James and Sung Hee Wedding

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  DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJs Weathering The Storm

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

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

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

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 AmericanLatinogay, 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

Wedding DJ Plays Vitamin String Quartet

I find it so fascinating how many young Brides and Grooms incorporate songs by The Vitamin String Quartet into their Wedding Ceremony, Cocktail Hour and Reception these days. It is great music and makes a sensational bridge between music from several generations.

 

How else would Brides and Grooms be able to include Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Lady Gaga and The Beatles seamlessly together in a Wedding Ceremony or Cocktail Hour except with Vitamin String Quartet?

Vitamin String Quartet Tribute to Guns N’ Roses Sweet Child O’ Mine

Next weekend I am Wedding DJ at a Wedding for a young Bride and Groom that enjoy mostly Rock, Indie and Punk. They are also very conscious of wanting their parents and other guests to enjoy the Wedding . They have put together a really neat bunch of songs by Vitamin String Quartet for the Cocktail Hour. It was fun creating the playlist for the Cocktail Hour since I typically make playlists in advance for Wedding Ceremonies and Cocktail Hours to make sure there is no room for errors at the Wedding.

Vitamin String Quartet Tribute to My Chemical Romance Welcome To The Black Parade

Who Is Vitamin String Quartet?

You Had Me at Cello: Entertainment Weekly Review

“For nearly six years, Vitamin Records has tapped that same symphonic spine with its String Quartet Tribute series, which takes rock music and puts it through an orchestral filter. Aimed at collectors, completists, and fans open to reworkings of their favorite songs, the Vitamin catalog includes 140 classically gassed homages to every three-chord wonder from Metallica to the Darkness. ”I like the tribute to us,” says Nickelback guitarist Chad Kroeger. ”When your music is taken to a different place, it’s an honor.”

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Rhode Island DJ

Wedding DJ with Multicultural Brides and Grooms

I did not know when I first started promoting DJ Mystical Michael here in the New Jersey, New York and Philly area that I would have so much fun working with Multicultural Brides and Grooms at their Weddings. It is not that I am not aware of what a great mix of cultures we have in New Jersey and New York, I grew-up here and have never experienced the world through the eyes of just one way or culture. It would seem obvious that a local man who is from a Multicultural family would attract Multicultural Brides and Grooms to perform as DJ at their Weddings right? Well, it was not obvious for me at the time but I embrace the amazing opportunities that have come my way to work with Multicultural Brides and Grooms, especially the past few months.

Multicultural Bride and Groom First Wedding Dance with  Multicultural Brides and Groom and DJ Mystical Michael

Rhode Island Wedding DJ Supports Multicultural Brides and Grooms

It is so much fun for me to support Multicultural Brides and Grooms blend their family styles, traditions and music into one big, simple and elegant Wedding!  I remember several years ago when I was a Social Work student and had taken a class titled, “Racial and Ethnic Groups”. The Professor would remind us on a regular basis, “You don’t know what you don’t know and how can you?” This is the attitude I try to bring to my interactions with all my clients, especially Multicultural Brides and Grooms; you know your family, friends and what you want, I am here to make sure that it works exceptionally well.

Fun Dancing at Asian Multicultural Wedding with  Multicultural Brides and Groom and DJ Mystical Michael

Last night I met with a really fun and nice Multicultural Brides and Groom that are Italian and Latina. We had so much fun laughing and sharing ideas about their Wedding.  I am baffled why so many professional  Wedding DJs hate this aspect of their work. For me, I love to get to know my Brides, Grooms and Party Planners before we agree to work together when possible. I like the connection and hearing your stories and experiences that have brought you together today. How can you do an an exceptional job at your Wedding or Party unless you know who they are and what they want, especially Multicultural Brides and Grooms?

Beautiful Dancers at Multicultural Wedding and  Multicultural Brides and Groom with DJ Mystical Michael

I am grateful to live and work in the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania region where we have such diversity of culture, ideas and traditions. It is hard for me to imagine being a professional Wedding DJ, Event DJ and Party DJ in a location that is not as diverse. Besides, you get the best food at Multicultural Weddings!

Fun Dancing at Multicultural Wedding with Multicultural Brides and Groom and DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Wedding DJ Performs at Dark Wedding

This past weekend I was Wedding DJ & MC for two rather unique Weddings. On Saturday Night, the Wedding was a Dark Wedding with almost everybody dressed in black. This was not your Black Tie Affair, it was more Goth-liike than anything else. The Bride and Groom chose a bunch of really unique songs for the Introductions and Traditional Dances including “The Imperial March”, “Sistinas” by Danzig, “In My Life” by The Beatles, “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders.  It was fun, creative and their friends and family loved it and their Wedding DJ!

 “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders

I’ll Stand by You” is a 1994 song recorded by The Pretenders from their sixth studio album, Last of the Independents. Written by Chrissie Hynde in collaboration with the songwriting team of Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg (who used the melody from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Minuet for Lovers]), it was the Pretenders’ most recent significant hit single, and their last successful single in North America.

The song is a power ballad that pledges love and faithful assistance in times of personal darkness. Since its initial release, “I’ll Stand by You” has also become a major hit for British girl group Girls Aloud in 2004 and Carrie Underwood in 2007, both times recorded as a charity single. Wikipedia

Groom Fun At Wedding with Rhode Island Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

I really enjoy working with Brides and Grooms who are interested in creating a simple, elegant and unique Wedding DJ Event.

As a professional Wedding DJ, I always offer my experience and recommendations, leaving it to the Bride and Groom to decide what will best for you. As many Wedding as I am Wedding DJ & MC for, it seems like they would all feel and look the same but they are not even a little bit. I am grateful that the Brides and Grooms that choose me to perform at their Weddings are wanting something that expresses their style, taste and personality. I do not do ‘cookie-cutter wedding factory style’ Weddings and won’t. I think a Wedding is too important for a Bride and Groom to not place their imprint all over it.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Rhode Island Winter Wedding DJ

In years past, I have not received many Brides and Grooms looking to hire my professional MC & DJ services for Winter Weddings here in the Rhode Island, Boston and Souther New England Region. There is this myth that Weddings need to be in warm weather only, my experience offers a different perspective about a Winter Wedding. A Bride and Groom can plan an amazing, simple and elegant Wedding in any season, including Winter Weddings. Each season offers a different set of opportunities and obstacles. Since most Brides and Grooms already are aware of the advantages of Spring, Summer & Autumn Weddings, in this post I will focus on the benefits of a Beautiful Winter Wedding.

Think of a cool, beautiful day with blue skies for miles and the sun warming bodies and buildings.  There is some snow on the ground but not too deep. Men get to actually wear their wool suits without having to drip with sweat from the heat. Women do not have to fret over frizzy hair from humidity.  For me, there is something entirely romantic and elegant about a room full of finely dressed men and women on a cold night celebrating love and hope together in an exquisitely lit room for your Winter Wedding .

I will not leave out the most obvious advantages to Rhode Island Winter Weddings; price and availability!

 

Availability. If you have ever tried to book a Wedding in June, July, August, September or October, you know what I am talking about. You feel like you have to fight your way just to give a venue, photographer, videographer, florist or DJ just to give them your money. This is not the case with most Wedding DJs and Vendors in November, January, February or March, we love Winter Weddings!

 The Cost of Rhode Island Winter Weddings Are Far Less Expensive

Cost. Times have changed and Brides and Grooms are not always able to plan their Dream Weddings as we could ten or fifteen years ago. At least not if you are trying to do so during Wedding season in Rhode Island. They know you need them and will charge you based on that premise. Rhode Island Winter Weddings are not as easy for Rhode Island Wedding DJs and Vendors to book and most are more apt to offer you a discount or at least throw in an additional service or two for no charge. For example, I usually will offer free Party Lights with Rhode Island Winter Weddings.

Rhode Island Winter Weddings are not for everybody, many of us need the warmth and fresh air that warmer season offer. Each Bride and Groom needs to determine what works best for them carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about planning your Rhode Island Winter Wedding, I invite you contact me and maybe I can help.

Gorgeous Rhode Island Wedding and Party Venue - Rhode Island Winter Wedding DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding & Rhode Island Party DJ Guranate!

Wedding DJ In Rhode Island

Tomorrow night’s Wedding is in Rhode Island . This fact by itself is not significant but in the context of me being a professional Wedding DJ that performs all over the tri-state area but rarely in Rhode Island , it means something to me. I went to college at Rowan University and studied Radio/TV/Film. It is where I began to grow as a professional DJ and learned the ropes. I was already a professional Wedding DJ before I went to Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, but I matured and mastered the art of DJing there. I miss Rhode Island and do not make it down there very often these days.

 

This is the second reason tomorrow night’s Wedding matters beyond it being a Wedding with a really nice Bride and Groom.  I am somewhere in Rhode Island , Rhode Island , Philly, Eastern Pennsylvania, Hudson Valley or NYC as a Wedding DJ, Event DJ or Party DJ every weekend, sometimes several of them in the same weekend. It is one of the aspects of being a Wedding DJ that I appreciate, I get to visit places all over the New Jersey, New York & Pennsylvania area. Every weekend I am Wedding DJ somewhere different.

 Rhode Island  Wedding DJ with Bride and Groom Choose Great Songs

Other characteristics of tomorrow’s Wedding that I am looking forward to as Wedding DJ are the Bride and Groom have chosen some interesting songs. For the Cocktail Hour, they have requested a combination of Rat Pack, Jack Johnson and other Vocalists blended with their favorite Disney Love Songs like “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”, “Part of The World” and  “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”. A nice twist on Cocktail Hour Music. The Reception features a wide range of music from diverse genres including Pop, R&B, Country, Rock, Hip Hop, Dance, House and the Dropkick Murphys to mix things up a bit. Should be a fun night!

 

The Bride and Groom have also chosen to have both sets of Grandparents introduced before their parents. I like this and think it is a nice way to honor your family and include them in your Wedding. I had to help them with finding an apprproiate song for them to come out to since they are young  and have no idea what their Grandparents might enjoy.

I can’t wait till tomorrow night as Wedding DJ back in Rhode Island !

Fun Dancing at Wedding with Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

100 Days of DJ Music

Even a professional DJ like myself sometimes gets blown away by the amazing aspects of technology. I noticed recently that I have well over 100 days of DJ Music in my iTunes library!  That means if I start today, September 17th, at the letter ‘A’ in my DJ Music library and let it run continuously till the end, it will play till January of 2013! I have over 106 days of DJ music, is that not unbelievable or what?

 An Exceptional DJ Music Libarary

I remember the days when I would lug six milk crates of albums and 12″ records to each gig and still only honored about 50% of requests from guests at Weddings, Events and Parties. Today, I think I honor somewhere near 98% or so and still trying hard to get closer to 100%. Technology can be amazing when used correctly between the number and diversity of songs in my DJ Music library, the ease in which djay software makes my profession and the mind-blowing clear, clean sound of the  BOSE L1 System. It sure is fun to be a full-time professional DJ these days!

Professional Wedding DJ Music DJ Mystical Michael with Packed Dance Floor at Wedding

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ