Category Archives: Hiring

Christmas party ideas

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There are lots of ways to celebrate Christmas at the end of year office party. Many companies go for a themed occasion, but you can also strip it back a little bit. Away from the electronic entertainment and acts that require a loud sound system. You can take it all the way back to traditional Christmas party ideas, perhaps highlighting the true values of the holiday.

Victorian Performers
When thinking back to Victorian times, you might find yourself wondering what they managed to do with themselves with no television or films. We know, it’s hard to imagine. Of course, it was the theatre that they loved to visit and no doubt they were entertained by street performers en route.

Parlour Games
With all this wonderful entertainment on display, you might be thinking of wanting to hire interactive entertainment! This doesn’t mean that you need to sacrifice your Victorian theme and bring in loud noises and bright lights; we’re talking parlour games like quoits. If anyone is successful then they may just win a Christmas present from the company or maybe a little more time off. Go on, be generous, it’s Christmas!

Costumed Characters
The number one thing you need to do if your employees are going to really feel as though they’ve gone back in time is to hire costumed characters. They don’t have to be famous Victorians but one or two certainly look nice (Charles Dickens for example), whilst others can mingle with the crowds, adding to the atmosphere of the occasion. A Dickensian Christmas is actually another popular theme; why not add Scrooge to the festivities whilst you’re at it?

Christmas Carol Singers
What Victorian Christmas party is complete without some Christmas carol singers. The best thing about this form of musical entertainment is that the group can wander about the venue, singing as they go, or you can make their background music a centre piece to the party.

Christmas Brass Band
A Christmas brass band can provide all the Christmas classics your party requires. They can either stick to strictly Victorian carols or play a few more modern Christmas hits once the drinks start flowing (nobody will notice the change of era once they’ve downed yet another sherry). Perfect for evoking the spirit of Christmas, opting to hire a brass band for your Christmas party always goes down well.

History of Clairvoyants

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Records of people experiencing visions go back at least as far as The Bible, when Peter, James and John “saw” a kingdom of God coming to the earth.

The ability to see things with the mind was for many centuries given religious significance, chiefly as messages from God, although clairvoyance has never been solely a Christian phenomenon.

Ancient Hindu religious texts speak of a skill that can be accomplished through personal discipline and meditation.

Apart from the religious aspect, one of the most common reports of clairvoyance is of a loved one appearing just after they have died.

For centuries, clairvoyants learned to keep their experiences quiet for fear of being condemned as a witch and it was only towards the end of the 18th century that the phenomenon was explored scientifically.

The Marquis de Puysegur took inspiration from Franz Mesmer – who theorised that there were forces of energy called animal magnetism. He recorded the personality changes of a peasant he was treating, while he was in a trance, and was reportedly the first to use the term “clairvoyance”.

During the rise in popularity of spiritualists in the late 19th century, many psychics claimed to have the ability to see with the mind.

Early scientific attempts to test the ability, by the likes of chemist Williams Gregory, saw participants asked to identify a concealed image.

It was Duke university psychologist J.B. Rhine who introduced a more standard method of testing, as part of research into extrasensory perception in the early 1930s.

He used a system developed by Karl Zener, where people who claimed to have clairvoyant gifts were asked to identify which one of five cards depicting different symbols had been picked by the tester.

Rhine published a book, Extrasensory Perception, in 1934 detailing his research, which had included a study of Hubert Pearce. With five cards, a subject has a 20 per cent chance of success but Pearce’s average was 40 per cent.

More recently, the Stanford Research Institute coined the term remote viewing and carried out studies into whether people could identify and describe remote locations or targets.

The researchers, Harold Puthoff and Russell Targ, believed that Uri Geller had psychic abilities and Geller’s skills were showcased on many TV programs. In the past few decades, thousands of experiments have been carried out to test clairvoyance. One study in 1994 recorded a 32 per cent accurate response rate, compared to a chance rate of 25 per cent.

The U.S. government funded a project over more than 20 years to investigate whether clairvoyance could be used to acquire knowledge of enemy operations.

Why party entertainment is important

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Party entertainment is important as it brings people together and is a good way for the entire family to bond.

It diverts people’s attention from their demanding lives and amuses them in their leisure time. Usually, party entertainment is fun, enjoyable and pleasurable. Entertainment for events can take various forms including music, drama, storytelling, movie, sports, dance and traditional performances.

As life gets increasingly busy, it becomes more difficult for people to spend time with their loved ones. Thus, it is necessary to keep everyone entertained to ensure a relaxing time when a family break does become feasible. Entertainment provides a way to break away from everyday humdrum activity and enjoy a refreshing moment together.

The right party entertainment brings happiness, which is a fundamental and powerful medicine that aids health and wellbeing. It is said “when you are happy, you have everything.” Happiness can even reduce stress and tension. Movies, music and TV series can all create joy in people’s lives. When watching or listening, members of the audience tend to forget the snags, miseries, worries and difficulties of their own lives.

With so many sources of entertainment now available, people have many options to choose from in their precious leisure time. Perhaps the best option is to focus on those forms of entertainment that are educational or inspiring, and which encourage people to achieve success amid their existing or perceived difficulties.

Exhibitions & Trade Shows

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You go to a Trade Show or Exhibition to expose your products and services to as wide an audience as possible, to generate sales and to collect data on potential customers. To be successful at a tradeshow, you need to attract the maximum number of people to your stand rather than your competitors’, and keep them there until your brand has worked its’ magic.

One way to pull people in is to put on some high quality and engaging Trade Show Exhibition entertainment. Red Masque Directory advertise a wide range of options for Trade Show and Exhibition entertainment, appropriate to and supporting your brand and marketing messages.

For example, space is always limited, so the ideal Trade Show and Exhibition entertainment must pull people to your stand without using up all the available space. Hiring close up Magicians are a good, space-efficient draw, and so are solo musicians or singers who can grab the crowd’s attention and engage the audience, keeping them in situ for long enough to absorb your messages.

A Caricaturist is an innovative and engaging entertainment option – drawing caricatures of your potential customers, on media bearing your brand. This is fun for the sitter, who gets to take away a highly personalised branded memento, and fun for the onlookers who can enjoy the spectacle.

The quiet room

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When it comes to booking event entertainment, guests normally want something that produces a bit of a sound and has people reacting with one of any number of emotions – smiling, laughing and being amazed – but it turns out that in order to be entertained in the US, you might not need any sounds at all. That brings us to this rather curious venue in Minnesota, a room that the Guinness Book of Records’ has dubbed the World’s Quietest Room.

The so-called ‘anechoic chamber’ at Orfield Laboratories in South Minneapolis is 99.9% sound absorbing. Created from 3.3-foot-thick fibreglass acoustic wedges and with walls made out of insulated steel that are surrounded by a foot of concrete on every side, you might be forgiven for thinking the space has been envisaged and built from a mad scientist. You’d only be halfway right – the company behind the room are involved in design, research and testing for various companies with both Whirlpool and Harley Davidson using the anechoic chamber to evaluate sound quality of their products and assess just how loud they may be. NASA have also taken to using the room, with astronauts experiencing a ‘simulation’ of what they can expect once in space.

According to the man in charge, Steve Orfield, the record for time spent in the room in one go is only around 45 minutes because anybody inside actually becomes the sound. You’d be able to hear your heart beating, your lungs inhaling and your stomach processing the lunch that you ate earlier that day. Standing up isn’t an option either; humans use sound to help with their orientation and movements, which naturally become impossible when there is no sound to hear at all. As Orfield explains, “In the anechoic chamber, you don’t have any cues. You take away the perceptual cues that allow you to balance and manoeuvre.”

There are actually a few anechoic chambers in the UK – once again used by companies and academic institutions – but they aren’t generally available to the public and haven’t yet been designated as being ‘the quietest in the world’. The Faculty of Brain Science at UCL use theirs to study how the brain reacts to a lack of sound, which is probably more interesting and useful than what we would want to do with one…

Ideas for local events

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Deciding what type of event you should hold will depend on your goals, as well as the size and demographic of your target audience. However, here are some tried and trusted ideas for community events that should help get everyone together.

Use a themed event day
There are a multitude of different themed days you could utilise; you only need to look at the internet to see how many “National’ days are out there.

A firm favourite, which will also help your local library, is World Book Day. The best way to get the community involved is by getting everyone to dress as their favourite character from any book they choose. This could mean dressing as Where’s Wally, The Cat in the Hat, Mr Darcy even! The possibilities are endless!

Invite local authors, or even famous authors who have ties to your community. You can organise a selection of readings with an open-mic night, and why not organise a poetry competition and get a local bookshop to donate prizes?

Organise a performance
Amateur dramatics has been a long standing part of the community, so why not gather some aspiring thespians together and organise a show?

This doesn’t have to be on a stage in the community hall, why not change things up and create a walking performance? Get the audience to follow a set course around town, where they can watch parts of the play in certain areas. Have your actors do scenes or interact with the audience in-between stops, making them part of the performance.

Food Festival/Farmer’s Market
Who can say no to delicious food? Especially when the town is filled with the most amazing smells!
Whether you get some local farmers, caterers or local food shops together, this is a great way to highlight the local produce and local sellers in the area. As well as getting to eat all the delicious food at an event, people will know they will be able to buy this produce locally on any other given day.

Why not think Great British Bake Off and ask the community to create their own showstopper cakes and raffle them off. No one can turn down cake, especially if you have a tea stand nearby!

Host a street party
Street parties are now being held at any time, for all ages, to build community spirit at the street level. They are a more relaxed affair with attendees asked to bring a dish to share or with a barbecue arranged.

Put on a film screening
Who doesn’t enjoy watching a great movie on a big screen with a tub of tasty popcorn? You can organise a film screening at a local school, church, community centre or even outside, under the stars. Choose to screen a recent blockbuster or go for an old classic and embrace a theme, like ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ with guests encouraged to come in fancy dress.

But don’t forget, under UK copyright law, if you are playing films outside your domestic or home circle, you will need to obtain a licence to do so (even for free of charge events and fundraisers).

Organise a pub quiz
A quiz night with general knowledge questions can appeal to a broad audience, or you can target particular groups by focusing on specialist subjects, such as football or music. Theming your quiz can also give it an extra edge; for example, how about holding one on Halloween with questions about horror films, along with spooky decorations to get everyone in the spirit!

The hardest part of holding a quiz night is inevitably writing the questions. If you research your own trivia on the internet, then be careful how you select the sites you choose to get the questions from. Do not just crib from the first list of horror movie facts you come across – your participants may well have been on the same website!

Gather a gardening gang
If there’s a green space in your community that has seen better days, why not organise a group of volunteers to restore it to its former glory? Digging out weeds, picking litter and planting flowers will transform it into something for all to enjoy and encourage people to take an active part in caring for their local area.

Or perhaps your child’s school has an area of unused playing field that could be put to better use? Approach the PTA about turning it into a vegetable patch with the help of parents and pupils, growing produce for school dinners while teaching the children about where food comes from.

Planning the next Christmas…

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We are now into 2018 and have left the festivities behind us; but, now you can start organising the next office Christmas party!!!

Whether you are looking for some tips to complete the perfect party or having trouble where to start, we have put together some top considerations to make sure your party is remembered all year long.

Entertainment
The heart of any party is truly memorable entertainment and without it, you are going to have a long awkward night relying on the mood of the attendees to carry you through.

There are many reasons that entertainment is important but the simplest is to keep the attendees engaged. By having great bands or comedians perform to break up the evening, it allows the attendees to relax and laugh while stimulating everyone for the evening ahead. It also has the added benefits of providing a central talking point for those who may be a little shy or for those looking to use the event to network with some senior members of staff.

There is such a vast range of options available currently, so it vitally important to choose the event entertainment wisely. If possible, see the act live in action or on video before fully committing to their services.

Budget and venue will have a major bearing on your decision-making process. Bands who specialise in covers often work very well as they can cater for everyone’s tastes. Alternatively, if your budget allows for the spectacular, why not consider booking street performers or even a live circus act.

Catering
Food has come to be expected at any event but it can be easy to not give thought or consideration to what food exactly will be served at the party. Often it will be a secondary concern, just something for people to nibble on as nobody is really expecting anything spectacular.

However, as experts in corporate event planning ourselves, we know that food can be so much more than that, in fact it can be a showstopper. Beautiful food that is delicious will get guests talking to each other, while also remembering it long after the event had finished.

Also consider that there is likely to be many intolerances and special diets within the attendees to take into consideration. It will be important to offer options that are not only delightful in taste and presentation but diverse enough to ensure that no one leaves the event feeling though they were an afterthought or missed out.

No matter how great the party is, if attendees are hungry they likely won’t be enjoying themselves and this can cast a shadow over the whole event. It is therefore important to take into consideration the length of your event, as longer events will require guests to be fed throughout it. We suggest small strategic canapes to do this without breaking the rhythm.

Venue
As important as the entertainment and food, a venue can really set the tone for the whole event. Too formal and it is unlikely the guests will fully relax or too quirky and some people are just going to feel uncomfortable all-night long.

Your choice of venue is going to have a significant impact on your budget, so it needs careful consideration of your specific needs, such as the number of attendees.

If your space is too small it will likely feel cramped, hot and stuffy. Equally if the venue has too much space it will feel empty and lacking in atmosphere as the guests will be too spread out to mingle. No matter the size of the venue makes sure that the location is conveniently close to transportation links.

Our personal recommendation is to always find a venue that offers that little bit of a wow factor. Places that have a view or a behind the scenes look at well-known landmark work the best as they serve as another memorable conversation starter beside the food and entertainment. Oh, and make sure there is enough toilet facilities… Nobody wants to be queuing.

Brilliant ways to remember your event

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Eyecon Art
Technically we’re breaking our own rule in that opening paragraph as Eyecon Art is essentially a photograph. But don’t go thinking that this is the same as hiring a photographer for an event. Rather than capture you standing awkwardly by the DJ as you ponder which canapés to chow down on, Eyecon Art will have you heading home with an incredibly close-up shot of your eye. Every iris is unique and dare we say it, look tremendous!

Caricaturist
If you’re looking to hire a caricaturist for an event, then you have got to make sure that you are fine with having your eyebrows accentuated and your nose looking a little larger than in real life. But that’s all part of the fun! A good caricaturist knows how to draw a cartoon-style representation of their subject without causing offence and the best part is that with modern technology being what it is, you can take home a paper or digital version.

Duke Box
Why does everything that provides a memory of an event have to be visual? The answer is that they don’t, especially when you’re dealing with a Duke Box, a fabulous box of audio delights which allows you to be the DJ! Selecting your favourite hits and making a party to remember from nostalgic tunes to more up-to-date current hits. A duke box not only looks good but sounds great too. Your guests will be gathered around remembering their favourite tunes of yesteryear.

Screen Printing
Whether you call it screen printing, letter pressing or something completely different, these fabulous contraptions can have you created your very own work of art in no time! Popular at Somerset House every summer, you too can discover the art of the print. Remember not to limit yourself to paper or card; should you so desire you can create your design on a T-shirt. Wear your creation and remember that party in style!

Valentine’s day entertainment

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Whether you’re planning a private party where you get to play Cupid or perhaps a romantic offering for those already coupled up, Valentine’s Day can be a great party theme and here are some brilliant ideas (and one novelty one) to get you thinking and keep the fun flowing throughout the night.

If you missed out on valentines this year, why not think about planning something amazing for next. Like it or not, and if you’re single then it’s probably a day you loathe, Valentine’s Day will be on again next year and numerous love hearts adorn the shelves at pretty much every shop you walk into.

Chocolate
Chocolate fountains are brilliant for corporate or private parties as the melted chocolate just keeps coming and an assortment of fruit and marshmallows are always available to dip into the goodness. And when you’re done with that, why not wash it all down with some carefully selected wines, learning about what to look for in a good bottle of plonk? Your partner or future partner is sure to be impressed!

Colour Profiler, Numerologist and Graphologist
Let’s say you’re flying solo at a Valentine’s Day party and thinking to yourself that maybe you should update your dating profiles as you swipe over yet another questionable person on Tinder. A colour profiler and numerologist can help narrow down exactly who you’re after by telling you a little about you! Determining your aura and discovering which numbers are important to you could well help you out en route to a satisfying relationship. A graphologist is also able to be booked; often used in criminal cases, a graphologist also has a capacity for romance – they might even be able to tell you who else at the party has handwriting that suggests a perfect match with you!

An Amazing Party Band!
Come on! If you’re wallowing in the corner watching a couple dance a slow waltz around the room, then it’s time to get on up for the next song because the music is set to rock! Hiring a party band for your party is an absolute must and we have a whole host of amazing bands perfect for weddings and parties who know how to combine the romantic ballads with something a little heavier for those just wanting a good dance. No party is complete without one.

A party to remember…

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Remember that if guests are travelling from out of the area, it helps if the venue is easy to find. Consider how easy it is to find parking, and also how much accommodation is available near by. If you choose a great party venue you won’t need to spend as much time dressing it up to look good. There are loads of interesting venues out there to suit a wide variety of styles and themes.

Entertain Your Guests
Most people are happy to have a party DJ, but anyone who’s been to a party with a live band will tell you how much better the night was. You need something to really get guests excited and live party bands do exactly that. They’re interactive, energetic and fun. Not everyone likes to dance, but with a great live band, performing the best classic and modern party songs, even the most ardent anti-dancers will be rocking out, arm in arm, singing along on the dance floor with guests they only met a few hours ago.

Welcome Guests
Giving your guests a drink is a small touch that really shows you care about welcoming your guests, and it ensures everyone feels positive as soon as they arrive. It’s your way to thank people for coming, and it gets people in the mood to party.

In a practical sense, it also helps to alleviate the early queues at the bar, something which is sure to dampen spirits and cause frustration.

Some venues will arrange for a member of staff to personally serve drinks as your guests arrive, or you can choose to have a selection of drinks available on tables near the entrance

It’s also worth trying to book a party venue where the bar is in the same room as the party, otherwise your dance floor will only ever be half full. If the bar’s in another room, people will hang around talking when they go out to get a drink, and the reduced numbers can make the party room feel empty.