Tag Archives: find

History of a fire act

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We love a good fire act. They know how to get a party going and instantly provide a warm atmosphere to proceedings. If you’re looking to hire fire acts then you know where to come. You’ll see something that is entertaining, safe and perfect for all guests to enjoy. .

Calling to mind the 2004 film Dodgeball, where characters are told “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball,” you might be thinking that this is where Nejapa’s annual tradition of lobbing fire at one another came from. But no. This particular ‘festival’ has been running for hundreds of years and goes by the name of Las Bolas De Fuego (‘Balls of Fire’).

Way back in 1658, a nearby volcano erupted and laid siege to all in its wake. Incredibly, the town of Nejapa managed to avoid most of the destruction when the lava stopping just short of the local church. According to folklore – and it is a bit hazy – the town’s patron saint, San Jeronimo, wanted to douse the area in fire to get rid of the Devil or saved the town by stopping the lava from reaching the sacred building that bears his name. Whichever way you look at it, locals believe that San Jeronimo saved the town in some form so to celebrate they chuck fire at one another. That’s probably the only part of this festival that isn’t disputed.

So how do you set up the world’s most volatile festival? First, you soak rags in kerosene for a month before the matches and lighters are brought out. Wearing Halloween costumes – we know it’s starting to sound a lot like The Purge – participants then wear protective gloves and chuck fire at each other. That’s it. That’s the only rule. Even if you’re only watching, you’re still allowed to be hit so maybe observe from affair. Not only do people chuck the fire at each other, they even engage in hand to hand combat. It’s chaos. Utter chaos as you can see below.

As of 2015, ‘few serious injuries have been reported’, although what denotes serious is never explained. You can rest assured we’ll never advertise this form of entertainment for your event but it’s certainly a fascinating fact, isn’t it?!

The Tower of London

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We thought we’d look at an ancient fortress today. If you’re describing a venue as an ‘ancient fortress’ then you can rest assured that it will have loads of character and an awful lot of history, which is certainly the case of the Tower of London, an event venue that sits right on the bank of the River Thames. But what else can you expect from this fabulous venue?

For nearly 1,000 years, the Tower of London has stood as a landmark for visitors to the capital to enjoy. In service to the monarch, thousands of people flock to the Tower of London each year in order to experience a true feel of Britishness; from the ravens walking around the grounds to the colourful Yeoman Warders (that’s Beefeaters to you and I) waiting to greet you, there’s a lot to enjoy. And that’s even before we get to talking about the Crown Jewels!

When you hire the Tower of London for an event, it’s clear you’re going for the spectacular, looking to really impress your guests. What you might not know however is that the Tower of London has a whole host of rooms and spaces that are available when you decide to hold your party there.

Whether it be a reception, dinner or huge event, you can pick from a variety of different rooms that hold just 12 people right through to The Moat, which can hold up to 2000.

You might wish to dine in the White Tower or enjoy a drink or two in the New Armouries – whatever you desire, the Historical Royal Palaces team will seek to accommodate your request if it is at all viable. Do not worry about having a private view of the Crown Jewels either; this is all part of the experience when you hire such a famous venue! You can even experience a special Yeoman Warder and witness the ancient and world famous Ceremony of the Keys.

Hiring a venue like this is naturally an opportunity to hire the best entertainment for your evening as well. But what works at the Tower of London? You’ll be glad to know that pretty much everything does! Caricaturists, singing monks, classic function bands, string duos and even lutists play in this very special of events venues.

Get some soul in your life

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What is a Soul, RnB or Motown act?

Soul music is the love child of rhythm and blues and jazz, with American gospel as an auntie. Born in the late 1950s, soul music combines irresistible rhythms and powerful, heartfelt vocals that have defined pop music and funk alike. Think Little Richard, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson. Otis Redding and the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin.

Rhythm and blues (R&B or RnB) originated from adding a strong beat to jazz and adding lyrics about life, love and freedom. Now it’s a genre of soul music that stretches from funk to ska, to hip hop, and encompasses artists as diverse as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, and Mariah Carey.

These types of bands play music that is like the soundtrack of your life; up beat at one moment, soulful and heartfelt at another, but always delivered with style!

Motown is a type of soul music named after the Motown record label, based in Detroit USA. The Motown sound fused soul and fledgling pop into a string of massive pop hits that have filled dance floors and discos alike ever since. You’ll know the sound when you hear it and you’ll certainly know the Motown artists: Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Diana Ross and The Supremes, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder.

Hire a band to play music that is like the soundtrack of your life; up beat at one moment, soulful and heartfelt at another, but always delivered with style!

Have a look at the artist and band Profiles here at Red Masque Directory. Their sample tracks and demo videos give you a good idea of what the band sound like. Is your toe tapping from the very start? Does the vocalist nail their notes and make it sound effortless too? That’s a good act. If you’re up and dancing around by bar eight, that’s a great act!

Wide range of repertoire Look for artists with a wide range of music in their playlist (it’s at the end of their Profile). The range and choice might sound a bit odd at first, as many mix modern and classic tracks in their sets. Actually, that’s a sign of great musicianship and will ensure every one of your guests has something they’ll know and love in each set – and want to dance to.

Ideas for next New Year’s Eve

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Because most pubs and restaurants get rammed to the rafters, many people prefer to throw a private party. If you hire a venue it pays to book well in advance, ( 12 months or more!)

It’s also important to recognise that people expect something a little special on New Year’s Eve so don’t be afraid to go all out. Why not have a look at some party themes we have listed previously to get some inspiration for some great party ideas.

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 create a space for guests to meet, mix and break the ice. Also check out some mix and mingle acts who will work the floor & get people talking.

Live music

For a rocking party, you could book a live band. Live bands are perfect for NYE parties and work well with a Scottish Hogmanay theme. Hire a band with a caller to shout out the dance moves and you’re away!

Other popular choices include/swing bands, soul bands, rock n roll or jive bands to keep your guests dancing all evening long.

Also traditional for the stroke of midnight, book a Bag Piper!

Fireworks

It’s now become traditional to set off fireworks at midnight on new year’s eve. You could arrange a professional fireworks show or you can buy DIY firework kits from recommended suppliers.

Travelling

If you’re prepared to travel it’s well worth a visit to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations!!

But, whatever you decide to do, make sure you do what’s right for you.

Planning a surprise party

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The world is your oyster when you want to plan a surprise party. You may have spent months trying not to let the cat out of the bag, but have you considered when they get to the party what other things you can do to surprise them??

When you’re planning an event, you want to keep your guests and the main guess entertained throughout, so the energy and enjoyment never dips. Giving them something new just when they are least expecting it is a great way to create a buzz, and to give guests something to talk about apart from the food or the football! And nothing fits the bill quite like a surprise act, be it singing waiters, firemen, or chefs.

Red Masque directory have a whole lot of choice if you want to make your event unforgettable. Discover what surprise party entertainment we offer and how they’ll positively impact your event!

One great idea would be a hire a comedy musician where he or she is all set up to play some classical music to entertain your guests. They start to play all the wrong notes and your guests start to laugh embarrassingly at the artist that has been hired, (a bit like Les Dawson)

It’s a great way of breaking up a meal and giving your guests something hugely entertaining when they are least expecting it!

Then after your guests have nudged each other and made faces the comedy musician (who is highly talented by the way) breaks into a musical piece of perfection!!

What the guests see, of course, is just the end product of a great deal of planning and preparation. Professional entertainment acts make sure that everyone behind the scenes is in the know and fully prepared, while the real guests haven’t a clue what’s going on! It’s also about preparing a scenario that is perfect for your event.

Have a fashion event

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A fashion event can be as extravagant as you wish, with bizarre acts to go with the outrageous fashion that has been created

London Fashion Week has always been know for drama and a bit out there so why not hold on to that theme and create your very own fashion event and hire some great acts.

Drag Queen

A drag queen Diva is just what you might expect from a visit a fashion event, but at the same time will almost certainly surprise you with his smooth moves, stunning wardrobe and astounding voice. He will be a big hit. Drag Queens are an undoubted star, which makes Drag Queens the perfect act to close your fashion event.

Caricature Artists

A Caricature artist is the perfect fit for the close of your fashion event. Caricature artists specialises in drawing portraits that could be in the style of fashion magazines. If you’re lucky, perhaps he’ll draw you. He really is the most perfect act for this event. It’s certainly an interesting entertainment act to consider.

Aerial circus entertainment

If they’re good enough for Paul Smith (and they are) then they’re good for your fashion event! Not only can aerial circus entertainers do amazing acrobatics like swinging above your heads on a hoop without any apparently difficulty, but they can do all this in a nice crisp suit without even creasing the material! Now wouldn’t that be a sight to remember as your event draws to a close?

Violinists

A certain fashion designer had a violinist play whilst their clothes were being paraded down the catwalk. A violinist makes for a wonderful sentiment,which will be very classical to your event. If it’s good enough for London fashion designers, then it’s good enough for you!!

Was this year’s office party one to remember?

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The office party can be looked upon with dread or with happiness. Of course it all depends on what the office party will include. Office parties have a few main principles; these include food, entertainment and drink. This blog is to give you a couple of unique extra ideas on these areas and they are sure to keep you onto an office party winner.

Jazz your office party by hiring professional party catering. Yes sandwiches and tea cakes are perfectly fine, but don’t you think they are quite mundane and well… boring? Your food should taste amazing and memorable so why not hire a fish and chip van. The fish and chip van could arrive at your venue and serve all your lovely team with scrumptious traditional fish and chip food. This is a fun twist on office party catering and nothing creates positive talk than good food.

Your party entertainment depends on your budget and also party style. In most cases office parties have quite refined budgets which can make it quite tricky to find top class entertainment. But please, from my own experience… do not cut corners when it comes to your entertainment. This will only end in heartbreak, and nobody wants that. Research what others office parties have and shop around your area for the best. You could hire a DJ to come into your office to really get the party going. Most DJ’s will also know various party games, so again this is an extra bonus. Another unique idea would be to hire a fun casino. The fun casino will come into your office venue and set up various casino tables for you and your fellow employees to play. Games include Blackjack, Roulette and Poker. Each casino table will have a trained croupier dealing the cards who will also explain each game to your team. This is fun source of party and event entertainment and also a great ice breaker

Your drinks will depend on whether your office party is consuming alcohol or not. But whether your drinks or alcoholic or non-alcoholic a perfect source of beverages is to hire a cocktail artist. The artist will set up your personal bar in your venue and make fresh and unique drinks and even serve them to your guests. This is the perfect idea to make your drinks really stand out from the crowd.

Christenings: A Brief History

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The christening or baptism of a baby or child stems from the Christian religious practise 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.

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.

Many Christenings now also run on into the night with a live party band or DJ.

If you will have a good number of children attending then it pays to hire entertainers to keep them occupied. Look at our directory for great children’s entertainers, magicians & street entertainers. Also think about face paints & fancy dress costumes which are always a great way to keep them entertained.

LED entertainment

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Let’s be honest, when you hire entertainment for an event, you want the act to be visual, something which nobody has ever seen before and which nobody will forget in a hurry. And if it looks great in photos? Well, that’s a plus too. Bearing all that in mind, it’s no wonder than people love acts with a lot of lights and LEDs.

Circus

Circus come with the normal jugglers etc.. but now some circus acts come with LED acts too, with hypnotic juggling skills across an immaculately choreographed show more than enough to recommend them. LED Hula Hoops will also wow you, this time with hoops rather than LED batons. Incidentally, with these acts, all of the LEDs can be pre-programmed to show a company logo. the Light Stilt Walkers are a stunning and serene light act, which utilises a rainbow of colour to great effect. Feeling peckish? Why not head to the LED Canapé Girls.

Dance

Everybody dance now! You’ll certainly be wanting to after first looking at the Light Dancers, who are another LED act that provide an elegant atmosphere to any party. A lot less elegant though are Neon, who are like a cross between Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity and cult 1980s film, TRON.

Music

LEDs aren’t really seen that much in our musical acts to hire but they do appear occasionally! An LED dance band are perhaps the best example of this, with each member of the band wearing vibrant costumes, with LED strips carefully placed across their instruments.

Child-friendly Day

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If you are organising an event of any kind and there are children present then here are a number of ideas to ensure that if yours is a child-friendly day, that the kids are entertained throughout the event to leave the adults to enjoy some adult time…

Balloon Modellers

There are a number of fun balloon modellers to hire that can entertain children in a variety of ways. Not just for children’s parties, these superb artists can make pretty much anything out of their very special balloons. Whether a child would like a dog or perhaps even a hat ‘made’ from Pineapple and other delights, our balloon modellers are more than up to the task. Unlike other children’s entertainment, you might just find your adult guests wanting to get involved as well!

Petting Zoo

The best thing about hiring a petting zoo is that everybody can get involved and enjoy having animals at your wedding. Just like balloon modellers, this idea is perfect for guests both young and old. Children will be in their element as they pet the animals inside the enclosure and they may just be allowed to feed them as well!

Face Painting

A simple and traditional idea and one that always goes down brilliantly, face painting is a hugely popular affair at every event. Whether children would like to go for a tiger look or a butterfly, there are numerous options available to ensure that every single child is happy on your special day. With friendly face painters available all across London, we are confident you’ll be very happy with the results!