Video From a Greek & Italian Wedding in Westport, CT. DJ & Lighting Provided.

This video posting is from a Wedding gig we performed at at the Inn at Longshore in Westport, CT. The couple’s families were traditionally Italian and Greek. This mix made for a great, fun crowd. They danced all night and even did some traditional Italian Jig, and Greek “opa” numbers!. Check out the video below of our dance floor. You can also see the custom monogram with the couples’ initials displayed on the dance floor. Enjoy!

Woodstock Academy High School Homecoming Dance. DJ & Lighting Services.

On a cool Fall night of September 22nd 2012 we setup a large sound system and 10 foot lighting system for over 600 students. In the distance you could hear the sounds of a high school football field, as Woodstock Academy wrapped up their homecoming game that night.

at about 6 o’clock students started rolling into their gymnasium, dressed for their 2012 Homecoming affair. We started with some slower background tunes while the students mingled and ate light snacks. The party quickly kicked off with high energy Top 40 dance music for over 3 hours. The dance floor was hopping all night long, with all radio edits of the most popular tunes the kids enjoy. We took requests and kept the party flowing without any interruption all night.

We paused the dance briefly to announce the homecoming court, and of course the King and Queen. The Homecoming court danced together to “A Moment Like This” by Kelly Clarkson.
Below is a You Tube video of some high energy dancing we caught throughout the night. Check out the effect the lighting has on the energy of the crowd during dancing.

Sweet 16 Party in Griswold, CT. DJ Lighting and fog effect.

“The DJ did a great job as did the co-ordinator. They played a great selection of music for the event and did a great job introducing my sixteen year old when she arrived, getting everyone up on the dance floor and “reminding” about the cake celebration. The co-ordinator even went as far as cutting up the cake for us. They really helped me to make her event special!” – Lisa Lord

This Saturday’s Sweet 16 Party helped prove the fact that 16 year old can have a great, clean party with the right planning.  We helped Lisa Lord plan her Daughter’s Sweet 16 at the Griswold Fish & Game Club.  Pre-Party details included lighting, introductions and age appropiate music.  A deluxe light show was selected, and as you can see below, the lighting made all the difference in the energy level of this party.

We were able to gather quite a bit of video of the party, and we will showcase all of our video clips below.  The party consisted of about 50-60 teenagers, and about 20 adults.  With a quick dinner, the kids were ready to party very quickly.

We used a cloud of fog and a high energy introduction to bring the Birthday girl into her party.  We added Lights and Costumes to make her introduction extra special and unique. And of course, we had to sing Happy Birthday to the special Girl of the day.  Below is a quick clip of her guests singing to her before cutting into the cake.

As daylight faded, we started doing some of your popular party dances like the Cha-Cha Slide.  Below is a video of about half the party getting involved in this warm up portion of dancing.

It was amazing to see that so many kids were comfortable dancing and having a good time together.   It seemed as though the guests were selected wisely in that most of them were close to the Birthday girl.  This made for a comfortable atmosphere, and gave the kids no reservations to having a great time.  Below is a video of a few dance sets to some popular teen music.  As always, clean versions were played, and dancing was kept fun and clean.

The “Wobble” Dance is a popular Line dance that is sweeping the internet and youth parties across the country. This dance was so popular at this party, that we had to do it twice.  Below is a video on our second go at the Wobble.

Wedding DJ Services at Waters Edge in Westbrook, CT. Latin & English Couple, Bachata, Salsa & Merengue Music requests.

“Mike Ortiz was an excellent DJ–professional, on time, and very nice and accommodating. Will recommend to anyone looking for DJ services in the Southeastern CT area. Very, very happy with his services!!” – Marty Karpel

If you’ve ever had a crush on a Spicy Latin Lover,  or are one yourself, then you may one day find yourself in the midst of an American & Latin infused Wedding Celebration.  This post is for you then.

  This past weekend, Marty & Flora tied the knot, American and Dominican style.  The crowd was a mix of english family members from Marty’s side, and Dominican guests from Flora’s side, some traveling all the way from the island of Santo Domingo.  The reception was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Waters Edge Resort & Spa in Westbrook, CT.   The meal was setup as double buffett, one line on either side of the room.  One side had American inspired light fare such as coconut shrimp and prime rib.  The other side was a Latin inspired section including mini beef-patties and seafood paella. The couple danced together to a romantic Spanish Ballad by Franco De Vita called “Al Norte Del Sur”. 

The dance portion included genres from English Top 40 to Bachata, Merengue, Salsa and Reggaeton.

Hawaiian Luau Theme Double Birthday Party. DJ, Lighting and Video Screen for Slide Show. East Hartford, CT.

We had the pleasure of providing DJ Services for a creative young couple at Tastebuds Catering facility in East Hartford, CT. This was a combination Birthday Celebration, celebration Heather’s 30th and Husband Matt’s 40th. The theme was  ”Hawaiian Luau“, with Tiki style decorations and an authentic Hawaiian meal to match. Even the cake had a Tropical Sunset feel to it.

  We provided a Video Screen for the family slide show, was was assembled by us via prints which we digitized as well for the couple. The slide show was a hit, as many of the pictures featured a number of the party guests in their early years. Music for Dinner kept with the Island theme and included Beach Style tunes from artists such as The Beach Boys, Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffet of course. We also provided dance floor wash lighting, which was set to match the party’s themeduring Dinner.  The lighting then took on the energy of the party and was computer controlled and changed to beat of the music.

We had an appearence for the children by “Mr. Chicken”, who performed the Chicken Dancealong with the younger guests, and enthuastic adults.

  Many of the guests were close family and friends, which included many couples.  We had a few chances to play some slow requests for a chance for romance.  Bubbles enhanced this romantic setting, and provided entertainment for the kidsof course.

And what Hawaiian Theme party would be complete without the Limbo?  We had a long 3 song Limbo set, with just about all of the guests getting involved, without injury…  wink, wink.

*** Just Updated: New Video Added! ***

Birthday Party DJ in Preston, CT. Zumba Dance Sets by Birthday Girl.

We provided DJ services last Friday for a 30th Birthday Party at the VFW in Preston, CT.

Planning for the event done by the Birthday Girl herself, included a few Dance requests from the popular Zumba Fitness movement.

We some popular Zumba hits like “Danza Kuduro” and “Zumbar”, just to name a few.

The birthday girl and her friends showed they were well versed in the moves they had been taught in their classes.

Beyond having more moves than “Jagger’, the party was energized by a small light show which we provided for the guest of honor as a surprise.  We always try to tell our clients about the benefits of dance floor lighting at any event, as opposed to a dark dance floor.  This proved to be the case at this venue as it was very darkly lit with a few canister lights.

The party went so well, that the guests wanted to stay longer and we ended up going for another hour over or contracted time.

Wedding Ceremony & Reception at Waterview in Monroe, CT. DJ with Reception Music and Ceremony Sound with Wireless Mic.

The weather was beautiful last weekend and provided a great atmosphere for an outside Summer Wedding Ceremony and inside Reception.  We were with a young couple at the Waterview in Monroe, CT.  The outside patio area was the most lush collection of beautifully groomed gardens and a flowing waterfall.  It was a great backdrop for the outside vows, along with large arches and a lake side setting. We provided sound with Prelude, Processional and Recessional Music. We also provided a Wireless lapel microphone for the Minister.

Dinner and dancing moved inside to the large ballroom with large windows overlooking the lake, hence their name.  We re-introduced the couple into the room and did their first dance before Dinner, with their Bridal Pary joining in half way through.  After Dinner we went into cake cutting and the other specialty dances.  Below is a text file of this couples playlist so you can get some ideas for your next event.  Download playlist into your iTunes and it will automatically add songs you already have and make songs you’re missing red for you to look at or buy.

PLAYLIST DOWNLOAD LINK: Foley Wedding 07_21_12

70th Birthday Party at Berlin VFW, CT. DJ Music and Lighting Services.

We were honored to be a part of the Pappalardo 70th Birthday celebration for Lester, a well known and respected veteran of the Armed Services.  We provided a small sound system for the cozy venue at the VFW in Berlin, CT.  The night started with about 60 – 90 minutes worth of light background dinner music.  Dancing included a bit of Old Country-Western and some newer Top 40 for the kids.  We also had a small LED light show that lit up the small up like a “light bulb”, no pun intended.

Sweet 16 Dance Party DJ Services, Milford, CT. Music, Lighting, Photo Booth and Runway Facebook Game.

We recently performed DJ Entertainment services with Music and Lighting at a Sweet 16 Party in Milford, CT.  We started the evening with light background music while the kids and adults ate a buffet style dinner. After dinner we broke the ice with a game called “Runway Post”.  The kids used props to walk down the dance floor and pose for 2 guests who volunteered to take pictures on their smartphones.  the pictures were immediately posted to Facebook and tagged between all the guests and their friends.  this allowed them to show what was going on to their friends and class mates that weren’t able to attend. We then moved into high energy dancing all night with oldies and Top 40.  There was a Photo Booth also for the kids to get instant strips printed of candid pictures in groups up to 3.  You see some pictures below of dancing, including a well choreographed “Thriller, and our “Runway” bit.

Wedding Ceremony & Reception Music & DJ Services; New Milford, CT.

“thank you mike! you kept us dancing all night! we had a blast!” -Taylor

This past weekend we performed DJ services with Ceremony Music, Reception Dance Party and lighting at for a beautiful young couple.  This Wedding was held at the beautiful grounds of the Candlelight Farms Inn in New Milford, CT.  The couples names were Ryan and Taylor.  They had a small Bridal Party with only 4 close friends and family members, and no designated Best Man or Maid of Honor.  We started the day out with a small PA system outside for the ceremony, with a wireless microphone for the Master of Ceremony.  The speakers were turned to the small gazeebo area where they had an outside cocktail hour, with light background music.  We then moved inside with the main system and deluxe lighting for their specialty dances.  Below are some picture soy their First Dance and Father Daughter Dance.  Taylor’s Father surprised with the song selection of “My Girl” by The Temptations, Taylor was pleasantly surprised.  We then had another small PA system for their dinner hour which held outside in a third locate under a tent.  The night finished off with 3 hours of energy filled dancing, with high impact dance floor lighting.  Check out some of the video from our packed dance floor, they danced from daylight till nighttime!  Thanks to Karen and Nancy of Candlelight Farms for an awesome time working together for a very successful and fun Wedding.