Category Archives: Hire

Truly unique

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We at Red Masque have the best unique artists to hire out for your special event; we have below suggested some great things to consider. It’s quite hard to come up with different things to do so we hope we have just given you a little taster of what we have on offer:

If you do decide for your party that you are going to travel into town and visit some extravagant wine bars, why not hire a limo and be treated like a star all night too! You could include some true star quality and hire Paparazzi photographers to follow you wherever you go – you’ll be guaranteed to attract plenty of attention and have some fabulous shots of your night to treasure forever!

If you think that your party group are the outdoors type, then have you considered organise some giant games to play outside. Another great idea is circus training! Your party can learn a range of amazing circus tricks taught by professionals and come away from the party with a skill to enjoy and show-off for life. These artists are so much fun and guaranteed to thrill all your guests.

How about a Murder Mystery Night? Mingle your guests with brilliant characters and watch a murder unfold before your eyes leaving the guests as detectives trying to found out “who dunnit”! It’s a superbly thrilling evening where you learn who to trust and who not to trust while you work out who committed the terrible crime but beware of twists in the tale….!

Alternatively, you could hire some themed dance acts to really get all your guests in the spirit at they dance the night away in their themed dress. Don’t forget to include some suitable dance entertainment such as some Burlesque dancers which will be very entertaining for both sexes. There are a whole host of entertainment to book, just glance through all of our entertainment for hire to give you some more ideas.

We hope we’ve given you some food for thought.

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!

Plan a more successful event

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1. Reserve a Venue Early On

Having a venue reserved allows organizers to begin marketing efforts in advance, which would lead to more early bird sales. It also has a budgetary advantage as other venues with similar capacities and layouts could have significantly lower prices when reserved a few months before the event. Contacting potential venues early on also provides more leeway regarding the dates as the venues are more likely to negotiate and provide a discount. Adequate organisation prior to choosing a date ensures that other competing events aren’t scheduled around the same time or that your event doesn’t coincide with certain holidays that would impact attendance.

2. Stick to a Theme

Creating and sticking to a theme establishes an atmosphere that attendees can easily understand and enjoy. An event theme can be as simple as constantly using a logo or more involved with communicating a brand identity. In either case, the theme should be consistent from the messaging to the materials. Invitations, photo backdrops, signage, tableware, apparel, takeaway gifts, hashtags, etc. should all adhere to the theme.

3. Hire Experts

Hiring an expert event planner is a safe way to minimize potential hitches at an event. Make sure the planner has worked on similar events in the past as many types of events have their own special event organizers like ones who arrange a wedding, a charity function, a party at a nightclub, or a conference.

4. Use the Right Event Software

Finding applicable event management software can be a time-consuming and meticulous process since different types of events need different solutions. Many organizers avoid event software altogether, but doing so often leads to complications when checking-in attendees, collecting analytics, communicating with attendees, and so on.

5. Collect Feedback and Iterate

Amassing feedback before, during, and after an event allows planners to learn from their successes and failures. Timing is key to getting good participation, so we recommend asking for feedback during the event’s coffee breaks and/or within 24 hours after the event ends. Formatting questions with yes/no answers or on a scale from 1 to 5 is the easiest way for the guests to respond — you can always leave a section for additional comments at the end. Another technique is to simply to delegate event ambassadors to walk around the event and ask attendees for their feedback, since in-person conversations are more convenient. A great way to encourage this feedback is to offer potential prizes.

These event tips will help you obtain the best venue available at the right price, and it will lead to great branding throughout the entire event lifecycle. More importantly, you’ll create a more personal relationship with your attendees, which will keep your event company in the know.

Creative New Year party themes

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Party like it’s 1999​

A 1999 themed New Year’s Eve party is packed full of nostalgia. How could you forget the Millennium celebrations and the impending digital doom that was the Y2k bug? Ask your guests to come dressed as their favourite (or least favourite) 1999 celebrity—get ready to answer the door to the cast of Clueless. Hire a 90’s Cover Band or a Karaoke DJ to play all of your favourite hits from back in the day!

​Murder Mystery Party

The party is in full swing when suddenly, one of your party guests drops dead. The classic “whodunit” investigation begins! Questions are asked, pieces are put together, and the murderer must be caught. Enlist the help of your guests to help solve the mystery of the midnight murder!

Murder mystery parties are fun for people of all ages. This can be done in any setting—from dinner parties to dances. It’s a fun way to shake things up and you can choose to let your guests know ahead of time or surprise them mid-party! Set the scene—whether it’s a western saloon, disco dancehall, or black tie dinner party—and get ready to play detective! Red Masque entertainment directory are full of Murder Mystery Companies and they will take care of the rest.

Glow-in-the-Dark Party

If you’re in for a night of dancing, a Glow-In-The-Dark theme is a great way to get the party started. Dig those old black lights out of the closet and get ready to have a blast.

​Encourage your guests to come dressed in white or bright neon coloured clothes. Provide glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark fabric and/or body paint, and LED or other glow-in-the-dark accessories. Many talented Face Painters offer glow-in-the-dark paint. Hire a DJ to keep everyone on their toes, a Balloon Moddler to twist up glowing balloon wearables, and ask your Bar man to help come up with a list of glowing drinks. Did you know, for example, that a Gin & Tonic will glow blue under a black light?

A Great Gatsby Party​

The Great Gatsby-themed party is bound to be especially popular with the Baz Luhrmann remake of the classic novel and film. It’s no surprise why “Roaring 20’s”-inspired New Year’s Eve parties have remained so popular throughout the years; they’re glamorous!

​Dressing up in costume is fun and great party entertainment for everyone, so why leave it all to Halloween? The great thing about time period-themed costume parties is that, unlike Halloween, everyone will show up in similar garb, giving the feeling that you’re really living in that era. The 20’s is one of the most glamorous of times to tap into. So, what better time to celebrate the roaring 20’s than New Year’s Eve? Book a swinging’ Jazz Band or other 1920’s Act to keep everyone dancing and don’t forget the Dancers to lead the Charleston!

One hell of a roast

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A pig roast is a great addition to your next birthday party, bonfire, or garden bash! Here are a few suggestions to make your pig roast unforgettable…

If you’re having a pig roast at your outdoor party or event, draw some more attention to it! Consider making or buying pig-themed or -shaped invitations, or having a food station with a bunch of different types of BBQ sauce, hot sauce, and other condiments to “dress your pig.”

Serve with loads of salad and bread or wraps so your guests can stuff this delicious roast in-between and sink their teeth into. Don’t forget to include a lot of serviettes as it may get a bit messy; but well worth it!!

For some, a pig roast will be unforgettable in a bad way. A whole hog spinning over an open flame just isn’t for everyone. So, instead of having them look back in horror, have something available for your vegetarian friends! In fact, opt for vegetarian-friendly pig-themed foods, like vegetarian pigs-in-a-blanket or cupcakes decorated like pig snouts! You could ask a Cake Decorator to create an epic pig-shaped cake to celebrate.

Pig roasts are a great way to kick up your outdoor party a few notches and leave lasting memories. Now, just don’t burn the pig.

The year of the Pig

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Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days. Fifteen. Now, if you’re anything like us, you just can’t see yourself partying for 15 days without losing your job or your liver. So, for the sake of having one big celebration, this is how to throw a Chinese New Year party for one night only.

Set the tone

First of all, cleanliness is a big part of Chinese New Year. To really start with a clean slate, it’s tradition to do a very thorough house cleaning before the new year. Then, at your party, it’s customary to ask your guests to remove their shoes at the door. All of this is said to lead to good luck and a smooth transition into the new year. Once your home is spotless, it’s time to decorate.

Red and gold – that’s your colour scheme. In many Asian cultures, red envelopes symbolize a monetary gift for a special occasion. So, you may consider sending your invitations in red envelopes to go along with your theme (you can include chocolate coins to replace the money). You’ll want to hang beautiful Chinese lanterns throughout your home (and outside, too, so that new guests can easily identify your home). Cover your table with a rich, red table cloth and use gold-trimmed plates or gold napkins, placemats, or other finishing touches. Many choose to adorn their tables with Chinese dragons as centrepieces. However, you can also decorate by placing bowls of mandarin oranges (which represent wealth, luck, and happiness) out for your guests to enjoy.

It also adds to the ambiance to have some music playing in the background. Consider instrumental, western, pop, or ethnic music to add to your event entertainment.

Dinner is served!

Crispy Duck, spring rolls, lettuce wraps, won tons, and crispy orange beef, chicken chow Mein are just a few dishes you can serve at Chinese New Year. If you’re not up for cooking, hire a Caterer to make up delicious traditional Chinese dishes for you and your guests. Your desserts should be orange based or otherwise relate to your Chinese New Year theme. When it comes to alcohol, you should talk to your Bar man about serving drinks that involve oranges. Do not serve anything with cream or that is white in colour, as white represents death and mourning.

Party favours

Buy Chinese take-out boxes and fill them with party favours for each of your guests. Some great favours to celebrate Chinese New Year are chocolate gold coins, fortune cookies, oriental fans, Chinese opera masks, character bead bracelets, mini paper lanterns or dragons, and other traditional Chinese sweets or gifts. If your budget allows, you may also consider booking a Photo Booth for your event and laying out themed props. You and your guests can pose with paper dragons, red boas, and other fun props – and the photo strips make great party favours!

Chinese New Year is all about new beginnings, luck, and happiness. So celebrate with your loved ones and have a happy new year!

Black History Month Assembly

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Black History Month was established in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, declaring that U.S. citizens “seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history.”

Storytellers

Professional storytellers have the unique ability to take a subject and weave it into a tale that grabs the audience and doesn’t let go. Most children love hearing stories, and you can add an historical twist with the right storyteller. Bring your Black History assembly to life with a storyteller that can share about the inspirational lives of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and more.

African Music and Dance

If you’re looking for something that’s more captivating and engaging, try including an African Music or Dance group in your school assembly. Many traditional African musicians use drums and/or koras (a 21-stringed instrument made from a large gourd) to create beautiful and fascinating music. Some groups enhance the experience with griots, which are West Africans musicians, poets, and storytellers.

Poets.

Poets: take social, political, emotional, and historical issues and form them into powerful poetry. You can speak with them ahead of time to see if they have material that fits the message you’d like to convey, and some may even be able to create new material for your students. These speakers would probably work better with older students, such as junior high or high schoolers, since the performances can be intense or contain complex symbolism.

Tribute Artists

There’s no doubt that history is filled with amazing musicians and singers from the last several decades, so why not highlight them during your Black History Month assembly? Bring a tribute artist to your students and let them experience some “new” music! In the days where iTunes rule, a tribute performance can bring the past to life for them. Shake up the usual routine with a tribute to the “Velvet Voice of Our Time” Nat King Cole, the king of soul Ray Charles, or the power of Diana Ross. Your students will definitely find inspiration in the legacy that these artists have left behind.

Professional Speakers

Is your school in need of inspiration? No one does it better than Motivational Speakers. Using both personal narratives and historical examples, these speakers can help students understand the struggles that have been faced in America’s past, and motivate them to rise above adversity.

The world of sports has changed dramatically over the years, thanks to ground-breaking Black athletes such as Muhammed Ali, Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson to name a few. Whether you’re presenting an assembly for all students or motivating your school’s sports team, an Athletic Speaker can be the key. Most speakers can tailor their presentation around specific content (such as prominent black athletes in sports history) to reach your audience with your intended message.

Elementary my dear Watson!!

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Are you a fan of Sherlock Holmes or do you love a good detective series? Whichever person you are; you’ll still love our fabulous ideas to create an unmissable Sherlock Holmes party theme.

CSI

This game basic format allows for a variety of guests to ultimately solve a crime through a variety of teambuilding activities. Do you have what it takes to be a resident of 221b Baker Street or are you resigned to simply writing about the case in a style of Rd. Watson?

Violinist

Aside from cracking crimes, Sherlock Holmes is also known for his love of music, in particular gazing out at London’s clientele whilst playing a good old-fashioned violin. a violinist will no doubt go down a storm at your Sherlock party.

Costumed Character

Now what about putting that violinist into a costume? We can see it now. Deerstalker hat? Pipe? Whether you’re thinking the old fashioned version of Sherlock Holmes or the new Benedict Cumberbatch infused creation, we’re more than confident that tweed will get a look in. But which other characters should be present? Rd. Watson? Mrs. Hudson? An appearance from Moriarty wouldn’t go a miss either.

Silhouette Artist

These amazing silhouette artists can even cut in various props should you desire them. So yes, every guest could be posing with a Sherlock themed prop if you so wanted! All that’s required is paper, scissors and a little time to stand still and your guests can go home with a wonderful original prop to remind them of the evening!

Eyecon Art

Eyecon Art is one of the coolest new acts on the entertainment events circuit. Sitting down with your guests, a photographer will take a photo of your eye, which you can then be sent at a later date. Now in terms of looking for clues, it’s all about seeing the bigger picture…and who hasn’t seen a famous drawing of Sherlock Holmes with a magnifying glass to his eye?

If you’re holding a Sherlock Holmes party or have been inspired by some of the various acts, then do have a look on our website to inspire you even more!

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!

Throw a 50’s Party

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The ’50s were a time when America was finally recovering from the war, rock ‘n’ roll was emerging, Hollywood ruled, and screaming teenage girls were swooning over Elvis. Are there better reasons to throw a party? Ladies, break out your A-Line skirts, and guys, slick back your hair. It’s time for a 1950s Party!

Decorations and Costumes

Vintage diners can provide inspiration for a great backdrop for your ’50s party. Think black and white checkered floors, and bold, retro fonts on your invitations and signs. Pink, aqua, and black are also traditional “diner” colours but feel free to be creative!

Charity shops are a great place to find old records that can be re-purposed for all kinds of things. Create cupcake stands or mould them into serving bowls for crisps. You can also stick them on the wall for quick and easy decor! Look for old Coca Cola crates to use for serving drinks, or antique tin ad signs to use in your decoration.

You could also go more Hollywood glam, and decorate with silver, crystal beads, ostrich feathers, and red carpet. Fill martini glasses with crystals, or tall vases with white ostrich feathers for easy centrepieces. Leave feather boas or beaded necklaces on the tables for guests to try on. Old Marilyn Monroe movies are perfect for inspiration, or just surf the web for images from that era.

Wondering what to wear? Think Grease. For ladies, the ’50s look was longer skirts with collared blouses or T-shirts, a coordinating scarf tied around the neck or ponytail, and ankle socks with sandal shoes. High ponytails with tight curls are a classic girly hairstyle. For guys who want a tough look, pair a leather jacket with tight jeans and a plain white T-shirt. Don’t forget the greased pompadour! For a more conservative look, tuck a short-sleeved collared shirt into slacks and add a bow tie. Part your hair to the side and you’re set.

Old Hollywood costumes are all about the sparkle. Beads, sequins, glitter, and form-fitting dresses were “in” as women started embracing their curves. Throw on a feathered boa or sheer shawl to top it off. For guys, tuxedos are perfect. If not, a tailored suit will also work!

Food and Drink

Serve the classics! Hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, and milkshakes are great for a retro menu. Toss some glass bottles in ice, and don’t forget the red and white striped straws! Fill old sweets jars with classic candy like gumballs or liquorice, and set up a ginger beer float station to complete the vintage vibe. Or just add a 50’s twist to classic desserts like cupcakes, cakes, or cookies.

Entertainment

Keep your guests talking about your party entertainment long after it’s over with a little 1950’s Entertainment. Celebrity Impersonators like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley will add excitement to the party, try a Big Band or hire a Tribute Band to get your guests up and dancing!

Hire a Photo Booth and provide some ’50s-themed props (cat-eye glasses, paper soda jerk hats, bow ties, scarves, boas, sunglasses, etc.), or set up your own. You could also provide photo ops with larger cut-outs, like convertibles, Hollywood premiers, or vintage signs.

Games like the limbo, hula-hooping contests, and hopscotch were all popular back then, so set up a space to hold some friendly competitions.