Larry’s 50th Birthday Dance Party

The DJ and the birthday boy. Happy 50th Larry!

When I was booked to be the DJ for this 50th birthday party, I knew it was going to be a great night of old school jams. The 45-55 age range is one of my favorites to DJ for. Consider that this is a group of people that grew up in the 70s, went to college in the 80s and spent early adulthood in the 90s … all great music decades.

Larry had a great time celebrating with family and friends.

Here’s the setlist:

• Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody (Hot Classics Remix)
• Gwen Guthrie - Ain't Nothing Goin' On But The Rent (Hot Classics Remix)
• Brick - Dazz (Hot Classics Remix)
• Bee Gees - Night Fever
• Morris Day - Fishnet (Hot Classics Remix)
• Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
• Sly Fox - Let's Go All The Way (Edge Remix)
• Wang Chung - Dance Hall Days (Edge Remix)
• Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long
• Rick James - Mary Jane (8b Intro Clean) (19Sixty Quick Hitter)
• Shanice - I Love Your Smile (8b Intro Clean) (DJ Joey C Short Edit)
• Paula Abdul - Straight Up (Select Mix Remix)
• Milli Vanilli - Girl You Know It's True (Select Mix Remix)
• Soul II Soul - Back To Life (Ultimix)
• Mariah Carey, Da Bratt, Missy Elliott - Heartbreaker
• Earth Wind & Fire - Shining Star (Hot Classics Remix)
• Stevie Wonder - I Wish (8b Intro Clean) (DJ Joey C Edit)
• Nenah Cherry - Buffalo Stance (Hot Classics Mix)
• Kid N Play - Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody (Select Mix Remix)
• Carl Carlton - She's a Bad Mamma Jamma
• Johnny Gill - Rub You the Right Way (Select Mix Remix)
• Johnny Kemp - Just Got Paid (Select Mix Remix)
• Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)
• Janet Jackson - The Principle Pleasure (Clean) (Radio Edit)
• Hall & Oates - Out Of Touch (Extended)
• Coolio - 1-2-3-4 (Sumpin' New) [Select Mix Remix]
• O'Jays - For the Love of Money
• Babyface - It's No Crime (Hot Classics Remix)
• Boyz II Men - Motownphilly
• Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
• Taylor Dayne - Tell It To My Heart (Freestyle Classics) (Short Edit)
• The Commodores - Lady (Hot Classics Remix)
• Whitney Houston - So Emotional (Edge Remix)
• Commodores - Brickhouse
• Cupid - Cupid Shuffle
• Kool & the Gang - Celebration
• Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
• Natalie La Rose f./Jeremih - Somebody
• Nelly - Hot In Here
• Temptations - My Girl
• Silento - Watch Me
• Sister Sledge - We Are Family
• Michael Jackson - Off The Wall (Hot Classics Remix)
• Donna Summer - Bad Girls
• Maroon 5 - Sugar (Select Mix Remix)
• OMI - Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Radio Edit)
• Usher f./Nicki Minaj - She Came To Give It To You (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Earth, Wind & Fire - September
• The Gap Band - Party Train (Hot Classics Remix)
• Chaka Khan - I Feel For You (Hot Classics Remix)
• Afrika Bambaata & The Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock (Select Mix Remix)
• MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This
• Marcia Griffiths - Electric Boogie
• Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive
• Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours (70s Classics)
• Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music (Hot Classics Remix)
• Boston - More Than A Feeling (Intro Clean)
• Luther Vandross - Never Too Much (Radio Edit)
• The Spinners - I'll Be Around (70s Classics)
• Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen (Clean) (Short Edit)
• Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots (Clean) (Short Edit)
• The Whispers - Rock Steady (Radio Edit)
• DeBarge - Rhythm Of The Night (Select Mix Remix)
• Michael Jackson - Thriller

Enjoy The Silence

Silent Disco adds a different feel to the dance floor

The dancing is normal, the listening to music though your own individual headphones is not. This is a silent disco. 

The silent disco concept is something I had heard about in the past year when I saw it on a news program. However I had never experienced it, either as a DJ or an attendee at an event.  The idea of a silent disco is a completely silent dance floor, with no music coming from any speakers. Instead, music is transmitted to headsets that are worn by all the guests.

When I was hired to DJ Lululemon Fashion Valley’s one year anniversary party and was told a silent disco was going to be part of the party, I was excited but also a bit unsure.

I had many questions. How does it work? How do I transmit the music to the headsets? What music should I play? And most importantly, would people even be into it?

Lululemon used Silentstorm, based in San Francisco, to provide the headsets. The devices also came with a wireless transmitter, which I connected my main output to. My “how” question was quickly answered. That transmitter is what is sending the music to all those headsets, 100 in this case.

The headsets have the capability to receive three different signals. This is ideal for a party that has multiple DJs, each spinning a different genre of music. Even more interesting, the headsets have an LED light corresponding to the channel it is set on. This way guests have a visual cue of who is listening to the same music as they are.

In the case of this party, I was the sole music provider and therefore everyone was listening to the same thing. In doing research on past silent disco parties I was clued into the idea of playing familiar music that people typically enjoy singing along too. I thought this was a perfect idea and had a handful of songs at the ready. In the end, during the 30-minute silent portion of the evening I played these songs:

• Journey - Don't Stop Believing
• Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
• Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
• Usher - Yeah
• Montell Jordan - This is How We Do It
• Backstreet Boys - I Want it That Way
• Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer
• Spice Girls - Wannabe
• Cupid - Cupid Shuffle

It was a fun experience. Although it does present some challenges for a DJ, which I will likely write about in a separate “for DJs only” post … no need to bore everyone else here.

Truly though the proof of how fun it is in the video below, which captures a few clips from a few of the sing alongs. It also answered my last question, “will they really be into it?”

The video basically confirms, yes, indeed everyone was into it. Also, for a complete recap of the party, check out this blog post. 

Lululemon Athletica Fashion Valley First Anniversary Party

Happy one year anniversary to the crew at Lululemon Fashion Valley.

The Lululemon Athletica store located in Fashion Valley Mall celebrated its one year anniversary by closing down the store a little early on a Friday night, inviting some friends and having a big ‘ol dance party.

An acroyoga performance is one way to entertain and impress guests at a party.

I provided DJ and uplighting services for my Lulu friends. Part of the program also included an acroyoga performance and a silent disco … a first time experience for me.

This unique dance floor experience provides dancers with headphones that were tuned directly into my music. While the purpose is to feed up to three music sources, allowing users to choose between them, on this night it was just me. Given that, I choose a few songs that were known “karaoke” favorites. With everyone’s headphones on, and my main speakers off, I spun hits from Journey, Vanilla Ice, Spice Girls etc. and had the interesting experience of listening to nearly 100 people sing at the top of their lungs with no audible music. Good stuff!

Here’s the setlist from the silent and non-silent parts of the evening.

Cocktail and Arrivals

• Ariana Grande - One Last Time (Gazzo Remix) (Clean) (Short Edit)

• Pharrell ft Jay-Z - Frontin (DJ Miles Isla Bootleg) (Extended)

• Clean Bandit & Jessie Glynn - Real Love (Blaklyte & ALMOND Remix) (Clean) (Extended)

• Demi Lovato - Cool For The Summer (Cahill Remix) (Dirty) (Short Edit)

• DJ Sammy - Heaven (Funk3d 2014 Pop Remix) (Short Edit)

• No Mercy - Where Do You Go

• Klymaxx - Meeting In The Ladies Room (Select Mix Remix)

• Phil Collins - Easy Lover (Select Mix Remix)

• Chaka Khan - I Feel For You (Hot Classics Remix)

• Zedd ft Selena Gomez - I Want You To Know (Amenzo Remix) (Clean) (Extended)

Acro Yoga Performance

• Kygo f./Parson James - Stole The Show

• James Newton Howard f./Jennifer Lawrence - The Hanging Tree (Alternative Radio Mix)

• Disclosure ft Sam Smith - Latch (G Duppy Reggae Remix) (Clean)

• Usher - You Make Me Wanna (Intro Clean)

Silent Disco

• Journey - Don't Stop Believing

• Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby

• Bell Biv Devoe - Poison

• Usher - Yeah

• Party Break - Montel Party Break

• Backstreet Boys - I Want it That Way

• Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer

• Spice Girls - Wannabe

• Cupid - Cupid Shuffle

**For more about the silent disco portion of the evening and video of the singing/dancing, check out this post. 

Open Dancing

• Justin Timberlake - Senorita

• Major Lazer, DJ Snake, MO - Lean On (Select Mix Remix)

• Britney Spears & Iggy Azalea - Pretty Girls (Promo Only Intro Edit)

• Fergie - L.A. Love (La La) [Select Mix Remix]

• Wayne Wonder - No Letting Go

• The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face (Select Mix Remix)

• Will Smith - Miami

• Kid N Play - Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody (Select Mix Remix)

• Ella Henderson - Ghost (Oliver Nelson Remix) (Extended)

• Jason Derulo - Want To Want Me

• Hailee Steinfeld - Love Myself

• Pitbull f./Chris Brown - Fun (Clean)

• Rihanna - B***h Better Have My Money

• Silento - Watch Me

• Natalie La Rose f./Jeremih - Somebody

• Years & Years - King

So great to see my wife and other November Project San Diego friends at this party.

Lululemon educator, Alexis, stealing my headphones. I got them back, eventually. 

Rocking out with Denon 3700s and keeping it clean with a black Scrim King table scrim.

5 Things I Love This Week - Episode #1

A singer, a turntable, a comedian, a store and a pan

Gin Wigmore is a singer-songwriter from New Zealand. Her latest album is titled, Blood to Bone.

1. Gin Wigmore
While no one is going to duplicate Amy Winehouse. Gin Wigmore comes pretty close.

Admittedly her sound is new to me, despite having a third album recently released. Hailing from New Zealand, perhaps a fellow single-named Kiwi, that Lorde girl, with huge pop success has overshadowed Wigmore a bit. But her high pitched, yet “throaty” voice is what perked my ears when I heard it the other day. The sound is a little rock with some pop beats. Spotify lists related artists such as ZZ Ward, Ingrid Michaelson, Kimbra and Anya Marina … all faves of mine.

And "Gin" is about the greatest nickname I've ever heard for someone named Virginia. 

2. Reloop RP-8000 Turntable
Everything old is new again. When I started DJing in the early 90s I used turntables and lugged around crates of records -- yes, I too have that badge of honor. After using an assortment of controllers, CD-Js and other DJ gear, I’m incredibly excited to add a turntable set-up to my gear line-up.

I opted for the Reloops because of their MIDI functionality and other features such as digital display and torque adjustment. It’s a nice hybrid of an analog turntable and digital DJ controller.

All of my past set-ups were built on streamlining and convenience. A turntable set-up is neither, in fact, in some ways it’s more work to set-up and even more work to operate. But it’s 100x more fun. I’m also looking forward to honing my craft as a DJ, something that really can only be done with a couple of pieces of vinyl and ‘tables.

The Reloop RP-8000 turntable, with it's MIDI functionality, adjustable torque and a host of other features is part of a new breed of DJ turntables. 

3. Comedian, Michael Jr. -The What vs. The Why
I was introduced to Michael Jr. via a video that was posted on Facebook. He is a comedian and during each of his shows, takes time to chat with members of the audience. He does this, because in his own words “comedy just happens.”

The particular video I saw had him explaining the concept of “what vs. why.”

• What = The things we do. For example, I am a DJ. I play music at parties, that’s what I do.
• Why = The reason we do things and when you know why you are doing it, and you believe in that why, you put more into the what.

Now, the video below is not the same one I saw which has him explaining the concept (for some reason I could not find an actual way to embed that one). But it is of a man singing "Amazing Grace," which Michael used to illustrate his concept. See the difference when he is asked “what to sing” vs. “why he is singing.”

Pitbull Audio is the perfect place for a DJ to come into and try out various controllers and turntables. Nearly every piece of gear is connected to it's own computer. 

4. Pitbull Audio
San Diego DJ’s and audio professionals are pretty lucky when it comes to shopping around for new gear. Between DJ specific stores, Guitar Centers and other places there are plenty of choices. When I was shopping for my new turntable set-up, I checked with a handful of online sources as well as one local place … and I went local.

Pitbull Audio has been a great online retailer for the past few years and just over a year ago opened up a location in National City, CA, just south of downtown San Diego. I was impressed with their selection and even more impressed with their set-up. The DJ section of the store not only has nearly every popular controller on display, but they are also hooked up to their own Macbook so customers can try them out.

Customer service is great and because of my rather large order, they did a great job working with me on the pricing and helping me stay within my spending budget.

If you are local to San Diego check them out. And if you’re not, be sure to visit their website.

5. Lodge cast iron
I’ve been loving cast iron pots and pans for many years. But lately, I’m using my various Lodge skillets exclusively. I also use Lodge Dutch ovens on our family camping trips. No other pan can go from the cooktop, to the oven to the open campfire flame like a solid piece of cast iron.

My go to recipe utilizing my Lodge 12-inch skillet is pan-cooked chicken thighs. After seasoning chicken with kosher salt and pepper:

• Heat oven to 400°; put pan in oven
• Once heated, place pan on stovetop and sear thighs skin side down
• Flip thighs and sear opposite side
• Place entire pan inside stove and finish cooking chicken (internal temperature should be 180°)

You’ll have a juicy piece of chicken with a delicious and crispy exterior skin.

I’m Going, Going, Back, Back to Canada, Canada

My passport and headphones are ready to go to the Lululemon Managers Conference. 

Years ago I read one of those lists that was bullet pointed with life tips. One of those tips said to make sure to always have a valid passport, because you never know when you might get the urge to leave the country.

Thankfully I’ve followed that advice, because I'll need my passport next month. I’m going to Vancouver, B.C. again. Returning to "Van" -- as the locals call it -- for the second time in less than two months.

When I was there in August it was to run 13.1 Seawheeze Half Marathon miles. This time it’s to DJ for 1,000-plus Lululemon employees and guests at their annual manager's conference.

Just to reiterate that .... I'm DJ'ing Lululemon's worldwide conference in Vancouver. 

It's a bit surreal. Especially when I realize it's all because of a 1,000-word blog post that got shared around the world. A post that was read by more then 10,000 people, and from I've been told, touched hearts, brought chills and even tears of joy. 

I didn't write it expecting anything. I just wanted to say thank you. I suppose it's true what people say about finding things when you least expect it.

For the past few years I used to sit in an office, knowing there was a better way for me to contribute to this world. To do so I needed to be in a different place. I knew there was a conversation that I could feel comfortable participating in. 

You find those places and conversations by engaging with others that want to take you there, and I'm glad I'm finding those people. 

Brett Timmons, a Lululemon Key Leader in San Diego (and one of those aforementioned people), said it best "don't tell someone at Lululemon your 'big hairy audacious goal' if you don't want it to come true."

That might be the best mistake I've made.

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