ARTICLES & ADVICE
These articles are responses to common issues when choosing DJs as your event entertainment. ** This text may NOT be used elsewhere without permission **
LINKS TO ARTICLES:
Tips for Hiring a DJ in 2009 for Your Wedding Reception
DJ Music is the most common form of entertainment!
How Much Does a Wedding DJ Cost, Prices, Pricing
10 Questions to Ask a Wedding DJ
Checklist for Hiring the Perfect Wedding DJ
Choosing the Right DJ For Your School Dance
Hiring a DJ For Your School Party
Tips for DJs
We are booked on many weekends-- so when we're unable to DJ an event, a lot of people ask ME what they should look for in other DJ services. Here is my advice for DJs.
Don’t try to be the center of attention; that is the responsibility of the bride and groom, not the DJ. Don’t talk too much; you are not a radio personality. The bride and groom need to be introduced only once, not every half hour.
Be a team player with the event coordinator, photographer, facility manager and any other person working the event. Don’t make changes to a written agenda provided by the clients or event planner without permission. You don’t know what situations or family dynamics may be involved and who you may offend. Be sure you read any written information given to you.
Don’t try to force the clients into your mold; if they don’t like to dance or it is not appropriate in their religion or culture, be sensitive. If they have other issues, respect them.
Don’t drink on the job. You are there to work, not socialize, and the clients expect you to be at your best.
Don’t engage in group participation activities or games without prior approval from the hosts. They are not appropriate for every group.
Don’t nickel and dime the client. Upcharging for every item doesn’t go over well. Instead, if you must charge for something, include it in your fee; don’t bill it separately. If something happens and you need to play for an extra 10 or 15 minutes (the limo doesn’t arrive on time, etc.), don’t make a production about it in front of the client.
As in every industry, by putting the client first and thinking about the effect of our behavior on them, we as professionals can help create a lovely and memorable event or we can be the cause of the bad memories. Focus on the good!!
There ya go! Send your other questions to us and we'll answer them!
Gordon
* This text may not be used elsewhere without the permission of
the author
Tips for planning an outdoor event
We recently DJ'd an event that was outdoors and it's prompted me to write this note! If you're planning an outdoor event, here are some tips that might be helpful:
1. Plan for power to be available at every station you need it (food, DJ, walkways/paths, etc.). If you cannot provide this, be sure to let your vendors know so they can buy and bring lots of extension cords. Also, you need to make sure each plug can handle the power load.
2. Noise ordinance! Each town has a written noise ordinance that prohibits "noise" after a certain time or in certain areas. Be sure to ask your venue about this, or to contact the town to inquire about their regulations. YOU will get the ticket, not the DJs :\
3. Rain plan. Yes, it might rain! Don't psyche yourself into thinking that it might not. Make a "plan B" for your event in case of rain. Also, don't JUST plan for your guests-- think about where the DJ's can take shelter, or where your cake/food can go in case of a downpour. We have a tent we can bring just in case.
4. Layout. It's important to be very clear about where you'd like your vendors to set up. You can take and email photos, provide a sketch, or even use some type of markers to denote where everyone should set up.
5. Remember it might get dark! Can guests see to walk around and to get to their vehicles? Provide some type of lighting to help everyone safely enjoy your event.
Having an outdoor event can be a lot of fun-- just be sure to plan
ahead!
Send your questions to us and we'll answer them!
Gordon
* This text may not be used elsewhere without the permission of
the author
Does dance lighting really make a difference?
ABSOLUTELY from what I've seen at parties and receptions we've DJ'd in the past.
I think that there is an important part of the human psyche that needs "permission" to dance. Even a few blinking lights can serve as that simple permission-- or maybe a dance floor. These two things define the dancing space, and enhance the mood/support dancing.
Another angle is to think about when and where we have this "permission to party." Most people associate dancing with clubs, concerts, etc. All of these traditional dance environments have specific dance lighting.
You CAN dance without lighting-- don't get me wrong. But from what I've seen, a little dance lighting makes a big difference!
Send your questions to us and we'll answer them!
Gordon
* This text may not be used elsewhere without the permission of
the author
Should I let the DJ choose the songs for my event? by Gordon
Yes, and no.
As professional DJs we consider knowing a wide range of music to be part of our job. We also see which songs tend to get people out on the dance floor. So, we have experience in helping you build a playlist.
EVERY single DJ should listen to your requests. What I prefer to do is to find our which genres you like (and don't like!) and then to ask about the other people who will be at your event. We can help you build a list of songs that entertain everyone.
There is also a certain psychology to having a DJ at a party. For example, the disco song "celebrate" is likely not on your mp3 player at this very moment-- but it's a GREAT party song to get MOST groups of people onto the dance floor.
In short, I recommend putting your favorites on the table and then asking your DJ about other suggestions based on your attendees.
Send your questions to us and we'll answer
them! Take care and keep on dancing!
Gordon
* This text may not be used elsewhere without the permission of
the author
Are uplights right for your event?
One of the biggest trends that I've noticed is the steadily increasing demand for "uplighting" (also referred to as "up lighting" and "up-lighting.") In response to this demand, we've invested in 20 traditional theatre uplights and 10 modern LED uplighting fixtures.
So what exactly is uplighting?
Uplighting can be placed on the floor to shine up columns, up walls
or behind trees and other props to give that extra appeal. They can
also be clamped onto railings, trusses or onto tree's for outdoor
applications. Uplights add elegant and eye-pleasing atmosphere to
your room or event center. Up Lighting that is shown up walls, columns
or spotted onto a specific area will bring a beautiful and stimulating
feel to your event - all to make it better! Even place them outside
and shine them up trees or into bushes and shrubbery.
Is it right for my event?
If you want to create an atmosphere, then yes! Uplighting can be subtle
or flamboyant based on your theme. The lighting can support your overall
look, or it can be the visual impact upon which you build your overall
design. We can program our LED lighting to respond to the music, turning
the entire room into a club atmosphere.
Which color?
You can choose from HUNDREDS of different colors to beautifully match
your style, theme or the desired feel you're looking to achieve. I
recommend keeping it simple, but literally, we have almost any color
known to humankind!
LED versus Incandescent?
We use LED technology for deep saturated colors, and traditional PAR
cans (theatre flood lights) for more specialized coloring. Our modern
LED fixtures are smaller, more discrete, use less electricity (your
venue manager will love this) and offer a wider range of colors. They
operate virtually "cold" so you do not have to worry about
curious kids burning themselves. They use only 13 watts per fixture,
versus up to 150 for a large PAR can fixture. PAR cans run hotter
and use a theatre gel as the coloring. Both come in white also!
Are uplights right for your event? If you want to create an atmosphere, then yes! Check out the images on our web site, and our ridiculously reasonable uplighting pricing.
Send your questions to us and we'll answer them!
Gordon
* This text may not be used elsewhere without the permission of the author
I'm interested! What do
I do next?
Follow these 3 easy steps:
1. View our booked
dates, then email or
call us with your details.
2. Preview/sign the contract, and pay a 50% retainer/deposit.
3. We'll plan your event together; pay the balance on your big day!
That's it! No more worries about your entertainment!
Proudly serving these areas:
* Banner Elk NC * Blowing Rock NC * Boone NC * Bristol TN *
* Burnsville NC * Elizabethton TN * Hickory NC * Johnson City TN *
* Lenoir NC * Marion NC * Morganton NC * Mountain City TN *
* Roan Mountain TN * Spruce Pine NC * Wilkesboro NC *
Let's be friends!
