Year of the Rat at Bay Area Shopping Center

There were Chinese Lion Dancers, a cuddly Panda, and two calligraphers at the celebration of Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rat. There were no critters. Two calligraphers added to this festive and colorful holiday by drawing names with Chinese symbols on silk fans.

Your name with Chinese letters 

Children and adults posed with the Panda

Barbara's name with Chinese letters

No Belly Flop at New Years Eve party

A Belly Dancer was the surprise entertainer at a New Years Eve party in Danville, California. Partygoers didn't sit, talk, and toast the New Year the entire evening. Instead, Heaven the Belly Dancer performed her lively and hypnotic candle dance, circled her audience,  and got the guests to join her with Hindi music.  According to the event planner, "Heaven was awesome- everyone enjoyed her dancing and truly amazing talent. Once again, thank you for arranging her with such a short notice."Celebrity Gems arranges belly dancers in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

Guests danced to Hindi music

Snap, Crackle, but don't pop

A balloon artist sculpted a Menorah balloon for the second night of Chanukah at Stoneridge Mall, Pleasanton. Question: Will this Menorah balloon keep its shape for the next six days?
Winter Wonderland, planned by Chabad of Pleasanton also included a dancing Dreidel, a Dreidel cookie station, and a Chanukah trivia contest. #stoneridge shopping center

Kids line up for their choice of a balloon

Don't light these candles with your match

A Dreidel dances in front of the Menorah

Willie Wonka joins Candy Land and a Gum Ball filled Menorah

Pure gold filled chocolate coins from Willie Wonka 

Is that really me?

Gum ball filled Menorah

Hop, Skip, and Jump down Candy Land Lane for an eye opening surprise. Wow!! There was Willie Wonka and his tray of chocolate wrapped gold coins for the first night of Chanukah at the Palomares Hils Clubhouse, Castro Valley. Joining Willie Wonka was a Candy Land face painter.  The Chanukah Menorah was filled with over 1000 gum balls as a tie-in to Candy Land.

Rheem Valley Christmas kickoff with two most beloved characters

Santa with Ms. Claus 

Have you been Naughty or Nice? 

Holiday Juggler for crowd control

Santa and Ms. Claus took a break from plotting their delivery of presents to homes nationwide by making a surprise visit to the Rheem Valley Shopping Center in Moraga. With Christmas one week away, boys and girls had advanced opportunity to tell Santa what to pack in his Santa bag. For the boys, it was X-Box; for the girls an American Girl doll. A Juggler entertained the children while they waited in a long line for their Santa visit.

Cruise Anyone?

The Dining Room of an active living community resembled the dining room of a high-end cruise ship. There was a swanky jazz and pop duo, decorations galore, and partygoers were dressed in Tuxedos and formal gowns. Vocalist Sonya, joined by Marco on the piano, electrified her audience with "My Funny Valentine" a hit made famous from the 1937 musical Babes in Arms.  Celebrity Gems arranges varied musical and ethnic acts in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Sonya sing My Funny Valentine from Babes in Arms

Ambient music at Black-Tie event

"The Holiday Duo" played ambient music at a black-tie formal event in Union City.  Joyous  partygoers mingled around the buffet table and enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres and mixed drinks. The duo's repertoire included "Here Comes Santa Claus" to top of the chart hits by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sinatra. Good music, good company, and good food were the perfect recipe.

"Here Comes Santa Claus"

Holiday Elf surprises partygoers with presents