Julia and Robert’s Dance Party - Grand Del Mar Wedding

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Julia and Robert celebrate with guests at their wedding at the Grand Del Mar. 

The day I met Julia and Robert, was October 29, 2016. I know the exact date, because I just needed to look at my gig calendar for a wedding that I worked that day. It was Katie and Lawrence's, and Julia and Robert were at that wedding too. But not as guests, they were a vendor, just like me.

Photographer, florist, linens? None of the above. Julia and Robert were slinging, shaved snow, that silky smooth ice cream that comes from none other than Icekimo. During the wedding, Julia came up to me, hand dripping of ice cream, and quietly asked for my availability for her wedding, which was just over a month away on December 10. I was available and a few days later, it was set. I was DJing their wedding.

I suppose it was meant to be, that we were both working the same wedding. And despite only knowing them for a short time, I learned much about the two of them, notably that Robert is the creator and owner of Icekimo, which is one of San Diego's most popular dessert spots. 

Their wedding celebration was at the beautiful Grand Del Mar resort. It was my first time at this venue and it was a pleasure to be a part of their celebration.

Here's a look at their setlist, which of course include Sarah McLachlan's, Ice Cream.

First Dance
John Legend - You & I (Nobody In The World)

Dinner

• Mindi Abair - The Joint
• Adele - Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
• Meghan Trainor f./Yo Gotti - Better
• Magic! f./Sean Paul - Lay You Down Easy
• Mike Perry f./Shy Martin - The Ocean
• Frenship & Emily Warren - Capsize
• Paul Hardcastle - Peace On Earth
• 50 Cent - P.I.M.P.
• Spyro Gyra - Sweet Baby James
• Tupac - Tupac Tribute Medley
• Busta Rhymes - I Know What You Want
• Kygo f./Maty Noyes - Stay
• Who Is Fancy f./Ariana Grande & Meghan Trainor - Boys Like You
• Timeflies - Once In A While
• Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
• Ella Henderson - Ghost (Oliver Nelson Remix)
• Al Jarreau - We're In This Love Together
• Bobby Caldwell - What You Wont Do For Love  (DJ Joey C Edit)
• Smokey Robinson - I Second That Emotion  
• Open Dancing First Set
• Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight
• Al Green - Let's Stay Together
• Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
• Usher - Yeah
• Party Break - Montel Party Break
• House of Pain - Old School Jump Off
• Mike Posner - I Took A Pill In Ibiza (SeeB Remix) (Select Mix Remix)
• Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling (Select Mix Remix)
• Kesha - Tik Tok
• Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations (Select Mix Remix)
• Drake f./Wizkid & Kyla - One Dance
• DJ Snake f./Justin Bieber - Let Me Love You
• Maroon 5 f./Kendrick Lamar - Don't Wanna Know
• Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing

Cake Cutting
Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is

Open Dancing Second Set

• Sarah McLachlan - Ice Cream
• Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
• Michael Buble - Everything
• Hailee Steinfeld & Grey f./Zedd - Starving
• Kent Jones - Don't Mind
• Natalie Cole - This Will Be an Everlasting Love
• Iggy Azalea f./Charli XCX - Fancy
• Flo Rida - Low
• Kungs & Cookin' On 3 Burners - This Girl
• The Chainsmokers ft Rozes - Roses (The Him Remix)  
• Cupid - Cupid Shuffle
• Fetty Wap f./Snoop Dogg - Westside
• Rae Sremmurd f./Gucci Mane - Black Beatles
• Sia f./Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills
• 50 Cent - In Da Club
• Dr. Dre ft Snoop Dogg - Nuthin' But A G Thang
• Dr Dre ft Snoop Dogg, Kurup & Nate Dogg - The Next Episode
• Deorro - Five Hours
• Nicki Minaj - Super Bass
• Britney Spears - Till The World Ends
• DJ Sammy f. The Jackie Boyz - Shut Up And Kiss Me
• Walk The Moon - Shut Up And Dance (Select Mix Remix)
• Nelly - Ride Wit Me
• Next - Too Close
• Eastside Boyz - Get Low

Last Dance
Backstreet Boys - I Want it That Way

Vendor Team
DJ/Master of Ceremonies: DJ Kanoya Productions
Coordinator: Luxe Events
Venue: Fairmount Grand Del Mar
Photographer: TBD

Shannon and Robert’s Dance Party - Vintana Wine and Dine Wedding

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Shannon and Robert's first dance at their wedding, which took place at Vintana.

Shannon and Robert's big party took place at Vintana, a Cohn restaurant and event space in Escondido, California. The venue itself is one of the best in North San Diego County, and once transformed for a wedding party, it's pretty spectacular.

This particular wedding was a joy to be a part of, particularly because the families involved. I personally has a soft spot for speeches given by Shannon's father, as well as Robert's words for his young children. 

Here's a look at their setlist:

First Dance
Katie Melua - Just Like Heaven

Dinner

• Chris Malinchak - Wonderful  
• Starley - Call On Me (Ryan Riback Remix)  
• Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive  
• A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation
• Karl Swix - Mister Mister (Original Mix)
• Danced Til Midnight - More Of Love (Faze Action Remix)
• Fourplay - Still The One
• Mindi Abair - Salt and Lime
• Mark Antoine - Funky Picante
• Pamela Williams - Fly Away With Me
• Steve Cole - Everday
• Chris Botti - Indian Summer
• Michael Jackson - Rock with You
• Katie Melua - Just Like Heaven
• Breau and Atkins - Polka Dots and Moonbeams
• Wayne Newton - Danke Shoen
• Norman Brown - Just Chillin'
• Ingrid Michaelson - Boys Chase Girls
• Colbie Caillat - Fallin For You
• Fourplay - Sexual Healing
• Busta Rhymes - I Know What You Want
• Bryan Savage - Soul Temptation
• A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum
• Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up
• Kygo f./Maty Noyes - Stay
• Otis Redding - Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay (ReDrum)  
• DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air (Le Boeuf Remix)  
• Robbie Nevil - C'est La Vie (Select Mix Remix)
• American Authors - Best Day Of My Life (Select Mix Remix)
• DJ Snake, Justin Bieber - Let Me Love You (Select Mix Remix)
• Maroon 5 f./Kendrick Lamar - Don't Wanna Know

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Father/Daughter Dance
Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole - Unforgettable

Mother/Son Dance
Lynard Skynard - Freebird

Open Dancing First Set

• Al Green - Let's Stay Together
• Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling!
• Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk (Select Mix Remix)
• K.C. & the Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight
• Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations (Select Mix Remix)
• DNCE - Cake By The Ocean (Riddler Remix)  
• Andy Grammer - Honey, I'm Good (Select Mix Remix)
• Flo Rida - Low
• Britney Spears - Work Bitch
• Drake f./Rihanna - Too Good
• Michael Jackson - P.Y.T (remix)
• Salt N Pepa - Push It (Mayeda Remix)
• Walk The Moon - Shut Up And Dance (Select Mix Remix)

Cake Cutting
James Taylor - How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You

Open Dancing Second Set

• Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love
• Lionel Ritchie - All Night Long
• V.I.C. - Wobble
• Montel Jordan - This Is How We Do It
• House of Pain - Old School Jump Off
• Usher - Yeah (Wedding Crasherz Break)
• Coolio - Fantastic Voyage (Select Mix Remix)
• Mike Posner - I Took A Pill In Ibiza (SeeB Remix)  
• Fifth Harmony - Work From Home (Select Mix Remix)
• Bruno Mars - 24K Magic (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall - JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)
• Michael Buble - Everything
• Meghan Trainor f./John Legend - Like I'm Gonna Lose You
• Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
• Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove
• OMI - Cheerleader

Last Dance
Cure - Just Like Heaven

Vendor Team
DJ/Master of Ceremonies/Uplighting: DJ Kanoya Productions
Venue/Catering: Vintana Wine and Dine
Coordinator: Lindsay Dean Events
Photographer: Clove and Kin

Other weddings hosted by DJ Kanoya Productions

Pure Pop Perfection - Mariah Carey’s 1995 Madison Square Garden Concert

My productivity slows down immensely as soon as I type in "youtube.com" in my web browser. Can you relate? It's a vortex I easily get sucked into. Whether it’s music videos, personal VLOGs or cat videos I seriously need help.

But today I felt it was time well spent, since I was indeed watching music videos -- it’s for work right? More specifically, Mariah Carey music videos. More specifically Mariah Carey concert videos. And more specifically Mariah Carey’s October 1995 concert at Madison Square Garden.

Bruh.

This was Mariah in her prime. Mariah before she Mimi needed to be emancipated. She was five albums into her career, had 10 No. 1 singles (six of which she performs in this show) and two Grammy awards. She was an icon of beauty.

And it was 1995, literally the mid 90s. A decade that brought us baggy jeans, Must See TV Thursdays, big hair, smooth R&B and dance pop perfection.

Notably though, the 90s brought us Mariah.

With all the aforementioned attributes, this concert, in her hometown of New York City, epitomizes the pop music scene of the time. Her background dancers had those robotic 90s dance moves (while wearing said baggy jeans). Mariah had her perfectly flowing, curly locks of hair. Her wardrobe was perfect, consisting of that half button down sweater look that every 16-year old 90s girl had. The one that slightly, yet tastefully exposed a bare navel when raising ones arms. She had perfectly hemmed pants that flared at the bottom, making room for her chunky heeled black booties. I’m pretty sure every girl I knew was wearing these in the Fall of 1995. And she also defined formal style of the day, wearing an off the shoulder number that hugged her body and fell straight to the floor, the direction in which I’m sure everyone’s mouth went when she walked on stage wearing that dark blue dress.

But most of all it’s the music and her voice. Mariah singing a dance tune instantly brings the mood from nothing to happy. Mariah singing a ballad is an introspective and moving experience. There are women who have voices and there are women who have instruments.

Mariah is of course in that company -- which includes Whitney, Celine and Christina just to name a few -- of vocal instruments. Here are five of my favorites from this show where her instrument shines.

Dreamlover

I swear, when I play this song, anyone born between 1965 and 1989 gets moving. I’ve had more looks over to the DJ booth in approval on this one than probably any other by her.

Forever

The only non- No. 1 on this list. Casual MC fans may have forgotten about it, which just cracked the Billboard Top 10 in 1996. It was a performance debut, so likely unknown to the NYC audience. But what a great performance it was.

Vision of Love

There has not been a better R&B Ballad released in the past 20 years than this. The run she does with her voice at the 2:40 mark is magical.

Hero

Oh hey Mariah .. are you singing actual words? All I’m hearing is pitch perfect melodies coming through my headphones from you and your choir. And why am I crying?

One Sweet Day

Wait a minute. So you’re telling me Boyz II Men are going to sing live with Mariah? BOYS TO FREAKING MEN!!

FYI, this performance was essentially a debut for the song. It would not be released commercially for another month. I imagine Boyz II Men strolling on the stage was just a teeny bit of a surprise.

I can’t even finish writing this … literally dead.

Define Your “Why” and then Lead Others to Define Theirs

My daughter, like many 10-year-olds and younger, has probably asked this simple one word question more than any other.

“Why?”

As adults we eye roll after this question is asked repeatedly, often because it’s the first in a series of “why” questions and the more it’s asked, the more the answer is not easy to come up with.

Perhaps it’s because we have not spent as much time considering “why,” and have not even been asking it to others.

I was recently part of a group that was asked about how we define ourselves as leaders, what characteristics define us as a leader and in what spaces should we choose to lead?

It was a group I was grateful to be a part of. It all started with an ominous invitation from my friends at Lululemon La Jolla. Other than being asked to meet at a train station at a specific time and to dress in layers, myself and a dozen or so others had zero idea of where we were going and what we were doing.

On the train ride, which started in Old Town San Diego, we were still clueless as to our final destination. We traveled north, along the San Diego coastline, meandering through stations in Sorrento Valley, passing stops in Solana Beach and Oceanside.

From our windows we watched surfers drop in on waves and as a group listened to a this keynote given by Simon Sinek at a Creative Mornings gathering in San Diego.

And finally, one hour into our journey we stepped off the train in San Juan Capistrano.

A short Uber ride later and our toes were in the sand at Doheny State Beach. After laying out blankets, LED candles and wishing we had brought boardshorts and surfboards, we sat around and engaged in the discussion of leadership.

In November 2016, I had the chance to go on an excursion with Lululemon staff and others to discuss becoming leaders in our own commmunities.

Becoming A Leader In Your Community
A major tenant of Lululemon is the idea of creating communities. Its stores around the world have designated staff who are tasked with building programs and events that incorporate the communities its store are in. This in addition to restocking the shelves with yoga pants, breathable shirts and other pieces of Luon.

We explored the idea of how we are leaders in our own communities. It became thought provoking for me, as I had to think about what “community” meant to me.

And while it may seem that community is relegated to a geographic area, workplace, social group, family or other numerous examples, the true answer is that it is whatever space you choose to lead.

Inspired by the Simon Sinek keynote we listened to, I researched some of his other stuff and found this Ted Talk. 

In it, Sinek explains, your leadership must be built around the idea that you lead followers that are invested into WHY you do what you do … not WHAT you do or HOW you do it.

Finding Your Why
Sinek explains how individuals, companies and others fail at leadership because they get so caught up in selling themselves solely based on what they do and how they do it. As consumers when we are seeing everyone else explaining the same types products and services, our buying decisions are made on factors such as price and not quality. But when we understand our why -- and when our marketing leads with the “why” -- we filter out the people that are just looking to spend less. We begin to attract the people that care about why we do what we do. We inadvertently become leaders.

Look at this example for two DJ’s selling themselves.

DJ #1
WHAT: I am a DJHOW: I use my computer, turntables and speakers to play music at parties and events and for your event I will do this for $1,000.

DJ #2
WHAT: I am a DJ
HOW: I use my computer, turntables and speakers to play music at parties and events and for your event I will do this for $750.

Based on that information, who do you want to contract and pay? Without the explanation of why they are DJs -- the passion they may or may not have for what they do -- you would probably opt for the one priced less.

In this next example, and how I’m structuring my pitches, I add the “why” and reverse the order of the explanation process.

DJ Kanoya
WHY: I want to make things better. Whether that’s your wedding or special event or yoga class. I want to make that experience better for you and your guests.

HOW: By using music, I create a vibe and feeling for all the different moments that unfold throughout the event.

WHAT: And I get to do this because I am a DJ.

Potential clients will be attracted to your why. And not only will paying customers be attracted to that why, but others who share your thought process will gravitate toward you because they want to be led by another like minded individual.

Finding My Why
On multiple levels this past year has been incredibly enlightening -- as a DJ, entrepreneur, parent, friend, husband, etc. I’ve spent many grateful hours with other DJs in person and online discussing ways to be more successful. But on this particular day, here I was sitting on a beach, and I looked around where I was surrounded by a photographer, a handful of yoga teachers, other self-employed entrepreneurs, an individual that works for a non-profit and of course Lululemon staff. It was refreshing to know that coming up with ways to build my own business and to be successful and to become a leader didn’t need to to stem from a discussion with other DJs or other people in my industry.

In fact, everyone in that circle was picked because we were likely channeling our “why.” We are choosing to be leaders in our communities. But it’s our “why” that brings us together.

A sampling of the group:

Kat Gunsur is more than an employee of a non-profit organization … she wants to raise awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis throughout the endurance race community and gets to do so as the National Endurance Manager for Team Challenge.  

Todd LeVeck is more than a photographer … he loves to tell stories and gets to do so because he has a way of telling his stories through his art.

Jenna Zabrosky is more than a yoga teacher … she’s been told by others that she goes out of her way to make those that walk into the studios she teaches at feel welcome. Others pick up on that and in turn lift the people around them. She leads by example and is in a position to do that because she teaches yoga.

And I am more than a DJ …. I love inspiring change, whether that is through music at an event I am spinning at or helping other DJs and entrepreneurs find their own path to success, and I get to do that because I am a DJ.

It’s not about what we do. It’s about why we do it.

Maybe my daughter had it right after all Because she knows the most important question to ask is “why?”

Sam and Nicolette’s Dance Party - Martin Johnson House Wedding

A picture perfect wedding setting, overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the Martin Johnson house.

Sam, the groom at this wedding, is someone I met waaaaaayyyy back in 2001 when I volunteered at the San Diego Asian Film Festival. We've stayed in touch all these years, primarily because we are both still invovled in from fashion with Pacific Arts Movement and the SDAFF. And 15 years later I find myself DJing his wedding.

I'm pretty sure this is the longest I've known a groom/client. It's always nice DJing a wedding for a friend, because it also means a lot of other friends are on the guest list. And most of the friends made up the dance floor that night.

Since Sam and Nicollette's wedding was during the holiday season, December 3, 2016, they decided to run with the Christmas theme. From the decor to the music, there was a hint of #kissmas in the air all evening.

Here's a look at the setlist:

Cocktail Hour and Dinner

• Sara Bareilles - Sitting On The Dock of the Bay
• Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - Winter Wonderland
• Harry Connick, Jr. - Sleigh Ride
• Beyonce - Halo
• Chuck Berry - Run, Rudolph Run
• Ella Fitzgerald - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - Sleigh Ride
• Frank Sinatra - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - Jingle Bells
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - Sleigh Ride
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - Blue Christmas
• Ella Fitzgerald - Winter Wonderland
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
• Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
• Michael Buble - Home
• Nat King Cole - Christmas Song
• Diana Krall - Dream a Little Dream of Me
• Rascall Flatts - Bless the Broken Road
• Harry Connick, Jr. - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
• Lionel Hampton - Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
• Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - Winter Wonderland
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - Feliz Navidad
• Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
• Louis Armstrong - Winter Wonderland
• Chuck Berry - Run, Rudolph Run
• Ella Fitzgerald - Sleigh Ride
• Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World
• Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews - Baby, It's Cold Outside
• Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
• Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till Get You Get Enough (Hot Classics Remix)
• - All My Love
• Jumpin Jimmy And the Mistletoes - Winter Wonderland
• Stevie Wonder - Knocks Me off My Feet (8b Intro Clean) (DJ Joey C Edit)
• Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (Intro)
• Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody (Hot Classics Remix)
• Robbie Nevil - C'est La Vie (Select Mix Remix)
• Terence Trent D'arby - Wishing Well (Select Mix Remix)
• Prince  - Kiss
• Dan Hartman - I Can Dream About You (Select Mix Remix)
• Charming Horses feat. Grace Grundy - Higher Love (Original Mix)
• Ellie Goulding - On My Mind
• Colbie Caillat - Fallin For You
• Jason Derulo - Kiss The Sky
• Mindi Abair - The Joint

First Dance
Led Zepplin - All Of My Love

Bride/Brother Dance
Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight

Open Dancing

• Al Green - Let's Stay Together
• Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
• Emotions - Best Of My Love
• Rose Royce - Car Wash
• The Whispers - Rock Steady
• Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
• Whitney Houston - How Will I Know
• Mariah Carey - Honey
• Jack Black - Let's Get It On
• Led Zepplin - Black Dog
• Rolling Stones - Start Me Up
• Cher - Shoop Shoop Song
• Prince - Diamonds and Pearls
• Janet Jackson - Let's Wait Awhile  
• Rihanna ft Drake - Work (Lost Kings Remix)  
• Brooks & Dunn - Boot Scootin' Boogie
• Earth, Wind & Fire - September
• Chaka Khan - I Feel For You (Hot Classics Remix)
• Michael Jackson - P.Y.T.
• Commodores - Brickhouse
• Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music
• Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
• K.C. & the Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight
• Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage (Hot Classics Remix)
• Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk (Select Mix Remix)
• B-52's - Love Shack
• Otis Day & the Knights - Shout
• Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
• Lionel Ritchie - You Are
• Sia f./Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills
• The Weeknd ft Daft Punk - Starboy (Kygo Remix)  
• Daya - Sit Still Look Pretty (R!OT Remix)  
• Mike Posner - I Took A Pill In Ibiza (SeeB Remix)  
• Drake f./Wizkid & Kyla - One Dance (Promo Only Quick Edit)
• Kiiara - Gold (J Farell Remix)  
• Hailee Steinfeld & Grey f./Zedd - Starving (Promo Only Quick Edit)
• Montel Jordan - This Is How We Do It
• Nicki Minaj ft Drake - Truffle Butter (Jester Remix)  
• Palm Trees - Casanova (Intro Clean)
• Usher - Yeah (Wedding Crasherz Break)
• Blackstreet - No Diggity (Bondax Edit)  
• The Chainsmokers ft Halsey - Closer (Not So Typical Remix)  
• New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle
• Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines
• Kungs vs Cookin On 3 Burners - This Girl  
• Corona ft AObeats - Rhythm Of the Night (Hotel Garuda Remix)  
• Chainsmokers ft ROZES - Roses (Adam Foster Remix)  
• Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake - Love Never Felt So Good (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Kanye West - Good Life
• Naughty By Nature - Feel Me Flow (Intro Clean)
• LL Cool J ft Boyz II Men - Hey Lover (Intro Clean)
• Babyface - For The Cool In You (Intro Clean)
• Tupac - California Love (Select Mix Remix)
  
  Last Dance
• Beyonce - Love On Top

Vendor Team
DJ/Master of Ceremonies: DJ Kanoya Productions
Caterer: Continental Catering
Venue: Martin Johnson House
Coodinator:Hannah Smith Events

Weddings hosted by DJ Kanoya at the Martin Johnson House