Archive for March, 2009
What Shall We Play for Dinner?–Dinner Music 101
Posted by: | CommentsThe right Dinner Music is as important as the right Dinner!
While planning a dinner event, the host thinks about a number of things: The food itself, decor, special needs/desires of guests, but probably one of the most important things is the atmosphere–fun, festive, enjoyable for all. And one of the areas where you can make the atmosphere fun, festive and enjoyable for all is the type of music that is played.
As the dinner hosts at your event-your wedding reception (these ideas apply equally to any party or event where one plans to serve dinner as part of their event), the music is limited only to the Bride and Groom’s imagination and the following are suggestions to help you set a fun, festive and enjoyable time for all:
- Have a Variety of music to appeal to a variety of musical pallets. This is very true at wedding receptions. One way to address this is play sets between dinner courses that appeal to as many individuals as possible. One way I like to start a set during dinner is to have our happy couple come on the dance floor and joined by their guests to dance to Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. This sets a romantic mood and keeps things fun and interesting for all;
- Play songs during dinner that may get passed on during prime time dancing. Many people have a favorite song that they would like to hear, but it’s not exactly the perfect “dance” song. One piece that comes to mind is Billy Joel’s Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. A great song, but not one I would play during prime time dancing. I performed at a reception last year where the bride and groom expressed that they would love to hear a set of 80′s dance music from artists like New Order and Information Society during dinner time as a large number of their guests enjoyed music from that era. It was a great success at that reception. Again, the music is limited to your imagination only!! Be yourself and let your reception music reflect your individual taste and spirit.
While I have touched on two areas, dinner music may address other areas like special requests for guests (playing your parents’ wedding song for them) or music related to a themed event, like a tropical or holiday event.
Here is a small list of some of our favorite suggestions for great Dinner Music Program Enjoy!!!
- What Is Hip – Tower Of Power
- That’s Amore’ – Dean Martin
- Ribbon In The Sky – Stevie Wonder
- I’ve Got You Under My Skin – Frank Sinatra
- By Your Side – Sade
- Moon Dance – Van Morrison
- Better Together – Jack Johnson
- Aja – Steely Dan
- L.O.V.E. – Nat King Cole
- Scene’s From An Italian Restaurant – Billy Joel
- Come Away With Me – Nora Jones
- Kissing A Fool – Michael Buble’
- I Love You – Bare Naked Ladies
- It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere – Jimmy Buffet & Alan Jackson
- Is This Love – Bob Marley
- Beyond The Sea – Bobby Darin
- Ribbon In The Sky – Stevie Wonder
- I’ve Got You Under My Skin – Frank Sinatra
- By Your Side – Sade
- Moon Dance – Van Morrison
- Better Together – Jack Johnson
- Aja – Steeley Dan
- L.O.V.E. – Nat King Cole
- Scene’s From An Italian Restaurant – Billy Joel
- Come Away With Me – Nora Jones
- Kissing A Fool – Michael Buble’
- I Love You – Bare Naked Ladies
- It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere – Jimmy Buffet & Alan Jackson
- Is This Love – Bob Marley
Hey Mr. DJ! Play Something We Can DANCE To!
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I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard people complain about their DJ not playing the right dance music at their wedding reception. But what exactly is “the right music”? When asked, brides say they want music that’s fun and danceable. But when I ask for specific song requests, my clients don’t always know the titles and artists’ names.
Most good DJ services will provide an extensive list of song selections which may or may not be right for your guests. Overwhelmed by the hundreds (or even thousands) of songs to choose from, the bride & groom will choose some of their favorites or they’ll just leave it up to their DJ. An excellent DJ will be able to quickly read the crowd and determine which songs to play and when to play them. He or she will have some gems (secret weapons if you will) that will pack the dance floor and keep it packed all night.
Now, some critics might say, “Yes, I know…the same cheesy songs that are overplayed at every wedding reception in the country”. And some brides & grooms demand that their DJ NOT play any of these songs and play their eclectic favorites instead. Then, on their wedding day, they wonder why no one (including themselves) is dancing. But there is a reason why these so-called “cheesey” songs are still played. They are played because THEY WORK!!
Some songs are classic and work every time for every wedding because they appeal to all ages and are fun to dance to. The key is having a DJ who can feel the vibe of the crowd and then give the right mix of classic and newer music to keep the dance floor crowded. This takes a great deal of knowledge and experience in doing hundreds of weddings. So to help you get started, here are some of my top wedding “gems” to keep your dance floor sizzling!
DJ DAVY JAY’S TOP 40 WEDDING PARTY SONGS
(in alphabetical order)
1. Ain’t Too Proud To Beg – Temptations
2. Dancing Queen – Abba
3. Brick House – Commodores
4. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
5. Build Me Up Buttercup – Foundations
6. Conga – Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine
7. Copacabana – Barry Manilow
8. Crazy In Love – Beyonce
9. December 1963 (Oh What a Night) – Frankie Valli & 4 Seasons
10. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
11. Do You Love Me – Contours
12. Funkytown – Lipps, Inc.
13. Get Down Tonight/That’s The Way/Shake Shake Shake – KC & Sunshine Band
14. Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) – C&C Music Factory
15. Grease Megamix – John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John
16. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops
17. Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
18. It’s Raining Men – Weather Girls
19. La Bamba – Los Lobos/Ritchie Valens
20. Love Shack – B52’s
21. Mony Mony – Tommy James & Shondells/Billy Idol
22. Paradise By The Dashboard Light – Meatloaf
23. Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
24. Pump Up The Jam – Technotronic
25. Push It – Salt ‘n’ Pepa
26. Respect – Aretha Franklin
27. Runaround Sue – Dion
28. September – Earth, Wind & Fire
29. Shout – Otis Day & The Nights
30. Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
31. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
32. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynryd
33. Twist/Twist Again – Chubby Checker
34. Twist and Shout – Beatles
35. Yeah – Usher
36. Vogue – Madonna
37. We Are Family – Sister Sledge
38. What I Like About You – Romantics
39. YMCA – Village People
40. You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
Cascade Banquet Facility is First Class!
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Cascade Banquet Facility of Hamden, Connecticut is our featured March Professional of the Month!
The first thing that happens when you walk into Cascade is a gasp. The place takes your breath away. You find yourself walking into this amazing ballroom with towering cathedral ceilings and elegant decor, and imagining yourself in the center of the grand dance floor. It is a spectacular place to have an event. Especially a wedding.
Headed up by General Manager Rosa Ponte, this is a family owned and operated business. Rosa’s family has years in the restaurant service. They bring fine Italian dining to the banquet table. Trust me, there is average wedding food, and then there is a grand celebration of the culinary art. That is what Cascade brings to the table.
If you are looking for the most elegant ballroom in Connecticut to have your celebration at, stop in and see Cascade.
They are located at 480 Sherman Avenue in Hamden.
Call them at 203-907-0595 for a visit with Rosa or Dominick.
Music In Motion Entertainment is proud to be a featured preferred vendor at Cascade!