Rich Ellis

Portland Cityscape Lights Up Company Party

Published July 8, 2018 | By Rich Ellis

It was a perfect summer day for employees of a Portland area excavation company to gather with their spouses for a company party held on the rooftop of the Eastside Exchange Building in Southeast Portland, Oregon on July 7, 2018.

Guests began arriving at 5pm. I played a variety of background music from artists such as Adele, Bruno Mars and Queen, as well as some country music favorites. The cocktail hour went until 6pm and then everyone went down to the second floor Cascade Ballroom for dinner. The venue sent up an audio connection to the rooftop where I was setup, so I could continue providing background music through the ballroom house system.

Company Party Eastside Exchange Portland Oregon (7-7-18)

Most guests returned to the rootop around 7:30 and then about an hour later the dance floor was officially opened. We had a few takers early who gathered in the small space in front of me, dancing to a request for Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic,” but by the next song, the entire rooftop deck was filled with folks getting down to Outkast, Michael Jackson, Bee Gees and more.

Company Party Eastside Exchange Portland Oregon (7-7-18)

The setting sun provided stunning views of the Downtown Portland cityscape as the party rolled on with Usher’s “Yeah,” “Sexyback” from Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger” and other fun songs to move too… the night wrapped at 10pm with “Kiss” from Prince.

Company Party Eastside Exchange Portland Oregon (7-7-18)

Posted in Corporate Event, Events

DJ Revs Up Bat Mitzvah Celebration At Mittleman Jewish Community Center Portland

Published July 2, 2018 | By Rich Ellis

Maia and her friends and family had a great time at her Bat Mitzvah celebration held at The Mittleman Jewish Community Center in Southwest Portland on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

This one was held during the day with a 1:30pm start time. However, the ceremony ended a little early and guests began arriving around 1, but no problem, I was setup and had the background music playing as they made their way into the main ballroom.

The food was served right away and of course the kids finished eating quickly, so while the parents engaged in conversation and continued their meals, the kids had a great time playing games, such as the scavenger hunt, Coke and Pepsi and doing the limbo.

A toast from Maia’s parents followed before a slide show presentation and then dancing to “The Hora” with the traditional chair raising.

Bat Mitzvah MJCC Portland (6-30-18)

Yes, it was the middle of the day, but a real nice thing about the ballroom at the MJCC is no windows, so with the lights dimmed and my DJ lighting flashing to the beat of the music, it felt like a Saturday night and the dance floor raged for a good two plus hours.

Bat Mitzvah MJCC Portland (6-30-18)

Mazel Tov Maia and thank you Leticia and Joel for choosing PRO DJs.

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

“Rich was a super resource and made our event! HUGE THANKS!”
-Leticia Kleinberg (Maia’s Bat Mitzvah)

Event Date: Saturday, June 3o, 2018
Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
Event Location: Mittleman Jewish Community Center
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: Good
Music Selection: Excellent
Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent
Lighting Effects: N/A
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

Posted in Bat Mitzvah, Events

Wedding And Reception At Troutdale House

Published June 26, 2018 | By Rich Ellis

Congratulations to Erin and Cameron who were married on June 24, 2018 at the Troutdale House by the Sandy River in Troutdale, Oregon. Thank you for choosing PRO DJs to provide the music for the ceremony outside in the Wisteria Courtyard and reception inside the Enchanted Ballroom.

Wedding Troutdale House (6-24-18)

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

-Erin Pierson & Cameron Carr Wedding

Event Date: Sunday, June 24, 2018
Event Type: Wedding & Reception
Event Location: Troutdale House
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: N/A
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

Posted in Events, Wedding

Lucy’s Bat Mitzvah Party At Beth Israel Portland

Published June 18, 2018 | By Rich Ellis

Lucy’s energetic Bat Mitzvah party took place at Congregation Beth Israel in Northwest Portland, Oregon on Saturday, June 16, 2018.

There was a buzz in the room almost immediately with many guests dancing to the background music 🙂 The plan was to do some games during this time before dinner, but dancing was okay with the Bat Mitzvah girl… although we did manage two rousing rounds of Coke & Pepsi right before the buffet opened.

Just like her sister Zoe two years ago, Lucy was loaded with energy and had no fear of public speaking as she grabbed the microphone from her father during the toast and worked the room like an old pro. Zoe also announced about 15 questions for a quiz on “How well do you know Lucy?” with winners getting a stuffed animal (lion) on each table.

Following the toast, I began playing ‘The Hora’ and most everyone rushed the dance floor to celebrate Lucy and get this party under way.

Bat Mitzvah Party At Beth Israel Portland (6-16-18)

I played everything from older songs to the latest hits and everyone (kids and adults) were agreeable on most everything. The dance floor stayed jam packed for over two hours as everybody got down to ‘Uptown Funk,’ ‘Stayin’ Alive,’ ‘I Gotta Feeling’ and more.

Bat Mitzvah Party At Beth Israel Portland (6-16-18)

Lucy and her friends are big fans of ‘Hamilton’ and other musicals. Near the end, they sang-along their hearts out to ‘The Schyuler Sisters’ and ‘Yorktown’ from Hamilton and the nightcap ‘Let It Go’ from Frozen.

Mazel Tov Lucy and thank you mom Jaime for again choosing PRO DJs.

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

“We had another wonderful event with Rich! The music was great. Kids and adults all had a great evening.” -Jaime Kean (Lucy’s Bat Mitzvah)

Event Date: Saturday, June 16, 2018
Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
Event Location: Congregation Beth Israel
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: N/A
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

Posted in Bat Mitzvah

Wedding Celebration At Stonehedge Gardens

Published June 4, 2018 | By Rich Ellis

Laura and Nick’s Wedding Celebration at Stonehedge Gardens Hood River, Oregon was held on Saturday, June 2, 2018.

It was a gloriously sunny and warm day that made the beautiful tall trees, plants, waterfalls, and lights shining in the tree-canopy that evening a wonderful experience for the senses. I had performed here once before and this is becoming one of my favorite venues.

The ceremony was scheduled for 4pm and also took place outside in the alfresco site at Stonehedge Gardens that is framed with a heart-shaped shrubbery. I setup my sound system here first and provided all music and sound, including a lapel microphone for the officiant.

Wedding Celebration At Stonehedge Gardens Hood River Ceremony Highlights:

Wedding Party Entrance: Sufjan Stevens – The Greatest Gift
Bride Entrance: Novo Amor & Ed Tullett – Alps
Bride & Groom Exit: The Cure – Just Like Heaven

Wedding Celebration Stonehedge Gardens Hood River (6-2-18)

Following the ceremony, the 150+ guests took a short walk to the terraced patio dining and dancing area that was later accented with torches and twinkling lights. A live Mariachi band provided music during most of the cocktail and dinner hour. This allowed me to move my sound system and setup for the reception. When the band took a break, I filled that time with folk, indie and soul background music selections from artists such as Sufjan Stevens, as requested by the bride.

Wedding Celebration Stonehedge Gardens Hood River (6-2-18)

Wedding Celebration At Stonehedge Gardens Hood River Reception Highlights:

Grand Entrance: Performed Live by Mariachi Band
Cake Cutting: Jack Johnson – Better Together
First Dance: Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
Groom and Mother Dance: Performed Live by Mariachi Band
Bride and Father Dance: Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
Last Dance: Post Malone f/Quavo – Congratulations

About a week before the wedding, the bride’s father suffered an injury that required him to recover in a wheelchair. While Nick danced with his mom, Laura went into the house to prepare a surprise for her dad, returning as “What A Wonderful World” began playing in a wheelchair of her own. It was a moving scene and there weren’t too many dry eyes in the crowd.

Next I opened the dance floor to everyone and with plenty of daylight left they filled it quickly, and it stayed that way from the opening slow dance to all the fast hit songs that followed, including oldies “Twist & Shout” and “Billie Jean” and recent hits “Uptown Funk” and “Dynamite.”

Wedding Celebration Stonehedge Gardens Hood River (6-2-18)

The raging party continued as night fell and the warm summer night had everybody in a good mood.

Congratulations Laura and Nick and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

“Rich made everything so much easier! Being new to this idea of putting on a BIG wedding, it was marvelous to have a professional DJ who knew just what to do and kept everything on track. Thank you so much! Our daughter and son-in-laws special day could not have gone more smoothly!” -Ronda Wallace (Laura Wallace & Nick Reyes Wedding) – Hood River, OR