Los Gatos Lodge Event (Birthday Party) ( Bay Area)

Did a birthday party on Saturday at the Los Gatos Lodge. This was an enjoyable party since the Birthday girl gave me songs that went through many generations. She had the music she grew up with and some current songs. She invited her family and friends to the celebration.

She did not want to give a speech but some folks gave speeches about her after dinner. Birthday girl was the first one on the dance floor and was dancing the whole night. It was definitely a good vibe that night and the dancing itch was in full effect. It did make the night go faster. It was a 6-hour event and cocktail and dinner only took two hours and the remaining 4 hours was straight dancing. We did not finish early and went straight to 11. I have to applaud the birthday girl and the guests who danced the night away. They were not teenagers but with their energy they seemed to be like them. I took all requests and even played some super new music then the guest realized we had to go back to the old school and we did go back to the old school. Because we know old school rules!

What birthday girl wanted was some up lighting.  She ordered 6 up lights and I spaced them around the room. Up lights do add some class to the room.

Staff was very nice and made sure I got to eat too. It was a quick set up and a quick close out. I was able to park in front of the venue and put everything away in my suv.

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Four Spanish Songs for Latin Parties in the Bay Area (Bilingual Spanish Weddings)

One of my go to songs to get any party started in any language is Suavemente by Elvis Crespo. This song gets the hips going into merengue dancing. It’s a really basic step and not complicated so it can make any one with basic Cuban motion look like they know what they are doing. Throw in some turns and you look like a hero on the dance floor. This song was released in 1998 but it is one of the most requested songs for every Spanish party. This one song is a must.

 

Despacito was a hit in 2017 but people are still requesting it. I even have folks who do not speak Spanish ask for it. It did appeal to non Spanish folks since they have a rendition with Justin Bieber in it.  It is a good raggaeton song.

 

La Chona by Los Tucanes De Tijuana is a jam. It has an infectious beat. I do remember doing a party and a patron told me grandma wants to hear that song at least 3 times. I am not one to play songs three times in a one night but this one you can get away with since its such a fun song. This song will get people to the dance floor in no time.

 

The last but not least song is The Caballo Dorado by Payaso de Rodeo. This is a line dance and I a least get two requests a night for a Spanish Party. It does start off slow then it picks up. The slowness gives folks time to line up and then it goes super fast. It is a crowd pleaser.

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Bilingual Spanish Wedding/ The Emcee (MC) (How to have a Bilingual Wedding in the Bay Area, San Jose, Napa, Morgan Hill and Gilroy)

Not everyone can speak Spanish. What happens if you find a really good dj but his Spanish is non existent? I have been a part of many Spanish weddings. Some weddings playlist have been all in Spanish. There have been times where the bride and groom offered to have a guest make the announcements in Spanish. Most of the time they just want to make the grand entrance in their language then the rest of the announcements the dj can do. They mostly do that so that the last names are pronounced correctly.

 

My Spanish is ok but I do have assistants who speak perfect Spanish so if the bride and groom want that then I make sure that assistant is available.

Also what helps is to have a script of what they are going to say. Some people say they are professionals and want to wing it but I advise to have a script. When it comes to announcements I like to repeat what is being said then rephrasing it so the folks that are not paying attention can follow directions. I do not advise using google translator for the Spanish translation because sometimes its translated but it’s not the correct meaning. If a Spanish script is written then it should be translated by a fluent speaker. 

For most Spanish weddings, I like to play a lot of cumbias. It’s the cumbias that gets everyone out of their seats and onto the dance-floor. Best bet is to have a playlist from the couple with Spanish music. 

Call Black and White Affair to book your latin party. Always repping the bay and now in Southern California.

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Destination Wedding Questions for Your Venue In The Bay Area (Napa, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Gilroy, and Morgan Hill)

There has to be a lot of coordination when it comes to a destination wedding. Once a venue is secured then the rest becomes easier. These are good questions to ask your venue

Is your Venue all included?

1) Are there options to pick what you want to pick or is there everything included. Get quotes for everything to do a price comparison. Some venues do have packages and some may have add ons.

2) Are you flexible with other vendors?

Some venues are particular in selecting other outside vendors. Sometimes they have their preferred vendors on their list and if you want a particular vendor then they may charge you more or ask for a certain insurance. It would be good to be upfront with the venue on what you would want.

3) What spaces are available for the ceremony and the reception?

 It ideal to have the ceremony and reception in the same area to limit the driving from place to place especially if you have to rely on someone else for transportation. Some if it cannot be avoided if you are going to get married at a church. It would be good to find out how may guests can the venue hold for the ceremony and reception. Also if you are interested in a venue ask them what would happen if weather was not favorable and what would be another option in case they had to move the ceremony elsewhere. A good venue always has a plan B in case the unexpected happens.

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Single Op DJ Business Versus Multi Op DJ Business (revisited)

I have been in a single operator (single op) for many years so I may have some bias then I did some sub contract work for a multi operator (multi op) so I have seen both sides. Which one is the best and why?

 

With a Single Op you know what you get when people hire them. Sergio Garcia Entertainment and you get Sergio Garcia as your DJ. You do not have any surprises and you know who you get. All the reviews will mention Sergio Garcia. For a Multi Op you can get someone one year for a holiday party and may get someone else the following year. It all depends if the other initial dj is available. Then there is the question that the other dj that you hired will be as good as the previous one.

 

If one wants to actually debating on staying a single op or starting a multi op there are many things to consider. Once you start being established as a single op there will be days where you are double or triple booked. With those events, then you refer them to dj buddies you know who do good work. The bad side about that is that does not generate revenue and if the dj buddy does a good job then they will be called instead of you. If you run a multi op and have one of your team do it then you are able to generate money and they can leave a review for your company. 

If a company has a strong Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) then the owner’s standards can be passed down to their team. The staff is representing a band. The most difficult issue with an multi op is finding good help. If someone is really good and driven then they can be with your company for a short term and then can be your competition. In that case, you can have the folks that you hire and train sign noncompeting agreements so they cannot start their own company in a certain area for a certain amount of time.

So, which is better if you ask me now? I think if one is organized and make their employees follow their standard practices then in essence, they are creating clones then the multi op is the way to go. It is better to have your company represented 4 times in one night then when a single op just does one event in one night. There will defiantly be more reach with a multi op. 

With a multi op, they can send djs to do nonprofit or free events to make it good with the decision makers to set future dj events. Also, with an multi op there are more folks helping with the marketing and more folks can call venues and develop relationships with them.

Hey Mr. DJ, I am a single op who has unmatchable talent and I do not want anyone to mess up my brand. Then stick with what you know but you will not be able to grow. There are only 52 Saturdays in the year and you cannot be at multiple places at once.

So, with more reading and learning about how a multi op works, I have changed my mind and find that having a multi ops have more pluses than minuses. With more power, comes more responsibilities. But with a good management software, then running some djs can be a manageable task.

If you are thinking of taking your dj company to the next level contact me at Omar@bwadj.com

My original thoughts of the Multi op versus Single op article

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Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos as an Event Venue

 Less than half a block away from the happening downtown area is a very snazzy hotel called the Los Gatos Toll House Hotel. The first time I went there I was blown away with how classy the establishment was. They have a nice outside area for ceremonies then for the reception they have a nice reception area to dance the night away. They place the dance floor anywhere you want it. The staff members are always pleasant. They are the definition of good hospitality.

I did a holiday party at the Toll House this past weekend. The group really liked to party and they started at the bar first. It was cocktail hour and they wanted some party music. Then dinner started and they still wanted some music to jam to. This was not your typical dinner crowd where you are playing Sinatra and Nat King Cole.  

The owner had some inspiring words to his staff member and he mentioned it was their best year ever. Everyone was ready to celebrate. The party started early and it went straight to closing time. It seemed like everyone was heading downtown night scene which is like a half block away.

Again, if you want a classy place to have a wedding or an event then the Toll House in Los Gatos is the place to go. They have excellent service and a good venue to have a monumental event. And one of the coolest things about it, folks can walk half a block to continue the party if they want to or able to go upstairs to their room if they need to rest from all the fun they just had.

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Fortino Winery a Gilroy gem for Weddings and Events

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.

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