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October 16, 2008.
Here we are last March, entertaining at a private birthday party in the Pavillion at the San Benito County Fairgrounds, in Hollister.
This is a little beyond our customary territory, but what a celebration — like a night in Casablanca!
Set in an elegant 1930s nightclub, over a hundred close friends gathered to eat, drink, dance, and toast the guest of honor.
We were flexible that night, beginning as this quartet providing soft background during cocktails and dinner. Afterward we added a saxophone and a trumpet for some pretty lively dancing — from “Satin Doll” to “Fly Me to the Moon”.
Thanks for the nice photo, Kim.
The economy’s on everyone’s mind these days. Practically every business is affected, and I hope you’re doing fine. Sure, the budgets might be tighter now, but, as they say, “The show must go on!”
People still get married, still celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. People still gather with friends at holiday parties, and businesses still celebrate their landmarks at dinner parties.
Successful businesses are adapting to keep up. Entertainment is no exception, and I’m sure you could tell me stories about how you’re coping, too.
I see attendance at big concerts, sports events, and movies starting to reflect lower discretionary income. Free events are doing very well, thank you.
It’s the same across the board, up and down the scale, ranging from recorded music sales to booking entertainment for special events. In my line of work, I’d expect that an upscale annual banquet, which hired a 15-piece dance band last year, might today invite fewer guests and opt for a trio, or even a DJ and a fortune teller.
A few trends seem to be emerging here, and to me, they’re all about the benefits of exercising an agile mind. Quick, deep thinking seems to underlie the latest trends in party entertainment, especially music.
I certainly can’t speak for the entire field, but in my own corner — playing elegant music at weddings and parties — I see entertainers coping with two significant developments.
First, we have fewer qualified clients, most have smaller budgets, and they all want memorable parties. Second, most of our clients need to avoid appearing too extravagant.
Successful entertainers for parties are now thinking creatively of ways to add or enhance the bang for their client’s buck — providing more for less, without going broke. In many cases, this requires digging down to find out what each client REALLY wants, and “brainstorming” new, tasteful, and economical ways to make it happen.
Adding extras and some “freebies” is always possible, of course. I’m delighted to see entertainers working more closely with other event professionals, to create what their clients want. The bottom line for success these days seems to rely on our imagination, resourcefulness, and flexibility.
If you catch the band “in action” today, you’ll find us coordinating our music with a DJ, or our attire with a decorator, or the meal presentation with a caterer, or special highlights with an event planner or a photographer. Or you’ll find us playing in several locations at the facility, to help guide “traffic” and create distinctive moods throughout the event.
So here’s a tip for planning the music for your wedding or your next party. Brainstorm to offer flexibility in what music you select and how you present it. Entertain your guests with surprising combinations of what, where, and how they’ll enjoy your music.
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Meanwhile, the Magnolia Jazz Band entertains at weddings and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are ever nearby, you’ll love catching us in action, seeing and hearing us create a great mood.
How can I help you? Call 408-245-9120 or use Robbie@MagnoliaJazz.com. Planning a celebration? Ask about our availability.
