Tag Archives: professional

Don’t hire the same old stuff

Posted on by

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. Gone are the days when when entertainment used to be a singer, magician or a bad comedian. There is alot of exciting and different entertainment available now which is unique and very clever. Here is just the tip of the iceberg for a suggestions. If you look on Red Masque Directory you will find a vast array of great entertainment for hire which will suit any event.

If you do decide for your private 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 entertainment to book, just glance through all of our entertainment for hire to give you some more ideas.

Make it different and your guests will be amazed!

Enjoy your party without having to host

Posted on by

Organising a party can be stressful enough, then if you have to play host, you don’t really get to enjoy it.

There are a whole host of staff that you could hire for your event from Red Masque Directory that will make any event you had in mind run smoothly and add a bit of class, to really make you relax and enjoy the event that you have organised.

Good caterers make it look easy whilst all your guests are enjoying themselves the champagne keeps flowing. Finger food is always available and most importantly at the end of your event everything is clean and tidy for you.

Cocktail bartenders are also a must to have at events. Charming, dressed to impress, whichever way you would like your bartender to be we think we have just about every cocktail bartender advertised on our Red Masque directory.

Canapé girls can be used for Adult themed evenings, family entertainment and children’s parties so they are not stereotyped to just one event. Their colourful costumes and special props means they will adapt to any event very well.

Party butlers are probably for the ladies where they could be serving champagne naked from the waist up or leaving little to the imagination wearing just an apron for modesty. Now that ladies would be a great addition to a Hen party!!

Professional butlers can be hired also for very grand corporate event entertainment where professionalism will be shown at all times, it’s just up to you what sort of butler you require.

Promotional staff and you have a launch party to organise. You could have a gym opening and you could hire a team of fitness coaches are motivating your guests. Or how about a fashion show where a team of catwalk models could be just the thing to make your evening a success!!

Hiring can take alot of stress away, why shouldn’t you enjoy your party that you’ve organised? Let you and your guests remember what a great time you’ve all had and not you remembering how rushed off your feet you were!!

Entertainment for a funeral

Posted on by

When it comes to funerals, the entertainment isn’t often the sort of thing that crosses the mind. It certainly won’t be a jovial, happy occasion, but when it all comes down to it, a funeral is for celebrating a life and in that respect we do occasionally receive enquiries for entertainment at funerals. With this in mind we present a few of our most common requests for saying goodbye to a loved one.

London Fanfare Trumpets
Perhaps most often selected by those who were in the military and served their country, Fanfare Trumpeters are a traditional way to show respect. Brass instruments are often used in the line of duty and there is something morose and mournful about the tones they most often emit. Whether your loved one was in the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force, there’s no denying that this particular entertainment idea is a beautiful way to say goodbye.

Bagpiper
If the deceased is Irish or Scottish then booking a bagpiper is often very common, or perhaps a friend or relative might be adept at the instrument to perform instead. The playing of pipes at ceremonial occasions has been going for centuries and is an excellent way to both begin and conclude a funeral, and is sure to strike just the right tone for the ceremony itself.

London Community Gospel Choir
The idea that funerals have to be sad occasions is not necessarily true, and booking a gospel choir is perhaps the most popular form of ‘a spin on tradition’ that occur at funerals. A church choir is most common but in some communities the gospel choir might well be preferred. Able to sing a number of different songs, they will undoubtedly learn a favourite if requested.

Kent Harpist
In all of music, we aren’t sure if there is anything as uniquely elegant as the harp. Able to provide a light sound to any occasion, the plucking of the strings makes for an excellent choice for a funeral and is one of our most requested musical options at a funeral. Kent Harpist is able to play classical or contemporary tunes and just like the London Community gospel choir is able to learn a song that was special to the person being commemorated on the day.

Poetry
You could book a poet for a funeral but in truth, the poetry is best when delivered by someone who knew the deceased. They may even like to write a poem themselves. This is slightly different to a eulogy, which can also be very popular and is sure to be well received by mourners. It’s best to remember that a eulogy doesn’t have to be a straight ‘facts of a life’ but can be a humorous take on memories of a person.

Tango Is The Music

Posted on by

Some people see tango as primarily a dance – a connection between two people in a beautiful pas de deux. However most will say tango is the music, and the lyrics, and the dancers’ interpretation of that music, and the sentiments it expresses. Getting to know the music is part of learning tango. Learning both the general style and the individual compositions and recordings enables you to dance with much more confidence and enjoyment.

The classic tango orchestra or ‘orquesta típica’ is made up of bandoneons, violins, piano, and bass. The guitar is also a common instrument, especially accompanying singers, notably Carlos Gardel. Other instruments are added viola, cello, saxophone, lute, flute electric guitar, drums in various styles. The Bandoneon, perhaps the key to the tango sound, is a large and fiendishly complicated concertina, originally developed in Germany for churches that could not afford organs.

In the first years of the century the first tangos were written e.g. El Choclo(Angel Villoldo)’, Yo Soy La Morocha (Enrique Saborido, 1906), and were big hit and best sellers of piano scores. Recording came in in the 1910s and older songs, like La Cumparsita were arranged as tangos. Gardel recorded his first tango Mi Noche Triste in 1917, and became an enormous force in popularising tango.

As the music developed it became less rigidly rhythmic, more harmonic and melodic, and the hallmark tension and release was developed. The fraseo, phrasing, the soloist (or soli) bending the melody across the underlying rhythm, became a central part of tango. The ‘traditional’ orchestras played it simple and pleased the dancers. Composers and players, in the Decareano school such as Pugliese, Salgan and Piazzola were more interested in the music, and played for listening, and from the 1960s the dancing audience disappeared anyway.

In the 21st Century a new generation of musicians are mixing tango with contemporary music styles, re-imagining what tango music can be, and creating new arrangements of classics.

Different tango music tends to suggest different styles of dance when we hear it. Although many of the dance styles that were original danced when it was composed are now lost, with our mixed and reinvented tango we are able to interpret it. Some music suggests the use of cortes ‘cuts’ that reflect its strong rhythm, others are most flowing, while still others are full of tensions and accelerations.

In the end it is up to the couple how they dance, but it is important, and more interesting to really listen to the music, and not just dance the way same all the time.

Hire a Magician

Posted on by

A great magician really does tick all the boxes when you are arranging a Corporate Party, or indeed any function that needs guests to be entertained.

Of course we all know that magicians usual use cards for their tricks, but have you ever wondered why there is a Joker in the pack? Well we have the information that you require!

We have all shuffled a pack of cards at a private party. Cards are great magic entertainment for events. Most probably you own at least one, just in case we want to practice a couple of magic tricks or have a game or two of a popular card game. You normally take the playing cards from the pack, take out the Jokers and start dealing the cards.

In the 1860s, some American card players of Euchre devised some new rules for their beloved game. The problem? It required an extra card. Sure, they could have used one of the spare cards from the deck, but since all the face cards are part of the game, this wouldn’t have been a ‘good fit’. They referred to the new card they came up with as the Best Bower, adding it to the game where it became the highest trump card available.

Looking to make a quick buck from these variation rules, American card manufacturers quickly jumped on the trend by including a couple of extra cards in their decks. The British were a little slower to catch on though, only adding them in during the 1880s.

The Best Bower card was slowly phased out to become the Joker or Jolly Joker that we all know and love today. Like the Ace of Spades, it was typically branded with the company logo or with a unique floral motif that connected it to the manufacturer. It wasn’t until the Joker title for the card became more common that it was almost always represented by a performing jester.

Despite the fact you may think the Joker is connected in some way to the Fool in Tarot cards, you might be interested to know that there is no connection at all. Tarot cards have been around since the 15th century when jesters were still a possible career option and there is no link to the Jokers in a pack of cards.

Everyone loves Hollywood

Posted on by

Hollywood parties are perfect for dinner parties, a cocktail party, or as part of an Oscar watching party! It is a great opportunity to highlight an adult birthday party by making the birthday guest the “star!”

Hollywood Theme Invitations
Print details on a ½ sheets of cardstock, cut into a star shape and decorate with glitter.
Create an invitation that looks like a movie ticket.
Create an invitation that looks like a movie poster.
Use a basic, very elegant invitation, something that would go out for the Oscars.

Hollywood Decorations
A Red Carpet Runner is a must!
Incorporate Gold Stars into your decorations
Hollywood Scene Setters are a great way to transform your party space fast!
Use Movie Popcorn Buckets
Own a Movie Director Chair? Time to get it out to use as seating at the party.
Hollywood Clapboards can be used as signs for food, as decorations, or scattered around the room.
Hang up Movie Posters (you may be able to get some from free at your local cinema)
Used Film Reel Decorations in your centerpieces
Another great decoration – Hollywood Sidewalk Star
Hollywood cutouts
Playing your favourite party music always works!
Add to the movie theme by playing music from your favourite movies.

Hollywood Party Games
As guests arrive, take their pictures on the red carpet. If possible, have some screaming fans to try to get their autographs as they arrive and have several photographers (paparazzi) flashing their photos.

Ask your guests to come to the party dressed as a famous celebrity or movie character and award prizes (Oscar statue trophies would be perfect!)

Raising a glass

Posted on by

Toastmasters have served with distinction for many years at a variety of events, and are now most commonly associated with Weddings. The beginnings of the Toastmaster are, however more humble and a little cloudy.

Whilst documentary evidence is patchy, the origins of the Toastmaster have foundation in the middle ages, where the keeper of the wine in great houses was known as the Master of the Toast. As wine was not as cultivated as it is today, the Master of the Toast would take small pieces of bread, toast them over an open fire, and dip them into herbs and spices. Once coated, the Master of the Toast would then add the toast to the wine and mix in. This had the dual purpose of removing some unwanted flavours, whilst adding others which, it was hoped would make the wine more drinkable.

The practice of raising a glass in acknowledgment, or to wish good health is not new. It has been practised as far back as Roman times, but became an accepted custom in society terms during the 17th Century, particularly amongst VIP’s attending banquets. Once such occasion was being held at the Pump Rooms in Bath in 1649. Having wandered into the nearby spa two gentlemen from that banquet came upon a lady who was lounging in the water

One of the gentlemen wanted to join her but was prevented from doing so by his friend. The friend took up some water from the bath into his drinking vessel and passed it to his companion. Sitting in the bottom of the vessel was a piece of spiced toast, from his previous drink. Having taken a drink, the man is alleged to have said “Nay, though I likest not the beverage (pure spa water is an acquired taste) I will take the toast to the lady”. He then proceeded to drink the water, and joined the lady in the spa. The incident was subsequently reported in Tatler, in an article which identified it as being the first use of the word ‘toast’ to pledge the health of of a person i.e. ‘Toast to the Ladies’; and so it became accepted that this occurrence was the precursor of ‘toasting’

Within society and private members clubs in particular, they often used one of their members to act as a Toastmaster. Whilst an easy solution; if there were a number of toasts to be made, the speech of the Toastmaster became somewhat slurred as they continued to drink similar quantities of wine as other members. This resulted in a special glass for the Toastmaster, which was made from extra thick glass, and would only hold a small amount of wine, ensuring the Toastmaster was in a suitable state to adequately perform his duties; particularly important if special guests were in attendance. It is generally accepted today that Toastmasters do not drink whilst ‘on duty’.

The most obvious feature of a Toastmaster is the long red tailcoat. Accepted within the industry as having been introduced by Mr William Knight-Smith. William was commenting to his wife that he was concerned about looking like a butler whilst working in London at the Cafe Royal during the latter part of the 19th and early part of the 20th Centuries. His wife then suggested that he should wear a red coat, and so the distinction was made, and a tradition born.

Today the Professional Toastmaster can be found at Weddings (of all faiths), civil partnerships, charity and corporate events, gala dinner nights, awards ceremonies, family celebrations, masonic knights, and any public occasion that demands dignity, style and a cutting edge.

Ideas for Corporate Events

Posted on by

Planning a corporate event? One of the most challenging aspects of corporate event planning is coming up with an idea. The event theme is the driving force behind every other aspect of an event, from the invitation to the selection of entertainment and food. Before you get busy with any other part of the corporate event planning process, first find out the goal of the event.

The best corporate event ideas take that business objective — after all, corporate events have business objectives — and use it as the springboard for the event theme and the overall atmosphere of the event.

Corporate events can set the stage for presenting information regarding a company’s upcoming product launch, a new approach to corporate training, or simply for conducting team building exercises in a fun, engaging environment.

Is the purpose of this corporate event to reward a sales team for exceeding targets by providing a retreat focused on rest and relaxation? Is the goal to bring employees of two different companies together due to a merger, with the priority resting on connecting people and building relationships?

Whether the purpose of the event is business or pleasure or a combination of the two, the right corporate event idea can meet the objective and deliver a successful event.

For many employees, reporting to work every day at the same time, dressed in the same business attire, with the same people, becomes a bore.

While they may enjoy the work itself and their colleagues, the predictability of it all gets old quickly.
Why not mix it up?

Take a corporate meeting to another venue, away from the offices and cubicles. Even if employees must spend the day poring over reports or sitting in meetings, the change in surroundings can be refreshing.

A few suggestions:
Change the dress code for the event, allowing employees to dress comfortably
If weather and venue permit, schedule part of the event outdoors
Skip the standard meeting sandwich platter and offer an assortment of foods from local restaurants or made-to-order food service stations
Schedule a fun, interactive activity during the mid-afternoon slump
On the last day of the event, and earlier than the usual going home time; they will appreciate getting out of work early

The key to having a productive corporate event is to take employees out of their usual work routine. Changing the attire, location, and overall vibe can change their interactions and re-energise staff, even if they are staring at annual report figures all afternoon.

Staged photography

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!

Yes, the backdrops. 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.

Plan a Fireworks event

Posted on by

Fireworks Night, otherwise known as Guy Fawkes’ Night or Bonfire Night, is a quintessentially UK celebration, marking the time that Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators didn’t blow up the Houses of Parliament on the 5th November.

It’s an obvious one of course, but if you’re hosting a Fireworks Night event, fireworks are a must! If
you don’t think you’ll feel safe running the display yourself, you could hire a company to come in and do it for you.

If you do tackle the display yourself, make sure you do so responsibly and safely, and adhere to Government safety rules. And with fireworks, must come sparklers too, so make sure you get plenty of these, as people do love them!

If you’re not looking to be as traditional as this, you could always have some of the masks of Guy Fawkes, that feature in the film V for Vendetta, or why not make a bonfire cake with a little Guy Fawkes on top?

Catering at events is important; mainly because it’s a great way of warming up the crowds with some hearty food. Serving jacket potatoes has always been a classic, but why not take this further with these shepherd’s pies, cooked in a baked potato shell?

Cooking a large dish of chilli is always a crowd pleaser and is easy to make in a big batch. Or why not consider cooking up some bangers with a bit of fire (keeping it on theme) by adding some chilli for chilli sausages?

Whilst hearty food may keep everyone warm, it’s worth making some visually pleasing treats that fit in with the theme of the night, like bonfire cakes, firework cookies and chocolate sparkle

There are different ways to approach Fireworks Night, whether you decide to go for something traditional, with traditional food and drink; or decide to go all-out and add a few twists and turns to surprise your guests, creating more of a spectacle. Whatever you do, make sure everyone is warm, cosy, safe and enjoying some of that autumnal fresh air!