When to hire a DJ?

Seems like s simple question, "When should you hire a DJ?" The answer, although simple, is often over looked. You should hire a DJ or MC as soon as you have a date confirmed. 

Many people wait too long and get stuck with sub-standard DJs. I cant count the number of times when an acquaintance or potential client told me a story about an awful DJ at their sister or friends wedding. Good DJ's book fast. If you're considering an event, meet with a few DJ's and see who matches your personality.

This meeting works for many reasons.

1) You get to see if this DJ is really they person you want making your announcements. Does the DJ have a good appearance? Did he shower? (I'm Serious)

2) Does the DJ show up, on time and bring needed materials to discuss what you envision for a special day. Does the DJ have planning materials, a website or samples of his mixing?

3) Does the DJ try to pressure you into signing an immediate contract? If this is the case, run away. A good DJ will encourage you to interview competitors before signing.

If you want an amazing event, talk in person with your DJ. Don't trust just a website or one persons' recommendation.

DJ Michael

All of my consults are free!

Grinding Affects School Dances

There are many issues at a high/middle school dance. Kids are easily influanced by mass media as they explore their perception of self. We all know that kids explore and experiment with drugs, alchohol and yes, sexual identity. This includes how a teen dresses, acts and behaves in a given situaiton. Remember how you tested your parents and teachers limits?

There are many articles that announce, "Schools are canceling their dances due to "Grinding."" 

Huffington Post Article

Portland Press Herald Article of Portland High School

Maine Sunday Telegram Article of Yarmouth High

As an educator, I can feel the frustation of why we don't want to chaperone a school dance. There are behaviors that are allow and obviously some that are not allowed. It can be intimidating to stop teens from dancing the way they have learned from Mass Media. When I chaperone, I never feel intimidated about stopping this kind of dancing. I had one young lady approach me after the dance and said, 

"Thank you for telling my date that grinding on me was not appropriate. It's difficult to go to a dance with your friends pressuring you to dance this way. Not all of us what to dance that way." (Anonymous)

So, there are good students who want to have a good time. As we know with most behaviors, there are a few that will refuse to follow expectations, while most will comply. The VAST majority will comply! This is key. If the dance is designed and planned accordingly, dancing can change with the music and the atmosphere, leaving only a few students to be corrected. If a few students are corrected, the others will follow. This can often be dealt with by school administration or staff who have good reporte with this select students.

The planning process includes a multitude of variables: venue, lighting, flow, decor, music style, dress code, and most inportantly BPM (Beats Per Minute). With a talented DJ, they can control the flow of the dance floor with music's BPM. Most grinding occurs with 80-110 bpms. Changing the bpms and lighting, can effectively eliminate the grinding. This all requires planning and timing on the DJ's part. During your consulations, you'll get the opportunity to discuss how you can eliminate grinding at your school dances. 

I've (DJ Michael) DJ'd 100's of school dances. Like most DJ's, at some point the grinding affect sneaked  into the building and grinding prevailed. Now, he's mastered the Art of Eliminating Grinding without telling kids, "No, I can't play that song." Look to see if your date is availible for booking now.

Contact DJ Michael for more information about how to host a school dance with little to no grinding!

GOBO's Add Elegance

CUSTOM GOBO'S

A custom gobo can add another level of elegance to your event. These gobo's show your comittment and dedication to this day.

These images can be projected on the wall, floor or ceiling. In some cases, they can be multiplied, rotated, moved and diffused.

A great effect is to have the Wedding Party Introductions and have this image appear as the Bride & Groom are introduced. Another effect is ito have it move or multiple when the first dance begins.

The cost of gobos varies upon the size, detail and glass vs. steel. For the most part, a simple gobo can be added for as little as $50 and up to several hundred (this is for 3D Glass Gobos). When you think about the "Wow" factor of a simple table tent or bouquet, the cost of a gobo is minimal.

At M.R.K.Entainment, you will keep the gobo at the end of the event (for all custom gobo's). You will also recieve instructions on how to recycle and use it at other events in the future, if you so choose.

So why settle for simple lighting, when you can add a WOW factor for little expense. 

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO ARRANGE A CONSULTATION

EMAIL Michael Here

Up Lighiting Do's & Don'ts

Ever want that up lighting look but you don't want to the cost associated? You're in Luck!

The cost of uplighting has dropped significantly. What you will want is current LED products like the image below. These lights do not give off heat and they give you incredible flexiblity in color choices.

THIS 

NOT THIS!
These get incredibly HOT! They become a fire hazard and a safety hazard fro your guest. These are what we used 10 years ago! If you see your entertainer setting these up, make they take them down.







The cost of these units (LED) have dropped, but many DJ's have not caught up with the change. You might talk with an entertainer and find that they want to use Par Cans; don't let them!

One of the reasons entertainers have not made the switch is because quality units are more expensive than par cans. Then again, people seldom want to retire old gear.

Another reason why mobile entertainers what to stay with the old system is because they don't truly understand DMX. It is CRITICAL that you find an entertainer who is comfortable with DMX protocol, this way your venue can change colors with the mood, moment or special timing. None lighting specialist will have difficulty with programming and ensuring that your day happens without errors. 

The cost of adding uplighting to a venue depends upon your venue size, both square and cubic footage. An entertainer will need prior access to circut plans, and room measurements, to include the height of the room. Your entertainer will also need extra time to program.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO ARRANGE A CONSULTATION

EMAIL Michael Here

Hidden Cost or Real Charges

A question I often get is in regards to charges and fees. Too often, we are taken for granted with these two terms. Get a credit card with low interest, miss a payment and you'll learn quickly about hidden fees and charges. I have personally met people who were hit with hundreds of dollars in charges; it's scary. As a DJ,  we want to eliminate these fears to be sure you can enjoy your day without worry.

I know dozens of DJ's in my area. many of these DJ's don't chage for an array of services. When I ask about how they cover the expenses, they just laugh and say, "We just charge even more, this way we can make money on the services that are "included."" In other words, the cost just went up so they can tell you they don't charge for extra expenses.

Here is a list of expenses that I frequently encounter:

• Custom Lighting
• Extra Equipment
• Longer Cabling
• Rental of a Generator
• Extra Access to the Venue
• More Labor for Complex Setups
• Extra Travel Time
• More Gas for Travel
• Wear & Tear on Vehicles
• Custom Gobos (price ranges $10-$500)
• And many, many more...

I can see how clients would be scared of "hidden fees." Hidden expenses make us all frustrated. I'd encourage other DJ's to take my advice and itemize the expenses for your clients. Show the client what they are paying for and how much it cost. Obviously, if you spend an extra $200 on a custom gobo that will only work for this one client, they don't expect you to cover that expense. I don't feel that any client would be against paying for expenses that are legitimate.

At M.R.K.E., we will itemize all your expenses, so you can see where your money is being spent.

Think about!

Last night I went to a wonderful wedding as a guest. I attended this event with my girl friend who knew a few people. It was interesting sitting on the other side of the table. I get the opportunity to observe weddings a couple times a year, which can be great to give a new perspective.

This wedding was beautiful. Decorated and embellished with the best of traditions. From lace to live musicians, this crowd was into the celebration. Held on at old farm with tents and barn conversions, I had to tip my hat to the creative mind of the bride.

The Wedding went well, but I noticed the format seemed awkward. Guest seemed confused about where to go, what to do and when to do it. Needless-to-say, this was resolved with support of the Grooms men. Despite the the awkward transitions, people still enjoyed themselves, the conversation and food and drink.

Part of the awkward nature of the arrangement was the dance floor. This floor was located in the back end of this beautiful old barn. I get it, it was the ambiance. But, the DJ was setup in a stall; I assume to give room for more guest to dance. I approached him to introduce myself and I noticed a few issues. The speakers where not placed above guest head room. What occurs here is, when guest stand in front of the speakers, the music dies on the dance floor. The DJ turns up the music and blast the guest standing in front of the speakers. The table had a linen draped over it, and it did not extend to the floor. This DJ (who was using vinyl, not needed) had cables strewed about and a cheap plastic white milk create on top of the table. He used a laptop (good for music selection and fast searching), but it had no case and the wires dropped about the table. Little was too simplistic; my observation correct noting later that it was difficult to see guest. It's difficult to go to a wedding an not take notes on how others perform.

Despite how others feel the setup should look, one would agree that on a ceremonial celebration, everyone should be dressed appropriately. Well, I felt our DJ let us down in that department too. He was a bit young, maybe mid-twenties. He wore khaki cargo pants and a sort-of white shirt (I think it was white at one time) but I couldn't tell through the wrinkles. He did have a tie on earlier in the night, but it didn't match the wedding party. (Something I insist on to give flow and continuity.) I acknowledge him, shook his hand and went about mingling with guest.

After the dinner, the bride and groom cut the cake and moved over to the dance floor for the first dance. This is where everything fell apart. The DJ announced the dances. Despite the music being too loud, because the speakers were too low, he had a pleasant voice when he left out the "Yups", "Sups", and "Yo Yo's". I was elated to find another great Hip Hop Wanna Be DJ as the entertainment. Let me remind you, this was a more of a traditional family. I kept my comments or judgements to myself, although I could see my girlfriend could read my mind. You never know the connections between event staff and the party. So, it behoves one to refrain. I thought, maybe he's a cousin, someones brother or a close friend just trying to help this wonderful couple save money. (i.e...Don't Do It) Thinking it was a lack of experience, I stayed the course unil...

This would be fine, if he cleaned up the wires?

This is where I need to pause and say, unless you're a Hip Hop artist and you want your wedding with that format, it's generally not appropriate for ALL of your guest. Yes, the DJ proceeded to scratch over the "Slow Dance" songs of the Bride & Groom, Father & Daughter and even the Mother & Son. Now let me say, I get the scratching. Done purposefully and appropriately, it can liven up a dance floor. Kids in high school dances appreciate it. At a wedding reception, I had a difficult time adjusting. I chuckled after a guest turned around and asked me, "Is he really scratching?" I had to sorrowfully admit, "Yes, he is." I decided to wait a bit longer for the dance floor to open.

Now the bridal party invited everyone to the dance floor. I figured this would be a great time to get a waltz, trot or even a disco dance in with the girl friend. As you step in sequence to music for waltz (3 count beats) or foxtrot (4 count), I learned that it's difficult to focus when there is random scratches over the music. Enough was enough. We said our good byes and left. It was an hour drive home and my girlfriend and I had a long conversation. She expressed how wonderful the decorations and ceremony was, but she did notice the poor sound, lack of flow (execution) and of course the DJ who should have assumed the responsibility for the event execution.

Here's my point of this post. Brides, Grooms and Parents of, please DO NOT think about the aspects of your special day in terms of "How can I cut more cost?" Obviously, cost are a determining factor of your event. But, how do you want guest to leave your event? What do you want them to remember? I'll obviously write a letter to this couple thanking them for opportunity to witness their nuptial. But, I will always remember this DJ. I won't recall much about the food; it was acceptable, but bland. The bland food will not overpower the memory of the young kid trying to figure our how to be a wedding DJ at this poor brides wedding.

Read my post on COST. This post explains pre and post survey's of brides expenses. Time and time again, surveys have concluded that Brides and Grooms wish they had spent more money on the entertainment, rather than flowers, attire or food. Strangely enough, many repeat these mistakes.

Think about it. Do you really want to trust a cousin who DJ'd in his college dorm room, at a bar or night club, to DJ your special day? Understanding guest needs, genre, generational differences and blending these elements into a seamless night so that you can be pampered is not easy. It takes experience, equipment and most of all, attention to detail by your DJ/EmCee. Don't fall into the trap of trying to save a couple hundred dollars and leave you guest talking for years about how the awful entertainment. Let them talk about how amazing you were because the DJ took all the extra steps to ensure you were the focus of the day.

Why Hire A DJ?

When ceremonies first played music, most of the music was played by family or town musicians. Then musicians were contracted. With the invention of recorded music, radio stations needed employees with personality and musical knowledge to play songs that would attract listeners. In the case of a ceremony, function or dance, you want to be sure what is being play will get dancers on the floor. When people dance, they comment on how great of time the event was.

Although we're labeled DJ's (Disc Jockey's), our jobs have morphed into something well beyond that of a musician. Today, DJ's must understand the planning process, electrical loads, music, timing, a multitude of genre, lighting and microphone skills. Gone are the days of a DJ for hire who only plays music and never says a word.  

M.R.K.E had designed it service to include much more than a "DJ." We will assist in design, planning, implementation, programming, song selection and more. We're a beginning to end service that will work our best to make your event spectacular. We provide music that is timed and integrated into seamless transitions that will keep guess dancing throughout the night. 

Why not hire a band? 


We will work with you and your band at a reduced cost. Many DJ's will give you the positives of DJ service and not the drawbacks. Obviously, a DJ is not a full live band, but they are still musicians. We play a different instrument that is not easily controlled. At M.R.K.E., we'll can appreciate the ambiance of a live band. Schedule a consult now and see if we can accommodate the times when you band will not play. Yes, your band will take breaks, make mistakes and even have a limited set list. Unfortunately for us, we do not take breaks or forget cords. 

The Advantages of a DJ:

With a DJ, you get unlimited song selection, lighting, planning, collaboration, programming and interaction. We can plan classical from the Mid-sixteenth Century to today's pop hits. Our specialty is Top 40, upbeat dance music. We can accommodate a wide variety of request and mix those songs in at appropriate times.

One of the strongest points of a DJ is the ability to collaborate with other vendors. DJ's can be extremely flexible to changes. They can assist and accommodate other vendors with the implementation of your event plans. A good DJ will let the videographer and photographer know exactly what time each event is happening and where it's going to take place. As the night goes on, it will be your DJ who will ensure events follow your timeline.