Quick Outdoor Shade Ideas...

I know you guys will have some great ideas for me here...

I have in my contract that if I am to set up outdoors I need shade provided, or for a fee I can bring my "outdoor set up" which is my EZ Up Tent basicly. I've never had anyone request this yet, but this saturday I have a client that wants me to do a 1 hour birthday party, probably outside (weather permitting), and wants me to bring my tent. Now, to be completely honest with you, I really don't want to have to bring it... what a pain in the butt to haul it, set up and tear down just for 1 hour! Not to mention, I haven't ever tried to put it up by myself, so it would take me a bit to figure it out, and I don't want to have to do that in the middle of some kids birthday party. So I'm trying to think of some alternative shade options, that are easier to fit in my car and easier to set up/tear down. Anyone have any ingenious ideas for easy shading??

Here are two options I was considering:
Have a hole drilled into my plastic folding table and get a big beach umbrella and an umbrella base for under the table. The two pieces separately would be easy to transport, and would only cost me about $50-$60 total. Finding someone to drill a hole thru a plastic table might be tricky though.

Second option: ask my brother (who has a welder) to make me a taller umbrella stand that can work on it's own, without needing to drill thru my table. Then I can stand the umbrella anywhere it needs to be to provide the shade. I like this best, but not sure if I can get something made in two days.

Got any other ideas??

I have a tent and free standing umbrella with a wide brim that I use with my new table and when I use my Fatmax

Hi Changing... so do you use just a regular umbrella base to hold it up? Is it sturdy enough?

I have a four foot diameter shade umbrella I zip tie to the leg of my table and aluminum chair (and it has a bit of a point to go into the ground if it is soft ground). Doesn't hold up in wind, but then again I don't like working in wind anyways. Works well when I have my "everything must walk in with one trip either slung on one shoulder or in my hand" kit.

I use a free standing umbrella as well, although the base is really heavy I hate carrying it. (It needs to be heavy to hold up my umbrella). I think my umbrelle has a 3m diameter so its a decent size too.
I am still looking at getting a tent so this has been all I have used so far and I haven't had any problems with it.

Oops..... went and measured - umbrella is actually 6 foot diameter..... covers me, my table, whoever I'm painting.....

I get someone there to help me put up my gazebo and can take it down quickly on my own. Your umbrella would need a heavy base to be stabile in the outdoors. Probably not a good idea to drill thru your table. Good luck

You need to buy a "market Umbrella"
search on amazon..... some are fantastic.... they have bent poles so they work from and angle and never get in the way.
I have been thinking about picking one up myself.

Do you sit or stand? I have seen lots of different umbrella-style shelters and pop-up shelters that would be fine if you sit but not tall enough if you stand. Like this (both are $40-$50):


and this

I like this one but not the colour......http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-Natural-Offset-Umbrella-Outdoor/dp/B003DRGI58/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1305240416&sr=8-19

I like this one much better - but not liking the price.....
still working on it.
http://www.amazon.com/Coolaroo-Round-Cantilever-Freestanding-Umbrella/dp/B000P7FUF8/ref=pd_sim_ol_3

oh I found this really cool light to attach to them too.... probably completely unnessasary - but still very cool.
http://www.amazon.com/Rite-LPL1040BX-Wireless-Umbrella-Light/dp/B0036FTBQU/ref=pd_sim_ol_4

I really like those Tash

Thanks for the feedback! Being in such a rush, I went to Sams Club today and bought a super colorful "Beach Umbrella". It's 8' wide and is really light and can withstand high winds. I'm pretty sure I can put it in a regular umbrella stand base. And the best part is it was only $26! Even if it doesn't work out, hey, not a huge investment. Here is the link: http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod900385&navAction=push

I haven't gotten a base yet, thinking I'll stop somewhere tomorrow before my gig... BUT of course it is now pouring rain! So I doubt I'll end up needing it anyway, since we've gotten a ton of rain the last few days so an outdoor party is probably out of the question with everyones yard being a muddy lake right now. But I will try out this umbrella with stand and let you know how it worked out.

Look at all the accessories they have for patio umbrellas! I LOVE the screen that goes around it. I can see that comming in handy for events where you don't want to go through the formality (and lets face it- hastle) of settin up your EZ-up, but still want to define your workspace.