Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations are increasingly adventurous and imaginative. JLife puts its party hat on to help you mastermind a night to remember.
From photo booths to live bands, the entertainment and activities at your event can be the main dish or the sideshow, but kids are craving increasingly creative parties to impress their pals. When cake and ice cream followed by a disco will no longer do, how can you make your Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebrations stand out?
Cut the Mustard
Pink Mustard Entertainment, a recent exhibitor at The Great Bar and Bat Mitzvah Showcase, has made a name for itself by providing larger than life performers and creative entertainment for parties and events. The exciting range of acts on its roster include ‘mix and mingle’ magicians, break dancers, circus acts and DJs. JLife asked Carly Barantini, the entertainment provider’s director about what’s proving to be popular this year.
“We are seeing an increase in themed parties – après ski, circus and festival styles are just a few that we have come across,” says Carly. “This opens up the possibilities of entertainment hugely. From DJs to acrobats, guests want to be wowed from the moment they arrive.
“Fire dancers and themed stilt walkers are a great way to welcome people; visual acts and costumes that can be customised to fit any brief, these acts can really bring your ideas to life.” As for something that’s a bit different, Carly adds: “ ‘Walk about’ acts are great for interaction and entertaining the varied age groups you find at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Our LED robot has been very popular with his dance moves and LED lasers to really get the dancefloor going!
“Showgirls are also an elegant, sophisticated choice and add a hint of glamour –ideal for a 1920s or James Bond theme. Another great act being booked is professional break dancers. High energy, lots of fun and they can also teach the guests a trick or two after their performance!”
Pinkmustardentertainment.com
Up, Up and Away
Making sure your decorations are part of the fun is another way to ensure engagement from the offset, and there are increasingly elaborate ways to create the ‘wow’ factor with your décor. But why not begin by turning a simple balloon into a talking point? Nope, we’re not talking 90s favourite, the balloon animal, but a striking showpiece crafted from premium products instead.
Bubblegum Balloons specialises in providing the blow-up accessories, from bespoke, personalised and filled individual gifts to larger bouquets and bunches in flat or inflated forms, for private events.
“We’ve seen the demand for large scale balloon installations at Bat and Bar Mitzvahs increase dramatically in the past 12 months,” says Ellen Reed, Marketing Manager, “Balloons make such an impact and can work for any theme, so they’re a great solution for decorations – no matter the budget. The recent trend is to work with the light – whether that’s splattering balloons with UV paint or putting LED lights inside the balloons, it’s always a fun addition to any installation.”
Ask experts to map out the artistic designs, go DIY and create your own feature by suspending the orbs mid-air, or sign post the party with an outdoor display. You can even find handy tips and tutorials on how to create your own work of balloon art via Bubblegum Balloons’ website. Make sure you have plenty of puff…
Bubblegumballoons.co.uk
Bust a Move
Settling on a soundtrack for the big day can be stressful, especially if you’re hoping for a balance between tradition and on-trend. Online resource Last Minute Musicians features a section of klezmer bands, and includes handy information such as a price guide, review section, areas covered, recent clients, technical requirements, and sample repertoires.
Get guests, from granny to the youngest attendees, flooding the dancefloor by booking a band that can handle all the latest hits as well as klezmer classics – nobody wants to miss out on the Hora!
Lastminutemusicians.com