News

Here's what's happening at First Class Entertainment......

07/03/2019 - Playboy Laughs: The Comedy, Comedians, & Cartoons of Playboy



Our cofounder, Howard Beder, Sr. (as a performer p/k/a Howard Beder) was a featured subject in author Patty Farmer's (www.patty-farmer.com) book entitled "Playboy Swings: How Hugh Hefner and Playboy Changed the Face of Music." Playboy Swings’ emphasizes Playboy’s role in promoting jazz artists. “Playboy Swings” explores how Hugh Hefner introduced jazz to the mainstream.

As a headline singer, Howard Beder successfully worked the Playboy Club circuit as one of their original acts, 40 weeks a year for ten years, and was virtually a permanent fixture at the then Playboy mansion in Chicago.

Patty Farmer's latest book is "Playboy Laughs." The book is about the comedy, comedians, and cartoons of Playboy. Howard also has a mention in this book.

Click this link to see article:  https://www.denofgeek.com/us/books-comics/playboy-laughs/267067/playboy-laughs-author-patty-farmer-talks-comedy-history?fbclid=IwAR2hJs8p79F7K7pV6MVQJusrKEQMtXcbZ_iMCscwqw0Qs3UFHbPoEU0_vL4

Click this link to buy the book:  https://www.amazon.com/Playboy-Laughs-Patty-Farmer-ebook/dp/B073X17726/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=playboy+laughs&qid=1562187937&s=gateway&sr=8-2

 
01/04/2019 - FCE in "The Herald News"

Link to full article, click HERE.




 
02/10/2018 - FIRST CLASS ENTERTAINMENT INC. forges strategic alliance with BLUE BANANA ENTERTAINMENT (EUROPA PARK)!


FIRST CLASS ENTERTAINMENT INC. (FCE)
is proud to announce that we have forged a strategic alliance to exclusively represent the productions of BLUE BANANA ENTERTAINMENT (BBE)(EUROPA PARK) to the cruise industry worldwide!

Blue Banana Entertainment possesses a proprietary set of skills and experience acquired over more than 40 years of successful international show production.  BBE designs the show together with you, produces the show exclusively for you and brings the show to your doorstep – while never forgetting all the things that go with it.  BBE provides a huge variety of different show-types to suit every customer's requirements including Ice Shows, Cabaret Shows, Mystery Shows, Globe Shows, Musicals, & Dinner Shows.

Blue Banana Entertainment’s portfolio comprises shows for every target age group, for all seasons, and for the most varied occasions, events and show locations.  BBE designs and produces – completely in-house – ready to go, live-tested show projects for companies and event hosts.  BBE is also a long time exclusive partner of EUROPA PARK (https://www.europapark.de/en) Germany's largest theme park with 500-minutes of entertainment every day.

Video: https://youtu.be/IG2mOnw9LaM
Web Site: https://www.bluebananae.com/

 
01/16/2018 - Goodfellas

Our CEO Howard Beder at the 2018 APAP Conference in New York City with Federico Castelluccio (who played Furio Giunta) from The Sopranos, and fellow gangsta/comedian, and old friend Jeff Pirrami. FUHGEDDABOUDIT!


 
01/13/2018 - FCE at APAP Conference (Jan. 13-15, 2018)

Another successful APAP Conference for FCE 2018.





 
09/28/2017 - Hugh Hefner (1926-2017)



On behalf of everyone here at FCE, we are saddened by the passing of our long time friend Hugh Hefner.  Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy magazine, died Wednesday at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, surrounded by loved ones. He was 91.

For those that do not know, Hugh Hefner played a large role in the career of our founder, Howard Beder (Sr.).  Howard, who began his career as a singer after being discovered by Sammy Davis, Jr., became fast friends with Hugh Hefner during the many years that he was performing at Playboy Clubs all around the world.  In fact, Howard was even issued his own key to the Playboy mansion in Chicago.  It was Hugh Hefner who also encouraged Howard to put his comedy writing talent to good use and become a stand-up comedian. Mr. Hefner said, "Howard, I'll give you a full year in all my Playboy Clubs to break-in as a comic, I believe in you that much."  Well, needless to say, it was a wise decision, because just a few years later, Howard Beder was nominated for "Comic of the Year" in Atlantic City on the same ballot with Jay Leno and Pat Cooper, and continued on with a hugely successful career in show business.

Thank you for your kindness Mr. Hefner; you are an icon, innovator, champion of civil rights, and you will be missed but never forgotten!

PS: 

Howard Beder, Sr. (as a performer p/k/a Howard Beder) is a featured subject in author Patty Farmer's (www.patty-farmer.com) book entitled "Playboy Swings: How Hugh Hefner and Playboy Changed the Face of Music."  Playboy Swings’ emphasizes Playboy’s role in promoting jazz artists.  “Playboy Swings” explores how Hugh Hefner introduced jazz to the mainstream.

As a headline singer, Howard Beder successfully worked the Playboy Club circuit as one of their original acts, 40 weeks a year for ten years, and was virtually a permanent fixture at the then Playboy mansion in Chicago.

Click this link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Playboy-Swings-Hefner-Changed-Music/dp/0825307880 

 
11/10/2015 - Playboy Swings: How Hugh Hefner and Playboy Changed the Face of Music


Howard Beder, Sr.
(as a performer p/k/a Howard Beder) is a featured subject in author Patty Farmer's (www.patty-farmer.com) recently released book entitled "Playboy Swings: How Hugh Hefner and Playboy Changed the Face of Music."  Playboy Swings’ emphasizes Playboy’s role in promoting jazz artists.  “Playboy Swings” explores how Hugh Hefner introduced jazz to the mainstream.

As a headline singer, Howard Beder successfully worked the Playboy Club circuit as one of their original acts, 40 weeks a year for ten years, and was virtually a permanent fixture at the then Playboy mansion in Chicago.

Click this link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Playboy-Swings-Hefner-Changed-Music/dp/0825307880 

 

 
01/30/2014 - Dr. Black's Brain Bar Super Bowl XLVIII Launch Event

First Class Entertainment, Inc. was brought on to support an A-List invite VIP only event to launch Dr. Keith Black's Brain Bar event in promotion of Brain Health. Dr. Black is a world renowned pioneer Neurosurgeon and chair of the department of neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and has appeared on the cover of Time Magazine twice. The event included such luminaries as: NFL Greats Eric Dickerson, Joe De Lamielleure, Jim Brown, and Ronnie Lott; Actors Denzel Washington, Chris Tucker, Isaiah Washington, and Melyssa Ford; Recording Artist Michael Bivins. CONGRATULATIONS Dr. Black, we appreciate your work!  — at PH-D Rooftop Lounge at Dream Downtown.

[Below: Dr. Keith Black, M.D. / Chris Tucker / Denzel Washington]

[Below:  Howard Beder, Jr. / Dr. Keith Black, M.D.]


[Below: Chris Tucker / Howard Beder, Jr.]

[Chris Tucker / Irena Beder / Isaiah Washington]

[Below: Howard Beder, Jr. / Irena Beder / Jenna Kelly (Wilhemina Model)]

[Below: Larissa Makkonen (Wilhemina Model) / Irena Beder]

 
04/30/2013 - "ALL BEDER"

An article about FCE in “Matters Magazine” (Spring 2013) is OUT!!!!  Be among the first to see it!!  It is entitled “ALL BEDER.”   

The article starts on Page 37 on the Web Viewer found on the link below (actual article is on page 38 in the magazine).

Click here to view in full screen --->  VIEW ARTICLE

  

 
 
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