Corporate Entertainment

Corporate Conferences, End of Year and Christmas Parties, Client Entertainment

Although I’m a musician these days, I spent over 20 years working in financial markets in Australia, Asia, the US and Europe for a leading investment bank so if you’re looking at wanting a high quality event for your business or team- I’ve been in your shoes. I know what it means to have a professional result. Please check out my LinkedIn bio.

I’ve played for many corporates over the past 10 years- staff conferences, end of financial year or Christmas parties, client entertainment, family days and product launches.

Most of these bookings are for either themed hoedowns, country styled events, barn dances and bushdances or iconic Australian music.

These themed events for example- involving called dances as well as other music to dance to- are perfect for evening entertainment at staff conferences as they are fun & easy to theme and they get people off the tables and away from the bar and onto the dance floor.

These American Hoedowns or Australian Country Dances- work extremely well for staff parties or evening entertainment at conferences for a few reasons:

  • They are extremely easy to theme— hay bales for props, a pig on a spit for catering, a mechanical bull for some extra fun, boots, jeans, checked shirts, hats and a few wigs or cow onesies for dressing up;
  • The called dances have a team building aspect to them which takes people by surprise because when we do the called dances we get everyone working together- and it’s a bucket load of fun;
  • They are really relaxed, masses of fun and people are always amazed at how much fun they’ve had because you can get a few skeptical reactions when you say you’ve booked a barn or bush dance.

We’ve done a lot of corporate work and the dynamics are remarkably consistent. They start with a small committee or a few people who know that the called dancing is good fun and they have to go out on a limb to persuade the rest of the committee or their manager or staff (I’m sure if you’re reading this you know that feeling) and the biggest question we get asked is: “will people dance?”. Well- the answer is a resounding and unequivocal YES- we get people dancing and all the skeptics are totally converted. When everyone is caught in the moment on the dance floor- even you- won’t believe how much fun everyone is having.

Who have we played for?

And what have they said?

THE SHOW WAS FIRST CLASS!

We booked the Swamp Dawkins Band for our Cowboy themed Christmas Party for 120 staff of all ages. Michael was easy to deal with and prompt in his communications.

The band was excellent value for money. On the night the set up was seamless and very professional. All the band members were polite and professional and were happy to adjust their sets to accommodate our timetable. The show was first class. Everyone enjoyed the music played during dinner, all well known favourites and I saw everyone singing along.

The dancing afterwards was fantastic fun. Ian was a great caller, easy to follow and everyone was encouraged to get involved. We all ended the night laughing and exhausted! It was a great way to bring people together. Our staff are still talking about the party and how the atmosphere that the Swamp Dawkins Band provided really made the night.

I would highly recommend the Swamp Dawkins Band for a fun filled night of music and dancing.

Simone Gilbert, Director, Phil Gilbert Motors, 26th Nov 2014