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Top Tips For Throwing An Unforgettable Holiday Bash

The holiday season is swiftly approaching and before we know it, we will be doing the jingle bell rock. Our team has put together some of our top tips to throwing an unforgettable holiday bash. No matter what you are celebrating, there are some tried and true ways to ensure your party is one to remember. 

To find the right venue…

Search for a versatile venue. While there are many things we can control about our events, the weather is not one of them. As the weather begins to shift, it is important to find a venue that has both indoor and outdoor options.

Check out venues that act as both location and entertainment. Whether it be an ice rink, a food and game venue, or a museum, explore nearby options that offer an interactive aspect for guests. This helps cut down on costs so that you can splurge on things like music, additional entertainers, or high-end catering. 

Utilize local and digital resources. Be sure to check out sources like PartySlate and Bizbash to get an idea of what venue options are near you. Your local travel bureau also offers free support to venue seekers and occasionally offers deals and coupons for local attractions. Or, search around on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to get the inside scoop on some hidden gems you may be unaware of. 

To get the best party music…

Hire a professional band or DJ. While a playlist off your phone may seem to suffice, seasoned musicians offer much more than just music. These professionals know how to read the room and interact with guests to ensure that the energy in the room stays high and guests are engaged throughout the entire event. These individuals can also serve as event MC, assist with announcements and speeches, and other stage needs. 

Ask about customizations. Many bands and production companies offer the option to customize your entertainment, whether this be through adding musicians or unique instrumentation, working in special songs or moments, or even featuring a celebrity guest. Talk with your band to see what custom options they can incorporate into your event to make it stand out. 

 

To captivate your guests…

Feature something unique. Whether this be an entertainment aspect, a special food item, or even the venue itself, treat your guests to something out of the ordinary. Party favorites include pop-up food items like late night pizza delivery or a food truck, or canbe entertainment focused like burlesque performers, magicians, or dance troupes.

Bring in impersonators or characters. Get spooky in October with a gang of celebrity impersonators or a Halloween inspired Tarot reader. Bring a winter wonderland experience to your guests by “inviting” Santa or a group of authentic carolers. Opt for entertainers that fit your theme and can act as “break through” entertainment to surprise guests and add to your events wow factor.

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Your premier talent buying and event planning organization located in both the Chicago, IL and Phoenix, AZ area.

MAGNIFICENT EVENTS, LTD.

1440 W Taylor Street, Suite 340,
Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 815.230.3770
Fax: 888.376.6537

10105 E Via Linda
Suite 103-705
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(480) 716-0400

Email: inquiry@magevents.com

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Nicole Burton's Bio

Nicole is from Chicago and attended Columbia College, where she earned a degree in Music Performance and an Associate in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management in 2008.

Nicole began performing when she was four and never lost her love for music. She got into the business end of her craft at eighteen when she started booking her original music performances countrywide. Nicole toured the East Coast at nineteen, joining the Alicia Keys and Beyonce tour.

Next, Nicole went to the West Coast to work with Harry Maslin and Michelle Vice of Image Recording Studios—were hits for David Bowie, Air Supply, Barry Manilow, and Dionne Warwick, to name a few, have been produced. Since then, music has taken Nicole worldwide, including China, Australia, Italy, Hawaii, and Cabo.

Nicole is a member of Meeting Professionals International. She has been working with Magnificent Events & Entertainment since 2008.

Fun facts:
1. I have three stepsons that I have been raising with my husband full-time since 2011.
2. My sister, Kristen Garza of KG Photography, has been the #1 photographer for eight years running in Northwest Indiana

Becky Phelps's Bio

Becky grew up in Illinois and graduated from the University of Kansas with a Human Development and Family Life degree. Becky began her professional career as an Event Sales Manager with Levy Restaurants, where she worked with many Fortune 500 companies to plan and execute corporate and private events and banquets.

Becky furthered her career experience as Catering Sales Manager with the Bravo Restaurant Company, where she worked with large national corporate clients and destination management companies to plan numerous private, corporate, and social events. In addition, her work included planning and coordinating private dining experiences at many of Chicago’s most renowned restaurants for large tour groups around the country.

Becky joined Magnificent Events & Entertainment in 2010, working with clients in the corporate, wedding, gala, private social, country club, festival, and night club market to provide top-quality entertainment for their events. Becky’s extensive experience in a wide array of markets allows her to find the perfect fit for our client’s entertainment needs.

Dave Calzaretta's Bio

Dave grew up in Illinois and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in accounting. He began his professional career as a financial analyst for General Mills in Minneapolis and was one of the original partners in the popular Chicago-based restaurant chain, Salad Spinners.

Dave began his career in the entertainment industry in 1998 when he founded the award-winning national cover band Maggie Speaks. Performing over 2,000 shows over the past two decades across the globe, Dave gained exposure to all facets of the entertainment community through his work at corporate events, weddings, charity galas, country clubs, festivals, and nightclubs.

In 2000, Dave left the corporate world to pursue a full-time career in the entertainment industry, founding Magnificent Events & Entertainment. He quickly established himself as one of the top talent buyers for nightclubs and festivals around the Chicagoland area. With a keen eye for talent and strong business background, Dave built Magnificent Events & Entertainment into a company that helps clients secure top-quality professional entertainment and production for their events.

In 2008, Dave joined the Board of Directors for the International Association of Corporate Entertainment Producers (IACEP), and in 2011, he joined the International Live Event Association (ILEA) Chicago Board of Directors. In 2019, Dave was elected to the Wedding Internation Planners Association (WIPA) Board of Directors, where he currently serves as the Treasurer. In addition, he speaks nationally at industry conferences on the topic of negotiation and emerging trends and talent in the entertainment industry. Dave was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 NICE Awards, the combined awards for NACE (National Association of Catering and Entertainment) and ILEA, for his 22 years of accomplishments in the events and entertainment industry. In 2020, Dave expanded the Magnificent Events & Entertainment operations, opening an office in Scottsdale, AZ. He is married to his best friend, Denise, and is the proud father of 4 beautiful children.

Continued

Her battle with cancer began in 2012. From the start she handled it courageously and attacked it head on, just as she did any other problem. She was always positive and always made light of the situation with jokes and humor. We had the kind of relationship where we joked about death, because deep down we knew that we loved each other and cared for one another, but if we took ourselves too seriously we would drive each other crazy. We would often riff with each other where she would quip “You’re just concerned because you will have to buy a new suit if something happens to me.” That was Christy, always taking a heavy situation and making you feel more comfortable by staying positive.

While I may have technically been her boss, she was really my partner. She is one of the first people in my life that I truly gave the keys to the castle to. I trusted her with everything from signing privileges on the checking accounts to credit cards to watching my kids when needed. She understood me and was always there for me. She was old school in the sense that she just put her head down and accomplished the mission, no matter what it was.

In fighting through breast cancer the first time, Christy made it seem like a breeze. In my head, I had no doubt she would overcome this. But the cancer had other ideas. When it became evident how serious it was, we had an amazing discussion. Knowing that her time was limited about a month ago, I asked her, “How would you like us to be with each other?” Her response was telling. She said, “Just buy the suit Dave, it is no big deal, you can afford it.” She then proceeded to say that we should be the same as we always were. We should laugh, joke, work each other’s nerves and continue our friendship the way that it always has been. The one change I am happy we made is that we told each other that we loved each other at the end of almost every conversation we had the last month.

Christy never married and never had children of her own, but I feel at times that she was a wife, a mom, a sister an aunt to each and every one of us. When it was St. Patty’s day time, she would always bake the band soda bread. When it was Easter, she would bring Peeps for everyone, on Christmas she would bake apple pies and bring our kids bags of Reindeer Food to sprinkle on our lawns. She made us all feel like slackers because we had barely started our Christmas shopping for our kids and she was already done with hers.

Christy always gave the most thoughtful gifts. It was never about money, size or stature. It was always about truly knowing what would pull at the heart strings of that individual. Christy knew I grew up in Northbrook and I introduced her to Matzo Ball Soup one night when we had reason to be in Skokie before a big video shoot. I told her that there were really two things I missed about not living on the North Shore, Fuji Yama Sushi and Matzo Ball Soup. You just can’t get it in Naperville. I chalked this conversation up to more mindless banter that we always had. Christy filed it for later use. On my birthday, she asked if she could come into the office a little later. I told her that was fine. She winds up driving 2 hours round trip to Skokie to get me Matzo Ball Soup for my birthday lunch that day. It was not the most expensive gift, nor was it the biggest, but it was the most thoughtful thing that anyone has ever done for me as she knew how much it would make me smile.

In her last weeks, when I got the news from Mom Lynch that the cancer had run its course and time was limited we rallied a ton of people to create some amazing moments. We put together an amazing video with all of her friends and our musicians giving a shout out. Then we tapped into local and national celebrities that took time out of their day to give Christy a positive message. The outpouring was amazing. When she arrived at hospice on Tuesday night, Mom, Robby Celestin, my wife Denise and I were there to meet her. The Chicago Blackhawks sent a hockey stick signed by Toews and Kane for her that I needed to deliver. Tyson Ellert was working around the clock to finish compiling the videos we had so that we could show her this that night. It clocked in at about 20 minutes in length and featured people like Jamie Foxx, Gary Sinise, Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks players and more. As I sat with Christy, she watched with a smile and never a tear. I was interested to see her reaction as to which videos would excite her most. Her reactions were telling. Christy took in the entire video and definitely appreciated it all, but it wasn’t the biggest stars and most A-List people that impressed her most. In our friends and musicians section, she grabbed my hand on two occasions when she saw well wishes from 2 people that I had personally had falling outs with. It was then that she realized that her life helped some people that were once close transcend personal grudges to come together to express their love for her. For that I am eternally grateful. The other was Harold Baines from the White Sox. Knowing I was going to put together this video, I casually asked her who her favorite White Sox players were. She said Harold Baines. My friend Chris Rongey from the White Sox Pre-Game Show was instrumental in making this happen. When Harold came on the screen to wish her well, she grabbed my arm. When the video concluded, I asked her why. She said, “When I was little, my Dad used to take me to White Sox games. Harold used to hit home runs and I got to see fireworks with my Dad.” Again, it wasn’t about celebrity or status with Christy. Harold Baines equaled time with Dad (who she lost about 4 years ago) and missed dearly.

Her last day on Earth was Wednesday, and boy was it a great one. I arrived at the Hospice Center about 11:30 AM. Her Mom, brother Dennis and sister in law Amanda was there along with a musician friend Taylor Garrison. I brought you your favorite Ellie’s Deli Chicken Salad Sandwich that we always ate together when we worked from my house. About noon, she got a surprise visitor. Chicago Bear Legend, Pro Football Hall of Famer and ’85 Super Champion Dan Hampton popped in to say hello. We had the privilege of booking Dan’s band the Chicago 6 on three occasions last fall where Christy got to “bodyguard” for Dan, Otis Wilson and Steve McMichael. She handled all aspects of these shows and took good care of them on behalf of our company. I reached out to Dan personally to tell him of Christy’s situation and ask that he record a short 10 second video. His response was so telling of Christy’s impact. He told me he wanted to see her and could I arrange it. So on her last day of life, in walks Dan Hampton (all 6′ 5″ of him) and sits next to her and visits for 30 minutes to let her know what an impact she made on him and all of the guys in the band. About 15 minutes in, he pulled out his Super Bowl Ring and said that he wanted her to wear it for a few minutes. Her eyes lit up. She was on cloud 9.