We had a fun event at the middle school. I do love playing in the South County area since I love the energy. As I drove close to the school all these young players were getting ready to play their softball games. This area takes their sports serious so it just made me happy to see the youngsters playing a fun sport.

  I pulled up by the cafeteria\ gym to unload my gear. It was so convenient since I was right by the door. Students were preparing for a play so I could not set up on the stage but I was plenty enough early to not stress about it. The students left the stage and I was able to set up with 20 minutes to spare. A few of the girls wanted to practice the Cupid Shuffle but after that I was playing all pop music before show time. As most Jr. high dances the girls were on one side and the boys were on one side. Everyone was pretty much dancing with their group of friends. I was following the playlist they gave me but students wanted specific songs so they would write them up on a notepad. (Lots of Spanish was requested) If I had it then I would play it and if I did not have it then I would make a note on the notepad. I did take a picture of the notes to see what I would bring next time. School dances are so fun for us to do please contact Black & White Affair to make your party epic.

We had a homecoming event at Independence High School. For homecoming this year we it has been out door events. Independence is a big school so we were in a large area. I had to make sure there was enough sound and light for the area. Sound was easily covered. I brought my (2)3 way speakers plus my other speakers I bring to all my events. My smaller speakers can actually fill up a small gym. I also set up my lights to cover the dance area. 

It was the day before Halloween so I only snuck in two Halloween songs. One was thriller which the students enjoyed but also threw in Ghostbusters since I saw one guy wearing a ghost busters outfit. But the vibe was definitely hip hop and we played a lot of the current songs and a lot of the classic mainstays. I was able to go deep with 00s music then go do a few Spanish Songs then back to the newer stuff. I do like the fact that older house music is popular. Songs by Calvin Harris and Pitbull were popular. Those songs are over 10 years old but they were still hitting. I did notice that at some dances the djs play only one genre but I like to put a lot of different genres there so more folks can get more into. I even went with Taylor Swift and that did hit pretty hard. 

They had food trucks and boba drinks. There was a good vibe happening and the weather was cooperative. There is always the question if the weather is going to be an issue but it was a good feel outside. I love working with schools. 

As for school events, the budget for school dances will not be as much as prom.  Typically it is held on campus to help cut on cost.

The question that comes often is what is the cost to hire a dj and what is included. The djs can bring multiple speakers and lights to fill up the gym. I have seen djs charge 100 to 150 dollars an hour for school dances. The dj has to get a playlist ahead of time so the dj can play the music that the students requested.

Schools should select djs that have edited music so they will not have their vice principal run to the dj booth demanding to change an inappropriate song.

Also on the checklist is to see the dj reviews on google and on yelp to see if they have done other schools and can see their successes.

It would be good to have the dj visit the school to show them where they are going to set up. Some schools are not labeled easily so the dj can be driving around and not knowing where to park to unload. Ideally they want to drive close by to unload all their heavy gear.

Last but not least please talk to your dj about their dj crew. It is good to have the dj have one helper but when they are bringing 3 to 5 people to do a 1 to 2 person job, it just is not professional and can be a liability to the dj company and to the school.