Menorah Candles turn darkness into Light

Chanukah Menorah with Happy Chanukah sweater

Brightly colored Menorah with sparkles

Menorah balloon sculpture-Sixth Day of Chanukah

It was the sixth day of Chanukah and all through the house the Menorah was lit, there were joyous songs, Latkes, and jelly-filled Doughnuts throughout. Castro Valley Chabad hosted the first ever Chanukah party at Palomares Hills. A face painter added to the holiday atmosphere with her dreidel and menorah artistry. #chabadjewishcenterofcastrovalley

Celebrity Gems arranges face painters and balloon artists in Castro Valley, Hayward, Fremont, Walnut Creek, San Mateo, and San Francisco.  

Frozen characters perform at Danville dance recital

Long lines for photos with Anna and Elsa

"Let it Go"

There were over 600 family, friends, and fans at the Next Step Dance Studio's dance recital at Blackhawk Plaza, Danville. The stars of Frozen, impersonators Anna and Elsa "Let it Go" with a 20-minute opening act. After the children dazzled their audience with dances from Mary Poppins and Peter Pan, the Frozen characters remained for photo ops with their adoring fans.

The event planner described the Frozen show as "Awesome."

Celebrity Gems arranges the Frozon Anna and Elsa show in Danville, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Dublin, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, and San Mateo.

Paparazzi at a star-studded Hollywood celebration

Some companies award their employees with an end of the year bonus check. Other companies express their appreciation with a celebration. A Joan Rivers impersonator and a Papparazi fawned over employees of a San Francisco Bay Area title company by making them "The Hollywood Celebrity" with mock photos and interviews. A jazz, pop, and holiday trio provided ambient background music; two caricaturists with custumized artwork provided cherished keepsakes.

Wow, there's Leonardo DiCaprio

O K  give me your best pose

Pop, Standards, Jazz, and Holiday music

Caricature artists provide keepsakes

Celebrity Gems arranges Paparazzi, jazz trios, and caricaturists in San Jose,  San Mateo, Oakland, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek.

Campout at Palo Alto parking lot

December in Northern California means cold and rainy weather. A Palo Alto law firm had their annual family appreciation on their parking lot with the theme "Cabin, cozy, it's cold outside." Fortunately there was mild weather and fortunately there wasn't rain. A child friendly band took center stage with camping songs, songs about friendship, rainbows, and songs about the different colors. A magician dressed in a heavy woolen sweater performed card and sponge ball tricks.  There were two caricaturists and two face painters dressed for wintertime and snowy weather.

Let's all of us enjoy the outdoors

Wow, her card was hidden in the enclosed envelope 

Caricaturist- dressed for the season

Is that really me?

Celebrity Gems arranges child friendly music, award winning magicians, face painters, and magicians in Palo Alto, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek.

Pizza Toppings with the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Holiday Elf

Special treat at the California Pizza Kitchen

The Sugar Plum Fairy and the Holiday Elf joined Santa for "The Breakfast with Santa" at the California Pizza Kitchen, the Village at Corte Madera.

Sugar Plums and Roasted Chestnuts on a Breakfast Pizza

Who would ever imagine that there would be long lines at 8:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning for "Breakfast with Santa" at a pizza restaurant? The California Pizza Kitchen was the gracious host for this annual family and friends event, by reservation only, at Stoneridge Mall, Pleasanton. An Elf making balloon artist made candy cane balloons and a Juggler in a Santa hat circled the tables. Deep Dish Pizzas were served; not sure if the toppings included sugar plums and chestnuts.

Can I juggle when you wait for your Pizza?

Candy cane dessert after the Chestnut Pizza

Celebrity Gems arranges balloon artists and jugglers in Pleasanton, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Dublin, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland.

Pomp and Circumstance for Santa's arrival at San Francisco Bay Area Mall

There was a huge crowd of revelers congregating at the early hour of 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday for the Santa Arrival at Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton. This Mall was colorfully decorated with wreaths and mistletoe and a huge Christmas Tree. The costumed Toy Soldiers Band marched in formation to "The March of the Toy Soldiers" and heralded in Santa to center court where Santa and the Toy Soldiers posed for pictures. The Toy Soldiers Marching Band later strolled both levels of the Mall to the delight of everyone for a festive holiday shopping season. #stoneridgemall

Pomp and circumstance for the Santa Arrival

Toy Soldiers and the colorful Christmas tree

Santa and the Toy Soldiers

Celebrity Gems arranges the Toy Soldiers Marchig Band in Pleassanton, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland.

Tap Dancing Christmas Trees and Holiday Elf

Tap Dancing Christmas Trees and a strolling Christmas Elf added that merry merry cheer during Santa's majestic arrival at Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton. These colorful acts performed throughout the afternoon with the morning devoted to Santa's pomp and circumstance arrival, heralded-in by the Toy Soldiers Marching Band. #stoneridgemall

Elf calistenics

Surprises galore with a magically appearing Elf

Tap Tap Tapping at Stoneridge Mall

Celebrity Gems arranges Christmas Elfs and Tap Dancing Christmas Trees in Pleasanton, San Francisco, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.

Spooktacular Superhero Show at San Francisco Bay Area Mall

Princess Leia with saber, Oh Oh Luke!!

Halloween characters and costume parade

Popeye and his balloon saber sword

Bayfair Shopping Center in San Leandro proved to be safe and sane for Halloween "trick or treaters." Why knock on neighborhood doors on dark streets when there is a well-lit enclosed mall with mall security? If mall security wasn't enough, there was "The Jedi Training Academy" with Luke and Leia and their balloon saber swords and a mini-Popeye and a Spiderman. #bayfaircenter
Celebrity Gems arranges super-heroes, the Star Wars Jedi Training Academy, and the Anna and Elsa show in San Leandro, San Jose, Oakland, Hayward, and Walnut Creek.

Celebrity Gems arranged a Caribbean Steel Band at San Francisco Bay Area shopping center

Do persimmons grow in Trinidad and Grenada? There was a mellow vibe at the "Sip, Savor, and Enjoy Wine Stroll" at the Persimmon Place Shopping Center in Dublin, California. A Caribbean Steel Band, with music from Trinidad, Grenada, and St. Thomas, greeted wine stroll shoppers as they sampled award-winning Livermore Valley Wine and gourmet hors d'oeuvres- with proceeds to the Alameda County Food Bank.

Joyous Caribbean music at the Dublin Wine Stroll

Balloon bouquet decorated the  main stage

Signage announcing Persimmon Place Wine Stroll

Celebrity Gems arranges Caribbean Steel Bands in Dublin, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Danville, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.

Thrills, Chills, and Goblins, Celebrity Gems arranges Michael Jackson impersonator at Blackhawk Plaza, Danville

The Thrill may have been gone when BB King sang his number one Billboard hit "The Thrill is Gone" in 1970. For a Thriller and Halloween theme at Blackhawk Plaza (Danville), there was excitement, chills, and thrills when a Michael Jackson impersonator danced to "Thriller" with the Crunch Fitness dancers. The thrill was everywhere at this destination shopping center with many children and adults in costume joining in with the Michael Jackson dancer.

Goblins, witches , and Dr. Seuss dance with Michael Jackson

Crunch Fitness dance instructor leads the Thriller dance

Halloween, Michael Jackson, and Thriller

Celebrity Gems arranges a Michael Jackson impersonator in Danville, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Oakland.

They left their lab coats in the office

Happy employees of a biotech company left their lab coats and beakers in their office for a day on the green at Wente Vineyards (Livermore). The green lawn, home of Wente Vineyards Summer Concerts, was transformed to an interactive Jenga game and two putting greens. A trio played top 40 and Motown hits, while a caricature artist attracted long lines with his life-like artistry. #wente

A Fleetwood  Mac hit song by Anna

Long line for a keepsake by a caricature artist

Will the tower tumble?

The event planner had a one-word description of the entertainment, "Awesome."

Celebrity Gems arranges Top 40 bands, caricature artists, and interactive games in Livermore, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Dublin, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland.

Hawaii to Oakland-Celebrity Gems arranged Hawaiian music and Hula dancers at San Francisco Bay Area home

Hula Dancing

Hawaiian music at Luau

Californians travel to Hawaii for that perfect escape-beautiful beaches, tropical weather,  and oceanfront luxury hotels. When an Oakland retirement home had their luau, the event planner brought Hawaii to Oakland with Hula dancing, music from Tahiti and Hawaii, and a lavish barbeque.  The music and dancing added authenticity to the afternoon. According to the planner:

"Hello Stan,

I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the Hawaiian Trio and Dancer Leilani! They were so prompt, and professional. They sounded amazing  and were so wonderful with the residents. We definitely hope to have them all back again but I wanted to let you know what a great job they did!"

Celebrity Gems arranges Hawaiian Music and Hula dancers in Oakland, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, San Mateo, and Hillsborough.

Welcome and Back to School for De Anza College students

Welcome and "Back to School" and fall quarter for De Anza College (Cupertino) students.  Justin's trio set a lively tone with Latin, originals, and Flamenco, while students signed up for campus-wide clubs and student-led activities. De Anza College thus proved that a college experience is more than pounding the books and could include needed time for music and socialization.

Justin's trio captivated the students

Celebrity Gems arranges Flamenco, Latin Jazz, and hip hop dancers in Cupertino, Dublin, San Ramon, San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco.

Celebrity Gems arranges Brazilian music and a Michael Jackson impersonator in Danville

Colorful Samba Dancer

Latin Duo with Conga and Guitar

Michael Jackson was the headliner

What a creative way to combine Latin and Soul. For a wedding engagement in Danville, Ca, the proud and beaming mother combined Latin and Soul. A Samba Dancer and Latin Duo provided lively music on the outdoor patio and for the headliner, a Michael Jackson impersonator, singer, and dancer moon-walked in their living room.

According to his Mom: 

"Hi Stan,

The Latin music and Samba dancer and Michael Jackson were good. We all enjoyed them thoroughly as you always send good performers.Wishing you success always.
Good luck Stan.
Thx,

Sonia"

Celebrity Gems arranges Latin music, Brazilian music, Mariachi, Samba Dancers and a Michael Jackson impersonator in Danville, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.

Celebrity Gems arranges a Marilyn Monroe impersonator for 70th birthday in San Francisco

He was not the President and he was not celebrating his 45th birthday. There was that decadent multi-layered birthday cake and there was Marilyn Monroe, performing her classic "Happy Birthday Song" for Jerry's 70th birthday in San Rafael. What a fabulous surprise for Jerry, who felt like "the Prez" for his special occasion.

According to his significant other, who planned the party:
"Hello Stan,
Many thanks for the introduction.  The Marilyn impersonator was a delight and she is just lovely and sings well.  Everyone loved her -- Jerry was surprised and thrilled for sure.  I had a photographer there so I will remember to send you a picture.
I talked with her on the phone and worked with her on what to say -- and it worked out well."

Celebrity Gems arranges a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, a Katy Perry impersonator, Elvis, and an Austin Powers impersonator in San Rafael, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and San Mateo.

Television, Movie, and Broadway Icons on the Red Carpet

There was a dazzling show of television icons, American idols, and Broadway stars at the 22nd Annual "Help is on the Way On the Red Carpet" benefit at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco.

Among the highlights was All in the Family Sally Struthers as Gloria reminiscing about the 1970s television show co-starring Carol Connor and Jean Stapleton-"Those Were the Days."

The lobby entertainment included Hollywood legend Norma Desmond from the 1950's classic movie Sunset Boulevard and Austin Powers as portrayed by celebrity impersonator Serge.

Proceeds from this benefit went to AIDS-related agencies and Meals on Wheels of San Francisco.

Sally Struthers as Gloria from "All in Family" shown with Barbara

Norma Desmond ups the bidding for Marc Chagall's Daphne and Cloe

How about we go out on the town and swing, baby 

Celebrity Gems arranges an Austin Powers impersonator, a Norma Desmond impersonator in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Fremont, Walnut Creek, and San Mateo.

Magicians on the Red Carpet in San Francisco

There were three magicians strolling on the Red Carpet at the 22nd annual "Help is on the Way, Idols and Icons." Adding a sense of fun and levity during the silent auction which featured a framed portrait of "The Rat Pack" and a painting by Marc Chagall, the magicians added entertainment value by keeping partygoers focused on the auction items. All the proceeds benefited the Meals on Wheels of San Francisco and several AIDS related agencies. A Hollywood Idol and Broadway show followed the auction.

Magician Alexander pulled the selected card from his Smart Phone

Sponge Ball magic-one ball turned into six 

Rubber Band magic by Merloc the Magician

Celebrity Gems arranges magicians and celebrity impersonators in San Francisco, San Mateo, Walnut Creek, San Jose, and Oakland.

Facebook Goes Carnevale as a Kick-Off to the Rio Olympics

Colorful Samba dancers and Brazilian cymbals, drums, and whistles greeted over 10,000 people at the annual Facebook party in San Francisco. While Rio and the World celebrated the 31st annual Summer Olympics, there was a party going on when Facebook chose Carnevale as their theme. Celebrity Gems arranged Samba dancers and Brazilian music throughout the day as Facebook employees, friends, and family enjoyed their well-deserved employee appreciation and morale Thursday.

Samba dancers as Guests arrive

Summer Games, summertime in San Francisco

Celebrity Gems arranges Samba dancers and Brazilian and Latin music in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, and San Mateo.

Celebrity Gems arranged Motown/Motor City band at Palo Alto shopping center

The Town and Country Village Shopping Center (Palo Alto) went Motown, Detroit, and Motor City at the fourth Summer Concert, 2016. This was the eighth time that "Top Shelf's Tribute to Motown" performed at this family friendly location. Judging by the audience response and standing ovation, they will perform at this same location 2017.

"You Keep Us Hanging On" by the Supremes

Reach Out-We'll be There

Band members connect with their audience

Celebrity Gems arranges Motown, 50's-60's classic Rock and Roll, and top 40 bands in Palo Alto, Walnut Creek, San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco.