After speaking with some of our top booked and highest rated performers, we have compiled some steps to follow when hiring a Cover Band for your next event.

Cover Bands add dynamic and energizing entertainment to all types of events, from wedding receptions, to outdoor festivals, to bar and restaurant performances, and even fundraisers.

For those who are new to the looking/booking process, here are some tips to help you through the searching, negotiating, planning, and hiring of a quality group.

1. Keep three things in mind when starting your search: Talent, experience, and professionalism - the right Cover Band for your event will impress you from the start.  Check out the group’s live audio and video samples, and their song list.  They should boast a variety of song choices, and, more importantly, the songs you want to hear.  If you have the opportunity to check out the band perform at a public event, by all means, go!  Even great audio and video samples are lacking the energy and ambiance of a live performance.

Also, a great Cover Band’s reputation precedes them.  Speak to event planners at venues where the group has performed, or past clients, for reviews.  A professional Cover Band is enthusiastic about performing, and is willing to take the time to sit down and fully discuss your event details and entertainment needs.

2. Ask important questions up front: Find out more about the band members.  How long has the group been performing together?  Have there been any recent replacements to the group?  Do they have both a male and female vocalist? We found out that 75% of bands offer different group combinations to their clients depending on their needs, so its important to make sure that the musicians you want are the musicians you get.

3. Ask more questions later: Does the band take song requests before or during their performance?  Do they allow party guests to use their microphones for personal announcements?  Let them know more about your event and the guests attending, and see if their song choices or live performance changes based on the audience.  Clearing up these details before your event will help their performance go smoothly.

4. Understand the group’s space, lighting, and electrical needs: Most Cover Bands maintain their own performance equipment, but you will be responsible for the space available for them to perform.  Our performers have told us that a stage or performance area no less than 12 feet by 20 feet is required.  These space requirements may change, depending on the group. 

Please also note that an electrical power source must be made available within 10 feet of the performance area.  So keep this in mind, especially if your event is outdoors.

5. As always, be courteous to the entertainers you hire, especially if they are traveling to your event destination.  Be sure to discuss travel or lodging expenses, and provide a parking space or proper/timely transportation to your event.  Depending on the type of event you are throwing, you should also offer food and beverage during their breaks, or after their performance has taken place.  

Good luck in your search, and have fun!

Anniversary parties take place all year round, and are unique to each couple and family.  Every couple has their own love story, and celebrating that story makes for a truly special event. 
 
Inspired by our own parents’ anniversaries, GigMasters staff members realize how important it is to take the time to celebrate love and family.   
 
If you or your parents were married in the 1970’s, this upcoming wedding anniversary illuminates a lasting love, and certainly an occasion worth celebrating to the fullest.
 
You might consider hiring a 70’s Band, Funk Band, or a DJ, to help bring everyone back to an era of funk, soul, and arguably the most influential popular dance music in history.
 
Here are our top ten song picks that are sure to keep party guests out of their seats and on the dance floor: 
 
 
The GigMasters Top 10 70’s Party Songs:
 
1. Let It Whip – Dazz Band
2. Brick House – The Commodores
3. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
4. I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
5. Boogie Shoes – KC & the Sunshine Band
6. Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind & Fire
7. Celebration – Kool & The Gang
8. Bennie and the Jets – Elton John
9. Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
10. September – Earth, Wind & Fire

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.

You might be surprised to hear that requests for Variety Entertainment at weddings has increased by 17% this past year.  But we found an article by Erika Lovley of POLITICO.com that shares some interesting info about prominent political figures making it onto the guest list for hundreds of weddings, even graduation parties, each year.
 
Lovley writes:
 
“The White House has received a range of invitations, occasionally with a letter from or a picture of the couple tucked inside.  Even save the dates have arrived.  The White House typically responds with a congratulatory note stamped with an official seal that many brides covet as a scrapbook centerpiece.”

So how does this new trend fit in with GigMasters Variety Entertainment?  It’s all about clients getting the next best thing: Celebrity Impersonators.

And it just so happens that GigMasters recently sent two Sales Representatives, Rick and Alfred, to the 9th Annual Celebrity Impersonators Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Rick tells us firsthand about the experience, the talent, and the new members to GigMasters.com:

“What a trip – literally.  Last month, we were privileged to mingle and schmooze with some of the world’s finest celebrity impersonators, look-a-likes, and tribute acts.  It was an honor to finally meet some of our current members, with whom we had previously only spoken to through email or over the phone for so long. 

Alfred and I attended on behalf of GigMasters.  Alfred was mistaken for a Dustin Hoffman Impersonator on more than one occasion, which surely can’t be a bad thing.  (Unless, of course, they were referring to the hit movie “Rain Man” and the scene with Hoffman playing Blackjack.) 

Now, we all know that Impersonators are entertainers who look, dress, speak, and behave just like our favorite celebrities.  These Celebrity Impersonators entertain us with their great talent, and also fill that nostalgia for the real thing.  Whether they impersonate a celebrity that may have passed away, or one that is still living, these professionals are superb at what they do, and never cease to amaze us.

Although the timeless phrase, “What Happens in Vegas – Stays in Vegas,” may just be a little bit true, we did take home a great deal of insight, and many new signups.  We also had a great time!  We met everyone from Robert DeNiro and Michael Jackson, to Sarah Palin, and more than one Barack Obama.” – Rick

You can find a complete list of our Celebrity Impersonators and Look-a-likes here.  We at GigMasters think that hiring an Impersonator to make an appearance at your reception, graduation party, corporate dinner, or birthday celebration – is way better than getting turned down by the celebrity.  Instead of filling your scrapbook with a decline to your invitation, fill it with some great pictures, and even better memories. 

 

If you are like me, then you have been welcoming the recent and untimely glimpses into hot summer weather.  If you are like me, you are also living in fear of Swine Flu.  Feeling excitement mixed with anxiety as it relates to global and health issues means only one thing:  It’s time to get together with friends and party - while we still can! 

Cinco de Mayo is coming up this week, celebrating Mexican heritage, and also observing the defeat of Mexico’s army at the Battle of Puebla on the date in 1862.  Traditionally, this holiday has been celebrated in both Mexico and the United States with great food, music, and dancing.  If you are still looking for Cinco de Mayo party ideas, you might consider hiring a Mariachi Band, or taking your celebration to the streets by hiring a Mobile DJ.

With summertime also on its way, we are approaching Block Party season.  So start dusting off the grill and the tiki torches, and make sure there is enough room on your street, driveway, or backyard patio for a dance floor.  The GigMasters Team has put together a list of the Top Ten Block Party Songs to amplify the summer atmosphere at your next outdoor party – enjoy!     

    
GigMasters’ Top Ten Block Party Songs:

1. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
2. Love Shack – The B52’s
3. Summertime – DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince
4. Take It Easy – The Eagles
5. Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
6. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
7. Scarlet Begonias – Grateful Dead
8. Oye Como Va – Santana
9. In the Summertime – Mungo Jerry
10. Kokomo – The Beach Boys

And be sure to check out our growing Tribute and Cover Band categories for talented groups near you!

Nothing makes a theme party more exciting than bringing that theme to life.  And for most kids, nothing is more surprising than seeing their favorite fictional character walk into a party - just for them.  Hiring a costumed character for a birthday party or a community event is a surefire way to make some memories.

If you’re searching for Costumed Characters, keep these ideas in mind:

There are a lot of companies out there with a lot to offer.  Some companies list every character they are able to provide.  Some do not.  If you know exactly what, or whom, you want, don’t be afraid to ask.  Most companies stay up to date on kids’ favorites, from Walt Disney movie characters, to Dora the Explorer, to The Backyardigans.

If you are planning a more seasonal event and are in need of a Santa Claus or Easter Bunny, you’ll be happy to discover that most companies feature these characters as well. 

It’s important to remember that these companies entertain for all types of parties.  So even if you’re not sure about what would work best for your event, be sure to contact them and provide as many details as you can – what your child likes, where the party will take place, and how long you would need them to entertain. 

You should also try searching for Singing Telegrams, as these companies can provide a variety of characters, and specialize in stopping by for a humorous rendition of the Happy Birthday song. 

I’ll leave you with some advice from fellow GigMasters Customer Support Representative, Sara:

“Who wouldn't want a gorilla in a tutu to arrive with a handful of balloons just in time to sing 'Happy birthday to you?  The answer, my eight pound puppy who had the you-know-what scared out of her when a gorilla showed up to sing Happy Birthday to my sister!"

 

For the latest party and entertainment news, tips and ideas, please subscribe to this blog. For daily updates, follow GigMasters every day on Twitter.

 

Any day considered a 'Feast Day' usually makes for a great celebration.  My fondest memory of a St. Patrick's Day passed would have to be when a group of my friends and I decided to walk into the most inviting-looking pub in Baltimore.  It was the epitome of a hole-in-the-wall dive bar: nameless, with exposed brick walls and Guinness light fixtures.  A great band was playing rock and Irish music in the middle of the room, and everyone in the cozily crowded place was friendly and considerate.  Even the bartender was able to serve up a group of 8 or so college seniors a round of Irish Car-Bombs in mere moments.  And even though I wasn't celebrating being Irish, the whole "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry" idea was alive and well.

The best part of St. Patrick's Day is definitely the spirit of the day: the parades, the Bagpipers, the Irish Bands, and everyone sporting shamrock stickers and green from head to toe.  If you don’t feel like traveling to a city for a parade, find a local parade or start your own neighborhood tradition.  Add family and friends, some Celtic music, and maybe a little Bailey's Irish Crème, and you can have a simple, yet memorable St. Patrick's Day as well.  And don't forget to let everyone know they should kiss you – You're Irish!  At least for a day…

For the latest party and entertainment news, tips and ideas, please subscribe to this blog. For daily updates, follow GigMasters every day on Twitter.

 

 

Valentine's day is here again, and it's not just for lovers (though it never hurts to have a date-- especially when this lovebug holiday falls on a Saturday night). In the spirit of all things romance, here's a list of some love songs that include our winged-friend cupid and the inevitable hold he has on those in love. Whether married, engaged or on the flipside--feeling utterly sarcastic about this weekend, take a moment to appreciate cupid's aim and popularity throughout  musical history. Add some long-stemmed roses, champagne and chocolates--voila!...it's a recipe for romance. 

1. Sam Cooke's "Cupid" - an upbeat, old-school song that's full of rhythm and catchy lyrics, this song is a sure-fire hit into the heart of a loved one. At the very least, it's bound to score a smile.
2. Mandy Moore's "Stupid Cupid" - a somewhat overly sweet (or sour) gumball tune that channels the fun of mid-20th century Motown girl groups, this is a good choice for some innocent flirtation.
3. Gym Class Heroes "Cupid's Chokehold" - a swift re-make of Supertramp's "Breakfast in America," this song tells the tale of a man who loves to fall in love, despite the outcome. Perfect for a first-date V-day playlist.
4. Cupid's "Cupid Shuffle" - less appropriate for a quiet night at home than the others, this beat-heavy jam is just right for a couple who loves to hit the dance floor, and shake their moneymakers together.
5. Jack Johnson's "Cupid" - with his smooth and sultry voice, this one scores #1 in the romance department. Not too fast and not too slow, it's a great choice for talking or smooching over.

Happy Valentine's Day from GigMasters!  

We are officially less than a week away from another Superbowl Sunday!  Most Americans are probably ecstatic about this tradition of screaming fans, Budweiser commercials, and more 7-layer dip than you can scoop through.
 
But for some people, the annual Superbowl Party may have lost its luster  - maybe this year your team didn't make it to the championship, or maybe the only thing you have to wear to your friend's house is the Plaxico Burress jersey that seemed totally worth the extra money after the Giants' big 2008 win.
 
There are many reasons why you might be anti-Superbowl this year.  But there is no reason to sit at home and miss out on some kind of celebration.  (After all, you're probably still psyched for the Bruce Springsteen halftime show). 
 
For all types of party venues out there, from sporty to swanky, Superbowl Sunday can be a new tradition for anyone looking to escape the family room couch and mingle with others not glued to a flat screen TV.  A post-game party with Live Music or a DJ will even bring out the Cardinals or Steelers fans, whatever the final score may be. 
 
Can't you hear the karaoke renditions already?
"Tramps like us, Baby we were born to run…"