Finding the right performers for your party entails a bit of talent scouting, a lot of questions, and some savvy negotiation. You may have simple requirements - a single DJ, magician or a capella singer; or you may want to hire a whole line-up of performers. Whatever your needs, do your homework and start the talent search early to ensure quality entertainment at your event.

And remember - entertainment's not all about performers. There are many other means of entertaining your guests, including laser shows, pyrotechnics, jumping castles, inflatables, games and structured activities.

Entertainer checklist
Start your talent search as early in the piece as possible: it takes time to source suitable performers, watch audition tapes, attend performances and negotiate contracts. 

Line up any big names up well in advance - top acts tend to get heavily booked, especially at peak party times:

¥ get others' recommendations, and consult entertainment and talent agencies to source a broad range of performers who might suit your needs and budget;
¥ listen to recent audio and video tapes of all the entertainers on your list;
¥ where possible, attend functions at which your potential talent is performing;
¥ if needed, set up auditions with entertainers;
¥ get character references - and phone the referees;
¥ discuss playlists and music styles with bands, musical groups and djs;
¥ discuss any special requirements such as set lengths, noise restrictions, meals, breaks and overtime rates.

Types of entertainers
You could be finding one or two entertainers, or a whole line-up of them. Don't be limited in your thinking - there are many ways to entertain. Just some of the performers you could consider include:

¥ singers, bands and musical groups - classical, jazz, acoustic, exotic, Latin, funky, rock, dance, hip hop, B boys, etcetera;
¥ djs and mobile disco operators;
¥ comperes/MCs;
¥ comedians and corporate speakers;
¥ dancers of all descriptions - Latin, break, funk, belly, lambada, capeiora, African, ballroom, jazz, flamenco;
¥ ice dancers;
¥ circus-style performers - acrobats, jugglers, unicyclists, contortionists, trick riders, clowns, aerialists, stilt-walkers;
¥ drummers of all descriptions
¥ BMX or skateboard riders;
¥ sports stars, actors, models and other celebrity guests - as speakers, performers or demonstrators;
¥ fortune-tellers, crystal ball, palm and tarot readers;
¥ caricaturists, cartoonists, tattoo artists and calligraphers;
¥ animal handlers;
¥ masseurs;
¥ rollerblading or juggling wait staff, performing bartenders;
¥ hypnotists, magicians and illusionists;
¥ pyrotechnics and special effects teams;
¥ multimedia and interactives teams;
¥ leisure games and activities providers;

Games & activities
It doesn't have to be a children's party to include games and activities. Though of course, you can hire great equipment for kids' events - jumping castles, puppet theatres and the like.

For a teen or adult event, there's plenty of exciting equipment for hire, including:

¥ leisure arcade and carnival sideshow games,
¥ various sorts of sporting equipment,
¥ mini golf, croquet, and bowls,
¥ dodgem cars,
¥ mechanical bulls,
¥ casino tables,
¥ dunking machines,
¥ horizontal bungee,
¥ pi–ata in a variety of shapes,
¥ giant outdoor chess sets,
¥ an air tent,
¥ a karaoke machine,
¥ even an ice rink.

Activities could include 10-minute massages, new age treatments, onsite hair and makeup, structured theatrical or "filmmaking" activities, lambada or salsa lessons, a novelty mini-Olympics, or a mass group drumming session.

This chapter continues in Party Magazine