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Inaugural Oregon Zoo Fall Cider Festival
In addition to “Zoo Brew” and “Brew Lights”, the Oregon Zoo introduced the new “Fall Beer and Cider Festival” on Friday, September 29th and Saturday, September 30th, 2023 that featured more than 40 Northwest breweries and cideries.
Plus, music, once again provided by PRO DJs with DJ Rich Ellis playing the entry plaza on Friday night and DJ Rhett Acelar on Saturday night. DJ Steve Marker performed both nights in Polar Plaza.
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)
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
Naomi’s High Energy Bat Mitzvah Party At Congregation Beth Israel Portland Oregon
Naomi’s high energy Bat Mitzvah party took place at Congregation Beth Israel in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Guests arrived from the ceremony and Havdala held across the street around 6:20pm. I had a variety of music selections playing in the background, but that didn’t last long as the kids were ready for games before dinner, including Naomi trivia and her request that we play Coke and Pepsi. She is a big fan of Taylor Swift, so we changed the team names to Taylor and Swift 🙂
Dinner started around 7pm. With many family members visiting from Detroit, I was asked to play a variety of softer Motown hits as background music for dinner. After Naomi’s parents welcomed everyone and toasted the Bat Mitzvah girl, I invited everyone out to the dance floor for “The Hora” and chair-raising.
The kids were wound up all evening, but the parents joined in as well for a good time dancing to favorites “I Gotta Feeling”, “Dancing Queen”, “Cupid Shuffle” and of course, plenty of Taylor Swift.
Mazel Tov Naomi and thank you mom Marah for choosing PRO DJs.
