No Crappy Company Parties Part 7 - Budgeting For Company Party Entertainment

The question I hear most from prospective company party planner clients is: “How much do you charge?” When I quote my price I can sometimes sense their shock and surprise, even over the phone. Most people have no idea how much to budget for live entertainment. That’s because most people rarely hire live entertainment, except maybe a harpist, pianist and/or DJ for a wedding. But what party goers remember most about the party is the entertainment. So it pays to invest wisely when booking live acts.

Here’s a rundown of what you can expect to pay for a live show (dance band, DJ, comedian, magician, hypnotist, etc.). Dance, cover and variety bands generally charge $1000 to $20,000 for a three to four set show. Why the diverse price range? The type of band, professionalism, production, and, as with all the performers I will be addressing here: Entertainment Value*.

• DJs will run about $500 per event depending on the number of hours and duties at the event. 
• Clean, company friendly comedians will go from $500 or so for a 30 minute set by a local headliner to $1,000,000 for a national act like Drew Carey or Jerry Seinfeld.
• For a magician expect to pay $500 and up depending on length of show, type of show, and again, entertainment value.
• Stage hypnotists generally charge $1200 to $3000 per show. Stage hypnosis isn’t hard to learn, but to be entertaining and bond with an audience are qualities many hypnotists lack.

Here are a few other types of entertainment you may want to consider.
• Jugglers, $300 and up
• "Psychic” readers, $200/hour or so
• Balloon artists (yes, adults love them), $200/hour and more depending on their repertoire and “entertainment value.”
• And what about that wedding (or background/dinner music) harpist or pianist? $300/hour and up. (Remember, none of the above ballpark figures include travel expenses.)

As I said earlier, what your guests will remember and still talk about a year down the road won’t be the food or hotel ballroom, it’ll be the entertainment. Let’s give them something to talk about!

* That certain unquantifiable IT Factor that the better entertainers have.

The World's Greatest, Funniest, Fastest, Most Bestest or Whatever Stage Hypnotist!

Looking at some stage hypnotist’s websites is an amusing excursion through a wonderland of hyperbole and self-aggrandizement. From what I know, there is no governing body, contest, competition, poll result, election or jury of their peers process giving anyone the moral privilege of using any of the above claims.

But some stage hypnotist do. What they’re doing is called The Big Lie. The Big Lie is a propaganda technique. It was defined by Adolf Hitler in his 1925 autobiography Mein Kampf as a lie so “colossal” that no one would believe that someone “could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously”.

I think that, at this moment, Tiger Woods has the right and confirmation to call himself “The World’s Greatest Golfer”. But he wouldn’t do that, he doesn’t have to. Tom Cruise is the highest paid movie actor, but not many people would label him “The World’s Best Actor.” Jim Carrey is a funny guy who acts funny in some funny movies, but he certainly has the humility and common sense to not refer to himself as “The World’s Funniest Comedian/Movie Actor/Guy”.

But some stage hypnotists refer to themselves in even grander terms. Some stage hypnotists, it appears, have no shame.

What does that mean to you, Zing blog reader, and (maybe) buyer of entertainment? It means that when you’re out there googling and yahooing and MSN-ing; scouring the WWW looking for entertainment for your next company, association or college event, that you should take these self-appointed Bests, Greatests, and Funniests with not just a grain of salt, but a big Montana moose-size salt lick.

If you’re considering hiring a comedy hypnotist (or really, any kind of entertainment) for your shindig, check out testimonials from past clients, amount of time they’ve been in show business, if they’re professionals or part-timers, their promotional video, number of times they’ve performed the show you’re considering, and your overall “good feeling” about the performer(s).

Just don’t fall for their hype. Don’t fall for The Big Lie, no matter how many times they repeat it.

Meanwhile, I, Rusty Z, remain a humble yet competent and professional stage hypnotist and stand up comedian.

I am also, without a doubt, “The World’s Greatest Critic and Exposer of Those Claiming to be the World’s Greatest, Funniest, Fastest, Most Bestest or Whatever.”

How To Not Have A Crappy Company Party - Part 6 - Picnic Entertainment Staging

So, in addition to the usual games and activities, you’ve decided on a stage show or live band for your company picnic and you need a stage. Preferably a covered one to shade the performer(s) from the sunshine or rain. Also, make sure the cover is easy to take down in case of wind. Tents tend to blow away fairly easily. Have tarps handy to protect electronic equipment from possible rain.

Well before your event scout out the venue and figure out the stage up and time of show so that neither the entertainer(s) or the audience is looking directly into the sun. Make sure your stage is on a stable and level surface. Nothing can ruin a show faster than a plunging puppeteer or a sinking singer. If you hire a band make sure the “dance floor” in front of the stage is free from obstacles.

You’ll most likely need a sound system too. And maybe a generator to power the sound system. Once again, check out the venue regarding power needs. Some have plenty of power that you can “rent” for the day, at others, you’ll have to provide your own. Make sure you know how to turn off the power in case of rain. You’ll have to manage the cords too, otherwise picnickers could trip and fall.

Because you’re event is outdoors, you’ll have to obtain a fairly powerful p.a. system.  In the wide open spaces sound doesn’t have any walls to bounce off of. Check with your local live sound rental service, they’ll make sure your public address system is powerful enough so that your whole audience can enjoy the show.

Provide plenty of water for the guests and entertainment, and shade for the audience if possible (it’s ideal to put the performer under the tent and the audience under shade trees or a big tent that houses both entertainment and audience) and the stage acts portion of your picnic entertainment will be enjoyed by all.

July Fan Of The Month - Angelo From El Paso, TX

Here’s Angelo, a Basset Hound who lives with his owner (who is also one of my booking agents) in El Paso, TX. Angelo is one of my favorite dogs and we’re always happy to see each other.