Tewksbury Educational Foundation Fundraiser at Brady Life Camp

On Saturday May 21st, Ambient DJ Service has the pleasure of providing DJ and sound reinforcement services to the Tewksbury Educational Foundational (TEF) at their sixteenth annual Barn Dance.  This event is the TEF's primary fundraiser.  Like all districts in New Jersey, the Tewksbury school budget is limited by a state spending cap that has been increased by only small amounts over the years.  Through its fundraising efforts, the TEF strives to bridge the gap and maintain excellent educational standards for its students.

The event was held at Brady Life Camp in Pottersville, NJ.  Pottersville is a beautiful town located in scenic Hunterdon County.  While driving to the event I passed by many beautiful farms, before turning onto McCann Mill Road (unpaved!) and navigating to the barn.

The theme of this year's event was 'Country Picnic'.  The barn was masterfully transformed by Egils Matisse and his creative team from Eggsotic Events (see some of the photos below).  

In a departure from years past, the committee opted to use a DJ instead of a band for this year's event (smile).  A primary benefit of this arrangement is that guests were able to enjoy music throughout the entire evening, rather than just at the end of the night when the band came on.  For the first 45 minutes of the event, I played primarily country music, before broadening into a variety of styles over the course of the evening.   I also pitched in on Emcee duties, informing and motivating guests on the silent auction.

After the conclusion of the live auction (which included high ticket items like ski vacations and golf outings), it was announced that the 50/50 kitty was up to $5,200 - spurring a final push of ticket sales!  Guests then slowly began working their way to the back room of the barn for the DJ Dance Party.  An enthusiastic group danced to a mix of classic rock, disco, 80s and modern dance music.  With the dance floor running hot, a half-hour of overtime was commissioned!

Thank you to Darrah and the committee for utilizing our services, and we hope that this event raised a healthy sum of money for the students of Tewksbury!

Gigs in Hunterdon County often require rides down dirty roads!

Signature cocktail, "The Rapture" - Fortunately, the world didn't end during the party (as some had predicted  for 5/21!)

A packed house for the Silent and Live Auction

Even Ambient DJ Service donated a prize for the silent auction!

DJ Gregg providing cocktail hour and dinner music

Auctioneer stokes up bidding for high ticket items 

Second Grade Quilt by Tewksbury Students

Decorative lighting for 'Country Picnic Theme'

DJ Booth for post-Auction Dancing

Our Italian Crooner-Style Top Picks

Most of our clients, particularly at formal affairs, appreciate the class and elegance of Italian-style "crooners" such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Andrea Bocelli or the "new Sinatra," Mr. Michael Buble.  While the suggested song selections below may be more Italian kitsch than authentic Italian, these songs are sure to delight guests during the softer moments during your affair.

These selections were compiled from Ambient's staff of "music mixologists" (i.e., DJs).

Ain't That a Kick in the Head - Dean Martin
Arrivaderci, Roma - Jerry Vale
As Time Goes By (love theme from Casablanca) - Frank Sinatra
Besame Mucho - Andrea Bocelli
Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin
Bueno Sera - Louis Prima
Caruso - Josh Groban
Con de Partiro - Andrea Bocelli (note: this may not be appropriate for wedding as it translates to "Time    to Say Goodbye)
Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
Gigolo - Louis Prima
I Left My Heart in San Francisco - Tony Bennett
Italia - Chris Botti (trumpet) w/Andrea Bocelli
Little Girl - Vic Damone
Mack the Knife - Bobby Darin
Mambo Italiano - Dean Martin
More - Vic Dana
Non Dimenticar - Frankie Avalon
Quando, Quando - Michael Buble w/Nelly Furtado
Rags to Riches - Tony Bennett
Sogno - Andrea Bocelli
Spanish Eyes - Al Martino
Speak Softly Love (the melody from Godfather) - Andy Williams
Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra
That's All - Michael Buble
That's Amore - Dean Martin
The Best is Yet to Come - Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett
The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra big band version, or Tony Bennett slow, romantic version
That Old Black Magic - Louis Prima
Volare - Dean Martin
When You're Smiling - Louis Prima
You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You - Dean Martin

For an abundance of bonus music and video content, visit this link provided courtesy of DJ Greg Nice:

http://www.squidoo.com/famous-italian-singers

Please comment with your own picks which should be added to the list!

By, The Ambient DJ Music Mixologists, with special credit to Christopher Smith (DJ Spinz).

DJ Iron Mike's Spring 2011 Top 25

DJ Iron Mike, "Mercer County's hardest working DJ", shares his Top 25 dance floor songs of the Spring Season, also calling out tracks that nearly made the cut. As per traditional format, Mike has also identified some of his favorite "classics in rotation."

Contact us today at www.ambientdj.com to book Mike for your upcoming formal or family event where a modern and hard-hitting dance mix is a must!  In addition to private parties, Mike maintains a busy schedule of bar/club appearances; notably a Friday night dance party residency at Brewsters Pub in East Windsor, NJ.

The Top 25 

25. Daddy Cool - DJ Riz & Chris Moody
24. Animal- Neon Trees
23. Out of My Head- Lupe Fiasco f/ Trey Songz
22. Just Can't Get Enough- Black Eyed Peas
21. Hustle Hard (Rmx)- Ace Hood f/ Lil' Wayne & Rick Ross
20. Hello- Martin Solveig w/ Dragonette
19. Sure Thing- Miguel
18. Beautiful People- Chris Brown f/ Benny Benassi (tie w/) She ain't You- Chris Brown
17. Tonight- Enrique Iglasis f/ Ludacris
16. Til' The World Ends (Rmx)- Britney Spears f/ Ke$ha & Nicki Minaj
15. Run The World (Girls)- Beyonce
14. Roll Up- Wiz Khalifa
13. So Fresh- CJ Hilton f/ Nas
12. Everyday Coolin'- Swizz Beatz f/ Eve
11. I'm Okay/Rum & Redbull- Beenie Man
10. Don't Stop The Party- Black Eyed Peas
9.  S&M- Rhianna
8.  Racks- YC f/ Future
7.  E.T.- Katy Perry f/ Kanye West
6.  Blow- Ke$ha
5.  Make It Rain (Rmx)- Travis Porter f/ Rick Ross
4.  On The Floor- Jennifer Lopez f/ Pitbull
3.  Give Me Everything (Tonight)- Ne-Yo f/ Pitbull & Nayer
2.  Look At Me Now- Chris Brown f/ Busta Rhymes & Lil' Wayne
1.  Down On Me- Jeremiah f/ 50 Cent

On the Bubble (Just Missed the Cut!)
1. Motivation- Kelly Rowland f/ Lil' Wayne
2. The Lazy Song- Bruno Mars
3. Unusual- Trey Songz f/ Drake

Classics In Rotation
1.  Play At Your Own Risk - Planet Patrol
2.  Everyday People (Metamorphosis Mix)- Arrested Development
3.  Jessie's Girl- Rick Springfield
4.  Your Love- The Outfield
5.  Candy Rain- Soul 4 Real
6.  This Is How We Do It- Montell Jordan
7.  Shoop- Salt N' Pepa

Bio

Mike began DJing in 1996 while attending West Windsor-Plainsboro High School. His passion for DJing grew while spinning monthly Firehouse Teen Nights over 1997-2000. Thereafter, he spun live sets on stations such WPRB 103.3 FM and WMCC 107.7, also serving as Station Manager at WMCC 107.7.

DJ Iron Mike is a well-rounded performer with a deep passion for the music that he plays. His portfolio of past events including weddings, high school dances, bar/bat mitzvahs, corporate parties, family parties and various nightclub appearances. His musical specialties are hip hop, R&B and reggae.  His deep music collection also includes liberal doses of pop, classic rock, Motown and soul.  Mike is Ambient's Sweet 16 and Teen Dance specialist, bringing a night club environment to these special celebrations. 

For those preferring an “old skool” party atmosphere, Mike is the perfect choice, performing on the legendary Technics 1200 turntables.

Wedding in Newport, Rhode Island

This past weekend, my family attended a wedding in Newport, Rhode Island.  Located on the Atlantic Ocean and known as a New England summer resort and for the famous cliffside Newport Mansions, Newport is a superb location for a wedding.   Weddings aside, Newport would make an ideal romantic weekend getaway, particularly in the June - October season when weather conditions are most favorable.  Great seafood, charming shops on Thames Street, beautiful beaches, majestic cliff walks, mansion tours and the Tennis Hall of Fame are just a short list of the attractions!

As it turns out, my cousin is the banquet manager at the OceanCliff Resort in Newport, and was able to negotiate an attractive package for this family event.  This was a second marriage for the bride and groom, Caryl (my Aunt) and Dan.  The guest list was composed primarily of family and long-time friends, and was slightly less formal than the typical wedding reception.  The couple took their vows on the lawn of the resort, with beautiful background views of the water, cliffs and bridge... and to the pleasant sounds of wildlife and sea birds.

An afternoon of cocktails, delicious food, dancing and conversation ensued.  Many of the vendors were personal friends of the bride and groom.  For music, Caryl and Dan used musicians from a local favorite band of theirs.  A longtime family friend served as videographer.  My sister Heidi, who has always been talented in cooking and baking, made a beautiful and delicious beach-themed wedding cake (see below).

This was a daytime wedding, and the Ocean Cliff Resort, as an option, offers a sunset cruise on a 66 foot schooner called the "Aurora."  Some 75 guests boarded the boat and enjoyed a sail around Newport viewing the sites from the water.  While the weather was a bit too cool and overcast by then, it was still an amazing experience.  Please enjoy photos from the weekend posted below.

My niece, and Flower Girl, Julia Grace

The Schooner Aurora

Wedding Video Parody - Black Eyed Peas' "The Time" (the Dirty Bit)

This masterful music video was created by David Robin Films using footage from Joya and Emre's recent wedding and reception held at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.  The term "parody" might suggest a gag or joke, but in this case, the couple wanted something unique and "outside the box."  All guests were incorporated into the video, and the wedding DJ (DJ Nahchey) even made a cameo!   My favorite part is when various middle-aged men interject "Dirty Bit."

Regardless of whether or not you like the Black Eyed Peas, this video remix must be respected as a fresh, creative and ambitious undertaking. I imagine that much planning was involved to capture all of the various scenes and lyrics.  The end result is seamless.

To read the full details of Joya and Emre's special day, click here.

The takeaway from the Dirty Bit Video Remix is that couples should not be afraid to think outside of the box and incorporate touches that reflects their unique personalities and values.  The unexpected often results in the most memorable!

Photos from the Field

In recent years, Ambient DJ has placed a greater emphasis on presentation and lighting.  Done correctly, lighting adds ambience and excitement to a celebration.  Here are some of the outstanding results!  

LED lighting at College Semiformal

Uplighting and Music Video Mixing

DJ Facade and Black Scrim Speaker Covers

LED color scanners and REVO 4 Effect

Couple enjoys first dance with Custom Monogram

In the DJ booth with Tim and Leah on their special day! Photo courtesy of Michelle Jonne (www.michellejonne.com)

To discuss how Ambient DJ can make your event unforgettable, please contact us today via www.ambientdj.com.

The Royal Wedding Processional Song

Admittedly, I did not recognize the processional song used at last Friday's Royal Wedding of William and Kate.  Viewing the ceremony, I had been struck by the majestic, regal and spiritual nature of the piece.  This is the type of music that I could imagine being played as one entered through the gates of Heaven.  In fact, the piece is often used in coronation ceremonies.  It was the perfect choice for a royal wedding!

The name of the piece is "I Was Glad" from Psalm 122 by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry.   Parry is a British composer whose first major works appeared in 1880.  As a composer he is best known for the choral song "Jerusalem", the coronation anthem "I Was Glad" and the hymn tune "Repton", which sets the words "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind."  He was director of the Royal College of Music from 1895 until his death and was also professor of music at the University of Oxford from 1900 to 1908. 

Should engaged couples use this selection for their ceremony music?  I believe that most couples will find "I Was Glad" too epic for the bridal party processional or entrance of the bride.  However, the song might be a welcome addition to prelude music and a refreshing surprise from the usual suspects.