- 07870 166614
- simonrees007@outlook.com
- Professional Singer South West
Private Functions
Although much of Simon’s regular work is performing his cabaret act in the hotels in and around Torbay, he keeps his weekends for Public and Private Functions. These are shared out between Club bookings and private events which can range from Weddings, Anniversaries and Birthday Parties to Corporate Dinner Dances, Charity Organisation Dinner Dances and Social group events.
Simon has illustrated below the possible evening structures of such events starting with his Wedding performances.
1. Weddings
Your evening reception is one of the most important parts of your day. It is a big part of what you and your guests will remember and is well worth investing in. Simon has written an article about Wedding Entertainment on his news page.
Simon’s aim is to work with you to create an evening filled with memorable moments and classic photo opportunities. He enjoys getting to know the characters in your wedding party and encourages you to choose songs which may have special meaning to your friends or family.
Simon always enjoys performing at wedding receptions as it is an extra special occasion and everybody is looking to enjoy themselves. He loves to involve the guests where possible, be it through serenading, dancing, or inviting them to sing, and the excitement and energy of the day really makes for a special show.
Simon will work together with you to make sure that the evening fits perfectly with the rest of your day. Couples often ask him to perform a selection of swing & easy listening numbers for the first set while guests are arriving and then a dancy/party set later in the evening to combine with a disco.
Simon is now teaming up with Crossfade Entertainments to provide a combined package of a live singer and a disco. Paul, the DJ, is also a very experienced entertainer and together, this talented duo will provide you with a full evening of fun and dancing.
It is all about creating the right atmosphere for your evening and we work closely together to ensure you get a party to remember!
General Wedding Reception Structures
For the larger wedding reception
Standard Full Evening with Disco
(7.30 til midnight)
- Background music while your guests arrive
- First set of live entertainment
(Including first dance either live or pre-recorded) - Background music during buffet
- 30 mins Disco
- Second set of live entertainment
- Great Disco to finish your evening
Part Evening
For the smaller wedding reception
Full Evening of Simon Rees with a selection of disco music
(8pm til midnight)
2. Anniversary & Birthday Parties
Simon is a very experienced entertainer and has provided the entertainment for many parties over the years. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area and prides himself on his ability to bring people together and to create that special atmosphere you need for a successful party.
It is not all about how many people are at the party or how many people are on the dance floor. It is about finding ways to engage with a group of people whose connection, more often than not, is that they are friends or family of the person whose party it is. They do not actually know each other. Also many of the family members have not seen each other for several years.
Simon’s ability to work a room and to bring a group of strangers together for a common cause is the key to his success and, no doubt, the reason why people think, by the end of the evening, that he has sprinkled magic dust in the room!
It is also important to remember that children are often as important at a party as the adults. If the children are happy then, more often than not, the adults are happy as they can relax and enjoy themselves. This is not always easy but Simon does his best to include the children where possible, especially the little ones, as they are often more susceptible to joining in and can be very entertaining!
General structure
- Background Music while guests arrive
- First set of live singing / entertainment to get to know the group (can include requests)
- Buffet
- Cutting of cake / any photos and speeches etc
- Second set of live singing / entertainment / requested disco music
- Bring the group together to finish
3. Corporate Dinner Dances, Charity Dinner Dances and Social Events
Many of these Private Events observe similar structures, they are well organised and require their entertainment to be flexible and fit in with their arrangements. Some events follow a certain protocol which it is necessary to adhere to, for example with Lions Club International, they have a drinks reception, a sit down dinner, speeches and presentations and then entertainment to finish. Simon has performed for the Lions Club on many occasions, providing the entertainment for their District and Multi-district Conventions and for a number of their Charter Dinners.
Many Social Events will have a sit down meal first and then entertainment to finish the night. Some will also have a prize draw or raffle half way through the entertainment. Normally Simon will aim to set up at around 6.30pm before the members and guests arrive so as not to disturb the event and then play any background music that may be required during the reception and meal. Quite often the entertainment will not start until about 9.45-10pm and will finish at around 11.30-midnight.
Simon has performed at the Porlock ladies night in Somerset every year for over ten years now and their event structure has changed several times. Normally now the ladies arrive at about 7.30pm, bring their own food and drink, I start at around 8pm and finish at around 11-11.30pm with a disco break in between.
The key is to remain flexible and ready to perform!