Aerial silks
Entertainment
An aerial act performed on two lengths of fabric suspended from a certified rigging point.
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Entertainment terms · Event planning encyclopedia
Entertainment: guides, ideas and tools from EventPlans.ca for planning events in Toronto and the GTA.
Close-up magic
Entertainment
Magic performed within arm's reach, with cards, coins and borrowed objects, for groups of 2–12.
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Cyr wheel
Entertainment
A large single steel ring the performer spins and rolls inside on the floor.
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Fire spinning
Entertainment
Performance with lit poi, staffs, fans or hoops.
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Headliner
Entertainment
The main act of a program, placed at the moment of peak attention.
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LED & glow acts
Entertainment
Performers with LED-lit costumes or props (hoops, poi, wings, stilts) for low-light settings.
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Lyra
Entertainment
A suspended steel hoop used for aerial performance.
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Mentalism
Entertainment
Performance that appears to read minds, predict choices and influence decisions.
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Opener
Entertainment
A short act that starts a program and sets the energy.
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Roaming entertainment
Entertainment
Acts that move among guests rather than performing from a stage: magicians, stilt walkers, characters, caricaturists.
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Set length
Entertainment
The duration of a performance segment.
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Stage illusion
Entertainment
Large-scale magic performed on a stage for the whole audience, often with props, assistants and lighting cues.
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Stilts
Entertainment
Performers on stilts in costume, typically 2.5–3 m tall, used for arrivals and roaming.
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Strolling act
Entertainment
A performer who moves through the crowd performing for small groups: close-up magic, caricature, mentalism.
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Tech rider
Entertainment
A document listing what a performer needs from the venue: stage, sound, lighting, power, green room, timing.
Read moreWhat this category covers
The Entertainment entries define the acts, roles and programme terms you will meet when booking performers for events. Some describe a type of act, such as close-up magic, aerial silks, the Cyr wheel or fire spinning. Others describe how entertainment is placed in an event, such as the opener, the headliner, roaming entertainment and set length. Together they give planners and hosts a shared vocabulary for talking to performers, agencies and venues.
Choosing within the category
Start with the format of the event. Receptions and mingling suit roaming entertainment and strolling acts that go to the guests. Seated programmes suit stage acts with a clear sightline, positioned as an opener or a headliner depending on when attention is highest. Trade show booths need acts that draw people in and give your staff a reason to start a conversation. Then consider the room: aerial acts depend on certified rigging and clear height, fire acts on venue approval and safety measures, and LED and glow acts on a darkened space.
What to ask performers
- What is the set length, and how many sets can be performed in the booking?
- How much space, ceiling height, power and set-up time are needed?
- Is there a technical rider, and what does the venue need to supply?
- Is a certificate of insurance available for the venue?
- What happens if the performer is ill, and who would substitute?
GTA considerations
Demand for entertainers peaks on December weekends and summer Saturdays, so book early for those dates. Outdoor acts in public spaces may need to be included in your municipal event permit, and fire performance generally needs approval from the venue and, in many cases, the local fire department. Allow for travel and parking for performers at downtown venues, and for load-in time at venues with a single loading dock. The entertainment finder narrows the options for your event, and the entertainment picker shows which acts suit which occasion.