Tag Archives: The Manor West Orange

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

More Trivia Hosting For DJ Mystical Michael

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Wednesday and Thursday nights this week I will continue my Trivia Hosting at Applebees locations in New Jersey as professional DJ in disguise. Wednesday night will be at the Hackettstown Applebees at 9:00pm and Thursday night at 8:00 in Hillsborough. Both locations were fun last week with my first events hosting trivia as a New Jersey professional DJ.

 

We had eleven terams competing in Hackettstown and seven teams in Hillsborough. Of course, the music round was the most fun for me as well as adding music between each round. If you have never experienced National Trivia Association Quiz Game, it is really fun and educational. It includes seven rounds with each round a different topic. The last round is the bonus round. The top three teams all win prizes and everybody has fun.

Come out and join us!

National Trivia Association Trivia Hosting with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Fun DJ Night in Cranford at The Office Bar and Grill

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I know it has become ‘cool’ for professional DJs to not take requests these days. I have never really understood this but it is getting to be the norm versus the exception. Fortunately for the fun people at The Office Bar and Grill in Cranford last night, I am not one of those kinds of professional DJs. I love requests! They are a great way to connect with folks and learn what they want. It is even more fun when guests ask for songs to be sent or dedicated to others present at The Office Bar and Grill.

 

Last night we had a young lady at The Office Bar and Grill who will remain nameless, at least for the time being, who kept approaching me and asking for songs to be sent to various members of the crowd. Some she knew already, others she met ten minutes before. Before you knew it, another woman and then two guys started joining her in this playful activity. It was not long before we had three pages of songs requested and being dedicated or sent to friends, family or even strangers at the bar.  Of course, there were a few ‘dedications’ that were not meant with the best of intentions but we found a way to work around that and still have lots of fun.

 

When I was first offered this gig at The Office Bar and Grill in Cranford, it was described as a young crowd who like popular music. This is partially true. There certainly are more young folks than older folks but the music is really diverse from Young Money to Eddie Murphy, Foo Fighters, The Spice Girls, Nicki Minaj and the list keeps going. Near the end of the night, the original ‘requester’ asked if I would send out “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”.

 

I laughed; you mean the Trace Adkins song?”

 

“Yes. That’s the one!”

 

“OK if that is what you want…”

 

Five minutes later we had Trace Adkins cranked up and a young guy who had just requested Young Money asked if I could play some Jason Aldean. I thought he was kidding and I asked, “How about ‘Big Green Tractor?”

 

“Yes1 That is exactly the song I was thinking of! You are definitely my new DJ”.

 

So Jason Aldean followed Trace Adkins, next had a request for Toby Keith “Red Solo Cup”.

 

It was almost closing time and a young woman came up put of breath and asked, “Can you please play Katy Perry “Peacock” before you finish? Please?”

 

I did and then we closed with Modest Mouse, “Float On”. It was a great night and everybody had so much fun. Can’t wait till next Saturday night at The Office Bar and Grill when I am their professional DJ for the Cinco de Mayo Party!

Beautiful Women Partying at The Office Bar and Grill with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael at The Office Bar and Grill in Cranford Friday Night 4/27

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I am returning as professional DJ for The Office Bar and Grill in Cranford this Friday Night April 27, 2012. If you have never been to any of The Office Bar and Grill locations, they are fun, casual grill and bars. They have several locations throughout North and Rhode Island . They are experimenting with professional DJ entertainment and I am part of that experiment. The experiment seemed to go well last week. There were lots of requests and everybody had a good time. It was fun honoring the requests that ranged from “The Thong Song” to “Teach Me How to Dougie” to Avicii to Adele, Fun. and Pearl Jam. Wonder what we have in store tonight?

 

They have a fun menu and have been preparing good food as long as I can remember. I used to frequent The Office Bar and Grill in Morristown and Summit when I was younger.

 

I will be DJing Top 40, Rock, popular House, Motown, 80’s and a bit of everything depending on the crowd at The Office Bar and Grill.

 

Come out and join the fun; see and hear DJ Mystical Michael at The Office Bar and Grill.

DJ Mystical Michael at The Office Bar and Grill in Cranford NJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Trivia Host Tonight In Hackettstown

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One of my new regular gigs are two nights as Trivia Host at Applebees locations in Central New Jersey. Wednesday nights will be at the Applebees in Hackettstown at 9:00pm. Tomorrow night and subsequent Thursdays nights will at the Applebees in Hillsborough at 8:00pm.

 

These are perfect gigs for me since I get to utilize several of my strengths as a performer and professional DJ. My DJ career started as a radio DJ and that is where I learned about using a microphone, professional DJ equipment and became comfortable speaking with audiences. I liked the opportunity to entertain and inform. I have also performed in small indie films, a local TV show and currently am a member with Playback Theatre WOW! in NYC. Of course, as a professional DJ, I have plenty of experience with producing clean, quality music, audio, MC and entertainment.

The National Trivia Association was formed in 2005 to promote live trivia nation wide. In addition to producing a weekly trivia contest called “Quiz Show” (formerly known as Quizzo or Quiz-O) National Trivia lists all live trivia games produced in the USA. A Quiz Show live trivia host. NTA hosts games in 25 states nation wide. Games last two hours and run every week in select locations nation wide

Late last night I was busy preparing the Trivia Host quizzes as well as the audio clips for the Music Round. It is really hard to choose only ten songs out of a music library of 35,000! The questions for the other six rounds are supplied by National Trivia Association. I would not be able to gather the quality of quizzes they put together for me to use. You can look at what they do here.

DJ Mystical Michael Smiling as Trivia Host

I am so excited to add this new aspect of Trivia Host to my professional DJ services. Should be a lot of fun!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

How The Wedding DJ Knows It Will Be A Fun Wedding

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When speaking with Brides and Grooms while helping coordinate and plan their weddings, the professional Wedding DJ knows a good fun wedding in advance. The professional Wedding DJ will see certain songs on the Bride and Groom’s playlist that clue the Wedding DJ that it will be a fun wedding. Of course there are the ones that are obvious like Prince “Kiss”, Michael Jackson “Wanna Be Startin’ Something”, Beatles and Rolling Stones classics, a host of Motown party songs, B-52s, Barry White, Cyndi Lauper, Bob Marley and some recent dance songs that will surely be classics someday by LMFAO, Beyonce, Usher, Daddy Yankee, Elvis Crespo and other Salsa classics. But I am starting to notice another clue to a fun wedding for a professional Wedding DJ in Garth Brooks “Friends In Low Places”.

Garth Brooks Rocks Dance Floor at Fun Wedding with DJ Mystical Michael

Every fun wedding I am the professional Wedding DJ, I perform that has this song is always a good time. You know there will be dancing, singing and a filled dance floor of the whole group shouting along with Garth. I know that Rednex “Cotton Eyed Joe” made a big splash but it is not true Country as Garth, more of a Country song for crossover listeners. Garth is an established Country star that has been producing hits for several decades.

 

I hear folks complaining about the Country crossover movement and how they believe it produces a watered-down Country sound. This may or may not be true but as a professional fun Wedding DJ, I appreciate how Country music has made it into the weddings of Brides and Grooms that are not Country listeners. They choose the songs that they enjoy and everyone can join in without alienating wedding guests. I assume some of this is due to the major success of the movie I Walk The Line about Johnny Cash and the subsequent resurgence of his music. I can play “I Walk The Line” and “Ring of Fire” at all kinds of places now and see the dance floor fill with many happy wedding guests. This past Saturday night was not exception.

 

I still don’t completely get how Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” has become a party song, maybe it is my being a Yankee fan and knowing it started its current popularity from Red Sox fans at Fenway Park. Growing up “Sweet Caroline” was not a party song; more of a vocal sing along, but certainly no fist pumping or group chorus type of thing. It too has become a wedding classic, strangely enough about a photo of Caroline Kennedy.

 

Me, I’ll stick to my list above and include “Friends In low Places” and some Johnny Cash to add to my Rock, R&B, Soul, and Pop classic that are sure-fire winners for the professional fun Wedding DJ.

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ