Rich Ellis
Worldwide Karaoke Comes To Portland
Over 350 employees from around the world attended a diversity conference for auto giant Daimler the second weekend in October in Portland, Oregon, ending on Tuesday, Oct. 16 with a big party that included karaoke with PRO DJs Rich Ellis.
With big trucks on display and other products, DJ Rhett was also on hand to provide music and announcements inside the big warehouse. Many employees had never ridden in a semi-truck before and they got that chance here.
A separate tent decked out in modern furniture and cool accent lighting to give it a hip lounge feel was set-up just outside for the afterparty. Several guests were not shy about their intention to sing their favorite songs and after dinner, they got right to it.
This group was a lot of fun and they chose a variety of great songs from R&B, Country and Classic Rock, including ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’, ‘I Love Rock N Roll’, ‘Ice Ice Baby’, ‘Friends in Low Places’, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and an amazing finish with the entire tent singing ‘I’ve Had The Time of My Life’.
I truly had a blast and everyone was a real pleasure to hang with all evening.
Portland Bat Mitzvah Fun Rivals East Coast
Goodman Hall at Congregation Beth Israel in Northwest Portland was the site of Liz’s Bat Mitzvah celebration on Saturday, October 13, 2012. With a 6pm start, adults were greeted by a wine bar in the foyer and the kids were invited inside for games with me that included Name That Tune, 1-Leg Hop Musical Freeze and Liz’s request for a Hula Hoop Contest.
Dinner was next with the adults seated on one side of the room and kids on the other. The kids always finish eating first, so we had some more time for games. I led a paper airplane ‘fly the furthest’ contest that turned out to be a big hit.
Around 8pm, a 13 wishes cake was brought out to the middle of the room and signaled the start of the Candle Lighting Ceremony. Liz announced the special family and friends in her life and each came up to light a candle. After all candles were lit, I invited everyone back up to help Liz blow them out and then launched ‘The Hora’.
All the guests were ready to celebrate the Bat Mitzvah girl’s special day and she took a long ride in the chair raising to get things going. The dance floor was on fire the rest of the night, especially when I spun ‘Gangnam Style’… adults and kids alike were loving it, along with other current hit songs.
It was a great party and I appreciated the feedback from Liz’s grandmother afterwards. She was visiting from the East Coast and noted she was impressed with the outcome of this event and how the fun and excitement was comparable to some of the quality Bar and Bat Mitzvahs she has attended back home.
Mazel Tov Liz and thank you Judy and Alan for choosing PRO DJs. -Rich
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Rich helped make the party a success! We were counting on him to entertain the young guests plus get the adults dancing with the kids during the second half of our party. Rich is adaptable and quick on his feet. There was a moment that something occurred out of order (during a candle lighting ceremony–our daughter accidentally skipped calling up her grandparents) and he was able to get things back on track. It was a great party. Liz enjoyed herself! Thank you!! People are still talking about it.” -Judy Lofurno
- Event Date: Saturday, October 13, 2012
- Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
- Event Location: Congregation Beth Israel – Portland, 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
- 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
Thank you Andie Petkus Photography for sharing photos from this event.
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Maudie’s Bat Mitzvah At Tualatin Country Club
PRO DJs Steve Marker performed at Maudie’s Bat Mitzvah celebration held at Tualatin Country Club in Tualatin, Oregon on Saturday, October 13, 2012.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“I usually do not give such high marks, but Steve really is an exceptional partner to a party like ours. We adore him and his work.” -Nicole Elovitz
- Event Date: Saturday, October 13, 2012
- Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
- Event Location: Tualatin Country Club – Tualatin, OR
- 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: 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
Thank you to David Kinder from Kinderpics Photography for providing some photos.
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Commitment Ceremony In Oregon Wine Country
It was a picture perfect day at Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston, Oregon for David and Todd’s commitment ceremony on Saturday, October 6, 2012. With the warm summer-like weather, it sure didn’t feel like it was early October. The shuttle buses ferrying the majority of guests to this event were about 20 minutes behind schedule. As a result, the 5:30 start-time was pushed back 35 minutes. In that time, the sun had dropped behind the hill and cooled things a little, but it was still a pleasant evening.
Ceremony Highlights:
- Processional Entrance: Selena Gomez – Love You Like A Like Song
- David & Todd Entrance: Michael Buble – You and I
- Recessional: Colbie Callait & Jason Mraz – Lucky
The reception took place in the main ballroom located behind the tasting room at Elk Cove. David and Todd requested a mix of chill music for the cocktail hour, followed by a variety of standards and big band music from the 40’s and 50’s during dinner. They are also fans of Pink Martini and Broadway musicals and that influenced their choices for the traditional wedding events.
Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson & Anika Noni Rose – Dreamgirls
- Cake Cutting: Wicked – Popular
- First Dance: Pink Martini – Over The Valley
- Last Song: Donna Summer – Last Dance
Many of the guests in attendance had traveled from far away, including much of David’s family visiting from China. Hit music is universal though and the familiar dance tracks brought everyone together quickly… ‘Twist & Shout’, ‘We Are Family’, ‘Party Rock Anthem’, ‘Gangham Style’ and more packed the floor.
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Fall Wedding At Cornelius Pass Roadhouse
Our amazing run of summer weather continues into October… only one day of measurable rain in the last 78 is quite a streak for the Pacific Northwest. At 5:35pm on Friday, October 5, 2012, it was an ideal 72 degrees under sunny skies for the start of Kelly and Luke’s wedding held at McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse in Hillsboro, Oregon
Ceremony Highlights:
- Bridal Party Entrance: Ben Harper – Not Fire Not Ice
- Bride Entrance: Ben Harper – Happy Everafter In Your Eyes
- Bride/Groom Exit: Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
The reception was in the Octagon Barn and guests mingled to a mix of adult alternative hits from Coldplay, Jack Johnson and others, including one of the bride’s favorites, Mumford & Sons.
Reception Highlights:
- First Dance: Avett Brothers – Swept Away
- Bride and Father Dance: Jack Johnson – Better Together
- Groom and Mother Dance: Same
- Bouquet Toss: Pat Benatar – Hit Me With Your Best Shot
- Garter Toss: Kelis – Milkshake
- Last Song: Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up
There were quite a few people dancing to the background music during the cocktail hour, so I had a good feeling about this group. The dance floor filled quickly and Kelly and Luke’s friends and family had a great time shakin’ and groovin’ to the latest Top 40 hits, along with a few older favorites.
It was good to see two couples who had referred me to Kelly and Luke. I had the pleasure of performing at Adrienne and Seth’s wedding in July, 2009 at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove and Ashley and Brady in March, 2007 at Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“People were very complimentary, I thought Rich read the crowd well and did a great job keeping people dancing.” -Kelly Fisher
- Event Date: Friday, October 5, 2012
- Event Type: Wedding & Reception
- Event Location: McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse – Hillsboro, OR
- Event Staff: Rich Ellis
- Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent
- 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: Good
- 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
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