By genre and group size: A must-see for organizers! A catalog of crowd-pleasing activities
There are many occasions where you’re asked to put on a performance, like at wedding after-parties, year-end parties, New Year’s gatherings, and thank-you parties.
We often hear concerns from those in charge of entertainment, such as: “I can’t think of an idea,” or “What kind of act would everyone enjoy together?”
Key points for choosing are: something short and concise, enjoyable for all ages and genders, simple and easy to understand, and not vulgar.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended entertainment ideas that meet the above criteria.
Wishing you a successful performance and a lively, memorable event!
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[By Genre and Group Size] A Must-See for Organizers! A Catalog of Crowd-Pleasing Performances (81–90)
band performance
If you can showcase a live band performance, it’s undeniably cool.
Of course, if the actual playing is good, that’s ideal; but if the band’s skill level is on the lower side, you can boost attention by focusing on costumes and choreography.
Alternatively, you could go with an air band and pretend to play—ironically, that might hype the crowd even more.
Your taste in song selection will likely be judged as well, so put some care into that too.
pantomime
Here’s something that could be a big hit if you pull it off well: pantomime.
Classic bits like miming a wall or a mirror, going up and down stairs, having your umbrella blown away by the wind, or moving in slow motion are skills that, once mastered, will surely come in handy throughout your life.
While it’s standard to perform solo, doing it with two or more people could make it even more exciting.
Spoon Relay
Many people don’t have a particular special skill and feel uncomfortable performing in front of others.
For those who think dancing or singing is out of the question, here’s an easy crowd-pleaser: the spoon relay.
You hold a spoon in your mouth, balance a ping-pong ball or other light ball on it, and pass it to the next person’s spoon, racing as a team.
Since faces end up very close, unexpected bursts of laughter are common.
You can adjust the number of participants and the time, so it’s easy to play with any group size—and it always gets the crowd going.
Documentary screening
Shooting a video like a documentary and broadcasting it can be quite interesting.
Think carefully in advance about what you want to capture, and then film scenes that fit that vision.
It’ll probably feel like you’re recording an actual program, which can be exciting.
Also, the narrator’s voice and delivery will likely be crucial, so it may be best to choose that person carefully.
fashion show
If you have a group of five or six people, how about doing a fashion show? For example, even with an office-only suit fashion show, you could create highlights such as suits that make you look slimmer, suits that give a solid, muscular look, or even short-sleeved suits that are becoming popular in summer.
If it’s a laid-back event where big laughs are welcome, swapping men’s and women’s casual clothes could really liven things up! Just setting a theme and a situation will make it a proper performance, so if your close-knit group is struggling to come up with an act, give it a try.
Sketchbook Relay
In a nutshell, a sketchbook relay is like a group message in video form—it’s a movie of a sketchbook being passed from person to person.
For editing ideas, you could get creative with how the sketchbook is handed off, have people speak messages in addition to what’s written in the sketchbook, and include memorable locations to make it fun.
One benefit is that people who couldn’t attend the event can still appear in it.
rakugo (traditional Japanese comic storytelling)
When it comes to rakugo, it can seem intimidating to people who don’t usually listen to it, but if you repeatedly listen to the piece you’ve chosen to perform during your commute or before bed, you might reach a level where you can manage to present it.
Since you basically have to play multiple roles by yourself, you’ll likely need to get creative with your delivery and speech.
As you practice, you may even find yourself getting hooked on the world of classical rakugo.
A Story That Never Fails (to Get Laughs)
If you’re confident in your speaking skills, why not try telling a “can’t-fail story,” a staple on TV shows and the like? Almost no one dislikes a funny story, so it can become a talent you can showcase in any situation.
Plus, “can’t-fail stories” aren’t limited to personal anecdotes—there are many formats, such as rakugo or short comedy sketches—so pick the genre you’d like to try.
Apple Peeling Championship
Have you ever peeled an apple? Even people who cook regularly sometimes aren’t good at peeling apples.
So how about holding a team apple-peeling contest? Each team picks the person who seems fastest, and whoever finishes peeling the quickest wins—simple! Some people race and still manage to peel in one continuous, beautiful strip; others peel in a way that makes you think, “Isn’t that wasteful?” It’s the kind of game that really shows a person’s personality (haha).
Let’s all eat the peeled apples together on the spot!
Coke chugging contest
This is a competition to see who can chug the most cola.
Because it’s really tough to drink a lot quickly, it’s sure to be a blast.
The carbonation is intense, so some people might even have it spray out while they’re drinking (lol).
That’s entertaining in its own way, but it’s a good idea to prepare aprons and plastic sheeting to keep outfits and the venue clean.