Archive for February, 2016

Tips for Planning Your Best Spring Recital Yet

February 29th, 2016

Dance Recital - On The Go Backdrop

It’s almost March, which means Spring is around the corner! Being in backdrops, we love to be involved in different industries that we truly care about. When we think about Spring, we don’t only think about warmer weather and blooming flowers. We know this is THE time for dance recitals. Often dancers practice all year to demonstrate their ability and love for dance in front of their teachers, parents, and friends. There’s nothing better than dancing with your best friends.

Dance Recital - Medieval Village Backdrop

Through all of our years working in the dance industry, we’ve rounded up our tips on how to make your Spring Recital the best one yet!

Choose your Theme & Dare to be Different!

We love, love, LOVE themed recitals. There are SO many incredible and unique themes to choose from. From 80s to A Night at the Movies to Alice in Wonderland to Around the World. The world is truly your oyster in terms of choosing your theme. While we love the classical themed recitals, we also love those teachers that dare to be different. The ones that go above and beyond to conjure up a new theme that few have thought of before. These are our customers that often inspire us to create new, hand-painted backdrops to transform their recitals. These are the trendsetters that we know are ahead of the curve. No matter if your style is more traditional or modern, there’s always a way to create that WOW factor for your recital.

No Theme, No Problem!

Dance Recital - Drapes Purple Stars Backdrop

Not into the whole themed recital world? You’re not alone! We come across as many non-themed recitals, as we do with themed recitals! What’s amazing about not having a theme is that you can create an elegant, picturesque recital that demonstrates your and your dancers love for dance. It’s easy to create a spectacular recital by focusing on the dancers and letting us take care of the rest! There are so many beautiful backdrop options: Drapes, Sparkling Drapes, Drapes with Stars, Dance Splash, Dance Radio, & Dance Watercolor.

Practice Makes Perfect!

Practice, practice, practice! Nothing makes parents more proud than when their children’s hard work and determination pays off through a perfect performance. We all know that practice best prepares your students for success. We love seeing how amazing the recitals turn out because of the hard work and creativity of the studio owners, teachers, and dancers.

Set the Scene for your Recital!

Dance Recital - Fantasy Castle 2 Backdrop

Setting the stage is effortless with using our hand-painted backdrops. Transform your stage into your ideal recital through choosing a perfect backdrop to enhance your dancer’s performance. Our seasoned backdrop consultants can help suggest backdrops to make your recital the best it can be.

Match those costumes!

There are SO many costumes out there that you can choose exactly what you want your dancers to wear to match your theme and scenery. It’s so fun to look through all of the costume catalogs to find the perfect attire.

We love seeing how the recitals come together. Every piece is integral in making the performance a success and we think it’s the best that we get to be a part of it. We can’t wait to see how our backdrops enhance your recitals this year!

February’s New Backdrops!

February 17th, 2016

Here are our featured new backdrops for the month of February! We’re super excited to show you these hand-painted backdrops. Our designers and artists have put all of their talent and effort into making these awesome backdrops.

New Backdrop - Street Mall 1Our Street Mall backdrop is a highly detailed depiction of unique architecture. This hand-painted backdrop invites you to walk along the sidewalk between the buildings to venture to see what other buildings are around the corner. The inspiration for this backdrop is the iconic Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. Rodeo Drive is a major shopping and tourist destination. This backdrop sets the ideal scene for a Los Angeles themed event as it makes you feel that you are in one of the most famous places in California.

New Backdrop - Stage Showgirls 5This vibrant backdrop is sure to catch the eyes of all of your attendees. Our Stage Showgirls 5 backdrop sets the stage with the vivid colors and the extensive detail. This backdrop features silhouettes of showgirls and palm trees amidst a bright sunset with fireworks, green palm leaves, and market lights along the top. The purple stairs of the stage are the perfect complement to the the blue sea in the background, complete with ripples in the water. This background can easily transform your event to a vibrant affair.

New Backdrop - Mansion View 17 Drapes

Imagine you’re inside a warm, cozy mansion adorned with beautiful red drapes looking out on a snow covered village. That’s the feeling you get when experiencing our newly painted Mansion View Backdrop. The pine trees are covered in freshly fallen snow and the houses in the village are warmly lit. This backdrop creates a majestic and elegant atmosphere for your dance recital, special event, or theatrical production.

New Backdrop - Chalkboard 1

Our Chalkboard backdrop will literally take you back to your school days. I challenge you to try to tell the difference between this new backdrop and a real chalkboard. The smudges of chalk beneath the math equations create an authentic classroom experience. No matter where you go, you can create a classroom with this new backdrop.

We are constantly adding new backdrops to our inventory! Check back next month to see what we’ve been up to! Suggestions for new backdrops? Leave a comment below!

Be my Valentine or my Galentine?

February 10th, 2016

Valentine Hearts Backdrop

Love is in the Air, Valentine

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! We’re excited to celebrate with our loved ones. Valentine’s Day is also known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine. Although the holiday didn’t start out about love, in 18th-century England it evolved into a day when people expressed their love to one another through presenting flowers, offering sweets, and sending each other hand written greeting cards (now known as ‘valentines’). We love trading and surprising others with Valentine’s! It’s definitely not only reserved for when we’re younger. We think the more clever, the better. So go grab your supplies and create your own unique valentine for those special someones in your life. It’s time to get creative and show your loved ones what they mean to you! & there’s no better way to do this than a homemade valentine.

Valentine Hearts 3 Love Story backdrop

No Valentine? What about a Galentine?

We affectionately love Galentine’s Day as we know our female best friends are the bees knees & perhaps our absolute favorite type of love story. This term was first coined by Parks & Recreation’s Leslie Knope, who officially made February 13th Galentine’s Day. A pre-Valentines day brunch consisting of ‘ladies celebrating ladies’. Having a gal pal to confide in, a best friend to shop with, and a partner in crime helps make our worlds go round. No matter where you live, it’s easy to find the perfect place for brunch with your girls or you can always have your girls over at your place. & remember: #NoBoysAllowed.

However you are celebrating, we hope you have a weekend full of laughter, spontaneity, love, and definitely brunch. Even though it’s only Wednesday, we’re already counting down to this weekend. There’s no shame in having something to look forward to, right?

Comment below and let us know how you plan to enjoy your weekend!

Mardi Gras – A Time to Celebrate!

February 9th, 2016

Mardi Gras 1 backdrop

Did you know that Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday? The name is to reflect the indulgence that takes place by eating richer foods before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, the following day. The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced all the way back to Greece and Rome, when early Christians with Pagan roots celebrated and feasted on the days before the somber days of Lent. Mardi Gras is an annual Carnival celebration that is celebrated around the world. The most popular and festive place in the United States to celebrate this occasion is in New Orleans, Louisiana. The first occurrence of the Mardi Gras celebration in Louisiana dates back to March 2nd, 1699.

Celebratory parades and festivities are ongoing for two weeks until and through Fat Tuesday. The parades in New Orleans are organized by Carnival Krewes, which are organizations that put on parades and/or balls during Carnival season. Krewe float riders often throw items to people passing by, most famously colored plastic beads, aluminum or wooden coins called doubloons, decorate plastic cups, and other small plastic toys. The tradition of Krewe riders throwing colorful beads began in the late 19th century. The same parade schedule and route is followed each year by major krewes. It is very common for the krewe members to wear vibrant masks, colorful costumes, and vivid beads.

Mardi Gras 1 Backdrop

The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. All three colors were used by the Catholic Church throughout history. As Mardi Gras is Catholic in origin, these colors have continued to be used during the carnival celebrations and festivities. These colors really do define Mardi Gras and elevate it as its own unique festivals and celebration.

We can all channel our inner #FatTuesday self today & celebrate Mardi Gras as it comes to an end tonight! Be safe and enjoy all of the festivities, wherever you are!

How to Plan A Perfect Superbowl Party

February 4th, 2016

How To - Football 2 backdrop

We are officially counting down to the Superbowl is this weekend! Who is planning on throwing a Superbowl Party? It’s definitely one of our favorite past times and we are looking forward to this year’s party! We’ve rounded up our advice on how to plan the perfect Superbowl party. Check it out below!

1. Invite your friends, family, and colleagues

Tell all of your friends to come over [& not just those into football]. The Superbowl is time to relax, spend time with your loved ones, share in delicious food and drink, and discuss all of the crazy commercials. Think: More The Merrier when it comes to the guest list. The crowd is what makes Superbowl parties so much fun.

2. Make it a potluck

You know those loved ones we we’re talking about above? They can add a helping hand in the party! Superbowl parties are all about bitesize appetizers. You can spend all day looking for inspiration on Pinterest & even tell your friends what you’d like them to bring! Superbowl bites can either make or break the party, so come prepared.

3. Add a friendly competition

There’s nothing that complements a Superbowl party more than a friendly [or not-so-friendly] Superbowl Pool! Easily download your pool here and print it out for the party. This is sure to get everyone even more excited for the game.

How To: San Francisco 5 backdrop

4. Easily enhance your home décor

The Superbowl is in San Francisco, CA this year! Since not all of can be in San Francisco for the game, why not bring San Francisco to your party? Enhance you home décor for the day by renting a beautiful backdrop to set the scene at your party or even for a DIY photo booth! So many options and so many choices.

5. Turn up the TV, especially during commercials

We all know that the commercials are what make the Superbowl so great [even if the game is lacking in the excitement part]. Make the most out of the commercials by creating a game out of it! Have your guests chance their luck at guessing the type of product showcased in the first commercial of the game, the first commercial after halftime, and what product will be showcased most often!

Have a great Superbowl weekend. Wishing all of you a safe and fun weekend celebrating!