The classic Benson Hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon was the scene for Lana’s Bat Mitzvah celebration on Saturday, May 12, 2012. While the guest of honor was with the photographer for pictures outside, family and friends mingled in the lobby and Crystal Ballroom. Dinner started at 7:15. The kids were with me, while the adults ate in the room next door.
 
When the kids finished eating, I started playing the cuts (all the latest hit songs) and we did a swing dance contest. There were lots of prizes to hand out, including Starbucks, Cold Stone, and iTunes gift cards… it was amazing! Another cool thing was a guest rapper, who sang a song for Lana about her special day.
 
Lana’s mom Lauren said a few words about family being there and friends coming from long distances to attend. And then… something hot went down. You know flash mobs, right? Well it happened here. I played Maroon 5’s ‘Moves Like Jagger’ and Boom! Flash mob! Lana was genuinely surprised… her eyes popped out of her head… she could not believe what she was seeing… the entire place was dancing for her to that song. It was Awesome!
 
As the party kicked into high gear, I brought out some Motown for the adults and the floor was packed. Later, we did the snowball and limbo for the kids. I thought the guys had it because they were wearing pants and the girls were wearing dresses, but the girls stole it from the guys 🙂 The party ended with Donna summer ‘Last Dance’ and a balloon drop.
 
Thank you Vivian Johnson Photography for sharing photos from this event.
 
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Welcome back to a wonderful time of partying! This Bat Mitzvah was amazing with the celebration taking place at Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, March 10, 2012.
 
The party started at 7:00pm with a little soft jazz in the background, an active photobooth and Images By Floom as the photographer, so we had all the right players. Dinner started at 7:15 and as guests arrived, they grabbed a drink and then went right to loading their plates at the buffet. When the kids finished eating, they started dancing immediately and I took it up a notch with a swing dance contest. Next, we played the Coke and Pepsi game. That was followed by a few more choice music selections before taking a break for a slide show
 
Imediately afterwards, I went right to ‘The Hora’ and then… first time I have ever seen this in all my years of doing this… FLASH MOB! That’s right… a Flash MOB to ‘I Gotta Feeling’ from the Black Eyed Peas and it was awesome! Everybody was on the dance floor dancing… kids, parents, grandparents… everyone was in on it… crazy 🙂
 
Marian was so happy and amazed lol. Next we did the limbo and then ended the party with one of her favorites, ‘Paper Planes’ from M.I.A. I had so much fun. Stay tuned for the next party. I will see you at the end of March. -Steve
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Pro DJs was pefect for our event. Everyone had a great time.” -Karen Twain

• Event Date: Saturday, March 10, 2012
• Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
• Event Location: Congregation Neveh Shalom/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: 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

 
It was good to see the family again. I performed at Josh’s Bar Mitzvah in March 2009 at the Laurelhurst Club in Northeast Portland. On this night though (Saturday, March 3, 2012), we celebrated Charlotte’s Bat Mitzvah at the North Star Ballroom in Portland, Oregon.
 
As guests arrived around 6pm, I played a variety of background music. The downstairs area was set-up for the adults as a place where they could go to escape the youth energy set to happen at any moment, but nearly everyone stayed in the main room… maybe to stick around for the entertainment.
 
With dinner scheduled for 7pm, there was only a little time once most of the kids arrived for a game, so with the girls versus the boys, I hosted a ‘name that tune’ contest. Of course, they knew the latest hit music, but with the girls comfortably ahead and agreeing to double or nothing after getting the victory, I went with some oldies and that stumped the group, but the girls still got it and held their title 🙂
 
After dinner, the kids got right back to it with some games, fun participation dance songs and a limbo. Eventually the adults joined in and really took over the dance floor for about an hour as I rolled a heavy dose of disco and 80’s. The kids returned for the final hour, dancing to their favorite current hit songs.
 
Mazel Tov Charlotte and thank you mom Stacy for again choosing PRO DJs. -Rich
 
Thank you Ponytail Photography for sharing photos from this event.
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