Tag Archives: Multicultural Wedding DJ

Amazing Night at The Hoboken International Film Festival

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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.

Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

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.

Paul Sorvino at Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

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.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Audience of Two: Robert Loggia and Audrey Loggia

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Last Night at The Hoboken International Film Festival where I am the Festival DJ, I was getting ready for the crowd to enter the main theatre for the Opening Night Gala and movie release party and who crept in before anybody else? Robert Loggia and his charming wife Audrey!

 

Robert Loggia has starred in many classic films and received a list of awards. Here is a partial list of some of the more popular films he has appeared in: Scarface, An Office and A Gentleman, Big, Prizzi’s Honor, The Sopranos, Independence Day, The Pink Panther series and one of my favorite films ever, Wide Awake.

Robert Loggia was interviewwed by AC Club and I thought this piece was interesting:

“AVC: When you’re doing such an intense movie like Scarface, what did you guys do to blow off steam when you weren’t working?

Robert Loggia: I think most of us who stayed on the set went to our trailer. I would meditate a lot. I’m 81, so it’s more than 50 years of a way of working. I guess for each actor they have a different style.

AVC: How does the meditation help you?

Robert Loggia: It quiets you, and gives you energy. Doesn’t keep you revved up. So when they claw you back to the set, you’re fresh as a daisy, ready to go. I can’t be under the weight of the character for a 14-hour shooting day. I don’t think anybody can do that.”

Every year they enter the theatre before the rest of the crowd to get into their seats without all the chaos of a red carpet event. Last year we had some conversation and I found out they are Sinatra fans like me. So, when they found their seats, I asked if they wanted me to play some music for them before everybody else joins us.

He smiled and Audrey responded, “Sure. That would be great.”

 

“I remember from last year you both enjoy Frank Sinatra.”

 

“Wow! What a memory!”

 

“It’s my job. Besides, you two are special guests.”

 

I selected a couple of Sinatra tunes, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “Come Dance With Me”” and turned on the speakers of my BOSE L1 System and got the desired result, both Audrey and Robert loggia were smiling and slid back into their seats to relax and enjoy the music. Of course, our moment together was short before the theatre was packed with all the Actors, Writers, Directors and Producers.

It was an experience that this professional DJ will treasure for quite a while.

Robert Loggia at Hoboken Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael at The Hoboken International Film Festival Tonight!

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Every year I look forward to The Hoboken International Film Festival. It is a great opportunity to play music and get to meet film stars, writers and producers. This year I will again be providing music for the Opening Night Gala and the Gala Awards.  It is typically a set of good, solid Rock Music with some other favorites mixed in. Tonight’s events begin at 6:00pm and include a cocktail hour. This will be followed by opening of the festival. The night’s feature is another premier film of Kenneth Del Vecchio, the founder of the The Hoboken International Film Festival, edgy film Snapshot.

Can’t wait!

Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

The Wedding DJ Goes With The Flow

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Last weekend I was professional Wedding DJ for a young couple.  The Bride whose father has passed away had asked me initially if we could choose not to have a version of The Father-Daughter Dance. I invited her to reflect on it and not make a decision till the last minute. She repeated her wish not to do so, although I again suggested she ask an Uncle or a close friend of the family.

 

We had some email contact the night before and she again stated she did to want to do the dance. I supported her decision and reminded them that they still had not chosen a song for the Parents Introductions before the Bridal Party Introductions. Of course, it was the night before and they had more important things to worry about and I was OK with knowing I may have to improvise a bit the next day. I got to know them well enough through all of our conversations to have a sense of what they may appreciate. They were struggling with making choices on their music as I continued to offer them suggestions as their Wedding DJ.  I’ve been doing this a long time as a professional Wedding DJ and trust in my skills and experience.

 

The Ceremony went beautifully and The Bride looked like a living magazine cover. The Groom actually looked really nice himself.  During the Cocktail Hour, The Bride and Groom approached me and asked if she would be able to do a Father-Daughter Dance with her Uncle. I smiled and assured them it would be fine. We quickly discussed what song they would dance to and landed with Michael Buble’s version of “How Sweet It Is”. She was very happy that she would be able dance with him and it all worked out. I then reminded them we still need a song for the parents to be introduced. I suggested some Motown songs and we determined Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” would be perfect.  We never want it to be like this at a wedding without a plan for any of the traditional dances or Introductions but a good professional Wedding DJ goes with the flow and supports the needs of The Bride and Groom.

Beautiful Bride dancing with her Uncle at Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

The introductions and dances all went magnificently. The Reception was fun and everybody had a great time! I know I write this all the time but I feel like I get to work with the best Brides and Grooms. Next up is Wedding DJ for a Bride and Groom who live in South Carolina but used to live in New Jersey on Sunday and The Hoboken International Film Festival on Friday Night in Jersey City.

Wedding Guests Dancing at Wedding Reception having fun and playing with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Sometimes Brides and Grooms Give The Wedding DJ New Ideas

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I am the professional Wedding DJ for a young Bride and Groom tomorrow. I have really enjoyed working with them and creating a fantastic wedding together. As I have shared before, I still appreciate coordinating and sharing my professional Wedding DJ experience with each Bride and Groom that hires me. I like being able to offer them ideas and music that will provide the backdrop to their day, and it is their day. Every now and then they come up with a new song or way of celebrating one of the wedding traditions and it always makes me smile. Tomorrow will be one of those days.

 

Like many Brides and Grooms, they were having a hard time deciding a few of the songs for the traditional components and dances. In this case, they were struggling with coming up with  the right song for The Recessional after the ceremony. As their Wedding DJ, I sent them ideas and MP3s for them to consider but as is often the case, these songs sparked an idea of their own. They thought about it and came up with a song from the film Life As A House, “Building A Family” by Mark Isham. The perfect song for them and their wedding! When he shared their decision with me, I thought in my head, “Of course, this is the right song for them”. Another great wedding on the way tomorrow at The Bridgewater Manor in Bridgewater, NJ for this Wedding DJ.

Building A Family http://www.youtube.com/v/Ni-bUMCKo4c&feature

The song is from the soundtrack to Life Is A House with Kevin Kline and  Krsitin Scott Thomas. “When a man is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he takes custody of his misanthropic teenage son, for whom quality time means getting high, engaging in small-time prostitution, and avoiding his father.”

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Professional DJ Rocks Michael Jackson

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I keep wondering when Michael Jackson’s appeal will diminish like most other Pop stars. The thing is that it seems to be increasing instead of decreasing. It is more common for me to get requests as a professional DJ now than ever before for Michael Jackson.

 

Lately I have been trying to at least play some of the songs that are not as popular as “Billie Jean” or “Thriller”. Last night I had a request for Michael Jackson. When I asked the woman if she wanted to hear anything specific, “No, but I do prefer his older stuff.” She smiled meekly as if asking for me to walk on the moon.

 

I reflected for a moment to see what would mix well with what I was playing and dove into The Jackson “Shake Your Body” and the dance filled in a matter of seconds! I thought would be fun to segue into a little impromptu medley and with a really cool remix of “Off The Wall” a Bride sent me last summer for her wedding and then “Dangerous”, which totally rocked the room!

 

In my lifetime there really is not anybody that compares to M.J. when it comes to really good dancers wanting to let loose. Last night was no exception. By watching this woman move, I am pretty certain she is either a professional dancer or dance teacher, or both. This is not unusual for Michael Jackson requests for a professional DJ. He seems to attract many incredible dancers to create and move to his music.

 

It is strange to think that Michael Jackson has pretty much been a part of my life as long as I can remember from the early days of The Jackson 5 to his younger solo efforts followed by The Jacksons and then his solo classics that still find there way into my professional DJ sets on a regular basis regardless of environment, genre or dancers. Amazing how there isn’t anybody else this is true for, not even Sinatra, Elvis or The Beatles. He shows up at weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, sweet sixteens, reunions and everywhere else people like to dance and party. Amazing.

Icon of the great Michael Jackson

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

A Fun Professional Wedding DJ Request

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As a working full-time professional Wedding DJ, I get many requests about potential gigs. They typically look and feel the same till I speak to the Bride and Groom directly. Each Wedding has its own personality and energy that separates it from the rest, but the requests themselves do not often vary greatly.

Dance Party with beautiful women having fun Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

Recently I received a request for a professional Wedding DJ that inspired me and got me interested in meeting the Bride and Groom immediately. The service request for a professional Wedding DJ was on the wedding and event planning site Decidio. I copied and pasted below the part that caught my attention and had mo on the phone with them in les than a  minute:

Type of Music: Alternative
Classical
Country
Dance
Disco
Hip Hop / Rap
Jazz
Motown
Oldies
Top 40
R & B
Reggae
Rock
Swing
Techno / House
80’s
90’s
Other

I think that is a great playlist of music to select from for a fun Wedding for the professional Wedding DJ to start from. Of course, we will work on specifics together but how can a professional Wedding DJ not get excited at the opportunities that will be presented with such a creative and diverse music list?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

 

Professional DJs Need To Be Ready

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I received a cancellation this week for my regular Friday Night DJ gig at The Office in Cranford, NJ. Fortunately, I will resume next Friday, they held a special event and needed to cancel. The good news is that I received a phone call from a woman in Newark, NJ needing a professional DJ for tomorrow night at a local Lounge in The Ironbound section of Newark, NJ. Newark is where I was born and appreciate when I get the opportunity to make it back there.

We had connected through email last month and she had a DJ hired that she was not feeling good about. I offered her a discount since I did not have a DJ gig scheduled for tomorrow night. I know many professional DJs charge more for last minute gigs but this has never made sense to me. I feel fortunate to book a gig I would not have had otherwise and am grateful to get the business. This is why I offer a discount to fill in missing dates on my professional DJ calendar.

The fact that I had my gig for tonight cancelled allowed me to drive to Newark, NJ tonight and meet with her and her family to plan the party for her daughter’s 4th birthday and her husband’s 50th birthday party in Newark, NJ. I always enjoy dual family birthday parties and this will be no exception. They are a really nice and fun Brazilian family and we had a good time planning their party. Of course, I never like cancellations as a full-time professional DJ but sometimes things work out for the best, as if it was meant to be!

I had some time tonight to prep for the party and make sure my Samba collection is in good standing along with my Classic Disco library. These were the two main genre they requested for the adults for after-dinner. For the kids, it will be Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Usher and other Pop and Top 40 hits. Should be a fun night!

Katy Perry Rocks the Stage: professional DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

3 Easy Steps To Making A Safe Decision Hiring Your Professional DJ

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I get asked all the time by friends and family, “How do people know they are getting what they pay for when they hire a professional DJ for their wedding or party that they do not already know?”

 

I always smile before I reply, “Great question! It is not easy for them and that is why I came up with three easy steps”:

 

1)    Do Your Homework!

Scouring their website and reading the reviews is not enough. Not even reading the reviews on sites like Wedding Wire, Yelp and The Knot. You have to actually contact a few of their references and ask the questions you really want answers to; “Did he actually listen to what you wanted?” Did he show-up on time and look professional?” “Did he honor the requests of your friends and family?” and most of all, “Was he fun and did everybody have a great time?”

First Dance at Beautiful Backyard Wedding with professional DJ Mystical Michael

2)    Does Your Professional DJ Feel Right To You?

Professionals DJs need to feel like someone you want to work with and be at your wedding or party. If you don’t like the DJ, you probably do not want them at your wedding or party. It is important you feel comfortable talking, questioning and offering suggestions to your professional DJ. Do they listen and actually take an interest in your ideas?

Beautiful Couple Dance with professional DJ Mystical Michael

3)    Does Your Professional DJ Offer A Guarantee?

A guarantee means they are investing in your wedding or party just like you. If they get paid no matter how they perform or whether your friends and family have a great time or not, is not acceptable. You need a guarantee in writing. You need something that holds them accountable, so you know you are going to get what you paid for and more.  Find a professional DJ that has a stake in your wedding or party, so they make sure it is an outstanding success, or they don’t get paid. Trust me, if a professional DJ knows they will not get paid if you are not 100% happy, they will make sure you and every one of your guests are totally happy. They will go to any lengths to make it perfect. Nobody wants to work for free. A guarantee assures you of getting what you want times ten! Only an exceptional professional DJ with plenty of experience at weddings, parties and events will take the risk to offer a guarantee. That is who you want as your professional DJ for your wedding or party!

Wedding Dance Floor Rockin with professional DJ Mystical Michael

Of course, a good signed contract with everything spelled out is helpful too. Follow your gut and not let anyone confuse you on what you want. Pay your professional DJ to give you the peace of mind to know you have made the right choice and only worry about the other details, assured you are in good hands with your professional DJ.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Cinco De Mayo Party at The Office in Cranford with DJ Mystical Michael

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The last few weeks I have really enjoyed my professional DJ gigs at The Office. I like the staff and guests, the vibe there is very fun and friendly. It is fun as a professional DJ to be in an environment where diverse music and acceptance that many folks have differing tastes in music, which is great for a Cinco De Mayo Party.

 

Cinco De Mayo is always a fun holiday. I don’t know anyone that is ‘against’ Cinco De Mayo.  According to Wikipedia, “The Battle of Puebla was important for at least two reasons. First, although considerably outnumbered, the Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army. “This battle was significant in that the 4,000 Mexican soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years.” Second, it was significant because since the Battle of Puebla, no country in the Americas has been invaded by any other European military force.”

 

Cinco De Mayo at The Office will be a good time with good music. Come play!

DJ Mystical Michael at The Office in Cranford NJ Cinco De Mayo

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ