The Queen Of Hearts Makes Her Royal Debut

Off With Their Deductibles! Transforming TurboTax’s Tax‑Day Crunch into Wonderland Magic

Queen of Hearts (Celeste Barbier)

The Royal Summons

When Sheri Karpinski, owner of Sensational Treats slid into my inbox with: “Want to be our Queen of Hearts for an Intuit corporate event? Costume budget included.”—my inner opera singer/drag queen & theatre kid did cartwheels. Alice‑lore has always fascinated me: the Queen isn’t pure evil, just a trauma‑bruised monarch whose bark eclipses her bite. I shreaked "OMG yes!" and was on Etsy, Pinterest & Amazon looking for costume ideas before I even hit "reply." Sheri even dropped in for a surprise sneak peek at one my local Rancho Santa Fe performances on my debut at Nick & G's and decided that I needed to be there for the full 6 hours so that nobody would miss my royal performance and presence.

The Queen's Arrival

I awoke at dawn to proceed with the royal transformation commenced. White face, shimmering blue eyeshadow, & iconic Heart‑shaped lips demanded a painter’s touch, winged liner & bold dramatic eyelashes framed a sovereign gaze, and the portable larger layers of my ensemble were secured for travel. Upon arrival at Intuit HQ, I navigated a labyrinth of open‑air terraces to a private alcove, where the hoop skirt unfurled and the Elizabethan collar locked into place with ceremonious snap.

A Corporate Wonderland

Intuit’s courtyard looked like we had all tumbled down the Rabbit Hole and found us immersed in a Corporate Wonderland of enchanting courtyards between looming glass structured buildings, but also there were booths everywhere including:

• Adoptable bunnies & puppies to snuggle after work

• Massage tables at ready for weary & sore representatives

• Hat‑decorating station with dreamy boho accessories

• Croquet, giant chess & other games

• Tables blooming with the most stunning roses I’ve ever seen

• Cupcakes, parfaits, tacos, and fresh juice tinctures tucked into every corner

Employees embraced the theme—teams in card‑suit costumes, rabbit ears, some adorned in their full cosplay as though they had just been waiting for this opportunity to show off their true expression of self (Comic-Con folks?). Walking in as the Queen and seeing their faces light up was pure magic-in-the-making.

Keeping My Royal Composure

Reigning supreme my royal assigned duties were not only to sing from a rose‑ringed stage, but also stroll around looking to make cameos & photobombs with the plebeians with a subtle dose of "off with their heads" motivation. For six straight hours (yes, in my high heels) I alternated classic covers with playful strolling ad‑libs like “Off with their deductibles!” while my feet protested "off with these boots!" Sheri & her crew had been on site since 5 a.m. so I did not complain, but carried on and empathized with this cast of top-tier professionals I had in my noble court.

René—my wife, & handler sat nearby and munched on a steady stream of snacks, and tinctures provided by Sheri. Thankfully the sun stayed tucked behind the clouds; with so many costume layers even, mild heat would’ve melted my royal composure.

Revelations from the Corporate Rabbit Hole

Surveying that rose‑draped corporate campus from my circular dais & wandering the grounds, I saw how a single spark of play can recalibrate an entire workplace. Agents who likely dreaded the April 15th calendar date with their chaotic morning hunched over keyboards answering difficult questions for confused tax-payers—were soon laughing & having fun with their "team-mates" & enjoying these little work perks offered. During breaks I glided through the giant chess pieces, cooing at bunnies and puppies, while popping into the backdrop of selfies, while waving my custom made "Off With Her Head" hand fan, dispensing a few one‑liners, and proving that even on Tax Day, wonder is delightfully tax‑free.

The crowning joy came as a surprise just before clock‑out as I had been suspiciously eyeing a DJ that was set-up across the courtyard, daring to compete with my vocal performance perhaps? Never!! Not this time at least! I was royally delighted as a spontaneous troupe of employees—each clad in matching "Ace" playing‑card costumes— gathered around the courtyard to perform a choreographed dance led by an inflatable pink unicorn with a rainbow tail. For three glittering minutes the only numbers that mattered were eight‑counts to the beat.

Thankfully, all their heads remained firmly attached, customers were helped, and hearts—mine included—left a little less taxed.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - A Thematic Diva On Call

Why settle for background music when you can ignite an event with a fully realized character who sings, strolls, and sparks imagination? My performance archive spans eras and genres—from a velvet‑voiced Patsy Cline tribute to a haunting zombie chanteuse, from glittering Gatsby-themed Gala to A Bearded Lady Circus Act. If you can dream the theme, I’ll do my best to embody it—complete with bespoke costuming, curated setlists, role-playing, public speaking or subtle acting all rolled into a dynamic realm of endless entertainment possibilities as a one woman show - complete with my own pro sound provisions.

Menu of Possibilities

• Iconic Legends – Patsy Cline • Stevie Nicks

• Storybook, Sci-Fi & Fantasy – Red Queen • Butterfly • Alien Songstress

• Decades Experience – Roaring ’20s Flapper • '50s Pin-Up • '60s Hippie

• Seasonal & Spooky – Zombie • Mexican Catrina • Merry Carol

• Custom Characters – Mrs. White (Clue) • The Bearded Lady • Nautical Captain crooning yacht rock & more!

Bookings can include:

1. Tailored Costume & Glamour – I can source or craft attire to match your vision (budget permitting).

2. Curated Vocal Setlists – 500+ songs spanning 100 years, woven to fit the mood arc of your event.

3. Interactive Engagement – Photo ops, themed banter, public speaking, ad‑libs

   
   

Ready to trade ordinary ambiance for an unrivaled immersive experience? Let’s co‑create memories that linger long after the final note. Email me directly at booking@celestebarbier.com or on my website.