Rich Ellis
High Energy Fun At NE Portland Bat Mitzvah
What a night for Mira and her friends. This party turned out to be mostly just for them at the Red Rose Ballroom at her NE Portland Bat Mitzvah and they danced the night away to their favorite top 40 hit songs, including ‘Boom Clap’ from Charli XCX, Ariana Grande f/Iggy Azalea ‘Problem’, the hot new Taylor Swift song ‘Shake It Off’ and more.
When I received word that dinner had been delayed 30 minutes, the excited kids were ready for some games that included a rousing version of ‘Name That Tune’ and a Limbo contest that we managed to complete right before the food was ready.
Mira’s parents toasted their daughter before showing a video. Everyone then got up and filled the dance floor for the ‘The Hora’ and chair raising.
The kids outnumbered the adults and were mostly girls, so it was no surprise they took over quickly, dancing to more hot hits, including Mira’s requests for ‘Fancy,’ ‘Wiggle’ and ‘Summer.’
The night ended with all of them dancing and singing at the top of their lungs to ‘Let It Go’ from the movie ‘Frozen.’
Mazel Tov Mira and thank you dad Jeff for choosing PRO DJs. -Rich
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Rich did a great job keeping the crowd engaged, especially the 50+ teenagers in a way that he was both a central part of the evening’s party and did not overpower the attention. Rich was great at helping me plan out the evening and just simply a pleasure to work with.” -Jeff Katz
- Event Date: Saturday, September 6, 2014
- Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
- Event Location: Red Rose Ballroom
- 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
Vancouver WA Wedding At Royal Oaks CC
Allison and Jeremy were married on Sunday, August 31, 2014 at Royal Oaks Country Club in Vancouver, Washington. Party sunny and about 75 degrees, it was a perfect day for the ceremony held outside on the patio.
Vancouver WA Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Processional: Christina Perri – A Thousand Years
- Bride Entrance: Christina Perri – A Thousand Years
- Bride/Groom Exit: Adam Sandler – Grow Old With You
For the reception, I quickly moved my sound system inside the main ballroom and set-up again before everyone entered the room for dinner. The newlyweds requested a mix of background music that featured artists Norah Jones, Michael Bublé and Frank Sinatra.
Vancouver WA Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
- Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
- First Dance: Michael Buble – Everything
- Father and Daughter Dance: Tim McGraw – My Little Girl
- Groom and Mother Dance: Boyz II Men – A Song For Mama
- Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies
- Garter Toss: Jaws Theme Song
After the opening slow dance for all guests, the bride and groom, wedding party and some family were wisked away by the photographer outside to take additional photos before the sunset. With about 70 guests in attendance, this had a room clearing effect, but nearly every person remaining went crazy for the big hits, including ‘Mony Mony,’ ‘Stayin’ Alive’ and ‘Billie Jean.’
Allison and Jeremy eventually returned and the celebration really took off after the bouquet and garter toss as a mix of classic hits and current favorites, plus the groom’s request for ‘Sexyback’ made for a memorable evening.
DJ Steve Marker At Bat Mitzvah Celebration
Portland Bat Mitzvah Party DJ Steve Marker performed at Julia’s celebration on Saturday, August 30, 2014, entertaining the kids and adults at Southwest Community Center in Portland, Oregon with lots of games and popular music.
Thank you Andie Petkus Photography for sharing photos from this event.
Post Event Feedback:
“Thank you for making it a great party!!” -Jan Ziegler
Labor Day Weekend Wedding At Adrianna Hill
Melissa and Stephen had planned all along to have their Labor Day weekend wedding inside, so an occasional splash of rain was no big deal for their big day on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Adrianna Hill Grand Ballroom in downtown Portland, Oregon.
The ceremony was originally planned for a church nearby, but moved at the last minute to the reception venue. I was happy to accomodate them with extra time and a lapel microphone for the officiant.
Labor Day Weekend Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Processional: La Valse D’Amelie (Orchestra Version) Amelie Poulain Soundtrack
- Bride Entrance: Enya – On Your Shore
- Unity Candle: Sigur Rós – Hoppípolla
- Bride/Groom Exit: Capital Cities – Safe and Sound
Following the ceremony, the guests exited to the upstairs balcony overlooking the ballroom as venue staff rearranged the room for dinner. During this time, I played a variety background music requested by the bride and groom, including songs from the Beach Boys, the Beatles and their favorite, Van Morrison.
Labor Day Weekend Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: U2 – Beautiful Day
- Cake Cutting: U2 – The Sweetest Thing
- First Dance: Van Morrison – Crazy Love
- Father and Daughter Dance: Beatles – Here Comes the Sun
- Groom and Mother Dance: Frank Sinatra – Young At Heart
- Anniversary Dance: Anne Murray – Could I Have This Dance
- Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies
- Garter Toss: Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal
- Last Dance Song: Van Morrison – Moondance
After the formal dances, Melissa and Stephen wanted a group photo of everyone taken standing in the shape of a heart. There were nearly 250 people, but somehow it worked and with many guests in attendance married, it made for a nice transition to the anniversay dance.
The longest married couple was Ed and Edna (over 60 years), who are the grandparents of Melissa’s childhood friend, Katie. Melissa noted in our planning meeting and I announced that she and Katie would watch Annie and Michael Jackson videos at Grandma Edna’s and Grandpa Ed’s house when they were kids. The newlyweds presented them with a bottle of wine.
Melissa and Stephen love the oldies and those songs were well received… ‘Twist & Shout,’ ‘Beat It,’ and even Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ packed the dance floor.
Everyone was loving the current songs as well.., ‘Fancy,’ ‘Timber’ and ‘the hot new track ‘Rather Be’ from Clean Bandit.
Congratulations Melissa and Stephen and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“We were very pleased with everything.” -Melissa & Stephen
- Event Date: Saturday, August 30, 2014
- Event Type: Wedding
- Event Location: Adrianna Hill Grand Ballroom
- 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: Good
- 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: Good
- Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
- Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
Hot August Night Birthday Party Celebration
On a warm Summer night, good friends and family gathered at a residence in Southwest Portland on Saturday, August 23, 2014 for Dee’s 50th birthday party celebration.
For this milestone, Dee wanted a fun dance party that included plenty of her favorite aritists, including the Bee Gees, Madonna and Ace of Base.
In preparing for the party, she had noted it “was fun picking the songs! What memories!”
Guests danced to a little bit of everything from oldies (Elvis, James Brown) and disco (ABBA, Kool & the Gang) to 80’s hits (Michael Jackson, Salt N Pepa).
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Thank you Rich for the great customer service and quick response to e-mails and phone messages. The evening was really the absolute best, more than I had hoped. Everyone loved the music and one guest said it was the best party she had ever been to. The next day the neighbors from all sides were coming over to say how much they enjoyed the music as well. Thanks Rich with all my heart for making this once in a life time celebration special and unforgettable.”
-Dee Wetzel
- Event Date: Saturday, August 23, 2014
- Event Type: Birthday Party
- Event Location: Private Residence
- 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: N/A
- Overall Customer Service: Excellent
- Planning Assistance: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: N/A
- Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
