A Magician proved that hands are quicker than eyes

Magician Timothy once again proved the adage "Hands are quicker than eyes." The eagle eyes in his 90-person audience, those audience members who sat in the front row, watched his every move. They still could not figure out how he performed his illusions-they do deserve an "A" for trying.

According to the event planner, "He was outstanding! Those of us sitting close to him were watching very carefully, but none of us were able to figure out his magic. And, he was funny and very entertaining! Thanks again and Merry Christmas."

Teeny rope transforms to long rope

Now you see it, now you don't

Celebrity Gems arranges magician in Concord, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland.

Lego Land in Castro Valley

Seven candles lit on Lego Menorah

Artwork included the Star of David and the Menorah 

Children built the Menorah base with legos

Twas the seventh day of Chanukah and the lego Menorah candles were lit, turning eerie darkness into bright and glowing light. The Castro Valley Chabad Rabbi lit the candles and explained the miracle of the holy temple oil, where the oil lasted eight days instead of one. The celebration of light included a face painter with her own dreidel and Menorah artistry. The children had their building project, designing the lego base for the Menorah. Celebrity Gems arranges face painters and balloon artists in Castro Valley, Walnut Creek, Livermore, and San Ramon.

Festive Menorah Candles light-up Castro Valley Boulevard

There was light instead of darkness for the third night of Chanukah on Castro Valley Boulevard, Castro Valley. Rabbi Shimon Gruzman from the Castro Valley Chabad explained how a small band of Maccabees defeated the Syrian-Greek Army over 2000 years ago, which was the first known battle for religious freedom. There was a joyous celebration with a balloon artist, singing, a spinning dreidel, latkes (potato pancakes) and jelly doughnuts. Firefighters from the Alameda County Fire Department provided the surprise of the evening by gently tossing chocolate Chanukah gelt (coins) from the top of their fire truck. #chabadcastrovalley

Children line-up for their favorite balloon

Menorah candles for the third night of Chanukah 

Fire Fighters gently toss Chanukah candy from their fire truck

Dancing and spinning Dreidel

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

Santa Claus is Coming to Town in 2018

A two-year-old girl asked if Santa will return to her Palo Alto home next year.

This Santa will again deliver cheer in 2018

According to her mother, "The Santa was awesome. Thank you for a wonderful addition to our party. All the kids loved him. Our son was eagerly talking to him. Our daughter wanted to know if he'll return next year. The Santa went above and beyond." Celebrity Gems arranges Santa Claus in Palo Alto, San Jose, Oakland, San Mateo, and Walnut Creek.

Photographer frames his Audience-Celebrity Gems arranges Gatsby theme in Oakland

Our Gatsby photographer set-up a green backdrop; and, partygoers posed for their own framed photo. They then chose their own backdrop: Police Department Mug Shot; Hollywood; 1940's classic Automobile; and, 1930's Bar with Barstools.  #checkerscatering

Couple posed in front of green backdrop

Gatsby Girls chose 1940's classic car

Jump-Jive Swing Band at the Gatsby party-Celebrity Gems arranges Gatsby theme entertainment in Oakland

Jay Gatsby arranged his favorite Speakeasy Band

I'm in Heaven, Dancing Cheek to Cheek 

Cigar Roller made hand-made cigars

Flapper danced the Charleston

Jay Gatsby, the ultimate party planner, handled the many details for his lavish "Invitation Only" 300-person party at the Scottish Rite Auditorium-Casino Gaming Tables, a Cigar Roller, Flapper Girls, Cigar Girls. Daisy Buchanan, a fortune teller, and a nine-piece jump jive swing band. #checkerscatering  Celebrity Gems arranges Gatsby themed entertainment in Oakland, San Jose, San Francisco, Hillsborough, and San Mateo.

Gatsby Girls and Cigar Girls mixed and mingled

Let's see, I'll take this one

Cigars, Cigarettes?

Gatsby Girls by the roulette wheel

Cigar Girls and Gatsby Girls mixed and mingled at Jay Gatsby's "Invitation-Only" 300-person party at the Scottish Rite Auditorium, Oakland. #checkerscatering

Celebrity Gems arranges Cigar Girls and Gatsby Girls in Oakland, San Jose, Walnut Creek, San Mateo, and Hillsborough. 

Jay Gatsby invites you to his Party-Celebrity Gems impersonator

Ladies, wear your beaded Gatsby party dress; gents, wear your striped pants with your fedora and two-toned oxfords, you've been invited to Jay Gatsby's glamorous West Egg Mansion. Actually, this 300-person party with the Gatsby theme occurred at the 1930's Scottish Rite Auditorium in Oakland. #checkerscatering

Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby welocme you

Champagne skirt lady greeted partygoers

Partygoers wow Gatsby and Daisy with their stories

Celebrity Gems arranges Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan impersonators for Gatsby themes in Oakland, San Jose, Hillsborough, Walnut Creek, and San Mateo.

Holiday music for early Risers

Dolly Parton made the song Nine to Five  the working man's mantra. For employees in the financial district of San Francisco, their 7:00 a.m. December workday included two Holiday Jazz Trios in adjoining buildings. In addition to classy ambient music, early morning catering included made to order omelets, hash browns, sweet rolls, and freshly brewed coffee provided by Checker's Catering, Livermore.

Holiday music and standards by Christmas Tree

The second trio with holiday music in the adjoining building

Neighborhood Aglow with Festive Holiday Lights

Main Street Cupertino awash wih Holiday Lights

Picolla Carolers bring joy to the holidays 

Cupertino Main Street transformed into an old-fashioned neighborhood town square with joyous tree lightings, dancing, and singing with school and community participation. The Picolla Carolers added cheer with uplifting traditional and contemporary holiday music. Two interactive Christmas elves circulated in the crowd with small hand-held cymbals and sprinkled fairy dust over the children.

A Wonderful Time for Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

Jingle Bell Rock with Gabriel's Trumpet

Decorative streamers for the Holiday season

Black Friday shoppers took a welcome respite from discounts and sales to reflect upon the meaning of Christmas with the Piccola carolers and Heralding Trumpets. Both ensembles were positioned in front of the beautiful and dazzling Christmas Tree, Stoneridge Mall, Pleasanton.

Music was the perfect compliment

Music from the Great American Songbook

There was a family celebration of a woman celebrating her 90th birthday. Ambient music provided that perfect touch during an excellent brunch at Scott's Seafood Grille and Bar in Oakland.  The party planner shared her praise- "The music was perfect. Everyone enjoyed the music, especially the birthday girl, 90 years young." Celebrity Gems arranges Jazz music, ethnic music, and dance bands in Oakland, San Jose, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek.

Lovely Sugar Plum Fairy and Christmas Carolers at Outlet Stores

The sweet and lovely Sugar Plum Fairy and traditional Carolers gathered around the huge Christmas Tree to herald-in the holiday season at the San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore.

Shoppers gathered around the Carolers 

Holiday shoppers took photos with the Sugar Plum Fairy

A Tribute to The King of Pop

"The George Cole Trio" and their Tribute to Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole Tribute to a  Sold-Out Audience

"The George Cole Jazz Trio" featuring three of the Bay Area's finest musicians, offered their tribute to Grammy Award Winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist Nat King Cole. Vocalist and song stylist George Cole included Nat King Cole's "Mona Lisa," "Rambling Rose," and "Get your Kicks on Route 66." George and his backup artists Sir Richard Nelson Hall on the piano and Carla Kaufman on the upright bass received applause and admiration throughout their 1.5-hour concert. Celebrity Gems arranges jazz and swing music in Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Palo Alto, and San Francisco.

Pomp, circumstance, and fun for Santa's arrival

The colorful Toy Soldier Marching Band led the Santa procession and Santa's arrival at Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton. Santa followed the Marching Band on both levels of the Mall, with stops at Nordstroms, JC Penney, and Macy's. Santa then posed for pictures by the huge Christmas tree, center court. A colorful balloon making elf and a juggler with his Santa hat and red suspenders added to the festive afternoon. Celebrity Gems arranges marching bands, balloon artists, and jugglers in Pleasanton, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, San Francisco, and Oakland.

Santa joins the Toy Soldiers Marching Band

Toy Soldiers played popular Christmas songs and showtunes

Santa's elves leave their workshop for Mall

Elf balances club on his elf nose

A youngster learns to juggle and joins the Elf team

Glitterball compliments of balloon making elf

Santa's elves left their workshop for the Santa arrival at Stoneridge Mall, Pleasanton. A Juggling Elf with his Santa hat, red-tie and red suspenders and a balloon making elf took a break from their North Pole workshop to join Santa. Celebrity Gems arranges balloon artists and jugglers in Pleasanton, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.

Adults discover their dream home-Kids get their favorite balloon

Children lined up for pumpkin, Hello Kitty, and Spiderman Balloons at the grand opening of the Wayland Place homes in Livermore. Balloon artist Raulito, dressed in Halloween garb, was the perfect complement to Halloween and a decorative pumpkin patch backdrop. Celebrity Gems arranges balloon artists and face painters in Dublin, Livermore, Walnut Creek, and San Ramon.

Make mine Spiderman

We choose "Hello Kitty"

Caribbean music while Shoppers Stroll

Lively music at Wine Walk

Shoppers sampled wine and gourmet foods and desserts at the second annual Dublin Wine Stroll at the Persimmon Place Shopping Center. A lively and fun Caribbean Steel Band with two Reggae singers added to the festive fundraiser for the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Celebrity Gems arranges Caribbean music in Fremont, Oakland, San Jose, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek. #persimmonplace

Dogs Dress-Up for Halloween

Yappy Hour aat Blackhawk Plaza

Dogs were in their Halloween costumes for "Yappy Hour," a fundraiser for Canine Companions at Blackhawk Plaza in Danville. A caricaturist provided a ready to frame keepsake of Man and Woman's Best Friend with their proud owners. Since this sunny day at Blackhawk Plaza was a puppy and dog day, there were milk bone treats for the dogs and Costco cookies for the adults. Celebrity Gems arranges caricaturists in Danville, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland.

The Puppy smiled for her drawing by the caricaturist

A Piece of Germany in Union City

Oom Pa Pa Band and Oktoberfest

Welcome to Oktoberfest, the merry celebration held each year in Munich Bavaria Germany. The dining room at the Masonic Home for Adults in Union City was themed for the month of October and Oktoberfest. There was authentic German food- bratwurst, sauerkraut, and of course beer. And a huge "Welcome to Oktoberfest" banner and below the banner traditional German music- with tuba et al. Celebrity Gems arranges Oktoberfest and German music in Union City, Hayward, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont.

L'Shana Tova

There was a second celebration when a couple was celebrating their 50th Anniversary. With 50 years of togetherness, happiness, and good health, their special occasion occurred on the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah. Their daughter spared no expense. Unorthodox Rabbi Jacob, from Paris, France was the surprise guest. We gathered background information from their daughter including the vow that the wife and husband granted each other 25 wishes, with the wife getting 24, and one, maybe, for the husband. Rabbi Jacob gave the husband and wife top hats with their names inscribed in Hebrew.

Dance the hora with Reb Jacob

Celebrity Gems arranges improvisational actors and actresses including Rabbis, Priests, and Imams in Walnut Creek, San Ramon, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.

The Fast Lane in Palo Alto

Undercover cop Sonny Crockett serves jello shots

The 80's TV Show Miami Vice was known for its illicit drugs, Ferraris, and double-breasted satin suits. Undercover cop Sonny Crockett, wearing his "cool watermelon sunglasses" was a fixture at the hip nightclubs and on the mean streets of Miami. He and his partner busted Columbian drug lords and assorted bad guys. A Sonny Crockett lookalike mingled served jello shots and looked for suspicious party crashers. The partygoers were in safe hands- his Dade County badge and handcuffs were prominently displayed. Celebrity Gems arranges a Sonny Crockett/Don Johnson lookalike in Palo Alto, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and San Ramon.

Country Hoe Down in Union City

The Masonic Home in Union City had an old-fashioned country fair and barbeque for their Harvest Festival and tour of their new facility-Acacia Creek. As a replica to the huge Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton,  there was Country and Western and Bluegrass music, a petting zoo, and games of chance including "Flip the Frog" and the ring bottle toss. Enjoy ice-cream and custard? Rita's Custard and Ice-Cream served their delectable goodies from their brightly decorated food truck.

Traditional bluegrass music with a fiddler and banjo player

A Merry-Go-Round bouncy house and carnival booths.

Celebrity Gems arranges bluegrass and country and western bands and carnival games in Union City, Hayward, Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.