers.

The christening or baptism of a baby or child stems from the Christian religious practices of immersing oneself in water to wash away sins (The Greek word ‘baptizo’ literally means to immerse, plunge, dip, or bury in water) and in later years the ceremony became associated with the taking of a name to symbolize new life. Adults may choose to be baptised later in life but whatever the age of the participant, the naming ceremony whether religious or otherwise is usually followed by a family celebration.

Make It Musical

Regardless of the size of your christening or naming-ceremony, musical accompaniment will both enhance the atmosphere and entertain your guests throughout the day.

Classical music such as string quartets, harpists and singers are popular choices for the ceremony, with jazz bands, swing bands & pianists proving good choices for the drinks reception afterwards.

If you will have a good number of children attending then it pays to hire entertainers to keep them occupied. Have a look on Red Masque’s Directory of Children’s entertainers, magicians and street entertainers. Also think about face paints & fancy dress costumes which are always a great way to keep them entertained.

Parties that stand out

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How do you plan a Birthday Party that will really make an impression? How do you make it a special event that will stay in people’s memories for all the right reasons?

Birthday Party Entertainment Ideas

Birthday party fancy dress themes work really well, such as James Bond, Hawaiian, Phantom of the Opera, The Godfather, Alice in Wonderland, Hollywood Oscars Night or Wild West Theme.

It’s good to ensure there are plenty of attractions to keep guests talking and mingling so you could also consider casino tables which can tie in nicely with a James Bond theme, for example, and create a space for guests to meet, mix and break the ice. You could also hire some mix and mingle acts who will work the floor & get people talking.

For a rocking party, you could book a party band to play songs fitting to that theme or just a general rock and pop, ratpack / swing, soul or jive band to keep your guests dancing all evening long.

The tradition of holding a party to celebrate the anniversary of birth began centuries ago in Europe when it was feared that evil spirits sought out people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would gather around to bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off evil spirits, and candles were placed on cakes to transport the birthday wishes directly to God.