Rich Ellis
The Heat Is On At Portland Bar Mitzvah
Jared’s Portland Bar Mitzvah was held at Hayden’s Lakeside Grill in Tualatin, Oregon on May 4, 2013. Fewer than 100 guests gathered in the Large Lakefront Room, which is actually a small room, but the perfect spot to celebrate the Jared’s big day.
For this time of year, it was a hot one as the Portland area hit 83 degrees and the huge man-made lake outside on a warm Spring night proved too irresistable for a group of young boys and girls. After dinner, the kids spent quite a bit of time running around the lake while I played background music for the adults as they enjoyed their dinner.
Eventually, Jared and his friends returned looking for some more fun and we got right to it with some games that included a riotous, but under control musical chairs scavenger hunt and a limbo that featured some of the best limboers I had ever seen… some incredibly flexible people in this group.
The Rabbi arrived a little later and the chair raising followed. Jared was super excited to be carried around in the chair while holding an Olympic torch he owns. There was no flame though… with the low ceiling, that would have not been a good idea 🙂
A hot mix of fun dance tracks loaded the dance floor and made this intimate gathering feel a whole lot bigger. Guests were lovin’ the big hits: ‘Party Rock Anthem’, ‘What Makes You Beautiful’, ‘Cupid Shuffle’ and ‘Thrift Shop.’ I also played a few blasts from the past for the adults like ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Play That Funky Music’, but the kids loved them as well.
Mazel Tov Jared and thank you Kuntheary and Michael for the opportunity. It was a fun and memorable evening. -Rich
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
- Event Date: Saturday, May 4, 2013
- Event Type: Bar Mitzvah
- Event Location: Hayden’s Lakeside Grill/Tualatin, OR
- 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
- 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 DJ Spins The Hits At Prom
PRO DJs has performed at nearly every dance for Union High School in Camas, Washington over the last few years and we appreciated the opportunity to DJ this year’s Prom held at the Tiffany Center in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, April 20,2013.
Looking good in their formal attire, students gathered on the dance floor in the Emerald Ballroom almost right away. With the latest music from Chris Brown, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and Pitbull, it was tough to resist and it seemed the dance floor was packed wall-to-wall the entire evening.
And the hits just kept coming from this Vancouver WA DJ… ‘Suit & Tie’, ‘Thrift Shop’, ‘Party Rock Anthem’, ‘Gangham Style’ and more. The King and Queen were crowned around 10pm and the court danced to ‘Collide’ by Howie Day.
Edgefield Wedding Shines Through The Rain
Blackberry Hall at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon will always hold a special place in my heart. 17 years ago next month, my wife and I celebrated our wedding reception in this unique venue and each time I return to DJ an event there, I get a great vibe.
On April 6, 2013, I was honored to be a part of Ashley and Graham’s Edgefield wedding and reception in Blackberry Hall and while it rained steadily outside, most guests paid no mind as this place provides a great diversion.
Edgefield Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Prelude: Irish Folk Music
- Bridal Party Entrance: Michael Bubl̩ РFever
- Bride Entrance: Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
- Bride/Groom Exit: Dave Matthews Band – You & Me
For the grand entrance to the reception, the newlyweds planned to take some photos outside then return to be announced, but the wet weather kept them inside. When Ashley and Graham were done with their photos, I asked them if they wanted to come back in through a different entrance. They declined, but then said they were ready at that moment. They proceeded to run outside, then right back in again. Good thing I had their music ready… it was good fun and I think most guests thought they had been away the entire time.
Edgefield Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: David Guetta f/Usher – Without You
- Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
- First Dance: Stevie Nicks & Don Henley – Leather & Lace
- Bride and Father Dance: Trace Adkins – You’re Gonna Miss This (Cut to Gangnam Style)
- Groom and Mother Dance: The Clash – Rock the Casbah
- Last Dance: Michael Bubl̩ РThe Way You Look Tonight
Not too many grooms choose ‘Rock the Casbah’ for a dance with their mom, but the guests loved it and this song added an extra layer of energy that got everyone on the dance floor in a hurry.
This group had a lot of fun dancing to everything from Michael Jackson to Justin Timberlake. Ashley requested the latest hits and Graham wanted more classics. In fact, he requested I play ‘Celebration’ twice… Ashley just rolled her eyes 🙂
The ‘Cupid Shuffle’ was a big hit and no one could resist ‘Party Rock Anthem’ and ‘Gangham Style’. The night was also rockin’ with a sprinkling of Def Leppard and Journey.
Ashley & Graham, it was a pleasure. I wish you the best and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Portland Wedding DJ At Postlewait’s In Canby
The first day of Spring in the Portland area felt more like winter hangin’ tough with unsettled weather and cold temperatures. With their wedding planned for two days later, Anna-Jo and Todd had to decide inside or outside at the picturesque Postlewait’s Country Weddings in Canby, Oregon on Saturday, March 23, 2013.
The safe bet was inside and who could blame them. It turned out to be a dry day and some guests took advantage with a stroll through the property, but they were also comfortable during the ceremony and reception held inside the main building.
Portland Wedding DJ Ceremony Highlights:
- Parents/Family Entrance: Peter Gabriel – Book Of Love
- Bridal Party Entrance: Academy of St. Martins In the Field Orchestra – Canon In D
- Bride Entrance: Elvis Costello – She
- Bride/Groom Exit: Aerosmith – I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
Following the ceremony, Anna-Jo and Todd left briefly to sign their marriage certificate, then returned to greet their guests through a receiving line. During this time, I played a variety of background music selections from Fleetwood Mac, Tim McGraw, Jack Johnson and more.
Portland Wedding DJ Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Harry Connick Jr. – We Are In Love
- Cake Cutting: Adam Sandler – Grow Old With You
- First Dance: Staind – Tangled Up In You
- Bride and Father Dance: Jim Reeves – Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Classic hit dance songs from the 50’s through 80’s, along with some Country, was the perfect mix for this particular group and they had a great time dancing to favorites from the Beatles, Glen Miller, Brooks and Dunn and others.
Congratulations and best wishes Anna-Jo and Todd and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Overall, Rich was amazing. He went above and beyond to make sure that our event moved well for the time we had and everyone felt comfortable with the music choices and progression of events. Even my dad was happy and remarked that the wedding DJ was fabulous (that is an AMAZING recommendation!!!). I wish the night could have lasted longer!” Â
-Anna-Jo & Todd De Bow
- Event Date: Saturday, March 23, 2013
- Event Type: Wedding & Reception
- Event Location: Postlewaits Country Weddings – Canby, Oregon
- Event Staff: Rich Ellis
- Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Good
- Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Good
- 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
Portland DJ Rocks Post-Auction Afterparty
The Atrium at Montgomery Park was the site this year for the annual Oregon Episcopal School Auction, held Saturday, March 9, 2013.
This event requires a lot of planning and hard work, so the volunteers were ready to let loose at the afterparty that began as soon as the main event ended.
The auction featured a theme of 60’s and 70’s TV shows and many volunteers were dressed as characters from that time period, including Sonny and Cher.
Portland DJ Rich Ellis spun the hits for this one with a mix of current Top 40 and heavy doses of classic dance tracks from Michael Jackson, Salt N Pepa, James Brown and more. Crowd favorites also included ‘Come On Eileen’ from Dexy’s Midnight Runners and Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock ‘It Takes Two.’
Big thanks to Mari for the opportunity… it was a great time. -Rich
