Vinyl Djs are not as common as they were years ago! (Bay Area Dj serving San Jose, Morgan Hill, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and Gilroy)

With technology it has become very easy to become a dj. Djs do not need to carry milk crates of heavy records to an event. Now they can carry usb sticks or laptops with so much music. Newer djs never had the struggle of carrying 6 boxes of records upstairs to a venue and the worry of forgetting their needles!

Cost is a big difference. With digital djing, djs can get libraries of music by joining digital record pools. When djs in the late 90s and early 00s had to get music they had to go to stores to find tracks. Sometimes they would have to spend 50 to 300 dollars in one shopping trip.

The skills of mixing vinyl compared to mixing digitally is way different. Mixing digitally can be taught pretty quickly and you can use digital tracks that make it easy to mix and there are ways to automatically sync the beat so they are the same speed. With vinyl you have to mix by ear and it’s a more difficult skill to learn.

You can call random 20 djs to do a digital mixing and all of them could do it. But if you called the same 20 djs to do a vinyl set then maybe 1 out of the 20 may know someone who does it. It is not easy and most old school djs sold their collection. But a few still kept their collections and still want to share their love for vinyl with the world. Give Black and White Affair to do your vinyl event.

  High School proms are fun. There is excitement in the air. But if an university is having a prom then it will be the most fun party around. We set up a prom in Morgan Hill from a highly established university. Actually probably in the top 3 in the Bay Area hands down. They came down from the peninsula and were in the party mood.

  I was able to see it first hand. The energy was in the air. I came in from the parking lot and I could feel the pulsating music. Coyote Creek is a venue that can hold huge functions. It has a huge parking lot so there is plenty of parking. They keep a bright light on so its safe in the lot. It has a big open area so you can easily fit 500 to a 1000 party goeers. They had plenty of tables and chairs for everyone. When I first talked with them they wanted to have two djs and this place could easily have accommodated it. But at the end they kept one. For folks who do rent out this facility please make sure you have plenty of sound. You can do well with two top speakers and 2 subs or maybe 4 tops. This had to be one of the biggest parties we did this year due to the energy of the crowd and how big the place was. People were ready to party and they had to be fed the jams.  It was an epic event. My favorite part was with folks really felt it then would dance on stage while facing the crowd.

First and foremost, you need a dj who is familiar with the classic Spanish jams and with the new music that is coming out. I tend to lean toward the classics but if given a heads up then I can add the new Spanish music that to the mix. I usually get a list from the client and add that to my proven hits to add to the playlist. I want to play as much as their list I can plus adding ones I know will bring excitement to the dance floor. 

Usually for this Spanish Birthday events there is food involved. We tend to play some classic Spanish songs but save the dance Spanish songs for later for the dance floor. Some of these dinner songs can be some bachata or ranchera songs or maybe some Luis Miguel Love songs. Again, it all depends on what part of Latin America the guests are coming from. The Dinner portion of the night usually last for an hour. There may be a cocktail or appetizer portion of the night when the party starts before dinner kicks in. During cocktail/ appetizer hour the music can be more festive to get folks in the party mood. It would be ok to play dance music since folks are not sitting down having dinner. When it does become dinner time, it would be ideal to tame it a bit so folks aren’t moving too much in their seats when they are eating. 

Please contact Black and White Affair Dj Services for your Spanish Latin Events. We specialize in playing Cumbia, Banda, Salsa, Reggaeton, and Ranchera music.  Please call Black and White Affair Dj for your latin party.

When to comes to setting up events there are three categories. Weddings get so much prep work. Many Hours go into setting up wedding. There are many virtual meetings or phone calls that go into it. The second category is the quincenera category. There is a lot of prepping but not as much as a wedding. The last category is a birthday party where they set up a playlist and you play maybe dinner music then you throw in the dance music. 

For a quincenera, you need to get the special songs for the events. Guests are doing a special dance so the dj has to make sure they get the exact edit for it so they can do the dance with all their moves. They can also include a waltz but these days a lot of folks are picking and choosing what events they decide to keep and do without.

I got a playlist for the guest of honor and she also shared songs that her mom enjoys. There were not too many Spanish songs on the list but I will prepare some classic Spanish songs for the older folks. Always ask for part of Latin America the guests are from since not all Latin music is appreciated by different groups. 

We have spoken a few times on the phone already but we will need one more call to touch base to make sure we are all on the same page and I am looking forward to the event.  Call Bwadj for your next latin event.

Plan a Backyard Wedding Without Breaking the Bank

Your backyard. It’s the perfect wedding location. You save money from not renting out an overpriced venue that comes with a whole list of rules that cramp your style, and you have absolute creative freedom to express your own vision and show everyone a unique event they’ll never forget.

There’s just one issue: It takes a lot of preparation. Everything from the landscaping to the catering to the bartending is up to you to arrange. It may seem a bit overwhelming, but you can do it with some guidance, even on a smallish budget. Black and White Affair DJ Services offers a few suggestions on how.

Prepare Rooms for Loved Ones

You only have enough room to accommodate close family for overnight arrangements, so make them feel at home with a little attention to detail. Above all, that means putting fresh linens on the beds in the guest rooms, before adding extra comfort in the form of pillows or comforters. Consider also leaving a basket filled with items like bottled water, toiletries, ear plugs, mints, and anything else that can make their stay more comfortable. 

Start Early in the Yard

Since the most important moments will take place here, it better look its best, and that means getting started on your landscaping months in advance if you want a new bed of flowers in bloom for the occasion. Also, don’t neglect to pull up any dead plants and keep the grass well watered so it’s lush and green for the big day. In some cases, you may even need to have dead or dying trees removed, especially if they’re safety hazards or could open up necessary yard space. This isn’t a task to handle yourself, so look for local tree removal experts who can quickly cut down and dispose of these trees. Remember to get several quotes, and check online reviews and ratings first. 

Install an Arbor or Pergola

Arbors or pergolas garden structures offer your guests a place to relax without leaving the party, and you’ll enjoy the shelter it provides, along with the elegance of climbing flowers climbing up the beams. Professionally built trellises cost around $471 for materials and labor, while a DIY one will cost about $275.

Rent the Extras You Need

This could be a long list depending on how many guests you’re anticipating. You’ll almost certainly need some chairs for the ceremony itself, as well as a few tables for guests to put food and drinks on during the reception. Then there’s the sound system and a generator to power everything, including the extra refrigerator in the kitchen for all the goodies you’re serving.

Block Off a Staging Area

It all revolves around the kitchen, as there could be no reception without food. You may also want to block off an adjacent room for additional prep space, and keep it hidden with some makeshift curtains so your guests don’t catch a glimpse of the magic happening behind the scenes.

Find the Right DJ

The most contained way to provide entertainment is with a DJ service. What’s crucial will be finding the right spot for the DJ to set up, as well as enough yard space for dancing. Depending on your grass, you may want to opt for a dance floor, but dancing on the lawn in bare feet can be just as fun. 

Get Clever With the Decor

This could easily suck up thousands of dollars if you’re not smart about it. That may mean ditching the flowers, as hard as it seems. As a writer with Money Crashers points out, candles are much cheaper and more romantic. 

Don’t Skimp on Drinks

Do your wedding toast with Prosecco, and your guests won’t know that it’s cheaper than champagne. As for the rest of the occasion, you can’t go wrong with beer and wine, though Bon Appétit has some ideas for signature cocktails that don’t require too much work as they’re made from just three ingredients. Ancho Reyes daiquiri anyone?

It’s bound to be a memorable occasion, so don’t forget to enjoy it yourself. After all, this is your day.

Image via Pixabay.

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How to select a Bay Area Dj for your wedding. (San Jose, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, Gilroy, San Martin, Mountain View, Redwood Ciity and Morgan Hill)

 People have been putting their wedding on ice for the past year and some change. We had so many folks cancel their date and wait for it to be clear. In California, we have been super conservative but it has proven to be safe by its extreme tactics. People are now trying to figure out what dj they should use for their wedding.

First step is to figure out your wedding dj budget.

A dj is what makes or breaks the wedding. You do not want to skimp on this. A dj creates the vibe for the night with the music that they play. 

Time is of the essence.

Weddings are going to be taking up dates really fast. I have been getting inquiries for the next two months. Ideally you want to select a dj from 8 to 12 months ahead. For us, we can do a wedding at least a month in advance if needed to be.

Talk with the Dj

Some folks are still resistant to meet one on one in person still. That is ok. There is zoom or facetime or the old school phone call. Pay attention how the dj talks about weddings. Are they excited about it and do they give advice about your special event.

Pay attention how quickly they respond to you.

Setting up a wedding may seem like a second job and folks need answers asap. It helps if dj is on it with the response time. Its nice if they respond the same way you contact them. 

Do it Yourself Music versus a DJ

Weddings are not cheap. It is one of the most special days of a bride and grooms life and they want to share it with the special folks around them. Weddings can be very intimate and have under 50 guests or they can be extravagant and have over 200 guests. The hosts have to provide the food, the venue and the entertainment. Location is something people can not skip on since it’s a must to have the physical reception. All these guests got to eat so food has to be in the wedding budget.

After everything has been paid for its time to see if there is budget for the entertainment. Oh brother Steve has an awesome cd collection and he likes the same kind music that we have. Or maybe someone can stream music off their phone.

A dj is more than just a dj and a button pusher. They follow a timeline and make announcements to keep the guests in the know.  They see the crowd and keep feeding them what they want to hear to keep the dancefloor filled.

 Maybe you don’t want to have a dance party then having a friend play off their system. If one goes that route then make sure you have a timeline. A wedding planner can get you one or if you reach out to a dj then they can give you a sample template.

Which is better to have a friend doing music or having a professional dj?

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Right off Highway 152 in Gilroy, there is a winery that can hold many kinds of events. There is plenty of space around it to have a good festive event there. The winery is called Fortino Winery.

I had a call for a Holiday party for a school at Fortino Winery. I have gone to Fortino Winery a few times since its one of my favorites wineries with one of the best tasting rooms around. I do like the fact that it has a long bar at the tasting room and friendly hosts. I  always wanted to play there since it has a good feel.

At Fortino Winery they have a large area for big events. They are able to hold large weddings at their facility. They do also have a smaller venue area to have smaller parties. At this event they had about 10 tables with 10 seats each. You can easily fit 3 more tables to have at least 130 guests at this wine house venue. They had 10 tables and they had plenty of room for a dance floor and an area for the dj plus an area for the phtobooth and it’s props.  On the opposite end they had a self served drink station and a bartender serving drinks on the other end.  

Staff was very friendly and accommodating which a plus at a venue. At some venues, some staff members may say hi but Fortino staff made sure we were taking care of. So if they are that great to the vendors imagine how nice their guests.