Long and overdue - the start of Christmas 2014

I have begun writing this blog about 20 times over the last month so that we could tell you lovely people about recent events, upcoming plans and new and exciting things that have been happening. As it turns out, distraction is the devil and the blog just kept getting put on the back burner. SO – here goes – dedicated to the 5^th December 2014 blog, here’s what’s been happening…

*thinks hard about where to start*

October seems a lifetime ago, so let’s skip to the good bit and get on with the Christmas Party Season that kicked off in November.  A great event to tell you about would be a fabulous 007 themed awards ceremony that went off big style.  We provided many a prop, heaps of entertainment and all the AV and Technical Support needed to run the awards.  From start to finish we worked like little beavers ensuring that everything ran smoothly and a good night was had by all.  Daniel Craig and his trusty Bond Girl Side-Kick helped to host the night and hand out awards; much of the action happened around the Fun Casino Tables later in the evening and the whole room looked simply spectacular with our Giant Golden Gun Props taking pride of place!

The following week, we were over in Birmingham with our Hollywood themed props and Celebrity Look-a-Likes.  A great event that enabled us to showcase our props in front of 1000 guests.  Hosted at The ICC in Birmingham – a great venue for all sorts of different events, our Spoof Paparazzi, Marilyn Monroe Look-a-Like and Fun Casino Tables really did entertain the masses.  Our Hollywood Letters  made for a great stage set and accompaniment to the brilliant band and other Hollywood themed props and backdrops scattered around the venue and drinks reception to create super photo opportunities!

We moved on later that week into Circus mode, providing Circus themed staging, Circus themed props and Circus themed performers for a fantastic event at Carlisle Racecourse.  Our gregarious Ringmaster was the star of the show, introducing the other acts onto the themed stage and generally entertaining the crowd.  Our Circus themed Stilt Walkers and Juggler Act mingled wonderfully with the guests and our finale act; Acro Duo were mind-blowing. 

We went from the variety of themes above to full on Winter Wonderland the following week which of course is to be expected at this festive time of year.  There are plenty more Winter Wonderland themed events coming up over the next couple of weeks along with a few Great Gatsby themed parties (a popular choice at the moment). Plenty more to talk about in the next blog then!

For now I’ll leave you with the above and anticipation of an 80’s themed night, more Hollywood Glamour and plenty of Winter Wonderland action…

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

You can follow us on twitter @steelcitypromo

Acts, Performers and much much more...

Things are hotting up here at SCP in preparation for Christmas 2014! Events are flying in and you guys are really starting to get excited about this years’ annual bash! Theme trends at the moment are The Great Gatsby, Masquerade Ball and Hollywood Glamour – all the glitzy themes which we just love!

We’ve got some super new acts for our Gatsby theme including a stunningly fabulous Champagne Aerial Hostess that just oozes sophistication and will have all your guests ‘Ooohing’ and ‘Ahhing’ throughout the night.  We also have a wonderful indoor Fire Flare Show Act which is just incredible for the Gatsby theme (or any other theme of your choosing really)! Both of these acts will be up on our website soon but for now, you can view our other wonderful 1920’s themed performers on the themed pages of our website.

Recently we’ve been to various places throughout the UK – as far south as Ipswich with our lovely 1920’s Silhouette Backdrop which created the perfect addition to a Gangster and Molls themed party in a wine cellar! We met up with our fabulous Prohibition Stunt Team there too – a wonderful, quirky and unique act at any 1920’s themed event! The Stunt Team that we use, are also our 007 themed Stunt Show which we’ve taken all over the UK.  Complete with Daniel Craig Look-a-Like, these guys will burst in on any event (great as a surprise for your guests!!) and entertain your socks off!

Last night we provided a little bit of Las Vegas theming and entertainment down in Lincoln and we’re back there again on Friday with some fabulous Hollywood themed props and table centres. Lincoln is the place of the moment it seems! This week we’re also sending out some Parisian themed props and some Feather Showgirls sure to dazzle at their 007 themed event in Nottingham – it’s all kicking off in the midlands! Speaking of 007 theming – this is a popular Christmas choice too, we’re working on a few large scale 007 themed Christmas Parties at the minute in the hopes we’ll dazzle with our range of 007 themed props and entertainment.

We’re also working hard on a fabulous Arabian Nights themed event which is sure to be a stunner! Bespoke Marquee, Arabian themed performers and plenty of draping, props and dressing to make one hell of a Christmas Party! Watch this space for this one…

Whether it be a Birthday Bash, an Annual Awards Ceremony or a Wedding; our website offers plenty of ideas and inspiration...take a look and let us know if we can help in making your next event a one to remember!

 

You can contact us on 0800 840 2114 or via email: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

A little bit of this, a little bit of that...

The team took a trip to Bradford last night with a van brim-full of Star Cloth and Lighting ready to transform the Atrium at Bradford University into something rather glitzy for a corporate dinner dance.  A complete transformation is what we really love to do – start from scratch and build something striking that the clients will love. Here’s the after shot…

One of our favourite acts was performing with us last night too – our fabulous Contact Juggler wowed guests with his mesmerising skills and really added to the ambience of the evening.

It’s been a bit of a busy week with a few different events going on and things heating up in the office ahead of Christmas 2014.  There has been a big call for Hollywood themed props for this year’s festivities which we just love – a glamorous, elegant theme that everyone will be happy to be a part of! Tonight we have some of our great Hollywood themed props out in London including our magnificent Hollywood themed backdrop perfect for either a photo opportunity or backdrop for a band. 

We’ve also got some of our Arabian themed drapes in Nottingham tonight – Reds, Golds and Purples will surely set the scene for what is going to be a fabulous event – and a complete contrast to the 007 themed party they had last year!

Earlier in the week our Alice in Wonderland Stilt Walker and Bouncing Bunny were being used for some filming over in the North East of the UK – ever the professionals, they certainly impressed with their beautiful and unique costumes.  Our range of Alice in Wonderland performers really is second to none – one of our favourite themes; there are so many takes you can do to create your very own Mad Hatters Tea Party or Enchanted Garden Party using quirky props and fabulous performers.

So, we’re now head-long into September which can only mean one thing – it’s time to get those thinking caps on and start organising that Christmas Party.  You can view a whole list of themes on our website which we hope will give you some ideas and we always welcome a challenge, so if there is something you need but can’t see, give us a call as we’ll either more than likely have it, or can source it from our extensive list of contacts.

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

Twitter: @steelcitypromo

A Victorian Affair!

Last night we helped to launch the Christmas theme at a Nottingham venue – we’re providing all the room dressing and entertainment at their run of Christmas shows and last night was a small taste of what was to come.  Over the last week we’ve been beavering away to get our Christmas Market Huts finished in time and what an impression they made.  Two identical traditional market huts made to order to aid their Victorian Christmas Fair theme.  Complete with serving hatch, they aim to tempt Christmas Party goers with Mulled Wine, Victorian Lemonade, Candy Floss & Mince Pies – the ultimate in festive treats! Not forgetting our authentic Roast Chestnut Cart which is sure to tickle those taste buds! Once the dark nights set in and the festive season is upon us, this theme will really spring to life and look simply magical!

Traditional Carnival Games will also be a huge focus at the events, with an authentic Hook-a-Duck and High Striker enabling guests to have a go and win some prizes!

In December we’ll be putting in some brand new backdrops too – these will depict a traditional fairground and really bring the theme to life – last year the theme was 1920’s meets New York and the stage set we included was striking – here’s the picture from last year! You’ll have

to wait until December for a peek at this years’ though!

We’re always building new props, designing new themed backdrops and adding new themes to our collection – now really is the time to start thinking about your Christmas Party and I’m sure you’ll be inspired by some of the things we have to offer. Give our team a call to discuss your requirements and we’ll build your perfect Christmas Party Package!

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

Inspired by the Great British Bake Off...

After a hugely busy few weeks and having no time to update you lovely lot, last nights’ Great British Bake Off and Richards Pirate themed Show Stopper has inspired me to tell you all about our recent Pirate themed event! Down in Surrey, with a huge van full of Pirate props and room dressing to style out an Officers Mess for their annual event.

We hung Pirates in trees, themed drapes from the ceiling and created a Pirate themed stage set and photo opportunity using Wooden Barrels, Palm Trees, Treasure Chests and Pirate themed backdrops.  The scene was set and the party could begin!  We love our Pirate and Caribbean themed events – they just work so well in all sorts of venues and really do bring a smile to everyone’s face!

Other events on the agenda recently have included some fabulous VIP dressing for a week long launch at a London Casino, some fabulous Alice crossed with Masquerade theming (a little crazy, but who doesn’t love crazy – and we do love something a bit different!) and some great 007 theming, complete with security stunt men on the door!

Coming up over the next few weeks, we have our gorgeous Giant Illuminated LOVE Letters out in force – a fabulous addition to any wedding or Great Gatsby themed party.  These LOVE Letters make up part of our new wedding dressing section on our website – a section filled with quirky wedding ideas, lots of beautiful lighting and wedding dressing options. You can go straight to that page by clicking here! We’re always banging on about how important lighting it is at any event – and a wedding is no exception – with everything from delicate fairy lights in a marquee ceiling to outdoor colour wash, we can do it all and really add that extra bit of glamour you may be looking for!

A short update for you today – but promises that there will be another soon! In the meantime, if you’re planning a corporate Christmas Party, a quirky wedding or a themed birthday party then just give us a call or drop us an email – we’d love to hear from you!

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

Or you can follow us on twitter @steelcitypromo or facebook!

A Night in Hollywood

I’m sure at some point in our lives we would all like to take a trip to Hollywood to see the sights – the Hollywood Hills, Mann’s Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Not always possible to ship 100 or 1000 guests to Hollywood for your annual Christmas Party or Awards though SO, why not bring Hollywood to your doorstep with our quirky Hollywood themed props and glamorous entertainment.

This theme is forever popular for all different types of events and parties – it’s elegant, it’s classic and most of all guests can don ‘posh attire’ and feel very 007! 

We have a range of different entrance ways that are sure to make your guests feel like VIPs – everything from the classic VIP Red Carpet Walkway where you can schmooze with celeb look-a-likes such as Marilyn Monroe and Johnny Depp to our more contemporary Film Reel Entrance that is a very popular choice.  Highlight props such as Flame Effect Lights, VIP Welcome Signs and Gold Pillars really do strike up an entrance to give it even more of a VIP edge. Our Popcorn Usherette Girls or Spoof Paparazzi make for a great addition to the Red Carpet too.

Working through to the main part of your event we have a whole heap of props, theming and Hollywood room dressing for you to choose from.  Metres & metres of twinkling Black Star Cloth Drapes to quirky Film Reel Table Centre Pieces and Hollywood themed backdrops and Backlit Silhouette Panels to gorgeous linen for your tables and chairs – we can dress any area and transform it into a Hollywood themed party.  Our Hollywood themed props can be used for many a photo opportunity – we have Giant ‘Hollywood’Letters, striking character Film Strip Silhouette Panels that are backlit for extra effect and heaps of other décor that is sure to be of interest.

Our Hollywood themed entertainment options are endless too, with everything from the aforementioned Spoof Paparazzi and Celebrity Look-a-Likes to our range of stunning Feather Showgirls, Glamorous Stilt Walkers and Elegant Living Statues.  With everything from the Meet and Greet act to something a little more entertaining a little later on, we have it all!

So, Christmas is coming up fast and we always say it’s better to be prepared and book a little earlier than you may like, than wait it out to be disappointed when your chosen theme or ideal prop or performer has been snapped up.  Could the Hollywood theme be the one for you…?

Give us a call or drop us an email to discuss options for your next event be it a Christmas Party, and Annual Awards Ceremony or a Private Birthday Party – we have heaps of ideas and as much enthusiasm to match!

E. info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T. 0800 840 2114

Have a Ball at the Masquerade Ball!

The Masquerade Ball lends itself perfectly to all sorts of different parties, events and get-togethers.  A classic theme with striking features, weird and wonderful entertainment and an intriguing ambience that will certainly leave guests feeling warm, welcomed and glamorous all at the same time.

Warm, rich and elegant colours such as Purple or Red struck with Gold make for the most delicious of combinations and ooze Masquerade Ball from the outset. Our wonderful and popular range of Masquerade Ball props and room dressing are mainly tailored to these colours, but our workshop wizards are very handy in creating bespoke props for particular colour schemes so we can do pretty much anything that is desired – for example you may fancy a Black and Silver theme at your Masquerade Ball which would look simply fabulous!

So let’s talk about what we could potentially do for your upcoming themed event…

Starting from the basics, we can supply simple Masquerade Ball prop hire all of which are listed in our website so you can individually pick your favourites – you can actually download our price list direct from our website too, follow this link! Props range from VIP Entrance Ways to standalone props such as our fantastic Giant Eye Mask Props – these are my absolute favourite props, they look so stunning in any scenario, especially if you invest in a couple of up-lighters to go with them. From there, you may fancy a feature backdrop to create a photo opportunity or to highlight your live band up on stage.  We have a super range of Masquerade themed backdrops available for hire, again all available on our website. 

If you need more than just ‘Prop Hire’ we can offer a whole range of different services straight from our ‘bulging at the seams’ warehouse.  We have a massive stock of Table Linen and Chair Covers which really do transform any venue space into a magical themed event – simple Black Chair Covers with a Silver Sash through to something a little more wacky like our Purple Chair Covers with Gold Band – a popular choice for Masquerade Ball or even a Bollywood themed event (new theme page coming soon)!  Table Centres are the next move and we can offer all things illuminated or something a little more classic in the form of Candelabra.

Have you seen our mega range of Masquerade Ball entertainers too – these are a must have at any Masked Ball. Our beautiful Black & White Masquerade Stilt Walkers and intriguing Contact Jugglers are both popular choices serving different elements of an event.  Our elegant Masquerade Living Statues are also worlds apart and are definitely worth considering.

As a company we always offer a fully delivered and installation service with collection after the event finishes – this allows us to be creative with lighting and add in those personal touches to make your event really pop! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – it’s the lighting that will make the difference between a good looking party and a magical, sparkly and atmospheric event that will be the talk of the town for years to come.

So if you’re planning a Masquerade Ball and need some inspiration, I certainly hope this has helped. We have many more themes listed on our website that are sure to get those creative juices flowing nicely. Do give us a call or drop us an email if you would like any further information on any aspect of your upcoming event – we’d be delighted to speak with you.

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

Or you can follow us on twitter @steelcitypromo or facebook!

Popular theme ideas for Christmas Parties 2014

The aim on our blog is always to inspire and dazzle with new event ideas and creative touches. That’s why we thought we’d encourage you to start thinking about this years’ Christmas Party with some top tips and trends for themed events throughout 2014.

The classic traditions for Christmas parties tend to be our Secret Agent, Hollywood, Masquerade Ball and Hollywood themes.  These all capture a wide range of audiences and are flexible to the needs of everyone – they’re not about crazy dressing up (unless you really want to) and can just be about glamour! Don your tuxedo and dance the night away with a Live Band or DJ. A classic Christmas Party suitable for everyone.

The most popular Christmas theme is always the classic Winter Wonderland – elegant, twinkling and oh so festive, this theme oozes beauty, creativity and really brings the true meaning of the Christmas Party.  We have a shed load (literally – more like a warehouse) full of Winter themed props including Sparkling White Star Cloth, Huge Stalagmite Props and Silver Flying Reindeer. They hang around (really, the reindeers really do hang!) all year waiting for this special time of year - our Winter themed props really do set the scene! Our Winter Wonderland Performers are the icing on the cake when it comes to this festive theme – Ice Pixie Living Statues and Candy Cane Stilt Walkers are just the start!

Of course, there is always plenty of room to be outlandish at Christmas, and why the heavens not! A trendy theme for Christmas 2013 and indeed 2014 is definitely our Willy Wonka themed events.  Linking back to Christmas with Giant Oversized Candy Props and bright colours – this theme really does stand out to us as one of the front runners this year!  Great entertainment in the form of Parma Violet Hostesses and Oompa Loompas will really bring this theme to life.

Dates are filling up for December but we still have plenty of availability to accommodate you and your colleagues – give us a call or drop us an email and we’ll send you over some ideas that are sure to whip last years’ festivities into shape! 

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

Or you can follow us on twitter @steelcitypromo or facebook!

Bespoke Conference Sets!

A tailored conference and bespoke team building event saw us head to Reading a couple of weeks ago.  This event had been in the pipeline for quite a while and certainly took some head scratching.  The conference part – a straight forward daytime business meeting with AV, Back Projection Screens, (lots of) microphones and a stage and set.  We had to set off the day before so we could gain access to the venue super early for the conference build.  With the conference starting mid-afternoon, it meant we had plenty of time to iron out any niggling problems and tweak the AV so it was perfect.

The Team Building event was the tricky part – an evening Deal or no Deal type set up complete with Brick Wall effect backdrops, AV graphics, the bankers phone and a whole load of red boxes that could be used for 3 different rounds.   With real cash prizes up for grabs courtesy of the client, the attendees and chosen contestants loved this unique team building exercise.

A recent Hawaiian themed event back in March followed on from their afternoon Surf themed conference – we designed and printed some cool set pieces to include the company’s logo and make it personal to them. 

We can design and print pretty much any logo / themed requirement onto our great and unique crease-free backdrop systems. This enables you to jazz up any conference or build a magnificent themed event using your own designs. Recent designs include bespoke logo boards for conferences, the Brick Wall Effect Backdrops mentioned earlier, some fantastic Shoji Screens (great for conference sets or Dragons Den style team builds) and a great new Las Vegas themed backdrop.

More themed events and exciting news still to come – we’ll keep you updated over the coming weeks of all our happenings! In the meantime, if you have an event enquiry, give us a call on 0800 840 2114 or drop us an email: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

007 Stunt Team brings it to Guildford!

My oh my we’ve been super busy bees these last few weeks – moving warehousing space, moving offices alongside a heap load of crazy eventing! We’re back in business now though with some serious news and blogging catch ups…

A recent 007 themed event has reinforced our love for this great theme choice!  Working in a fabulous venue in Guildford – G-LIVE, meant we had heaps of space for fabulous props, lighting and our fabulous 007 Stunt Show.  The event kicked off to a great start with our stunt men doubling up as security personnel and checking in guests as they entered the building; standing under our huge Golden Gun archway really set the scene and created a wonderful photo opportunity and first impression.  As guests entered the main reception room that we had filled with Backlit 007 Silhouettes, cool lighting and of course our striking and ever so popular 007 backdrop, there were ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ a plenty! Illuminated Martini Glasses were present on each table, adding extra depth to the lighting effects in the room.  Once dinner was coming to an end, in burst our 007 Stunt Team – a fantastic addition to any 007 themed event and such a crowd pleaser! The guests loved every minute and we’ve had some glorious feedback:

‘I just wanted to say a very big thank you to you, Matt and your team for providing such a fantastic service and helping to make the evening a great success.

The props were all great and the stunt team put on a really great show. I really liked the way they wrote the key facts about Mike our victim into the script.

Please pass my thanks to Matt who did a great job at orchestrating the whole evening and ensuring everything went well.

I would be very pleased to endorse your company should you like us to and I hope we can use your team again next year.’

Always lovely to hear great feedback from our clients – makes our day so it does!!!

So among all the Bond madness, we’ve had some other great themes going on too.  We produced a great New York / Wall Street themed event a couple of weeks ago down in Guildford (again, actually!).  Our Statue of Liberty stood pride of place and we personalised up our Illuminated Martini Glass Table Centre Pieces with iridescent Dollar Signs to match in with the theme – we’ll do anything to go that extra mile!

We also managed a large Willy Wonka themed event down in Brighton towards the end of April 2014 – this was a fantastic event where we provided heaps of Chocolate Factory props, Confectionery Stalls and Willy Wonka entertainers.  Our Oompa Loompa Characters were a sight to behold, causing mischief throughout the event with our Willy Wonka Look-a-Like (Johnny Depp) hosting the night. A wonderful theme and definitely one of our favourites – looking a popular choice for this year’s festivities too!

We’ve had a massive range of performers out and about over recent weeks too – Pirate Stilt Walkers in Cambridge, Contact Jugglers and Masquerade Living Tables in Manchester and Bouncing Bunnies in Sheffield just to name a few – all bringing joy and entertainment to the masses!

So, just a little update from recent weeks – there's plenty more we could talk about too but must get on…in the next couple of days we’ll tell you all about a bespoke conference and team build that we produced this week just gone – watch this space!

Havi

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

Or you can follow us on twitter @steelcitypromo or facebook!

Ideas for a Summer Event!

Ok, so after yesterdays’ Christmassy reminder, we thought today we needed some summering fun! Here are some great ideas for a Summer Ball or BBQ over the coming months…

The Circus Theme

Roll up, Roll up – the Circus is in town – a great theme for all sorts of Summer Balls as the Circus just oozes outdoor-ness and brings back wonderful childhood memories.  Create a Big Top effect with the use of a marquee or ceiling drapes, incorporate quirky over-sized Circus props such as our rather magnificent Cannons (did we tell you they were recently featured on The Muppets Most Wanted film?).  This theme can be packed full of entertainment from the gregarious host that is the Ringmaster himself to Dancing Girls, Contact Jugglers, Contortionists and Stilt Walkers – the list is endless.

Western Theme

Yeehaaaa! Whether you’re organising an indoor or an outdoor event, this theme will suit either.  Our rustic props and theming will create the authentic Western feel needed for an event down in the Wild Wild West. Entertainment wise, Can Can Dancers are the perfect choice and plenty of fun too – they’ll meet and greet guests and perform a routine for everyone’s entertainment a little later on.

Alice in Wonderland Theme

Quirky, Kitsch and oh so beautiful – a contrast to the entertainment packed themes above, the Alice in Wonderland theme is elegant and sophisticated.  Perfect for a garden party or afternoon tea party in the Summer sun, this theme lends itself to the Summer months.  Our range of over-sized props and funky room dressing will transform your venue space into your very own Mad Hatters Tea Party.  We have some rather fabulous entertainers for this theme too – what Alice in Wonderland themed event would be complete without a Mad Hatter Look-a-Like, the Queen of Hearts in the form of a Contortionist and a pair of lively Bouncing Bunny Stilt Walkers?!

Brazilian Theme

Wonderfully apt for the next couple of years due to the Rio 2014 World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympics our Brazilian theme is sure to tickle your fancy over the coming months.  Choose from a range of great Brazilian themed backdrops and props and a stunning selection of Carnival performers.  This theme is set to be vibrant, colourful and musical and a whole lot of fun!

For more themed inspiration visit the themed events section on our website or click here! We’d love to chat through some ideas for your event so feel free to get in touch.

Havi

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

Or you can follow us on twitter @steelcitypromo or facebook!

The 'C' Word

I know we all hate thinking too far in advance about Christmas, but trust me when I say it’s much better to get in there early, plan your Christmas Party, then you can sit back and relax in the knowledge that it’s all done and dusted.  Many people are left disappointed when they plan a last minute Christmas Party and find that availability is limited for their chosen date – especially if the theme they’ve chosen is a popular Christmas theme.

So, what are our top tips for organising the most fantastical Christmas Party that is bound to top last year….

Top Tip Number 1 – Be Unique

Christmas is renowned for being one of the busiest times in the event industry, which unfortunately means that as much as we’d like to accommodate every single event we get approached about, our props only stretch so far.  How about picking a mid-week date or even a Sunday – these are much less popular so availability on props and performers is much greater than on a Friday or Saturday evening. If you’re tied to a weekend date, never fear, but why not choose a theme that is a little less Christmassy and a little more quirky for the time of year. Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory or a Wild West themed event would certainly create a bit of a buzz around the event, much less popular in December than the Winter Wonderland or the Traditional Christmas theme and your guests will love it! Remember, be unique!

Top Tip Number 2 – Think About Lighting

At Steel City Promotions we don’t half love a bit of lighting and we cannot stress how much it can bring any event to life.  You can cram as many props and dressing in there as you like, but without the correct lighting it can fall a bit flat.  A simple up-lighting pack to highlight chosen props and pick out venue features will create a massive difference.  We have a huge stock of up-lighters in house as well as the more intelligent moving heads and special effect lighting that can really add the WOW factor.

Top Tip Number 3 – Get In There Early

I’m not exaggerating when I say people book their Christmas parties in January. I’m not suggesting you need to book in everything or even decide upon a theme this early but by all means you can pencil in the date with the venue and the suppliers you want to use.  If you’re not THAT keen on getting in there this early (it can be a little extreme for some), do start thinking about it by about June, even just compiling some ideas will help you get inspired.   By about September you should really be thinking about nailing down that date and getting the most part of your event booked in.

Just a few thoughts to get those creative juices flowing for the 2014 party season…give us a call if we can be of assistance this year! We’ve a great selection of themed props, lighting and entertainment options to choose from, for many many different themes.

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

Or you can follow us on twitter @steelcitypromo or facebook!

The Brazilian!

This weeks’ blog is dedicated to the wondrous theme that is our brand new Brazilian Carnival theme – it’s ‘Braziliant’! Sorry…dad joke…moving on!

With the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro all coming up, this theme is predicted to sky rocket in the popularity stakes and we’re already noticing a heavy interest in our range of Brazilian Carnival props and theming.

We can do magic things with drapes and lighting to transform even the most drab of venues into something completely unique and memorable.  Linen for tables and chairs will neutralise the look of the venue and create a great base to add in the Carnival themed props. These can then be used to dress entrance ways, drinks receptions and stage areas – you could even have yourself some funky Rio themed table centre pieces.  Props like our Giant Glitzy Eye Masks and Christ the Redeemer scream Rio Carnival and are the perfect addition up on stage.  If you’re not keen on these, our fabulous range of Rio themed backdrops will definitely whet your appetite.  

Our gregarious Carnival performers are definitely something to behold.  Stilt Walkers and our range of Feather Showgirls are a must have and will be talking point among your guests for a long time to come.

Whatever you do, whether it’s just a few props or a full themed room set…when it comes to theming any event – don’t forget the lighting! Perfect for washing the venue in colour, creating atmosphere and ambience as well as highlighting props and picking out venue features. 

Check out the other themes that we offer, listed on our website. Coming soon...Superhero, Narnia and American Diner.

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

A Winter Wonderland update...

We have been crazy busy with all sorts of things over the last few weeks, so much so that we’ve not even had a chance to update you!

We were part of a rather fabulous New York themed event down in London at the Langham Hotel.  This theme is a popular choice this year and we have a great range of props and entertainment options to choose from – suitable for all sorts of different events and New York themed parties.  Check out our magnificent Statue of Liberty Living Statue – she’s a must have for your drinks reception, a real stunner!

We’ve been getting stuck into Winter Wonderland throughout February – a few different events have taken place with this as the theme! It’s such a pretty theme to have for any event that we’d do it all year long if it was appropriate!! Hey, who needs appropriate – give us a call if you want a summer Winter Themed Ball!! One of the Winter events that we were part of was a huge charity ball for The Lullaby Trust – a wonderful charity.  We helped out with entertainment in the form of Casino Tables and dressed the drinks reception area with our icy props – our Ice Palace Entrance Arch was a real talking point! The event was an amalgamation help from different companies and it was a real pleasure to be a part of it.  You can view a short video of the event here!

In contrast to our Winter Wonderland theme, at the weekend, we did our very first Hawaiian themed party – a great theme to choose and as the weather has been beautiful for the last few days, this really added to the day.  The client had a conference during the day, with a surf themed message – their keynote speaker was shipped in from California and is a massive name in the Surfing industry.  We provided all the AV and technical support needed including a must have separate screening for the Ireland-Italy 6 Nations Rugby match in the afternoon.  The evening kicked off with Hawaiian themed cocktails and a whole load of room theming and entertainment.  We brought along a Surf Simulator which everyone had a ball on and the room was dressed in brightly coloured linen, Hawaiian themed props and unique Hawaiian table centre pieces. Look out for this fab theme - coming soon to the website! 

As well as all the events we have been doing we have been all over the UK, in meetings with clients about this years’ Christmas! I know, I know…we shouldn’t be mentioning the ‘C’ word in March but hey, you have to get in there early to get the best dates and the best props! If you’re thinking about a potential Christmas Party and need some ideas – just give us a call or an email and we’ll send over some ideas.

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

Or you can follow us on twitter @steelcitypromo or facebook!

Roll up, Roll up for our Circus themed events....

It’s been a busy January in the events world and we have been all over with different prop packages, funky entertainment and themed stage sets. The theme of the month seemed to be a tie between glamorous Hollywood and 007 – BUT we talk waaaaay too much about this pair of themes, so today’s blog is dedicated to…wait for it…the CIRCUS!!!!!

Remember last year when our great huge Circus Cannon Props went to Pinewood Studios for the filming of an upcoming movie....Well, they’re off again – a popular choice in the film industry it seems!  This time they’re off to Longcross Film Studios for the filming of a, well...film (it’s all very hush hush at the moment) but it’s all very exciting! Keep checking back for more news on our very fabulous Cannons!

The Circus theme is not only popular among the big movie stars; there is certainly a buzz about it for this coming year.  We have some wonderful Circus themed props to transform your event space into a magical Big Top or Carnival scene and we have mesmerising, super talented Circus performers to bring it all-together too.  From towering Circus Stilt Walkers to unbelievable Contortionists, and what Circus themed event would be complete without the Ring Master Himself – our range of performers will blow your guests away with their heaps of talent and Circus skills.

Our Circus themed props can be hired individually or as a whole lot in order to recreate the magic of the Circus. Our Baby Elephant prop comes with his very own plinth and our draping kits can be used in various ways, for example, as a stunning Circus ‘Big Top’ style backdrop or entrance.  You could even ‘sell’ tickets from our traditional ticket booth and hand out candy floss from our themed Candy Floss Stall.  Don’t forget to tie it all in with some funky Circus lighting to really bring the whole event together. You can view our full range of Circus themed props here!

So, that’s a little bit about our Circus themed events – this one is going to be big this year, so if you’re planning a Circus themed party and you fancy some extra props or performers (or both) to add a bit of sparkle, then you can contact us using the methods below;

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

Or you can follow us on twitter @steelcitypromo or facebook!

New Year, New Themes!

A new year and a whole host of new themes are due to be added to our website.  We have props, theming and room dressing for many more themes than are currently listed on our website due to bespoke builds, one-off events and quirky client needs.  SO, we are starting 2014 as we mean to go on and shouting about our BRAND NEW THEMES!

We’ve got fabulous Bollywood room dressing, traditional seaside props and Brazilian Carnival theming; American Diner furniture, Jungle Animals and dare I say it, even more Santas Grotto and Winter Wonderland props all waiting to attend events this coming year.  Keep your eyes peeled for updates, pictures and information on these brilliant themes (and others) over the coming few weeks.

In the meantime, we’re off to attend a busy weekend all over the UK – we’re sending our wonderful Wonka themed props and Hollywood room dressing over to Birmingham, our Masquerade Eye Masks and stunning Masquerade Living Statues up to Glasgow, some Illuminated Table Centres and draping over to Doncaster, our 007 theming is off down to Derby and we’ve a fabulous Las Vegas party going on in the West Midlands too! Phew – best get that kit prepared; it’s like a Christmas weekend all over again!

We’re on facebook and twitter @steelcitypromo – give us a follow, a like or drop us an email to discuss your event needs:

E: info@steelcitypromotions.co.uk

T: 0800 840 2114

The Masquerade Ball stole the show....

In the last week of December 2013 and before we had our well-deserved rest over Christmas, we had a great range of events all over the country.  It’s fantastic and mixes things up a bit when we have lots of different themes going out.  It means we get a good stock of photos to show you too!

A fabulous Masquerade Ball Christmas Party took place in Sheffield and our room dressing, table centres and new Giant Eye Masks were set to impress.  Our Black & Gold Draped Entrance prop created the intrigue necessary for this theme, closing off the main dining room from guests until their big reveal.  Our Masquerade Living Statue and Masquerade Stilt Walkers welcomed and entertained guests whilst they sipped their arrival drinks. In the main room, our unique feather and mask Illuminated Table Centre Pieces, room lighting and draped backdrop created the look the client was going for. Our Giant Eye Masks certainly were the star of the show!

We also took a whole load of Chocolate Factory props down to Warwick in December – I mean, the van was bursting full of goodies!! We acquired some new props for this theme recently which meant that they could help in making this event a success.  Our new Giant Toadstool Seating went down a treat in amongst our grass cubes. 

Hollywood Glamour was a popular theme in December 2013 – we’ve got some great new Film Reel Table Centres which have been a favourite with our clients.  Our Hollywood theme is an all year round theme of choice with awards ceremonies, Christmas parties and conferences.

Our 007 theme is always a popular one too – we did a jam packed 007 themed Christmas party in Reading complete with 007 themed props, room dressing, lighting and entertainers.  Our gorgeous girls donned their Black & Pink Feathers and were on hand to meet and greet the party goers, whilst our spoof paparazzi snapped away as they strolled up the red carpet.

A great run of events – our guys we’re after some long sleeps come December 23^rd. 

For all event news, pictures and updates you can follow us on twitter @steelcitypromo or visit our facebook page.  We’re always creating new props and developing new themes, so keep your peepers peeled!

Themed events in 2013

It’s been an age since we updated you on our goings on but we’ve been so busy with December events followed by (I’m sure you’ll all agree) a well-deserved break over Christmas and New Year. We’re back in the swing of things now though and thought we’d dazzle you with the news of latest themed event happenings!  So, let me pick up where we left off, back in Mid-December…..

Amongst all the 007 themed events and the Hollywood Awards ceremonies, we had a few more unusual themes going on.  Down in Slough we packed in some mega Bollywood room dressing transforming a plain white venue into something unrecognisable.  All about vibrant colours, interesting fabrics and immense music and dancing, this theme is sure to bring a smile to anyone.  This particular event saw us use alternate pink and purple linen, ceiling hung drapes and fairy lights, authentic Moroccan table centre pieces and standalone Bollywood themed props.

Straight from Bollywood, we made our way a little bit further around the M25 to Esher, Surrey where we brought the 1950’s Diner alive! Star Cloth on all four walls and gentle mood lighting neutralised the space in the first instance then Chequered Table Cloths and our funky red chair covers really did make the room feel like an American Diner. Our quirky, edible Diner themed table centre pieces went down a treat too.  The bar area in the venue was pretty dull looking and didn’t really fit in with the American Diner theme that the client wished for, so we produced a bespoke pair of ‘Diner’ bar signs and chequered vinyl to wrap the whole bar back and frontage. Here’s a before and after, mid-build at the event:

Meanwhile – up in Sheffield we installed our FABULOUS, brand spanking new Giant Eye Mask props for a run of Christmas Parties.  We had great fun playing with sequins and glitter and these Masquerade Ball props have proved worth every second of time – they’re so popular we had to make even more than we planned!  

Amongst all of this madness, we also had some super Winter Wonderland theming going on and some rather glamorous 1920’s dressing happening too.  More about this and other December events in the next instalment…keep your eyes peeled!

Check out our facebook page and twitter feed (@steelcitypromo) for updates, pictures and event news over the coming months.