Events
Noho’s Hawaiian Cafe Wedding Reception
Macey and Sam’s Noho’s Hawaiian Cafe wedding reception was held on Sunday, August 25, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The couple were actually newlyweds for about 48 hours as they were married on Friday, August 23rd.
It was a beautiful evening and comfortable 78 degrees on the hidden back patio with firepit at Noho’s when the celebration began around 5pm.
About 90 guests made up of family and close friends attended. Background music was a wide variety of selections from artists such as Adele, John Legend, Queen, Blondie, Jack Johnson, Stevie Wonder and more.
After cutting the cake, the bride and groom had asked for a microphone to thank everyone for coming and to kick off their own first dance, which was a dance for all and the floor packed quickly to Macey and Sam’s choice of “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon.
Guests danced to everything from “Hey Ya” to recent smash “Old Town Road,” plus family favorites, “All Night Long” from Lionel Richie, “I Want A New Drug” by Huey Lewis & the News, “Uptown Funk” and others.
Congratulations Macey and Sam and thank you to Mother of the Bride, Johnna for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Client Feedback:
“Rich was great. Did excellent job reading the crowd and making recommendations to us!”
-Johnna Bouyea (Mother of the Bride)
Bar Mitzvah At Porter Portland Hotel
Nelson’s Bar Mitzvah celebration was held at the new Porter Portland Hotel on Saturday, August 24, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. This was my first time performing here as this Hilton property just opened in April of this year.
Guests gathered first for cocktails on the Pendleton Patio outside and what a view between this hotel and the KOIN tower next door.
The main party was held in the Rose City Ballroom. While the adults were on the patio, Nelson and his friends were in the ballroom with me and I led them in a scavenger hunt before everyone found their seats for dinner.
The main entertainment was Hart Keene, who performs a unique style of interactive illusion and mentalism all over the country and has appeared on numerous television programs, including “America’s Got Talent,” “The Librarians” and “Penn and Teller: Fool Us!” After his opener was turning an empty soda bottle into a full glass of wine, the crowd was in for a treat as he wowed everyone with his magic.
Hart was a tough act to follow, but most everyone joined in the fun for “The Hora” and danced to a variety of uptempo hit music in the short time we had left… everything from “Happy” and “I Gotta Feeling” to “Uptown Funk” and “Shut Up and Dance.”
Mazel Tov Nelson and thank you parents Robin and Lee for choosing PRO DJs.
Sunday Afternoon Camas Wedding Fun
I had the opportunity to be the DJ at a wedding for a longtime family friend on August 11, 2019. Kacey and Trevor’s Sunday afternoon Camas wedding was held at the Camas Community Center.
Sunday Afternoon Camas Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Groom Entrance: Ennio Morricone – Ecstasy of Gold
- Bride Entrance: Christina Perri – Arms
- Bride/Groom Exit: Kool & The Gang – Celebration
The reception began immediately following the wedding. Guests enjoyed beverages and conversation as I played a background set featuring a variety of artists, such as The Beatles, Adele, George Strait and more.
Sunday Afternoon Camas Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Bebe Rexha f/Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be
- First Dance: Ed Sheeran – Perfect
- Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
With just under 70 guests in attendance, it was a gradual start to the dance floor. Although I noticed quite a few moving and grooving in their seats at some tables 🙂
The dance floor was rockin’ though to all the big hits, including “Stayin’ Alive,” “Cha Cha Slide,” and current smash “Old Town Road,” and Sunday afternoon felt like a Saturday night.
Congratulations Kacey and Trevor!
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Rich was Amazing! He had people dancing that don’t dance.” -Kacey Souki
- Event Date: Sunday, August 11, 2019
- Event Type: Wedding & Reception
- Event Location: Camas Community Center
- 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
Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel Portland Wedding
It was a comfortable 75 degrees for Brenda and Brian’s Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel Portland wedding ceremony in the courtyard, but much hotter on the dance floor for the reception later on in the Marina Ballroom on Saturday, July 27, 2019.
Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel Portland Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party Entrance: Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling In Love
- Bride Entrance: Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
- Bride/Groom Exit: Bruno Mars – Marry You
The cocktail hour was also held in the courtyard. Background music was a mix of Jazz, Bossa Nova, and Light Pop as requested by the bride. Artists included Miles Davis, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall and more.
The reception continued with dinner scheduled for 7pm downstairs in the Marina Ballroom. I had a short window to move my sound system and set-up again just in time for the first guests to arrive. Shortly after everyone was seated, I introduced the parents, officiant, wedding party and bride and groom for the Grand Entrance. This was followed by the toast and dinner. Background music was similar to what was played during cocktails, but a little softer tempo.
Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel Portland Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Sister Sledge – We Are Family
- Cake Cutting: Natalie Cole – This Will Be…(An Everlasting Love)
- First Dance: Zedd – Clarity (Acoustic Version)
- Bride and Father Dance: Julio Iglesias – De Nina a Mujer
- Groom and Mother Dance: Mikki Viereck – A Song For My Son On His Wedding Day
- Bridal Party Dance: Spice Girls – Wannabe
- Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
- Last Dance: Steam – Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
When the dance floor opened to all shortly after 9pm, it was evident guests were hungry to get going and have a good time shaking it up. They appreciated a variety of music, but especially “Twist & Shout” and “The Twist,” Cha Cha dancing, disco classics and recent hit songs.
Best wishes Brenda and Brian. Thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Rich was amazing. He kept the party going until the end of the night. Highly recommend DJ Rich Ellis for any event.” -Brenda and Brian Fitzgerald
- Event Date: Saturday, July 27, 2019
- Event Type: Wedding & Reception
- Event Location: Kimpton Riverplace Hotel
- 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
Magical Bat Mitzvah Party On Sauvie Island
DJ Rich Ellis had the opportunity to perform at Ava’s Bat Mitzvah Party on Sauvie Island on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Kruger’s Farm. He was also the DJ at sister Ella’s bat mitzvah party in 2015 and Steve Marker was the DJ for older brother Benny’s bar mitzvah in 2013. There will be one more for this family coming up in five years 🙂
Taking place outdoors under the giant oak tree behind Kruger’s Market, this open air celebration under string vintage lights, was described by one guest upon arrival as magical.
At most bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah parties, I normally lead the kids in some games before or after dinner. However, for this event, there was so much to do, including games like Cornhole, Croquet and a giant Jenga, plus hay rides.
Near the end of dinner, quite a few guests were dancing to the background music (always a good sign) and not long after ‘The Hora’ got everyone else out of their chairs immediately to begin a great night of dancing on the farm.
The floor was packed for every song from start to finish and the 160 guests in attendance brought the energy for big hit songs, “Stayin’ Alive” “Happy,” “Uptown Funk,” “Cant’ Stop the Feeling” and more.
Most guests were dancing on the main floor, but some were dancing where they were, like around the camp fire for s’mores
As twilight set in, the energy ramped up even more.
Mazel Tov Ava and thank you mom Anne for again choosing PRO DJs.
