From the desk of our Creative Director
As the days start to get longer and the seasons shift towards fall, JSP starts to think about holiday parties. Maybe it seems a little early to start thinking about the holidays when it’s still beach weather, but this is the perfect time to start coordinating for your end-of-year celebration. Whether you’re planning a large company holiday party, intimate end-of-year event, or New Year’s Eve celebration, a performance from an iconic band or chart-topping singer can help make your event unforgettable.
Here are our top four tips to find the right talent and ensure your holiday party is a smashing success:
- Start planning early – We might be closer to Christmas in July than December 25th, but it’s best to start selecting talent as soon as possible to avoid a last-minute scramble.
- Have a realistic budget in mind – What is a number that you and your team feel comfortable with? This is usually the easiest way to begin to narrow down your top choices.
- Stay flexible – This time of year is busy for everyone – including celebrities. Performance fees shift with demand and schedules start to get packed. This is a busy time for many artists who are regrouping after a busy summer of touring.
- Think outside the box – Michael Buble and Mariah Carey are on repeat this time of year and a dance or tribute band might be a go-to, but there are many artists who can turn on a little holiday spirit, like with jazzy covers from Pink Martini or DMC performing the hip hop holiday classic “Christmas in Hollis.”
For talent, here are some of our top entertainment picks and ideas for this year’s holiday parties:
- Gabriels: Classy soulful R&B fusion with unmatched vocal talent and one of our favorite all-around artists to work with. We’ve collaborated on custom covers from Tina Turner to Elton John.
- Nile Rodgers and Chic: The ultimate party band. Nile and friends showcase Chic hits like “Le Freak” and “Good Times” among the tunes Niles wrote including Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” Beyonce’s “Cuff It,” David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and many more.
- Mayer Hawthorne (DJ Set): Hawthorne’s style is a mix of (but not limited to) disco, soul, Italo, boogie, reggae, pop, and an assortment of rhythms from around the world. He’s very charismatic on the mic, and may even perform a song or two.
- Bernadette Peters: Renowned actress and singer with a career spanning over 6 decades on broadway. She can perform a wide range of Broadway hits, pop classics, and holiday songs.
- Pink Martini: Cross-genre twists from contemporary covers to classic jazz standards. The group can scale to the right size of the event if you’re space-conscious.
- Lil Nas X: Did you know he has a holiday song. It’s called Holiday. That’s all you need to know.
- Sierra Ferrell: An office favorite of ours, Sierra Ferrell, did a sparkling cover of Brenda Lee’s classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
In addition to top singers, DJs, and bands, you can also consider other unique talent options to perform for your holiday party guests, such as top comedians or celebrity magicians. Our team of talent liaisons can help you secure the best talent options to match your event, taking into account factors like the event size or location.
Want to get a head start on planning an unforgettable event? Reach out to rachel@jspevents.com to set up a call.
Xx,
Rachel
Jay Siegan Presents, Creative Director
