Ambient DJ Performs at Gala at Trenton War Memorial

Last Saturday night, the eve of the unexpected October 29th snowstorm, DJ Gregg Ambient provided the musical backdrop for a Gala Fundraiser at the War Memorial / Patriots Theater in Trenton, NJ.  Funds raised benefited the Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation.  The Children's Specialized Hospital is the best and largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital in the United States, with nine locations in New Jersey.

The event, themed "Oh What a Night!" was structured into three segments:  from 6 PM - 8 PM, guests enjoyed food and cocktails in an authentic Jersey Shore environment.  The centerpiece of the room was a bar with a large replica of the distinctive Trenton Bridge built above it.  The depth and attention to detail in the food and decor was truly impressive.  From 8 PM - 10 PM, guests left the George Washington Ballroom to be entertained by a musical performance of the Midtown Men (with four of the original cast members of "Jersey Boys", the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons) in the Patriots Theater.  After the show, guests enjoyed coffee and dessert back in the themed environment and learned the highest bidders in the Silent Auction.

View from the DJ booth

I was situated on the second floor of the George Washington Ballroom, with a bird's eye view of the themed room for the first and third segments of the evening.  Musically, the goal was to compliment the decor and theme early on, and then keep guests energized later on playing a mix of styles.  Unlike many fundraising events with abundant announcements, in this case announcements were minimal and guests were left to enjoy the evening.  The other key factor was keeping the volume at an appropriate level.  The acoustics of the room were good, with a sub-woofer utilized to fill up the low end of the spectrum.

Listed below are ten sample tracks selected to fit the theme:

Wildwood Days - Bobby Rydell

Sea Cruise - Johnny Rivers

Havin' a Party - Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes

Beggin' - Frankie Vallie & the Four Seasons

Walk Like a Man - Frankie Vallie & the Four Seasons

Working My Way Back to You - Frankie Vallie & the Four Seasons

This Magic Moment - Jay & the Americans

Under the Boardwalk - The Drifters

Jersey Girl (live version) - Bruce Springsteen

This Little Girl - Gary U.S. Bonds

Special thank you to Mary Harris Events for retaining our services for this event.  Other top notch vendors at this successful fundraiser included Feastivities Catering, SnapShotz Photobooths and David Kelly Crow (photography and video).

Replica of the Trenton Bridge Built Over the Bar