Events
Auction Raises Big $$ For Portland School Program
The Spanish Immersion program at West Sylvan Middle School received a big funding boost on Saturday, May 12, 2012 inside the Bauccio Commons on the campus of the University of Portland.
Over 250 people participated in the silent and oral auction where they could bid on such items as travel packages, gift baskets that included plenty of wine and student artwork.
The silent auction began at 5:30pm and as guests arrived, I played a mix of uptempo music featuring all Latin guitars. This particular sound provided a lot of energy without being too busy so people could engage in conversation comfortably and a warm, sunny day outside, lent a ‘South of the Border’ feel.
Following the oral auction, guests were welcome to stay for dancing. It didn’t hurt that I was set-up right next to the bar 🙂 However, the bright lights in the large commons had to remain on, so it appeared to be a bit of a challenge.
After a few ‘think about it’ songs, the numbers picked up and we had a good 90 minute run with a packed dance floor getting their groove on to the latest hit music (Maroon 5, Flo Rida, Rihanna) with a few oldies sprinkled in (Rick James, Sugarhill Gang). It was a fun way to wrap a successful evening.
Thank you Auction Chair, Dickey for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“You were fantastic Rich..Sorry I was checking out when you left and did not get a chance to thank you!!”-Dickey McMath
- Event Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
- Event Type: Auction/Party
- Event Location: University of Portland (Bauccio Commons)/Portland, Oregon
- 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: N/A
- Sound Quality: Excellent
- 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: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
- Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
Cinco de Mayo, a Super Moon and… a Fun Wedding!
The last week of April and first week of May has been a soaker in the Portland area, so it was nice to see a little sun for the unofficial start of the wedding season. Clear skies also made for a super view of the super moon on the Columbia River.
Rachel and Chris scheduled their wedding for May 5, 2012 with the ceremony held at The Academy and reception at the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay in Vancouver, Washington. Guests began arriving about 15 minutes earlier than my scheduled start-time of 6:30pm, but no worries, I had the music playing as they walked in and found their seats.
With about 200 guests in attending, each seat had a bottle of custom-labeled raspberry vodka for guests to take home as a gift. If you guessed the venue would need to ask me to announce that guests not drink the vodka at their table, you would be right. From what I have learned, it’s not just better for a venue’s business, but also the law.
As everyone engaged in conversation and enjoyed drinks and appetizers, I played a variety of background music that included Coldplay, Jimmy Buffet and some Country selections requested by the family.
Upon their arrival, I introduced Rachel and Chris and they entered the room to Keith Urban’s ‘Somebody Like You’ before heading right to the dance floor for their First Dance ‘Making Memories of Us’ also from Keith Urban. In most cases, I recommend to brides and grooms to schedule their First Dance for after the cake cutting to generate some momentum on the dance floor for their guests who will soon join in. However, in this case, the newlyweds had learned and practice a dance routine to this song. As expected, they were a little nervous, so instead of having them think about it through dinner, the toast and cake, it made more sense to avoid any anxiety on their big day and get right to it 🙂
Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Keith Urban – Somebody Like You
- First Dance: Keith Urban – Making Memories of Us
- Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
- Bride and Father Dance: Heartland – I Loved Her First
- Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
- Garter Toss: Kenny Loggins – Danger Zone
It’s always a good sign when several couples are dancing during the background music. Once the dance floor was officially opened, guests poured in and danced the night away to a mix of classic hits.
Congratulations Chris and Rachel and thank you to Rachel’s mother Leslie for your recommending PRO DJs.
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One Good Foot Doesn’t Limit Bar Mitzvah Celebration
When I learned Eddie had injured his foot and would be wearing a boot for his Bar Mitzvah Party on April 28, 2012 at Urban Studio in Portland, Oregon, I had a feeling there would be no problem with this kid. It was probably more difficult for him not being able to play baseball right now than whether or not he could tear it up on the dancefloor. Certainly, he couldn’t get carried away, but he was very mobile when he had to be and living it up on his big night.
Still, I thought it best to feel his (foot) pain and went with one-legged games and dancing during the first hour when it was just me and the kids. Following a rip-roaring version of ‘Name That Tune’, was a one-legged hop musical freeze (similar to musical chairs), one-legged swing dance, one-legged Coke and Pepsi, one-legged ‘Cha Cha Slide’ and a challenging one-legged Limbo. The kids were great sports and had a lot of fun with it. Of course, they were also thrilled to win Starbucks, Jamba Juice and iTunes gift cards for their efforts 🙂
After Dinner and a video montage of Eddie’s life so far, I opened the dance floor to everyone with ‘The Hora’. With the chair raising, we had to be real careful with the injured guest of honor. It was mostly his friends holding the chair and there was a moment that looked like he might come flying out, but they held on and the party really got going. The dance floor rocked to a variety of hits early and then mostly current Top 40 the rest of the night, that included a wild slippery socks dance to ‘Party Rock Anthem’.
The night ended with the photo booth balloon backdrop being dismantled and tossed onto the dance floor… the kids had a great time with it (see photos). Eddie and his family were exhausted, but appeared to have a great time. Mazel Tov Eddie and thank you mom Krista and dad Burt for choosing PRO DJs. -Rich
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Rich was incredible with the kids. He was so creative with coming up with games for my son who had a broken foot. It was great knowing I didn’t have to worry about a thing:) Thanks Rich!”-Krista Rosen
- Event Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012
- Event Type: Bar Mitzvah
- Event Location: Urban Studio/Portland, Oregon
- 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: N/A
- Sound Quality: Excellent
- 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: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
- Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
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DJ Steve Marker Returns For Brother’s Bar Mitzvah
It was good to see the Didner’s again! I performed at Aaron’s Bar Mitzvah in November, 2010. Tonight though it was brother Joey’s time. His Bar Mitzvah was held Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Marriott Hotel Downtown Waterfront in Portland. The celebration was in the Mt. Hood Room… same as Aaron’s two years ago, so some good history there.
As guests arrived, I played a little soft jazz background music. Kids and parents enjoyed the food and drinks and were laughing and having a good time. Everyone then sat down for dinner and watched a video of Joey… we saw many cute pictures of him, along with family members and friends.
At the conclusion of the video, we went right to dancing and I got them going with a swing dance contest. The funny thing about this was normally the kids win, but this time the adults got the win and the kids were judging! lol. Next I played ‘The Hora’ and everybody was on the floor… it was amazing.
Slow dances were popular at Joey’s party and the guys were not shy about asking the girls to dance. For the limbo, it was guys vs. girls and it came down to one girl and one boy in the finals. Who won? Would you believe the crazy guys took it away from the girls. The fellas won this time 🙂
I also played music for the adults and brought it back for them, reminding them when they were young dancing. A slow dance closed the night out and family and friends crowded the floor, giving Joey huge hugs as the party ended. I have known this family for a long time and I am going to miss them very much. They have been so good to me and it was my pleasure to be here to have fun with Joey and his family. I love you guys! -Steve
Auction Success Leads To Rockin’ Afterparty
The Leftbank Annex near the Broadway Bridge in Portland, Oregon holds up to 1,500 people on the main level and it was packed with people ready to bid on items to support Oregon Episcopal School on Saturday, March 10, 2012. Meanwhile, preparations were under way in the basement for auction staff and those who bid on a chance to attend the afterparty to let loose with a glass of wine and rockin’ dance tunes.
That’s where I came in and this group came ready to play. The dance floor was in tune from the opening number and was packed from the window to the wall most of the night. The Auction Theme was ‘Rock Music’ and some came dressed as their favorite rock star or wearing a concert t-shirt. After an AC/DC sighting, I rolled ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ as part of a dose of heavy 80’s, but some current music went over just as well. Crowd favorites also included ‘Come On Eileen’ from Dexy’s Midnight Runners and Madonna’s ‘Vogue’.
Big thanks to Julie and Rebecca for the opportunity… it was a great time. -Rich
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“I was present for the actual function but a committee member did all coordination with Rich. All correspondence was prompt and we booked several months out which was nice to have off the list!” -Rebecca Roberts (OES Auction Chair)
- Event Date: Saturday, March 10, 2012
- Event Type: Private Party
- Event Location: Leftbank Annex/Portland, Oregon
- 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
