Tag Archives: hiring

Wedding party ideas…

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Whether your special day is a small registry celebration, a large church gathering or a more personal, non-religious ceremony, start as you mean to go on by making the first day of the rest of your lives the best day of your lives.

For a truly unforgettable day Red Masque entertainment will fulfil all your musical requirements with the pick of the country’s coolest party bands for a swinging evening reception, or perhaps a jazz band or swing band or classical music artists to provide background entertainment during the meal or the signing of the register.

A whole day of music…

Starting with the wedding ceremony, a piper is traditional to play the bride in and out of the church. A string quartet or harpist are common choices to provide a beautiful musical backdrop during the wedding ceremony and immediately afterwards whilst photos are taken.

Your wedding drinks reception. 

A jazz or swing band is an ideal choice to provide light background music during the afternoon reception, helping to settle guests and create an exciting atmosphere. It is also quite common for the string quartet from your ceremony to continue playing during the afternoon reception.

Evening wedding reception.

And what evening reception would be complete without a party function band or DJ? Pop bands are by far the most popular choices, with soul, disco and salsa offering something a little different.

DJ’s are a cost effective solution if a band is out of your budget but are also often booked as well as a band to fill in the gaps between the bands performances. Also, ask if the band themselves can DJ in between sets as this is very often possible.

More than just music…

Don’t just stop at wedding music though as all manner of wedding entertainment can be arranged. From top caricaturist and illusionists to entertain your guests while they mingle, to traditional ballet dancers and stage hypnotists, there’s no end to the fun that can we can arrange for you.

Engage in the idea…

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Your engagement is a promise to marriage as well as the period of time between the proposal and your marriage. During your engagement you are said to be affianced, betrothed, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Future brides and bridegrooms are often referred to as fiancées or fiancés respectively (from the French word fiancé).

Long engagements were once common in formal arranged marriages and it was not uncommon for parents betrothing children to arrange such many years before the engaged couple were old enough to marry. .

Engagement parties.

Some engagements are announced at an engagement party, traditionally hosted by the bride’s parents. These parties are given in the family’s usual style of entertainment. Traditionally, engagement parties were normal parties at which a surprise announcement of the engagement was made by the father of the bride to his guests. Therefore, it is not a traditional gift-giving occasion, as none of the guests were supposed to be aware of the engagement until after their arrival.

In modern times, engagement parties often celebrate a previously publicized engagement.

Because it’s often the case that many guests don’t know each other very well, it’s important to ensure you have plenty of ‘ice breakers’. When two families are coming together for the first time it can be a nerve racking experience and so the more you can put guests at ease the better.

Think about a magician or a caricaturist or maybe even a pianist to play light background music whilst guests arrive & chat.

If you have space then try a jazz band who could play up tempo lively music to keep spirits high and feet tapping whilst you great guests and show off your engagement ring!

Ensure the drinks are flowing throughout the party and in no time the two families will be getting to know each other and soaking up the party atmosphere.

Party themes…

If you got engaged in an interesting location, you might like to theme your engagement party to suit. Hawaiian or beach themes are relatively easy to put together, as are New York, Las Vegas, Mexican, Australian themes etc.

No party is complete without live music so if your budget can stretch to a party function band it will be a sound investment towards ensuring the success of your big night.

It’s important to consider the age range of the guests who will be attending your party as grandparents, although actually some of the ‘most-likely-to-dance’ members of the party might not be quite so keen on hard rock or gangsta rap.

Surprise artists at your event

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Hire singing waiters, policemen, firemen and a whole host of other comedy singing acts from Red Masque directory to make your event unforgettable. Discover what surprise entertainment we offer and how they’ll positively impact your event!

When you’re planning an event, you want to keep your guests 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.

The idea is really simple; your guests have no idea that the waiter who has been serving them, or the fireman who seems to be worried about the smoke alarms, are in fact highly talented singers, ready to grab a microphone and burst into song. As one waiter starts to sing, another suddenly joins in, and then a ‘guest’ can’t seem to resist joining in either. It’s particularly effective during a formal dinner.

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

Before the audience have had time to work out who might be part of the act, they are being royally entertained by superb singers performing anything from famous opera songs to the latest West End hits, often close up to their tables.

The voices, the energy, the performance, they are all something that you just can’t duplicate in any other way. The ‘singing waiters’ introduction is a light way to create a surprise and add a great deal of fun.

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.

And it doesn’t just have to be waiters, guests or catering staff.

For example the client is asked to provide a photograph of one of the guests that one of the acts is going to pretend to “arrest” for non-payment of a parking ticket! Once the ‘policemen’ start singing, they perform an amazing act containing everything from opera to Rat Pack and Grease

Entertaining the kids

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So, the kids have stopped playing with their Christmas presents ages ago and they’re board (as usual.) Would you like some ideas on how to entertain them? We’ve come up with some great places to take them and also some DIY at home entertainment for you to hire.

A day at the museum
London museums open their doors again this weekend, and at the Science Museum there’s a fab exhibition on the birth of the space age; great for any budding cosmonauts.

But if you don’t fancy going out albeit only in the garden, build yourself a bubble-powered rocket fuelled by indigestion tablets. We are sure you will be able to find a great children’s entertainer that you can hire from Red Masque. The right entertainer will keep them amused for hours.

A Prima ballerina 
Make a budding ballerina’s dream come true with a performance of The Nutcracker by the English National Ballet.
Our suggestion: You can book ballet dance shows, with a prima ballerina teaching your child and her friends a ballet class, hair and makeup techniques and even giving a private performance. Move over Angelina mouse!

Ski Sunday
If, for you, a skiing holiday is as much about the après-ski as the slopes and wet stuff; it’s probably just as well this week. The European ski resorts are suffering from a lack of the white stuff, and you might spend more time perfecting your kids entertaining skills rather than your downhill! So, save a chalet-load of cash and take the kids to an indoor snow centre like Snow-Dome in Tamworth – other domes are available!), where they can toboggan, snowboard and freestyle to their heart’s content.

Red Masque’s suggestion: Hold a ski party! For inside parties, hire an ice sculpture and watch on a big screen some snow-boarding.  For outside events, hire an ice rink and even a snow machine if budget will allow. And, of course, you’ll need suitable music – a Snow Patrol tribute band perhaps?

Fun at the circus
Circus acts are definitely cool this year, and there are some excellent circus shows on offer this year. As Easter is fastly approaching Circus tents will be popping up all over the country which will include trapeze artists, clowns, jugglers, aerialists and acrobats.

Red Masque’s suggestion: If you think circus is impressive from the cheap seats in a tent, it’s utterly astounding close up! Hire an aerialist from Red Masque and all you’ll need is a high enough ceiling for their kit – they’ll provide the rest! Elegant, exciting and enjoyable entertainment for parties, promotions and more. Or for more circus for your cash, you can add jugglers, stilt walkers and acrobatic artists from us too.

Hopefully we’ve given you a bit of inspiration and made you think that next time, instead of you going to the fun; the fun can come to you… Have a great weekend!

Creative space

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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.

Location, Location, Location

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With a rather ‘strange name’ this venue is one of London’s hottest new places to go called ‘The Mayor of Scaredy Cat’ This is located on Artillery Lane in central London guests have to enter this unusual venue by walking through a Smeg fridge – all you have to do is ask to see ‘The Mayor’!

Before journeying down through the Smeg fridge to see the Mayor guests can enjoy a delicious meal in the restaurant. Of course it is the basement bar that is the main attraction; the interior is a mix between industrial chic with bare brick walls and exposed ceilings and light fixtures, and rustic charm with high wooden tables and stools and even a stuffed deer’s head on one of the walls! Their intriguing cocktail menu is just as novel with delights like ‘Basil-No-Faulty’ and ‘Rosie and Gin’ on offer. The menu also informs guests about some of the rules of this quirky venue, including the method of exiting the bar, which we are told, is just as entertaining as the entrance!

The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town can be hired exclusively for private parties and events and makes a really unique venue that will be sure to impress guests no end.

Another venue to consider is Café de Paris offers a great position by bustling Coventry Street. From the moment you step through the doorway you are transported into another world seemingly hundreds of miles away from the modernity of the city above.

Home of cabaret and fine dining since 1929 Café de Paris is still regarded as one of London’s best cabaret venues. Retaining many of its unique original features, it truly is a spectacular and opulent venue – sweeping staircases, ornate finishes, glittering chandeliers and an exquisite ‘Titanic’ ballroom all add to the club’s naughty but nice feel.

Despite the venue’s antique look it houses state of the art sound, light and staging facilities capable of catering to even the most demanding of shows. Its versatile event space can be used in a multitude of different ways: standing events, seated dinners, dinners and dances, and theatre style shows. With a capacity of 180 to 715 people, a mezzanine level and VIP room it is a unique location for product launches, award ceremonies, presentations, incentive events and champagne receptions.

Red Masque directory is able to cater for cabaret style entertainment for Café de Paris where hiring a burlesque dancer wouldn’t go a miss along with some authentic dancers to really wow your guests.

Giant garden fun and games

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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. 

Stalls and games

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Looking for something that will really make your event stand out from the rest? Bring the fair to your guests with your very own fairground rides at your event. From the big wheel to spinning tea cups and bumper cars, these rides are fun for all ages and guarantee to produce an unforgettable event whatever the occasion.

If you’re a big kid at heart and you have the room for all these things in your back garden, then why not? Hire the best Fairground rides and keep your guests highly entertained all day, you could also throw in some stalls and games to give that authentic fairground feeling.

Hiring arcade games is always a firm favourite and guaranteed party pleaser. 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.

You could be holding a corporate affair and want your staff to let their hair down as a reward for all their hard work over the past year. Whatever the occasion you will find only the very best rides, stalls and games to hire here at Red Masque. All rides are kept in tip top condition and staff will be on hand should you need any assistance during your event.

The charmers

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Bring that exotic feel to your event with a themed snake performer to welcome and entertain your guests. Have the opportunity to touch these fantastic creatures, get your photo taken with them and enjoy superb performances. Perfect for party and event entertainment. Snake Charmers have been entertaining people for centuries and it is an age old tradition, where the snake and it’s charmer seem to have a connection making it very mysterious and intriguing.

From an interactive walkabout snake dance to a dynamic staged performance. This hypnotic form of entertainment will immediately grab the attention of your guests with performances that will create the wow factor for your event.

The snake performers for hire are trained to handle the snakes and are always professional at all times. If you think your party could handle a snake dancer why not hire one. By filling out and online booking form located in the act of your choices profile, you can have the perfect entertainer booked for your party.

Add some circus fun….

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Why not add a bit of circus fun to your event by hiring one of the UK’s top juggling acts and hula hoop artists? Jugglers have been around for centuries and are a well know way of entertaining the crowds. From street entertainers to circus acts, juggling many different objects from balls to knifes, some can juggle whilst balancing at the same time – now that takes a lot of practice and a lot of coordination.

When was the last time you tried to hula-hoop? Hula hooping a great way to keep fit, child hood memories is remembered by hula hooping and we all could do it very well, but as we have gotten older it seems we can only ‘hula’ a few times.  Sometimes it’s best to just leave it to the experts. Why not hire a hula hoop performer who could actually teach you the art again and you and your guests can actually have fun and keep fit at the same time. You could even be opening up a keep fit class where you can incorporate hula hooping to keep people entertained and try something new.

You will see from our gallery that there are a lot of circus entertainers to choose from, just read through each profile to see which one takes your fancy. You can fill out the online booking form to enquire about each act and their availability; the act will be in contact with you direct soon after to discuss your requirements.