We are part of the Levi’s experience this past weekend and will be part of it next weekend. There will be a Black and White Affair dj Saturday and Sunday doing a marathon set. We will be providing the vibe while folks look at the fresh Levi Gear. On Saturday we will be doing a 12 to 8 set then Sunday we will be doing a 12 to 7 set. Last year Levi did a few stores with music then this year they had more stores do it. Levi’s posted it on their social media and people knew about it. There is always something special when a do is playing at a retail store. Usually when I go to stores the music is easy listening. I remember I went to a grocery store one time and the music was super funky and I’m like wow it makes a huge difference in the store experience.

   Music wise we go with the top 40 then we also include old school plus some mass songs. Old school would include 80s. 90s, and 00s.  Its crazy to believe that 2000s is considered old school. How time flies! But the good thing about music is the younger generations are appreciating the music that their parents listened to. I am noticing that more and more at teen events when they make their requests. There are so much  new music coming   out that  some of it falls through  the cracks but the old school classics still stick around and make  the  shopping  experience a bit more enjoyable. Please go visit Levis and say what’s up to the dj! Happy Holidays!

I got to be a part of a holiday event on a Sunday. They had a lot of local vendors selling a lot of Christmas items and plus also provided a pancake breakfast. I was here at 6:15 in the morning since the event started at 7. Since their typical Santa was not available to partake in the event they suggested a Santa Dj.  I do not own a Santa Suit but they provided a hat and coat. So I was a Santa DJ. I have   no issues wearing what the  lient wants. It is all about making the client happy. We were up on stage and we were able to hook up with the house system. There is a good benefit to that since we do not need to blare the music for the back to hear and the front folks would get the loudness since   they are close. I was able to have a good volume and the halls speakers reached the whole venue. Not all venues have house systems but its nice when it is actually connected.

  It is early Sunday Morning, so what do you play for a Christmas event? Of course we go with the Christmas Classics then you throw in some covers of the classics with todays stars. I would throw in some 90s 00s 10s pop but would always return to the Christmas music. It was a good event overall and they mentioned that typically they would just play an iPod but this was a way better experience.

This is the second year we are doing this law firms xmas party. It was located at the Capital Club so there was a lot of traffic on the street due to Christmas in the Park in downtown San Jose so a lot of folks came late. I came 2 hours early since I know I have to take my gear up 17 floors. It is a lot of work to get all the gear up there but the views make it worth it. The first two hours it was all Christmas classics. Everything people would hear when they were young then at the tail end I would do the covers of todays stars of doing of the classics.  During that time the staff was serving appetizers and cocktails were being served. Then we made the annoucent for dinner;

Then it was game time! Game contest was to get whip cream in their mouth. Participants would put whip cream on their wrist and slap their forearm then try to catch the whip cream with their mouth. They had a few rounds of that.  On the spot, I was able to find the jeopardy sound and a drum roll with limite internet access but made it happen.

After it was dance time. We were all about the 80s, funk and disco. This was my 3rd time being a Capital Club and the staff was very helpful and super nice. Capital Club has one of the best views of the city plus a great staff and fabulous food so it’s a good place to have a function.

 We have done this holiday party for 3 years. Originally we did a party the party in San Jose which was a good time. Then the following year they wanted me to do it in Napa. It was a little far for me but since they really knew how to throw a party then I did that party too.  The pandemic hit and they have not had any holiday parties and then we signed up to do their holiday event in San Ramon. I can tell that this company is a good one to work for. The employees became game show players. They would give out oodles of prizes. It did remind me of Oprah when she says you win a prize and you win a prize. They would give out super nice prizes such as ipads and tvs. Once all the games are done then it was time for the dance floor to fill up. They liked a variety of all kinds of music and keep the festive vibe the whole night.

Two nights later we were playing in Cupertino for a holiday party for a hotel. We were all industry folks since we were doing the function on a Monday. Friday and Saturday are always parties for the regular folks but industry folks will have their events on an off night. But if you came to see the party then you would not have thought it was a Monday night. Industry folks really know how to let loose.

I love doing retail stores. My only instruction was to play xmas music and some pop music. So its late in the holiday season and a lot of folks are tired of hearing Mariah Carey Christmas songs. Sprinkling some Christmas songs, I would have like 2 to 4 per hour but the rest of my playlist was full of pop music from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. One of the highlights of the night was this lady was dancing and she would encourage other people who were walking by to dance with her. And no she was not one of my employees but I did love her energy. I did give out 4 of my business cards and I ran out so that a good thing. I looked into getting a digital business card so all my info can be shared with a tap of a card.

I was able to pack up pretty quickly then headed up to Reseda for a school holiday party. Children were not present so the adults were allowed to play. It was a private party at a residence. We were outside so it was a bit cold but the party goers did not feel it since they were too busy dancing. I can honestly so we covered a wide array of music. We played a lot of fun 80s, then moved up to 90s pop then even went to 90s house which I never play but it was appreciated. Later we covered 2010s jams like Calvin Harris and Pitbull. We also did a lot of Spanish music to keep the fun going.  

Bloomingdales at Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles Dj serving Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena)

It is holiday season and it is time to dj for some retail stores. I was in Sherman Oaks in Bloomindales and they were very nice. They even helped my carry my heavy gear into the store. Usually my retail store is pop heavy but there was a change. We were adding Christmas songs into the mix. There are so many Christmas songs so the question is what works with the crowd. With so much to choose for, what would be the go tos? We can go with the originals, or the covers or we do with the updated remixes with the orginal vocals but with a different beat.

I started off with the Christmas songs. I got the best reactions from the original songs. These are the songs people used to hear when they were children. The second best reactions were the covers that were similar to the original song. But I threw in a few remixes but just a few. Then I went back to pop feel good music.

Usually I am in these spaces for 4 to 5 hours. It is the quickest 4 to 5 hours that I have. I am playing fun music and try to get as much mixing as I can. If the people are loving the song then I play it longer. But if everyone is loving the vibe then I continue it while playing a minute a song. I try to go with music that everyone knows. I just feel like if you are playing at a public place you should try to appease the masses.

In the bay, we do many holiday parties. In these parties they serve food then do some games then the dancing begins. This past Saturday we were in Capital Club. It’s a beautiful venue in the heart of downtown San Jose. It is a unique venue that stays on the 17th floor. One of the bonuses, once you need to take a break from dancing is to go to the balcony area to see the views outside. The corporate event was a nice event that provided a great playlist. They asked for the classic Christmas songs and a little bit of everything else. We like getting list like that so we can touch a little bit of everything like 70s, 80s, 90s and the 2000s. It’s a beautiful thing to have that wide array to choose from and you just have to read the crowd.

A few days later we were back at it again at the Double Tree Hotel. This event was a bigger event since the guest list was at 300 people. We made sure we brought our normal set up and the big boy speakers. We did have a little less guidance with the playlist. They wanted Christmas music then some the the popular dance music with some Spanish mixed in. Again it was another opportunity to read the crowd and give folks what they wanted. We were also open to take instant requests. Its all about making the folks happy at their events.

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At this time, it is nearing the mark of quarter 4. Holiday parties could add or decrease the stress of the holiday season. For this reason, here are some holiday party ideas for work for the bay area.

  Setting up a corporate party can seem like a second job and be dreadful if it is not organized. But a holiday party that is well organized can be bash for your staff can look forward to every year.

Set Up a Restorative Wellness Session

After putting in a hard year’s efforts, this is what the doctor ordered to recharge the batteries and end on a positive note.

Why not have a holistic yoga or meditation session to help alleviate the year long stress. If space is needed there are many spaces that can be rented. It would need to be indoors since it would be cold outside if you are doing yoga but then again if meditation is taking place then the Bay Area has plenty of outside spaces that are available. All you need is hiring a yogi to have a memorable relaxing event in the San Jose or Sunnyvale area if your company is not too big.

Why Not Have a Masquerade Ball?

A very fun event to throw is a masquerade ball that the whole company can partake in. These balls are black tie events that folks dress up nice but they keep their faces covered so no one knows who they are. This will be a company community building event.

  To max out of this Masquerade Ball then a Bay Area Dj that fits the atmosphere of class that can create a playlist that fits the mood that can make the event to be epic.

Duh! Hit Up a Winery!

Napa is a few hours away but if you want to keep it local then go down to Morgan Hill or Gilroy. Someplace like Fortino Winery would be an excellent place to get some tasty wine and to have a great party. Your folks won’t be trapped by the company walls and can be truly free.

End the year with a Bash!

Nothing can be better than ending the year with an epic party. As the coordinator, you can select what kind of theme you want to have with your Bay Area dj running the atmosphere.

When doing a holiday event that requires a dj, do not just pick any Dj. The dj is the one who sets the mood for the night. Make sure you select a dj who will strive to make the night memorable. Call Black and White Affair DJ services to make your party one to remember and makes it stress-free for everyone!