A great party for Jonah at his Bar Mitzvah Saturday, November 26, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon. I set-up in the ballroom while guests gathered in the foyer for cocktails. There was also a photo booth for the kids.
 
The ballroom doors were opened at 7:15 and I played a few uptempo songs as everyone found their seats. Guests were then asked to gather on the dancefloor for Havdalah. I then played the ‘The Hora’ which led to the traditional Chair Raising and a few other traditional Jewish music selections before dinner was served at 8pm and a video shown at 8:30pm.
 
The kids were conveniently seated on the dance floor for the video and I got them going with a Swing Dance competition. Jonah claimed to be a great swing dancer and he proved it by winning. With news of the NBA lockout being lifted earlier in the day, I then led a team basketball pass contest. This was followed by the limbo and Jonah requested a snowball dance to break the ice.
 
We got off to a great start and it didn’t take long for the adults to join in the fun. Guests brought a lot of energy and Rabbi Zuckerman was a helpful cheerleader. I think he danced nearly every song. Certainly, the floor was packed nearly every song as I played a variety of smash hits from the Black Eyed Peas, Usher, LMFAO’s ‘Party Rock Anthem’, the Cha Cha Slide and more. Everyone seemed to have a great time and some told me so… always good to hear. Jonah danced to many selections himself and was really appreciative of the slow dances. During one slow song, I saw him dancing with 8 girls in one big circle 🙂
 
Mazel Tov Jonah and thank you mom Caron and dad Ari for choosing PRO DJs. -Rich
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

• Event Date: Saturday, November 26, 2011
• Event Type: Bar Mitzvah
• Event Location: Hilton Portland
• 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: Good
• Sound Quality: Good
• Overall Volume Levels: Good
• Music Selection: Good
• Incorporation of Your Requests: Good
• Lighting Effects: Good
• Equipment Appearance: Good
• Overall Customer Service: Excellent
• Planning Assistance: Good
• Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Good
• Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
• Would you recommend this service to others? Yes

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Since Steve Marker, our most popular Bar Mitzvah DJ, wasn’t scheduled to come in from out of town this weekend, I was called in for this special party. I was ready. Bar Mitzvah celebrations are among my favorite events to perform. The friends and family in the community are always nice and ready to have a good time. I was looking forward to Daniel’s Bar Mitzvah. The celebration took place at “The Cleaners”, the event space owned by Ace Hotel in Downtown Portland. Its an intimate yet open space with large windows. Contemporary but classy with original fixtures from the historic building. A very nice venue for a coming-of-age event.
 
As our start time of 7pm rolled closer I got together with Daniel to get some info for a game called “Who Knows Daniel the Best?” Its a fun game that I like to play with a young guest of honor and his or her friends. After had our winner, we had got ready for the Slow Ball, a nice way to get everyone to start dancing on the dance floor. After our slow dance, we sped things up with hot music from today including Usher, Far East Movement, Foster the People and LMFAO. We also played some Dubstep music, a popular and upcoming genre that is a favorite for Daniel and some of his friends. And of course, we couldn’t forget the Hora. The party lifted Daniel on a chair which marks this special day of celebration.
 
It was a great party and we had a blast! Thanks choosing PRO DJs. Mazel Tov Daniel!
 

 
Welcome back people! I had already told the family I had been looking forward to this for a long time and it finally got here. The week before, Owen and me talked and had the night planned out. As the party got under way, everything went smooth with the formalities. When the dancing began, it was like watching a cork flying off a champagne bottle 🙂 Both adults and children were on the floor immediately… ready to move and have fun.
 
We started with ‘The Hora.’ I then launched a swing dance contest and we had two winners! NO WAY that happens, but it did… man, they could really swing. Owen was pushing for a slow song so I put on Beyonce’s ‘Halo’ and the floor was packed. The guys could not wait to dance with the girls. I normally have to say a lot to get them to move, but not on this night.
 
After awhile, Owen told me that he thought enough ‘adult music’ had been played, so we switched gears and hit the current music. Then came the limbo and I thought the girls were going to win, but nooo, the guys pulled it off and I awarded a great prize (Starbucks Gift Card and T-shirt).
 
The party was coming to a close and Owen was really itching for another slow dance, so I said “Snowball” and we both smiled. He danced with his sister in the beginning. I then invited everyone else to join in… adults and kids for the Snowball dance.
 
It was a wonderful night. I was tired when it ended, but had a great time… lol… see you all at the next party! Mazel Tov Owen and thank you Annette for choosing PRO DJs. -Steve
 
“Steve was perfect! He kept the dance floor full and his choices of music were just right for the crowd. THANK YOU THANK YOU!” -Annette Demsey
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

• Event Date: Saturday, August 27, 2011
• Event Type: Bar Mitzvah
• Event Location: Congregation Shaarie Torah/Portland, 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: Good
• Overall Volume Levels: Fair
• 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

 
Party Party Party in the Rose Garden (P4 Level)… can you say amazing! Alex was dressed to impress and with the white coat, he really stood out!
 
There was a photo booth for the kids and parents to capture exciting moments. We started with the candle lighting after dinner, then moved to the slide show, which was shown on all of the TV’s in the area, so everyone would not miss any of the pictures.
 
Next, we went right into ‘The Hora’ and got the entire family in the chair… Alex, his mom, then dad. Everyone then danced the night away and I also hosted some contests, including the limbo and a break dance competition. To tell you the truth, the girls beat the guys -lol. What are the odds, the girls wearing a dress would out-low the guys in the limbo 🙂
 
The night could not go any smoother and I got a big hug after from Alex saying he enjoyed the party. Mazel Tov Alex and thank you Jordan and Pat for choosing PRO DJs. -Steve
 

 
Logan is a well-behaved kid who has a party going on inside his head 🙂 His mother Robin and father Steven are wonderful parents and really know how to throw a party. The day was hot, but beautiful and family members and friends from near and far were ready to celebrate.
 
The family put on a skit to get things started and that brought everyone together. With me as deejay and some great requests, the guests got down to the music right away. In fact, I did not play as many games as most previous events like this because people wanted to dance. However, we did do the limbo and some swing dancing.
 
The coffin came out from Voodoo Donuts and then the party really blew up… both kids and adults enjoyed the awesome donuts and danced the night away, lol.
 
Mazel Tov Logan and thank you Robin and Steven for choosing PRO DJs. -Steve