I was asked to be part of a 60th birthday part at Capital Club. It has to be one of the best views to have downtown at the spot. I made sure I made more time to get my gear ready since its on the 17th floor. Best bet is to unload everything in the loading zone and take it up the elevator. Then come back to your car and move it in the garage. One of the positives is that they validate your parking with no questions asked.

  I was able to set up with 20 minutes to spare. We were playing a lot of 70s and 80s music. The guest of honor did not show up till 620. I was playing for the other guests while they waited. It was a surprise event so we all got quite when she arrived. The food we exquisite and the host took care of me and made sure I had a chance to eat.

At the end of the night, the hosts asked his family to help me put my gear away. He insisted that I take the help. It was very nice of him.

 Over all it’s a good spot to have an event. The waiters are very helpful and did everything to accommodate me. I did have an issue with the coordinator. In all the years I have been in the business I had two times I have been disrespected by staff. The first time I was at a Night Spot called Willow Den where the owner asked if this backpack I was about to put away asked me if that was my backpack and then he kicked it and said put it away. I moved my backpack and played the rest of the night and he called me to do another event but I didn’t accept it. Even though the owner disrespect me I still did my job as I was supposed to. The second time I have not been treated nicely was by the coordinator at the Capital Club. I was wearing a dress shirt and black jeans and nice Jordans. Coordinator asked me if I had other shoes and I said I didn’t it and she mentioned a dress code. I told her I was unaware of it but I will follow it next time. About 10 minutes later she mentions it again in-front of the clients and the clients told me not to worry about it. Keep in mind the coordinator did not hire me, but she was thinking I was her employee as she shoved a few chairs and told me to move them. And of course since I had a job to do I did not put up a stink but did what I had to do. But she did make me feel uncomfortable with her tone of voice. I did get a glowing review from my client. I did reach out to management but did not get a response. So please if you do do book the Capital Club please do not ask for Julee Winterbourne. Everyone there is pleasant but Julee may disappoint you.

The set up was pretty easy. You can park next to the club house to set up. I was able to load all my gear next to the shade while I separated where the ceremony gear went and the reception gear went.

I was given one power outlet to set up two set ups. We had to use an extension cord to give it power. It was 105 degrees and we asked for an umbrella 3 times and on the third time I offered to carry the umbrella myself.

They had us on the corner of the reception area with the speakers facing the dance floor which was outside. The dinner area was behind us so we had to had the speakers face the dinner area so we were playing music with speakers facing us. There was a building structure in front of us so the dance floor was not 100 percent visible.

The bar area was in a different room so we had to physically round everyone up to get them ready for the ceremony and get them seated for the reception.

Beauty of the place it did get a good score.

The outside dance floor was nice.

But for a dj it was not very practical.

To fix it I would have an outlet close to the ceremony area.

I would have the dj set up in front of the dance floor outside with two other speakers with one in the bar area and one in the dinner area.

I would speak with the bride and let her know what would work for you.

This is the second time I have been at this venue. The first time I was in a bigger room and this time we had a smaller event but it still was a big fun event. The guests were able to sit down and had their dinner while I played pop tracks. The venue was able to provide a projector and they hooked up to my system so they can play the video with sound.

The staff was very helpful and nice. The restrooms are set up for the members but for these events anyone can use the facilities. They are very nice and there are free samples of everything to use which is a treat.

We had a nice dance floor and we had a nice view of the outside.

I did enjoy this party since most of the music was Spanish. But overall this place gets a good grade as a venue. It is very easy to set up. You do have to go up stairs but not much. Staff is very nice and the atmosphere can be very festive. I do recommend weddings and private parties here.

I have been at the Doubletree/ Pruneyard a few times and it had been great the times I have played there. They have an inside event space for private dinners or parties and they have a nice outside event space for all sorts of functions. It is right off the freeway so it is convient to drive to. The event coordinators and staff are way fun and easy to work with. 

I was able to be part of the Celebration of Life recently. Each Celebration of Life event I have done has never been the same. When I was there, there was a mariachi playing while everyone was eating. Then I was on to play the songs the guest of honor enjoyed. Celebration of Life is a truly a Celebration of family and friends sharing the music that he loved. People got up and danced but it was a very good vibe that night. The weather was nice and the space was well kept.

The outside area has a few ways to enter. If you are there early you can set up before the guests arrive but say you are playing after another band or group then the back entrance will be the way to go. There is a loading parking area that make it for easily transport. Actually, it would be best to set up but going through the back. They had a bar in the back to serve drinks and people were able to partake in the buffet line outside.

Mid March 2020 something happened that never happened in my lifetime. It seemed like the whole world closed. All hospitality events stopped in California. I just did an event on March 6th and my corporate event on the 8th was cancelled. I had a big race event in April and that was cancelled. My weddings in the summer were tentative since everything was in the air. No one knew when this was going to end. 

 The answer was the vaccine and while that was being created all the weddings were one by one being cancelled. Its July 2021 and in California we are slowly opening up.

What has changed since early 2020?

Venues are now open to have events. Currently we are in our summer so its warm so many folks are opting to have events outside. A lot of folks in California I notice are still wearing masks even though they are vaccinated. There are few that neglect to partake in the maskwearing.

Dj will take requests but rather by getting a text of what to play. I have seen djs with nice posters stating how to request a song.

Djs are having microphone covers that they have to change after every speaker.

So you maybe wondering is it time to have a wedding in the Bay Area? There are many outside venues and the weather is unbeatable. 

Just select a dj that will do whatever he can to ensure the safety of all the folks that you care about in your wedding. Black and White Affair can be the dj for your grand event!