Author Archives: DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

DJs Helping In Times Of Need

Posted on by

When crisis situations hit, music and dance can be healing forces to restore order, peace and joy within a community. It is important that musicians and DJs offer their services to members of our communities to support recovery from crisis situations like Hurricane Sandy. As someone that had lost my power and had to be displaced for almost a week from New Jersey, I am glad to be able to get back home today and make myself available for any fundraisers or local events to bring us all to our normal selves as much as possible. Many people and families have had to endure much more challenging circumstances than mine and I want do my part as a professional DJ to support the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania area as we try to find our way back to life as it was before.

 DJs Need To Help!

With this in mind, I encourage all of the DJs and musicians in the New Jersey, New York and Philly area to pitch-in and help out when possible. Music, dance and celebration have been a way that humans have collectively utilized as a vehicle to find joy and fun during many very challenging times and we will do it again, since we know it works. Us professional DJs need to participate to whatever degree we can.

Volunteer DJs shares the power of Native American music

Kevin Kicking Woman overcame a life of abuse and now helps others through music as volunteer DJ for KBGA College radio at the University of Montana. And now he helps others through the power of music as a volunteer DJ at KBGA College Radio at the University of Montana where he has his own show called ‘Greeting the Sun’.

DJ Mystical Michael Live at Fundraiser in NYC and other DJs parties

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

PrimeCuts Music For Professional DJs

Posted on by

I have become so grateful for finally signing-up for PrimeCuts Music Weekly MP3 music. It has been one of the best decisions I have made as a professional DJ.  Receiving all the newest and hottest hits and about to be hits across all the major American Pop genres including Top 40, Rock, Dance, Urban, Country, Hip Hop, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Smooth Jazz and Religious Music. Then, bi-weekly downloads of popular Latin and current Music with emphasis on Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Reggaeton, Baladas and other Latin hits. PrimeCuts sends high quality 320kbps songs. I get excited every Wednesday to log-on and download all the great MP3s.

 

It is so much fun to open the folder and start listening to all the new stuff each week. There are so many great new songs to experience and think about how and which songs will mix and segue with other tunes, old and new.  We also receive a whole folder full of a capella and instrumental versions of current and classic hits and other popular songs.  They have another separate folder of TV and Movie Theme songs, and Broadway Show tunes.  For those who use them, they have hundreds of DJ Drops, which I do not use often myself.

 

If you haven’t yet gotten the point, PrimeCuts Music is incredible

If you haven’t yet gotten the point, PrimeCuts Music is an incredible value for the monthly fee they charge for professional DJs and radio stations.  Knowing I will always have all the newest songs before they hit the radio and Billboard Charts is such a relief to me as a professional Wedding and Party DJ.

primecuts Music - Providence Wedding DJ - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

What Is PrimeCuts Music For Professional DJs?

“TM Studios’ HitDiscs® are the music service of choice among radio professionals….including American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, every major network, thousands of radio stations worldwide and most major webcasters. You can enjoy the same superior quality and service that broadcasters have come to depend on from TM Studios.”

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ and Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!

Where Do The DJ Photos of Weddings and Parties Come From?

Posted on by

As the site of DJ Mystical Michael continues to grow and expand, (look for a new look soon!), we now have over 500 DJ Photos on our site! Of those 500 DJ photos captured of Weddings, Parties, Events, Fundraisers and Dancers, all but about 25 of them are from actual events that I am the professional DJ. It turns out that the professional DJ often has the best pulse of the Wedding or Party because we are providing the music, as well as good professional DJs coordinating the event and know exactly what and how is gong to happen next.

 Who Is The Photographer of The DJ Photos?

I am the ‘photographer’ at most of my events. It is in my contract with my Brides, Grooms and Party Planners that I will capture their amazing experiences and use them on my site for promotional purposes. I make sure in advance that the Brides and Grooms know this clearly because I do not want to upset anyone with my DJ Photos. I have had a few of my Brides and Grooms explicitly ask me not to take DJ photos at their Weddings. Of course, I have willingly agreed. Most Brides and Grooms are really excited to know that their special day of DJ Photos will be accessable for friends and family to view the next day after their Wedding. The same is true for my Party Planners that are not Brides and Grooms, they know I will use the DJ Photos on my site and give me permission to do so.

 

The truth is that I am just a mediocre ‘photographer’ at best. I do not think I am even qualify as a photographer, I just like to capture fun and special moments of Weddings, Parties and Events and share my DJ Photos with you. This way, you know in advance what your Wedding or Party will be like if you hire me to be your professional DJ. It gives you a bird’s eye view of Weddings and Parties with DJ Mystical Michael, not just what it looks like but also what I feel are the moments that you will appreciate. A professional photographer will do a MUCH better job and have significantly higher quality equipment than me. They take their gear as serious as I do with my MacBook and BOSE L1 system. They take their craft and finished product as serious as I do as a professional Wedding and Party DJ.

 

I just thought it was important to share with you where and how the DJ Photos you see on my site come from and that I have legal permission to do so. The other images are either purchased for specific uses or from Creative Commons through the public usage licensing. Last month I had a very angry, rightfully so, photographer write me about an image I had on my site. A gorgeous dancer full of beauty and colors that I loved! I explained that I found her image on Creative Commons and was using it legally. She had never heard of Creative Commons, so I sent her the link and info. I then apologized and removed the image. Apparently, somebody else who did not have rights or permission, posted her image on Creative Commons and offered full permission for public use! It has been since cleared-up but the artist has been hunting down all the illegal uses of her work all over the internet. She said most users were not as polite and respectful as me and some even refused to delete the images. This is so sad and disturbing to me. This is one of the ways the internet and its access are being abused.

Let me know if there are any specific DJ Photos on my site that you appreciate and like!

DJ Photos of Fun Wedding Party on The Dance Floor

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJs Weathering The Storm

Posted on by

Last year when Hurricane Irene brought her force and might to New Jersey and surrounding states, I remember that panicked phone call from the Bride of the wedding for the approaching Saturday that Irene was supposed to wreak havoc. The venue in Hoboken had cancelled due to closing to prepare for the storm. She and her family are from London. She moved here a few years ago and met the man she was marrying soon after. Her family and friends from England all had already flown in and paid for the travels to be here with her. She wanted to somehow still get married on Saturday, even if that meant a smaller, simpler version with just those who were able to be there and celebrate with them and their Wedding DJ.

She wanted to still get married on Saturday, even if smaller, simpler version & DJ

Her mother took over the situation and spent over four hours on the phone calling venues throughout the New Jersey and New York City area. She finally found one that would do a simple, shortened Ceremony and Reception! It was the Hyatt in Newark New Jersey near the Newark International Airport. Next was the call to me to see if I would be willing to still be their Wedding DJ on Saturday in the storm. “Of course”, I said, Yes I would still DJ your wedding!” We immediately started planning her Wedding again with new twists and turns.

 

It was a littlie rough getting to the hotel on Saturday afternoon, I won’t lie. It wasn’t treacherous by any sense, but not gentle either. The staff at the hotel were very nervous and anxious about putting a Wedding together in two days complete with Officiant, Cake, Food, service staff and rooms. I had the Wedding DJ part covered, which they were very happy to know. They did a very solid job and if you didn’t know any better, might not have even noticed the flurry of activity happening all at once to prepare for their Wedding, while the Wedding DJ was setting up his BOSE DJ equipment.

 

Last night, a little more than a year later from Irene, Hurricane Sandy was even more devastating. We lost power around 1:20am last night and they say it will be 7-10 days before it is returned. I took a deep breath and acknowledged how grateful I am that I do not have any Weddings schedule for this weekend, because not sure how I would be able to make it work.

 

Then I thought about it a little longer and deeper and realized I could find a way to charge up my MacBook so it will run for several hours. I can also figure out how to charge up my mini portable PA system that lasts for 4-5 hours. I have an iPhone with djay software to play music as a back up of excellent music and fun at the Wedding if my MacBook battery doesn’t last long enough. It might not be the same as my outstanding BOSE L1 system but it would work and The Bride and Groom would have exceptional music and fun at their Wedding. As much as technology can make things more complicated, it can also help us meet needs in an emergency. As a music purist, it would drive me crazy playing through my small portable Pyle Pro system and not the BOSE but it would be fine and the Wedding would go on!

DJs and Dancers Weathering The Storm

Dancing Through The Storm with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael at Barefoot Boogie Saturday Night 10/27

Posted on by

As Coordinator of DJs and Teachers at Barefoot Boogie, it is important for me to try and give as m ch of my time to actually being there and DJing to show our new and upcoming DJs how to master the skills. I have not been able to DJ at The Boogie since last month but it seems much longer since I miss it. Playing music for such an open and diverse group is fun, it allows me, or any DJ, to get creative and stretch the playlist far beyond what would be acceptable or productive at a Wedding, Party or Event. Of course, I always enjoy DJing in NYC, especially downtown or at least in Chelsea.

What is The Barefoot Boogie?

The Boogie is a freestyle dance which happens twice a month in New York City. We offer a relaxed, smoke- and alcohol-free environment where folks can freely express themselves in movement.

What Kind of Music Do The DJs Play?

From our pool of talented DJs, two spin each dance. Each of our DJs has his or her own distinctive style, but one thing you can rely on is that atevery Boogie you’ll hear a wide variety of music: R&B, World, Funk, Tribal, Hip Hop, Ambient, Reggae, House, African, Electronica, Disco, Rock, Techno, Drum & Bass, etc.

People of all ages, families and kids are welcome. Come alone or bring your friends. You’ll find folks at the dance moving solo, with partners, and/or in groups. Dress as you wish, but please leave your street shoes at the door before hitting the dance floor. The Barefoot Boogie is a not-for-profit, cooperative and volunteer-run venture.

The Barefoot Boogie as about to celebrate its 30th anniversary next month! It is amazing to me that a group of dancers started this back in 1982 and have found a way to keep it going for thirty years! This is one of the reasons I am so willing to volunteer and DJ when I can at Barefoot Boogie. What DJ would not want to support a creative dance community with such history and talent like the Barefoot Boogie? Besides, where else can I play World, Buddha Bar, Rock, Soul, R&B, Oldies, Hip Hop, Jazz, House and Top 40 as a DJ all in one night?

Dancers Partying with DJ Mystical Michael at Barefoot Boogie

Looking forward to tomorrow night at Barefoot Boogie!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Fun Birthday Party with DJ Mystical Michael!

Posted on by

Last Friday Night, I was professional DJ at a fun 60th Birthday Party. It was a surprise party put together by her husband and best friend. They did a great job of keeping it hidden and she looked totally shocked when she walked into The Tap Room at the Somerset Hills Hotel in Warren, New Jersey.

The Tap Room

“Located in the lobby of the Somerset Hills Hotel, The Tap Room is one of the area’s most popular restaurants and gathering places. Enjoying a fantastic reputation as a restaurant as well as a lounge, the Tap Room’s popularity not only rises above dining spots at other Somerset County hotels, but is beloved the county over among locals and visitors alike. Dine in simply elegant decor and enjoy the Tap Room’s extensive menu selections and tantalizing specials—and don’t forget dessert! Additionally, The Tap Room serves a full breakfast buffet daily.”

Husband and Wife Dancing Celebrating Birthday Party with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mission accomplished!

They are a nice bunch of friends and family that just wanted to make sure that Barbara had a fun night to remember. DJ Mission accomplished!

Friends and Family Celebrate Birthday Party Dancing with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Music Played From All Six Generations of Her Life

They had the neat idea of wanting DJ music played throughout the night for all six generations of her life. This started with Louis Armstrong and Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Dion, Motown and The Beatles, Barry White and Neil Diamond, Michael Jackson and Bee Gees, Aerosmith and Salt-N-Pepa and lots of current songs as well with Carly Rae Jepsen, Jason Mraz, Taio Cruz, Black Eyed Peas, LMFAO and Maroon 5. It was a fun DJ night that I am sure all will talk about for years to come.

Fun Dancing at Birthday Party with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Professional DJ 60th Birthday Party!

Posted on by

Tonight I get to provide music, DJ & MC services for a 60th birthday party! The best part is that it is a surprise birthday party that the husband and her best friend have done an excellent job of keeping a secret. I enjoy being the professional DJ at milestone birthday parties, they are fun, exciting and have such a nice celebratory feeling without the concerns of some larger events. It is always fun participating in surprise parties with everyone running around making sure it is all perfect before the guest of honor arrives. Then they all hide and try to be quiet. Of course, there is always one person who can’t keep still or quit no matter how hard they try, they just add to the entertainment. Finally, there is the last minute cue to let somebody know they are almost arriving and a complete hush hits the room. All but the one guy who can’t keep quiet and there is also some guy who takes the ‘opportunity’ to tickle a woman knowing she can’t laugh or giggle out loud. He too adds to the moment in a gross and backwards kind of way.

Preparing For A Surprise Birthday Party

When the guest of honor arrives and everybody pops out of what seems like every nook and cranny possible, the real fun begins. These parties do not need the usual getting comfortable period that some parties do. They don’t even need for folks to be full of alcohol for the partying to begin, just turn up the music and let the fun hit the roof!

I have enjoyed my experiences with helping to plan and coordinate this birthday party with the husband and her best friend. He was a little concerned, as we should be these days, that everything would go as planned since he found me on the internet. I mentioned to him that I have a guarantee stating if you are not happy with my performance at your event, do not pay me the balance. He laughed like most people do when I tell this to them and replied, “Of course, I will pay you, I just want to be sure you will actually show-up and do a great job”. I again stated that I offer this to every customer and mean it, if you do not like what you receive from me, don’t pay the balance due. Why should you not have a method for holding me accountable for quality level of service, since you can’t really ask for a refund for services already provided? A guarantee is the only fair thing to give you peace of mind that your event or wedding will be fantastic.

I can’t wait to see her face when all the fun begins tonight!

Fun Party on The Dance Floor at birthday party with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Bride to Wedding DJ, “We Aren’t Dancing People” (DJ Smiles Quietly)

Posted on by

Every now and then a Bride or Groom says to me genuinely, “Michael, we are not dancing people and neither are our friends or family.” I smile and keep my mouth shut. I know better as a Wedding DJ than to tell a Bride or Groom what they think will happen or not happen at their Wedding. Fear is a strong force and can convince of all kinds of things, one of them being that there are ‘dancing people’ and ‘not dancing people’. I do understand what they mean when they say this; “We don’t dance much and neither does our friends or family”. This makes sense to me and I did once actually DJ a Wedding that few people danced at. They had lots of fun and asked for many requests, they just don’t like to dance and enjoyed their music as part of the fun they had. I won’t lie, even though the music they chose in advance was not made for dancing, my ego could not believe I was not able to shift the energy, although a lot of Indie Rock and Alternative songs they chose are not very danceable.

Bride and Friends on Dance Floor at Wedding with Rhode Island Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

I pride myself on being able to adapt to the crowd at any event. Weddings are special because of the importance and diversity of the group. You may have people from four generations, regions of the country/world, races, cultures and that is before we get into styles of music! An exceptional professional  Wedding DJ is ready for anybody ad everybody that approaches the Wedding DJ station for a request. This is not 1985 when we had excuses for not having the correct music for each event. An exceptional professional Wedding DJ is prepared in advance and has a musical library that reaches across age, language, culture and genre seamlessly without making the guests feel like there is something wrong with them for asking for their favorite songs.

Friends and Family Fun on Wedding Dance Floor with Rhode Island Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

Wedding DJ; Make Sure Bride & Groom Complain Legs Hurt From Dancing

On Saturday Night, they danced, a lot. I just received an email form The Bride thanking me for such a great job and for knowing exactly what songs to play when. I smiled broadly. This is the goal for me as a professional Wedding DJ and Party DJ; make sure that Brides, Grooms and Party Planners have such a good time they complain that their legs hurt from dancing so much (Bride from two weeks ago). She swore to me in advance that the Groom would not dance and hates to dance. Not only did he dance, a lot, he asked me to play songs, “So I can dance with my new wife“.

Party on Wedding Dance Floor with Rhode Island Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

I feel fortunate that I get to perform such a wonderful service for great people and have fun doing it. There is a lot of work I do way before I get tot he Wedding or Party. That is where I am focused and diligent so there are no mistakes during your Wedding or Party. Being a professional Wedding and Event DJ means you are prepared enough that no matter what happens,nobody will no know anything changed or shifted but myself.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Wedding DJ at Yesterdays in Hazlet, NJ

Posted on by

Today I get to be the professional Wedding DJ at Yesterdays Restaurant in Hazlet, NJ for an interesting young Bride and Groom. They have chosen a creative and unique array of music that meets the needs of the Bride and Groom and their family and friends. The part that I found the funniest was in the Wedding Planner Guide for Wedding DJ that I provided them with. They added as notes for The Wedding Reception, “Please play some Disco for the Groom’s Mother to dance to. We hate Disco so please don’t play to much, since it is our Wedding and we want to enjoy it too!”. This is one of the reasons why I love being a professional Wedding DJ! Where else can you get the opportunity to be involved in such interesting and unique requests and concerns for family and friends?

Wedding DJ Disco Music

“Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre’s popularity peaked during the late 1970s. Its initial audiences were club-goers from the African American, Latino, gay, and psychedelic communities in New York Cityand Philadelphia during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Disco also was a reaction against both the domination of rock music and the stigmatization of dance music by the counterculture during this period. Women embraced disco as well, and the music eventually expanded to several other popular groups of the time.” Wikpedia

Wedding DJ at Yesterdays in Hazlet, NJ

Yesterday’s Restaurant Hazlet Rhode Island Wedding DJ

 “Yesterday’s Restaurant has been serving the Bayshore Community for over 50 years. Family owned and operated, we pride ourselves on offering the finest authentic Southern Italian & American cuisine. Our newly rebuilt restaurant & banquet facilities offer a wide array of menu options and our dedicated and professional staff is ready to accommodate all of your dining, catering and banquet needs.”

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Yo! Where Are All The Good DJs?

Posted on by

Yes, that was a real post I saw earlier today. I was scanning the Craigslist postings for professional DJs in the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania area to see what other Wedding, Event and Party DJs are doing. And I had to actually laugh out loud when I read the title of the post, “Yo! Where Are All The Good DJs?”

I have been a professional Wedding DJ and Party DJ for a long time and the thing I find the most fascinating is what people decide makes a good DJ, a good DJ and what makes a bad DJ, a bad DJ.  In most cases, it is simply a good DJ is a DJ that plays music you like. It has nothing to do with skill, inspiring a crowd, high quality equipment, professionalism, ability to interact positively with guests or any actual ‘talent’. This makes sense since the music industry in general is taste, not talent, driven. The most talented artists rarely get known outside of the community of trained musicians themselves. Physical appearance, stage presence, production and music that meets the tatses a wide range of listeners is typically what earns the highest ratings and $$$. Also, the age of who the music appeals to is significant, since the music industry in the USA is driven by the 13-27 year-old demographic.

The professional DJ business is somewhat different. Aside from playing music you like, which any professional good DJ without an ego can do easily with modern technology, many people do not know how to choose a good DJ, so they use the few distinctions that they know like scratching and so-called ‘beat-matching’.  Both of these skills are just a product of practice, there are no actual ‘talents’, since anyone who practices enough can do them. Talent is something that is demonstrated in a craft or art that practice alone is not enough. Some examples are athletes ands musicians. No matter how much I practice, I will never be as good an athlete as Kevin Durant or Derek Jeter. I will not be a vocalist like Adele or Andrea Bocelli or songwriter like Elton John or John Lennon. Some things cannot be taught, either you have them or you don’t. An exceptional professional Wedding DJ and Party DJ is similar, but maybe not as easily detectable to those on the dance floor, or to those who want to dance but can’t figure out why they are “Not in the mood tonight”. Here is where the subtle distinction between the exceptional professional DJ and the regular professional DJ exists.

What Is An Exceptional Professional or Good DJ?

The exceptional professional DJ inspires you to move even when you are not in the mood, too tired or have to get up early for work in the morning. An exceptional DJ is part of the inspiration that makes dancing such a fun, exhilarating and sometimes ecstatic experience. A great live band is still my favorite form of musical experience but an exceptional DJ can bring something else to the experience that can be equally inspirational.

Fun Party on the Dance Floor with Good DJ Mystical Michael

What makes a good DJ in your experiences?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ