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Planning A Fabulous Simcha

When it comes to Simchas, you could say that Rick Levine wears many party hats. He's a musician, talent and event manager, and he also operates a party service WEB site - wwwtorontopartyguide.com. As well, he and party planner Lynn Cohen co-produce two interactive trade shows a year to showcase a wide array of party and event services in the GTA.

Some 60 venders will be exhibiting at the upcoming show on Jan. 22 (2008), which takes place 6 to 10 p.m. at Le Parc, located at Lesley Street and Highway 7. Admission and parking are free."The show is about everything you need to make a great party, " says Levine,who, in his capacity as an event manager,is continually striving to be innovative. "I'm coming up with new ideas all the time."

For decades he has been a band leader, and these days he's the driving force behind Good Vibrations Band (goodvibrationsband.com), a live music group that plays at weddings, bar mitzvahs, corporate events and other special occasions. Levine also manages entertainers through his talent company Times Square Entertainment."I have everything from jugglers, hypnotists, comedians and musicians on my roster."Through my years of developing contacts in this business I can get exactly what people need for any event."

Levine recently teamed up with the Megan Boys in an exclusive arrangement to complement the Megan Boys' DJ presentation by providing live entertainment, which includes Good Vibrations Band and the performers he represents. The arrangement is a win-win situation for both parties, Levine says. "It's a good fit because we're matching the busiest entertainment company in the country with an existing base of talented performers.

"It's great for the clients because they get to choose from a great variety of top performers at reasonable prices. Live music adds tremendous versatility to the evening.

"When Good Vibrations plays at an event we reach the adults and the kids and everyone is happy. We did a bat mitzvah with our authentic Beach Boy tribute band called Endless Summer. It was fabulous. This is one of our most popular tribute acts." Levine also represents a very talented Beatles cover band, which also has multi-generational appeal because so many kids love the old music, he says. "This band looks and sounds so much like the Beatles it's like a trip back to the excitement of the '60s." He also represents Tina Turner and Bette Midler tribute acts that can wow a crowd because "these people are very talented performers with authentic presentations," he explains.

"I had ÔTina Turner' perform at a gala for 3500 people. They were convinced she was the real thing. They were going wild. "There are video clips on our the TPG WEB site (www.torontopartyguide.com) so that people can see the incredible quality of these entertainers for themselves." One of the most talented entertainers he represents is Chris Cool, a DJ entertainer / MC, who is performing exclusively at Megan Boys' functions, says Levine. "He's a brilliant dancer. He is a very personable and energetic entertainer.

"When he gets on the mike the house rocks... the roof is on fire. The kids are enchanted with him and the adults love to watch him dance." Levine is also extremely proud of the party planning trade shows. He describes them as "interactive, utilizing a unique experiential marketing format" which he pioneered. "The show is interactive because you could feel like you're at a wedding or a bar or bat mitzvah.

"It's an amazing marketing strategy that gives the consumer the opportunity to have a 3- D feeling for the product. Exhibitors give away samples of novelties and kosher treats. You can hear live performances. "We want people to get the atmosphere, smell the fragrances, taste the food, hear the music of the party to help them make the right decisions for their simchah. It's a showcase for all the services involved in party planning, he says.

"You see the finest invitations, the top photographers. Videographers, bands and DJs are all displaying their products and services." The TGP WEB site provides a convenient link to the individual WEB sites of all the exhibitors, he says, adding that party favours and novelties can be purchased on-line at wholesale prices through TPG WEB site.

"When you combine the convenience of the TPG WEB site with the live show that we produce twice a year, people can really count on planning a fabulous simchah."