Events
Bar Mitzvah Bat Mitzvah Parties Portland And Sherwood Oregon
Rich Ellis had the honor of being the DJ at two separate Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitvah parites on Saturday, June 24, 2023, starting with Rose, Max and Jonah’s B’nai Mitzvah celebration held in Community Hall at the Southeast Campus of Portland Community College in Portland, Oregon.
Guests were already seated for the ceremony in the same room as I quietly setup the equipment. As soon as it concluded, lunch was ready and the background music began, featuring classical selections as requested by the family.
The kids went through the buffet first and after eating were ready for some games that included name that tune, a scavenger hunt and Coke & Pepsi. They also did the limbo before all guests were invited to the dance floor for “The Hora” and chair raising. Most everyone joined in, lifting and celebrating the kids and their family.
There were requests for everything from “Dancing Queen” to “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”, “I Will Survive” and even “The Charleston”.
Two hours later, I traveled to Sherwood for Tyce’s Bar Mitzvah party at Heart of Rock Farm.
There were about 60 guests in attendance with ample space inside and out to gather. I learned later that many of the kids were cousins who only see each other every four years or so and they spent a lot of time outside catching up with each other. Still, we managed a scavenger hunt after dinner before all guests came together on the dance floor for “The Hora” and chair raising.
Mazel Tov Rose, Max, Jonah and Tyce and thank you to Rose’s mom Davida and Tyce’s mom Kim for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Feedback:
“Rich was amazing with the kids. He had fun games to keep them entertained. Everyone had so much fun! Thank you for making our son’s Bar Mitzvah extra special. We appreciate how easy you made it.” -Kim & Ed (Tyce’s Bar Mitzvah)
“Thank you, Rich. We had a great time.” -Davida (Rose’s Bat Mitzvah)
Gearhart Wedding McMenamins Sand Trap
Jeanell and Rob’s Gearhart wedding was held on Sunday, June 18, 2023 at McMenamins Sand Trap in Gearhart on the Oregon Coast.
The ceremony was planned for outside just off the Livingstone Room patio overlooking the golf course, but Mother Nature had other plans, so a tent was setup just off the patio, but still connected to the building.
Gearhart Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party & Bride Entrance: Jerry Garcia Band – Shining Star [Live]
- Bride/Groom Exit: Grateful Dead – They Love Each Other
It was a little cool outside and most guests opted to be inside Livingstone Room for most of the reception. Background music was a variety of genres and artists including modern selections from Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz, along with some Country and reggae favorites from Bob Marley as requested by the bride and groom.
Gearhart Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Barry Louis Polisar – All I Want Is You
- Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
- First Dance: Xavier Rudd – We Deserve To Dream
The dance floor opened to everyone around 7:45pm and after the opening slow number, the 67 guests didn’t waste any time getting down to classic hits like “September” and “Stayin’ Alive” plus the newlyweds favorites for disco from Kool & The Gang, Chic and more.
The energy was pretty high already, but “The Hora” took it to another level.
Congratulations Jeanell and Rob and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
June Crag Rat Hut Wedding Hood River Oregon
With a stellar view of Mt. Hood on a perfect late Spring day, Lauren and Tad’s wedding and reception was held at Crag Rat Hut in Hood River, Oregon on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The ceremony and dancing later were held outside on the paver stone patio.
Crag Rat Hut Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party Entrance: Gregory Alan Isakov – Amsterdam
- Bride Entrance: Hozier – Like Real People Do
- Bride/Groom Exit: Queen – You’re My Best Friend
Guests gathered for dinner inside the large event room on the main floor. This area has a small built-in sound system with a cordless microphone and receiver. For background music, I connected my iPad and played a variety of selections chosen by the bride and groom. The same playlist also played via my main sound system outside during this time.
Crag Rat Hut Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Father John Misty – Real Love Baby
- First Dance: Leon – Leon’s Lullaby
- Bride and Father Dance: Rascal Flatts – My Wish
- Groom and Mother Dance: Van Morrison – Days Like This
- Last Dance: 4 Non Blondes – What’s Up
There were 75 guests in attendance who were loaded with energy when the dance floor opened to everyone just before 9pm and the twilight with the mountain in the background made for a magical evening.
I played a variety of familiar hit songs including “September”, “Hey Ya” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, plus the newlyweds requests for Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy”, Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and Rednex “Cotton Eye Joe”.
Congratulations Lauren and Tad and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Weekend Fun At Oregon Zoo “Zoo Brew”
PRO DJs once again had the priviledge of spinning the hits at the Oregon Zoo “Zoo Brew” with two DJs both nights on Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June 10th, 2023.
DJ Rich Ellis had the entry plaza Friday night and DJ Rod Krause on Saturday night. DJ Steve Marker performed both nights in Polar Plaza.
As attendees were making their way out near the end of Zoo Brew, many stopped where they were to dance… sometimes there’s no escaping a good beat.
It was a fun weekend with a great crowd.
Alina’s MJCC Bat Mitzvah Celebration
Alina and her friends and family had a great time at her Bat Mitzvah celebration held at Mittleman Jewish Community Center in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
As guests arrived, I played a variety of background music selections that included family favorites “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers and “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears For Fears, while the kids enjoyed the photo booth and Henna tattoos.
Following dinner, I led the kids with some games (Would Alina Rather?, Scavenger Hunt, Coke & Pepsi) before inviting the adults to join us on the dance floor for the traditional “The Hora” with chair raising of Alina.
This was a small gathering of around 50+ guests, but there was plenty of energy on the dance floor the entire evening. Everyone had a great time dancing to fun hit music that featured many classics requested by Alina… “Footloose”, “Funkytown”, “”Let’s Go Crazy” and more.
Mazel Tov Alina and thank you dad Warren for choosing PRO DJs!
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Rich was a fantastic DJ and emcee. He had a great plan even when we didn’t, and did an awesome job keeping both the kids and the adults engaged and entertained. Awesome!”
-Warren Dabney (Alina’s Bat Mitzvah)
- Event Date: Saturday, June 3, 2023
- Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
- Event Location: MIttleman Jewish 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
