DJ for a Party
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DJ for a Party
Sept 2008
We are looking for a DJ for our daughter's bat mitzvah next January. We'd like
someone who doesn't do a lot of games, concentrating more on really good R&B
and Rock music for the adults to dance in addition to great music the kids would
enjoy. There will be several generations to please. Thank you!
Bette
We didn't want the games and twice used Miguel ''High Top'' Fonseca (415-442-
7942); people raved -- 5 kids from my daughter's class asked for his number.
He gets adults involved as well as kids; he goes around to each table to ask for
suggestions. BTW, I got him as a referral from my caterer -- they see all the DJs
and can provide great advice.
Wendy
Feb 2008
I'm looking for a mobile dj for my daughter's middle school graduation
party. We have a budget of $500.00. Does anyone have any referrals?
Sarah
I can not recommend Kalvin Lathan (aka DJ Kal) highly enough!
We have used him for many parties & he is AWESOME. We're
referred him to other friends, coworkers etc & no one has ever
been disappointed! He is fun, has a diversity of music & can
warm up ANY crowd.
Kalvin Lathan
(510) 812-2174
KLathan[at]SBCGlobal.net
http://www.bayareaentertainment.com/
party lovin' mama
Feb 2007
Can anybody provide a good recommendation for a DJ for an
age-13 dance party / bat mitzvah? A playlist including
the latest contemporary music on the radio would be
mandatory, but the #1 goal is fun.
Unhip-Pop
DJK productions DJ'ed about every Bar/Bat Mitzvah my son
went to last year ( which included around 12 or so of his
Hebrew School classmates). We think Daryl Grace is the
best of their DJs. He absolutely keeps it all moving
smoothly, but doesn't make himself the focus of the event.
DJK productions has a number of other DJs as well.
Here's their voice mail: 352-8020 and website:
www.djkproductions.com
Good luck! We recommend them highly
-Just survived the Bar Mitzvah circuit 2006
Our daughter celebrated her Bat Mitzvah with Denon & Doyle
at the recommendation of our party planner. We were highly
satisfied. The MC met with us at our house and asked us
about our preferences. Gil helped us with the orchestration
of the event. He and crew were fabulous at keeping the
guests of all ages engaged. We highly recommend them. Web
site is http://www.djay.com/index.html
Have fun!
Denise
A wonderful deejay for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs is Joel Abramson.
He creates a great, dynamic party for both kids and
adults, yet keeps everyone aware of the real meaning of
the celebration. He offers a variety of packages, from
electronic deejay to live bands, sometimes even with
dancers, and helps you plan the party, too. Look him up at
www.joelabramson.com. He and his staff are terrific!
Cynthia
Just had the Bat Mitzvah thing, and I used the same DJ that was
at my
son's event 4 years ago: Miguel ''High Hat'' Fonseca. (He was
recommended by
my caterer.) He's strictly a music DJ -- doesn't do the games,
so if you
want that, look elsewhere. But he gets everyone up and dancing.
He came with one
helper for my son's Bar Mitzvah and 2 for my daughter's. They
went
around to all the tables (adults as well as kids) and got
requests from everyone. I've been to a bunch of events with
other DJs (mostly the music-and-game variety), and at all the
kids were dancing pretty much the entire time. The difference
with my family's events were that adults danced much more
than at the others. Which could be a down-side to this DJ from
your child's
perspective! ;-) And for parents: his fee was relatively very
reasonable. Phone:
415-442-7942.
Feel free to email me if you want further info.
wb
(related page: Birthday Parties for Teens
My daughter is having a ''dance party'' for her 13th birthday. At
first we thought that we'd just play some CDs ourselves. Then we
thought again! We don't have enough music or a very good sound
system. Now we are looking for a fairly inexpensive (?) DJ that
will play hip-hop/pop type music that kids like to dance to. The
party will be in El Cerrito. Are there any high-schoolers out
there that do this kind of thing?............
Marcia
I would highly recommend Alan Sapalicio (D.J. Al). He's
located in Alameda and does parties all over the Bay Area. He
specializes in teen parties and school dances. His rates are
very reasonable. He can be reached at (510) 517-1143 or
djal at alamedanet.net
Rhea
DJ for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah
(related page: Advice about Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah
Any suggestions for an affordable, energetic, not-overwhelming, cheerful DJ
for a bat mitzvah party? We're looking for someone who will do a variety of
group dances that involve the adults and little kids as well as the teens.
Giveaways and games aren't too important to us, as long as the DJ can keep
the party going.
Thanks, Merry
I suggest DJ K -- 352-8020 -- He did our son's Bar Mitzvah and was
great. Very professional -reliable accommodating of family's wishes re
musical variety, directing the flow of the party or not, etc. Good sound
system, even lights if you want. Very experienced and willing to offer
suggestions of things that have worked at other bar/bat mitzvahs, if you're
interested. I'm not sure about the "affordable" part, you should ask
around to find out what other parents are paying and what other DJs charge.
-Jeff
Temple Sinai http://www.oaklandsinai.org/ in downtown Oakland keeps a
binder full of recommendations for B'nai Mitzvot. Lori Abramson is the
Education Director there and her husband, Joel, is a wonderful DJ (Joel
Abramson's Orchestra, I believe). We used him for my daughter's Bat
Mitzvah in 1998 and would definitely do so again!
Joan
For my daughter's bat mitzvah I wanted a band and she wanted a DJ. We
compromised on Joel Abrahamson. He brought 2 musicians and himself. So we
had a small band that could play ALL KINDS of music. So adults and teens
danced. We had everything from the standard Jewish tunes for line and circle
dancing as well as the child (and parents) raised on the chair. Then he went
to current popular music and he brought tapes. I bought the toy give away
stuff and gave it to him. He did the games with the teens. Then when my
daughter and her friends wanted to take over the microphone and sing, etc, he
asked me if it were OK to turn it over to them because they then became the
entertainment. I said yes. So I felt that he was flexible, knew what to do
when and met the needs of adults and teens at the party.
You can contract with him for just a DJ, or you could have a larger band. It
is priced by the number of performers you want.
He works out of his home in Oakland and the number is: 510-839-3793
DCK
You can find some of the better DJs (and event locations) in the Bay Area at
www.herecomestheguide.com.
They have to submit up to 30 trade/professional
references to qualify to be on this website and are all checked out in
advance of being listed.
Most DJs have email and will gladly give you names of up and coming or
younger djs who will work at school dances.
Lynn
I can heartily recommend Warren Rodgerson as a DJ. I had attended
several Bat Mitzvahs and Bar Mitzvahs where he provided music and I
was impressed. I hired him for a big party in 1995. He was
professional and responsible and was GREAT with both kids and
adults. Wide variety of music, taught us ole foggies the electric
slide. We all had a great time. His web site has lots of valuable
information, including lists of music.
Warren Rodgerson
Creative Soul Productions
cr8vsol AT msn.com
http://www.creativesoulinc.com
888-326-1689
Sherry
March 2000
I'd like to get some feedback from parents on finding a DJ for an upcoming
event for my son...he's 14.
There seem to be so many out there and I'd prefer to go with somebody whose
work and style is known to parents from previous parties, bar mitzvahs,
weddings, etc.
Thanks!
Michael
I highly recommend Javier Corrales (DJ Nomadic) 925-472-2441
He has DJ'ed events for San Leandro Middle School, Bancroft Middle School
as well as various UC Berkeley college events. I have heard him play at
various college events.
I took his card for a party that has yet to be realized (it is never the right
time...) because I enjoyed his mix of music...
Cruz
(related page: Advice about Weddings)
June 2007
Re: Outdoor wedding on a budget
DJ: I'd recommend Spintronix (eric@spintronix.com) who did our wedding last June. He
also does wedding coordination if you need a coordinator (which was so helpful, it
allowed me to have much fun on my wedding day).
Congratulations and good luck planning!
patricia
October 2005
Re: DJ, Photographer, Videographer For Wedding
For a DJ or band I recommend the Floorshakers. You can contact
them thru their website www.thefloorshakers.com Doug Mascardo
the lead guitar player also has a DJ service.
Ali
We used Aaron Texeira of A Perfect Impression for our DJ a few
years ago. We liked his service, very professional, played
what we wanted, had a good feel for the crowd. We interviewed
four or so DJ's and liked him best.
http://www.aperfectimpression.com/contact.html
April 2002
I'm hoping someone can help me out. My sister is getting
married in July and is looking for a DJ for the reception.
They are both musicians and care a great deal about the
music for the reception, but can't afford a live band.
They really want someone who will just play the music
they want, and not schmooze, act as master of ceremonies
or insist he knows best what they need. I have yet to
find a DJ that is willing to stay out of the spotlight
-- do you know one?
We had a guy named Jim Puser (Poo-jer) DJ our wedding.
The name of his business is Sonnix. This was 12 years
ago, but I'm pretty sure he's still doing it. He was
EXCELLENT. A total non-schmoozer with an amazing CD
collection. We gave him a list and he did exactly what
we wanted. Highly recommended. Has done some friends
weddings and they were very happy too. Dont' have a
phone number or website, but if he's still in business,
I'm sure you can find it (he used to be in Berkeley).
Good luck!
hilary
Note from Myriam
Puser, Jim 510-548-3181
1295 Campus Dr Berkeley
From:
http://www.gy.com/biz/711130/510.htm
We had the same issue for our wedding. We decided to
have our own cds made with our favorite songs. It took
awhile to compile a list but we did and passed it to a
friend who has a cd burner. He was able to get the
music online. We had 4 cds with our first dance, parents
dance, money dance, etc. songs on the first in order
and then the others had the rest all mixed. He had a
computer program that did the mixing. We even gave out
cds as favors. If you don't have access or know someone
with the same kind of access, maybe check with some of
the djs you are calling and ask if they could make a
mix with your requested songs and just play them at the
wedding. We just had a friend be in charge of changing
the cds. It was very simple.
Anon
We used Dave Tutton (''DJ the Maestro'') for our wedding
and he was fabulous! He DJs at several clubs in SF and
does at least a wedding a two a month. Most of my family
members have used him for weddings and other parties as
well. He met with us to understand the type of music we
liked to dance to, eat to, etc. Really easy to work with
and very dependable. He lives in SF on Filbert St and
can be reached at 415.474.9283.
Angie
I used a fellow by the name of Reid Whatley. He has a
web site http://www.misterspin.com/. I have to say, he
really made our wedding. He wasn't overbearing, insipid
or jerky in any way. I really didn't know what I was
doing, but a girl friend of mine used to be a caterer
and she had attended lots of weddings. She said he was
the only one she would strongly recommend. In the past
two years I've been to my share of weddings, and I have
to say that Reid was far and above better than any of
the other DJs I've seen.
Good luck,
p.s. Feel free to email me if you have further questions.
Susan
My wife and I were in the same situation--wanting a DJ
who would play what we wanted (not Celebration and YMCA,
etc.), who would not be the center of attention, etc.
We used a gentleman by the name of Al Flanagan, 510-741-8220
(based out of Pinole, I think), and we just loved him.
The first thing he told us, completely unprompted, was
that he was interested in playing music, not in being
an obnoxious loudmouth wedding DJ. He knows a ton about
lots of different kinds of music (used to host a radio
show), listened very carefully to what type of atmosphere
we wanted for our reception, and really respected what
we wanted. Once he understood what we wanted, he asked
if we could give him some leeway to play music that he
picked out. We let him do it, and we were delighted.
Everyone from the 20 somethings to the 80 somethings
loved the music. I recommend him very very highly.
Good luck!
Michael
I know just the DJ for you. Jamie Robbers of Pure Sound DJs
(http://www.puresounddjs.com/; 800 870-0073) DJed my wedding in 1999 and
my friend's wedding in 2000. She is great--she'll play what you want and
not schmooze. She is happy to stay out of the spotlight if that's what
you prefer.
Nomi
[Dec 2003 update: website for Jamie M. Robbers, Pure Sound
is http://www.puresoundpro.com and
contact phone is Toll Free 866-Jamie13 or (510) 276 8897]
We also used Al Flanagan and were really happy with him.
This was nearly 7 years ago now. We were in a terrible
situation where our original DJ's son was murdered three
days before our wedding and of course, had to cancel. We
scrambled and found Al Flanagan, to whom we faxed a list
of songs we wanted to be played. We were very lucky to
get him on such short notice, and he did a really great
job and did exactly what we asked him to do.
Lori
In regards to a previous recommendation: DJ Al Flanagan , his contact
number is 741-8220.
Looking for a wedding DJ
May I second (or third) the recommendation for Al Flanagan. He did my
wedding 5 years ago and I can't count the number of guests who commented
on how great he was. He has a vast selection of music, great knowledge of
many styles, and is not a ham or an emcee type who will spend half the
reception on the mike--he just plays what you want, and will take up the
microphone to make announcements as necessary. I really can't recommend
him highly enough.
Virginia
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