City Street's DJs Blog

The truth about price shopping for a DJ for your special event!

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:07:00 +0000

The fact of the matter is that, now in days, everyone price shops online when purchasing goods or services (I do it myself). If what I want to buy is expensive, I put an extra effort in getting a good deal. Unfortunately, there are a lot of tricks and unreal advertising traps in the business world. Some DJs will try to lure you in with incentive pricing or nice websites that lead you to believe they are reliable and you will be saving money with them. Others will truly offer a $399 wedding reception that will result in nothing but headaches and regrets, as this advertisements are always associated with an amateur.

The truth

DJs vary in more ways than just price. Each DJ has a unique specialty that brings about the best out of their client’s event. The responsibility that is put on a DJ’s shoulder to take on someone’s event, should be recognized and well compensated. A DJ or company that tries to sell you a package or service for an unbelievable low rate, should be closely screened. A lot of times a DJ will shoot out a price over the phone without knowing exactly what the customer has envisioned. This is often associated with an amateur DJ. Amateur DJs undervalue their services. They don’t carry insurance or run an organized and experience business. They don’t invest on the necessary, professional, tools of the trade. This leads to confuse the public, makes the DJ trade under appreciated, and forces the public to shop around for DJs based on price alone. The amateur DJ who is not willing to educate themselves and train under a professional company until they are ready to go on their own, is what the labor industry calls scabs. Most of them struggle so hard that they are willing to work for pennies or almost nothing.

There’s also companies out there that will put out attractive and persuasive ads to entangle brides. I personally know of companies who advertise weddings for $399 or lower rates. They have a reputable online presence that persuades a client to book with them but on the day of their event, they send out an amateur DJ who responded to a “no experience necessary, will train” newspaper ad. This fuels price shoppers and contributes to the image of DJs all being the same, music players.

When shopping around for a DJ or Entertainment company, following these guidelines will help you select the best services possible for your money

City Street’s DJs cares about what you need for your Wedding, Sweet 16 or special event. We won’t slam you with whatever package brings the most profit or with a show with bells and whistles, if what you are looking for is a classic affair. We know that everyone has different priorities for entertainment and we respect that. We have been in business for over 25 years and can specialize your event based on your needs. If you have any questions, even if you don’t use our entertainment company for your event, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you.

City Street’s DJ’s, 312-497-0102, info@citystreetdj.com, www.citystreetdj.com

10 Secrets to Planning a Successful Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:21:00 +0000

Brides who know it all need go no further into this article than this paragraph, because it is not for them. Neither is it for those who are satisfied with where they are in their wedding planning and the progress they've made so far. You've got the dress. You've got the man. The caterer's booked, along with the photographer and the D.J. Are you still worried about your wedding day?

Will your guests enjoy themselves? Most importantly, will you enjoy yourself? After all, it is your day! Whether you have the next year or a limited time for your wedding, your event can still be just as spectacular as those seen in the magazines and TV Shows.

Yes, you can impress your family and friends with your celebrity-style wedding. I am going to show you how.

1.) Remember Your Guests. Your family and friends will have gone to some expense to enjoy your nuptials with you. Make sure that you show your appreciation and include them-guests like to feel like they belong. If you have a lot of out-of-town guests, be sure to provide them with a welcome basket in their rooms. This can be done on your own (or you can buy pre-made) by adding inexpensive staples and mementos of your host city. If you opt not to provide a basket or gift for your guests, at least supply them with an itinerary. Guests who come to another city for a weekend for only one event will want to see more of you and share in your wedding events. Inviting them to your rehearsal dinner or a postwedding brunch is a very kind and generous gesture.

2.) Get a Theme. When a bride comes to me, one of the first questions I ask is "What is your theme?" When they say they don't have one, I must admit, part of me knows this will be an uphill battle. Ever heard of the saying, "If you stand for nothing you'll fall for anything?" The same is true with themes. If you don't have one, you will find yourself (subconsciously) with five different unrelated things in your wedding. It's horrid. Pick a theme. The theme doesn't have to be big-look at who you and your fiancé are. What are your hobbies? What do you do for a living? Golden Age of Hollywood, Mardi Gras Masquerade, Country, Mediterranean, etc. The possibilities are endless! And just to simplify it, yes, your colors can be a theme. However, you must consistent. If your "theme" is going to be green and pink, decide on what shades and stick to it-no forest, chartreuse, lime and mint all over the place. We're at a wedding, not a kaleidoscope. Should you pick colors, try to pick a maximum of three and make sure that they complement each other. Try to pick "in-season" colors as well-pastel pink at a November/December wedding is a bit odd. Your theme will pull your whole event together-from food to favors, everything will coordinate in style.

3.) Décor. Even if your place is low on the totem pole of venues, you can still make it look like a million bucks. Are you wishing that Christopher Lowell or Martha Stewart could come in and work their magic? They can-pick up an interior decorating book at your local bookstore or library. Pay attention to lines, textures and silhouettes. How do they make you feel? Is that what you want to convey at your wedding? Implement things like flowers, candles, sashes, seashells, etc. into your décor. You will save money but also give your theme some authenticity. Find out from your venue what type of restrictions you are working under (i.e., no open flame, etc.). If you have some money to play around with, invest in some props to go with your theme or a lighting and staging company to help bring it all together.

4.) Get Personal. Being unique definitely sets you apart in the minds of your guests. Step out of the ordinary with personal vows and toasts. Share your relationship with your guests-name your assigned tables after places that you and your fiancé have traveled, favorite foods, movies, etc. Display pictures as centerpieces and to spruce up a cake or gift table. Celebrate who you both are by incorporating ethnic and family traditions. For example, if you have a very close relationship with your extended family, and your guest list is small, opt for the American/Family style dinners-where the dishes are sat in the middle of the table and guests serve themselves. If your culture calls for a special wedding dress, have the best of both worlds and wear your gown to your ceremony and your traditional dress to your reception. Include your guests in ethnic rituals like jumping the broom, the Hindu vermillion powder ritual, etc. Guests love to see picture shows! These are very easy to do, and give your guests an opportunity to get to know you.

5.) Don't Skip the Cocktail Hour. While you are off being in love and grasping the concept that you are a "Mrs.", your guests are left at your reception site awaiting your arrival. Be generous and have sumptuous treats to greet them. Create an environment conducive to mingling and conversation with soft music playing in the background. You do want people to get to know each other and talk-so don't blast it. Opt for Jazz classics, songs that make people feel like they are at something important. Another thing you should definitely consider springing for is extra wait staff. It is quite a hassle to have to repeatedly go to the bar, and once there wait in line. It also adds a sense of refinement to your event with butlered drinks being passed-it makes your guests feel important. Here is a chance to incorporate your personality by having a signature drink passed and available at the bar. Put up a little sign in a silver plated frame explaining the significance. Your guests will feel included and also get the chance to try something new!

6.) Don't Skimp on the Food! Food and drink make the event. Good food and drinks make the party! I understand that budgets are limited, but there is no need to have your 300 guests fighting over Ritz crackers and spray cheese at your 7:00 p.m. reception. The reception (including food) should take a big chunk out of your budget-and it should show. If it doesn't what it will show is that you are cheap, and your guests will leave to find food elsewhere mid-reception. Who wants to stay at a party hungry? If your choices and funds are tight, ask your caterer what they can do to help you out. Ask if you can provide your own recipes (pick up a nice cocktail book. I personally love "Cocktail Food" by Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford with Lori Lyn Narlock). Bulk up on the presentation-that may mean for you, no ice sculpture or five foot eagle made out of lox, but you could add fresh flowers and candles. Add variety with themed stations, convenience with buffets and elegance with plated dinners.

7.) Have Assigned Seating. I know a lot of planners are against this, but it does work out better for your guests. Of course keep your couples together, but do encourage single guests to get to know others at the reception. I have seen where there has not been assigned seating, a single guest finds his/her way back to their seat to find someone's coat or purse in their seat with five people talking that all know each other. A bit intimidating.

8.) That's Entertainment. Whatever you choose-a band or a DJ, make sure that they mesh with you and your personality. You also want them to reflect the overall theme and formality of the group (for example, no harpist at a country western wedding). When interviewing a DJ, ask to see pictures from prior events, if available. What does their guest pool look like? Is it similar to the one that will be at your own wedding? What does their selection and library consist of? You will need someone who is not too low-key that they put everyone to sleep, and not so over-the-top that they want to rush to the nearest exit. You need a professional to gauge and tempt the crowd. Definitely make sure that you keep music playing through their breaks. The dead silence will definitely murder the fun at your party.

9.) Get the Party Started. Nobody likes to be the first on the dance floor. But it is your party! You will be the center of attention, as you should be, and everyone will follow your lead. If you get up and dance, your guests will too. While your DJ maybe fantastic, your guests know you-your excitement will be contagious and they will not be able to resist joining in. Make sure that you are social. Instead of the boring receiving line, you and your new husband can go from table to table to say your "hellos" and "thank yous".

10.) Get Help. It is always fun to meet someone who wants to hear about your wedding-all the time. Get your creative juices flowing, take advantage of vendor discounts and learn secrets of the industry by enlisting the help of a professional wedding planner. Everyone will have a job to do at your wedding. Yours will be to be the bride and to enjoy the first few hours of married life with your family and friends. While you may think you can handle an emergency during your wedding, more likely you cannot. Definitely enlist the help of a wedding planner to do your Day Of coordination

Inappropriate Dancing at Schools: What Can We Do As DJs to do Help?

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:08:00 +0000

Several times each year, I come across an article in the newspaper or see a segment on the news discussing the increasing problem schools are having with inappropriate dancing at their school dances. The pieces always feature interviews of local school administrators to discuss what they are doing to curb the problem. Ultimately, an increased public awareness of the issue results and therefore increased sensitivity to it among school administrators. I’ve heard of some schools taking drastic measures, as far as cancelling dances altogether because of their concern over inappropriate dancing. In several of these instances, I’ve heard groups of students decided to host their own function because the school dance was cancelled. From a philosophical standpoint, I would much rather see students at school, in a safe, chaperoned environment, having fun at the dance, than out on the streets getting into the hundreds of worse alternatives available to them. For this reason, I believe dances need to be fun – on the students’ terms – but still within the scope of what is generally deemed acceptable for school settings.

DJs understand better than anyone that the inappropriate dancing concerns are nothing new and probably date back to Elvis in the 1950s or even before. Music evolves and so does kids’ dancing. Schools are working hard to keep dances safe and clean and going about it in many different ways.

Many schools will approach you, the DJ, as the first line of defense. Even for me as a DJ owner for over 20 years, this area turns very gray. There are certainly musical selections that are not appropriate for school settings based on lyrical content, but strictly using music as a means to control the type of dancing students are doing has never proven effective for me. Students will dance as they choose to anything short of Disney show tunes. Slow dances are somewhat effective for breaking up the dance floor a bit, and I can think of a few selections that elicit rough dancing, but for the most part the specific type of dancing that takes places is largely out of the DJ’s control.

So what is a school to do to keep the dancing clean? More importantly, what is a DJ to do when a school dance advisor brings up the conversation? As one of my school clients so eloquently put it, “this is a battle that must be won with the hearts and minds of the students.” There is no quick fix that any school or DJ can put into place to solve the problem overnight. Schools that are making headway with this issue are holding class meetings, putting segments on their video announcements, posting specific guidelines for inappropriate dancing, providing many chaperones at the dance, and enforcing the rules. There is no one magic solution and it really takes a substantial effort from the school – not just unloading the issue on to the DJ, setting him or her up for failure.

As a DJ serving schools, you must be committed to helping them address this issue, but not by making promises you cannot deliver on. The best way you can help is to be a resource for your school dance advisors, sharing with them ideas you’ve seen work well with other schools. Schools’ reputations hinge on their ability to provide a safe environment for their students and they will not put that reputation on the line for an extra-curricular dance. Savvy DJ business owners understand the future of their business is dependent upon loyal clients such as schools, so it is in their best interest to partner with the schools to develop solutions that satisfy everyone involved to allow dances to remain a fun part of the school culture.

Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:58:00 +0000

Chicago, Illinois – February 8th, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce that Carl Lojeski from City Street’s DJs has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Disc Jockey !

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

City Street’s DJs stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud City Street’s DJs for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that City Street’s DJs is among the very best Disc Jockey within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/city-streets-djs-elk-grove-village/c8ce19c0beb40c1a.html.

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit http://www.weddingwire.com/.

Chicago Wedding DJs: How To Choose The Right One

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:54:00 +0000

So the big day has been set and now your faced with the daunting task of planning your wedding. The venue is perfect, the menu has been selected, the flowers are immaculate and the decorations are exactly what you wanted. With all that goes into planning a wedding, make sure you do not overlook one of the most important aspects of your day; the Chicago wedding DJ.

Your Chicago DJ will play a big role in your special day and choosing the right one can be the difference maker in how your guests will remember it. Choosing a professional DJ in Chicago who has experience can make or break your day. We've all been to those weddings with the "cheesy" guy on the mike who couldn't keep his mouth shut all night long, having the event turn out more like amateur night at the comedy club.

Below you will find some helpful tips that will be sure to make your choice of Chicago DJs a little easier for you:

1. Availability

This one may seem obvious, but the first thing you should find out is whether or not the Chicago wedding DJ is available for the date that you have booked. Get this out of the way first since there's no point in continuing if their already scheduled.

2. Experience

There are multiple Chicago DJs out there, but you want to make sure that the Chicago DJ you choose has experience 'specifically' in weddings. This way, you can feel comfortable that they know how the event should flow, when to do the announcements, etc.

3. Music Selection

It is very important that your Chicago wedding DJ have a vast selection of music. Have you grown tired of hearing the same old boring "played out" songs that you've heard over and over at every wedding? Maybe your guests will feel the same way. You want a DJ in Chicago that is adaptable to the crowd and can play songs based on how the crowd is responding to different genre's of music. The ultimate goal is to have your guests up dancing and having a good time and experienced Chicago DJs should be able to achieve that with no problem. Also, don't be afraid to request songs that you want and even songs that you "don't" want played. Any experienced Chicago disc jockey should always be able to accommodate any music requests that you have.

4. Professionalism and Services

If at all possible, set up a consultation to meet in person with the Chicago wedding DJ that your are considering. If they refuse a consultation, you probably want to look elsewhere. Meeting them in person will allow you to get a feel for their personality and to see if they will be the right fit for your event. You will also be able to verify if they have the right equipment, their pricing plans (any hidden fees?), how you would like them to dress and anything else you can think of. You want to be able to leave the consultation feeling comfortable and confident that you are in good hands with the Chicago disc jockey of your choice.

As you can see, a DJ in Chicago is very important component to the success of your big day, but by following the tips above you should feel at ease that the Chicago wedding DJ of your choice is the right one

Negotiations between Brides and DJs, Wedding Budget and Priorities

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:05:00 +0000

When I get a reservation request from a bride, the number one
and sometimes the only question is; ”What are your rates?”
One reason being, it’s the first time they’ve ever had hire a
DJ and they are not sure what other questions to ask.
The other could be they don’t know what the going rate is for a
wedding DJ. However, the biggest reason is that they are
price shopping for the cheapest DJ. In most cases brides do not
properly plan a wedding budget. Possibly may even hire all other
wedding vendors and have little left for entertainment.That’s when
I start to hear the negotiation process. “Well DJ Bob will do it
for $XXXX amount, can you beat that?” or “I’m on a very
tight budget, I can’t spend much.”

Many brides do not properly plan out a wedding budget.
On the average brides will spend twice as much of their original
budget, mainly because of what the bridal publications, wedding
websites, or even TV shows that talk or write about what you need
to make your wedding look beautiful. All the cute accessories, party
favors, fancy place settings etc… There is nothing wrong with having
all the bells and whistles for your wedding as long as you properly
budget for it, and have the extra money.

What you never hear or read about is what will make your
wedding day fun or memorable. For you and your guests to have
a great time during your wedding, you need to change your game
plan and figure out what your top priorities are, and how you want
your celebration to be remembered.

Your “day-of” vendors will have the biggest impact on your
wedding i.e. entertainment, photography, catering, coordinator.
Hiring the right group of professional day-of vendors that work well
together is like a well oiled engine for your wedding day. If one part
of that engine weak the whole thing can blow up. Professionals do not
negotiate. If you try to negotiate, you’re only compromising quality
and service. The brides that fail to properly budget for the most
important services, are left wondering why their wedding did go
as planned. The Professional wedding vendors and venues that
advise brides about the importance of their peers
(who they work with) are the ones that truly care about the
outcome of your wedding.

Why A DJ Is Important For Your Corporate Event

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 22:32:00 +0000

If you are an organizer of a corporate party or an event, you can make it memorable by hiring a DJ. A DJ can add more joy and happiness to your event. A corporate event may be organized by a company to launch it's products or it may be a Holiday Party organized by any company for it's staff. If you invite your clients, your friends and even family members to the party, you can make them enjoy the party more simply by hiring a DJ. A DJ can organize your whole event and he can arrange everything for your party.

You can double the entertainment of your guests simply by adding music to your party. If you are an organizer of the event it is very necessary for you that you should cater to the needs of all your guests at the party. DJ's know the purpose of these events and they know what kind of music to be played at such events and what kind of music can make it more enjoyable. A DJ can act on your behalf and take some responsibility to organize your party. A DJ can very well understand the difference between a special event such as wedding and a corporate event. He knows what kind of music to be played at the event and at what time. Naturally the environment at the wedding is different.

A DJ can add more fun to your corporate event by making all people happy and enjoying the party. They have a capability to judge about the mood of different people and play according to that. They know how to arrange all the things such as interactive games and when to play certain types of songs to break the ice. So, next time do not forget to hire a DJ for your corporate event and to make it more memorable.

Can We See You Perform at a Reception?

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:43:00 +0000

Can We See You Perform at a Reception?

A lot of Bridal magazines, books, and even other DJ companies, will tell you, you should go pre-screen & watch a prospective DJ at a reception. If a DJ will invite you to watch him at a wedding reception, he will probably invite people to come and crash your wedding as well.

At a private function like a wedding reception, the last thing you want is strangers poking in and sometimes helping themselves to the food or the bar. This has been known to happen, with DJ’s who actually invite clients to come. It also creates split loyalties for the performer, because now he’s auditioning for you as well as trying to perform for his primary client.

Disc Jockeys that do this professionally will tell you they won’t allow
a client to come to a private function like that, but rather they will
verify their talent and services through feedback surveys, client
references with their e-mail addresses to contact them, or video
footage.

In today’s economy most private venues will not allow outsiders to
peek in on receptions due to the growing number of thieves stealing
gifts. Also because of the facts mentioned above.
Remember every wedding is different, so the reception your viewing
may have a completely different style of wedding you are looking to
have.

Just like a movie or a play, you really can’t get an overall evaluation
of the outcome of a 4 or 5 hour reception, by watching just 10 to 15
minutes of a performance.

10 Ways To Have Fun At Your Wedding Reception

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:40:00 +0000

Your wedding ceremony and reception are not intended to be exercises in expert planning and execution, but celebrations of your new life as a married couple. It's easy to lose sight of the day's meaning in the clutter of so many preparations. Here are a few suggestions that will help you enjoy your wedding reception ...

1. Get a good night's sleep the night before. Try to plan a day of rest by having everything done two days before the wedding, including your rehearsal dinner. Don't stay up late addressing party favors or making place cards the night before your wedding. Recharge your batteries by taking a day to breathe and relax while doing regular activities you enjoy.

2. Don't drink too much (or at all) during the day. If you're going to drink
on your wedding day, wait until you arrive at the hall. Be sure to eat something, too.

3. Wear or bring comfortable shoes. The bride, groom and bridal party should choose great-fitting and low-heeled shoes for the gala affair; or bring a second pair of shoes or slippers that make their feet happy -- especially while dancing.

4. Plan an exit strategy. Ask responsible friends and family members to help
you by assigning them end-of-the-night duties, such as removing decorations, taking gifts to a pre-determined destination and settling up with the hall. Parents and trustworthy friends are often asked to handle the latter.

5. Let people come to you. Don't feel compelled to "hang out" with everyone.
Once you've finished greeting friends and family during the receiving line or
visited with them at their tables, you no longer need to keep them company.
Guests will come to you, particularly while you're on the dance floor.

6. Relax. Don't sweat the small stuff. Hundreds of details have been planned. How and when they are carried out is mostly out of your control. Let go of things that are not in your power to change. When your best-laid plans go awry, keep things in perspective. Remember that this is one moment of many in a day, and one day of your life. Your sense of humor is your second best friend on your wedding day.

7. Trust your DJ. If everyone isn't on the dance floor by the second song, don't
start to panic. You can't rush the party. A great DJ knows how to handle a reluctant crowd and build momentum with the music. Give him some space to do his job, and your patience will be rewarded.

8. Don't compare: Every party is different. Don't compare your wedding reception with others that you have attended. Each party has its own personality based on a variety of factors. Day-to-day events at home, school, work or in the news can all affect the energy level of the room. Allow your reception to take on its own identity and you'll enjoy it more (and so will your guests)!

9. Spend time with your new husband. A couple can spend so much time apart at their reception, working the room with a "divide and conquer" mindset, that they often forget the day is meant for them. Memories of your wedding reception ought to include moments shared with your new spouse that aren't staged by a photographer. Make your togetherness a priority, and you'll save yourself a lifetime of regrets.

10. Dance. Above all, have a great time at your party. Eat, socialize and meet
your spouse on the dance floor. Your fun mood is contagious, and guests will follow your lead.

Carl Lojeski is the owner of City Street’s DJs http://www.citystreetdj.com an award winning Wedding DJ, Entertainment Company located in the Chicago Area.

Kid's Parties

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:16:00 +0000

Providing some sort of entertainment for a kid’s party, no matter the celebration, is an important ingredient in making the event a fun and memorable one. We have all seen kids parties get way too rowdy by not keeping the kids busy or entertained. After all of your planning and preparation it is sometimes overlooked as to what you will do with these children for a few hours. If not planned properly, you may find yourself in a sea of screaming children who are running around wildly, throwing things and creating not only a stressful situation but a potentially harmful one. These children have come to your kid’s party looking for some fun and if not found will create their own. Even if you have games or activities prepared it is still a lot to handle with all else that is going on. One solution is to hire entertainment. There are many entertainment options to consider if you are looking to hire outside entertainment but one that is overlooked frequently is DJ Entertainment.

DJ Entertainment may just be what you need to ensure a successful kids party. Most experienced DJ performers will keep the party moving and keep the kids busy with fun and excitement for the duration of the celebration. Most folks think that a DJ just shows up and plays music but the fact is the best mobile DJ's have years of experience entertaining all ages with not just music but a whole lot of games, contests, prizes and group participation. A really good DJ will make your kids party such a special time that most will not forget it. For the price you might pay for a 1hour entertainer a DJ will be there throughout to Host and Emcee all of the events of the party and provide the music, dancing and activities to keep everyone involved and entertained. It may be just what you are looking for as a mobile DJ can set up and perform in a large hall or even a living room. They are prepared for audiences of all sizes and you just might be surprised at the unique party atmosphere that a skilled DJ is able to create.

There are many great performers who will make your kids party a great one. A DJ entertainer is one that is certainly a good idea to consider. Everyone loves music and dancing and disco lights and special requests and games and of course the Cha-Cha Slide, Macarena, Chicken Dance, Electric Slide...well you get the idea. A DJ is a great choice to provide the entertainment which guarantees that your kid’s party is filled with fun from beginning till end.

If City Street’s DJs can assist you in planning the perfect Kid's Party, please give us a call 312-497-0102..

A wedding DJ is a wedding DJ – not really…

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:55:00 +0000

The first three months of the year are generally the most hectic for newly engaged couples planning a wedding reception. On top of celebrating the recent engagement, the holidays, family items and all things winter, couples have the pleasure of attending numerous bridal events, in hopes of not only meeting, but also selecting the perfect complement of industry professionals that will assist in making their wedding celebration truly outstanding. It can be overwhelming and somewhat confusing at times, as many professionals appear at face value to be doing much of the same thing. Planning a wedding doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time, and most of all patience. Taking the time to attend bridal shows or by doing research online (google is a very powerful tool), will assist you in determining what is best for your wedding day. Being that we are an entertainment firm, we will solely focus on this part of the planning process.

The entertainment you select for your wedding day is one of the most important decisions you will make and there are so many options and things to consider.

Stepping back for a moment and trying to look at it from the couples side of the table…… most couples have never planned a wedding, and most do not fully understand the impact or true benefit of having a seasoned entertainment professional as their event host. If you have never planned a large event or simply haven’t had the time to research the importance of entertainment, you may think a DJ is a DJ, and that is not entirely true. On the surface, all may be playing music, but there is a huge difference from just having a DJ or having a seasoned wedding entertainment expert as your event host. There has been numberous studies on the importance of entertainment and sadly only about 20% of couples put entertainment as a priority item and on the top of their list. It is important to note the 20% figure was provided by couples before the wedding celebration has occured. On the flip side of the coin, after the fact – it has been noted that almost 94% of all brides would put entertainment on the very top of their last if given the opportunity again. Yes – entertainment is that important!

Here’s a challenge, think of a wedding celebration that you have attended as a guest-where the entertainment was incredible or clearly missed the mark, and think of how you felt about the celebration “after the fact“. Was the event “Ok” or “Extraordinary“, where you “Looking at the clock” or “Dancing all night“, was there a “wow” factor, or was it “boring“, was it “personal” or did it seem “generic and staged“, did you “learn something about the family or couple” or was it just “something you have seen before“, was the DJ in the spotlight all night or did they keep the emphasis on the couple and celebration? Keeping all this in mind, if you think of weddings or events you have attended in the past, you will most likely relate the experience in some way to the entertainment. By taking some time and answering some of the above questions, will probably assist in figuring out what you liked or dis-liked about past entertainment experiences and what would be best for your once in a lifetime celebration.

So here is the City Street's DJs secret on how to get: “The music was perfect”, “We danced all night”, “The best wedding ever”…. and more glowing reviews about a perfect celebration……. budget accordingly and do not simply price shop.

Just because a DJ company may be offering a service at a cheaper rate does not mean they are offering a equal product. The services provided by DJ companies are not all equal and should not be looked at like purchasing a product. You can not look at DJ services like you are buying an object such as sneakers from Foot Locker or Athletes Foot, because the products that are manufactured – it doesn’t matter who you buy it from because they are exactly the same. Services provided by DJ companies on the other hand are very different and each will vary depending on who you are talking to and what they are offering.

Professionalism, Event Planning Assistance, Experience, Expertise, Equipment Quality, Music Content, Talent, Celebration Enhancements, Full time Professional vs. Part time hobbyist, and simply economics 101 – Supply and demand, are all factors when professionals determine their price points.

It is very easy for your entertainment services fees to rise in price if you elect to incorporate event enhancements such as: live performers, lightscaping, photo booths, multi-media production, etc.

When comparing services from different entities, be sure to take the time to really think about the celebration that you are planning, the look you desire, your styles, the vibe you will create, how you want your guests to feel when they leave your celebration, and of course what you are getting for your money. Price does matter when selecting entertainment professionals for your once in a lifetime celebration. Everyone is different, everyone does not offer the same product or service.

City Street’s DJs prides itself on the delivering the following items to each and every client: experience, expertise, stress-free event management, technology services to assist in the process, unparalleled attention to detail, a form of indirect event insurance, entertainment excellence, professional presentation, direct entertainment representative customer service, complete event personalization and industry recognized professional talent. City Street’s DJs will use a unique and contemporary approach to ensuring your day will be everything and more you have ever envisioned. We will ensure the entertainment reflects you as a couple, and will be to the very best of our ability.

If City Street’s DJs can assist you in planning the perfect wedding celebration, please give us a call 312-497-0102..

Just Music...DJs are much than that

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:23:00 +0000

When a bride and groom are looking for wedding music, they are missing 80% of the picture. DJs are so much more than just music! If you were to hire a carpenter, would you be looking for tools, or a master craftsman? You don’t hire the tools, you hire the professional. No different with a DJ. Are you looking for music? That can be created by any device, but a true MASTER of Ceremony is what you should seek when looking for wedding entertainment. Here’s what to look for……..

Look for someone who will properly facilitate and manage your
precious reception and make a smooth flow to the event.

Look for someone who will direct the wedding and work cohesively
with the other wedding professionals.

Look for someone who is organized and experienced. This give you
piece of mind.

Look for someone who has a real, viable back up plan in case
of emergency. Back up equipment, and/or music collection.

Look for someone who will work with you, get to know you,
and respect that fact that this is your day.

Look for reputation and references. The market is flooded with
amateurs and start up DJ companies.

Raise your expectations and demand more out of your wedding entertainment

Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2010.

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:25:00 +0000

Chicago IL, January 19th, 2010- WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Carl Lojeski from City Street’s DJs} has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Wedding Professionals!

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

City Street’s DJs is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

How Much Music Should A DJ Carry?

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:29:00 +0000

A very common question when we're hired as City Street’s DJs or wedding entertainers, is how many songs are in our library and can we see a playlist?

There are a few answers to those questions and a lot of different DJ companies will give you different responses. Here's the real truth behind what you need to know as a wedding couple selecting your wedding DJ for the first time.

There are literally millions of songs. Some DJ companies will use it as a promotional tool that they have over 400,000 songs at their disposal for your event. Wow! That's a lot.

Others, won't bring it up because many of the DJ's out there are still working off of CD's or vinyl and it would take loads and loads of equipment to carry that many songs on formats other than Mp3 or Mp4.

Here at City Street’s DJs, many of our libraries are thousands and thousands of titles deep. That's all well and good as long as we have the right music. Hundreds of thousands of songs won't do you a lot of good, if the three favorite songs you as a client want are not a part of that group.

A typical wedding reception dance lasts about four hours. Sure, between dinner and cocktails, speeches and other traditions, our Edmonton DJ's are there much longer than four hours, but from the start of the first dance to the end of most nights, a four dance gets you around 75-100 songs depending on how much your DJ mixes tracks together.

75 songs is a lot less than a few hundred thousand to say the least. What becomes critical, is that of those 75 songs, the wedding or corporate DJ you hire makes the most out of the song choices for your guests. If you hire a club DJ and you have a guest list that embodies mostly ages 40 and up, Top 40 and Techno, likely won't work as well as oldies and classic party tunes.

Which would you rather? The DJ with a million choices or the DJ with the right music for your event?

The catch here is not that you pick a DJ with 1,000 songs. Likely, with that small a selection, they won't be able to sufficiently accept requests. That said, if your DJ carries 5,000-10,000 of the right tracks and knows his stuff, it is very likely that your guests won't spring up anything the DJ can't handle.

For us, all DJ's carry in the neighbourhood of 20,000 plus songs that will cover a variety of genres from oldies, country, Top 40, rock, swing, latin, jive, easy listening, romantic, disco. dance, and more.

So too, City Street’s DJs provides (as all good area DJ companies should) a reception form that prior to your event, will allow you to specify any song requests, do play and do not play lists relevant for your big day. While requests are great and we do take them, we try to get as much feedback from our clients before the event as possible.

So a few things to remember:

More is not always better. The right songs make the difference

Your DJ Service should have enough songs to fit a variety of requests

Your DJ Service should work with you prior to your event
to find the right variety of music you'll want to hear.

Your wedding DJ should make sure that just because he has a song,
doesn't mean that the song will work for your group.

Pump up your holiday party, hire a Professional DJ!

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:41:00 +0000

One of the best things about the Holiday Season is a Holiday party. City Street's DJs are professionals at corporate holiday parties, holiday office parties and any time you have a chance to get together with your co-workers. Celebrate and have some fun outside the normal office setting with a true Holiday Party DJ. Pick your music. We can simply provide background music or we can MC your event and the keep the dance floor moving and the cheer flowing.

No other vendor you hire for your Holiday Party can offer so many disciplines and skills to help insure the success of your Holiday Party. The responsibility of your Entertainer is more than you think and he can do more than just play music. You and your guests will remember the good time you have more than any other part of this special day. The Music and Entertainment will make this happen!

Make sure your Holiday Party is one to remember! Book City Street's DJs today.

How To Get Your Guests Up To Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:06:00 +0000

1) Get Them Comfortable: When first arriving at a wedding reception some guests tend to be complacent and reserved with new faces A challenge you’ll want to quickly address is getting them comfortable with each other and their surroundings. A great way break to break the ice is to provide a fun and interactive game during cocktail hour and/or dinner. Simple games like the Mirror Kiss, Scavenger Hunts, or even Put-for-a-kiss works great. For some great ideas check out TheKnot.com or even Google reception games. There are tons of great resources out there.

2) Get Them Moving: During dinner guests often slow down due to the decrease in physical activity and from the consumption of food and liquor. This slow down in physical activity creates a shutdown in their adrenaline. As you probably guessed it, this is not something you want right before you open your dance floor. During desert you’ll want to be sure to increase your guests movement to increase their endorphins and to promote a sense of ease.

One of the greatest things about it being your wedding day is you’re the boss! You can boss your bridal party around a little bit. So tell the bridal party that part of their job is to dance, and to ask other people to dance. After 10 years of DJing, I’ve noticed that guests are more apt to dance when there are already people dancing. So make it part of your plan to be on the dance floor at least 40% of the evening with your dance floor. This is tried and proven. It will work!

3) Create An Atmosphere: After dinner you may want to try a karaoke sing-a-long to get the spirit going. Audience participation, where your guests function as a unit, rather than as individuals, builds confidence and relieves their some of their inhibitions. The wedding event will flow smoothly when everybody’s at ease and you don’t have to pump them full of liquor to get there

A simple technique to raise the energy level is a song that everybody knows with a fun activity tossed in. “That’s Amore” or “Sweet Caroline” are fun songs that everyone knows and can help reflects the romance of the evening. Set to music, your emcee might suggest that your guests raise their dinner napkins over their heads and sway to the beat of the tune as they sing along. Once the crowd gets their endorphins pumped, you’re ready to introduce the first dance for the bride and groom.

4) Play the Music They Like: Variety in music is key when it comes to a successful wedding reception. What appeals to your high school friends will not be exactly the same as your work colleagues. Try to have your DJ mix things up and play a little of each. If your DJ does things right your guests who come up for The Bee Gees will stick around for Justin Timberlake. A great way to feel your crowd out before the reception is to have them request a song for dancing on their reply cards. This not only gets your guests involved but it also ensures the wedding music appeals to their specific tastes.

5) Don’t Forget The Older Guests: Be sure to take care of your older guests. Sure you want your friends to have a good time, but don’t forget about the older folks. They should be equally involved in the fun throughout the evening. Older guests generally are the first to leave so be sure to cater the music towards them during the first hour of open dancing. You’d be surprised at how many great songs came the 40s, 50s and 60s. Be sure to play some songs like by. Some great suggestions would be The Supremes, Jerry Lee Lewis, and of course Elvis Presley!

Help Your Guests Have Fun At Your Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:34:00 +0000

Many brides opt to hire or create a form of entertainment for their guests to enjoy at a wedding reception. In order to completely greet every guest, the bride and groom can often only spend a few moments with each friend or family member at a wedding, so entertainment can help keep guests in a celebratory and relaxed mood all day (or evening) long.

Here are just a few of the many entertainment ideas you can incorporate into your wedding!

DJs
A DJ plays a variety of music to which guests can both listen and dance. DJs can play a wide range of different musical genres, including pop, swing, rap, classic rock, and more, making them an excellent choice for a reception that includes many different age groups and musical tastes.

The traditional advantage of a DJ is that popular contemporary music can be played without having to tune a radio, change any CDs, or push buttons on an iPod—the guests and the newlyweds can enjoy music without having to think about the actual set-up and operation of sound equipment.

DJs are also helpful in that they know how to get people up and dancing; if you want the dance floor to be packed and you’re concerned about getting everyone on their feet, a DJ can help by playing fun, catchy music that is easy to dance to. Some DJs even take requests or allow the bride and groom to create a list of “do not play” songs—songs that they hate or that they think are overdone at weddings.

How to Choose Just the Right Disc Jockey for your Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:31:00 +0000

Choosing a DJ for your function is one of the most important decisions you can make to ensure the success of your event. Everything else can be perfect, but if the music isn't good, the party will fizzle. There are over 15,000 DJs in America -- all promising they will do a great job for you. So how do you pick the right one for you? This article will provide some guidance to help you make the decision easier.

With so many DJs around, how do you tell which one is best? Probably the worst way to choose a DJ is on price alone. Some DJs are more expensive than others. Prices can range from $500 to $2,000 and more for a four-hour event. That's quite a difference, and it would be very tempting to choose the cheapest alternative. If that's all you can afford, then you have no choice. But, consider the law of supply and demand. There is a reason some DJs charge more money than others. They are usually worth it. More expensive DJs tend to be the more experienced DJs. Generally the DJs on the low end of the price scale are new to the business, and trying to get established. There is probably more risk entrusting your reception to a less experienced DJ.

As you speak with DJs, pay attention to their professionalism over the phone. It tends to spill over into their DJ style. The most important thing to ask about is their experience with your type of event. Because you are planning your wedding, it would be normal to expect your DJ to have performed at many weddings. A number in the hundreds is actually common for a DJ who is well established. DJs with less experience might also do a good job. And they'll usually cost less. If you talk to one who sounds interesting, ask them for references. Get four or five names and phone numbers of people who have recently hired them. Call these references and ask about the DJs performance. Any DJ can easily give you two or three names. Always ask the DJ about their policy on requests. The best DJs will take requests from the audience and work them into their routine. However, do not expect the DJ to play every request. Many request are simply inappropriate for the mood of the event. A good DJ is not a jukebox. He will blend requests with songs he feels will properly motivate the crowd. The practice of good DJing requires good timing, and this takes experience. Forcing a DJ to ignore his or her instincts by making them play every request will result in an "uneven" (and less fun) party. On the other hand, the DJ should try to play as many of your audience's requests as possible. Try to get a feel for their philosophy of requests as you interview them. It is also appropriate to give a DJ a list of 10 or 15 songs you "must have".

Many DJs boast about the number of songs they have. While variety is great, the fact is that they will only be able to play about 60 or 70 songs in a four-hour show. Having the right 60 songs is a lot more important than having 20,000 songs your crowd doesn't what to hear. After you tell the DJ what type of party you are having and who the audience will be, ask them what type of music they would suggest.

Many DJs also boast about having great equipment. Unless you are familiar with professional audio gear, you probably won't know the difference between which brands are great and which are budget. However your DJ should at least have professional grade equipment. If they list brand names you are familiar with at the local electronics retailer, that may be cause for further questioning. Home stereo equipment is not designed to stand up under 4 or 5 hours of high volume use. It can easily fail in the middle of your party. For example, typical professional DJ power amplifiers usually have 200 to 400 watts per channel.

With a few of these points in mind, you're sure to find a DJ who makes your wedding a big hit.

Dance Down the Aisle

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:22:00 +0000

Want to spice up your ceremony and add a little bit of grove to it? Take a page out of this couple's book. They had their entire wedding party all dance down the aisle to "Forever" by Chris Brown.

Adding something personal and fun to your ceremony can make it such a memorable event for you and your guests. Our favorite parts are hands down the first two bridesmaids who are perfectly in sync, when the groom comes out for the first time, and the Matrix-esque slow-motion dance movements at the altar.

Have you ever thought about adding something extra to your ceremony? Honoring the pomp and circumstance, but also bringing in a little bit of fun?

All we can say is that suddenly the entire OurWeddingDay.com team is now debating starting some sort of group dance with perfect choreography a là teen movies of the 1990's in which everyone seems to strangely break out into a dance number. Now that would be something to film!

The Truth about iPod Weddings

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:06:00 +0000

"What you need to know BEFORE you choose an ipod for your event."

As is often the case in society, some things or ideas become trendy with little thought to practical implementation. A few years ago, it was the idea of a "sponsored wedding" that somehow everyone would want to donate their services to you in the hopes of getting business from others. Sounds like a good idea, but never really took off because all the vendors realized that a sponsored wedding only generated more requests for sponsored weddings, not more business for them. So people that overspent on some items counting on the reception being paid for by others soon were in trouble as their budget was gone and they were still missing major parts of their event program.

Today, the trendy topic is DIY receptions by using an ipod and a rented sound system instead of a professional wedding entertainer, the DJ. This idea is fraught with peril, because a great event is more than simply gear and music. It is the talent that a qualified professional brings to the event that matters most. It is what allows for a smooth flow to the event, with no embarrassing surprises. A Professional DJ from the ADJA provides you with confidence that your event will flow smoothly and will be an event that you, your family and guests will never forget, instead of one they would like to.

In order to show you, the consumer the effects of using an ipod, we decided to let video tell the story. What you are about to see is real. It is video from an actual wedding where they chose to use an ipod. The video is untouched other than to insert some dialogue slides from time to time. We hope that by it you will clearly see what happens when you gamble your event success on an ipod.

4 Issues To Consider When Hiring A Wedding DJ

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:54:00 +0000

Do you want your guests to remember your wedding for years? In fact, all brides and groom will certainly answer YES to this end. Every couple want to make their big day memorable for both themselves and their guests. Of course there are a lot of things you will need to do in order to do so. You will need to search for the most elegant wedding invitations at the very beginning. You will also try your bests to create the most unique and perfect wedding favors. All these will help to make your event more memorable. Yet, one of the issue you should never miss is the entertainment in the reception. They will certainly make your big day very memorable if you can plan it well.
In fact, there are a lot of options when you are planning for the entertainment in your reception. One of the options will be preparing for a magic show. You will have to hire a magician in this case. On the other hand, there are also couples who will go for the idea of hiring a singer. This is certainly an excellent idea. A lot of brides and grooms will consider hiring a wedding DJ if they would like to play some songs and have every guest stand up and dance. In this case, it will be extremely important for you to choose a good DJ.

1. First of all, you need to understand that it can be difficult for you to choose a good wedding DJ. It is a time consuming task at the end of the day. You will have to first of all think about the experiences of the disc jockey. You will only work with a disc jockey who has a lot of experiences on playing in a wedding reception. This will help to make sure that the DJ will know all the etiquettes. You should never hire someone who have little experience on playing in a reception.

2. It is essential to discuss with the disc jockey what kinds of equipments he or she will be using during your reception. You will need to know if there will be any extra charges when some special equipments are needed. This can be very important since you do not want to break the bank. Of course you will also need to discuss with the staff in the reception hall so that you will know about the sound equipments you will be provided by the hall.

3. You will probably be dealing with a DJ company. You will need to know exactly who will be playing in your reception. Be sure to meet him or her in person. You will be discussing with the disc jockey your needs. If there are some songs you do not want the DJ to play. You will need to tell him or her beforehand.

4. One last point here is that, you will need to ask clearly about all the fees and charges. As discussed, you may need to pay extra if some special equipments are needed. This will also be true if your event overruns. As a result, it will be a good idea for you to ask about all the possible extra charges so that you can have an idea about the expenses!

Wedding Songs: Reception Entrance Songs for You and Your Bridal Party

noreply@blogger.com (Carl Lojeski) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:14:00 +0000

Wedding Songs: Reception Entrance Songs for You and Your Bridal Party

The right song will instantly put you and your guests into serious celebratory mode. Here are 20 wedding song ideas perfect for your grand reception entrance.

Reception Entrance Songs for the Bride and Groom

1. "Everlasting Love" by Carl Carlton
2. "Beautiful Day" by U2
3. "This Will Be (an Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole
4. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)" by Stevie Wonder
5. "You're the First, My Last, My Everything" by Barry White
6. "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce
7. "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & the Waves
8. "I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown
9. "Let It Rock" by Kevin Rudolf
10. "So Right" by Dave Matthews Band

Reception Entrance Songs for the Bridal Party

11. "I Got a Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas
12. "Forever" by Chris Brown
13. "The Way I Are" by Timbaland
14. "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" from the Kill Bill soundtrack
15. "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson
16. "Bring Em Out" by T.I.
17. "Sing, Sing, Sing" by Benny Goodman
18. "Let's Have a Natural Ball" by Albert King
19. "Sirius" by The Alan Parsons Project
20. "Get up Offa That Thing" by James Brown