Tag Archives: find

Stags and Hens

Posted on by

Nowadays it would be pretty unheard of to get married and not have a hen party or stag do in order to celebrate the final free moments before you tie the knot. Consequently we’ve heard of some pretty unusual hen party events along the way from perfume creation to go kart racing! But why is it called a hen party and why is it called a stag party? And where did these parties originate from?

A common misconception is that the terms ‘hen’ and ‘stag’ both originate from simple social stereotypes. In fact, it’s more likely that the word hen hasn’t always meant female chicken, in middle English, hen could mean the female of any bird and so a hen party was a party exclusively for ladies. Similarly, but going back even further, is the stag party, and you’ve guessed it, originally stag could mean the male of any animals, not just a male deer and so a stag party is one exclusively for gents.

So it turns out hen parties aren’t a creation of modern society and they actually go pretty far back. So where did the terms actually originate from? The tradition of the stag party, goes back even further certainly as far as tudor times. Just imagine how busy Henry VIII must have been with invites!

Numerous sources suggest that the very first stag party was actually held in the 5th century in Sparta, where a pre-marriage feast was held in order to toast the groom-to-be. On the other hand, hen celebrations have their roots more grounded in North African, Middle Eastern and Asian lifestyle. This is because the authentic phrase from which hens get together is believed to be henna, which is a wedding custom in all these cultures. Henna has significant importance in the East and is considered to have tendencies to be capable of purifying the bride and hold her risk-free from evil.

Here in the UK, we are somewhat on our own with our abstract names of hen and stag parties to see off the final moments of freedom. Australia is similar, but slight cultural differences mean that they call it hen party and buck party. Alternatively, America appears to be very vanilla in the naming of their pre-marital parties calling them a bachelorette party and a stag party respectively.

Whatever your background, there is no escaping the fact that marriage is possibly the most important decision of your life. So what better way to say goodbye to single life than to celebrate in style!

Christmas Entertainment 2019

Posted on by

Are you looking book your office Christmas party this year? With dates already being booked up it pays to get in early – we thought we’d recommend a number of acts to hire for your corporate event!

Angela Jackson and Friends
What would a Christmas party be without any festive tunes? From Jingle Bells to I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day, Angela Jackson and Friends can belt out both carols and classic festive hits alike, so why look anywhere else for your Christmas tunes? Thinking that your staff or colleagues may well prefer a break from yet another outing for Merry Christmas Everybody by Slade? No problem, The Barbican Brass can also deliver a set that simply focuses on pop songs everybody enjoys. Something for everybody then! The true spirit of Christmas.

Duo Joys
A beautiful act and one that is very often the most popular piece of entertainment at parties where it features. The acrobats features two talented acrobats, the duo deliver a stunning performance that showcases their incredible flexibility, grace and strength. Sure to leave all entranced, this is a must see!

Human Statues
Appearing to all and sundry as normal Statue decoration, the Statues ‘jump’ out at guests as they arrive at your Christmas party and some of the photos are absolutely hysterical. One for those looking to focus on the fun of Christmas!

If you’re looking to book your office private party or corporate event entertainment and that job has fallen to you – do not fear, Red Masque has all the party entertainment you need.

No dancing

Posted on by

Up until recently, you could walk down a busy Japanese street in the early hours and find many people dancing the night away. If these same people then set foot in a nightclub, what they were doing would have been seen illegal and could have resulted in jail time. Why? To find out we have to venture a number of decades into the past.

The ban on dancing in nightclubs, bars and any other public venues has been in place in Japan since the American occupation of the country during the years after WWII. The law made sense at the time, ‘dance halls’ were often a front for prostitution, which was rampant across the poverty-stricken nation. But seventy years on, why was the law still in place?

In truth, it wasn’t in all but name. During the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Japan thrived. With a high standard of living and vibrant nightlife, officials largely turned a blind eye to what some had described as an obsolete and oppressive ruling. Why could you dance into the evening but not once the clock reached midnight? The dance scene took off across the country during these years with many teens and twenty somethings inspired by western culture, fuelling numerous club openings across the
major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

Unfortunately the fun couldn’t last. A spate of high profile drug busts, some of which involved celebrities, as well as a hugely publicised 2010 club brawl led to a crackdown from police after a 22-year-old died. A litany of arrests followed with clubs being raided if they flouted the law. Japan’s War on Dance had begun.

Police began arresting DJs and club patrons, submitting them for drug tests, clamping down on the nightclub scene. With fierce resistance from those in and around the music industry, as well as lawyers and politicians, the law was revamped in 2015 with some nightclubs allowed to have dancing after midnight but only if the lights were left on, giving off a similar vibe to a cinema when a film plays. Those that remained darker still had to stop at midnight with illuminated ‘No Dancing’ signs calling attention to the need for visitors to bring a halt to proceedings. The solution? To head outside and continue dancing in the streets!

Thankfully the law was completely abolished by Japanese politicians in 2016, with many noting Tokyo couldn’t simply turn off the lights at midnight when the Olympics arrived in 2020. We just hope that the first song they danced to was the classic eighties number, Footloose! Kevin Bacon is sure to be pleased next time he visits Japan.

Romantic love songs

Posted on by

If you’re thinking of planning a celebration for that someone special in your life then you’ll need a special love song. If romance is in the air for you, you may want to check out our best romantic jazz recommendations, for some of the most beautiful songs and performances out there here are our top romantic music picks…

– My Funny Valentine, by Chet Baker. This song is beautiful – melancholy, heartfelt, with tongue-in-cheek humour and ending with a beautiful sentiment, this song has it all, and Chet’s delivery is the best I’ve ever heard. His simple, elegant voice brings the songs to life and then some.

– At Last, by Etta James. A classic, the audition song of teenage girls everywhere (for good reason). Sexy, sultry, powerful and incredibly delivered by Ms James.

– Teach Me Tonight, by Nancy Wilson. It’s cool, it’s classy and it’s a little bit cheeky – the story of someone who thinks they have a lot to teach a potential partner, who at first may seem unwilling (but comes round in the end…). Nancy’s delivery is just gorgeous.

– I’ve Got a Crush on You, by Ella Fitzgerald. Did you ever have daydreams about singing this song to your crush, who would be sat in the front row of the audience, gazing adoringly. After hearing you singing this song, he’d yours forever.

– L-O-V-E by Nat ‘King’ Cole. It’s like honey and butter, heated up and stirred together with lots and lots of sugar…. At least, that’s what it makes us think of! A checklist of the things that make a person special, spelling out the essence of the day. It’s love, isn’t it?

Wreck-It Ralph

Posted on by

If you are thinking of holding a Wreck-It Ralph party. Have no fear for we are here to help!

Circus Strongman
Perhaps the most obvious party entertainment booking for a Wreck-It Ralph theme is the booking of a strong man. Wreck-It Ralph is famed for his strength – in fact it’s essentially his one big character trait in the first film – so why not book a real life strongman for your event? From bending metal bars to breaking blocks, you are sure to be impressed!

Joypad
Another no brainer when it comes to booking acts for a Wreck-It Ralph party – he is a video game character after all – Joypad video game hire is all about booking retro games to play at your event. From the Atari 2600 to the SNES, Sega and beyond, we guarantee that guests will be constantly coming back for more. Why obsess over the latest technology when there is so much fun to be had with 8-bit and 16-bit games? Whisper it, you may even be able to book the 64-bit N64!

Mash Machine
If you want to combine technology with fun, the Mash Machine is a must. Essentially a music creation station, guests move pieces onto the machine to create their own tune. The best bit? You can use whatever you like to work with the machine and even download your music afterwards. Why not have the characters from the film moving about a top the machine!?

Sweet Caterers
Fans of the first film may remember that a big part of the movie is the video game Sugar Rush, which features an edible landscape for all to enjoy. Thankfully there are numerous acts that can provide edible treats and even though Willy Wonka doesn’t exist, this is the next best thing! Tasty air emanates from these magical edible mist orbs and there are also options for chocolate fountains, chocolate taps, popcorn in any flavour and much more!

Costumed Characters
Last but not least, it’s the most obvious Wreck-It Ralph booking of the lot; Costumed Characters. Whether you’d like to book Wreck-It Ralph, Fix-It Felix, Jr or Vanellope von Schweetz, it’s all possible. Why not go the extra mile with some more theme ideas including wall murals and more?
We hope this gives you some idea of what you can achieve with a Wreck-It Ralph themed party and we hope you enjoy the new film!

History of Clairvoyants

Posted on by

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.

Photography Entertainment

Posted on by

When it comes to booking entertainment for events and parties around London, clients often opt for a photo booth. If you think back to any event that have attended over the past 12 months, we guarantee that there was at least one photo booth for use at one of these events. Everybody likes them and they’re great… But what if they could be improved? That’s where Staged Photography comes in!

Staged Photography will require a little more room than a photo booth. Most booths can take up a small space in the corner of your venue, while a Staged Photography takes up quite a bit more space than that. But here’s the thing, you won’t mind because you want people to notice this amazing form of entertainment. You want people to have an incredible photo taken against the backdrop that you have chosen for your event!

The backdrops are what this is all about. You can pretend you’re in a horror movie, a Venetian ball, a rainforest. Pretty much any photo is possible with these backdrops. All you have to do is book Staged Photography, state the background you’d love to see on your photo and that’s it. Come the day of your event, the incredibly immersive – “Is it 3D?” – backdrop will be unfurled and you’ll be stunned at the realism. Even more so when you join the picture later on!

Just like a photo booth, photos are available almost immediately so you can take your home your entertaining snap for use however you please. Want it digitally? That’s not a problem either! A truly brilliant form of entertainment.

Ice Venue

Posted on by

The Ice bar will give your guests an experience that will be a talking point for months to come. Ideal for receptions, hen and stag parties and even team building exercises as staff brave the environment with an icy cocktail in hand! After the 40 minute session you can recline in warmer areas outside of Ice bar. They can dine on delicious dishes in the restaurant which has a capacity of up to 180 guests standing. Enjoy drinks and canapés in the smaller lounge with space for 45 guests or the ground floor cocktail bar for up to 70 guests.

This is one of the most unique party venues that London has to offer; just off Regent Street. As the name suggests this stunning venue is made completely out of ice – the walls, bar, tables and even the glasses – kept at -5 degrees all year round, this venue isn’t just a seasonal occurrence.
Using the clearest ice, a team of skilled ice designers and sculptors create this stunning ice landscape, which is completely reinvented once a year. Sessions are booked in 40 minute time slots due to the low temperature inside the venue and guests are given thermal gloves and capes to wear when experiencing this amazing environment!

London is one of the world’s most multicultural cities offering a whole host of exciting attractions and activities that you won’t find anywhere else. Amongst the bustling streets is a treasure trove of unique venues perfect for hosting corporate events and private functions. You can look forward to venues with stunning Birds Eye views across the city, boudoir-style cabaret clubs, a floating cinema and the UK’s only permanent ice bar and to name only a few…

No corporate event is complete without entertainment to impress and engage staff. Red Masque entertainment directory has a number of walkabout acts that would fit perfectly with this cool venue. Our canapé girls will look right at home wrapped in elegant furs handing out mini oeuvres will add to the winter atmosphere and create a great talking point.

That’s Magic

Posted on by

When it comes to magic, you might think you know what you are getting at an event. A few strolling tricks, a vanishing card and perhaps even a flame or two! But these magicians go a bit further than that and seek to differentiate their act in new ways!

Singing Magician
This is certainly a bit of fun. You could book a singer and a magician for your party but why bother when you can book a Singing Magician and get more bang for your buck! Able to sing the classic songs or any song of your choice and astound you with his magic tricks and cheeky banter! Destined to draw a large crowd!

Keelan and Charlotte
A bit of a unique idea this – both wonderfully entertaining magic and expertly executed. Changing outfits as quick as a flash which will amaze your audience and bring a smile on their faces. Great for Corporate events and Private parties. Keelan and Charlotte are an original act and will bring a bit of fun to your event.

David Willmott
Perfect for both stage and strolling magic, he is a huge hit at events during December and is just the right option for a themed festive party. David’s unique brand of close-up magic is so flexible and engaging that it works wonders in a huge variety of different social situations.

His warm and approachable character enables him to break the ice effortlessly, then he mesmerises people, spreading laughter, amazement and entertainment. He creates talking points that really gets the party going and leaves everyone with memories they’ll treasure for years to come.

Andi Gladwin
Close up Magician – Andi can provide a fantastic show that will astound you, but if you are looking to go one step further, then booking a close up magician might be just up your street. He literally performs amazing miracles with playing cards, coins and various borrowed objects. Each guests gets to experience amazing magic right in front of their noses!. We think he would be great to hire especially if it’s a Star Wars themed evening!

David Redfearn
David doesn’t just put on a stage show for guests but creates an entire comedy routine out of his magic tricks that are sure to raise a laugh and have entertained thousands both in the UK and abroad. It is an electric evening of entertainment and a CEO or special person in the room can even be brought on stage to accomplish some magic of their own. A winning act for all!

Sweet and Sugary

Posted on by

If this has got you craving some of the fluffy goodness, we can certainly help! At Red Masque, we have a great selection of Candy Floss options for your party entertainment, amongst lots of other sweet treats.

Candy floss carts from party suppliers are a great feature at any event. Your guests can grab a stick (or bag) of the sugary stuff from our friendly fun experts, or see a demonstration on how to make the Candy Floss, before having a go themselves.
If popcorn is more your thing, then a popcorn machine is just the thing for your event, whether it be a birthday party, wedding or corporate event. That sweet smell of popcorn will draw all of your guests in and have them coming back for more and more!

Cotton Candy, also known as Candy Floss, Fairy Floss, Papa’s beard and even Old Woman’s Hair is made by spinning flossine sugar. The first records of Candy Floss in Europe date back to the 18th century, with it becoming popular in 1904 after the invention of the candy floss spinning machine we are all now familiar with. It was in April of that year that Candy Floss was taken to the World’s Fair where over 68,000 boxes were sold for 25 cents each (approx. £4 today), which was half the cost of admission! It was clear from this day onwards that candy floss would be extremely popular for people of all ages.

Sweet treats don’t stop there though, if you are planning an event for next summer and would like a sweet treat to cool your guests down, Ice cream bike hire will do just that! Alternatively, if you would like a healthier treat, fruit selection carts would be great.