GigMasters blog

Welcome!

Welcome to the GigMasters blog! It's here where you'll find the latest party and entertainment tips, trends, ideas and insights.

Subscribe

Calendar

<<  November 2009  >>
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
2627282930311
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30123456

View posts in large calendar

Destination: Botanical Gardens

by Amy 17. August 2009 05:18

With summer soon coming to a close, you may feel the need to spend as much time outdoors as possible – by the beach, by the lake, or just your backyard.  Even if you live in a city, finding spots of greenery can be relaxing and rejuvenating. 

The atmosphere of the outdoors works wonders when throwing all types of parties – weddings, birthday celebrations, company picnics, and other corporate events.  When the main décor is your landscape, your event becomes whimsical.    

This is why we are spotlighting Botanical Gardens as a great idea for a party venue.  For one thing, you can find them located in and outside of cities across the country.  They also provide gorgeous indoor and outdoor spaces available all year round to visit, and to host your next event. 

The New York Botanical Garden advertises their seasonal exhibits, and also features a Children’s Adventure Garden.  This is a perfectly unique idea for your child’s next birthday party.  Hire a face painter or a magician to make this adventureland complete.

Many Botanical Gardens also boast banquet halls and patios ideal for wedding and anniversary celebrations.  At a special request, you can even have your ceremony take place in the garden landscape of your choice.  A solo guitarist, violinist, or a classical singer, would fit elegantly into this type of ceremony.

By hosting an event at a Botanical Garden, you are also supporting community greening projects, as well as laboratory research.  By becoming a member, you too can be involved in efforts to improve surrounding communities, and to better our environment.

Take some time to stop, have fun, get involved, and smell the flowers…           

Visit the American Public Gardens Association website and use their Public Garden Search to find a garden in your area.

Currently rated 5.0 by 9 people

  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Tags: , , ,

Kids Birthday | Corporate Events | Party Planning Tips | Special Occasions | Weddings

Add Some Magic to your Life

by Amy 28. May 2009 16:42

I think the best thing about seeing a magic trick is the element of surprise.  Even when you think you know the secret behind the playing card they guessed right, or the coin pulled from behind your ear, or the woman that was sawed in half, you can’t help but say – “How did they do that?”

Magic and illusion add amazement to any gathering, young or old.  So here are three main tricks to hiring the right magician for your event:

 

1. Figure out how Magic will fit in – how long is your guest list and also the duration of your event?

It’s always important to plan how an entertainer will be featured at your party.  It’s also important to realize that there are several types of magic shows to choose from:

Close-up Magic, or Strolling Magicians, are experienced in hand tricks, and will make the rounds at your party to smaller groups of guests. 

Stage Show Magic is usually performed in front of a crowd, and emphasizes comedy and audience participation.

Grand Illusion shows are more large-scale in terms of the actual acts performed, and also the space that is needed.

Mentalist Magicians are well practiced in mind games and other psychic abilities.

  

2. Think about the extras – what personalities and themes are right for your guests?

Besides the various types of shows magicians provide, each entertainer is unique in that they have their own message: 

Many magicians perform comedy - some more appropriate for adults and corporate events, and some more appropriate for kids parties. 

Many magicians are also motivational speakers – some with religious themes.

 

3. Do your research –

We always recommend that you watch any video clips that the performer has provided, and also read past customer reviews. 

It’s also essential that you communicate with each magician you contact.  The more details you can provide about your event, the easier it will be to find a magician who will dazzle your guests.      

  

Currently rated 4.7 by 13 people

  • Currently 4.692307/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Tags: , ,

Kids Birthday | Corporate Events | Party Planning Tips | Special Occasions

What's so funny? How to Hire a Comedian

by Marissa 28. February 2009 16:33

 

 

 

 

Turn on the news, pick up the paper, pretty much wherever you turn, you're hearing about the plummeting stock market, the dried-up real estate market, or the latest job cuts. In times like these, we all need to laugh, which is probably why movies like Madea Goes to Jail and He's Just Not that Into You are tops at the box office.

So, if you're planning a party or corporate event this year, consider bringing in some laughter -- a comedian will certainly lighten things up. Hiring a comedian can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be, especially if you follow this advice:

Consider your audience.

  • What kind of humor do you think they'd like? Political satire, everyday humor, sight gags, audience participation, etc.
  • What is the age range of your guests? 

Determine the fit.

  • Where does the comedian fit into the event? Is he/she the main event or the opening ice-breaker?
  • How long would you like the act? 
  • Would you like the comedian to roast the guest(s) of honor? 

Know where the line is.

  • If you're planning a church fundraiser, you should probably look for a 100% clean, wholesome act.
  • For a corporate event, you don't want to offend anyone with sexist, racist or other off-color jokes.
  • And, for a 40th birthday party with your closest friends, well, the proverbial line is wherever you want it to be.

Get to know a handful of comedians.

  • Be sure the comedian understands exactly what you want - you can start by sharing your answers to the above questions.
  • Be sure to watch video clips of their act. If you're not laughing out loud, your guests won't be either.
  • A good comedian will spend time talking to you about the audience and walking you through their jokes. By the time you make your decision, you should feel 100% confident that the comedian's act will be appropriate, and 90% confident that your guests will be rolling in the aisles (hey, there's no guarantee!). 
  • If you need a comedian to clean up the act, and doing so makes it less funny, move on.
  • Talk to references from the comedian's previous clients.  
  • Consider price and time - you're better off having a shorter act that is funny than a longer act that is dull. 

If you get it right, your guests will definitely thank you for reminding them to laugh!

 

Currently rated 5.0 by 4 people

  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Tags: , ,

Corporate Events | Party Planning Tips

Planning a Party from Your Office Cube

by Marissa 8. January 2009 16:04

Wouldn't we all rather be at a party - than sitting in our cube?

Laura Milligan at CareerOverview compiled some great party-planning sites and services in her list of "100 Web Tools to Plan the Party of the Year from Your Cube" Of course, our fav is #21!

Thanks, Laura, for giving us something productive to do while we probably should be doing something else...

Currently rated 2.9 by 7 people

  • Currently 2.857143/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Tags: , ,

Corporate Events | Party Planning Tips