Tag Archives: entertainment

Glam Corporate Events

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The Oscars are a perfect occasion for a party, as the award show provides you with all the theme you’ll need. Why not put together such a great opportunity to party with your friends!

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–an Oscar fun idea: create drinking games around multiple nominees. Every time they win, take a drink!

This prestigious event is 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 Oscars, but that doesn’t mean you can’t feel like a winner!

The Glitz
You definitely need a 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 caterers and party suppliers to treat your guests like stars. 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. The Oscars 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
Your party needs music! Hire a DJ or a Party 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 performers to mingle with guests to really add to the celebrity vibe.

Rock, paper, scissors

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This week, a fascinating fact from the world of entertainment is all about Rock, Paper, Scissors, the classic playground game that has solved many a disagreement. Fairer than a coin toss (because you are the sole person responsible for the outcome), how much would you bet on a game? Probably not $20 million, but that’s exactly what happened back in 2005.

The story begins with an eccentric millionaire by the name of Takashi Hashiyama, the CEO of Japanese electronics manufacturer Maspro Denkoh. Looking to auction off a number of paintings owned by the corporation including works by Cézanne, Van Gogh, Picasso, he couldn’t decide between the two big auction houses – Sotheby’s or Christie’s? When it comes to selling items of exceptionally high value, in this case $20 million worth, auction houses often jostle to be given the go ahead. They can waive certain fees, negotiate a lower commission, etc., all to ensure that they are given the opportunity to sell the works.

Even so, Hashiyama couldn’t pick between the two and instead opted for a rather unique approach to choosing which house would sell the painting. A game of rock, paper, scissors worth up to $20 million to the winning side. Often a collection might be split between the auction houses but Hashiyama was adamant that this was not to occur in this particular case. As such, the rules were sent to both Sotheby’s and Christie’s on Thursday; he wrote that the choice of rock, paper or scissors would be made on the following Monday when each auction house should send a representative to submit their decision.

Eventually, she spoke to Nicholas Maclean, the International Director of Christie’s Impressionist and Modern Art Department, who had two eleven-year-old daughters, Flora and Alice, who were more than willing to help out.

As self-confessed experts in the game due to playing it every day at school, they said that the strategy was obvious – “Everybody knows you always start with scissors.”, said Alice. They went on that rock is way too obvious to go for (because hey, everybody picks scissors!) and at least scissors beats paper, which is what others might go for if they want to try and think ahead of the other team, whom they expect to choose rock. Flora added, “As beginners, scissors was definitely the safest…and if another round was required, the correct play would be to stick to scissors. Everybody expects you to choose rock.”

When Monday arrived, the representatives of the two auction houses arrived at Hashiyama’s office in Tokyo. They were told to write down their choice on a piece of paper before handing it over to a member of Hashiyama’s accounting team. The result? Sotheby’s went for paper whilst Christie’s took the girls’ advice and went for scissors. After selling the paintings, the total amount of profit for the auctioneer was roughly $2.2 million. Not only that, Alice Mclean was lucky enough to be quoted in that week’s Time magazine under ‘Quotes of the Week’; nestled among the Pope, the American President and Arnold Schwarzenegger was “Everybody knows you go scissors.”

Historical party events

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When it comes to themed parties, many people tend to pick something based on a television show, film or book series. They might even theme it around the current time of year or something that’s currently in the news. But why not have more historical parties? History themed events can be great fun and here we’ll run through a couple of good ideas to get you up and running.

We know that not all people like fancy dress, deeming it to be a lot of effort compared to just turning up in your work clothes. But not every event has a historical theme affixed to it! Costumes are a must if you want to take guests back in time properly and if you’re really wanting to make your party stand out, why not hire costumed characters to complete the look? Coming with astonishingly detailed costumes that make for fabulous photos, we provide actors who can play anyone from history be it a poor peasant worker through to royalty! Don’t forget to hire a costume for yourself as well!

It’s no good holding your historical party in a venue that doesn’t suit what you’re aiming for. Sure, you could probably hold your event in the local village hall but it doesn’t exactly scream Henry VIII and grandiose, does it? What we’re trying to say is that it doesn’t really scream ‘ye olde’ when it was built in the 1970s. No, what you need is to hire a venue for your event that actually has a bit of history to it! We’re thinking Historic Royal Palaces Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House or even the British Museum, which has a fine catalogue of ancient items nestled within its walls. So if you want to go historical, start with the setting!

Well it’d hardly be a historical affair without some form of comedy would it? The royals famously enjoyed being entertained at their banquets by many a fool and you can recreate this by hiring royal footmen or jesters to add to the flavour of your historically themed event. They don’t just meet and greet either; the jesters are able to perform on stilts, entertain with incredible acrobatics and can even hula hoop if you ask them to! We admit that this may not be as historically accurate as other suggestions but we’re fairly certain that your guests will be beaming from ear to ear at their antics!

It’s not really a party if you don’t have music now, is it? We acknowledge that the idea of long summer nights is now a couple of months behind us, but that’s no excuse not to have some form of olde entertainment front and centre for guests to enjoy. Be they providing background music or a short and intimate show, lutists are sure to impress, you’ll almost certainly believe that you have gone back in time.

Entertainment for team building

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Augmented Reality Treasure Hunt
AR or augmented reality is all the rage thanks to the launch of Pokémon Go. It’s a simple enough technology that even the most technophobic of guests will be able to understand. The virtual reality game makes use of your GPS and camera on your phone to create fun photos and make it appear as though you are not alone in the room. It’s not just Pokémon or solving clues that the technology is limited to either. As the photo shows, you could hold an entire band in your hand!

Virtual Reality Team Building
The VR stands for virtual reality, which is similar to augmented reality, but a lot more immersive. Anyone who is involved in the experience must wear a headset in order to take part, which instantly transports you to another building or world, where you have to work together in order to get ahead. Imagine being teleported inside a video game and that is a perfect way to explain the entertainment you’ll get from a virtual reality team building experience. The technology has already been hailed by Facebook and HTC and there have even been corporate events specially created where you get to defeat zombies as a team. What fun!

Interactive Tiles
Dancing is great fun but there are always a few guests at an event who don’t really fancy getting involved as everybody else does the Macarena. The solution? Some interactive tiles of course! Perfect for an enhanced dance mat experience or put in place as a competitive game, interactive dance tiles can be used to ensure that getting fit is a bonus at your party. The more feet the merrier (perhaps the more steps, the bigger the prize?); this is an event installation you won’t want to miss. And yes, you can totally recreate that scene from the Billie Jean music video.

Cycling Competition
This is a fab form of interactive entertainment that allows two guests at your event to compete and see who gets the best time. Wonderful for events or parties where you have a few prizes to give away and the best bit is that there are no bikes endlessly coursing in and around your event. These two pedal powered beasts are attached to a small plinth to take up a minimum of space at your venue. Just plug in and go!

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!

The Wallace Collection

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The Wallace Collection somehow manages to retain its status as a location only the most informed local or tourist knows about. You and your guests are able to enjoy masterpieces in virtually every room and when you hire the venue for your event, the money goes straight back into preserving the collection for future generations to enjoy.

It is contained within 25 glamorous galleries as well as a contemporary glazed courtyard that has to be seen to be believed. All of these areas are available to be hired for your corporate event, private party or for any grand entertainment.

If you’re looking to hire the venue for a reception or dinner then there a multitude of fabulous locations to pick from depending on the numbers of your party. To entertain guests of up to 160 then the aforementioned courtyard is a must, with pre-dinner drinks able to be enjoyed in the Drawing Rooms Suite on the first floor, allowing lucky attendees to enjoy a private viewing which includes the opportunity to see The Laughing Cavalier in person.

The courtyard itself offers an exceptional space with which to enjoy background music from a harp to guitar, right through to a four-piece jazz band for maximum entertainment value! For those looking for a more intimate occasion, the Venetian Room caters to just 24, whilst the Dining Room can hold up to 40 guests.

But perhaps your guests aren’t attending with dinner on the brain? If this is the case, then perhaps they are here to enjoy your wedding day! There are a number of incredible venues in which to exchange vows throughout the capital, so The Wallace Collection focuses on the most important part – the evening wedding reception! Naturally as an event entertainment supplier, we would say this, but we must stress just how gorgeous a reception one can enjoy in the Drawing Room Suite. Decorated with French silk, you will be able to delight friends and family amongst treasures that previously belonged to Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour, to name but two. Guests can then enjoy speeches, live music or a dance to a DJ in the courtyard.
The Wallace Collection really is a stunning space in which to enjoy entertainment and is truly beautiful in the way it blends different styles of the old and the new.

Origins of Stag Parties

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Where does the term Come From?

When arranging party entertainment for your stag event, have you every wondered how a stag pary originated from. It is a party held for the single man just before he gets married. It is a celebration in the his honour, although it may not seem like it at the time as humiliation seems to be the order of the day. It is also sometimes known as his last night of freedom although the duration of the event over recent years seems to have changed from the traditional drink the night before the wedding to weekends away participating in things such as adventurous activities and generally getting involved in things his future wife may not approve of.

It is a last chance as a bachelor to gather together a group of people who have known the him since childhood, through school, in University and work colleagues, sports clubs and obviously last but not least his family. It can often be the last opportunity to get this grouping of people together before the Groom and his peers take on more responsible adult marital roles – mortgages, children and monthly bills. This is not just you average night for drinking in the pub or bar. It has a tradition and mystique associated with it involving tricks and lots of drinking usually at the groom’s expense. It often has a risqué element such as strippers or being stripped and tied to lampposts in the dead of night, body hair being shaved off, dressing up in fancy dress with the groom in female attire the list is endless.

The reference to stag and bucks also has strong male conartations. The leader of the pack or herd, virile, male vigour and ardour, males in their prime identified with strength and vitality. There’s another stag connection with male rites of passage – again possibly involving drinking alcohol to excess and soliciting the favours of ladies who are prepared happily to remove all their clothing for the appropriate sum. The Horned God referred to in both Celtic and early English mythology was a symbol of all things male – the Celts called him Cernunnos. Legend from these times is often confused, but it seems clear that in pre-Christian times, Brits definitely worshipped a large hairy god who sported antlers, ran around with the Einheriar, or wild hunt.

As to the word bachelor, again its history is murky. The earliest meaning of bachelor in English is ‘a young knight who followed the banner of another’. This reference is first found in the late thirteenth century. The use of the word in the context of ‘an unmarried man’, is found in Chaucer in the late fourteenth century.

The English word, seems to come from Old French. The source of the Old French word, many believe, probably comes from a Latin word baccalaris ‘farmhand’ but who really knows well your guess is as good as the next man

Entertainment Venues

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Your corporate event or private party has come to a close, the food’s finished and it’s time to crack open another bottle of bubbly and get the party started. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy. Get a function in a town hall and you might not have anywhere to set up a party band; have an event in a hotel and you might find your night winding to a rather quick close when the music is turned off at eleven to accommodate the other guests.

Here are some entertainment venues that are perfect:

Smiths of Smithfield

This venue is perfect right next to the City of London it’s conveniently located in the bustling hub of the city. The restaurant’s two private rooms can be opened out for larger parties and – most importantly – it is licenced for live music right up until 1am, so you can keep dancing as long as you’d like. The restaurant is even a short walk away from some amazing London clubs so, if you really aren’t ready to stop, you can head on over to keep the night going.

Southbank Centre
Ideal for any celebration – This world famous multi-art centre is known for its unparalleled festival programme, reaching 6.25 million people a year and featuring 5000 events by world-class artists.
For those of you looking to use the centre for your wedding reception, the rooms to hire are just as well equipped for musicians as their festival halls. The Level 5 Function Room is the largest of their events rooms; it comes with free Wifi, a fully integrated PA system and can be opened out onto a balcony for incredible views of the London skyline.

The room is accessible by lift – so you won’t have to worry about lugging heavy speakers up and down stairs – and comes with a variety of optional hired extras. These include: A sound technician to set up, two radio mics, a plug in and play system for background music. The room is licenced for entertainment until 2am, so the party doesn’t have to end.

Bush Hall
The talking point of this venue is definitely the famous faces that have graced it in the past. The venue has hosted such music legends as Adele, Amy Winehouse and The Killers. The hall’s curtained stage is an ideal place for your band and, if you’re planning on using the stage during the wedding speeches, the backstage area is perfect for storing the band equipment until you’re ready for them to setup.

The hall was originally created as a dance hall and so designed for incredible acoustics that have been preserved throughout all the hall’s renovations and changes and remain to this day. They offer a wide variety of musical equipment for hire and even provide use of their Green Room for musicians to use as a dressing room. They do have a live music curfew of 11pm but there’s no reason why you can’t link your playlist to the speakers and keep the music going a little longer.

Gibson Hall
For those of you who would love an outdoor reception, finding one in London can be tricky – unlike an isolated country venue in London you run into the risk of the surrounding neighbours putting in a noise complaint and getting the party shut down. Fortunately, Gibson Hall, a former bank transformed into a beautiful venue for hire, boasts a stunning courtyard garden and no noise restrictions – you can host a magical garden wedding beneath the stars without having to worry that you’re about to get told to ‘turn it down’.

Hosting events in Manchester

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If you’re interested in organising some corporate events in the city but want a venue with a difference, here are 10 unique places to choose from:

1. Rovers Return, Coronation Street
If you’re a big Corrie fan, take to the Manchester cobbled streets by hiring out the nation’s famous pub. The venue tour can hold up to 250 standing guests or 80 dining, and you get wine and dined in the main studio, surrounded by the iconic sets. So, who fancies a lock-in?

2. Zombie Shack
The Zombie Shack, near Oxford Road Station, is the loudest and wildest Tiki Cocktail Paradise in Manchester. Please note it’s only available to hire midweek.

3.2nd Floor At K2 Karaoke Nightclub
One might associate a nightclub with an evening of music, drink and dancing but it can be so much more with a cocktail bar on hand and a dance floor space that’s ready for you to throw out some shapes! The K2 Karaoke Nightclub, located in the heart of Manchester’s China Town, plays host to corporate events and private functions on a weekly basis.

4. The Palace Hotel, Oxford Road
What could be better for Christmas parties, wedding or charity events than an iconic, Grand Victorian luxury hotel? The Palace Hotel features a beautiful glass-domed lobby, stunning art deco interiors and 885 metres of space for up to 900 guests- so there’s plenty of room for entertainment equipment.

5. Audit Room, Chetham’s School of Music
Chetham’s School of Music is the largest specialist music school in the UK and the only music school based in the North of England. If you’re organising an event and looking for a vibrant atmosphere in a setting with gothic windows and 17th century doors, what better venue than a building that is nearly 600 years-old and truly magical.

6. Players Lounge, Hotel Football
Want to say that your event is in a building founded by the infamous Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville? The Football Hotel is a unique venue situated yards from the Old Trafford stadium. The Players Lounge is a great space that can accommodate up to 200 standing and 100 guests seated.

7. Main Gym, Evolve
Work up a sweat by hosting a fun, innovative event at Main Gym! The venue has the capacity for up to 200 people and the combat sports facility comes complete with boxing ring, trapeze, gloves, shin pads and more.

8. Chill Factore
The Chill Factore is home to the UK’s longest indoor skiing and snowboarding slope and is a brilliant family day out but it’s also a great place to hold an event whether that’s a team building experience with your business or a conference. It’s situated just off the M60 so it’s super accessible too!

9. The University of Manchester
It’s not just a place for learning! The University of Manchester offer fantastic conference and event facilities all year round. Its inspirational heritage and convenient location make it an excellent choice and some of their venues are suitable for up to 1000 delegates which is perfect if you’re planning a large scale event.

10. Museum of Science and Industry
Situated on Liverpool Road, the Museum of Science and Industry is a truly unique venue with gorgeous galleries and state-of-the-art function rooms. The historic building offers an amazing backdrop for events and conferences and it can accommodate a variety of event sizes from 50 to over 300.

So there you have 10 unique venues in Manchester if you’re looking to organise an event with a twist.

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.