After many, many years at the Monarch Hotel in Clackamas, the Oregon City High School Army JROTC program awards banquet and dance was moved to the Abernethy Center in Oregon City, Oregon.  This formal event took place on Saturday, February 18, 2012 and featured dinner and a guest speaker. 

As has been customary, the group crowned a G.I. Joe and G.I. Jane for 2012 and they led the first dance of the night to Taylor Swift’s ‘Back to December’ before others joined in.  Always courteous and respectful, this group of students is still ready to get down on the dance floor and they expended a lot of energy to a mix of current hits, along with a few classic tracks. 

This event is the longest running on the PRO DJs calendar… we have performed this annually going back to 1998.  Everyone had a great time and we appreciate the opportunity to perform again at this special banquet.  Thank you Major Thomas and Cadet Britney Harter. -Rich

PRO DJs is thankful for our longtime clients.  Some have brought us out year after year so many times, we have lost count

That is certainly the case for a Portland trucking company.  Their normal January event was moved to February this year… same result though.  We had a great time Saturday night at our usual stomping grounds… the Jantzen Beach Red Lion Hotel on the River in Portland, Oregon.

The itinerary is generally the same at each event.  Employees gather for drinks and dinner before hitting the gaming tables for a chance to win big prizes.  The casino is big hit that provides some competition for me, but eventually I am able to peel some people away to rock the dancefloor.

Thanks again Angie for the opportunity.  See you next year! -Rich

The beaches of Maui are a wonderful place to exchange vows, especially during the month of January and when you are a resident of the Portland area.  For Lora and Jason, they were married three weeks earlier in Hawaii and this was the celebration for friends and family not able to make the trip.

The local reception was held February 4, 2012 at the Abernethy Center in Oregon City with about 150 guests in attendance.  A slide show was presented that featured photos from Lora and Jason’s January 8th ceremony.

Wedding Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: Frank Sinatra – Come Fly With Me
• Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
• First Dance: Avett Brothers – January Wedding
• Bride and Father Dance: Steven Curtis Chapman – Cinderella
• Groom and Mother Dance: Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World
• Anniversary Dance: Michael Buble – Way You Look Tonight
• Last Dance: Brad Paisley – Then

Jason’ Grandparents (Andy & Rita, Married 64 Years) took top honors during the anniversary dance and from there on, we were in high gear as the dance floor filled to a variety of upbeat dance songs, including family favorites – Sister Sledge ‘We Are Family’ and ‘I Gotta Feeling’ from Black Eyed Peas. A mix of classics and current music kept the room hoppin for the next three hours.

It was good to see Liz and Bryan.  I peformed at their wedding reception last June and the groom’s mother Linda selected me to be the DJ for this event soon after… I appreciate the referral.

Congratulations to Lora and Jason.  Best wishes from PRO DJs.  -Rich

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

“The wedding reception for my son & his bride was a smash hit! Music was fabulous, Rich Ellis a pleasure to work with. The dance floor was hopping most of the evening! Our guest thanked us many times over for such a wonderful party. On behalf of Lora & Jason, and all or our guests… THANK YOU!”  -Linda Gitts

Event Date: Saturday, February 4, 2012

Event Type: Wedding Reception

Event Location: Abernethy Center/Oregon City, Oregon

Event Staff: Rich Ellis

Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent

Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent

Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent

Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent

Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent

Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent

Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent

Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent

System Appearance: Excellent

Sound Quality: Excellent

Overall Volume Levels: Excellent

Music Selection: Excellent

Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent

Lighting Effects: Excellent

Equipment Appearance: Excellent

Overall Customer Service: Excellent

Planning Assistance: Excellent

Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent

Overall Performance Rating: Excellent

Would you recommend this service to others? Yes

Tonight was Eugene’s Bar Mitzvah at Ararat Restaurant in Southeast Portland.  The party went from 6 to 10 and did we have fun!

First off Eugene and me talked before the party about video games we like… Skyrim was our favorite.  We then talked about the party and he did not look nervous at all… actually he was ready to get down and party.  But first, a little soft jazz background for arriving guests as requested by mom Irina. 

The food smelled really good and when the kids were done eating, they were ready to have a good time and the party started off right with girls and guys flooding the dance floor!  We amped it up with a swing dance competition.  The winners won Starbucks gift cards and the kids were raising those prizes like they were going to take everybody to Starbucks… LOL.

‘The Hora’ was next and all guests were on the floor as both Eugene and his sister went up in the chair and the family was dancing it up.  After announcing the limbo, all the kids starting practicing for it.  But first, we had cake and sang then went into the limbo.  Everybody tried it out… even the adults!  But the kids have the experience and boys won over the girls in this one, even though the girls did give the guys a run for their money.

When the party ended, I asked Eugene how do you feel and he said ‘I am tired and my feet hurt’ but he said he loved it.  That made me smile See you all at the next party! -Steve