Tag Archives: Amazing Wedding

Wedding: A Celebration of Love Through The Lens of Nuno Duarte

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I was searching for some outstanding images of dance and weddings last spring and came across Nuno Duarte’s work through Creative Commons . I was immediately blown away by the force and energy of the images. I thought it would be interesting to display his work with weddings. I look forward to reading your comments  to see if they move you the way they do me. As a professional Wedding DJ in NJ & NY, I see a lot of weddings and wedding photos. These move me.

Beautiful First Wedding Dance

This is the one that I initially viewed. I still find it absolutely stunning!

 

First Wedding Dance of Bride and Groom

 

The Request

 

Wedding Dance and Kiss on Beach

 

The Moment!

 

 

Wedding Couple Dancing on Beach

The Intrigue!

 

Wedding Dance with Groom and Beautiful Bride

The Dance!

 

Wedding with Beautiful Bride

 

The Bride!

 

Wedding with Beautiful Bride Preparing

 

The Preparation!

 

Wedding with Beautiful Bride and Shoes

 

The Footstep!

 

Wedding with Bride and Groom by Car

 

The Journey!

 

Which image tickles your fancy the most?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Your Story Told For You By The Professional DJ

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I am very excited to be offering my new service for the first time this weekend to two clients at their events. I have been working on this project for a while and can’t wait to be able to show it off for the first time Saturday night! We are a culture that shares our stories as a form of strengthening our families and communities. I wanted to offer a service for my clients that presented their story at special events like Weddings, Sweet Sixteens, Birthdays and Anniversaries, and other important dates in our lives.

 

Happy Bride and Groom Kissing Their Wedding Story

 

What we do is interview beforehand the individual or individuals that are celebrating their event. They share with me their story or collective stories. We continue our conversation until we all feel there is enough material to showcase the unique and essential parts of your lives leading up to this moment. In the case of a Wedding, both the Bride and Groom share stories of your lives before you met, how you met and while you were dating. Finally, why you are choosing to get married and what you love about each other. If it is a Sweet Sixteen like Saturday night, I meet with the girl and her family and together we weave together the special moments in her life that have brought her to this day.

 

I take all this information and go home to create your “fairy tale” , your unique story.  Of course, it is not completely non-fiction – I add in some spice to make it even more fun.  While creating your story, I include the songs that have bookmarked some of your essential experiences and make them part of The StoryBook.

 

Happy Bride and Groom First Wedding Dance Story

 

At your wedding or event, I share your story with your friends and family for all to celebrate your life with you. While telling your story live, my DJ Assistant will be playing the perfect songs from your past and present to enhance the experience for everyone!

 

A live StoryBook for friends and family to celebrate together!

 

On Saturday night, I am presenting this at the Sweet Sixteen of a fabulous young lady who is jumping out of her skin with anticipation. On Sunday afternoon, a loving couple will get the chance to invite their friends and family to share their journey with them on this special day.

 

Happy Couple on Dance Floor at Wedding Story

 

At first, I was a little anxious about offering this professional service. Then I remembered that my beginnings as a DJ were in radio. After almost twenty years as a teen and family counselor, I certainly have experience interviewing and supporting families and skills to encourage them to share and reflect on how amazingness of our lives. The writing is probably the part I am enjoying the most. I am a budding writer and appreciate any opportunity to put on my writer’s cap and create something beautiful out of real life through words and music. Tomorrow night, I get my first chance to share my new service for the first time!

 

Bridal Party Introductions at Wedding

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ At A Punk-Jazz-Rock-Motown-Sinatra Wedding

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I am aware many professional Wedding DJs like to play just one or maybe two genres at events. It makes sense and certainly is less of a challenge. I mean, you know what will work and have little or no risk involved. I get it, I really do, not every Wedding DJ wants to put in the extra time and effort to maintain such a diverse musical library.

 

For me, being a New Jersey or Boston DJ is not about taking the easier or safer route. Like all performers and entertainers, professional Wedding Disc Jockeys have to determine if the risk worth the reward?

 

I vote yes!

Dancing with Fun Wedding DJ in New Jersey

Saturday night was another fun wedding with a great couple. It was held at a nice venue, The Metuchen Inn in Metuchen, New Jersey. They had very varied tastes and wanted to make certain that their parents, family and friends all had music they would enjoy listening and dancing to. We carefully put together a basic playlist to meet the needs of everybody, not losing sight of the fact that it is their New Jersey wedding and what they want counts greatest.

 

So, we ended up with music all over the map from Dizzie Gillespie and Miles Davis during Cocktail Hour. More Jazz, Eddie Spaghetti and Soul was enjoyed with dinner. When we turned up the volume and tempo, it was Motown (The Temptations), Punk (The Clash), Beyonce, Rock (Def Leopard) and more Frank Sinatra. What an incredibly fun night!

 

Cutting the Cake with Fun Wedding DJ in New Jersey

 

I am totally fine with playing music from one genre but when given the opportunity to make some great segues and mixes, I jump at the chance. Thanks Joey and Melissa for letting me be part of your wedding and your wedding DJ!

Party on Dance Floor with Fun Wedding DJ in New Jersey

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

100 Top Songs From Films For Professional DJs

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Sunday I have an event where the couple being honored for their 50th wedding anniversary happen to appreciate film and Broadway songs.  While creating the playlist I thought it might be interesting to see what the American Film Industry (AFI) determined to be the 100 years and 100 songs. As a professional NJ & NY DJ, it is important for me to be informed of all genres of music. In other areas of the country, a professional DJ does not have to be as mindful as we do here in the NJ & NY region.  Our diversity is our strength and motivates any good professional DJ to learn and stay current on various forms of music, show tunes are o exception.

# SONG MOVIE YEAR
1 Over the Rainbow
PERFORMER Judy Garland
MUSIC/LYRICS Harold Arlen/E. Y. Harburg		 WIZARD OF OZ, THE 1939
2 As Time Goes By
PERFORMER Dooley Wilson
MUSIC/LYRICS Herman Hupfeld		 CASABLANCA 1942
3 Singin’ in the Rain
PERFORMER Gene Kelly
MUSIC/LYRICS Nacio Herb Brown/Arthur Freed		 SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN 1952
4 Moon River
PERFORMER Audrey Hepburn
MUSIC/LYRICS Henry Mancini/Johnny Mercer		 BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S 1961
5 White Christmas
PERFORMER Bing Crosby
MUSIC/LYRICS Irving Berlin		 HOLIDAY INN 1942
6 Mrs. Robinson
PERFORMERS Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel
MUSIC/LYRICS Paul Simon		 GRADUATE, THE 1967
7 When You Wish Upon A Star
PERFORMER Cliff Edwards
MUSIC/LYRICS Leigh Harline/Ned Washington		 PINOCCHIO 1940
8 Way We Were, The
PERFORMER Barbra Streisand
MUSIC/LYRICS Marvin Hamlisch/Alan and Marilyn Bergman		 THE WAY WE WERE 1973
9 Stayin’ Alive
PERFORMER The Bee Gees
MUSIC/LYRICS Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb		 SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER 1977
10 Sound of Music, The
PERFORMER Julie Andrews
MUSIC/LYRICS Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II		 SOUND OF MUSIC, THE 1965
11 Man That Got Away, The
PERFORMER Judy Garland MUSIC/LYRICS Harold Arlen/Ira Gershwin		 STAR IS BORN, A 1954
12 Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend
PERFORMER Marilyn Monroe
MUSIC/LYRICS Jule Styne/Leo Robin		 GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES 1953
13 People
PERFORMER Barbra Streisand
MUSIC/LYRICS Jule Styne/Bob Merrill		 FUNNY GIRL 1968
14 My Heart Will Go On
PERFORMER Céline Dion
MUSIC/LYRICS James Horner/Will Jennings		 TITANIC 1997
15 Cheek to Cheek
PERFORMERS Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers
MUSIC/LYRICS Irving Berlin		 TOP HAT 1935
16 Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star is Born)
PERFORMER Barbra Streisand
MUSIC/LYRICS Barbra Streisand/Paul Williams		 STAR IS BORN, A 1976
17 I Could Have Danced All Night
PERFORMER Audrey Hepburn (voiced by Marni Nixon)
MUSIC/LYRICS Frederick Loewe/Alan Jay Lerner		 MY FAIR LADY 1964
18 Cabaret
PERFORMER Liza Minnelli
MUSIC/LYRICS John Kander/Fred Ebb		 CABARET 1972
19 Some Day My Prince Will Come
PERFORMER Adriana Caselotti
MUSIC/LYRICS Frank Churchill/Larry Morey		 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS 1937
20 Somewhere
PERFORMERS Natalie Wood (voiced by Marni Nixon), Richard Beymer (voiced by Jimmy Bryant)
MUSIC/LYRICS Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim		 WEST SIDE STORY 1961
21 Jailhouse Rock
PERFORMER Elvis Presley
MUSIC/LYRICS Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller		 JAILHOUSE ROCK 1957
22 Everybody’s Talkin’
PERFORMER Harry Nilsson
MUSIC/LYRICS Fred Neil		 MIDNIGHT COWBOY 1969
23 Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head
PERFORMER B. J. Thomas
MUSIC/LYRICS Burt Bacharach/Hal David		 BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID 1969
24 Ol’ Man River
PERFORMER Paul Robeson
MUSIC/LYRICS Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II		 SHOW BOAT 1936
25 High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin)
PERFORMER Tex Ritter
MUSIC/LYRICS Dimitri Tiomkin/Ned Washington		 HIGH NOON 1952
26 Trolley Song, The
PERFORMER Judy Garland
MUSIC/LYRICS Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane		 MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS 1944
27 Unchained Melody
PERFORMER The Righteous Brothers
MUSIC/LYRICS Alex North, Hy Zaret		 GHOST 1990
28 Some Enchanted Evening
PERFORMER Rossano Brazzi (voiced by Giorgio Tozzi)
MUSIC/LYRICS Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II		 SOUTH PACIFIC 1958
29 Born To Be Wild
PERFORMER Steppenwolf
MUSIC/LYRICS Mars Bonfire		 EASY RIDER 1969
30

My mother was a Judy Garland fan, so she being on top does not surprise me. Having Easy Rider at #29 makes me smile, as does The Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody” comeback in 1990.

 

What songs did you think needed to be on the list and what does not belong?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Motown Fifty-One Years Later and Still Rockin’: A DJ’s Musical Journey

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As a professional full-time DJ, I rarely perform at a NJ or NY wedding or event these days that does not at some point include music from Motown Records. For me this is not a problem since I have loved The Motown Sound since I listened on my little red Panasonic battery-operated portable radio as a kid.  It did not matter to me if it was The Supremes, The Jackson 5 or Stevie Wonder; I was always a Motown fan and still am today as a professional full-time DJ.

 

What does surprise me as a professional DJ, is who listens to Motown today. It would not catch me off-guard if it were just the folks who listen to modern R&B and Soul or even Hip Hop. That makes sense to me as a professional DJ. I could even make the connection if it was individuals who enjoy Classic Rock since they both kind of ‘grew-up’ together. What makes me stare with astonishment is when a punk-rocker or staunch Country fan requests Motown.

 

I wonder what music from our current generation will be the stuff that in twenty years is played to give ‘the old people’ something to dance and relate to at parties and weddings for professional DJs? Will it be Usher and Beyonce? Or Train and Maroon 5? What about Pitbull and Enrique Igleisius? Who are the stars of today that will be the dance classics of future professional DJs?

 

Until then we have Motown. It is fun, soulful, danceable and a bridge from the past to the present and maybe even the future.  This Saturday’s wedding will again have Motown as a primary genre to mix in with the other genres they appreciate like Punk, Rock, Oldies and Classic Soul.   I feel fortunate as a professional DJ  that I am hired by such interesting and creative couples for weddings and planners for parties. I know it is easier to just play the top hits all the time without any imagination or creativity but I get psyched at the alternative and unique choices that people choose for their weddings and special events and am grateful I can participate and contribute, especially when I can cue-up some Motown classics like “Superstition”,  “Let’s Get It On” or  “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”.

 

Which are your Motown favorites?

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

This Weeks Billboard Top 200 Albums Featuring Pink Floyd? A Curious DJ

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As a professional full-time DJ, I like to scan the Billboard Charts weekly to keep up on what is new, fading and different trends. Today I was viewing the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts and saw something that had me tilting my head in confusion; Pink Floyd has FOUR albums in the current Top 200! What?

 

The professional DJ wonders, “Can that really be true?”

 

It turns out it is true. For reasons I do not understand, Pink Floyd albums are still selling at a very high rate. Not that I think their albums are not worthy of sales, but all the albums that are on the charts are over twenty-five years old! The highest is Dark Side Of The Moon, which remained on the charts for 741 weeks from 1973-1988 consecutively; the longest in history, but that was almost thirty years ago. I actually had both an 8-track and vinyl version of the album but again, that was twenty-eight years ago.

 

Also charting this week in order of appearance on the charts are The Wall, Wish You Were Here and Animals. It is peculiar to see Pink Floyd albums surrounded by Maroon 5, LMFAO, Blake Shelton and Taylor swift, again, not judging any of the artists, just peculiar. It certainly demonstrates how different the American music industry is today. Any genre from Pop, Dance, R&B, Rap, Hip Hop, Rock, Country even Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra can produce a strong-selling album and professional DJs will play them at Weddings and events.   The Singles Chart has always allowed for diversity since it is just a song and not an entire album. By the way, Adele currently has two albums in the top ten, 21 and 19, with “Someone Like You” #1 on The Top 100 Singles, her second #1 following the success of “Rolling in The Deep”.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

A DJ Has A Night To Play

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There is something really fun about having a night without a playlist.  As a professional full-time DJ, I rarely get to choose the music I play. I am extremely committed to making sure the folks that hire me as a professional DJ get what they want and not pick music for myself at a gig. Last Saturday night at the Barefoot Boogie I had the music all to myself!  We usually try to schedule more than one DJ at each event to add diversity in style and musical choices.  This particular night I was the only DJ on the schedule and took full advantage of the opportunity.

 

I can’t say it was my most fluid segues but we had fun and there was plenty of great tunes for moving and dancing.  We started the night with some mellow, lush music for letting the dancers get loose and grounded to the music and environment.  It was not long till we had it cranked-up to full volume and the energy was very high. I was mindful of bringing the energy and tempo down to provide space for catching breath and get even deeper into their process.

 

As usual, we had a great time and nobody wanted to leave at the end of the night. I still am smiling that I got to play Acoustic Jazz, New Age, Pop, Top 40, R&B, New Wave, Punk, Rock, Old Soul and Hip Hop all in the same night while visiting Cuba, Africa, India, Turkey, Mexico, Japan and Spain along the way. A fun ride for all!

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Saturday Night Live Started Today 1975! A DJ Looks Back

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“On this day 36 years ago, SNL broadcast its first episode ever!! In hindsight it’s easy to see that that first show, which was hosted by George Carlin, with music by Janis Ian and Billy Preston, a performance by Andy Kaufman and a cast that included Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner, was the start of something special.” From The Saturday Night Live Website

 

It is amazing to think that there was a time before SNL. I remember in high school when at parties we would all gather around the TV to watch the latest episode. They were all new back then, so there were no repeats.

 

I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the great musicians that have performed on SNL. Of course there are so many this will only be a very small sample.

 

Here is the full list on Rate Your Music from A-Z.

 

 

Adele, Aerosmith, Akon, Adam Ant and Marc Anthony are some listed under “A”.

 

Terrence Trent Darby, Death Cab For Cutie, Miles Davis, Dixie Chicks and Bob Dylan under ”D”.

 

Janet Jackson, Joe Jackson, Mick Jagger, Jamiroquai, Jan’s Addiction and Jewel under “J”.

 

Billy Idol, India.Arie, Chris Isaak and Janis Ian (who performed on the first show!)  from “I”.

 

Sade, Scissor Sisters, Gil Scot-Heron,  Seal, Tupac Shakur and Taylor Swift from the letter “S”.

 

Faith No More, Bryan Ferry, Aretha Franklin and Nelly Furtado from the “F” list.

 

U2, UB40, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Usher from the land of “U”.

 

Willie Nelson, Nirvana, No Doubt and Gary Numan from the “N” category.

 

 

This is just a small sample that is not totally random (if you can figure out my rhyme and reason).

 

Thirty-six years of artists risking embarrassment and screw-ups performing live into tvland on a major network. When this ‘experiment’ first started, it was considered very cutting-edge, controversial and completely alternative, especially from NBC. I still remember the controversy stirred by Sinead O’Connor on SL, which was originally titled NBC’s Saturday Night.  So many years and performers. A professional full-time DJ pays homage to a group of very talented writers, actors and musicians.

 

 

What was your favorite SNL musical performance?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael at Barefoot Boogie Saturday Night 10/8!

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I am even more excited than I was last night!

 

Along with being a professional full-time DJ & MC, I am also the volunteer Coordinator of Teachers & DJs at The Barefoot Boogie NYC.  It is my responsibility to recruit, schedule and sometimes train our teachers and DJs for our semi-monthly events.  The venue we create these evens is Insight Meditation Center, originally had a special event scheduled for this Saturday Night, 10/8. We shifted our schedule to accommodate. It turns out they had to cancel the event and we had some conversation and decided we would scramble together and put a dance event together for tomorrow night.  I offered to DJ since I have not had the opportunity to DJ there since before the wedding season was in full swing. I miss it.

 

I now get to DJ at an outdoor wedding in the afternoon and Barefoot Boogie at night.  Besides seeing friends and being in an environment I enjoy, DJing at The Barefoot Boogie allows me to get extremely creative in musical selections.  I will start the night with some slow, lush music to support dancers in getting warmed-up and stretched.  After I see folks are ready, I will slowly raise the energy, tempo and volume till we are at full force.  The Boogie is an environment that diversity and creativity are considered gifts for dancers and movers.  Throughout the night I will try to mix in some music from many decades, genres and cultures from around the globe.

 

Should be a great day between the wedding and the boogie!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

The DJ Preps For A Backyard Wedding

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Last night I was on the phone with The Bride and Groom whom are getting married on Saturday. They are having their Ceremony at a local park and then the Reception in the backyard of their home.  It will only be the second backyard wedding I will do this Wedding season. The other was in a soggy, muddy yard but we still had a great time. I have no doubt this one will be fun as well.

 

I continue to enjoy the diversity of music that couples are wanting at their weddings as a professional DJ. This one will feature some Soft Rock, Classic Rock, Motown, Nat King Cole, 80’s and a few Pop songs. Only a few years ago a professional DJ would never have dreamed of getting to play The Police, Dave Matthews Band, Marvin Gaye, Cake, Cyndi Lauper and Nat King Cole at the same wedding. I am fortunate that most of the couples I work with as a professional DJ are not cookie-cutter follow whatever are popular types. They ask me if it is OK to add obscure or unusual songs and artists to their playlists. I always say, “Yes” but remind them that they have to consider their guests and how it will work for them too.

 

I am grateful I get to offer three decades of experience as a a professional Wedding DJ. It is their decisions but I make sure they know what might happen and what typically is successful and what is not. This is where an experienced, professional DJ can support you in putting together a fun, successful event. We can also let you know during the event if the music selected is not working and guide planners and couples in a direction that may be more effective.

 

Like any professional, as a DJ I like to perform well at my craft. What time has taught me is that it is more than that. We do not get a ‘redo’ if your wedding or event does not have the right energy and music to be extraordinary. There is no second chance to make it amazing.  We have one shot and I take that very seriously even if it looks like I am just relaxing and having fun. I do not want to go home knowing I did not do my part in facilitating an wedding or event that people are full of smiles and memories. It is part professional and part ego. Together they keep me on my toes so I am ready for every event no matter what. I performed as DJ at a wedding before and after the week I moved my home. Both weddings were fabulous and I expect nothing less from myself. That is why I offer the guarantee that I do. I know my craft and have enough successful experience as a professional DJ to support the skills and talent with confidence and preparedness.

 

Saturday is less than two days from now! Can’t wait to plug-in and turn-up the volume!

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ