Tag Archives: hire

How to plan an event without a hitch

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Whether you’re planning a party or a corporate fun day, you’ll want to achieve an incredible atmosphere. Here’s 8 quick tips to help you run your day as smoothly as possible, and ensure everyone has a great time!

1. Book a suitable space

Decide where your fun day will be held and book it well in advance. A local pub garden, school field or community hall are all good places to hold a fun day. You need to make sure there is adequate room for everything you have planned. Also check if there are toilets and power available. You can add some little touches, such as bunting to bring the place to life, or choose a theme for throughout the fun day.

2. Logistics

The chances are, your chosen location, will not have insurance for all the activities you have planned. You will need to make sure you have suitable insurance for everything you have planned and ensure all electrical equipment is tested by relevant inspectors.
You will also need to ensure risk assessments are completed to make sure everyone is safe.

3. Choosing a date and time

Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to organise the day. You’ll be much more relaxed when the day comes along if you know you’ve spent time planning all the details.
Choose a date that doesn’t clash with anything such as big sporting events like football cup finals, or Wimbledon finals. Create a realistic timeline for the day and take into consideration the time needed to set and clean up.

4. Something for the kids

A good variety of stalls and activities ensures kids will have a great time and never want to leave. Children of all ages enjoy face painting and inflatable slides. Play zones are a great option for little ones, and for those a bit older, circus workshops and rodeo sheep are great opportunities to show off their skills.

5. Something for the big kids

We all have an inner child that wants to get out and have some fun! Adults are bound to be competing with the smaller guests on most activities, but items such as cash grabbers, gladiator jousts, sumo costumes, and a rodeo bull are great fun for adults who enjoy a fun challenge.

6. Refreshments

Kids of all ages will be needing some refreshments to give them energy to keep on having fun.
candyfloss, ice cream and popcorn are great options to keep the party atmosphere.

7. Shelter in case of rain

As we all know, the British weather cannot be trusted! It is worth thinking about having canopies and / or marquees for shelter, should it rain.

8. Somewhere to relax

Having so much fun can occasionally catch up with you! Your guests will really appreciate a spot to take the weight off their feet and recharge for some more fun. Deck chairs are a fab way to keep the fun atmosphere and provide a comfy spot to relax. If you want something really fun, a giant deck chair is just the thing.

The new Selfie Mirror

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Have you heard of the new ‘Selfie Mirror?’

Featuring a new twist on the ever popular selfie pod / mirrors that have come before, this new addition to a new range of Hi-Tech equipment for corporate events and parties and is sure to entertain, as well as capture, the fun at your event.

The Magic Selfie Mirror not only takes your photos and prints them out instantly, but also features new software that allows the mirror to interact with some fun randomised responses, both verbally and animated on the mirror itself! You can even personalise your photos with a message across all the prints!

A standout at any event including weddings, corporate functions and exhibition / promotional events, the Magic Selfie Mirror will attract the eye of any guest and entertain as they can pose with friends or family for four photos. Choosing from a fantastic selection of fun props, strike and check your pose in the mirror – or check your make-up if there is a queue for the bathroom – and have fun as the mirror decides if you’re a beauty or just maybe, you’ll crack the screen!

Using state of the art software as with our range of Photo Booth’s and Graffiti Walls, the Magic Selfie Mirror is a great way to keep guests entertained and allow them to take a little something away from your event.

And remember … The mirror does not lie!

Comedians and Hosts

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We all have our favourite podcasts. At Red Masque we often get a lot of bookings for comedians who are often a lot more expensive than people expect. If only there was a way to combine these two difficulties and find out about incredible up and coming comedians for your event…

Thankfully we have many comedians advertising on our Website which will cater for absolutely everyone, from drag queens to comedian duos or just a good ‘stand up’ guy. You will know that they are all on ‘top form.

But why are we telling you all this? Well, unless you’re a big fan of comedy and the live stand-up circuit, you may not be aware of some of the names you see advertised on Red Masque directory, but rest assured they are just as funny as the hired comedians you have heard about and are wanting to compare your event and the best bit is that they are often a fraction of the price! Why spend £25,000 when you can spend £1,000? Comedians and hosts are by their very nature fairly expensive – they have to hold an entire event together – but many of the newer folks on the circuit are both passionate and eager to please, so do consider saving some of your budget for other forms of entertainment (including live awards stings) and featuring a fab new comedian at your event!

If you’re wanting to hear exactly what some of these comedian’s sound like before booking them then feel free to ask them and they are sure to have dvd’s that they can send you of past gigs. Younger comedians are cheaper and some are even better than the established names you know so get in touch now to make your event a budget friendly but frequently funny affair!

And just think… A few years from now you can brag to your friends and colleagues that you hired wonderfully famous awards hosts and hilarious comedians to hire for your awards before anyone knew about them!

Planning a Speaker

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If there’s one thing all of our schooling had in common, it’s that we all headed for an assembly in the morning after registration. You may have had one every day or just once a week, but there is no denying we all experienced it and for the most part, all sighed at the prospect of it. Your headmaster or a Deputy Head droning on about some newspaper story he’d read over the weekend, which can definitely be linked back to your SATs results or how best to queue for the cafeteria at lunch. Assemblies have a lot to answer for when it comes to reticence in an audience towards public speaking… But here are a few tips on how to improve an event that features a speaker.

The first tip is to stop holding your speaking engagements in a gargantuan events hall, dinner tables strewn about with six chair surrounding them, despite the fact that only forty guests are attending. Is it really necessary to have all thirty tables out? Perhaps not. There is nothing that sinks a speaker’s heart more than when they first arrive at a venue and see this set up. An event planner or company manager will have a quick word, imploring them to motivate their clients and “do what you do” but grabbing the attention of the room is step one and quite frankly, this is difficult to do in this situation.

The first step is to do away with the tables (we appreciate this isn’t possible in a lot of situations), because it creates a barrier between the audience and the speaker. If we want to get all psychological on it, we’d say it acts as something to metaphorically hide behind. An audience member can chat to a colleague on their right, safe in the knowledge that the table will stop any of the speaker’s ideas heading their way.

Another step is to minimise the space. Sure, you may have needed a huge venue early in the morning for the big networking part of the day but now it’s time to funnel your guests into a small area to ensure that their focus is on the speaker at all times. Look to the theatre for your proof that this works; they have been doing this for years. If you have forty people, make sure they’re in front of the stage, all eyes on the speaker, all ears ready to go.

Of course, a good speaker will know that the battle is not yet won. Just like during assembly all those years ago, there is always a healthy dose of scepticism. They know that you’re looking at your watch before you even begin and that a slow start might lose you for the duration of their talk. Why do you think so many of them get you up on your feet early on? Yes, it ‘gets the energy going’ but it’s also good to make you forget about your initial dubiousness.

Another way that speakers engage an audience or even how you can work on engaging an audience as a speaker is by telling anecdotes. This doesn’t have to be funny or from your own personal life but can often be used to segue seamlessly into the point you actually want to make.

If you’re looking for a speaker for your upcoming event, then hopefully this has provided you with an interesting read and may also help you through the tricky early stages of audience engagement!

Make it an event to remember

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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 your own 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 party 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.

Some clever ideas about hiring

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Ever wanted something different at an event that captures each of your individual guest’s personalities?

Why not hire the most popular and now fantasy photo booths? Your guests can choose to dress up in all sorts of costumes; it could be themed dress, days gone-by dress or a little saucy? Whatever occasion you had in mind we are sure when you get the pictures back they will be a scream and a much talked about affair for many months to come.

Fireworks nowadays are not just for Guy Fawkes night they can be wonderful at a Wedding, Corporate event or just at the end of an event to really finish off superbly!! We have read in the press recently that certainly celebrities have had them at their funeral!

A good firework display oozes opulence and class and tops off a wonderful celebration; young and old alike love to watch these spectacular fireworks in action.

Good lighting is also very important to hire if you were to have a small party or need entertainment for a large corporate event, creating the right mood is crucial to the ambiance of your function.

What if you have children at your event, and you would like to keep them entertained whilst your older guests can get on with some more socialising? Then don’t forget your bouncy castles. Bouncy castles are always a favourite. Or if your older guests are young at heart then hiring some giant games such as giant noughts and crosses, chess or snakes and ladders. The bigger the better, such good fun running up and down those ladders and good exercise!!!!

Bucking broncos are another great attraction to hire, you could hire for a charity event, where paying guests can see who can stay on the longest, or just to hire for a bit of fun with your mates. You must admit a bucking bronco is a good laugh!! Girls, you may need to wear some trousers for this event as there is no room for modesty when on the back of a bucking bronco!!!

The ultimate surprise

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When you’re planning an event, you want to keep your guests entertained throughout, so the energy and enjoyment never dips. Giving them something new just when they are least expecting it is a great way to create a buzz, and to give guests something to talk about apart from the food or the football! And nothing fits the bill quite like a surprise act, be it singing waiters, firemen, or chefs.

Hiring singing waiters, policemen, firemen and a whole host of other comedy singing acts from Red Masque directory to make your event unforgettable. Discover what surprise event entertainment for hire we offer and how they’ll positively impact your event!

The idea is really simple; your guests have no idea that the waiter who has been serving them, or the fireman who seems to be worried about the smoke alarms, are in fact highly talented singers, ready to grab a microphone and burst into song. As one waiter starts to sing, another suddenly joins in, and then a ‘guest’ can’t seem to resist joining in either. It’s particularly effective during a formal dinner.

It’s a great way of breaking up a meal and giving your guests something hugely entertaining when they are least expecting it!

The voices, the energy, the performance, they are all something that you just can’t duplicate in any other way. The ‘singing waiters’ introduction is a light way to create a surprise and add a great deal of fun.

What the guests see, of course, is just the end product of a great deal of planning and preparation. Professional entertainment acts make sure that everyone behind the scenes is in the know and fully prepared, while the real guests haven’t a clue what’s going on! It’s also about preparing a scenario that is perfect for your event.

The top event trends for 2016

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By combining the hottest corporate event trends for 2016 and some very special entertainment, you can create a corporate event entertainment that’s still talked about long after.

For all 2016 corporate event entertainment, décor will be key. Your venue needs to wow your guests from the moment they walk in, creating a special and uniquely defined space for your event. Two highly contrasting themes are high tech interactive and natural materials, enabling your company to show off its tech prowess, or boost its eco credentials.

If you choose a high tech theme, your party entertainment must be 100% integrated to the whole tech ambience. Look for entertainers that offer a tech twist in their act, such as iPad illusionists, LED Light entertainers and street magicians that work with the latest phones and mobile gadgets.

Choose musicians that blend performances with tech, such as our interactive VJ’S, or a live DJ. Get your guests interacting with each other playing giant games with your very own theme.

If you are thinking about a winter corporate event into a natural winter wonderland with ice sculptures and decorated living statues, walkabout characters, and seasonal winter menus. Welcome guests with the warming aromas of mulled wine, or entice people out into the crisp winter air with heated seating areas, piles of rugs and sweet chestnuts roasting on a real coal brazier.

You could extend the theme beyond décor and food into acoustic musical acts, for a more ‘natural’ sound. Entertain with a gospel singing Christmas songs, or a trendy a Capella groups, or guitar and sax soloists.

When you want your corporate party to finally hot up, keep the theme with classic tracks that really evoke the sights and sounds with top UK function and party bands who know their Farrell and their Ed Sheeran.

Take lighting to the next level and illuminate your event to create spectacle and visual interest. Any venue can be transformed with clever and creative use of lighting even on the more limited of budgets. Use lighting to throw unusual shadows, to colour tables rather than using flowers, and use wireless technology to alter lighting states to reflect the various stages of your event.

Your entertainment should be equally well lit! Look for party DJ’S with their own light shows, rock and pop function bands that provide their own lighting, and artists that use light in imaginative ways.

For larger events, book artists that have a strong visual impact enhanced by theatrical style lighting, such as dance troupes, ballet dancers or aerial artists.

Find ways to make your entertainment a pleasure for everyone by choosing acts that blend superb musicianship with accessible humour, such as a comedy string quartet. Or present musical acts with an international flavour, such as 1920s swing band just make people smile!

Plan well in advance

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It’s always best to plan your next Christmas event as early as you can to avoid disappointment. If you want to create your own winter experience, either for a party, corporate event or business attraction, here are a few hints from Red Masque directory to make your Christmas event wonderful!

If you want a show as part of your event entertainment, you’ll need an inside space or warm, dry and well-appointed marquee to hold it in. Acts that look great in marquees include:

• Circus acts, especially aerialists, or silk acrobats!
• Dance groups who can fill the performance area with music, movement and style!
• Party bands that can play in all those cheesy pop hits we love at Xmas!

Make your event great by having sheer variety of party entertainment on offer. So, offer lots of different acts to see, rather than one big attraction and people will enjoy the event more.

• Walkabout acts really are great and so are costumed characters, ice characters and stilt walkers.
• Generate a warm feeling with fire acts to light up the winter darkness
• Conjure up the magic of Christmas with street magicians performing close-up tricks and illusions

Food and Drink
• Hire a hog roast or BBQ for outside cooked goodies
• Offer traditional treats such as roasted chestnuts and mulled wine that fill the air with deliciously Christmas smells!
• Have a Christmas cocktail bar, decorated with ice sculptures serving frosted cocktails or frozen daiquiris (and non-alcoholic drinks for the drivers)

Fun things to do:
Visitors love interactive experiences. They don’t have to be very fancy, just lots of fun for any age.

• Turn traditional side stalls into Christmas fun, such as a snowball coconut shy.
• Book a winter or “Frozen” themed bouncy castle with integrated rain cover, so the weather doesn’t stop the fun
• Get your skates on and book an artificial ice rink – all the fun, none of the wet! Most ice rink suppliers offer a complete package with chalet, boot hire, and experienced staff trained in the required health and safety procedures.

And if that all sounds great fun but such a lot of work right now, hey, there’s always next year! At Red Masque, we’re already seeing lots of people now booking acts for Christmas 2017, so find your perfect acts now to make your own winter wonderland happen.

Make your guests smile…

Dance the night away!

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Dancers are very entertaining, and if you had an event that demanded some dancers then why not consider hiring some great dancers from Red Masque corporate event entertainment directory.

A Dance Group could be hired to dance in sync where the chorography would be done to perfection, it could be any style of dance that your taste desires from Street Dance to River Dance, Male to Female Dancers. We think we have just about all Dance groups covered advertised within our Red Masque entertainment directory.

If you having a launch party that would require some eye candy of the female variety? If so, why don’t you hire some Podium dancers, a risqué burlesque dancer or some showgirls that would be quite a classy type of Le Lido but here in the UK.

These girls are professional, classy and have trained for hours to put on the perfect show for you.

You will be dazzled by the splendid costumes which will be worn by the Showgirls and Podium Dancers even though they’re maybe little of them!!! The burlesque will titillate and tease but done in the best possible taste!!

Salsa and Tango dancers are very now, most people want to learn the art of these sexy, sensual dances. You could hire dancers to teach. Or if you are quite familiar of these dances you could simply hire to put on a quite splendid show that would be breath-taking and remarkable, leaving you wishing you were indeed as talented as these dancers.

Snake and Belly dancers of course seem to go hand in hand, these amazing creatures – love them or hate them have something mesmerising about them that you cannot fail to be intrigued to watch or even (if you dare) handle them.

Belly dancers have been around for centuries and it’s also a great way to keep fit. If you ever wanted to master the art of Belly Dancing, then why not hire a Belly Dancer to teach you. You will have great fun, and if your tummy is not your most favourite part of your body – well rest assured a rounded belly is considered sexy in some parts of the world!!

Or, if you wanted some themed dance acts for your special event, then why not look on our gallery of special dance acts that will enlighten your guests and create that nostalgia needed for your themed evening.

They will be dressed in the most appropriate costumes and do all the dance moves from that era it will be truly like stepping back in time and feeling the past again.

Have a look on our directory to see which dance act you could hire for your next party!!