A Toast, a Roast, and a Boast

This weekend was very challenging. It was work. Hard work. And fun too. Sometimes I forget about that. That I dj because it's fun. Sometimes I get lost in the work that goes on behind it. I was getting all the equipment together for all the gigs on Saturday and we had a TON of equipment. We had seven gigs all over Chicago. When we're busy like this, we get each dj's equipment together so they can just pick it up and go. Every time I do it, I feel a TON of fear. I basically own all the gigs. I hold myself responsible for making sure all the equipment works, that each dj has the equipment he/she needs, and that all the equipment that goes out comes back in. After all the dj's take their equipment, a thought always comes over me. "What did I forget?" Thankfully, nothing.

Being responsible for the success of seven gigs is nerve racking. Not only do I have the weight of my own gig's success, but I also have the weight of the team as a whole. What I try to tell myself is that each dj is skilled enough to handle a situation where a piece of equipment is missing. And each dj is responsible for checking their own gear before they leave. Why doesn't this put me at ease? Because I care. The minute I start asking questions about a gig, I become invested in it. I want it to be a success.

I'm looking back at my gig this past Saturday and I'm asking myself if it was a success. The couple was Jennifer and Eric and they had were having a party at Catalyst Ranch, a fun venue that's like a playground for adults. They were married earlier this year and were having a celebration for their friends and family. Celebrations like this are always hard. When guests aren't invited to the wedding, but are invited to the reception, there are a lot of feelings that come up. Guests are less likely to come to celebrate the marriage and more likely to celebrate the open bar.

What I discovered this weekend is the key to having a successful post-marriage reception is make the guests feel special. Jennifer and Eric set up a "mock" ceremony that was more like a roast. The guests were given canes (Eric has a big cane collection) that they could keep and were asked to tap them on the floor rather than clap. Many of Jennifer and Eric's friends are actors, comedians, or improvisors. The mock ceremony ends up turning into a comedy show where Jennifer and Eric are not only celebrated, but so are the guests. Everyone was laughing and tapping their canes. My assistant, Jessica, and I were on the floor dying it was so funny. This is how I want to be celebrated. Successful? Yes.

As far as the music is concerned, cocktails was all about cheesy 80's love songs. We played such tunes as "Forever Young" and "Eternal Flame." It was fun searching through my cd's trying to find the cheesiest stuff that would work with the crowd. After almost every song, someone in the crowd would say, "This is my song!" and they would sing a long. Going into dancing, it was the same kind of vibe. Guests would sing a long and dance by their tables as well as talk with one another. People would sometimes come into the room dancing. It was hard to actually get people on the dance floor though. They loved Top 40. That brought out the most people. "Thriller" followed up with "Sexy Back" then "Promiscuous" and "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone" was also a big hit. When it's put at the peak of a set, all the girls go NUTS! Jessica came up with some great song ideas throughout the night. My favorite was when she suggested "Mickey." I threw it on after Kelly Clarkson and it fit in perfectly.

--Jonathan, Lead DJ

Client: Jennifer Incorvaia & Eric Lindberg
Producer: Erik
Assistant: Jessica