Reidy Creek Elementary School Father/Daughter Dance

Reidy Creek Elementary School in Escondido, California put on a father/daughter dance attended by close to 200 girls and their dads/uncles/grandfathers. These dances are a great experience for these grade school kids who love dancing and singing with their friends, yet still enjoy holding their dads close and tight.

It’s also fun for me, because my own grade school age daughter comes along and helps me by fielding the many, many requests that are always a part of these types of events. And yes, she still enjoys holding me tight too.

My daughter assisted me at the Reidy Creek Elementary School Father/Daughter dance. 

Reidy Creek elementary school dance.

Marissa takes request at the Reidy Creek Elementary School Father/Daughter dance.

Here’s a look at the setlist, most of which were requests fielded by my daughter.

• Pentatonix - Can't Sleep Love
• Taylor Swift - Style
• Ingrid Michaelson - Boys Chase Girls
• Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight
• Temptations - My Girl
• Silento - Watch Me
• Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
• Cupid - Cupid Shuffle
• OMI - Hula Hoop
• Florida Georgia Line f./Luke Bryan - This Is How We Roll
• Justin Bieber - What Do You Mean?
• Quad City D.J.'s - C'mon 'N' Ride It
• Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock
• Katy Perry - Roar
• Taylor Swift f./Kendrick Lamar - Bad Blood (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• DJ Snake, AlunaGeorge - You Know You Like It (Select Mix Remix)
• Major Lazer, DJ Snake, MO - Lean On (Select Mix Remix)
• Beyonce - Single Ladies
• Fifth Harmony f./Kid Ink - Worth It
• Echosmith - Bright
• Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake - Love Never Felt So Good
• OMI - Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Radio Edit)
• Shawn Mendes - Stitches
• Casper - Cha Cha Slide
• Otis Day & the Knights - Shout
• Katy Perry - Firework
• One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
• Ariana Grande f./Zedd - Break Free
• Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne - Rather Be (Select Mix Remix)
• Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely
• Grover Washington Jr. - Just the Two of Us
• Selena Gomez - Who Says
• The Chainsmokers f./ROZES - Roses
• Silento - Watch Me
• Elle King - Ex's & Oh's
• Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Michael Buble - Everything
• Walk The Moon - Shut Up And Dance (Select Mix Remix)

Do Mo Yoga - Mission Brewery San Diego

This isn't your typical yoga space. Mission Brewery in downtown San Diego was the venue for a Movember Foundation fundraiser featuring a yoga flow led by Lauren Padula, with live music spun by DJ Justin Kanoya. 

Lauren Padula leads a yoga session to benefit the Movember Foundation. 

A couple of months ago, my friend and San Diego fitness community leader, Lauren Padula, contacted me about an event she was putting together to benefit the Movember Foundation. The event, Do Mo Yoga, took place on November 7, 2015. The plan was to invite both men and women into Mission Brewery in San Diego for a morning of yoga, followed by a post yoga flow party. Sounded like a pretty good time and I'm always up for to DJ a yoga party.

Mission Brewery proved to a great venue for this event. It was well attended, raised significant funds for Movember and for me was fun seeing many of my November Project San Diego friends (another fitness group that Lauren leads every week). 

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The Do Mo Yoga brought out my facial hair faced yogi's ... of all genders. 

Here's the setlist:

Arrivals

• Mat Zo ft Rachel Collier - Only For You (Extended)
• Vanilla Ace - Follow Me We Can Go (Clean) (Extended)
• No Way Back ft Mike Beatz - Doin It Well (Clean) (Extended)
• Beyonce - Love on top
• Janet Jackson - No Sleeep (Strobe Insomnia Bootleg) (Clean) (Short Edit)
• Disclosure - Holding On (Armand Van Helden Remix) (Clean) (Extended)
• Ciara ft Missy Elliott - 1,2 Step (Genisis Remix) (Clean) (Short Edit)
• Dr. Dre ft Nate Dogg - The Next Episode (Tuner & Ill Remix) (Extended)
• Angelo Ferreri - Friendly Gang (Clean) (Extended)
• Cosmo Klein ft YNOT - When Doves Cry (Clean) (Extended)
• DJ Dan & Diva Danielle - I Got A Man (Clean) (Extended)
• Lika Morgan - Hit Me (Clean) (Extended)
• Ed Sheeran - Photograph (Westphal & Whyman Remix) (Clean) (Extended)
• S.W.V. - Right Here (Human Nature Radio Mix)
• Naughty By Nature - Feel Me Flow (Intro Clean)

Yoga Flow with Lauren Padula

• Sunlounger - Spiritual Hideout (Chill Version)
• Sunlounger - Aguas Blancas (Chill Mix)
• Notorious B.I.G. - Biggie Tribute Medley
• A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum
• Sunlounger - Heart Of The Sun (Chill Version)
• Jack Johnson - Breakdown
• Taylor Swift - Wildest Dreams (Dj Mike D Remix) (Clean) (Extended)
• Adele - Hello (Dustin Que Remix) (Clean) (Extended)
• Sunlounger - One More Day (Chill Version)
• Charlie Puth & Kehlani - Hotline Bling (DATHAN Flip) (Clean) (Radio Edit)
• Kyla La Grange - Cut Your Teeth (Kygo Radio Edit)
• Sunlounger - Another Day On The Terrace (Chill Mix)

Post Yoga Happy Hour

• Kygo f./Parson James - Stole The Show
• Mariah Carey - Heartbreaker
• De La Soul - Ring Ring Ring (Intro Clean)
• The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face (Select Mix Remix)
• Charlie Puth, Meghan Trainor - Marvin Gaye (Select Mix Remix)
• Tori Kelly - Should've Been Us (Lost Kings Remix) (Clean) (Radio Edit)
• Kid N Play - Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody (Select Mix Remix)
• Hailee Steinfeld - Love Myself
• Avicii ft Zac Brown Band - Broken Arrows (Intro Clean)
• Demi Lovato - Cool For The Summer (Suraci Radio Mix)
• DJ Cassidy - Calling All Hearts (Radio Edit)
• Alesso - Heroes (Basic Tape Remix) (Clean) (Extended)
• Nicki Minaj f./Drake & Lil Wayne - Truffle Butter (Clean)
• Eazy E - Eazy Er Said Than Dunn (Intro Clean)

Photos courtesy of Alex O'Nelio and John O'Nelio. 

Old Town Academy Father/Daughter Dance - San Diego

Old Town Academy, a kindergarten-8th grade school in San Diego was putting together a father/daughter dance and called on my services to lead in the music and entertainment. With an elementary aged daughter, as well as serving as the DJ at a few of her school events, this was a party meant for me to be at. In fact, with that daughter of mine being nine years old, she was the perfect assistant.

Elementary school dances can be tough, as kids are not shy about requesting songs … a lot of songs.  And they want them played right away. Tending to those requests while operating DJ equipment is quite a task, even for the most skillful multi-tasker. I was so happy to bring my daughter along, and she had a great time talking with the girls, taking their requests and communicating everything to me. We were the perfect team.

The dance was 50s themed, and many of the dads and daughters were dressed to fit that theme. I started playing music from the era, while slowing moving into 2015 pop stuff all those girls were waiting to hear, which of course started with an early playing of Watch Me (Nae Nae).

Here’s the setlist:  

• Drifters - Save the Last Dance For Me
• Me'Shell NdegéOcello - You've Really Got a Hold on Me
• Barry Mann - Who Put The Bomp
• Elvis Presley - Hound Dog
• Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love
• Dion and the Belmonts - A Teenager in Love
• Beach Boys - Be True to Your School
• The Supremes - I Hear a Symphony
• The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud to Beg
• The Dell-Vikings - Come Go With Me
• Chaka Khan/Montell Jordan - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
• Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta - Grease Megamix
• The Temptations - My Girl
• Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight
• Earth, Wind & Fire - September
• Justin Bieber - What Do You Mean? (Select Mix Remix)
• Mark Ronson f./Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
• Silento - Watch Me
• OMI - Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Radio Edit)
• Taylor Swift - Blank Space
• Major Lazer, DJ Snake, MO - Lean On (Select Mix Remix)
• Justin Bieber f./Skrillex & Blood - Sorry (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Shawn Mendes - Stitches
• Pitbull f./Chris Brown - Fun (Clean)
• Maroon 5 - Sugar (Clean)
• Charli XCX - Boom Clap
• Katy Perry - Roar
• R. City f./Adam Levine - Locked Away
• Casper - Cha Cha Slide
• Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
• The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face
• One Direction - Drag Me Down
• Demi Lovato - Cool For The Summer
• Ellie Goulding - On My Mind
• Chubby Checker - The Twist
• OMI - Hula Hoop
• Sam Cooke - Twistin' The Night Away
• Beatles - Twist and Shout
• Cupid - Cupid Shuffle
• Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Psy - Gangnam Style
• Baauer - Harlem Shake (Radio Edit)
• Jason Derulo - Want To Want Me
• Timeflies f./Natalie La Rose - Worse Things Than Love (Clean Edit)
• Taylor Swift f./Kendrick Lamar - Bad Blood
• Isley Brothers - This Old Heart of Mine
• Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely
• Walk The Moon - Shut Up And Dance (Promo Only Intro Edit)

2015 Miles for Melanoma 5k - DeAnza Cove San Diego

I’m a runner and have many half marathons, 10ks and 5ks on the soles of my running shoes. However this was the first time I got to set the vibe for a running event, serving as DJ for the Miles for Melanoma 5k pre and post race festivities.

This race took place on the shore of DeAnza Cove in San Diego California. It was facilitated by High Performance Movement, and raises funds for melanoma research. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer affecting more than 70,000 new people each year. For more information visit the Melanoma Research Foundation website.

I had a great time providing the upbeat beats and also working alongside the great HP Movement crew.

Here’s the setlist:

• Paolo Nutini - New Shoes
• Eric Hutchinson - All Over Now
• Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al
• American Authors - Best Day Of My Life (Single Edit)
• Will.I.Am f./Justin Bieber - #THATPOWER (Single Edit)
• Carly Rae Jepsen - I Really Like You
• Pitbull f./Chris Brown - Fun (Clean)
• Jess Glynne - Hold My Hand (Chris Lake Radio Edit)
• Carly Rae Jepsen - I Really Like You
• Zedd f./Jon Bellion - Beautiful Now
• Jason Mraz - On Love, In Sadness
• Barenaked Ladies - Odds Are
• Jack Johnson - Sitting Waiting Wishing
• Icona Pop - Emergency (Super Clean Radio Edit)
• Clean Bandit f./Jess Glynne - Real Love
• LunchMoney Lewis - Bills (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Maroon 5 f./Nicki Minaj - Sugar (Remix - Clean)
• Years & Years - King
• Flo Rida f./Robin Thicke & Verdine White - I Don't Like It, I Love It
• Ella Henderson - Ghost (Dave Aude Remix)
• Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
• Daft Punk f./Pharrell Williams - Get Lucky (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Avicii ft Zac Brown Band - Broken Arrows (Intro Clean)
• Mark Ronson f./Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract (Short Edit)
• The Whispers - Rock Steady (Radio Edit)
• Ingrid Michaelson - Afterlife
• Flo Rida f./Sage The Gemini - GDFR (Goin' Down For Real) (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Afrojack f./Wrabel - Ten Feet Tall
• Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)

My friend Kylee Molloy finished first the race as the first overall female. Congratulations Kylee!

Kristen Albair shares her melanoma survival story with race attendees.

Adrian's 60th Birthday Party

The birthday party DJ, Justin Kanoya, with the birthday boy, Adrian and his wife, Celestine.

Birthday parties are big. A 60th birthday is even bigger. But a surprise 60th birthday, well that’s just off the charts.

Adrian and his amazing family kept him in the dark for a few months and somehow managed to assemble 60-plus people at his home for a pretty awesome surprise. It’s pretty amazing to take part in a celebration for someone who truly has been an inspiration to so many.

I served as the birthday party DJ and played upbeat tunes from many of the past decades. The party was attended by people of all ages, so as usual in these situations, it's important to keep guests happy and honor as may requests as possible.

The Arambulo’s are a great family and I had a pleasure working with them.

Here’s the setlist:

• The Spinners - I'll Be Around (70s Classics) (Clean) (Radio Edit)
• Smash Mouth - I'm A Believer
• Katy Perry - Birthday
• Junior Senior - Move Your Feet
• Rolling Stones - Start Me Up
• Kool & the Gang - Get Down On It
• Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride (Select Mix Remix)
• The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Luther Vandross - Never Too Much (Extended)
• Iggy Azalea f./Jennifer Hudson - Trouble (No Siren - Clean)
• Taylor Swift - Blank Space
• Prince - I Wanna Be Your Lover
• Toto - Africa (Extended)
• Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
• Major Lazer, DJ Snake, MO - Lean On (Select Mix Remix)
• Kygo ft Parson James - Stole The Show (Extended)
• Black Eyed Peas - Hey Mama
• Maroon 5 - Sugar (Clean)
• Silento - Watch Me
• Cupid - Cupid Shuffle
• Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
• Justin Bieber - What Do You Mean?
• Michael Jackson - P.Y.T.
• Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove
• Phil Collins - Sussudio (Select Mix Remix)
• Whitney Houston - So Emotional (Edge Remix)Hailee Steinfeld - Love Myself
• Ariana Grande - One Last Time
• Toploader - Dancing In The Moonlight
• Bob Marley - Could You Be Loved
• Crystal Bowersox - Midnight Train to Georgia
• Martin Page - In The House of Stone and Light
• Casper - Cha Cha Slide
• Captain & Tennille - Love Will Keep Us Together
• Sister Sledge - We Are Family
• Madonna - Into The Groove
• The Whispers - Rock Steady (Short Edit)
• Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)
• Johnny Gill - Rub You the Right Way (Select Mix Remix)
• Kid N Play - Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody (Select Mix Remix)
• Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours (70s Classics) (Clean) (Extended)
• Psy - Gangnam Style
• Usher f./Nicki Minaj - She Came To Give It To You (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Blue Swede - Hooked on a Feeling
• One Direction - Drag Me Down
• Rupert Holmes - Escape (Pina Colada Song)
• Taylor Swift - Wildest Dreams (Dj Mike D Remix) (Clean) (Extended)
• Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
• Fifth Harmony, Kid Ink - Worth It (Select Mix Remix)
• Flo Rida f./Sage The Gemini - GDFR (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Demi Lovato - Cool For The Summer
• Pitbull f./Chris Brown - Fun (Clean)
• Willow Smith - Whip My Hair
• Ambassadors - Renegades
• Nick Jonas - Levels