Tag Archive: dj

Father/Daughter Dance – 3/31/2012

Navesink Country Club in Rumson, once again put on a great party.  This time the theme was a Father/Daughter Sock-Hop themed dance for it’s members.

With the Dads in Suits and the girls in Poodle Skirts we kicked off the party to some top 40 kid’s favorites.  We played a ton of games and audience participation dances, and the girls all got to participate in the Hula Hoop and dance contests to try and win some prizes.

The dads were also treated to watching two NCAA Final Four games:

Kentucky (69) vs Louisville (61)

Kansas (64) vs Ohio St. (62)

In all everyone had a great time at a very special dance.

Spring Fling Party @ Cliffwood Elementary School – 3/23/2012

The PTO headed by Dawn, put on a great “Spring” themed party for kids and families at Cliffwood Elementary School.  It was a great turn out on a Friday evening and the kids definitely came ready to party and dance.

We played all the popular Audience Participation and Line Dance songs including, “Cha-Cha Slide“, “Cupid Shuffle”, “Electric Slide”, “Cotton-eyed Joe”, “Macarena”, “Hands-Up”, “Dollar-Wine”, “Hot-Hot-Hot”, and “Apache”.  The kids loved the hats, sunglasses, Hawaiian leis, and maracas we gave out.  We also played lots of new music LMFAO, Rihanna, Drake, One Republic, Pitbull, Flo Rida, Black Eyed Peas, Avicii, Calvin Harris, and Adele.

We finished off the night with some group pictures of all the students up on stage to go in the year book.  It was a really fun and energetic night.

“Think Big” – Bill Kubeck’s 50th @ Trump Golf Club – 3/17/2012

“I like thinking big. If you’re going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big.” - Donald Trump

Bill Kubeck’s surprise 50th Birthday Party certainly lived up to Donald Trump’s words.  Not only was his party at Trumps Golf Course in Colt’s Neck, NJ, but it was on St. Patrick’s Day, and there was an Elite Entertainment Disc Jockey (Yours Truly) and The Two River Band (T.J., James, Mike, & Will).  Donna, Bill’s wife who planned the surprise party was definitely “Thinking BIG”!

The party started off with the Cocktail Hour where guests were treated to green beer (in honor of St. Paddy’s Day) and champagne.  Once our guest of honor arrived – walking in to a thunderous “SURPRISE!!” and greeted and thanked his guests, everyone made there way into the main banquet room where The Two River Band kicked off there opening set.

Throughout the night we traded sets between DJ dance sets and Band sets, each lasting about an hour a piece.  Some of the special highlights were Bill & Donna dancing to there wedding song and Donna and their son giving a special thank you to the guests and congratulations to Bill.

In all it was a great night, with lots of dancing, singing, eating, drinking and especially “BIG” fun, and helped make a very memorable party for Bill as well as all the guests including myself.

Thank you to Donna, T.J., James, Mike, Will, and the staff of Trump Golf Course for an amazing night, and Congratulations once again to Bill on his 50th.

If the Bride could have worn green, she would have…

I had the opportunity to work a wedding on St. Patricks day and what a party it was. The bride and groom, Tara and Robert, and their families are all Irish so it was double the celebration. From beginning to end people danced, sang, laughed, and partied. You could just feel the love in the room.  Their reception was at the Basking Ridge Country Club, where I’ve worked plenty of times before, and I love it there. The staff is so much fun and it looked like they fit right in with the crowd.
Tara loves music and it was the most important thing to her on her big day. We talked for months about her idea’s and music. She was able to pick out every song and left it up to me to put it all together in sets throughout the night. Every song she picked out worked and was perfect so obviously she knows her family and friends musical tastes very well. There were also a few surprises that night and if you know the Irish, they went all out with Irish Jig dancers, bagpipers, and even a marching band(WHAT!!!).  Once again a successful night and hope to work a wedding every St. Patricks Day.

An Amazing Wedding at The PNC Reception Center

Aimee & Rashard are a fantastic couple.  I met with them about a month ago and since then we have worked closely together, collaborating on their music list and the style of their wedding.  They also capitalized on a winter special we ran and got our photo booth at some great savings.  The photo booth was a huge hit of the night!

The PNC Reception Center's atrium is a beautiful place for a wedding ceremony

Since Aimee and Rashard were getting married onsite at the PNC Reception Center they hired us for the whole evening.  We provided ceremony music, a great jazz infused mix for cocktail hour and then of course the party music and lighting to ignite their celebration.  I particularly love being a part of a couple’s ceremony because, let’s face it, that is the most important moment of the day and when they get married in a church or temple I don’t have the opportunity to witness it.  Aimee and Rashard had personalized their wedding vows and hearing them really made me love this couple all the more.

Aimee had asked me to make an edit of Beyonce’s version of “Ave Maria” to walk down the aisle to.  I did that and sent it to her to practice.  She timed things out perfectly so just as her and her dad got to the top of the aisle Beyonce was finishing the song.  As they used to say on The A Team. “I love it when a plan comes together.”

Speaking of edits I had also made one for Aimee and Rashard’s introduction into the reception.  Aimee’s a Bon Jovi fan and she wanted his song “Raise Your Hands” for when I brought her and her new husband in.  I chopped that song up and rebuilt it so just as I was saying their names the chorus kicked in.  I’d also had all the guests gather round the dance floor (rather than just stand at their tables) and this was truly a highlight of the night.  With all their family and friends so close, Aimee and Rashard had me do two songs upfront.  Their wedding song was Billie Holiday’s version of “Come Rain or Come Shine” and then we invited everyone to join in for Michael Franti’s 2008 hit “Say Hey (I Love You).”  It’s always been my experience when you start a party off right it sets the tone for a great evening and this certainly did.

With a package that including our uplighting we rocked the party and made the room look awesome as well.

Rashard is from New

The uplighting and intelligent lights on the towers look so awesome

Orleans and he’d given me the names of a coupla real good Rebirth Brass Band songs.  We sprinkled these in throughout the night and also handed out Mardi Gras beads to add a little Cajun flair to the reception.

It was a great evening for all and I wish Aimee & Rashard a lifetime of health and happiness!

March 23, 2012 – Wedding Bells & Lots of Laughs

John Ruggiero, Versailles Ballroom at The RamadaFriday night I had the pleasure of spending an entire afternoon and evening with 2 of the greatest families I have ever worked with. Funny and Charming and Funny and Funny …did I say hilarious. From the beginning till the very minute I sat in my truck to drive away, it was nothing but smiles and lots of laughs that still hurt 36 hrs later like I did a thrashing ab-workout.

It was 6:00pm and the ceremony was just about to start. I was graced with the presence of my good friend and fellow Elite Entertainer-Corey Fox, as my partner in crime for the night, so I had a feeling it was going to be a memorable event one way or another. We’re set up in the back right corner of the room (if you can picture it, if not, you need not read any further). Well we start to hear small chattering laughter from a few couples in their, I’m guessing 60-70 age group, and they are sitting directly to our left, also the rear of the room. The laughter progressively got louder.

As I bring on the Processional music for the Bridesmaids to walk in, which was “Air” played in G, the room fell silent, as it always does. I heard some ahhhhhs and ohhhhhhs but not much from the Peanut Gallery in the opposite corner. Then I fade the music out, wait for about a second and then, Canon starts playing nice and loud as Jessica makes her way into the room and up toward the altar. I couldn’t make out was said over there as she passed by, but it created a laughter that engulfed the entire room and was contagious for the rest of the night. I could only pray that the comedy would stay tasteful throughout the duration of the party. We have all seen what can happen when you add alcohol to a situation.

After Jess and Jim said I DO and seal it with a kiss, I hit the recessional song; Everlasting Love, and they take their very first steps down the road of Matrimony. I just happen to glance over and one of the Gentlemen from the Peanut gallery was aggressively giving me thumbs up signs from across the room. I guess he liked us so far…yay…a fan club.

Cocktail hour was great as The Ramada in Toms River always puts out a fabulous spread. The finger foods were being enjoyed while the liquor flowed from behind the bar. The poor bartender couldn’t even keep up. As I listened to the beats of the music, it started to be overcome by the amount of laughter in the room. It was as if every little group of people had something to talk about that was funnier than the next. These people were a riot.

Introductions were like fireworks, Parents came in followed by all of the members in the Bridal Party, and I had everyone on their feet clapping and cheering.

When Jess & Jim made their Grand Introduction into the Ballroom to Party Rock Anthem-LMFAO, the room went ballistic. They shared their first dance together, and then danced with their respective parents. The attention of the room was focused on the dance floor the entire time.

Now its time for the Toast. We had 3 toasts and all were filled with the same love and laughter possessed by all the guests attending. The maid of honor was overcome with such emotion during her speech, that there was almost a slight awkward moment of silence until one of the other family members shouted out some jubilant expressions and once again the jokes were rolling around the ballroom. At least 1 person from each table had something to say that when all combined, turned her tears into confidence. Once she gained back her composure, her toast went flawless.

The Night was a blast. Dancing, laughing, eating, dancing , and laughing some more. There was even a part of the night when I played Sexy and I Know It and somebody who is well known as a reputable dancer, SPLIT his pants, and had to go change into jeans. Not even gonna say who that could be. But all in all the night was a success. Everybody left the wedding with such an abundance of joy and love wrapped around them. The Parents of the Bride came up to me as I was taking down my gear and thanked me once again for such a great time.

The very next day, not even 24hrs after the wedding, I receive a message from the Bride gloating about how much fun they had and they were so shocked that the party was so wild. They were extremely thankful and I am not going to lie…I was too. Another great time with some very special people that I will never forget.

The kicker here, is that 1 month before the wedding, I met with Jess & Jim at their house to go over all of the details of their party. They told me “We Don’t Really Dance” and “I don’t really think it is going to be a big dancing crowd”. To some DJs, this could be very discouraging, but I took this challenge head on, and personally feel that I knocked it out of the park.

I am firm believer that Good Entertainment = Good Party, but Great Entertainment = Great Party.
What kind of party will your Wedding be ???

The Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl for Kidsake

I’ve been DJing  this particular event  for Big Brothers/Big Sisters for 3 years now. It’s really an honor to be part of a great fundraiser.  To be honest when I was going to DJ this party I thought how much fun could a bowling party really be? Let me tell you, after the first year of DJing this event I look forward to DJing it every year now.  I took a few pictures this year to show you just how much I have with this crowd.

All 26 lanes of the alley were filled!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got to set up right in the middle of the action!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, I have to get some dance time in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pin Heads are one team you won’t forget!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How many people can say they’ve done the Cha Cha Slide in a bowling alley?!?!

Seeing Double – “1 X 1 = 2”

Day 1:

Twins was the name of the game for Rachel & Rebecca’s Sweet 16 on 2/10/2012 @ Alfonso’s in Somerville.  The one thing (amongst probably many other things) that they shared was how sweet and generally kind hearted they are.  You could tell by the way their friends and family acted around them that they both are very special young ladies.  We kicked off the party to a packed dance floor, and started off with the crowd favorites: “Sexy and I Know It” – LMFAO, “We Found Love” – Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris, “Good Feeling” – Flo Rida.  Throughout the night we mixed in Top 40, Hip-Hop, and Latin.

What their guests found out was that it was not only a double birthday for the Twins, but a triple birthday since Rachel & Rebecca’s mom Vivian was also celebrating her 50th with her own cake and candles…

We also were treated by Rachel and her Musical Theater group to a show.  They performed  “2X” to “Single Ladies” – Beyonce and “Party Rock Anthem” – LMFAO.

We put the Twins in the middle of a circle of all their friends “2 X” having them dance to “Dance (A$$)” – Big Sean and “Baby Got Back” – Sir-Mix-A lot.  The decorations, giveaways, as well as lighting package added to an already fun night, and helped make this party a one of kind (not just due to the fact it was for Twins).

Thanks Rachel, Rebecca, Vivian, and the staff at Alfonso’s!  I had a lot of fun, and it was a great way to kick-off a “2X” DJ weekend.

 

Day 2:

We switched gears somewhat for Jennifer’s 40th Birthday Party @ The Middlesex Fire House on 2/11/2012.  Once again the decorations were amazing, transforming the room into a fun party atmosphere with candles, balloons, lighting, an amazing cake, and my favorite a life size Jen cut-out which I found out someone had put on her lawn that morning…

As guests arrived they were treated to wine, beer, hors d’oeuvresand a fountain flowing with a vodka punch.  After Happy Hour we kicked off the party with some fun new music, “Sexy Chick” – David Guetta feat Akon, “Sexy and I Know It” – LMFAO,  and “Moves Like Jagger” – Maroon 5.  We partied up until Dinner, then had a mini Jennifer Roast (Comedic roast not the food kind) – Jen’s brothers, Sister, and some good friends came up and shared some really nice, and really funny (interpreted hilarious) stories about Jennifer.

We kicked off the second half of the party to some Freestyle, 80’s & 90’s Club, Classic Rock, and Old School Hip-Hop. Some time during the night we found out about Whitney Houston, so we dedicated two party songs, “It’s Not Right (But It’s Okay)” and “I’m Every Woman” to her.  We partied into the A.M. and ended the night with a ton of sing-along’s including, Journey, Meatloaf, The Beatles, Abba, and others.  It was a great way to end off the weekend.  Thanks Jennifer and family/friends for a fun evening and fun antics throughout the night.

February 17th, 2012 – Allison & Rob at Addison Park

I had the great pleasure of entertaining for Allison and Rob on their wedding day. They selected a great venue in Addison Park and we added some elegance and ambience to the room with uplighting. The day went off for them without a hitch!

They had a wonderful ceremony at Gethsamene Lutheran Church in Keyport and Allison got ready at the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank. The entire day was captured by Elite Digital Images, and the dynamic duo of Lynn and Carrie rocked it out. Their photos are beautiful, and I cannot wait to see their final album once it is designed!

Once they got to Addison Park, the party was on! A great cocktail hour followed by intros and the bride and groom’s first dance. Allison’s dance with her dad and Rob’s with his mom were both great heart felt moments. Jay, Rob’s best man, and Ali, Allison’s Maid of Honor, gave two AWESOME speeches that the crowd gave standing ovations.

As soon as I opened the dance floor I knew this event wasn’t going to be work. The entire crowd of just over 100 guests danced like Lionel Richie says, “All Night Long“. I hit the dance floor with everything… BeatlesBon JoviLMFAOPitbullJourneyAretha Franklin and they couldn’t get enough. Plus our bride and groom had some slow song dedications that took me back to middle school.