15 Entertainment Ideas Guaranteed To Wow Your Guests

Your next event is fast approaching - you've found the venue, selected the perfect menu, and you know the decor is going to look fabulous - in short, your event is destined to be the talk of the town, right? Not so fast, what about entertainment for your guests? Let's avoid the snooze-fest. We've got so many fun, entertainment options right here in the Toronto, there's no excuse for hosting a dull event. To make things easy, we've rounded up some of the most unique entertainment ideas in the city for your perusal. Happy hunting!

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A²D² ~ Aerial Dance Cirque Co.

This'll get your guests talking! From a full acrobatic show to aerial beverage pourers, A2D2~ Aerial Dance Cirque Co. is sure to dazzle and amaze your guests. For venues without rigging capabilities, A²D² has created some truly phenomenal ground acts as well: strolling tables, themed greeters, and digital pixel dancers, all dressed to compliment your decor. These performances need to be seen to be believed! Pricing: Starts at $1,500

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Bongo & B

Toronto's Bongo & B Entertainment can provide a variety of entertainment from sizzling Brazilian samba to high energy drum performances or classical jazz ensembles! Not only do they do live performances, they also offer some of the best DJ's in the city. These guys are sure to help make your event a memorable one! Pricing: Varies. Contact for details. [vendor_shortcuts]

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Creativiva

Photo courtesy of Creativiva.ca Whether you’re looking for performers covered entirely in mirrors, dramatic aerial performers, or fully customized extravaganzas, no idea is impossible at Creativiva. Their artistic team is guaranteed to come up with something wicked to wow your guests! Pricing: Starts at $10,000

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HIM Entertainment

Ahem. Who says you have to go to Las Vegas for a your very own "Magic Mike" show? HIM Entertainment is ready, willing, and able to cater to your oh-so-discerning entertainment and staffing needs. From bachelorette parties to corporate events, the gorgeous, athletic, and charming guys of HIM Entertainment will definitely make sure that your guests are never bored, thirsty, or deprived of eye candy. Pricing: Starts at $75/hour, per staffer

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TI Bots

Photo Courtesy of Yavorskiy Studio Ever thought of having a robot at your event? It's possible! TI Bots 8 and 10 foot LED Robot Performers for musical festivals, nightclubs, weddings, and corporate events - cool right? The LED Robot has more than 1,000 LED lights programmable as different colors and displays. Guests will be lined up for their selfies. Pricing: Starts at $600

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Ray Chance Illusionist

If you're mesmerized by magic tricks and illusions, Illusionist Ray Chance may just be perfect fit for your event! This guy has exploded to the forefront of magic with his own brand of extreme illusions. Ray's high energy, audience interactive show includes grander illusions and mental-ism, PLUS, he'll even make your guests the star of the show! Pricing: Starts at $500/hr

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Fun Flower Stand

Willow and Stems is a fairly new and unique service for weddings -using flowers as a means to bring your guests together. As soon as guests arrive, they are greeted with a beautifully decorated stand full of fresh flowers -- adorable, right? Fun Flower Stand adorns every one of your guests with their choice of flowers in a whichever form that they choose to wear them: it could be a boutonniere, corsage, flower crown, hair band, or a hair comb! Pricing: Starts at $1,100

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 Glisse On Ice

Although ice skating is typically reserved for cold arenas or winter days, Chantal Fry of Glisse on Ice Shows had a dream to bring skating to unconventional places. To make this dream a reality, she created a synthetic indoor skating stage that she and her team (The Glisse Girls) have performed on all over the city and around the world! From individual performances to group numbers, there is definitely a style to fit the theme of your event! Pricing: Starts at $1,000

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 Live Event Artist - Olga Pankova

When your event is finished, all you have to remember it by are memories and photos. But what about something even more special? Olga Pankova - Live Event Artist is a talented Toronto artist who creates breathtaking paintings live at your wedding. From capturing elaborate backdrops and decor to a beautiful first dance, her pieces are truly unique and one of a kind! Pricing: Starts at $1,700

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Mega Magic - Mike D'Urzo

Mega Magic - Mike D'Urzo is an international award winning magician and mentalist. His unique style of magic and a modernized approach have made him a popular form of entertainment at virtually every type of event - he will definitely have your guests talking long after your event is over! Pricing: Starts at $1,500

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Blackout Flair

 specializes in making fantastic drinks with style. I'm talking bartenders who put on a show as they serve alcoholic beverages to your guests! Does it get much better than that? We don't think so. Pricing: Starts at $450

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Blue Star Pyrotechnics

Photo Courtesy of Oak & Myrrh Photography  Fireworks are always a great touch to add excitement to your wedding or event! Toronto's own, Blue Star Pyrotechnics can provide an electrified, long lasting, and memorable fireworks display. They differentiate themselves by customizing the show to your requirements using the latest advanced technology. Pricing: Starts at $2,500

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Your Private Dancers

This trio of Toronto break dancers are looking to bring a style of dance once reserved for street performance into the mainstream. Your Private Dancers will work with you to create a custom routine for your wedding or event and can even teach your wedding party or guests a few moves! Pricing: Varies. Contact for details.

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 Viva Mexico Mariachi

Photo courtesy of Viva Mexico Mariachi  Care for some Mexican samba at your next event? Viva Mexico Mariachi's music styles range from slow ballads to up temp traditional dance music all played on standard mariachi instruments and accompanied by their talented singers. Comprised of talented musicians from many diverse backgrounds, the group brings the sounds of Mexico right to your event! Pricing: Varies. Contact for details.

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 2DHouse

Photobooths are a super popular wedding and event trend. If you want to push the envelope and really get your guests pumped, why not try a slow motion video booth? Lead by the pros at 2DHouse, your guests will be filmed doing things that seem ordinary like flipping their hair, blowing up balloons, and dancing. That's when the magic happens! The video is slowed down and set to the song of your choice and the result is a hilarious video that you will be sharing and watching for years! Pricing: Varies. Contact for details.

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Can you think of any other unique entertainment companies in Toronto? Let us know in the comments below.  

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An Annual Open House at the Historic Burroughes Building

Known for its stellar loft space and stunning rooftop views, The Burroughes is a unique and popular event space found in the heart of downtown Toronto. Their annual Open House is always a killer party and this year did not disappoint! This 6,000 square-foot blank canvas space features exposed brick, original hardwood floors, post and beam, and large windows overlooking downtown Toronto. The venue is a versatile space that can be transformed into a dramatic backdrop for any type of event such as social, corporate, exhibitions, weddings and creative events alike. It was certainly a beautiful backdrop to this party! With delicious bites from some of the city's finest Caterers, trendy interactive stations and lush floral from Hunt and Gather, guests enjoyed all that this venue had to offer in one night. People were raving all night about the festivities and luckily Olive Photography was there to capture it all. [vendor_shortcuts]elle cuisine featured passed canapes and a beautiful station that was a feast for the eyes and belly. Their passed canapes packed a punch, including Jerk Marinated Prawns, Yorkshire Pudding, and Kung Pao Cauliflower. Their interactive station featured two types of Gnocchi - handmade herb-infused Gnocchi with house made Chicken Chorizo Sausage, and handmade Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi with San Marzano Tomato Sauce and house made Ricotta Cheese. Delish! en Ville Event Design and Catering brought some Asian flair with their Bao Slider Station. Fluffy fresh steamed Mantou Buns were filled with a choice of roasted Pork Belly or Fried Tofu. Accompanied by pickled Carrot Slaw, Hoisin Sauce, Scallion, Silantro, Sichuan Chili Sauce and Bean Sprouts, it was both fun and easy to eat. Mini bites are always popular at events. Marigolds & Onions had a beautiful display of bite-size treats, including a Smoked Salmon Medelaine and Mini Profiteroles filled with Blueberry, Raspberry and Vanilla Mousse. They were almost too cute to eat! Did someone say bacon? Encore Catering had fragrant mini bites to feast on. Their Jamon + Date was a crowd favourite, featuring a Bacon-Wrapped Date (so unique!). Guests also got to try a passed Vegetable Pakora with Mint Tamarind Chutney and Raita dipping sauces. Sometimes when you go to a cocktail reception, you worry there won't be enough substantial food. But Food Dudes did not disappoint! Their Lobster Queso and BBQ Burgers were a huge hit, especially when grilled to order. Poke Bowls have taken Toronto by storm, so it would only be appropriate to have a Poke station! Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events set up their own take on a Tuna Poke Bowl station, giving guests an elevated take on a popular, low-key dish. ProvisionsTO delighted guests with a deconstructed Tortilla bowl with Korean Braised Beef Short Ribs, garnished with Ginger Scallion Slaw, Kimchi and fresh Cucumber. Such a fun take on Asian-fusion! Presidential Gourmet treated guests to both savoury and sweet dishes. On the savoury side, their Huli Hulli Chicken on Hawaiian Fried Rice: a comforting dish with a nice crunch. For sweets, they showcased an oversized Macaron Petit Gateau with Raspberries and Pineapple Crème Fraiche Ganache. For those who wanted some greens, Sublime Catering's Live Salad Green Station was a fun take on the traditional salad. Harvested live greens were mixed with a wide selection of toppings to create the perfect salad, including Sous Vide Poached Egg, house made Salmon Gravlax, Maple Roasted Pork Belly, and puffed Wild Rice. Up on the rooftop, Drake Catering offered both food and drink. Their food station featured a vibrant Sweet Potato Crostini with Stracciatella, Persimmon Agrodolce, Raw Asparagus, and Fish Roe. Guests enjoyed a cocktail, featuring ginger beer, whiskey and custom mixed bitters. Some fantastic prizes were up for grabs, as is custom every year. The prizes were set against a tropical backdrop made up of different types of foliage, perfect for the summer! Absolutely stunning set up and the prize table by All That Jaz Weddings No party is complete without live music and great drinks. Magen Boys Entertainment provided the soundtrack for the night, with live musicians on saxophone and electric violin. Over at the bar, Leave It To Us kept guests happy with drinks from Pommies Cider Co. and Ace Hill Beer. After all the savoury foods, it was time for dessert. The S'mores station from Double Chocolate Fountainwas such a hit with everyone. Interactive food stations where guests have to get involved are always a good idea. And s'mores? A great idea! Photobooths have definitely had their days at events. But Event Circle continues to push the envelope with booths to come up with fun, interactive stations. Their boomerang booth was like a life-size version of the popular Instagram feature. It was a hoot! As an event planner (oh hey, that's me!), I'm always looking for great ideas to bring to my Clients, and this event is always a fantastic jumping off point. Clients are wanting the newest, trendiest and most unique ideas, and seeing them firsthand is amazingly helpful. Speaking of ideas, I loved the string lights and the vibrant colours featured on the sample table by Chair-man Mills. Olga Pankova - Live Event Artist clearly in the zone, doing her thing I can always count on The Burroughes to put on a great event. With so many tasty treats and and a handful of talented vendors on site (can't forget about Enduring Promises or Toronto Popcorn Company), you can be sure that everyone left happy and very full. Until next time!

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The 2017 Wedding Open House at The Albany Club

When it comes to wedding venues, one of Toronto's best kept secrets is The Albany Club at King and Church. Having been founded by none other than Sir John A. Macdonald, this charmingly warm and intimate historic venue, rich in stunningly hand-crafted details, is a throwback to the architectural artistry of yesteryear. One of the venue's best features is that it caters to only one wedding at a time - a huge plus for couples, their families, and guests! This past week, I was invited to drop by the space to learn a little more about the venue's wedding offerings. A big thanks to the lovely Carmela Sagula for capturing all the stunning details. [vendor_shortcuts] Designs by Dina a preferred decor vendor, crafted lovely table and room designs in each of the event spaces. We loved the beautiful drapery over the massive windows in the main ballroom, and the fabulous embroidered overlays on the guest tables. The Stunning Welcome Wreath, made by Endless Creations by Angie, was a sweet touch. The in-house catering team pulled out all of the stops for this event. We loved the array of colourful and delicious passed canapés -- and the carving station was to die for! The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, quick to offer a smile or kind word while keeping the food stations fully refreshed throughout the evening. These little touches truly help guests feel much more welcome. Rounding out the main course, I also thoroughly enjoyed the incredible sweet table crafted by Dolcini by Joseph. Each delectable little treat was as pretty as it was delicious. Couples who have booked The Albany Club can't go wrong with any of the fine vendors on the preferred list. For example, Evolved Entertainment and Brent Miller LIVE kept the vibe fun and upbeat throughout the evening, taking turns playing crowd favourites. Guests looking for an experienced and personable officiant were able to chat with Sarah Bunnett-Gibson Wedding Officiant and her talented team. Hand lettering and calligraphy is all the rage, and the talented Doris Wai of Love Lettering thoroughly impressed guests with her Pinterest-worthy booth brimming with samples of her stunning work! Ferris Wheel Press displayed the latest in stationery and paper goods, while Olga Pankova - Live Event Artist displayed and demonstrated her unbelievable live painting skills.  The Loved One had a table display full of dainty and gorgeous pieces. You gotta love an ice luge! Throughout the evening, the hospitality team poured a glasses of champagne through a custom ice sculpture, designed by our friends at Iceguys. Guests were also sure to grab their souvenir selfies from the lovely Angel at Snapz Photo Booth before heading out! If you haven't considered the Albany Club for your wedding, you've truly overlooked a gem in Toronto! Wedding guests will be wowed by the soaring, rich architecture and all the charming details found throughout the space. Hats off to the hospitality team for putting together another fantastic wedding open house - can't wait for next year!

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