For the best live entertainment - you're in the right place. Look around to see why.
Blue Flamingo is a fresh thinking entertainments company specialising in Bespoke Music, Acts and Education. We are not managers, but instead creators and guardians of new ideas, concepts and sounds.
Each person, each event, each venue is different. So why shouldn't the entertainment be? We tailor our services according to what you need, and as we are musicians ourselves - we know how to deliver you the very best.
Whether you need something classy and personal for an intimate party, a wow factor for a major corporate event, or session musicians for an arena tour - we are experts in making it happen.
Check out our style choices below for a few samples and ideas.
Blue Flamingo is passionate about nurturing, inspiring and leading young artists.
We do this by providing innovative education experiences and by developing our own artists in the field of education.
We believe that performance and education cannot be separated, which is why we give our up-coming Blue Flamingos the opportunity to pass on their expertise through lessons and workshops. They get experience leading sessions and receive feedback and training opportunities.
With Arts Council backed work behind us and extensive experience with major music education organisations, our programmes have a history of delivering inspiring ideas and leaders where they are most needed. We are proud to say we have gained many friends through our work in this area. We are always happy to take on new projects and commissions, so please enquire for further information.
At Blue Flamingo we take our on-stage professionalism, creativity and spontaneity everywhere we go - including the corporate environment.
Been hit by one too many paint balls?!
A flock of flamingos will give you a team-building day to remember.
We can supply a session timed to your needs, ranging from an hour to several days. Themed around any of our performers on request, or with a range of pre-designed team building events, our workshops build partner and teamwork skills, increase communication and trust, and can even improve fitness. Please contact us to enquire about the latest options or to discuss ideas.
Here at Blue Flamingo, we like to be different - after all, our Flamingos are Blue. So check out the other entertainments we offer.
Magic works as a fantastic ice breaker and is ideal to keep people entertained and talking at any point during a party, wedding day or corporate event. Our magicians specialise in close-up magic, moving between tables or groups. They have a charming, easy manner and always stun guests.
Working with an in-house team of actors and script writers, we provide the ultimate in Murder Mystery events to companies, venues and individuals throughout the UK. From intimate dinner parties to big corporate events, people find our Murder Mysteries an ideal team building exercise or ice-breaker.
Popular Options
Detective for a Night: Our cast are the suspects, leaving the guests to focus on solving the crime. The fast moving, continuous action takes place in real time ensuring everyone is hooked right from the first cocktail, to the denouement. Choose from an extensive library of classic storylines or enquire about having a brand new plot written exclusively for you.
Quest: Our demanding Murder Mystery Quest takes guests out on location in the search for clues and suspects. Each Quest is designed to your requirements using a carefully constructed route that weaves local landmarks into the plot.
An Inspector Calls: Our Compére will join you for the entire event, giving help and advice to the guests - now known as 'the suspects' - providing all the information and props they require to get into character!
If you're after an impressive dance show, our costumed performers can add glamour and atmosphere: from the Roaring 20s, through 40s Big Band glamour, to Rock and Roll. Or for ice breaking, a fun and friendly dance class really gets the party going.
For a more subtle approach, our Taxi Dancers can invite people up to dance, or our Secret Steppers will mingle and show how it's done. Utilise our movers and shakers to make the most of your jazz band or DJ.
We also run team-building workshops based around your choice of dance style ranging from one hour to a full day.
The Secret Singers are a team of stunning vocalists who are expert at infiltrating your event and mingling unknown amongst your guests before astounding onlookers by breaking into harmonious song. They perform as Singing Waiters/Waitresses, Singing Chefs, Singing Policemen, Singing Wedding Guests... How would you like them disguised?! Covering all styles of music, from opera to current chart hits, The Secret Singers are artists of surprise.
Blue Flamingo has a range of experts on hand: event planners with 50 years experience running social and political events that have quite literally shaped the world in which we live; experts in media and advertising who work with some of the biggest global brands; creatives who have produced some of the most recognisable images and sounds you experience every day; and of course, the most vital and innovative pool of musical skills to be found in the UK.
Whether it be a brand launch, or an integrated branding project, we can deliver your brief by drawing on our diverse range of performers, ad agency consultants, and production company contacts to achieve a creative solution that fits your core values.
We also place producers with new artists to bring innovative and fresh ideas to help take talent to the next level.
We like to go the extra mile, because we understand that our clients want their event to be the best it can be. So why not kit out your event with costume?! We work with designers who create some of the most memorable outfits for film, television, and West End shows they can throw you together something fantastic to hire. Or they can design and create you something completely bespoke. We also allocate these designers to design and execute venue dressing schemes. Please get in touch to enquire further.
Our in-house photographer is subtle, charming, and gifted. His flexible approach will ensure that you have evocative, atmospheric images to remember your event. Used to working with our musicians and artists in a variety of locations, from dark underground venues to bright outdoor weddings.
To see a portfolio, just drop us an email.
16 Piece Power
Blue Flamingos Big Band swings into new venue
Summer saw a fantastic wedding season & we met our most creative brides yet. We did everything from Secret Singing Waiters to surprise, close-up Magic to amaze, Fanfares & Quartets to walk down the aisle, and of course killer live music to get the dancefloor filled!
Our best-selling band, Last of the Blue Flamingos, has been owning the party scene, playing all over the UK. From Bournemouth Football Club to Lulworth Castle, they have been rocking Britains dancefloors. Watch out for their new website, due late October!
BF3 combines Vocals, Percussion, and loopy madness on Piano/Sax/Clarinet. This creates a much bigger sound than you'd expect from just 3 guys.
Clever. Intriguing. Astounding.
Since April, we've been working with Venn Street Reocrds to bring the very best in awesome live music to South London. We love this bar by Clapham Common and so should you. We have one of our groups playing almost every Friday night. We even do special one-offs like our 16 man big band gig in October. Check the listings for special surprises in December too!
Click to open up PDFs of previous Blue Flamingo Journals
BFJournal_Autumn2010.pdf
BFJournal_Winter2010.pdf
BFJournal_Autumn2011.pdf
LONDON SKA ORCHESTRA
Having set up this 7 piece ensemble a few months ago, we are now really getting things skanking. After several high energy performances in thier beloved London Town, the band is playing with a great sense of freedom, which brings an exciting free-flowing style to performances.
The band hit the studio earlier this month to lay down their debut tracks. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for their new tracks! Read more about the process here:
BLOG POST - Recording with the London Ska Orchestra
Follow the London Ska Orchestra around the web for latest news, info & dates:
FROM THE MD:
"The style we’'ve gone for is a modern one. Don'’t get me wrong,– we love incorporating classic old school Ska into our sets. And we get stuck into a good bit of 2 Tone too (how could we not? Especially as Blue Flamingo directors Steve and Leah supported the Specials a few years ago!). Add to that a large helping of Third Wave / Ska-Punk and you’'re beginning to see the variety we provide.
But we take things a step further, dismantling an alarmingly diverse range of songs and re-assembling in our own modern, horny, ska-ful way. We take influence from other genres too, mixing up some unusual blends –- which rather reflects the fantastic diversity of our home city, London."
Blue Flamingo was founded by two passionate people - two people who know the minutiae of music at the highest level and have put together a formidable team that ensures delivery of the highest quality live entertainment with both flair and artistic integrity. British cultural heritage matters to us, as does the future. We work hard both for our clients and our artists. Whether it is music for your wedding, developing a new group from concept, performers for film and television, or a live show for thousands - we ensure smiles all round.
The Flamingo Club was part of the incredible 1950/60s jazz scene in London, England. One of our founding partners, Leah, studied musicology and would find many references to the legendary club which was housed in a Wardour Street basement. Steve, our other founding partner, has long regarded Tubby Hayes as one of his heros - it was Tubby and the Jazz Couriers (run in conjunction with Ronnie Scott) who practically dominated the Flamingo Club during the late 1950s. Thus the Flamingo element of our name. The colour blue is synonomous with jazz (think Blue Note record label for example) and what stronger image than that of a Blue Flamingo?! And so, in the noughties, the Blue Flamingo creation was born out of our loves, passions and heritage.
Our 'straight' side comes from Steve's classical training. As we have grown the crossover between jazz, classical and popular has become increasingly blurred. Thus in 2010 we incorporated our sister company, Classic Attraction, as well as bringing all our broader entertainment offerings under one roof to provide a more integrated service.
Steve guides the Blue Flamingo business strategy and oversees our many projects with an eye for detail, ensuring that we always deliver. Combining his musical background with unique vision and a fierce work ethic, he is a creative driving force working to develop acts and create new ones.
Steve has been playing music since the age of 5 and his skills have led him to work with incredible artists such as Vladimir Ashkenazy and Bernard Haitink, perform in broadcasts on BBC, Sky TV, and Channel 4, and play venues from The Royal Albert Hall to Buckingham Palace. He was awarded scholarships to train classically at the Royal College of Music and as a multi-instrumentalist has always kept a broad array of styles within his range. Steve has done it all - from BAFTA Award winning TV drama, to The 100 Club - and he maintains his passion for pushing cultural boundaries in the UK.
Leah is always ready with a smile, no matter what the situation. And behind that smile, lurks a set of organisational skills to be seriously reckoned with. Efficient doesn't even begin to describe.
Leah manages our exciting roster of talent and runs international events. Her meticulous event planning has seen her through countless large scale European, American and Middle Eastern tours, whilst on the home front she keeps very much on top of our busy office.
Leah is a Master of Music, having graduated from Kings College London. She studied musicology and has been at the forefront of Contemporary British jazz research. Leah has played music from an early age and she can still be caught playing the saxophone in a big, gutsy way.
For General Enquiries, contact Sarah and she will put you in touch with the appropriate team member:
info_blueflamingoents.com
Or Call Our London Office:
+44 (0)20 7193 7423
Managing Directors:
Steve Burnett & Leah Thomas
Alternatively you can get in touch directly with one of our directors:
Leah Thomas
leah_blueflamingoents.com
Flamingo Feeds:
Steve Burnett
steve_blueflamingoents.com
Blue Flamingo Entertainments Ltd
Registered in England and Wales, No. 6752497
All content is Copyright 2011
Sophistication, Glamour, Style and superb musicianship are how we understand jazz. It's a massive variety of sounds, looks and eras: New Orleans Dixie, Golden Era Swing, Beat-nik Bebop and of course, the very best of current British jazz. Whatever you need, we will wrap you in that world. See just a few samples below - but believe us when we say they only scratch the surface...
"FOR ME, MUSIC & LIFE ARE ALL ABOUT STYLE"
Miles Davis
"A truly swingin' band of bright young things displaying tight, professional musicianship and lots of enthusiasm - a real pleasure to dance to!"
Simon Selmon, London Swing Dance Society
"Come with me, and you'll be, in a world of pure imagination"
Gene Wilder
We don't put Classical Music into a neat box, because it would never fit. So we take our lead from Gene Wilder. We like harpists who dazzle us as equally as we love string quartets that play until the early hours. What can you imagine?
"A HEAVY BASS LINE IS MY KINDA SILENCE"
Dizzee Rascal
We like the word popular. It can mean 1960s Pop or Grime, Rock or Indie: it can mean whatever you're looking for. We like mixing Abba up with The Specials, Britney with Ben Folds. Funky, fresh, and fantastic.
With a solid rooting in the land of funk, our latest creation Last of the Blue Flamingos, lives in an eclectic musical world. Covering funk, soul and covers whilst dipping into swing, ska, jazz, klezmer, rock and disco - this is a seriously adaptable, seriously unique party band.
"World Class" - Iron Maiden Tour Manager
Follow Last of the Blue Flamingos on Facebook - Click Here
