Secrets Revealed – Well at least almost.

We always have a good chuckle around here when we hear "outsiders" bring up the subject of “Green Room Requirements.”  You’ve heard the stories.  “So and so” wanted all green M&M’s.  We’ve lost track of how many Celebrity Green Rooms for Name Act Corporate Entertainment events we’ve done, but at last night’s event with Barenaked Ladies, we started wondering what has been the most outrageous Green Room request that we’ve ever received?  (Definitely not from them.  They are exceptionally reasonable – see photo below.)

When we started going back and revisiting some of the Corporate Entertainment Name Act events we have done we sort of realized there’s a theme – it’s not really as ridiculous as people would lead you to believe. Sure, we’ve had a couple of outrageous requests in the past 16 years.  Hotel linens replaced with absurdly high, allergen free, thread counts only; a “certain” brand of non-alcoholic wine, and probably one of our favorites: “so and so would like to see a picture of their sleeping room and if it doesn’t solely consist of an “earth tone” décor be prepared to redecorate.”   But all in all, it hasn’t been as ludicrous as you might think.

You can internet search the subject of Green Room requirements and a lot of different sights “say” they know what a celebrity requires, but when you’re working in the world of Corporate Entertainment you learn over the years how to tame what may seem like outlandish requests, and narrow the list down to just the essentials.   

In the past year or so here have probably been the most frequently requested Name Act items:

1. Coconut Water (who knew?)
2. “Organic Throat Coat”  (now that makes sense)
3. A Juicer – Maybe it’s that we're working with younger and younger acts, but “a Juicer” is frequently requested as are Vegetarian Meals (again maybe a sign of the times)
4. Cliff Bars / Power Bars / Energy Bars / Protein Drinks
5. Powerade / Gatorade

 Now the band member’s riders, on the other hand, are usually pretty predictable with items such as alcohol, tortilla and salsa, candy bars, water, and one of our favorites, “Emergen – C’s.”  We appreciate acts that even ask for local brewers or local vendors for area grown food.  Maybe they look forward to experiencing a little taste of local life. 

 See all in all, so far, no “Green M&M’s” have been requested.

In a "Not-so-Green" Green Room with Barenaked Ladies

What happens when a hilarious professor of mathematics performs a lecture with object lessons and world class juggling? You get nonstop laughter, “infotainment” and amazement. Right from the start Dan engages the audience with fast paced standup comedy and mesmerizing physical feats. The result is a highly entertaining and educational treat.

Making the common uncommon is one of Mr. Bennett’s signature routines. Using racquets and a can of tennis balls, Dan performs a brilliant original piece with the comedic backdrop of psychology. “Legislative physics” is another unforgettable topic by the funny instructor: basketballs spinning on each hand while doing a backward summersault, or one atop the other with the vernacular of quantum mechanics. “Soft landings for weighty matters” is the title theme for the corporate event and involves Newtonian physics, market corrections and a bowling ball being caught on the face!! Economics and the invention of baseball, evolution of soccer balls to volleyballs, and creative problem solving with Frisbees are just a few more themes covered by this distinctive presentation.

ANTICS and SEMANTICS:” SOFT LANDINGS FOR WEIGHTY MATTERS” is the answer for your corporate event. It is the merger of comedy, education and company team building. Dan Bennett is a mathemagician of the first order, a language and prop manipulatist of professorial proportions and world record legerdemainiac with a name you can swear by.

See Dan here:

And stay no matter what!

Talk around the water-cooler all last week was none other than Coachella, which at this stage is one down and one to go.  None of us could recall, at least in our recent memory, witnessing the transformation of what used to be a “regional” concert into a behemoth mega-concert like Coachella Fest, right before our eyes.  In the 1990’s did we see this coming?   If only…

Not even the threat or realization of rain on Friday hampered the success of the event.  It was fun to watch on TV the improvised rain gear of concert goers.   The threat of rain to true event professionals is really not so much an issue.  With the caliber of meeting planners we work there is always a Plan “A,” a “B,” and sometimes a “C” for those unforeseen and even foreseen conditions that are out of our control, but cause us to have to make changes at the last minute. If you don’t come into this industry with the skin to adapt easily, you’ll hopefully acquire it through time and experience, as we all know that flexibility is the key to outlasting ourselves in the event world. In our industry we know that doesn’t just apply to us on site, but more so for the performers we work with, as well.  That’s why in part of our vetting process for performers we add to our roster we make sure that they are able to “zig” when an event has had a “zag.”

And what about the 25,000 attending the Coachella event?  That was probably the easy part.   Didn’t seem like they could care less.  They were just happy to be at Coachella rain or shine.  That holds true for even the smallest of events.     The stress stays with us behind the scenes, while the guests are enjoying a great time.

And the forecast for this weekend?  100 Degree Temps!  Plan A:   Lots of water and umbrellas!

Enjoy!

PIANIST - DAVID HIRSCH

David Hirsch is one of the Coachella Valley's busiest keyboard artists, has a 35-year background in concert performance, theater, film, and music education.

The Jumpin’ Joz Band is swingin’est band in Southern California. Their style is a wonderful combination of swing, jump, jazz, early R&B, reminiscent of Count Basie, Louie Prima, Benny Goodman, Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald & Louie Jordan. Their music is great for listening as well as swing dancing. The band has a growing following of  dancers from young to old. They not only have a great, swingin’ sound but also and incredible show, and dress in a classy vintage style.

The Jumpin’ Joz Band  has performed at all the most popular swing venues in California including, the Catalina Swing Dance Camp, The Derby, Disneyland Swing Night, Club Jitterbug, Avalon Ballroom, and Suzy Q’s. They’ve played concerts from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara. They are in constant demand to play special events, company parties, weddings, fundraisers, movie openings and cast parties, community and political events, as well as private parties.

Jumpin’ Joz is the leader, drummer, singer, and arranger whose inspiration is the great Gene Krupa. He plays with an exciting down to earth swing beat.  Because Joz is a swing dance performer and teacher, he plays the beat the dancers want to hear. Along with the great swing classics, Joz also sings and writes his own original swing music and harmonizes beautifully with Ginger Berglund. Ginger, who adds a wonderfully feminine touch to the band, is a talented, beautiful singer who style is reminiscent the great singers of the 1940’s like Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald.

The usual configuration of the Jumpin’ Joz Band is Female & Male vocal, Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar, Sax, Trumpet, and Trombone. The musicians include the top swing and jazz musicians in Southern California. We also have a big band version  with 4 saxes, and 3 brass, or a small combo for smaller events.

Watch the band here:

Third Coast Jazz Band can adjust to almost any desired format. They have a variety of popular options such as their instrumental trio (guitar/sax/keyboards) and can add or subtract players as desired. From solo guitar (perfect for weddings ceremonies) all the way to and 8 or 9 piece group, they have the ability to adjust to the needs of any venue.  They can provide both male and female vocals and work with some of the most talented performers in Southern California.

Their repertoire covers all styles of jazz (big band era, straight-ahead classics, hard bop, blues, bossa nova,  smooth, latin, etc.) as well as Motown, R and B, Disco, Soul/Funk, and high-energy dance. With thousands of songs to choose from, they can take almost any request and are happy to accommodate. Do you love jazz but worry your guest may fall asleep in their drinks? They love to spice up the old favorites with a very contemporary feeling so that both young and old have a great time!

Watch Third Coast Jazz Band samples here:

Listen to Third Coast here:

As a kid, Sarah’s mother was a dancer, and her father a drum builder. Sarah has both a younger and an older brother who both play instruments as well.

Growing up, art, music – It was everywhere.

From an early age, Sarah’s parents recognized her love for the piano and did everything, literally, to help nurture that.  Not too long after she began playing, she began writing, and again- her parents did everything in their power to help encourage it.

Through the course of her life and up until this point she has had experiences, some great, some not so great, but all in all together the reason she does what she does.

It’s life that gives her the thoughts she puts on paper.   And a beautiful and talented job she does at that.  As both a creator of music and as a singer.  Sarah says, “I create music, and there is nothing I’ve found that compares to the joy I feel when I hear that the music I’ve written has become a part of someone else’s experience.”

Sarah was classically trained from the age of three.  Attended the Idyllwild Arts Academy and holds a Degree in Composition from UNLV.

Albums out: The Sarah Sessions, The Joshua Tree Sessions, Itunes Compilation

Expected Date of New Album Release: Late September 2010

Her song “I Won’t Let You Go” has been featured on One Tree Hill. Sarah can perform her own works, or perform more widely recognized repertoire of music.

Spring + Weddings

Blog Entry March 31, 2012

We’re getting ready to help a client with her entertainment tomorrow, as we kick-off our “Wedding Season” here in the desert.  Her wedding vision included a “Big Band” feel with other special elements that we are excited to be a part of.   It’s hard not to envision Adam Sandler in The Wedding Singer, whenever the subject of “Wedding Entertainment” comes up.  That movie did a pretty good job of stereotyping the typical “wedding band” of the 1980’s.

But it’s not the 1980’s anymore!

It’s been fun in this industry (corporate entertainment) to watch over the years as brides and wedding planners have really pushed the envelope of “Wedding Entertainment.”  For the most part, our calls aren’t just for a band or just for a DJ anymore.  A lot of proposals we have done have included exciting ancillary elements – the type of entertainment you think is just reserved for corporate entertainment events.

Whether it’s a couple’s or a wedding planner’s personal vision, a theme, or a venue driven decision, deciding to go “outside the box” for wedding entertainment can be a daunting task. Just like in corporate entertainment, wedding entertainment needs to consider the same elements:  budget, audience, venue limitations, sizes, sounds, and “bang for your buck.”

Today traditional strings may be replaced with a cool Southwestern sound, guests may be greeted by Venetian dressed performers that guide them down the aisle to their seats, some brides have asked for Mariachis to walk the guests from the ceremony to a reception area.  Other brides have asked for dance performers between meals and others have enjoyed a themed tribute band, like a cool 70’s group to entertain the crowd.  We've even used The Rat Pack.  There are even those calls we’ve had for only background music, but some type of “show” instead because the bride and groom don’t like to dance.  There are those who have asked for cirque performers and fire dancers to entertain the crowd, as well.  Other brides have been attentive to the age span of their guests and have asked for such things as caricature artists for younger guests to The Candyman and  even Hollywood Look-alikes for photo-ops for a more adult crowd.  Other's have asked for cigar rollers.  We've even proposed Speed Painting done of the wedding couple during their reception.

Just like in corporate entertainment, wedding entertainment is a dynamic and ever evolving with endless possibilities of entertaining ideas.

But bride beware:  just like in hiring for a private, corporate event, making sure you are working with professionals (in all aspects of a wedding) is a cornerstone to a successful event.  Unlike a corporate event, of which one might plan many, this may be the only event of this caliber that a bride may ever plan. It's paramount in making sure that the entertainment that is hired for such a special occasion is in line with what their vision is (and we don't mean in line at the bar, or walking through the buffet line!)   The entertainment should be of the same high quality of any performer tasked to perform in front of a CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

So much has changed just in the last 10 years that we can't wait to see where this industry takes us in the next 10 years.

Lyriphon is a trio consisting of internationally acclaimed songstress Barbara Tobler, world-class composer & recording artist, Mark Bacilla,  and San Diego professional guitarist, Craig Stephenson.