Entertainment in Geelong

Booking the Right Entertainer

Entertainment around Corio Bay is booked to suit the room more than the other way round. A rooftop in the CBD, a winery lawn on the Bellarine and a paddock in the hills behind Lorne each ask different things of a performer, from power and floor space to how an act copes with a gusty afternoon.

Sort these out before you lock in an act:

The format: a roving or interactive act that works the crowd suits birthdays, hens days and work functions, while a set on a stage belongs with a seated dinner.
Space and surface: hoops, circus tricks and dance need a clear floor or flat lawn, so measure the spot and mention steps, low ceilings or a sloping garden.
A weather fallback: anything outdoors on the Surf Coast or the Bellarine needs a covered or indoor option, since gusts and sudden showers can halt a performance part-way through.
Travel: performers here cover the city, the northern and southern suburbs, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast, so ask how travel is charged for the Moorabool Valley or further down the coast.
Timing: put the act in the part of the night when people are on their feet, not while mains are going out.

Interactive performers start from $300, while wedding music is quoted per event. For music, see bands and DJs; for movement and circus skills, see dancers.

Kids' birthdays: a hoop or circus-style performer who runs games and teaches a few tricks keeps a backyard group busy, and some leave hoops behind for the guests.
Hens days: an interactive act gives the group something to do together before lunch or between stops on a hosted tour.
Work functions and Christmas parties: roving entertainment fills the gap between arrivals and speeches without needing a stage.
Weddings and engagements: ceremony musicians, a reception DJ with lighting and a sax player can come as one package from a wedding music company, so ask what can be combined.

Questions for any performer

How long is the set, and is there a break in it?
What floor area, ceiling height and power does the act need, and can it run on grass?
What happens if wind or rain stops an outdoor performance halfway?
Is public liability insurance in place, and will the venue want a copy?
Is travel to the Bellarine, the Surf Coast or the Moorabool Valley priced separately?

Venue types and what they mean for an act

Rooms on the Waterfront and in the CBD usually have power and a cleared floor, but check the venue allows outside performers.
Winery and farm venues on the Bellarine and in the Moorabool Valley often mean a lawn set-up, so plan shade, a power run and a marquee fallback.
Coastal venues at Torquay and Aireys Inlet catch the strongest wind, so keep prop-based acts under cover.

Entertainment: Frequently Asked Questions

Which party entertainers cover the Bellarine and the Surf Coast?

Most performers here list the city, the northern and southern suburbs, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast as areas they cover. Fewer list the Moorabool Valley, so confirm travel before you settle the date.

What does a roving hoop or circus act cost for a party around Corio Bay?

Interactive performers start from $300. The final figure depends on set length, guest numbers and travel.

Can an entertainer still perform outdoors on a windy coast day?

Hoops, stilts and other props are hard to manage in strong gusts. Keep a covered deck, marquee or indoor room in reserve and agree with the performer what happens if the weather turns.

Do performers bring their own sound gear to venues on the Waterfront?

Many do, but ask. Find out what the act brings, what it needs from the venue and whether the room's own system can be used.

When should entertainment be booked for a summer party on the coast?

Summer weekends on the coast fill first, so book the act once the venue and date are confirmed rather than leaving it to the final weeks.

Entertainment Geelong

Find the Right Entertainment in Geelong