So you're thinking of throwing a Halloween party this year? That's an excellent idea because, in all honesty, adults don't have enough reasons to party.

How to Book a Halloween DJ in September

If you're hosting an event in October, September is already considered late by most party planning standards. But, it's also when most Halloween party planning occurs. So, you'll have to have a strategy to guarantee you're getting the best entertainment.

Ask Friends and Colleagues for Recommendations

You can start your search for a Halloween DJ by approaching friends and colleagues for recommendations. A few names and numbers should help you launch your search for a Halloween DJ. But you should also get a portfolio from their website or social media before you move to hire them for the event.

Stalk DJs' Instagram Accounts

You'd be amazed at how many good LA DJs you can find with an Instagram search.

Most DJs will promote their sets, pricing, and availability on Instagram, so it's easy to ascertain if your DJ will meet your requirements for the gig. You can also quickly ascertain if they're available through a quick DM.

Consider an Out of Town DJ

You may be able to get a DJ with availability on the weekend before or the day of Halloween if you consider an out-of-town DJ.

If you can't get an out-of-town DJ, you can try to get a new-to-town DJ, who has the experience, and you can save yourself a lot of headaches.

The Two Reasons You Should Book Your Halloween DJ NOW

If you leave booking your DJ to the eleventh hour, you're guaranteeing you'd get the worst DJ, or your DJ is a no-show. There are rare instances where a DJ comes through both with their physical presence and their playlist, and there are two reasons for that:

October is One of the Busiest Months for Event DJs

October is one of the busiest months for DJs. During the month, there are hundreds of corporate or personal events on any given day, with the DJ being the only source of entertainment. Most DJs will be working every day of the week, whether that's planning the playlists or playing at an event. On busy days, a DJ may — in some instances —have two gigs, one in the afternoon and another in the evening, and one starting later in the night.

Weddings Have Taken all the Venues and Saturdays

Summer and Spring weddings are taking a backseat to fall weddings, especially in Los Angeles. The heat is unbearable in summer, so a fall wedding has the benefit of cooler weather and gorgeous autumnal foliage.

If you don't want to be competing with brides and event planners, get in contact with a DJ ASAP.

Rather than be disappointed by the selection of DJs because you only booked your Halloween DJ in October, opt to book by the beginning of September and have a few backup choices in case your first choice doesn't follow through.

If you're searching for a Halloween DJ, why not reach out to my team? As a DJ new to Los Angeles, the San Diego Bay Area, and San Jose, I have a wealth of experience, which can help transform the event from another costume party into a night to remember.

I recently did a multicultural wedding of a Mexican bride with a white groom. How can you make everyone happy? Do you do 50 percent Spanish and the other half English? You cannot really say I want a certain percentage of kind of music for any event because it is unpredictable.

This is what I do: I play 2 to 3 songs of one language and get a read of the crowd. If they are really getting into then you keep on feeding them. But at the same time you do not want to get too long on one type of music. Then you can throw in a Spanish Banger. The good thing about Spanish Music is that there is a lot of cross over that White folks are familiar with the type of music. I feel you can get away with playing more Spanish music. You can play some salsa and then switch it up with Merengue then you can do some reggaeton then you can go into some English Hip hop.

Going back to our last English/Spanish wedding, I found we played like 70 percent of Spanish and it was a success. Could we have played more English? Yes, we could have but as a dj you have to read the crowd and give them what they want.

When it comes to finding the right dj, then you found Black and White Affair (www.bwadj.com) to get your Spanish Latin Party to next level. We are not a dj service but we are a dj experience.

How to Find a Bilingual DJ for Your Wedding or Event

Your bilingual DJ should be both a talented DJ and a fluent speaker with a strong understanding of Latin culture. To help find this sort of DJ, there are three things you need to consider.

Assess If Your DJ is Fluent in Spanish

Your wedding DJ will most likely act as an emcee, introducing guests and making announcements. Speech is going to be critical to the performance. Therefore, you need to ascertain their fluency, as this will determine if they can convey emotional depth, warmth, and professionalism.

But your DJ shouldn't only be fluent in Spanish. He or she should also be able to translate in instances where they may need to make a statement in both English and Spanish.

Extensive Knowledge of Music Genres

Here's where you can make a clear distinction between the kind of DJ you would like at your wedding. Your DJ should know every genre of music — particularly Latin music — that would fit seamlessly into your playlist. While some DJs may be fluent in Spanish, they may not have as much depth in Latin music genres, limiting your DJ's ability to make a captivating playlist unique to your taste and vision for your wedding.

Reviews from Others Who've Hired Them for a Bilingual Event

Your wedding SHOULD NOT be the first bilingual event a DJ is hosting. Because while it may seem easy for someone bilingual, there's more to creating a playlist and emceeing an event than understanding Spanish. To avoid embarrassment or hiccups, ask your bilingual DJ about any bilingual or Latin events they've hosted before.

What to Look for in a Bilingual Wedding DJ

Beyond the aforementioned aspects to consider when finding a bilingual wedding DJ, you should also be sure you find out whether your

A Bilingual Wedding DJ Must Understands Your Culture

A bilingual DJ can either sound professional or tacky. If someone doesn't understand Latin culture, they are going to be tacky and distasteful. With an understanding of culture, a DJ can make appropriate music choices for different traditions within the ceremony so they hold their importance.

A Bilingual Wedding DJ Must Have Emcee Experience

To keep your wedding guests entertained, a DJ should have experience emceeing weddings or Latin events in both English and Spanish, which means they can easily transition between both languages and has the quick-thinking capabilities to translate speech.

A Bilingual Wedding DJ Must Have Plenty of Experience DJing at Latin Events

This has been mentioned before, but the experience is one thing couples can overlook when hiring a bilingual DJ. They may find a Spanish-speaking DJ or a DJ of Latin heritage and think that's fine. But, unless a DJ has specific experience hosting a bilingual event, your wedding essentially serves as an experiment.

At Black and White Affair DJ Services  (www.bwadj.com) in Los Angeles, you'll find the best bilingual wedding DJ to play all your latin Spanish hits too.

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.

 We are having a heat wave during this month of September. Heatwave or not I always talk to the planner about having some sort of shade for my gear. With extreme heat, it can cause the speakers to shut off and also the computer will not play music.

  We were having a nice outside ceremony. Right before the ceremony everyone was trying to cool down in the bar area and were reluctant to go outside. The venue did provide some umbrellas spread out amongst the chairs.

 The ceremony had two officiants with some who specialized in the Jewish culture while the other focused on the Spanish component.

It was a nice blend of two cultures and the bride and groom left the ceremony with a festive Spanish song.

  For the cocktail hour, we played Spanish bolero music. Bolero is like slow tempo Spanish music. It was love themed. Again everyone was in the bar area and not in the reception area. We had to round everyone out to the reception area so we can do grand entrance.

 Bridal party came out to Big Energy by Latto while the bride and groom came out to Through the Fire by Chaka Khan. We had Spanish and English announcements. We had a bilingual emcee.

But we can tell everyone wanted to dance. And we gave them what they wanted: Lots of Salsa and Spanish hitters to get everyone moving. Of course Bad Bunny was requested and they got him. Bride and groom got a confetti send off which made an awesome picture.

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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.

A quinceanera is not only a rite of passage for a young girl but also an opportunity to throw a wonderful party for family and friends. Planning a Quinceanera can be a time consuming process but is worth it in the end. Here are some great tips for how to have the best Quinceanera in the Los Angeles area.

Choosing the Venue

One of the most essential decisions you’ll make is the venue. Whether you are hosting a quinceanera in Glendale, Burbank, Santa Clarita or somewhere else in the Greater LA area, there are tons of fabulous venues to choose from.

The first thing to do when selecting a place is to determine the number of guests you anticipate and a rough budget. This will help you narrow down your choices. Visiting a few venues can help you get a feel for their vibe and things like how you will setup the event and decorate. Be sure to book in advance as many of the best quinceanera venues in Los Angeles will fill up, especially on weekend dates.

Hire a Professional DJ and Photographer

During the event, you want to be free to truly enjoy the festivities rather than ensuring everything goes as planned. Hiring a professional DJ is a great way to take some pressure off of you. The DJ can keep the crowd entertained and will ensure you have a good sound system. Be sure to work with your DJ to request any music you’d like. Whether you prefer classics like Selena, the reggaeton of Bad Bunny, or banda like El Trono de Mexico, a DJ will work to ensure they cultivate the perfect atmosphere.

A photographer is also a great choice. There will be many important moments that you want to capture. Professional photographers are experts at considering things like lighting, angles, and framing in order to create beautiful photos that will be prized memories for years to come. Be sure to give your photographers a heads up on the schedule of events and must capture shots.

Consider the Menu

There are many options when it comes to food. You can hire a caterer or save some budget by doing a potluck. The key is planning out the menu beforehand. A great option for a quinceanera is to have a buffet setup which can conserve spaces for other festivities such as dancing.

Of course, one of the features of any Los Angeles quinceanera is the cake. You’ll want to make sure that the cake matches your theme for the event. Many people enjoy having the cake be an expression of their personality from the filling and décor to the cake topper.

Plan Engaging Events

A quinceanera typically has many events that keep guests excited throughout the evening. While each party is unique, here are some great event ideas for your Los Angeles quinceanera:

·             Entrance – plan your entrance and that of your court while your DJ plays music of your choice

·             Toast – your opportunity to thank the guests and your parents’ opportunity to recognize you

·             Changing of the Shoes – the father typically changes the guest of honor’s shoes from flats to heels

·             Quinceanera Waltz – the first dance is typically performed with your father or a male family member, recognized the father-daughter bond

·             Dance of the Last Doll – symbolizing the transition from child to young lady, a doll is given to a younger sibling or cousin

·             Surprise Dance – your damas and chambelanes can perform a choreographed dance with you in coordinating outfits

·             Last Song – the last son typically involves the birthday girl dancing with parents and important family members and signals the end of the night

Find the Best Los Angeles DJ for your Quinceanera

If you are planning this important milestone, feel free to contact us for more information about how we can partner with you to help make your quinceanera special. Our professional Los Angeles DJs will help you with an event your family and friends will remember for a long time! Please contact www.bwadj.com

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What to Look for in a High School Dance or Prom DJ

School dances offer high school kids a much-needed break from the humdrum and responsibility of school life. It's the perfect time to socialize and de-stress. It's also one of the few events the school organizes that most teens can get excited about. To live up to these expectations, a school dance needs the right DJ. The right DJ is someone who can keep a group of high-energy teens engaged, excited, and enjoying themselves during the event.

Before you hire a DJ for prom, homecoming, or any school dance, conduct a brief assessment of their skill and professionalism. This is what you need to scrutinize.

1. Music Selection

A DJs music selection is the most relevant assessment criteria, especially for teen events. Teenagers can be some of the trickiest group to cater to, especially as music tastes and trends differ almost weekly. This requires a high school dance or prom DJ to have their finger on the pulse of the latest trends in dance music. 

This doesn't mean the DJ must be young because most high school dance DJs often explore the teen culture and music trends to create playlists indicative of the audience. 

Ask to listen to a sample track list of other teen events they've DJed. If you think the mix is original and appropriate, you can always request changes to finetune your dance's playlist. 

2. Organizational Skills 

Organizing a school dance is difficult enough without the added stress of managing unorganized vendors. Trying to assess how organized a DJ is can be challenging. But  warning signs exist that show a DJ isn't organized: 

They don't respond to messages in a reasonable timeframe (1 to 2 business days)

They are unable to meet obligations on time (sending a sample playlist late or failing to provide references)

They are disengaged in the planning (short text or email responses that don't show an understanding of the task)

3. Extras on Offer 

It helps if your DJ offers a few extras — lighting or special effects — as you won't need to hire another vendor to provide these extras. 

4. Reviews or Testimonials

By now, you already know how important reading reviews are to gauge the type of service you're going to receive from your school dance or prom DJ. But more important than Google or Yelp reviews is getting testimonials. If the DJ you're considering is reputable, they should have — at the very least — one or two clients willing to provide a reference. You can use this reference's testimonial to ascertain their level of professionalism. Ideally, the client details they provide will have organized a teen event or high school dance. 

5. Experience Being a School Dance or Prom DJ

Trying to please a group of teenagers — getting them off their phones and engaged in the event — makes being a school dance or prom DJ more challenging than a wedding or corporate DJ. A DJ that doesn't have experience with high school events won't know how to invigorate or manage the crowd. But a DJ with experience hosting teen events will.

If you're organizing a high school dance or prom DJ in Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles, Pasadena, or Santa Clarita, consider getting in touch. 

As a DJ with experience MCing teen events and high school dances, I've perfected the strategy to make your school dance memorable — for all the right reasons