To throw a great party, sometimes you need help, writes Anna Bisazza. We’re not talking wait staff and security; we mean entertainers who can mesmerise your friends and raise your reputation. Entertainers like these…

Home safari
Goatee Toni swears adults are much the same as kids when it comes to the special pets he brings to parties – and when making friends with them, youngsters are braver than their parents. That’s probably why his programmes are becoming more popular with the adult crowd. Don’t expect any tricks such as snake charming or singing parrots though: Toni is a herpetologist, meaning he studies animals rather than exploiting them. For any budget he can bring to your house a variety of species, large and small, cold- and warm-blooded. Then he’ll let them loose and you’ll have to find them one by one … (we’re kidding). Toni and his team will teach you how to touch the animals while showing you their natural defensive behaviour, such as frogs and lizards playing dead, hedgehogs curling up in a ball and tarantulas scaring the bejesus out of you. This is your chance to overcome your phobias while having fun. www.goateetoni.com

Pole dancing
“Eee-ew” and “wow” are the two reactions that separate good pole dancing from bad, says Symone Salamon of Pole Divas. The sexy dance that has hooked housewives and lawyers alike needs to be cleared of the stigma attached to it. Have a look for yourself. Salamon and her team can perform at your party and afterwards drag you to the pole to learn some of those alluring moves. The dancer comes with a portable pole that can be set up anywhere, even outdoors. A one-hour performance will cost you $4,000, but if you want more, add the same amount for each additional dancer and pole. Men are welcome to have a go, but don’t get too macho as you gyrate at full speed; it can have painful side effects.www.poledivas-hk.com

Drink up
Contrary to what your girlfriend thinks, your beer-bong drinking days are not over. In fact, your ice-luge days are about to begin. The system is no different from that of a beer bong. Someone empties a drink into an opening and someone else receives the liquid as it sprints down a tube. We know you want one, so call Shiu Pong Ice (seven days in advance). For $1,500, you get a one-metre-tall ice sculpture. Choose the shape, such as a Greek god or goddess. Once it’s delivered, you have three to four hours before it melts; designate cocktail mixologists before the party so the pouring can start at once. A word of warning: beware of body parts sticking to the ice. www.shiupong.com.hk(Chinese only); shiupong@shiupong.com.hk.

Skin deep
Want to make your party memorable? Hire tattoo artist Gabe Shun (www.acedragontattoo.com ) to sign your friends’ bods with some of that freehand style everyone is talking about. For $2,000 an hour, or $20,000 a day, Shun will go anywhere with his needles and ink to leave a lasting impression. Had one drink too many? Not to worry, Shun will give you a tattoo sticker or tracing to give you time to consider your life-long commitment. For a less invasive option, book body paint artist Michael Lam (michaelstar69@hotmail.com) to adorn little parts, or all, of you. Once you’re covered in paint, let your friends guess how many items of clothing you’re still wearing. Book early as Lam is in high demand; his rates go from $4,000 to $30,000, depending on the number of people and hours. And no, the paint isn’t edible.

Playing with fire
It took two blistering years for Man Lee to teach himself to juggle fire. Hooked from the start by the “beautiful and romantic” effects of flames, Lee has gone on to master other tricks, including ‘fire diabolo’, placing fire on his and your arm, and “eating” fire. Catch a glimpse of this pyromaniac wonder in the comfort of your own house party. A 10- to 20-minute performance can be arranged, even indoors, for $3,000 to $5,000, but make sure to move all your flammable upholstery unless you want fire fighters turning up. After watching Lee’s tricks you may be tempted to try it yourself. One word of advice: don’t. man_lee_hk@yahoo.com

Talent show
Professor Chumbinho can give you and your friends a taste of nighttime Brazilian dance/combat capoeira. For $4,000 an hour he will come with four people to your party and stage an interactive performance. Dressed in white, the artists will exhibit their acrobatic stunts then teach you a few moves. Any big or small space will do as long as it’s flat and open. While you’re at it, why not stage your own American Idol moment with friends by having a Capoeira dance-off. A rooftop party is best suited to this kind of fun. Maybe you can grab the attention of that hot neighbour you’ve been trying to impress – just make sure you don’t sprain your ankle while they’re watching. www.capoeira.hk.

Dial-a-comedian
Jami Gong and his team at Takeout Comedy promise they’ll make fun of anyone if you provide them with your friends’ worst-kept secrets. Sit back and watch the comedians take a jab at your mates. “But comedy doesn’t just work anywhere; there needs to be the right conditions to succeed,” says Gong about the set-up. First, guests have to know the show is coming up – no surprises. Second, if it’s a house party, a mic and lights on the comedian are a nice touch. Third, the performance should be indoors, with everybody seated and attentive (no dinner being served but booze may help). A 15- to 20-minute show costs $3,000 to $5,000 (maximum 30 people), and if the comedian doesn’t make you laugh, lock him in the spare room until he thinks of something funny to say. www.takeoutcomedy.com.

Read our other features:
Action parties
Warehouse parties
Party on a boat
Costume parties
Alternative party spaces