Y? Entertainment

Getting Ready for Reunion Season

2009-05-24T19:56:00.003-07:00

Well we are just a few short weeks away from kicking into the main part of our reunion season with First Coast Reunions. Starting the second week of June we will be averaging about 3 per weekend through September.

This is a very exciting part of the year because in addition to all the great wedding and corporate events we will be hosting we get a chance to be a part of some very special occasions in peoples’ lives. A class reunion, which typically happens every 5 to 10 years, can be bother exciting and nerve racking all at the same time. “Who will I run into?; Will my classmates be more successful than me?; How much have I changed since the last time I saw my classmates?” These are just a few questions that swirl in the minds of those attending.

Our sister company, First Coast Reunions, works hard to make the reunions as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Starting with the Friday Night socials, classmates have a chance to “ease into” reuniting with each other. It is typically a casual event to welcome classmates as they arrive from “down the road” or “across the country”. Some classes with have their “casual night” at the same venue, some will host it at a restaurant or night club and even some will do a Sunday Family Day. Whichever they choose, it is a great opportunity to break the ice before Formal Night (except for obviously the Sunday events). Classmates will smile, laugh and let down their guard as they run into old friends.

Saturday Night is Formal Night. Everyone dresses up for an evening of dinner, dancing and more catching up with classmates. Many times classmates will put together a slide show or PowerPoint featuring “classic photos” of High School memories and new photos what “Where They Are Now”. After dinner the DJ kicks in with a blend of music from “back in the day’ and current dance hits. First Coast Reunions also provides a photographer and videographer to capture the weekend’s many memories. Each class takes a group shot of all in attendance and then classmates have an opportunity to take a purchase couples shots, friends’ shots, group shots and more. The videographer creates a great video montage of testimonials, candid footage and the many other memories caught on video during the weekend.

The emotional reward form being a part of these reunions is often unexplainable. Seeing all the smiles, and hearing all the laughter as they reminisce makes all the hard work more than worth it. I look forward to an amazing reunion season and will be posting many of the highlights as the months go on, stay tuned…

Visit our sister company First Coast Reunions at http://www.firstcoastreunions.com.

What's In A Song???

2009-04-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

On Friday I worked Ben & Gabrielle's wedding at the White Room in St Augustine. i have to pause for a moment and give the White Room a plug. The food was AMAZING, I can not tell you the last time I ate that well at an event. Thank you!!!

As Ben and Gabrielle were filling out their on line planner I noticed that Ben had selected "Sesame Street" for his mother-son dance. To be honest, like may would be, I was like "OK, that is a new and different one". The version he was looking for though was a slowed down version that was featured in a recent episode of the TV show Scrubs. I researched it for actually several hours and could only come up with clips on youtube that included the dialogue from the show. I finally tracked down the song. Ben suggested an alternate if i was not able to but as most who know me will tell you, i am always determined to give my customers exactly what they ask for.

Fast forward to the mother-son dance....As i announced them to the dance floor Ben's mom as not aware of what song he had chosen. From almost the first note she began to cry tears of joy and it was emotion that I have to believe was felt by all. I thought to myself, there has to be a story behind this song. Later on, after dinner, I spoke to her for a few minutes and asked if she would share with me the special meaning of this song. She went on to tell me that as a child Ben would always want to watch Sesame Street but only if mom would watch with him. Together they would sing the "sesame Street" song as loud as they could and have a great time together. This was the beginning of a special bond between them. She even shared the humorous side of the story with me in that his friends used to make fun of him for "watching Sesame Street with his mommy." Then she said something to me that brought how important my job is to full perspective. She said, "I will always remember you making to effort to find that song for me and my son. No matter hat else happens today, I will never for that dance that we shared."

A few days back I shared what I called my "Master Card Moment" and I have to say this duplicated that feeling. Well, as if that was not enough Gabrielle also asked that I play a song called "Little Italy" for her mom. I played it probably 2/3 of the way into the wedding and as the song began mother and daughter were drawn together from opposite sides of the dance floor almost as with magnets. Together, through tears of happiness, they shared 4 very special moments in time. After the wedding Gabrielle's mom came over, gave me a hug and thanked me for playing that song. She said that while Gabrielle is now too grown up to do so, she would always dance on "mommy's feet" to that song as she was growing up. It was one of her favorite songs and she loved singing it and dancing to it with Gabrielle.

Two songs, one you would probably never expect and one you may have never heard of. While these two songs may not have any significance to anyone else they meant everything in the world to this bride and groom and their mothers. I am so very lucky to be in the profession I am in and look forward to hopefully many more special moments like these.

My Master Card Moment

2009-04-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

So we have all seen those commercial for Master Card....well I had mine this past weekend.

I was doing a wedding in Orange Park and it was a smaller wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and just made it through before the rain started. After dinner all in attendance were up and dancing to just about everything I played. For my DJ friends you will know what I mean when it seems like you can not go wrong with what you are playing...

Fast forward to the end of the night.....

As I am beginning to pack up all my gear after a great night, a young boy approaches me and and asks if he can speak with me for a moment. I said, "Sure". He proceeds to say, "I just want to tell you that what you just did was awesome!" I asked him what he meant by that. His reply was, "The party you just did was the best ever, I hope I can be like you one day when I grow up."

With tears in my eyes I thanked him and asked him if he wanted to be a DJ. He said, "I sure do, I live in South Carolina but I hope I can find someone there that will help me." I asked him how old he was...

8 years old!!!!

I spoke to his parents afterwards and let them know that even though they lived in S.C. if he ever had any questions about being a DJ that I would gladly be there for him and gave them my number to reach me.

WOW, if that doesn't remind you why we (DJs) do what we do, I don't know what can!

What "business" are you in????

2008-12-11T22:06:00.000-08:00

Recently I attended a Holiday Party for the Jacksonville Videographers Association (JVA) and the guest speaker, Steve, posed that very question. Some said, "I am in the video business", "I am in the event production business" or "I am in the wedding business."

Without hesitation I responded, " I am in the people business, the relationship business." Who was right? who was wrong? The truth is, to varying degrees we were all right. But for a moment I want to look deeper into my response...

Anyone in the "Event Industry" will hopefully agree that no matter if we are working with a wedding, mitzvah, anniversary, birthday party, company function or a class reunion (and just about every other event for that matter) they all have one thing in common. They are all a part the relationships that everyone involved shares.

Think about the levels of relationships present at a wedding; the blooming new relationship of a bride a groom, the bonds that have developed over time with their families, the friendships they have created with classmates, co-works and neighbors over the years. Don't forget the trusting relationships they have developed with the vendors working with them that day. This just scratches the surface of it.

In looking at these various relationships and how they "gel" together to form a strong foundation for a new chapter in two people's lives it reminds to me how important it is to be strong in my relationships. My relationship with my family, my friends, my colleagues and even with complete strangers. Everyone you come in contact with will have life experiences that, when shared, can help see the path of your future with more clarity. When I am working harder on strengthening my personal relationships I realize how much more I am "in the moment" with my wedding clients. I work harder to spotlight those special moments that may otherwise go overlooked.

As you go about your day to day life, take a moment and ask yourself, "How am I doing with my relationships?" Send an email, pick up the phone or if nothing else send a text message to someone you have not talked to in a while that is important to you.

Life is precious...your "dash" will be partially measured by your relationships and the impression you left on others' lives...

Welcome to the Y? Entertainment blog space..

2008-12-11T20:26:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog space. It will be my goal to provide you with thought provoking materials. I will be discussing my experiences and how they help shape me and my company each day. Whether you are family, a friend, a client, a prospective customer or a colleague in the DJ Industry I look forward to exploring what makes me who I am with you.

I hope that sharing my almost 20 years of being involved in the Entertainment Industry will help give you insight and ideas on how to create a "WOW" Event! I hope that unique and sometimes comical approach to life's challenges and lessons will touch your heart and help you make today the first step towards a better tomorrow. Thank you for giving me just a few moments of your life and I hope to be able to at least give you one reason to keep coming back...So, here we go!

Mobile Entertainment

2008-12-10T17:25:00.000-08:00

Mobile entertainment is different than hiring a disc jockey. Disc Jockeys generally play good music and talk on the microphone a little. Mobile entertainers know how to motivate and entertain an audience with more than just the music. Our entertainers know how to utilize creativity and personality to make your event more than just a party with great music. We entertain your audience in a manner that allows them to feel comfortable and involved, without high pressure, party props or skits (unless that is the type of event you are looking for us to provide). We can utilize a casually elegant approach or high-caliber interaction. Whatever your event entails, you've made the right choice with the staff of Y? Entertainment and Events.