Rich Ellis
Three Bar Mitzvahs and a Wedding
This could be the title of a PRO DJs movie from our schedule of events on Saturday, May 5, 2018. It was also Cinco de Mayo, so maybe expected that many people would want to party on this particular day.
The day began with Zac’s Bar Mitzvah celebration at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in NE Portland, Oregon from 1:30-4:30pm with DJ Rich Ellis. Guests arrived to a set of background music that featured neo-soul artists, such as Lauryn Hill and John Legend as requested by the family, along with many Motown favorites. Shortly before lunch, Zac invited family and friends up for his candle lighting.
Zac’s Bar Mitzvah Candle Lighting Ceremony Music:
- The Anniversary Song – Al Jolson
- Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) – Sly and the Family Stone
- Esketit – Lil Pump
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King
- Happy – Pharrell Williams
- Cats in the Cradle – Harry Chapin
- Don’t You Worry Bout a Thing – Stevie Wonder
After lunch, Rich led the kids through many games, including Coke & Pepsi and a two-team competition between Soccer and Lacrosse… Zac’s two favorite sports.
The chair raising and dancing filled most of the final hour, with the last 15 minutes featuring Zac and his friends holding hands in a giant circle and aggressively moving to the music. It was there chance for a little unstructured time and they appeared to enjoy every minute of it 🙂
I appreciated receiving feedback from Zac’s grandparents who had traveled from Hawaii and as part of a Jewish wedding band had planned to perform at this event, but decided right before to just enjoy the festivies. They said they appreciated watching a professional at work and loved the flow of the event… keeping it organized, but not barking orders.
Mazel Tov Zac and thank you mom Katie for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
- Event Date: Saturday, May 5, 2018
- Event Type: Bar Mitzvah
- Event Location: Columbia Edgewater Country Club
- 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
Two more bar mitzvahs were planned for that evening, but first was a wedding DJ’d by PRO DJs Tom Farley for Karin and Chris at Langdon Farms Golf Club in Aurora, Oregon, beginning at 4:30pm. The groom is a firefighter and after setting up, Tom snapped this photo of an old-fashioned fire truck parked out front for the newlyweds getaway at the end of the night.
Tom noted afterwards, “Well the wedding and reception are over and they were just thrilled. It was a great event! Everybody had a wonderful time and the bride and groom are extremely grateful to PRO DJs.” That was followed up by a message from the groom, “Tom did a great job. It was an awesome day.”
Congratulations Chris and Karin!
DJ Steve Marker traveled to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood for Max’s Bar Mitzvah and Rich Ellis performed double duty on this day at Jordan’s Bar Mitzvah held at Mittleman Jewish Community Center in SW Portland.
Jordan’s party began with 30 minutes of basketball and then another hour in the swimming pool. Most parents dropped their kids off and returned later, but some stayed and Rich played a variety of background music for them.
This event picked up around 8pm with the ballroom filling up quickly before Jordan’s arrival. As Rich announced him, the star of the night entered the room on his older brother’s shoulders before being transferred to a chair for “The Hora” and chair raising.
A few more Jewish/Israeli selections followed (C’est La Vie, MahapechaShet–Simcha, TudoBom) before the burrito bar dinner at 8:30pm. A short time later, the dance floor was reopened to all and everyone had a great time getting their groove on to hit songs such as “Happy” and “September,” plus requests from Jordan and his friends for Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
Mazel Tov Jordan and thank you mom Kristen for again choosing PRO DJs. Rich was the DJ at brother Sam’s Bar Mitzvah in 2013.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Steve was awesome. Really great. We were very happy with his professionalism and charm.” -Julia Pickar (Max’s Bar Mitzvah) – Portland, OR
- Event Date: Saturday, May 5, 2018
- Event Type: Bar Mitzvah
- Event Location: Columbia Edgewater Country Club
- Event Staff: Steve Marker
- 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: Good
- Overall Volume Levels: Good
- 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
Owen’s Portland Bar Mitzvah At Norse Hall
Owen was ready to have a good time at his Portland Bar Mitzvah held on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Norse Hall in Northeast Portland, Oregon. In fact, he was doing dance routines during the background music while his friends were still eating 🙂
Guests arrived around 5pm and the food was out before 6. A short time later, Owen introduced family and friends to come up for his candle lighting. Open flame was not allowed at this venue, so each battery-powered candle was just switched on.
Owen’s Portland Bar Mitzvah Candle Lighting Ceremony Music:
- Sentimental Journey – Doris Day
- Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart
- Happy Together – The Turtles
- Thunder – Imagine Dragons
- Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
- Boom Boom Pow – The Black Eyed Peas
- Footloose – Kenny Loggins
- Pump It Up – Elvis Costello
- Twist and Shout – The Beatles
- On Top of the World – Imagine Dragons
- Count on Me – Bruno Mars
- Sunday Girl (French version) – Blondie
- New York Groove – KISS (Ace Frehley)
Following the candle lighting, we went right to the games for the kids that included two crazy rounds of the scavenger hunt. Owen almost won that second round, finishing as runner-up.
After a short video in the lounge, everyone returned to the main room for dancing that began with “The Hora” and chair raising.
From there, adults and kids danced for almost three hours to fun hit songs like “Billie Jean” and “Can’t Stop The Feeling,” along with family favorites “Saturday Night” by the Bay City Rollers, plus Owen’s favorites from local band Portugal. The Man and more.
Mazel Tov Owen and thank you mom Paige for again choosing PRO DJs. I was the DJ at sister Flora’s Bat Mitzvah in 2016.
LOVE at McMinnville Hotel Oregon Wedding
After all the planning, there were lots of nerves leading up to the ceremony for Michelle and Heather, but everything went smoothly as they exchanged custom, heart-felt vows on Saturday, April, 14 2018 at McMenamins Hotel Oregon in McMinnville, Oregon.
McMinnville Hotel Oregon Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party Entrance: The Piano Guys – A Thousand Years
- Bride & Bride Entrance: The Piano Guys – A Thousand Years
- Bride & Bride Exit: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere Over The Rainbow
The wedding and reception were held in Mattie’s Room on the second floor of the hotel. Following the ceremony, guests went downstairs to the Paragon lounge for drinks and appetizers. This allowed the McMenamins staff to setup the room and me to move my sound system to the dance floor area. Guests then returned about 45 minutes later and I played a variety of background music selections from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones and Heather and Michelle’s request for Stevie Wonder.
McMinnville Hotel Oregon Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Kool & the Gang – Celebration
- Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”
- First Dance: Echosmith – Bright
During dinner, Michelle mentioned the song they chose for their first dance was a little fast and she wanted to know if I could slow it down. I have pitch control on my audio player and I had her listen in my headphones as I adjusted the pitch to make sure it was to her liking and she approved. After their first dance, Michelle and Heather suggested I open the dance floor to all guests with “The Way You Look Tonight” by Michael BublĂ©.
From there, I played a mix of classic hits like ‘September’ and ‘P.Y.T.’ to recent favorites, ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ and ‘Uptown Funk.’
There was a lot of daylight left when this event ended and we had a good run of fun on the floor that wrapped with ‘My Girl’ from the Tempations.
Congratulations Heather and Michelle and thank you for choosing PRO DJs. I appreciate their friend and best man Sandy for referring us to DJ their big day.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Rich was amazing from start to finish. He helped plan, answered our questions whenever we had them and coordinated with other vendors the day of the wedding. The music was great and exactly what we asked for. I will be recommending Pro DJs to everyone I know who needs a great DJ. Very professional and organized. Made our wedding day that much better!”
-Michelle Love (Michelle & Heather’s Wedding) – Salem, OR
- Event Date: Saturday, April 14, 2018
- Event Type: Wedding & Reception
- Event Location: Hotel Oregon McMinnville
- 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
Leah’s Bat Mitzvah At Embassy Suites Portland
Rhett “RJ” Acelar had the honor of being the DJ at Leah’s Bat Mitzvah held at Embassy Suites Portland Downtown on Saturday, April 14, 2018. We also DJ’d sister Lawren’s Bat Mitzvah in 2015 also held at Embassy Suites Downtown. Mazel Tov Leah and thank you mom Anna for again choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“RJ and his stepson did an AMAZING job! The music selection was great and we had a blast dancing. Both were so professional and incredibly nice. They made it a fabulous night. Thank you SO much!” -Anna Paris (Leah’s Bat Mitzvah)
- Event Date: Saturday, April 14, 2018
- Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
- Event Location: Embassy Suites Portland Downtown
- Event Staff: Rhett Acelar
- 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
Bat Mitzvah Party At Kimpton Hotel Vintage
Rebekah’s memorable Bat Mitzvah party took place at Kimpton Hotel Vintage in Downtown Portland, Oregon on Saturday, March 24, 2018.
For this event, I also provided music and sound for the ceremony held in the Pinot Blanc AB room. Afterwards, all guests made their way to the Game Lounge for refreshments and games like billiards and shuffleboard while the main ballroom was setup for dinner and dancing. There was also a photo booth in an adjacent room.
About 45 minutes before dinner, all of the kids came back to the Pinot Blanc AB room for games with me, including musical chairs, a limbo and group hula hoop chain contest.
Everyone found their seats for dinner a little before 6pm and then I introduced Rebekah, who entered the room to “Battle Without Honor of Humanity” by Tomoyasu Hotei. I then played background music for dinner that featured classic jazz selections such as Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” as requested by the family.
Following dinner was a short candle lighting ceremony. I announced the names and played walk-up music for the family (Ben E. King – Stand By Me), friends (Bruno Mars – Count On Me) and loved ones no longer with us (See You Again – Piano Instrumental). Rebekah had my cordless microphone and commented when people came up to light a candle.
Next, I opened the dance floor with “The Hora” and chair raising. The ceiling is very low at Hotel Vintage, so I made sure to warn the guys lifting the chair. Needless to say, this might have been the lowest chair raising I have witnessed 🙂
There was a lot of energy and the dance floor was hoppin’ for almost 3 hours to hot hits such as ‘Uptown Funk’ and ‘September’, plus family requests for 80’s hits ‘We Got The Beat’ and ‘Walking On Sunshine.’
The kids started a train to Justin Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ before an impromtu limbo started, this time involving the adults.
It was a great party and everyone seemed to have a good time. Mazel Tov Rebekah and thank you mom Heidi and dad Karlo for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“We would use Rich again!” -Heidi Wolfson (Rebekah’s Bat Mitzvah)
- Event Date: Saturday, March 24, 2018
- Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
- Event Location: Hotel Vintage
- 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
