Tag Archives: professional

Office Party Tips

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People get nervous at corporate event parties. Its that time of year again and nervousness can equal erratic behaviour so reduce the stress by setting some ground rules. Make sure you answer the following questions:

Whether you plan to host a big bash or a small gathering try these suggestions:
Be as generous as your budget allows. Your employees work hard and they are looking for a show of appreciation. They view your generosity as a barometer of their performance.

Try to go somewhere different. If there is a tavern or restaurant close by your employees are probably there all the time. Why not drive an extra 5 minutes and meet at someplace different?

If you have the party on premises, make sure to decorate. Telling them to meet in the cafeteria will excite no one. Asking them to join you on the beach (a decorated themed area) they’ll know it’s a special day.
Invest in a cocktail waiter. They’ll monitor and control drinking. They also can make attractive and fun “virgin” drinks. People like picking a non-alcoholic “cool” option. Letting employees pour their own can be a problem and asking an employee to tend bar may be putting them in a bad spot.

Have a theme for your party. We mentioned luau because it’s always a hit but casino and Mardi Gras are also real favourites that can be planned for 10 or a 100.

Will there be alcohol at the party and if so is it open bar or cash bar?
Are spouses and dates invited? This is particularly important if the party is off your property.
How long will the festivities last? Not everyone can get there at 5:30 so it’s nice to know people will still be there later in the evening.

What’s the proper dress? Not usually a big problem and not necessary in a majority of cases, but if you are hosting the party at a private club or a place no one has been to before a heads up about what to wear can save some people serious embarrassment.

Think about providing some great party favours or even door prizes. It’s nice to walk away with a remembrance of a great time. Finally make sure you have fun. If you’re a manager, mingle with your employees they’ll appreciate it and you’ll enjoy it.

Meet Miss Billie Rae

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We would say that everyone cannot fail to love a bit a burlesque; they are provocative and humorous and very sexy but in a very classy way, and that is where Miss Billie Rae comes in:
She has that special something that will make you mesmerised from the moment you set eyes on her.

Currently the most sought after headline act and a firm favorite on the corporate entertainment circuit worldwide. She has wowed, entranced and broken the hearts of countless international and UK based clients.

A truly wonderful entertainer; she takes her work very seriously indeed and to her this is her life, which she lives and breathes and most importantly loves to entertain her adored fans.

Incorporating her background in theatre, fashion and fine art Billie Rae creates unique, unusual and avant garde performances that enthral and hypnotise audiences. With her handmade ornate costumes and ingenious props she can evoke the true spirit of the circus and even explore the macabre and strange depths of cabaret, all with an erotic and sensual twist.

NYE Ancient Rituals

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The celebration of New Year is one of the oldest annual rituals, observed globally for thousands of years by all the ancient civilizations from the Egyptians and Mayans to the Chinese and Maoris.

It is possible to take part in a New Year celebration almost every month of the year as our own western observance of New Year’s Day on January 1st only came into practice around 400 years ago.

Most of the older traditions base their new year around important social or astrological activities; the Egyptians celebrated the feast of Opet during the Nile’s inundation, the Mayan New Year varies, Chinese New Year changes annually, while the Celtic celebration of Samhain is held around Halloween.

Did you know? The first people to make resolutions were the ancient Babylonians over 4000 years ago, in the belief that whatever they did on the first day of the year would affect their entire year. The ancient Babylonian New Year was dated to the first new moon (visible crescent) after the vernal, or spring, equinox (usually March), so if you need an excuse to party.

Most New Year celebrations incorporate the ideas of fertility and good luck with reviewing the past year whilst hoping for a better year ahead. The customs we follow in the UK stem mainly from old Scottish traditions of Hogmanay, whose roots date back to the pagan mid-winter practice of sun and fire worship which later linked with the Roman winter festival of Saturnalia, a decadent and uninhibited feast of food, wine and fun.

New Year’s Eve Party Ideas
If you’re prepared to travel it’s well worth a visit to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations. Because most pubs and restaurants get rammed to the rafters, many people prefer to throw a private party. If you hire a party venue it pays to book well in advance, (12 months or more!)

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

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

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

Fireworks & Event Suppliers
It’s now become traditional to set off fireworks at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Arrange a professional fireworks show from around £1500 or you can buy DIY firework kits from reputable suppliers

Simple tips to make everyone happy

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When booking a corporate event, if your guests 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 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 performers won’t feel like they’re turning their backs.
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 disappointed 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!

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

Check in with your party entertainers 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.
Then, on the day, be sure to give the entertainment 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 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!

Dance group entertainment

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For entertainment that really gets your party started, it’s hard to beat a professional dancer for sheer energy, visual impact, and more than a touch of glamour.

Dancers and dance companies perform choreographed routines that combine music and movement into an energetic and elegant form of entertainment. Most dance groups offer a range of traditional, classical and contemporary dance styles, including elegant ballroom dancing, street dance, Las Vegas style showgirls, traditional Irish dancing, Latin American tango, Spanish flamenco, and the more risqué charms of burlesque.

Most dancers for hire and dance troupe offer either a standard show that can be adapted to your venue and event, or as bespoke option to create exactly the mood and feel you require for your event.
Whether you’re looking for a solo belly dancer to surprise guests at a birthday party, or classical ballerina to add grace and elegance to your product launch, dancers and dance groups provide an energetic, engaging, and ultimately highly entertaining show for your guests.

Most dancers and dance troupes are extremely versatile, often offering a wide variety of dance styles for your event. Chances are, if a dance troupe focuses exclusively on one or two dance styles or forms, they will have a high level of expertise in these forms and therefore put on a more authentic show.

Some of the dance companies featured at Red Masque Directory will create bespoke shows just for you, and bring in dancers and performers with the correct level of skills required. So, just because they don’t specialise in Street Dance for example, they can probably call on some very good performers if you require a bespoke urban style performance.

Take a little time to look at the Profiles of dancers and dance companies here on Red Masque Directory. All companies will feature photographs of their dancers, and some offer video, a great way to see what they look like in action.

Air Festival event ideas

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There’s nothing that signals summer like a beachside air show! Whether you’re going to be attending Bournemouth or Clacton, here are the ideas for you to ensure that when the planes stop flying, the party doesn’t come to an end!

Fantastic Fireworks!
Many people who attend air shows don’t just turn up for the afternoon to watch planes loop the loop; many attendees love to stay for the evening’s entertainment, long after the sun has gone down and boy do we have some party entertainment ideas for you. Fantastic Fireworks offer a Wow factor every time which will keep your guests entertained well into the evening…

Cirque du cabaret
Another act that looks stunning against a night time backdrop, Cirque du cabaret performers! That alone should be enough to convince you of the show’s quality and those in the crowd can expect special effects and stunts. We love all vintage forms of entertainment and try to pay homage where and when ever possible. These performers shows change current cabaret, circus and vaudeville formats as you know them, pushing the existing boundaries to create new parameters!

Red Masque are proud to be a source of unique kinetic cabaret sights, sounds and delights and we hope we can entertain and impress you with our amazing and talented performers.

Jenson Production
Jenson Production combines airborne entertainment with the circus as an aerial artist performs this modern show includes powerful and elegant parts of aerial and ground acrobatic in combination. These singular, modern presentations can be combined to a strong & elegant air-to-surface acrobatic, which can be realized and/or used in almost all kinds of shows! You can choose from a number of disciplines for the acrobat to perform including silks and hoop, giving a true feeling of bespoke entertainment.

Rob Roy
Many air festivals take place by the coast but as the night time rolls in, many people tend to avoid the sea and enjoy a warm summer’s eve.Rob Roy combines comedy, escapology and acrobatics, there is a perfect blend of laughter, danger and excitement. Improvisation, quick witted wise cracks and crowd participation create a unique atmosphere that leaves audiences both in amazement and hysterics and this highly polished show has made Rob a favourite among all ages and nationalities.for the ‘night air’ element of summer air shows.

A party that caters for all

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When it comes to organising a Christmas party, you want something that caters to all. Some will absolutely love the holiday season whilst a select few would rather it never arrived at all. Ensuring that you cater to every Christmas elf as well as to the Scrooge in your office can be a tricky balancing act but if you hire the best entertainment for Christmas parties, then you shouldn’t go too far wrong. Here are a few choice suggestions across numerous key entertainment genres!

Music Acts
What’s a party without a music? Well, it might be an event but it certainly won’t be a party. With this in mind, you have two options. Booking a function band for a Christmas party is a low-risk option because bands tend to play three sets over the course of your event. Any band worth their salt will be able to play a Christmas set once December arrives, or you could ask them to intersperse the pop and rock classics with an occasional hit from Slade’s back catalogue. Another approach is of course to go with a choir. Christmas carollers are ‘back in vogue’ this year and although you might not want to hear O Come, All Ye Faithful for the umpteenth time, there will undoubtedly be Christmassy renditions of more modern festive hits. Doing the party on a budget? A Christmas DJ is also a hugely entertaining option.

Dance Acts
When one thinks of dance at Christmas, it’s often a Winter Wonderland-inspired ballet, perhaps from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker or Swan Lake. This truly is a beautiful form of entertainment that isn’t too Christmassy for those who’d prefer to stay in during the holiday season! Another stunning idea for booking a Christmas dance is to simply provide Christmas costumes for professional dancers. Whether you’re after Jack Frost or one of Santa’s elves, there are many ideas that could work together to create the ultimate Christmas party! Add in some fake snow and a few festive tunes and you have a Christmas party to remember!

Circus Acts
You might not immediately think of hiring circus entertainment when looking into hiring acts for your Christmas party, but these are fabulous acts to bear in mind. If you’re wanting to turn heads when guests first arrive, there are a whole host of Christmas themed stilt walkers available to hire. Whether you’re wanting a Snow Queen on stilts or even reindeer stilt walkers , there’s sure to be something that will fit in perfectly with the party you’re envisaging. This truly is one of the best pieces of entertainment for Christmas parties that has been extremely popular over the last few years so get in quick!
Ultimately, there are a variety of superb acts that are sure to fit in at your Christmas party so if you’re looking to make it the best ever, then make your choice from the entertainment acts on Red Masque and celebrate Christmas in style!

Fashion week ideas to hire

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London Fashion Week, a joyous celebration of all things creative, imaginative. How else could a fashion house get their designs seen? By hiring entertainment of course!

Fanfare Trumpeters
How better to get people’s attention than simply blasting out a tune that ensures they turn in your direction? A perfect blend of British tradition and elegance. There will be no denying that fanfare trumpeters will be a superb choice to set the mood.

Hoop La La
Just. Look. At. Them! Hoop La La are a completely unique hula hoop act that combine the eccentricity of the fashion world with other circus skills that are sure to leave audiences absolutely astonished. Undoubtedly going to draw attention, if a designer is looking to stun the fashion world with their latest collection then Hoop La La are the only entertainment act you should consider. Brilliant!

Miss Thunderpussy
The outrageously wonderful drag star who drew rave reviews performing earlier this year, Miss Thunderpussy is a favourite for anybody interested in fashion or hearing her ruthless and sometimes a bit nasty, but with Miss Thunderpussy is unique, (but isn’t that what the fashion world is all about?) One of London’s most popular divas, the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race ain’t got nothin’ on this sister!

Desi Nach
What is London Fashion Week all about if not the outfits that look incredible but might actually turn out to be completely useless the moment you step out into London’s wintery weather? Exactly! That being said, if you just want to celebrate the zany side of fashion – and yes, we are talking about that Bollywood dance costumes, then you need look no further than the Desi Nach, a set of Bollywood dancers in costumes that are best explained through the medium of dance.

Team building games

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For years, It’s a Knockout held court as the UK’s most innovative and popular television program full of great entertainment. Undoubtedly the wettest, wildest, and wackiest competition imaginable. It combines the game’s traditional format with our own unique sense of fun to create the ultimate example of a motivational team-building corporate event.
This is a great idea for team building because it’s:
BIG, bright and crazy fun
Something completely different
Everyone involved
Great head-to-head team competition
Amazing inflatables in a huge arena
A chance to be big kids again

With everyone in the right frame of mind, teams of 8 to 12 people will be established, and the games can commence in earnest! Competing against each other for points and to avoid the dreaded booby prize, players will accept a range of unusual challenges to a relentless varied soundtrack.
Games ideas.
PENGUIN PURSUIT – Wearing giant penguin costumes you’ll race against other teams to catch the most fish!
THE SWEEPER – Taken from the famous Total Wipeout TV show, teams must be quick to jump and avoid the rotating sweeper arm.
TROPICAL SCRABBLE – Teams race through an inflatable obstacle course collecting letters, the quickest team to spell a word wins!
BUNGEE RUN – Run as far as you can down an inflatable bungee runway with a large elastic cord tied to your waist. See who can get the furthest.
GLADIATOR DUEL – Knock your opponent off of their podium before they knock you off of yours!
So there you have it, fuel for thought. Amazing fun and will see your staff in a different light!

What Makes A Great Party?

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It is often surprising how late in the day many people consider booking a DJ to provide their private party entertainment despite how critical a great DJ is to the success of their event. This guide aims to help the first time booker understand what to look for when you hire a DJ, with tips and insights into how DJs work and what you need to do to get the best out of yours.

So what makes a great corporate or private party? Ask most of your guests and they’ll say they had a great time if they were up dancing all night to the music they love. But how do you know what music they’ll love? Surely everyone has varied tastes?

When guests decide to get on the dance floor at a party, there’s a certain process involved of losing their inhibitions as they escape into the exciting world of music & lights. Memories and emotions can be ignited by the DJ’s choice of music and songs, often taking people back to their youth. What a great journey this can turn out to be if the DJ perfectly judges all the right tunes to play for your guests.

A good DJ should have a passion for all genres of music so that he can predict the response of people in the room when he plays certain classic songs from his collection. It is important for a DJ to read his crowd and he should instinctively know what kind of music will get people dancing. If you are providing a DJ with a playlist, it is advisable to allow the DJ some discretion to choose which tracks to play from your list and at what time to play them.

When guests share the dance floor it is similar to an audience laughing together at a comedian. Dancing helps people to unwind and relax and laughter relaxes muscles, boosts energy and triggers the release of feel-good chemicals. The feel good factor can also be promoted by the DJ if he plays positive uplifting music that is mainly found in songs written in the major keys.

It can be quite a challenge for a DJ to get guests dancing, especially early on at an corporate event where many of the guests might not know each other. Sometimes interaction over the microphone is required to help people feel more relaxed, and occasionally a little encouragement can be given to help create that essential party spirit.

There are a variety of different techniques which can be used and this is where DJ’s have varying styles and approaches. Some people like a DJ to be vocally interactive with their audience, whereas others prefer the more modern approach of minimal talking with the focus mainly on good music and taking requests.