Tag Archives: performers

Make everyone happy!

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Imagine you are onstage performing and looking out at your audience. You want to connect with these people. If they are seated too far away, directly to your right or left, behind the stage or behind an obstruction; you—the performer—can’t reach the audience, and they—the audience—are likely to get frustrated and not enjoy the show. No one likes to stare at the back of someone’s head.

1. Set them up to see the show.

Seat your audience in FRONT of your stage and LIGHT your performers.

Avoid seating any audience members directly to the right or left, around a corner or especially behind the stage. It’s nearly impossible for the performers to connect with these people and they will likely stare at the side or back of the party performers for the whole performance or worse yet—miss the show completely.

If necessary, use the space directly to the sides of the stage for the buffet or bars, a photo booth, displays, etc. Leaving it open is even better.

If your space is narrow, seat the audience deep (vertically) versus spread side to side (horizontally). This will at least make the stage visible to most, if not all of your audience, even if they are a bit further away. And the event performers won’t feel like they’re turning their backs on some folks.

And be sure the performers will be lit with flattering stage lighting if the performance space will be dark.

2. Get cosy.

Seat your audience CLOSE to the stage and CLOSE to one another.

Great performers like to engage with their audience and make them feel included. If the first row of tables or chairs is too far away, that feels like dead space to the audience and the performers.

Seat the first row of the audience as close as five feet away from the front edge of the stage if possible and don’t spread the audience out too much. Keeping it all contained keeps the performance energy locked together.

If you have a lot of space, set up the extras (like the buffet, bars, etc.) behind the seating area, or just keep that space open. But get the audience close to the show!

3. A pillar is not your friend.

Don’t BLOCK your audience’s view of the stage.

Whenever possible, seat people to the right or left of any sort of obstruction. Unless, of course, you’re hosting superheroes and they all have X-ray vision. Most people will feel miffed if they are seated behind a pillar.

Keep this in mind when choosing a venue. If there are a lot of obstructions, look elsewhere if you’re hoping for full capacity!

4. Distraction ruins a show.

Set up ACTION spots away from the line of view of the stage.

As a performer, one of the worst things in the world is to have a constant visual or audio distraction anywhere near the stage during a show.

5. Allow plenty of time to set up and communicate.

Check in with your performers beforehand and build in ample set-up time on the day.

Make sure you have a conversation with the agent or performers before the event date. Send a mock-up drawing of your audience setup if you are unsure and get their input.

Then, on the day, be sure to give the performers plenty of time to get their sound equipment loaded in, set up, sound checked and get out of view before the audience starts coming in.

A little forethought and event planning is sure to make your event go off without a hitch. If you have a hard time envisioning a stage or an audience in your event space, enlist the help of a friend, a professional event planner or ask a performer or stage technician for help! Happy Planning!

Gear up for the Grammys

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The Grammys are a perfect occasion for a party, as the award show provides you with all the theme you’ll need. Let’s examine a few of the things that make the Grammys so fun and such a great opportunity to party with your friends!

The Glitz

What would the Grammys be without the red carpet, the paparazzi, the atmosphere of celebrity? Decorate your party with all the accoutrements of fame. We suggest a gold and black design, punctuated with red highlights. Hire a Waiting staff or a Bartender to treat your guests like stars. Rent some Table & Chairs. The point is to create the right environment, so your guests will feel as special and pampered as the yearly nominees!

The Glamour

Really, it’s the dresses. From J-Lo’s notorious dress in 2000 to Lady Gaga’s entrance encased in an egg, the Grammys have become known for the beautiful and strange outfits gracing the red carpet. Challenge your guests to either show up in one of the fame gowns or just wear their most elegant ensemble. It isn’t every day we get to get decked out in our best, so encourage your friends to go all out!

The Entertainment

After all, it’s the Grammys. Your party needs music! Hire a DJ or an Acoustic Band to play nominated songs during commercials. If you really want to get into the fun, hire a stand-up comedian to entertain throughout and, at the end, to give out awards for Best Dressed! Maybe hire a few Impersonators to mingle with guests to really add to the celebrity vibe.

The Ceremony

Now, we bet you’re wondering how you can fit all of this into one party? Set up the show outside or rent a large venue big enough for all your party’s needs. Don’t forget to pass around a ballot for the awards. Whoever guesses the most winners can get–that’s right–a Grammy! Another fun idea: create drinking games around multiple nominees. Every time they win, take a drink!

The Grammys are a wonderfully elegant night, so make sure you take all these factors into consideration when you’re planning your party. You may not be attending the Grammys, but that doesn’t mean you can’t feel like a winner!

Things to consider when organising an exhibition

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You’ve got your booth and your display, and you want everyone to stop and see what you have to offer. But how do you get them to stop? Make your exhibition booth unforgettable with some un-boring additions!

Food and Drink

Every human loves food. It’s just a fact. If there’s food at your booth, you’re practically guaranteed to have a swarm of people. So if you choose to have food or drinks, be prepared with large quantities! You can usually get an estimate of attendees from the convention’s website or the sales person who sold you the booth.

Also, check the restrictions of the exhibition, because sometimes food isn’t allowed unless it’s pre-packaged. If that’s the case, try attaching your business card to the packages so your prospects will know where it came from later.

If food is allowed, try something a little more fun than a tray of quiches. Bringing in Concessions like marshmallow machines or gourmet candy floss can add an adult twist on classic childhood favourites. If the exhibition allows alcohol, mini cocktails are another winner. Hire a Bartender to handle the mixing while you focus on networking!

Celebrity Impersonators

Want to create a buzz around your booth? Bring in a celebrity, of course. It starts with one person whispering to their friend, “Is that Lady Gaga?” and before you know it, everyone is checking out your booth. Celebrity Impersonators can pose with guests for pictures, sign autographs, and add an air of glamour to what can be a dry event. Whether you choose a blast from the past like Marilyn Monroe or Elvis or keep it newer with James Bond or Austin Powers, you won’t regret it. And neither will the attendees!

Live Party Entertainment

Another great way to draw attention is a live performance at your booth. Close-Up Magicians can snag passers-by and get them involved with card tricks or other quick sleights of hand. If sound restrictions allow, you could even have a musical performance like a One-Man Band or String quartet. Send a Stilt Walker into the crowd with your company to recruit attendees for your booth, or have a Juggler or Belly Dancer for a more compact performance.

Unique Merchandise

Lastly, give your attendees something cool to remember you by. Most importantly, give them something they’ll actually keep and use. High-quality sunglasses are usually a hit, or well-made soft t-shirts are another. Go big or go home! Pens are a cheaper option, and everyone loves them. Portable phone chargers are a trending item right now, too. Whatever you choose, just ask yourself what you would like to leave with. Check out sites to order items in bulk with your logo on them. You don’t want people to forget who gave them such awesome stuff!

With a little creativity, you can have the best booth at the exhibition. Give people an experience that they won’t soon forget, and drum up some great relationships and potential new business.

We look forward to joining you each year

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New Year is upon us. Parties and events are starting to fill our calendars, but often times these outings become so routine that we dread attending them. Try out these 10 tips to add a little flare into your holiday season.

Use New Technology

New technology can be daunting, but the holiday season presents an exciting time to try out a new tool or program. Perhaps you have been waiting to purchase a certain software or learn a new technique. The end of the year presents a great opportunity to prep for next year and try out something new.

Provide Festive Favours

Event favours and giveaways can range from wonderful, useful gifts to items you may throw away once you leave the door. Try to spice up your holiday event by providing a themed gift such as seasonal treats or candies, decorative items themed for the season or a candle with a holiday scent. Favours like these will go to good use and leave your event fresh in the minds of your guests.

Get creative with your Holiday Food

Creating NYE menus can pose a challenge because everyone expects different items depending on their culture or upbringing. Try sticking with seasonal flavours. These will help to keep you on trend during the seasons.

Make the Most of Social Media

Social media has a presence at every event these days, so why not include it in your NYE party? You can create a hashtag to gather the pictures from your event, no matter how large your group! Even smaller family or office gatherings can engage through the use of social media.

Build your own photo booth and have your family, friends or co-workers share the photos using your hashtag. Following the event, you will have all of your wonderful photos linked together! Little ideas like this can go a long way in providing group entertainment and increase interaction.

Change Up the Seating

Try out a new seating style at your party! Open seating or a long family style table, might be just the right fit for your event. The holidays are about bringing people together and having fun. Make sure your space and layout reflect the vibe of the season and celebration.

Add Signature Holiday Cocktails

Play around with fun flavours in your drink selection as well. Use mint, cranberry juice, or cider. Drinks can be with or without the alcohol depending on the time or day or group of people. Either way, signature cocktails can be fun and add some excitement to your event.

Surprise Your Guests

Use the holiday season to add some fun and anticipation to your events! Perhaps you bring in a special surprise guest or send them home with an unexpected holiday gift. If you are planning a party for your staff or family, you could even keep the event location a surprise and host a scavenger hunt to the big reveal! A little mystery can go a long way in bringing energy to your holiday event.

Provide an Opportunity to Give Back

The season brings out the best in most people. We all want to give a little more and celebrate the wonderful blessings around us. At your event, you could provide a chance for guests to donate to a good cause or host a silent auction where the proceeds benefit a local charity.

If you have a family event, perhaps a portion of your day is spent volunteering together in your community. Think of causes that you or your guests might have a connection to and find a way to integrate this into your holiday festivities.

Include Festive Kids Activities

Kids love the holidays! The fun-filled atmosphere and extra special magic that the season brings is beautiful through the eyes of a child. If you are hosting an event where children are welcomed, be sure to provide a holiday craft or activity that is geared towards them. Who knows, if they are extra well behaved, perhaps the jolly man in red could make an appearance and hand out a few gifts.

Up the Customer Service

When everyone is in the holiday spirit the world just seems a bit brighter, but the long hours and stressful work of an event mean staff can be run ragged during these months of the year. Make customer service the focus for you and your staff during these holiday parties.

Try to start and end each day on a positive note and make sure your team feels appreciate for planning wonderful holiday events. The extra special feeling you provide with customer service will keep your guests coming back and have them asking you to plan many more events.

Thinking about 2016 summer

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Much as we love advertising entertainment for corporate events and weddings, it’s often a nice change of pace to remember the little people and to also remember that after Christmas you’re going to have to be thinking about Summer and BBQ’s (which is rather something to look forward to) 

To keep the youngsters busy, how about a Circus performer and a glamorous Circus Workshop with juggling displays, plate spinning unicycling and lessons in the age-old art of the Diablo. These circus performers will have the kids entertained for hours whilst their parents got on with the more pressing concerns of the rest of the event.

Young or old a magician with some of that ‘close up magic’. Close up magic specialist and all round entertainer give guests a bewildering display of sleight of hand and mentalism taking in card tricks, mind reading and more. 

A Portrait Artist drawer is very charming and quite flattering in a playful, unique style. Guests seemed to love a portrait artist and although they maybe a bit nervous as how they will be portrayed they can’t wait to see the result and a is a great keepsake!! 

A Steel Band is great background music for any event and will perform suitably exotic and energetic set of tunes that will transform a very English garden barbecue into an equatorial island party. Warm, enthusiastic and hugely entertaining – a steel bands infectious passion for their music will be passed on to everyone who hear them and will proved to be the perfect soundtrack to the event.

Dance the night away

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Dancers are very entertaining, and if you had an event that demanded some dancers then why not consider hiring some great dancers from Red Masque entertainment directory.  

A Dance Group could be hired to dance in sync where the chorography would be done to perfection, it could be any style of dance that your taste desires from Street Dance to River Dance, Male to Female Dancers. We think we have just about all Dance groups covered advertised within our Red Masque entertainment directory.

If you are holding a launch party that would require some eye candy of the female variety, if so, why don’t you hire some Podium dancers, a risqué burlesque dancer or some showgirls that would be quite a classy type of Le Lido but here in the UK.

These girls are professional, classy and have trained for hours to put on the perfect show for you.

You will be dazzled by the splendid costumes which will be worn by the Showgirls and Podium Dancers even though they’re maybe little of them!!! The burlesque will titillate and tease but done in the best possible taste!!

Salsa and Tango dancers are a definite must, most people want to learn the art of these sexy, sensual dances. You could hire some dancers to teach. Or if you are quite familiar of these dances you could simply hire to put on a quite splendid show that would be breath-taking and remarkable, leaving you wishing you were indeed as talented as these dancers.

Something very alternative are Snake charmers or a belly dancer dancing with a snake!! These amazing creatures – love them or hate them  have something mesmerising about them that you cannot fail to be intrigued to watch or even (if you dare) handle them.

Belly dancers have been around for centuries and it’s also a great way to keep fit.  If you ever wanted to master the art of Belly Dancing, then why not hire a Belly Dancer to teach you.  You will have great fun, and if your tummy is not your most favourite part of your body – well rest assured a rounded belly is considered sexy in some parts of the world!!

If you wanted some themed dance acts for your special event, then why not look on our gallery of special dance acts that will enlighten your guests and create that nostalgia needed for your themed evening.

They will be dressed in the most appropriate costumes and do all the dance moves from that era it will be truly like stepping back in time and feeling the past again.

It could be that you wanted to create a theme from another country and again we will have something for you.  We have Themed dance acts that are able to create anything that you had in mind.

Going all out Gospel

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O happy day! Your essential guide to booking a joyful, exciting, exuberant and praiseworthy gospel singer or gospel choir for your wedding, party, corporate event, product launch, awards ceremony or flash mob!

What is a gospel singer?

Gospel singers are best known for singing worships songs in church, but in more recent years, the exuberant sounds and rich harmonies have been heard on pop recordings and as backing vocals for major artists on tour. Gospel music can be joyful, soulful or romantic, so gospel singers and gospel choirs tend to include a wide variety of music in their repertoire, from classical and jazz to soul, rock and contemporary pop.

Gospel music has its roots in the spirituals and work songs sung by 18th century slaves in the US, enabling them to join in religious worship at a time when few could read or write. Most songs were sung ‘a cappella’ (unaccompanied), or with basic rhythm, so over time, distinctive harmonies developed to embellish the sound. By the early 20th century, gospel was going mainstream, with the first gospel recordings made in the 1920s, and gospel songs then taken up by high profile performers such as Elvis, creating the fascination and enjoyment of gospel that continues today.

Today’s gospel choirs usually perform with a piano or keyboard and sometimes a drummer, and can be led by a choirmaster. They sing an infectious mix of music including traditional gospel, plus jazz, blues, soul, classical and Latin sung in the gospel style. For most functions, including weddings, corporate events, flash mobs, product launches, award ceremonies and parties, the best choice is a gospel choir rather than a soloist, as both the visual and sound experience of a choir delivers a real impact.

What to look for in quality gospel singers and gospel choirs?

A quality gospel choir has three key elements; a great sound, a coordinated look, and an infectious sense of enjoyment!

So, when judging the quality of a gospel choir, first of all, listen to their demo tracks, and consider:
• Do you prefer the cleaner arrangements with harmonies, or the more flamboyant vocalizations?
• Does the accompaniment (piano or band) add to the overall sound?
• Does one voice/performer dominate, or does the choir share the lead vocal around, for more variety?

This last point is probably not as important if your choir is only singing a few number during your wedding service, but if you then book them to entertain at your reception or party afterwards (a great idea for guests to enjoy more), consider how they will sound in a 30-minute set or longer.

Now, look at their promotional photos :
• Do they perform in matching outfits?
• Do they look traditional or trendy?
• Do they vary their look to fit the performance type? (Hopefully, yes!).

Finally, do they look and sound as if they are enjoying themselves? While every song doesn’t have to be upbeat, the general feel should be one of energy and excitement bubbling under. Gospel music should dance, not amble!

Soul, RnB or Motown?

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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!

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.

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 Cook, Jackie Wilson. Otis Redding and the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin.

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: Smoky Robinson and The Miracles, Diana Ross and The Supremes, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Jackson 5 and Steve Wonder.

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!

What to look for in quality Soul, RnB and Motown bands.

Soul, R&B and Soul can be in all sizes, from stunning solo vocalists to full-on soul party bands and everything in between. So, how can you tell the soulful stars from the RnB also-rans?

Check their Profiles First, check out the artist and band Profiles here at Red Masque Directory. Their sample tracks and demo videos that’ll 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.

What space will my soul, RnB or Motown band require?

As you might have gathered by now, the space required depends largely on the type of band your booking. Since these acts specialise in providing a visual show as well as superb dance music, chances are they’ll need a larger space than comparative bands in other genres, such as jazz. What’s more, the more players and equipment they bring, the more space they will require both on stage and off. Also, don’t assume just because you booked a soloist they will come with just a small speaker and microphone. Chances are they will come with some very high-tech sound equipment for their backing tracks, to make sure they sound at their very best.

2016 corporate party ideas

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It’s never too early to plan ahead. Many corporate and private clients often enjoy theming their larger parties (and smaller ones, as long as you can convince your mates to dress up) around national events happening that particular year. With this in mind, we thought we’d look ahead to see what trends might be coming up, which you may like to capitalise on. Without further ado, here are our popular party themes 2016

Rio 2016

Yes, like them or loathe them, the summer Olympics return next year with Rio 2016. Incredibly, it will have been four years since London 2012, where we all trekked over to Stratford to watch a game of Handball between a couple of Baltic nations and now it’s time to do it all over again next year. Coming live from Brazil in 2016, sporting entertainment is sure to be a big draw next year so get planning now!

According to Wikipedia, 2016 is set to be space crazy. You name it, it’s being planned. From a space hotel being launched for wealthy clients to various missions involving Mercury, Mars and Jupiter, there are huge plans afoot for 2016 and space travel. The sequel to Independence Day will surely only add to the fever in June, so get your thinking caps on if it’s space-themed event entertainment you’re after. What better venue than the Gherkin? There have been lots of space themes organised here already, so now it’s time to organise yours.

Harry Potter

Brace yourself, Muggles who love the young wizard are going to be out in force in 2016 with not one but two (or even three) new Potter releases thrust upon the world. But they won’t be in book form, oh no. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will be an adaptation of a JK Rowling spinoff starring Eddie Redmayne, whilst Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will open in the West End in two parts. Magic costume, crazy food—All will be great entertainment theme ideas for your Harry Potter event in 2016. You can even host your very own private party here where the Harry Potter films were made!

Get your Christmas party organised now!!!!!

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Incredibly, it’s November already. Where on earth have the past ten months gone? It seems like only yesterday that we were being wowed by the Christmas lights of Bond Street. But now we look ahead to the next few months and like it or not, Christmas is drawing near. Which means a Christmas party needs to be organised? And Christmas entertainment needs to be sorted. Here are some ‘different’ slices of entertainment for your Christmas party

Magicians are brilliant and tend to navigate the party room with a sense of mystique following behind. Often dressed in a suit, they charm and move on, often somewhat surprising the next group whom haven’t noticed them as they wander the room., a costume could be put together in a bespoke manner for each event i.e. Christmas. Sure to get the crowds talking, they’re also great for a photo opportunity.

Stilt Walkers

Stilt walkers are available and will add surprise proving to be a hit with passers-by and clients alike. Having said that, they are more likely to be booked at Christmas events, entertaining as a meet and greet acts or ripping up the dance floor. The costumes can be bespoke especially for your Christmas event.

Living objects

Even the grumpiest Scrooge in the building will struggle not to smile at a festive circus act in the room. Living Christmas presents that will brighten up your venue. What more could you want? Well, what if the presents sprouted legs, hand out small gifts and get into all sorts of trouble and skirmishes as their competitive nature comes to fruition? A festive treat that has to be seen to be believed, this splendidly visual act can enhance any event at a low cost. A fun and entertaining way to get the room talking!

Photo booths
Photo booths are always great fun and offer up the opportunity to attempt to convince your friends that you’ve been whisked to Lapland rather than Lambeth, but if you’re looking for something even more spectacular this Christmas, a photo booth experience in the centre of your Christmas party! A ski simulator inside an inflatable dome, four people can compete to see who reigns supreme on the virtual slopes.

Virtual Polar Bear

Why have soft toys or a character from Frozen when you can have your very own polar bear at your party? Yes, a virtual Polar Bear exists to put all other Christmas parties to shame. Coming complete with blinking eyes, a sniffing nose, moving mouth and realistic sounds, this Polar Bear is a fully animatronic puppet that even comes with his own inflatable iceberg environment. Grab a coke and pose for a unique Christmas party photo!