Brendan’s Blog - The DJ’s Notes, Real Weddings, and more!

The B-Sharp Entertainment page is now live on Facebook. If you’re reading this, you should absolutely become a fan!

Here’s why: In addition to keeping updated with the latest news about my company and the services I offer, you’ll also find out about upcoming events that will be open to the public, including bridal shows and wedding showcases. I’ll also be posting some additional event photos and videoclips, as well as other information that you may (or may not) find useful.

Here’s the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/#/pages/Taunton-MA/B-Sharp-Entertainment/55371553208?ref=ps

Jen & Mike hired me to DJ their wedding back in January of this year; they were referred to me by Victor Rodrigues at Party Time DJs in Pawtucket RI. I was really excited about this wedding from the start, as it was taking place at the Glen Manor House in Portsmouth RI. Glen Manor House is a beautiful venue, one that I hadn’t been to in almost ten years. In fact, I’m pretty sure the last time I was there I was still lugging around turntables and spinning records.

Despite the rain (were there ANY sunny Saturdays in September?), the bride was in great spirits - I’ve worked for a number of brides over the years that I know would have been devastated if it rained on their wedding day. Fortunately, Jen & Mike had backup plans for everything. The ceremony location was moved indoors, and the chairs were moved from the dining room and arranged beautifully in the ballroom.

Glen Manor House has a pretty unique layout, in that the room where guests dine is not the same room where dancing takes place. So, to start the reception, the bride and groom entered the ballroom to the thunderous applause of their guests and had a first dance to Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes”. The title of the song might be funny, but the opening lyrics fit the occasion perfectly.

After a few toasts, the guests took their seats in the dining room, and then returned after dinner and started dancing almost as soon as they re-entered the ballroom. Seizing the opportunity, I immediately picked up the tempo and welcomed them with some classic party hits. Before too long I had a sizable request list going, with songs ranging from Kenny Chesney’s “Beer In Mexico” to When In Rome’s “The Promise”. I played them all, mixed in a few slow songs from time to time, and then finished off the night with an amazing set of floor-fillers and newer music, from House Of Pain’s “Jump Around” to Estelle’s “American Boy”.

Congratulations, Jen & Mike!

Introduction Music: “Calabria 2008″ - Enur feat. Natasja
Jen & Mike’s First Dance: “Banana Pancakes” - Jack Johnson
Song played during the Cake Cutting: “When I’m 64″ - The Beatles
Bride/Father Dance: “The Way You Look Tonight” - Rod Stewart
Groom/Mother Dance: “In My Life” - The Beatles

An exterior shot of the Glen Manor House. It's much bigger than it appears here.

The ballroom at Glen Manor House, ready for a wedding ceremony.

Ceremony music was provided by the International String Trio. Outstanding!

The wedding cake.

The bride and her dad stayed behind while guests took their seats for dinner, then shared a private dance.

The dance floor was filled from the moment things got started!

A shot of the dance floor just before the night's end.

I’m backtracking a bit while I catch up with my blog postings, but I wanted to mention the Fourball Wrap-Up Party that I did on Friday, August 8th at the Country Club of New Bedford. I was really excited to be chosen for this event, as the Event Coordinator at CCNB had heard a lot of good things about my services and had inquired about hiring me for two previous events. The two previous events went to other DJs due to cost issues, so I was happy that we were able to work something out. The third time’s the charm!

I expected to be entertaining a large crowd and even brought in an assistant to handle the lighting for this event, but the weather didn’t exactly cooperate and we found ourselves under a mostly empty tent for the first three hours of the five hour party. Fortunately, some of the people who had gathered in the air-conditioned comfort of the clubhouse eventually made their way outdoors to see what we had to offer, and the dancefloor quickly filled. This was such a great crowd to spin for - they had a strong preference for late 70s and early 80s dance music, which I happen to LOVE. Back in that era, I was just a kid with big dreams of being a disc jockey - it’s always a treat when I can live the dream AND play the same music that got me hooked in the first place.

Hopefully, I’ll be a part of future CCNB events - it was a great time!

Here's the dancefloor as the crowd started coming in.

If every weekend was like this past weekend, I’d never have any free time. In fact, I spent much of last week just doing prep work for my Saturday and Sunday events (Friday night’s monthly church dance was simple, by comparison).

My Saturday event was an annual party for my friends at Seismic Sound and Electronic Bargains in Brockton. They throw one of the best parties ever, and this was my third consecutive year behind the DJ setup. I love this event for a number of reasons - first, I get to leave my speakers at home. Like last year’s event, we used a Dynacord XA2 concert system that sells for over $20,000 and puts out volume comparable to what you’d hear at some of the world’s best nightclubs. I also love this party because so many of the attendees are DJs and I can be as creative with the music selections as I’d like, provided that the dance floor stays packed. I do lots of work getting ready for this event, including tracking down new mixes of current hits. It takes quite a bit of work to impress a crowd of DJs! The party wrapped up at 1:30 am, and I was home by 2, asleep by 2:05 and up again at 7:00. Time for a Bridal Show! Read the rest of this entry »