Tag Archives: performer

Hire your own living statue

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The term living statue refers to a street artist who poses like a statue or mannequin, usually with realistic statue-like makeup, sometimes for hours at a time. Living statue performers can fool a passer-by and a number of hidden camera shows on television have used living statues to startle people. As with all performing arts, living statue performers may perform as buskers.

Origin:

The tableau vivant, or group of living statues, was a regular feature of medieval and Renaissance festivities and pageantry, such as royal entries by rulers into cities. Typically a group enacting a scene would be mounted on an elaborate stand decorated to look like a monument, placed on the route of the procession. A living statue appeared in a scene of the 1945 French masterpiece film Les enfants du paradis (Children of Paradise), and early living statue pioneers include the London-based artists Gilbert and George in the 1960s. In the early years of the 20th century, the German dancer Olga Desmond put on “Evenings of Beauty” in which she posed nude in imitation of classical works of art (‘living pictures’).

Street entertainment:

Performing as a living statue is a prevalent form of busking, especially in places with a high level of tourism. A living statue performer will strategically choose a spot, preferably one with a high level of foot traffic, and out of the way. The performer creates the illusion of complete stillness while standing. Sometimes, passers-by do not realize the performer is a real person, which often causes surprise when the ‘statue’ gives them a small gesture (such as a wink or nod). A busker’s objective is to create moments of interaction that result in a tip. The amount of money a performer makes day to day depends on his or her ability to effectively interact with the crowd.

Hiring a living statue at your event will add intrigue and perhaps give it a unique appeal. Very much a talking point at any event, and extremely clever.

To book anyone of the living statue artists advertised with Red Masque directory, just fill out a booking form and you are able to contact them personally to arrange further.

Think again about Graffiti artists

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Graffiti is sometimes classed as vandalism, but if you look at the origin of vandalism you may think again:

Graffiti art originated in the late 1960’s, and it has been developing ever since. However, it is not readily accepted as being art like those works that are found in a gallery or a museum. It is not strictly denied the status of genuine art because of a lack of form or other base aesthetic elements. Most of the opposition to graffiti art is due to its location and bold, unexpected, and unconventional presentation, but its presentation and often illegal location does not necessarily disqualify it as art. 

The origins of graffiti go back to the beginnings of human, societal living. Graffiti has been found on uncovered, ancient, Egyptian monuments, and graffiti even was preserved on walls in Pompeii. Graffiti is the plural form of the Italian word grafficar. In plural, grafficar signifies drawings, markings, patterns, scribbles, or messages that are painted, written, or carved on a wall or surface. Grafficar also signifies “to scratch” in reference to different wall writings ranging from “cave paintings”, bathroom scribbles, or any message that is scratched on walls. In reference to present day graffiti, the definition is qualified by adding that graffiti is also any unsolicited marking on a private or public property that is usually considered to be vandalism. 

Although quite controversial; Banksy is one of the best Graffiti artists known today and his work will sell for millions of pounds.

Banksy, a street artist whose identity remains unknown is believed to have been born in Bristol, England, around 1974. He rose to prominence for his provocative stencilled pieces in the late 1990s. Banksy is the subject of a 2010 documentary, Exit through the Gift Shop, which examines the relationship between commercial and street art.

Banksy began his career as a graffiti artist in the early 1990s, in Bristol’s graffiti gang DryBreadZ Crew. Although his early work was largely freehand, Banksy used stencils on occasion. In the late ’90s, he began using stencils predominantly. His work became more widely recognized around Bristol and in London, as his signature style developed. 

Banksy’s artwork is characterized by striking images, often combined with slogans. His work often engages political themes, satirically critiquing war, capitalism, hypocrisy and greed. Common subjects include rats, apes, policemen, members of the royal family, and children. In addition to his two-dimensional work, Banksy is known for his installation artwork. One of the most celebrated of these pieces, which featured a live elephant painted with a Victorian wallpaper pattern, sparked controversy among animal rights activists.

Other pieces have drawn attention for their edgy themes or the boldness of their execution. Banksy’s work on the West Bank barrier, between Israel and Palestine, received significant media attention in 2005. He is also known for his use of copyrighted material and subversion of classic images. An example of this is Banksy’s version of Monet’s famous series of water lilies paintings, adapted by Banksy to include drifting rubbish and debris.

Show-stopping showgirls

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Hiring Showgirls is a must to meet and greet your guests. There fabulous costumes and allure will definitely impress your guests no end. You could be organising a themed party for example: Las Vegas, Hollywood, Moulin Rouge, Mardi gras and James Bond, These gorgeous girls make any event one to remember for all the right reasons.

Costumes and themes for your special event can be tailor-made for whatever you were envisaging.

Snake dancers no doubt will be a talking point if you decide that a snake dancer would be perfect for your event. Captivating the audience with amazement and somewhat fear, they won’t be able to take their eyes of this amazing act. Why not interact your guests with the dancer and the snake, where the snake can be passed around (humanely of course) and let your crowd get involved. The Snake Dancers are trained to handle the snakes and are always professional at all times…

If you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of Tango, then why not book a few professional Tango dancers. This sensual ballroom dance originated in South America. It is one of the most passionate and fascinating of all dances. You will love the seamless moves of this romantic dance which no doubt will make you yourself want to learn this beautiful dance. This intimate dance is guaranteed to keep the audience entertained and bring passion and life to any event or party. 

One of most entrancing dances of all time, you can’t fail to love the music which accompanies the Salsa dance. Many people all over the world go to Salsa classes to learn the art of this beautiful and sensual dance. If you are having a Salsa party or you would like some Salsa Dancers to start your event, then why not look on our directory to see if we cannot tempt you with professional dancers that we have advertised with us.

To book some beautiful dancers or showgirls with a difference, look on our directory and see which one you could be hiring for your event.

Anything you can imagine; you can hire!!

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From a corporate event, to a special birthday, a funeral or a Wedding hiring some unusual acts or entertainment will truly make any event very special and unique.

May we nudge you in the right direction and think about hiring some fairground rides. Everybody loves fairground rides, it maybe the horse carrousel, dodgems or the ghost train. You will be the envy of your guests when you set up your very own fairground and it could be in your back garden, if indeed you have one big enough.You maybe organising a special birthday, teenagers birthday or a prom and this would definitely be a hit, especially when their will be a ‘select few’ invited which means no queues!! All the fairground rides are of excellent quality and condition and you will have somebody on hand to check your rides are set them up for your perfect event.

If you have booked your fairground rides, then you need a few stalls and games to go with them. You could be having a charity event, where all game proceeds go to your favourite cause, or you could just want a hotdog or candyfloss stall to treat all your guests to something naughty but nice. The ambiance that comes from these stalls are second to none and your guests will very much enjoy the ‘fairground’ scene with sights and sounds familiar to their childhood.

For music; you could hire some steel drums, samba, to reggae music that would play and will really get your guests in the party mood, it’s all about fun, feel good music that will get your guests swinging those hips and get everybody in the ‘party spirit’.

You could indeed want a carnival feel party and need some high-lifting music to get you in the mood.  You can be assured that here at Red Masque entertainment directory we advertise only the very best that are not only very professional but will tick all your boxes and make your carnival event a very memorable one indeed.

And don’t forget the decorations it will make a bland place into something magical.  When you organise your party you will be surprised that many people forget about decorations; professional decorations would do your venue justice, or if a wedding venue where a ‘church hall’ could do with a little softening.  However big or small our event we have the perfect event decorators that will transform any room or place into something special.

So, do you dare to dream? With Red Masque your dreams could become reality.  Just look on our gallery and see for yourself what other party entertainment and entertainers we have advertised!

The amazing sounds of a ‘steel pan’

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Amid the electronica of 20th Century music one new instrument stands out for its simplicity. The steel pan, possibly the only instrument made out of industrial waste, has become an icon of Trinidadian culture.

Steel pan bands to give your party a carnival atmosphere with a spicy blend of reggae, soca and other Caribbean styles. They can add their laid-back tropical style to any event for any age group, from garden parties to weddings and corporate functions. The bigger line ups include vocals, drums and bass and even provide a professional dancer to teach you to limbo! Whether the sun is shining or not a steel band will let you believe that you are on a Caribbean Island and your mood will instantly be lifted.

Hammered into the shiny metal surface is a series of dents. Each one creates a different note, subtly different from the ones around it, according to their position and size. The steel pan, often referred to incorrectly as a steel drum, emerged in the 1930s. Metal objects including car parts, paint pots, dustbins, oil drums and biscuit tins, were originally used as percussion instruments, but at some point they began to be tuned.

“It was a slow process, everyone got together and invented the steel pan by using pots and pans and testing them out,” says Sterling Betancourt, a ‘Trinidadian pan man’ who now lives in London.

The history of Trinidadian street music goes back centuries. The music has been keenly adopted by the pop world. The Hollies used the sound of the steel pan in their song Carrie Anne, Prince used it in his song New Position, and 70s jazz-fusion band Spyro Gyra incorporated the sound of steel in Morning Dance. It also sounds like holidays, and sunshine, which may explain some of its appeal.

A very Vintage affair…

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Bringing a slice of vintage glitz and glamour to all events – Burlesque Girls will not disappoint in delivering a truly memorable experience!

A group of Burlesque performers have the perfect blend of charm, style and sophistication, delighting audiences with their slick performances.

From tongue in cheek bathing beauties to glamorous giant feather fans and raunchy routines, Burlesque Girls performances are individually crafted to deliver a unique, authentic look and feel.

Perfect for all corporate and private events, hire Burlesque dancing Girls and truly captivate all audiences with their dazzling glamour and captivating routines.

Why not create a dinner show or installation that will inspire your guests.  Customers that have hired Burlesque acts in the past have included, a burlesque girl bursting out of a giant birthday cake, a gold painted jazz singer singing sweetly from a golden harp prop, a group of 8 flapper girls posing in unison at a tea table, a Fred and Ginger tap dance act to name a few.  

Make it an evening of divine and glamorous entertainment you won’t easily forget! These talented and beautiful ladies perform a fully choreographed, high energy, polished and up market dance spectacular including neoburlesque, fan dance, belly dancing, cabaret, musical theatre, jazz, plenty of tease and live vocal performances to create an evening of fresh and modern titillating performance.

Ladies and gentlemen will be amazed by the luxurious and glamorous costumes and ostrich feather fans (so many feathers and sequins!) the seductive soulful voices of their talented singers and the empowered beauty and talent of their range of exquisite performers.

The burlesque ladies can tailor a performance and package to your event. You can book 1 – 6 performers and the girls can co-operate a variety of styles and performances from their repertoire.

Tasteful full, partial or non-strip tease routines are available.

May bank holiday shenanigans

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British bank holidays are public holidays and have been recognised since 1871. 

May Day on May 1 is an ancient Northern Hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the celebrations that the day includes.

In the late 19th Century, May Day was chosen as the date for International Worker’s Day by the Socialists and Communists of the Second International to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago In those countries that celebrate international Worker’s Day, the day may also be referred to as “May Day” but it is a different celebration from the traditional May Day.

May Day has been a traditional day of festivities throughout the centuries. May Day is most associated with towns and villages celebrating springtime fertility (of the soil, livestock, and people and revelry with village fetes and community gatherings. Since the reform of the Catholic calendar May 1 is the Feast of St Joseph the worker, the patron saint of workers. Seeding has been completed by this date and it was convenient to give farm labourers a day off. Perhaps the most significant of the traditions is the maypole, around which traditional dancers circle with ribbons.

The May Day bank holiday, on the first Monday in May, was traditionally the only one to affect the state school calendar, although new arrangements in some areas to even out the length of school terms mean that Good Friday (a common law holiday) and Easter Monday (a bank holiday), which vary from year to year, may also fall during term time. The Spring Bank Holiday on the first Monday in May was created in 1978; May Day itself – May 1 – is not a public holiday in England (unless it falls on a Monday). In February 2011, the UK parliament was reported to be considering scrapping the bank holiday associated with May Day, replacing it with a bank holiday in October, possibly coinciding with Trafalgar Day (celebrated on October 21), to create a “United Kingdom Day.

Knowing that you’re going to be having a long weekend off isn’t that a cause for a celebration: why not get back to basics and host your very own ‘May Day’ celebration, from live music to themed entertainment. With another bank holiday soon approaching at the end of May isn’t it time you booked some great party entertainment from Red Masque?

Incredible Circus acts

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A circus event is great for all the family – we have some great circus acts for you to choose from. You could hire a full on circus or just a few acts. Here are some suggestions to really get you thinking:

A good juggler today can juggle almost anything from fire to dangerous objects with their complex routines that has been practiced and practiced over and over again. Have you ever wanted to learn the art of juggling?

If you needed a juggler for a children’s party or a grown up event then look no further than our choice of fine jugglers that are very professional and can put on a good show for your special event. You could be launching a new product, having a private party, corporate affair which will get the attention your event needed to be a success.

Another exciting entertainment act to book would be a Knife Thrower. If you were thinking that this would be a good way to get rid of your boss at this year’s Christmas party – think again, as we have the most professional Knife Throwers advertised with us here at Red Masque entertainment directory.

This act is terrifyingly dangerous and you will have one eye open when you see the Knife Thrower in action.  Toe curlingly good and great entertainment, we are sure you will love this act.

Another one to consider is a sword swallower it will be the most jaw dropping, show stopping, act that you could possibly see and everyone will want to watch it – it’s extremely clever and obviously well practiced and these guys are obviously a master in their field. From regurgitating, to swallowing razor blades we find it almost impossible to comprehend but ever so fascinating to watch.

A tightrope walker watched from great heights is breathtaking, these tightrope walkers will amaze you with their amazing balance where sometimes they can juggle, sword swallow or even knife throw all rolled into one amazing act.

So forget your normal clowns and have a circus event to remember which will ‘wow’ your guests and if your guests would like, maybe they would like to be taught the art of a few of these acts?

Be confident in Red Masque’s chosen party entertainment guide and believe that we have the best on the books advertised just for you…

Booking a top party DJ

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Looking at booking a DJ for your Christmas party but doesn’t know how to get the most bang for your Christmas fund? Well look no further as we’ve compiled some of our top tips on hiring the DJ with a deck to get the dancefloor jumping in bounds of jolly. Or something like that.

Whether you want to put on a festive playlist or if you want to simply leave them to it, getting a DJ to perform at your Christmas party or event is a truly tried and tested way to make sure that the good music keeps on flowing throughout the night.

Let’s just hope your colleagues remember all the hard work and research you put into finding the right DJ for your Christmas party the morning after whilst nursing a familiar combination of shame and migraine. If they do, that’s a sure sign of success.

1. Book early

Now this we cannot emphasise enough book your DJ several months before your Party.

With so many companies throwing a Christmas bash and needing to find the best DJs for their budgets its still mind boggling when it gets to December and yet still someone hasn’t booked yet. 

2. Book through an entertainment agency

This couldn’t really be emphasised enough. As said before, you could spend your time comparing rates of DJ to DJ, sending email after email attempting to get just what you’re after (only to find out they’re booked on the day of your party,).

Or, you could simply talk to those who actually have all of this knowledge stored in their brains and ready to be unleashed at the tips of their fingers. It’s why entertainment agencies exist – to provide a meaningful and effective service at finding the absolute best performer for a brief and budget.

3. Make sure you know what you’re getting

And the hypocrisy comes full circle. Do some research, check out what your DJ can do, what he or she is like, and see for yourself if they’re exactly what you’re looking for. 

Now that doesn’t mean auditioning, no no; that’s a little too much in most cases. It could be. It could be as simple as reading some testimonials or taking some advice from Red Masque.

By doing so, you’ll be better prepared (and in a safer mind-set) to stick with a choice and most importantly, be happy with it. 

4. Explore off peak options

Now of course, everybody wants to have their Christmas party on a Friday – and you all know why that is, don’t you?

Turns out, every DJ knows that too – so expect to pay a premium on weekend nights.

Due to simple supply and demand, the holiday season necessitates a premium due to the sheer amount of Christmas parties going on all around one month. It never hurts to explore different dates and times for your event to get a rate that’s a little lighter on your budget – but won’t leave your wallet feeling too light either. 

It might not always work in terms of pricing, but it certainly has the possibility to help if your preferred DJs are booked up for a certain date. 

5. Think about equipment

Most professional DJs have their own equipment, but they did pay a lot of money to purchase it in the first place so it’s expected that they’ll want to make a return on their investment. In other words, the cost is pushed onto you.

Now you should never force a performer to use equipment they’re not comfortable with or haven’t used before. That’s a given. But when it comes to stuff like PAs and microphones – well, there’s not much variation apart from how loud (and clear) they’re designed to go.

Look to see if your venue offers a cheaper option to hire the PA from and thus you won’t have to pay extra for someone to lug a van full of expensive equipment across the city centre in rush hour.

6. Budget, and budget some more

It’s personal finance 101, but make sure you have a clear indication in mind of what you’re willing to spend when it comes to booking a DJ for your Christmas party. 

Of course, first you have to do a little research into what the general rates are but once you’ve done that, you’ll be in a much more efficient and convenient place to book your DJ without having to worry about negotiating rates or booking a performer too high above or below your initial budget.

7. Don’t hand them a playlist and expect them to play it

DJs are artists too – if you wanted a set list of songs you required playing, do everyone a favour and put a playlist together and leave it at that.

Of course, it’s fine to make requests (it would be ridiculous not to) but professional DJs are experienced at getting the crowd dynamics just right – almost like they know exactly what they’re doing – and making sure everyone has a fantastic time at your Christmas party.

10. Book your Christmas party DJ with us

It’s a shameless self-promotion, but we like to think we know almost everything when it comes to booking the right DJ, act, or performer for any event of any size.

We at Red Masque have every entertainer imaginable to make your party get off to a flying start.  Have a browse through our categories and see for yourself why we are becoming ever so popular.

Spring surprise

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With spring is well and truly upon us and with the circus being a visual performing art and tents popping up over this period Red Masque will be looking at the history of circus….

The Bailey & Cooper circus was well known across Australia and New Zealand, touring to various islands around Oceania between 1876 and 1878. James Anthony Bailey then teamed up with P.T. Barnum to bring ‘the Greatest Show on Earth’ to Europe. Barnum died before being able to see the European reaction to the huge tents so well-known in his homeland; although impressed, many were bewildered and the venture was met with only muted enthusiasm

Menagerie owners were the main people to react to ‘the Greatest Show on Earth’ most favourably, sensing an opportunity to enhance their fading businesses. With this ‘new’ idea of combining animals with circus acts, they enjoyed renewed success for a few more decades, with the equestrian circus falling by the wayside and the travelling circus reaching the peak of its popularity between the two World Wars, most notably in Germany. With the larger cities still housing permanent circuses – Paris still had four – circus manufacturers strived to create comfortable seating that could attract the city folk away from the furnishings and production values to which they had become so accustomed.

The biggest innovation in the 1900s occurred within Russia after Lenin nationalised the Russian circuses in 1919, leading to an exodus of the country by many western performers. With the Russian performers needing to be trained, the government established the Moscow circus school, which developed training methods that incorporated gymnastics. The result was a free-flowing, innovative performance that proved to be a hit with crowds abroad, where any Russian-based circus was known as the Moscow Circus (a generic name adopted by travelling Russian circuses to this day).

Resistance to the changes of the modern world led to a decline in the industry throughout the 1960s, but by the 1970s and 1980s, circuses such as Cirque du Soleil had restored the flamboyance and spectacle to proceedings, ushering in the idea of circuses as performance art to sit alongside the more traditional travelling circuses, which continue to endure great popularity across Europe. A surge in teaching has also led to a circus revival in recent years and it remains to be seen quite where this interest shall lead.

Why not hire your own circus and have your very own ‘front seats’ the possibilities are endless for example if you would like to learn a few ‘circus skills’ then let Red Masque introduce you to some fantastic acrobats, aerial performers, and circus artists that are advertised on our website.