Tag Archives: corporate entertainment

Live Entertainment that Comes Alive

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

Today’s audiences are sophisticated. They demand more unique entertainment that stuns a crowd with the “Wow Factor.” To surpass any event planner’s expectations, it is essential that companies hire live entertainment that comes alive. Luckily, there are several options that can help create a party that no one will soon forget.

Mari edit1. Theme parties with glamorous costuming, vintage props, and stunning venues continue to be popular. However, the addition of truly interactive entertainers is becoming the norm. This might include greeters who pose as party guests, singers who croon to specific audience members, or dancers who teach their choreography to willing participants. With these additions, guests will experience the entertainment rather than simply viewing it.

1Wed-1572. Iconic movies and television shows continue to entice planners with their popularity. Whether it’s James Bond or a best-selling Disney feature like Frozen, event executives are harnessing the value of these well-loved characters. With the added benefit of familiarity, audience members of all ages and experiences resonate with these particular entertainment options. Further ornamentation of LED lighting, décor, and signage combine with powerful entertainers to culminate in a fantasy experience for guests.

DJ3. DJs that become VJs, because they use videos that create a visual display of the music, are a growing option. Not only does this exciting twist on traditional DJ services allow for exciting engagement from the guests, but it offers social media and interaction experiences for 21st century audiences. During the course of the event, these DJs can use videos to spark games and other teambuilding activities as they help invigorate the party.

 

 

 

How to Use Entertainment Successfully for Corporate Events

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

Event planners across the country are once again booking their yearly calendars. Whether a vintage, formal, or themed event, the keys to good planning are always the same. The following tips will help as you discover how to use entertainment successfully for corporate events.

aerial-bartender1. What is the purpose? For talent to be effective, you must first decide upon its purpose. Decide whether your event needs entertainment that is central to the evening, or that which is merely an icebreaker or a welcoming, spotlight feature. A theme show, band or DJ is an excellent choice when entertainment is a key aspect; however, greeters, an aerial bartender, or a walk-around magician is better suited for events that only need an effective thread of talent.

2. Who is the audience? It is critical that you understand who will attend the event so that you can best address their expectations. Knowing your age group and entertainment sophistication will help guide your booking decisions. A crowd filled with Millenials will most likely respond well to an interactive presentation with LED lighting, high-powered music, and experiences that pop on social media. In contrast, large events using vintage themes are typically more formal and might excite a more diverse crowd.

3. What are the time and space considerations? As you look to hire your entertainment, be sure that your venue is suitable in terms of physical space, time of the year, and recurring social events in a particular area. There’s nothing worse than having an outdoor wedding, without a contingency plan, and entertainment that suddenly won’t fit into the space provided. No planner wants to change dates after having everything planned, including talent contracts, to accommodate pre-existing events on a city’s social calendar. Be sure to check all event calendars and your contracts.

As the Entertainment Season Begins, Smart Planners Are on the Cutting Edge

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

It may be August, but as corporate event planners know, the season is about to explode. This is the perfect opportunity to ignite an event that will leave a powerful impression. Classic entertainment never disappoints, but smart planners are also able to use cutting edge entertainment as never before.

1. Technology-integrated Entertainment: Using technology for visual displays like light shows and highlighting events has great value. Now, the opportunities to effectively use technology with talent are even greater than ever. Traditional favorites like magicians, caricature artists, and painters are integrating ipads, lasers, and digital printing to captivate audiences and provide an interactive experience. As technology continues to advance, the possibilities are endless.

2. Cirque Reinvented: The popularity of Cirque de Soleil has sparked a love affair with all things acrobatic. While the trend used to focus on bizarre and quirky entertainers, the current buzz word is beauty. This includes the elegant and gravity-defying use of silks, contortionists, and aerial entertainers dressed in vibrant color. The visual spectacle always delights audiences, especially as they enter an event.

3. Truly Interactive Entertainment: The best events always make guests want to get up and dance, but now the trend is to make your participants the entertainers themselves. Using professionally-trained and exciting dance performers, these guests are taught basic choreography as if they were in their own version of Dancing with the Stars. It’s not only fun, but physically beneficial for your attendees. The culminating event of this experience is an engaging performance by dance professionals.

 

Best Corporate Event Entertainment Ideas

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

The best corporate event entertainment ideas might be trendy, novel, and technologically stunning; however, behind the hype there must be one crucial element…talent. While the expertise might differ, the buzz-worthy artist has spent years perfecting the music, the dance, or the craft behind the performance. Clients are attracted to the “wow factor” and power that these entertainers bring to any event. Here are a few that will not disappoint.

1. Speed Painting. This high-energy and unique display of artistic prowess allows the audience to fully engage with the artist as he creates a memorable painting. As music energizes the crowd, this painter uses color, speed, and a dramatic flair to mesmerize the audience. Corporate planners are particularly captivated by this artist’s ability to customize the brand for a product launch, awards presentation, or fund-raising charity event

 

2. Interactive Mime Entertainment. Mimes are not only an outstanding way to welcome guests to your event, but also a fun and engaging way to signature your event. The art of mime transcends speech and allows people to experience a situation with their own gifted imagination. That’s why this art form is so effective. These mimes will perform a cameo skit that incorporates a message from or about the company. What a brilliant way to communicate a corporate message in a fresh and effective way.

3. Flash Mob. The spontaneity behind a Flash Mob captures the attention and interest of the crowd, especially when the participants are mingling with the guests. Whether well-known, trendy dances like Thriller, Gangnam Style, and Glee cover songs ignite the crowd, or something more specific to the theme of the event, these participatory mobs transform the evening. A typical event becomes transcendent as audience members feel the buzz.

Entertainment Ideas: The Possibilities are Endless

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Applause Productions and Entertainment

Now that the first quarter of 2014 is almost complete, one thing is clear: when it comes to entertainment ideas, the possibilities are endless. Events that are full of vintage elegance or the latest technological capabilities are stunning audiences all around the country. Here are just a few options to whet your appetite:

Everything Old is New Again: This entertainment option celebrates the classic and timeless eras that captured our imagination. From the Golden Age of Hollywood to the sweet innocence of the 1950s, these events allow our cultural heritage to survive, and entice the millennials to experience the greatness. Elegant cabaret singers, classic jazz ensembles decked out in black tie formalwear, or love ballads crooned by Old Blue Eyes himself make this option alive.

International Flavor: Imagine the color, energy, and sizzle of Brazilian or Carnival entertainers for your next event. These heart-stopping dancers, acrobats, and stilt-walkers can bring any theme, concept, or product launch to life. The variety of this option could include Samba dancers, Latin bands, or even an exciting batucada!

 

The Quirky Factor: Just when you thought you’d seen everything, this year’s newest entertainment will surprise even the most experienced event goer. It’s the unexpected aspect of this talent combination that energizes the viewer. Grunge music of the 90s played by jazz trios, or a Western-themed cowboy show that is accompanied by the latest digital video or LED lighting. These experiences are perfect for the event planner or corporate CEO that is a talent connoisseur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Entertainment Thank You

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Applause Productions & Entertainment

Whether an intimate party or year-end extravaganza a corporate entertainment thank you may come in many different packages. Successful businesses know how to maintain and improve employee morale. They know that a memorable party with live entertainment is a fantastic way to express gratitude. Likewise, entertainment companies, such as Applause, are grateful to have the opportunities to provide such empowering events. As we look back on 2013, we want to say thanks and remember some of the outstanding productions of the past year.

1. Roaring 20s Year-End Party: Integrated and high-energy live entertainment made this event pop from start to stop.  By including costumed-greeters, live bands, a floor show, and stilt-walking jugglers, guests were transported to the world of the Great Gatsby. Greeters asked for passwords to enter the “Cotton Club,” as they accompanied guests into the main ballroom. Caricature artists, tarot card readers and fortune tellers made guests feel as though they were part of the action. The result?  A fluid, well-choreographed, and an interactive event…plus, a very happy planner.

2.Culinary Industry Conference: Live entertainment under the beautiful Arizona sky set this production apart from many others this season. A beautiful resort terrace set the stage, as Taiko drummers, a German polka band, a British string ensemble, and Belgian musicians highlighted the international affair. Talent and food worked together to create a multi-sensory delight. Strategic positioning, lighting, and timing allowed the acoustic sounds to blend a savory atmosphere of conversation and culinary favorites. Bon appetite!

3. Unique convention entertainment: Home on the range doesn’t necessarily apply to most big-city convention centers, but in this case it did. Dancing saloon girls, honky-tonk piano players, a singing cowboy on horseback, and an authentic card shark kept guests thoroughly entertained and engaged as they walked the convention floor. The 1880s were alive and well in this western city thanks to the live entertainment that transported, delighted, and satisfied all involved.

Celebrate 2013: Part Two – A Black Tie Event to Wrap Up the Year

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Tis the season to host your stellar black-tie event to wrap up the year. No matter what the ocassion, an end-of-the year party can never be over the top. After all, ringing in a new year should wow all of your attendees. When your event requires “champagne wishes and cavier dreams,” choosing any one of the following options guarantees a rockin’ good time.

1. Liven it up! Living decor can provide an exciting and unexpected thrill for your attendess as they party the night away. One option is an elegant aerial bartender who pours champagne or wine as she floats above the bubbles she pours. Or, greeters dressed in elaborate and authentic costumes can transport your guests to another time or era. Perhaps Vegas greeters can add just the right spice of life to a casino party with their feathers and sequins. Statues painted to represent everything from Renaissance sculptures to popular urban characters definitely provide the perfect opportunity for your guests to mix and mingle.

2. Use the Techno-Human Experience. Wow…Applause Entertainment just coined a new phrase (we think)? Either way, this option, which combines both the latest and greatest use of technology with live entertainment, is sure to captivate the crowd. Whether this includes dancers wearing LED costumes, spectacular light shows while live musicians and djs perform, or an explosion of confetti from canons to truly celebrate, the party will be one to remember.

3. Evething Old is New Again. Whether its retro Vegas, including a great Sinatra impersonator, or old arcade games to entice Generation X, what comes around goes around. There are a growing number of opportunities for guests to relive their childhood with interactive games like Centipede, Pinball, and Pac Man. Why not bring in the new year with a cherished memory from the past?

 

Celebrate 2013: Part One –Throw a Party That Pops

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It is the most wonderful time of the year. So, why not throw a party that pops to celebrate the accomplishments of 2013 with friends, family, and business associates. Whether you choose a cocktail party, intimate gathering, or a larger venue, live entertainment is the best way to say, “Now, this is a party.” To help you best plan the brightest event, we’ve done your homework. Choose one of these options, and your party will stand out from the rest.

1. Get on Your Feet. It’s time to celebrate. After a well-designed dinner, your guests are ready for a shift in energy. Make them part of the action with an interactive DJ, choreographed dances and lessons, or even a spontaneous flash mob. These options are perfect for a crowd that has energy, personality, and just a little swag. Think about it, have you ever seen a room full of people dancing with anything but a smile on their faces? Fun is a powerful choice — it works. So let it work for your party.

2. Winter Wonderland. With the clear, chilly nights in the Valley, nothing is more romantic and elegant than a party with entertainment everywhere. Guests can view the night sky with professional astronomers, discuss those beautiful constellations with an astrologer and Tarot card reader, and couples can capture the essence in a photo booth dressed with a stunning background. All the while, the sounds of duo guitars seranade the guests. What a marvelous night for a moon dance…

3. Make me Laugh. Nothing is more contageous than the sound of laughter. So, treat your guests to a stand-up comedian, interactive, improvisational troupe, and a lively band. A good comedian can capture the audience, make them laugh, and get them ready to dance the night away. Or, if your group is particulary witty, perhaps they would enjoy joining in the fun with an improvisational comedy team. Either way your guests will be energized for the night ahead.

Coming soon…the new and improved Applause Productions and Entertainment

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Applause Productions & Entertainment

We’re not considering Botox or fillers; however, you will soon see the new and improved Applause Productions and Entertainment. In an age where youth and vibrancy rule the world, it is often necessary to self-examine. As such, we’ve determined that our technology, while useful and effective, can be improved to better serve our clients and a growing market share. You can take a sneak peak starting with our newly redesigned logo, and can wait anxiously for the reveal of our new website. All of course, with the purpose of improving our ability to deliver unique, spectacular, and innovative talent.

1. Why re-brand? The millennials demand precision, speed, and immediate gratification. These are the people who are now making business decisions that affect companies of all sizes and all profit margins. These are acute business people who need to identify with the people and products they consume. Think of the old adage, “This isn’t your father’s Oldsmobile…” but far more successful.

2. Version 2.0. Not only should companies promote updated technology, marketing, and promotion, but also deliver on the promise. Our technology is improving as is our entertainment offerings. This isn’t just a face lift, but, as Broadway would say,  a shift to “Bigger and Better” presentation of talent.

3. Stay tuned. Great businesses are always reinventing themselves. Whether it’s Chrysler, Nike, or your local neighborhood supermarket, savvy business leaders are showing that they value their customers by staying on top of the latest and greatest products. Applause Productions continues to meet and exceed the needs of clients by advancing our relationships and staying always grateful for what is and can be.

Now presenting…2013!

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As the new year begins, clients want to know what the hottest entertainment will be and how they can be involved. While many acts are creating a buzz right now, one thing is certain; the talent must be engaging, interactive, and responsive. Corporate clients want their events to be powerful. Now presenting…2013!

1.Unique entertainment. Traditional talent is harder to sell in this competitive, TV-driven market. Clients want what is popular on television, Internet sources, and the latest cultural fad. Bands or other musicians that do not engage with the audience are losing favor; however, a cutting edge musical act will incorporate audience engagement throughout its performance.

2.Destination entertainment. Many international corporations are rewarding their top employees with trips to beautiful U.S. locations. As part of this wave of geographically-based entertainment that is requested, specific talent in certain areas will be in demand. For example, Native American storytellers, dancers, and crafters will be appealing to those groups sending employees to the Southwest. Likewise, mermaids who perform as interactive characters will be popular in areas like Florida and California.

3. Twist on the traditional. Unique talent is the trend, but traditional entertainment that has included an interactive or unique element will always be in demand. Magicians that include sleight-of-hand, a dj that includes the teaching of popular dance moves, and a surprise waiter that is actually part of the show are good examples.