Each time I have had the opportunity to DJ and priovide music for The Hoboken International Film Festival, I leave feeling inspired and grateful. Last night was even more so than past years with the Hoboken International Film Festival.
Sometimes it takes a professional DJ more than one experience to figure out what works at such a special event. I think I nailed it last night! The festival founder and President, Kenneth Del Vecchio, appreciates 80’s Rock as the genre for the event. Rock, even 80’s Rock, is a rather large genre and needs some communication and understanding to get exactly what that means to each individual. To one person, 80’s Rock can mean Michael Jackson, to another it could be Journey, the next it might be Peter Gabriel or AC/DC. And we still have not covered the whole genre. Even though 80’s Rock was the genre we were featuring, I still made certain to include Rock Music from other periods, Motown, Soul and few others sprinkled in. One of the presenters, actor Mike Rivera, when he arrived at the podium, stated he liked the song being played, Ram Jam “Black Betty” but where is the Kanye? Three songs later Kanye West made it to the Hoboken International Film Festival too.
Last night the great actor Paul Sorvino received The Lifetime Achievement Award. It was an honor to be in his presence and play a song for him, which he danced and sang to without us planning on him doing so. Apparently, he appreciates Bobby Darin’s “Beyond The Sea” as much as I do! At events like the Hoboken International Film Festival, it is a fun challenge to guess what songs will match with what actor, celebrity or politician without communication from them. It is even more fun when I guess right like I did with Mr. Sorvino.
An amazing night with fun, excitement, inspiration and great music. Can’t wait till next year’s Hoboken International Film Festival.