Philadelphia Women's Journal - http://www.pwjournal.com
The HEART & SOUL of the Party
http://www.pwjournal.com/articles/45/1/The-HEART-amp-SOUL-of-the-Party/Page1.html
Melanie Rice
Melanie Rice is the owner and President of MRE/ Melanie Rice Entertainment. MRE has been producing unforgettable events for corporations and individuals for over 15 years.

Integrity, creativity and flawless execution are just some of the elements we put into creating the total event experience.

Visit our website for more information – www.melanierice.com

Email: contactus@melanierice.com or call 609.748.3900

 
By Melanie Rice
Published on 04/1/2008
 
Music is the HEART of any party…the driving force that sets the mood and creates lasting memories. Specialty entertainment and performance artists can be the extra touch that takes your party from ordinary to extraordinary. At MRE we specialize in creating unforgettable events...

Planning a special event, be it a social event or a corporate Gala can be a daunting task. The music and entertainment are truly the Heart & Soul of the event so choosing wisely can be crucial to its success. It’s important when you’re in the planning stages to seek out the help of professionals who can assist you in not only finding what fits your budget, but what fulfills the vision of how you see your event coming to life!

Music is the HEART of any party…the driving force that sets the mood and creates lasting memories. Specialty entertainment and performance artists can be the extra touch that takes your party from ordinary to extraordinary. At MRE we specialize in creating unforgettable events, by consulting with you from concept to execution…listening to what your needs are and coming up with creative solutions to bring your vision to life.

Most events have some type of entertainment, and participants usually happily anticipate the entertainment portion of the program. The most important thing to remember when selecting your entertainment is to focus on choosing the entertainment that is most appropriate and will appeal the most to the group of attendees or guests in question.

Ask yourself what kind of event you are holding: is it social, arty or corporate (or a mixture of all three?) Is it casual or formal? What is the age range of your guests? What is appropriate for one audience may be totally inappropriate for another. Whichever form of entertainment you choose, make sure that there are formal guidelines in place as to the content of the material or music contained in the performances (make sure you also inform the emcee of any restrictions or potentially taboo subjects).

If you desire live music, selecting the right band can be one of the most crucial decisions you make. Music makes the party, but more than that, the bandleader who directs the flow of the party can be the difference between a good band and a great band. Lots of bands can make great music, but not all bands can make a great party. The key difference is in the person who calls the shots. A great bandleader will direct the flow of the party as well as structure the right mix of music for your crowd. He or she can bring a party from dull to dazzling by assessing the group, building the excitement on the dance floor and working hand in hand with your caterer to create a party flow that will get and keep your guests dancing all night long! Interviewing the bandleader in advance of booking the band can make a world of difference in assuring that you’ve chosen well and that your party will run flawlessly and exceed your expectations. Be sure to check out references and ask if they are fully insured. At MRE we have some of the most talented performers in the tri-state area, and we have experience with creating events that feature a wide range of entertainers. After you have analyzed your audience (and your budget), contact us for a free, no obligation consultation to help you put together the perfect mix of entertainment elements that will create the heart and soul of your party.

 Read What Our Clients Have To Say About Us . . . 

Dear Melanie,

Just a note to thank you for the great music provided by MRE Strolling Strings and Elan Jazz Quartet at our Merck party on January 25th at The Franklin Institute. Both ensembles were a big hit and contributed to a very successful celebration. It was a tremendous pleasure doing business with you! We’ll be in touch for next year’s event!

– Ed McWilliams,

Merck Research Labs

* * *

Dear Melanie,

Now that the holidays are over, we want to THANK YOU and your talented company for the excellent New Year’s Eve program that you put together for our “Moulin Rouge” Gala. The thought and care you put into the music, costumes, dancers and singers were most evident. Our Management Team as well as our valued customers thoroughly enjoyed the presentations. As always, you have come through for us no matter what the request. Again many thanks!

– Duane Leeds,

Showboat Casino Hotel

* * *

Thank you for everything you and your staff did to make this year’s Fantasy Auction benefiting UCP a great success! The crowd danced the night away and everyone had a marvelous time.

The night was filled with a sense of celebration thanks to MRE. We truly appreciate your professionalism. We look forward to working with you again next year!

– Willa Kravitz and Mary Jane Romejko
United Cerebral Palsy of Philadelphia

* * *

Dear Melanie,

Thank you so much for providing us with the perfect music for our annual picnic. The band added spice to an already beautiful day. They were great! All you had to do was close your eyes and you actually believed you were on the sandy beach in the Caribbean! I have been hearing compliment after compliment for the last two days. Thank you so much for making my job so much easier!

– Rita Johanson, Comcast-Spectacor, Philadelphia Flyers

* * *

Dear Melanie,
 
On behalf of the Anniversary Gala Committee and Sanofi-Aventis, we would like to thank you for doing such a fantastic job at our 30th Anniversary Gala. You and your band members were a major contributor in making the gala a tremendous success!
 
Thank you for being so easy to work with, your professionalism and your ability to get everyone on the dance floor! We have received wonderful response to our band selection and will be calling you for next year’s event.
 
Thanks again!
 
 – Paul Sudzina, Sanofi-Aventis