Now is the time to organise your Christmas event…

It may only be Spring but it’s always best to plan your next Christmas event as early as you can to avoid disappointment. If you want to create your own winter experience, either for a party entertainment, corporate event or business attraction, here are a few hints from Red Masque directory to make your Christmas event wonderful!
If you want a show as part of your event, you’ll need an inside space or warm, dry and well-appointed marquee to hold it in. Acts that look great in marquees include:

• Circus acts, especially aerialists, or silk acrobats!
• Dance groups who can fill the performance area with music, movement and style!
• Experienced party bands for hire that can play in all those cheesy pop hits we love at Xmas!

Make your event great by having sheer variety of entertainment on offer. So, offer lots of different acts to see, rather than one big attraction and people will enjoy the event more.

• Walkabout acts really help build a holiday atmosphere – check out Christmas costumed characters, ice characters and stilt walkers.
• Generate a warm feeling with fire acts to light up the winter darkness
• Conjure up the magic of Christmas with street magicians performing close-up tricks and illusions

Food and Drink
• Hire a hog roast or BBQ for outside cooked goodies
• Offer traditional treats such as roasted chestnuts and mulled wine that fill the air with deliciously Christmas smells!
• Be cool with a Christmas cocktail bar, decorated with ice sculptures serving frosted cocktails or frozen daiquiris (and non-alcoholic drinks for the drivers)

Fun things to do:
Visitors love interactive experiences, (aka things to do). They don’t have to be very fancy, just lots of fun for any age.

• Turn traditional side stalls into Christmas fun, such as a snowball coconut shy.
• Book a winter or “Frozen” themed bouncy castle with integrated rain cover, so the weather doesn’t stop the fun
• Get your skates on and book an artificial ice rink – all the fun, none of the wet! Most ice rink suppliers offer a complete package with chalet, boot hire, and experienced staff trained in the required health and safety procedures.

And if that all sounds great fun but such a lot of work right now, hey, there’s always next year! At Red Masque, we’re already seeing lots of people now booking acts for Christmas 2016, so find your perfect acts now to make your own winter wonderland happen.

 

Retirement party ideas…

Traditionally a gold watch was given to prized employees retiring after 30 years, though long service medals and other gifts were often given depending on the nature of the job or the type of work carried out.

If you’re planning a party for a work colleague, a novel idea is to give a countdown clock which runs backwards for 6 months until the last day of work, ideal for someone whose retirement can’t arrive too soon!

These days the whole emphasis of working life is much more temporary than ever before in history, with few people expecting to stay in the same employment for 30 months, let alone 30 years!

If you, or someone you know, have been lucky enough to keep the same job right up to retirement age then they certainly deserve a fun-filled and exciting send off.

Party Themes…

To decide on a theme for your party, choose something relevant to the retiree, for example a favourite hobby, a work related topic, their favourite musical era or the place they’re retiring to, especially if this is abroad.

A popular theme is to dress up and hire a live band to suit the era when the retiree started work. For the 50’s choose a rock n roll band or Elvis Tribute singer for the 60’s go with a Beatles tribute band, for the 70’s how about a 70’s party tribute act? The options are endless.

We also have a great range of lookalike artists so why not surprise the retiree with a visit from their favourite celebrity or sports star?

Decorate to suit the theme…

You should dress the entire venue with memorabilia, ‘Happy Retirement’ banners and party decorations which follow the theme in seamless detail. Lots of companies supply party props and ‘scene setters’.

If you choose a golf theme for example then decorate the room as a golf course, with elaborate sand pits, flags, golf ball name settings and card board cut outs of famous golfers. Everyone should arrive in outrageous golfing trousers and pringle jumpers, and if your venue is a golf club why not include half an hour on the driving range before dinner?

This is your life!

A great idea for a surprise retirement party is to hold your own version of the TV show ‘This is your life’.

Friends, family and colleagues will love collecting stories, photos and tales of long-forgotten, and often best forgotten antics from the workplace or otherwise. Try and get in touch with old colleagues or long lost friends and invite them along in secret, introducing them at the perfect moment for an emotional reunion.

A confident younger relative or the retiree’s manager should compére the event. Buy a ‘big red book’ as an album for the collection and present it to the retiree at the end of the night.

At your service

An entertainment directory is known for offering unique services at wedding receptions, meetings, corporate events and other special gatherings. We at Red Masque usually have well groomed 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:

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 party and event entertainment for hire and whatever choice you make will always be the right one.

We understand 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 several 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. You can ask the manager some questions. Or you can also arrange a private interview with each artist. This will help you make the right choice.

Creative space

The Cutty Sark is situated on the shores of the Thames River; the Cutty Sark is one of the world’s most famous ships standing as a great monument to the age of merchant sailing as the last surviving tea clipper. It’s a perfect venue for hosting a Corporate event and clients can choose from three versatile and impressive event spaces.

Enjoy a luxury experience in The Master’s Saloon with mahogany panelled walls and the imposing Captain’s table. The room from which the ship’s captains studied maps and entertained, it offers an authentic maritime experience for corporate dinners of up to 10 VIPs. The Tween Deck houses exhibits that tell of the ship’s life sailing the seven seas delivering goods to ports all around the world. Once the ship’s store room, The Tween Deck can be transformed into a spectacular space for smaller dinners and receptions with space for 100 delegates as a standing reception or 60 as a reception and sit-down dinner. The ship’s largest event space is the Dry Berth – staff can enjoy the surreal experience of being entertained underneath the ship’s hull! With a unique view of the ship’s gleaming copper hull, this vast versatile space can host 200 to 450 people for gala dinners, awards ceremonies and event receptions.

No corporate event held in a ship would be complete without some elegant themed maritime entertainment and there is no one better than entertainment specialists Red Masque directory to help with that! With the food taken care of all that’s left to find is some stunning entertainment. That will add some visual element to your event with maritime custom made costumes and realistic body paint. The entertainment you choose relating to maritime will entertain clients and can provide exotic themed walkabout entertainment straight from the deep with stunning extravagant costumes

Another perfect unquiet venue is the Ice Tank is a new premier event space hidden in the heart of Covent Garden. Open plan and full of natural light this 2500 sq. feet venue with two levels is perfect for press launches, conference meetings, private dining events, receptions and private parties. It is also available to hire as a photography and film studio.

Ice Tank is truly innovative in its design with 20ft high ceilings, large ceiling-to-floor glass windows with acoustic glass for complete soundproofing and blackout electric blinds. It boasts every corporate event organisers dream; high-tech equipment including Wi-Fi, impressive sound system, plasma screens, HD projectors and HD/AV equipment perfect for film shows and presentations. Not to mention the fully equipped luxury kitchen on the ground floor with modern appliances throughout. The ground floor can cater for up to 80 guests while the lower floor for up to 50.

This special venue offers a bright creative space in which to showcase your brand and company; entertain VIPs, delegates and corporate guests; and impress potential clients. Entertainment can be hired from Red Masque directory and will perfectly compliment this sophisticated venue. For something a little more visual acrobatic performers creates a stunning aesthetic with elegant performances. Clean lines, elegant choreography and simple dress would perfectly suit this venue’s contemporary white space. Your event and can be used to advertise a brand, company or message

For more entertainment inspiration for your exclusive event at one of London’s top alternative venues take a look at our Red Masque entertainment directory and book online today.

Entertainment for 2015

Red Masque entertainment directory brings entertainment to events all over London and beyond.  As an agency bursting at the seams with talent, here we look at just a few acts to look out for in 2015…

Party bands are picking up great feedback wherever they go! They have put everything in their set lists from the Maroon Five to Madonna, The Rolling Stones and Daft Punk so know how to make sure that everyone’s musical tastes are pampered to. With a completely authentic feel and sound, these bands deliver a full sound which is bound to keep the Dance floor full at many different types of event

2015 sees the 75th anniversary of The Battle of Britain and you might want to book some great entertainment for events that will mark the occasion. Vocalists will bring close harmonies and a vintage look and sound to any event with an extensive set list of the wartime classics. They can also tailor to suit any budget by performing with a full piece band accompaniment or let their vocals shine with a Capella set.

There’s no denying that when Dynamo and Derren Brown came onto the scene, magic got very cool again. Our illusionists works along the same ethos – sharply dressed and delivering amazing tricks using any number of items including phones, cash and other belongings and also engages with a persona that sees guests always trying to lure him back to their table to do “one more trick”!

You can be confident that whatever event you’re planning, we offer one of the biggest and most diverse choices of entertainment to hire to make sure you get the perfect act for your event in 2015 and beyond!

Party preparation

Fireworks aren’t exclusive to bonfire night anymore; they are used to celebrate all sorts of celebrations or functions. Many weddings now organise a display of fireworks congratulating the new bride and groom and for a special event like this it can be the icing on the cake at the end of the evening. 

Young and old alike love fireworks, you can choose for the noisy option or keep it beautifully quiet and graceful the choice is yours. Find the best firework specialists available for hire in the UK today. From traditional firework displays designed to your requirements to firewriting and driveway spark showers. Add some sparkle to a wedding day or corporate event with brethtaking shows tailor made for you.

Ice sculptures can be another unique feature at your special event. If you were having a grand affair, ice sculptures ooze opulence and are very different. From ice sculptures to table pieces and vodka luges to objects frozen in ice, there’s a whole lot of things you can do with some frozen h2o. Creative, innovative and dynamic works of art that can be designed specifically with your event in mind. Whether it be your company logo or something intricate and beautiful, they guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. 

If you need a great Marquee for your event then you have come to the right place. Red Masque has the most elegant Marquees for hire and the best promotional staff that can entertain your guests or wait on them. Let the party come to you with marquees to hire for your weddings, parties and corporate events. A great range of top quality marquees and themed tents with all the necessary equipment including a selection of furniture and decorations. 

Here at Red Masque we also have the best fantasy photo and booths advertised, you had better be quick though as they are hot property at the moment. With different props and costumes for your guests to put on and just generally making a fool of themselves.  It’s a brilliant icebreaker at an office party or at a birthday party or wedding, a great souvenir of your special day. What could be more special than Uncle Ernie being captured wearing a ladies wig and huge glasses.

If you only wanted the most professional then rest assured that your event will run smoother by booking from a reputable entertainment directory which only advertises the very best.

Party Machines

Themed walkabouts have never been so popular. If you want to attract some attention at your launch party or corporate event then why not hire some great Themed walkabout artists to engage with your crowd and be a talking point for guests whilst redirecting them to the events theme.

You could hire a Robot to be fully interactive with your crowd. Bring the party to life with amazing robot acts that will delight your guests. From giant LED-clad robots putting on a show stopping performance to robot waiters serving your guest, having one of these robot acts as a walkabout or meet and greet accessory to your party is a guaranteed crowd pleaser every time. Walkabout robots today are extremely intelligent and will be very entertaining and engaging to young and old alike.

Arcade games are fantastically good fun and with anything from a single pinball machine up to a full seaside style arcade of games and simulators. They are guaranteed to make any event or party truly memorable. Arcade games are a great way to keep young and old amused for many hours.  If you need to hire arcade games for your event then look no further. Think of Pac-man, donkey Kong, space invaders or even outrun. Amaze your friends and guest with these timeless arcade games at your party or event.

Bubble, smoke and snow machines not only add ambience to any event but can be hired for smaller parties. You would imagine smoke machines in nightclubs or snow machines for a movie set but they can be hired for your own personal event large or small – they are all great effects, just let your imagination run wild. 

Bring the special effects to your event with some added wow factor. Whether it’s a corporate even, private party or wedding of the year, it’s the little things that make all the difference. These simple and effective additions are a perfect choice for any occasion. We all know that children love bubbles above anything else, what better way to attract children then to hire a bubble machine. Maybe you are opening a new toy shop or just want them for a birthday surprise.

Human canvas

A great body paint artist works wonders, they are able to create some dramatic features on the face or on the body. Body art can cover anything from full body painting to transformations including tailor-made outfits for the ultimate wow factor. These unique artists are fantastic accessories for any event are make guaranteed head turners no matter what the occasion.

It could be a simple Children’s party where face painting is a must for all 5 or 6 year olds (or older) to look like characters out of Frozen. Face painting is fantastic entertainment not just for children but adults too, offering nothing less than the highest level of professionalism with designs that are striking, imaginative, and well executed. Choose from a vast range of designs, reproduce company logos, design your own or work to a theme. Face painting is guaranteed creative fun for all ages.

Henna is another art but more traditional in the Asian society mostly used in Wedding ceremonies, but Henna can be used on the whole body to create a more dramatic look. Art with the ‘wow factor’ from the traditional to the contemporary. Henna artistry and designs will take your breath away. The tattoos are temporary, fun and painless and are the ideal party reminder as they last for a few days after the event.

The best in the business

The wonderful sound of live music being played is second to none, so why not hire one of the best in the business and make your event truly memorable?

Go for the classical with a four piece, solo musician or a full orchestra. From the magical sounds of a Harpist to the timeless sound of a Violist or a string quartet.  If you wanted an upmarket affair then you’ll find a large selection of classical musicians available here at Red Masque.

Imagine the scene; a launch party for your new wine bar has finally been arranged and there is the sound of people talking and laughter. Hiring a musician could be the perfect addition to your event and the added ingredient needed to make it a complete success. The right ambience can certainly make your event stand out.

If you’re looking to add a little culture then why not try one of our musical artists from around the world? Hire some Latin or Middle Eastern music musicians. We have reggae bands for hire,  african bands, indian musicians and tradition artists from Europe, South America and the far east. To hire only the best musicians from across the globe look no further than Red Masque directory. You’ll find just what you’ve been looking for to give your special event that extra special sparkle!!

For some Motown and Soul is the best music of days gone by, it was soulful funky and is still as popular today. Why not bring the party to life and hire a top Motown band or tribute act? Motown really turned the music industry around and today we still hear sampled copies of Motown and Soul being used today.

To hire a band, musician, orchestra or singer for any event look no further than Red Masque Directory where you will find the finest artists available in the UK today. We are the most comprehensive entertainment directory in the UK. With everything from unique and original acts and party entertainment to the best performers and bands in the business.

Giant garden fun and games

Are you organising a little outside entertainment, then why not make it big by 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!!!! 

Hire Bouncy castles, assault courses, inflatable slides, bungee runs, gladiator duels and many more. Bring the excitement to your event with some inflatable fun. It could be for a children’s party or if you’re young at heart you can order an adult one where you and your friends can bounce away remembering your youth and having a good laugh at the same time.

How about a hiring a bucking bronco for your event? 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. The bucking bronco or rodeo bull has always been a firm favourite when it comes to hired fun for parties but now with so many options available you can surprise your guests with something a different.