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Proms, Proms, Proms

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Proms, Proms, Proms!

May was a fantastic month for proms here at PTE. We kicked things off with New Fairfield at the beautiful Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury CT and rocked over 250 students. The whole night was a high energy Hollywood themed atmosphere.
Wanna see a video? Click the link below to check it out.

New Fairfield High School – Prom 2012

Next up we had an EMERGENCY PROM for Mercy High School. We loaded up 10,000 watts worth of sound system and a basic light show and headed to the Aqua Turf. All within an hour. Phew! It could not have gone better. I don’t think I saw so many smiling faces when I arrived and started playing. The energy of these kids was INSANE! They danced and sang all night long till the last song at 11:30. As Frankie Valli said, “Oh what a night” The students and faculty enjoyed themselves so much in fact, they scratched their junior prom dj the following week and asked PTE to entertain the junior class.

Check out the highlights by clicking the link below.
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL – PROM 2012 – Highlights

I assisted with a photo booth for a friend of ours and had a nice relaxing night at the Aqua Turf just a few weeks after Mercy High School’s prom and ran a photo booth. The students at Litchfield High School were some of the best kids I have had the pleasure of working with so far this year. The photo booths were JAMMING from the time the doors opened till 5 mins after the prom ended. **If you would like a photo booth for your next event, call and reserve yours with Pryme Tyme Entertainment!**

The last and final prom for the season was for Oxford High School. We headed to the Aqua Turf one last time and set up “CLUB PRYME TYME” The intelligent light show, fog, and killer sound system using our new MAXX STAXX brought the house down. Our videographer was there to capture it all on camera. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT! You would have thought we were at a concert. The dancefloor was PACKED all night long! One of my fondest memories of that evening was as people were leaving, a young man asked that I play just one more song for he and his girlfriend to dance to.  I dimmed the lights and just left a single spot in the middle of the floor on them. It was a picture perfect moment. Two hearts coming together right before my eyes. That moment will last a lifetime and I was happy to be a part of it.

A big thank you to New Fairfield High School, Mercy High School, Oxford High School, Robert and Don @ the Aqua Turf for a fabulous Prom Season! You guys are the reason why I love what I do. Keep rockin, and we’ll see you next year…

Pryme Tyme Prom DJ to the RESCUE!

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Pryme Tyme Prom DJ to the RESCUE!

I was sitting home on the first Friday night I have had off in quite some time. The house was quiet and my wife had taken my son to Pennsylvania for the weekend. I was sitting in my office contemplating what I might have for dinner when suddenly the phone rang.

It was one of my fellow colleages, Mike.

Me: Hello?
Mike: Hey guy! How ya doing?
Me: Not too bad. What’s up?
Mike: Hey, whatcha doin’ tonight?
Me: Nothin’. Why what’s up?
Mike: Feel like doing a prom?
Me: Ummmmm. Yeah! Sure. Why not. Give me the details.

Mike had told me that there was a school at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville who’s prom DJ was a no call no show for their prom. The students were arriving and sitting down to dinner when he had called. He said, “Ya better get movin. How long till you can get there?” “An hour” I replied.

I loaded my van faster than I ever had before and raced off to the Aqua Turf. Mike and Don (Assistant Manager at the Aqua Turf) helped me load in as quickly as possible and in 15 minutes flat, we had a 10,000 watt sound system and a simple color wash light show for the prom. Here is a video from that night…

I had found out a few weeks later that the prom DJ who was supposed to do the prom had closed his business and didn’t tell anyone. The school could not be more thankful and had invited PTE back the following week for their Junior Prom.

I had gotten a call just a few days after the junior prom from yet ANOTHER school who had paid their DJ in full and they had not heard from the company after countless attempts to contact them. I remember the adviser telling me, “One of our teachers saw your EMERGENCY PROM video on Facebook and said that you were able to save the day. If I can’t get a hold of this guy, can you be ready at a moments notice?” I happily replied, “I am at your service.”

Their DJ did eventually get back to them 24 hours before the prom and the show went on as scheduled. Both schools had chosen the bargain basement prom DJ for their prom and paid them in full. In the first instance, the school lost their money and now had to pay PTE for their Senior and Junior proms. And both schools were not met with the professional courtesy of open communication.

When choosing your entertainment for your next event… Be it a wedding, a prom, a sweet 16, or any other occasion, just remember one thing. You get one shot. Make it count. No one has ever left an event with the memory of chair covers and matching bows for each chair, the dinner rolls, or the chocolate fountain. They will however remember if they danced and enjoyed the evening. Your Prom is a once in a lifetime experience. Don’t you deserve the best?

Hawks Landing Wedding – Steve & Laureen

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Last weekend PTE had the pleasure taking part in the celebration of Steve & Laureen’s wedding at Hawks Landing Country Club in Southington, CT.

The first thing that I noticed when I arrived is the very down-to-earth, cozy atmosphere that Hawks Landing had in the room. Seeing as it was the first wedding of 2012, this was a very welcoming experience to ring in the new season. I was greeted by the  event coordinator, Jamie. Jamie is new to Hawks Landing and was recently promoted to her new position. She handled the wedding VERY well. She has a passion for what she does and made Steve & Laureen’s guests, wedding professionals, and most importantly the bride and groom very comfortable. That is a DREAM for every wedding vendor. When the venue takes into consideration every little detail from a services perspective, the wedding is an absolute success.

The afternoon started at about 4pm with some light refreshments and conversation. The music that Steve & Laureen had picked out was not your typical “Weather Channel Kenny G“, instead they wanted a repertoire of classic rock, and some familiar songs that everyone likes to sing along to. Sweet Caroline was a big hit during dinner and it was clear how many Red Sox fans we had in the room.

Steve and Laureen elected to skip some of the typical formalities and get right to heating up the dancefloor following cake. The first song out of the gate was ‘It takes two’ by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock. Although there were MANY different genres played that evening, most of the requests came from the late 80’s through today. We played motown, funk, new age, hard rock, hip hop, r&b, techno, and threw in a polka for good measure.

By 8:45, people were starting to wind down a bit. But they weren’t getting away that easy. We ended the night with a killer mix and sent the people home to ‘The Time’ (Dirty Bit) by the Black Eyed Peas. By this time, the suit jackets were off, the heels are nowhere to be found, and the guests who were wearing their Sunday best looked as if they had hit the treadmill at the gym.  It was then, when both the bride and groom came to me with open arms and said, “Thank you Aaron. This was perfect. You were amazing. It couldn’t have gone any better.”

Congratulations to Steve & Laureen on their marriage. We are so happy we were a part of one of the happiest days of your life. Cheers!

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Weddings, Entertainment, and You

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Weddings, Entertainment, and You

Just over a year ago a bride called our company inquiring about services for her special wedding day.

She is looking to make her wedding the perfect day with every detail. From the perfect facility ($15,000), the perfect dress ($8,000), open bar for 200, a 7 course meal. You get the idea.

So, when she found out what it would cost for me to entertain her and her guests, she  simply gasped and said, “WOW! That’s a bit more than I wanted to spend” Once I explained just how much goes into the planning and customization that goes into her special day, she understood and decided she wanted even more.

Let’s think about what just happened there. With all of the other expenses incurred by the soon to be bride, the entertainment was simply an after thought. I asked myself a few questions after this consultation. “How many weddings have I attended? What did I remember the most? Did I enjoy myself? What made the experience enjoyable and memorable?” Was it the $8,000 dress? Or the $600 centerpieces that will eventually end up in the hands of the Maitre D’s girlfriend.  No, what I remembered most was the entertainment.

In most instances only 5% of the total budget for a wedding is spent on entertainment. Yet it is the #1 part of the reception people remember the most. So how should you hire your entertainment for your special day?

#1 Ask questions!

A well seasoned wedding professional will know weddings inside and out and will ask you what your vision is for making your day a great experience.

#2 Look for organization.

If the DJ you are interviewing looks disheveled on your first meeting and doesn’t have a well thought out presentation for you, stop and ask yourself, “I wonder what he will be like on my wedding day.” A professional will come prepared to speak with you about your day and inform you of all of the options he can provide you to make your reception a success.

#3 Ask for a proof of insurance.

State and Federal law requires companies to carry liability insurance. Noone plans an accident. But they do happen. You wouldn’t drive without auto insurance would you?

#4 Ask to see a copy of a contract before you book with your DJ.

A contract is a legal agreement that ensures that your DJ will serve you and that you will pay for services rendered.

#5 Ask  your DJ what they will do should there be an emergency?

Most mobile entertainment companies always have a backup dj should one be required. Backup equipment is also a must.

#6 Ask for testimonials and references.

Nothing will tell you more about the DJ you are about to hire than his previous customers. Check sites like weddingwire, theknot, and more for references and reviews.

#7 How much experience does your DJ have?

Most professional wedding  entertainers go through training with other seasoned veterans before their first wedding. This prepares them for anything from how to read a crowd to equipment operation and everything in between.

#8 Don’t settle! Shop around.

You are making a large investment in the perfect wedding. Make sure you feel comfortable with your DJ. The most important factor in finding the right DJ is making sure they are a good fit.

#9 Find the best value.

Remember the old saying your parent’s used to say… “You get what you pay for”
Just like vehicles, tools, and appliances, the same rule applies to entertainment. Value is perception in the eye of the beholder. This being said, think of your entertainment is an investment not just music.

#10 Call your DJ frequently before your big day!

DJ’s need to  know about changes sooner than later. This enables your DJ to make sure that your day runs smoothly as possible.

Follow these 10 simple steps when hiring an entertainer for your special day. And always remember, great entertainment makes for great memories.  I hope you enjoyed this article. We look forward to hearing from you!

Disc Jockeys & Entertainers “There’s a difference?”

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Disc Jockeys & Entertainers “There’s a difference?”

I had recently had a consultation with a mother and daughter who were looking for disc jockeys for a sweet 16. As you might know, sweet 16′s have evolved due to the tremendous popularity of the MTV show, “My Super Sweet 16″ And it’s all about keeping up with the Jones’s.

So when my client had asked me, “So, what do you do? Do you play music or what?” I replied, “I am an entertainer.” There are many types of entertainment to choose from when it comes time to plan your event. There are disc jockeys, bands, comedians, magicians, and the list goes on. But what is the difference between disc jockeys and an entertainer? The difference is simple. Let’s take a look at what the function of a disc jockey is. This is what WikiPedia had to say.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

“DJ” redirects here. For other uses, see DJ (disambiguation). A disc jockey, also known as DJ (or deejay), is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, disk referred to phonograph records, while disc referred to the Compact Disc, and has become the more common spelling. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium. There are several types of disc jockeys. Radio DJs introduce and play music that is broadcast on AM, FM, shortwave, digital, or internet radio stations. Club DJs select and play music in bars, nightclubs,discothèques, at raves, or even in a stadium. Hip hop disc jockeys select and play music using multiple turntables, often to back up one or more MCs, and they may also do turntable scratching to create percussive sounds. In reggae, the disc jockey (deejay) is a vocalist who raps, “toasts“, or chats over pre-recorded rhythm tracks while the individual choosing and playing them is referred to as a selector.[1] Mobile DJs travel with portable sound systems and play recorded music at a variety of events.

 

Ok, now that we know what a DJ is, what is an entertainer?

 

An entertainer has many functions other than just playing music. An entertainer puts on a performance and captivates an audience. By choosing the right music, wearing the right outfit, and creating the right energy for the event, an entertainer can provide hours of amusement for people of all ages, and all walks of life.

I recently went to an event on a night off to go dancing and have some fun. Of course I made it a point to meet the DJ and chat with him a bit. He was a very nice man and seemed to enjoy what he was doing. But, for some reason, the crowd seemed to look a little stale. Their faces had no expression, they were just meandering about the floor in their own worlds not really caring what was being played. For the cover charge that I paid that night, I really expected more… There was little to no interaction with the audience and kind of like a jukebox, the music played song after song from somewhere in the room…That was the perfect example of what a DJ is. Someone who plays music in a sequence at an event, club, or on the radio.

The first concern of my clients was the cost of their entertainment. They had thought that $300 was a fair price for a disc jockey for the evening. Based on the story from above, I would have to agree. But they wanted more than that. They wanted their audience to dance, to laugh, to smile, and to remember her sweet 16 as the best party they ever attended…

I told my sweet 16 clients this story to find out what they were looking for in regards to the evening’s entertainment. They understood at that point that they were working with an entertainer, not just a DJ. She chose her favorite colors to uplight the architecture in the room, the starry sky on the ceiling, and the New York City nightclub dancefloor she was looking for that she saw on TV.

Fast forward to the party, I started off the evening playing some music that went through the ages. Grandparents could be seen tapping their feet and singing to their favorite swing tunes, parents smiled as they walked in the room and felt the warmth of the ambiance created by the lighting.

Dinner was served and the words of “Sweet Caroline” (The RED SOX Theme Song) could be heard and grandparents, parents, and kids alike were swaying to the music. We haven’t even started dancing yet and they were enjoying themselves.

Once we opened the dancefloor, it filled up 3 couples at a time until they were shoulder to shoulder. The energy built over the next 3 hours until the last song “or so they thought”. By this time the crowd has lost a few shirts, their high heels, and everyone was exhausted, sore, and sweaty from dancing for so long… And just when they thought it was all over, I started to play the song, “The Time (Dirty Bit)” from the Black Eyed Peas to end the evening. The crowd erupted into a frenzy. Hands were back in the air, people were shouting the lyrics, “I…had…the time of my life……”

When the song was over, the lights went on, and people, still smiling and laughing, started to file out. The daughter and mother both came up to me and said, “You were amazing. Everything was perfect. We couldn’t have asked for more. People will remember this night for the rest of their lives. I am so glad we chose you. You were right, you are an entertainer.” And that’s the difference between a disc jockey, and an entertainer. I hope you enjoyed this story. Until next time…