Rich Ellis

Vancouver WA High School Homecoming Dance

Published October 26, 2014 | By Rich Ellis

PRO DJs had the opportunity to perform at a Vancouver WA High School Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 25, 2014.

The theme was a Modern Masquerade and the dance was held in the Commons at HeLa High School. Many students were wearing masks when they walked in, but eventually discarded them as the packed dance floor heated up the room.

The latest hot hits ruled the playlist on this night as everyone had a good time dancing to tracks from Iggy Azaela, Ariana Grande, Jeremih’s ‘Don’t Tell ‘Em’ and more. Some classic hits still resonate though and nearly all 350 guests participated in the ‘Cha Cha Slide’ and ‘Cupid Shuffle.’

The HeLa students couldn’t get enough of their favorites, such as ‘Bang Bang’ from Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, ‘Fireball’ from Pitbull featuring John Ryan, this week’s number one song, Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off,’ and more. This was an outrageous party and the dance floor never let up.

Posted in Events, Homecoming Dance, School Dance

Last Minute Wedding DJ at Kell’s Irish Pub

Published October 12, 2014 | By Rich Ellis

As longtime members of the mobile DJ industry, we occasionally hear of other DJ’s not honoring their event agreements with their customers, including double-booking or not showing up at all.

This happened to Tara and Jeremy, who after just returning from being married in Hawaii, learned the day before their reception in Portland, that their DJ was canceling on them.

I had planned to take Saturday, October 11, 2014 off, but upon learning of what happened when they contacted me, I was happy to provide my services for their reception at Kell’s Irish Pub in downtown Portland.

Last Minute Wedding DJ Reception Highlights:

Grand Entrance: Frank Sinatra – Come Fly With Me
Cake Cutting: Adam Sandler – Grow Old With You
First Dance: Percy Sledge – Whan A Man Loves A Woman
Father and Daughter Dance: Tom Petty – Wildflowers
Groom and Mother Dance: Van Morrison – Days Like This
Bridal Party Dance: Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies
Garter Toss: Right Said Fred – I’m Too Sexy

Once the dance floor was opened to all guests, the evening got crazy pretty quick as guests had a great time dancing to mostly recent hit music, including ‘Happy’ from Pharrell Williams, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ ‘Can’t Hold Us’ and the current hot hit ‘All About That Bass’ from Meghan Trainor. Tara’s request for ‘Wiggle’ also led to a wild time after she removed Jeremy’s shirt 🙂

The newlyweds and their friends and family were very appreciative that we were available on short notice and I am glad this worked out for them. Congratulations!

Posted in Events, Wedding

Union High School Outdoor Homecoming Dance

Published September 29, 2014 | By Rich Ellis

PRO DJs has had the opportunity to perform at nearly every dance held at Union High School in Camas, Washington since they opened in 2007.

Last year they planned to hold their homecoming dance outside in the school courtyard, but Mother Nature had other plans. They tried again this year on Saturday, September 27, 2014 and this time it was a beautiful evening for about 500 students.

This wasn’t the typical formal dance. In fact, it wasn’t formal at all, as the school had two bouncy play areas set-up. With this event starting at 7pm, we still had almost an hour of daylight left, so this provided some fun entertainment until dusk.

It didn’t take long for most of the students to crowd the dance floor area as it was tough to resist the hot sounds of Iggy Izaela, Calvin Harris, Ariana Grande and more.

The students were loving the current hit music, such as Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off,’ ‘Delirious’ from Steve Aoki, Chris Lake & Tujamo featuring Kid Ink, this week’s number one song ‘Rather Be’ from Clean Bandit and more. This was a big time party and being outside felt great on a warm late-September night.

Posted in Events, Homecoming Dance, School Dance

Wednesday Wedding In Downtown Portland

Published September 18, 2014 | By Rich Ellis

With Megan and Mitchell’s Wednesday wedding at Adrianna Hill Grand Ballroom in downtown Portland, Oregon, I have performed at a wedding everyday of the week this year, except Tuesday.

The ceremony began at 6pm in the main ballroom on Wednesday, September 17, 2014. Mitchell had been hoping to have Celtic music playing during the prelude, but Megan wanted something with a little more tempo, so they settled on techno violinist Lindsey Stirling and the groom made his entrance to Lindsey’s ‘My Immortal.’

Wednesday Wedding Ceremony Highlights:

Wedding Processional/Bride Entrance: London Symphony Orchestra – Beauty and the Beast
Bride/Groom Exit: Skies of Arcadia OST – Blue Rogues’ Theme

To allow the room to be turned for dinner and the reception, guests made their way upstairs to the balcony after the ceremony for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The newlyweds went with a ‘Masquerade Ball’ theme for their big day and everyone was given a mask to wear before returning to the ballroom for dinner and dancing.

Wednesday Wedding Reception Highlights:

Grand Entrance: Blue Swede – Hooked On A Feeling
Cake Cutting: American Authors – Best Day Of My Life
First Dance: OneRepublic – If I Lose Myself (Acoustic)
Bouquet Toss: Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
Garter Toss: Nelly – Hot In Herre
Last Dance Song: Miley Cyrus – When I Look at You

After their first dance, Megan and Mitchell wanted a group photo taken of everyone wearing their masks.

I then opened the dance floor with ‘At Last’ from Etta James, which had a nice feel for the theme and many couples slow danced to this classic.

Judging by the energy and participation on the dance floor, you would never know it was a Wednesday night.

This was a big time celebration that felt like a Saturday night with the dance floor packed to classic hits ‘In The Mood,’ ‘We Are Family,’ ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and more. Recent hits ‘Party Rock Anthem,’ ‘Happy’ and ‘I Gotta Feeling’ were also very popular.

Best Wishes Megan and Mitchell and thank you Adrianna Hill Event Coordinator, Jessie Robinson for recommending PRO DJs.

Posted in General, Wedding

Clackamas Wedding At Sah-Hah-Lee Golf Course

Published September 14, 2014 | By Rich Ellis

Amanda and Michael’s late Summer Clackamas wedding was held Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Sah-Hah-Lee Golf Course in Clackamas, Oregon.

It was another warm, dry day, but the outside pavilion felt comfortable for the reception that followed the ceremony held on the golf course.

Background music for cocktails and dinner was a variety of favorites, including requests from the newlyweds for Tom Petty, OneRepublic and some Country hits from Tim McGraw and others.

Clackamas Wedding Reception Highlights:

Grand Entrance: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros – Home
Cake Cutting: Bruno Mars – Marry You
First Dance: John Legend – All of Me
Bride and Father Dance: Bob Carlisle – Butterfly Kisses
Groom and Mother Dance: Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies

This was a great crowd and they were real excited to get going, turning out in large numbers for the opening slow dance and then packing the floor the rest of the night… moving and grooving to everything from Michael Jackson to Maroon 5 and a heavy dose of disco.

Congratulations Amanda and Michael and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

“Hi Rich. Just wanted to drop you a quick note to tell you thank you again for doing such a great job at Amanda and Michaels wedding. You were really amazing! We really appreciate you helping to make this wedding so perfect!” -Sharon Ryle (Mother of the Bride)