Get
Up and Dance
Choosing the right entertainment company for your
Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration.
by Keith Schroder
PARENTGUIDE News January 2004
Selecting the right DJ Entertainment for your
son or daughter’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah is
a task that should not be taken lightly. Ask any
parent who has recently had their son or daughter’s
Bar or Bat Mitzvah and they will tell you that
the entertainment plays a critical part in the
success of this kind of celebration. Often times
the first service that is reserved is the entertainment.
Entertaining a crowd of people that has a significant
portion of 13 year olds, 30 somethings and older
adults, demands a certain level of expertise.
If all of these groups had the same tastes in
music, then entertaining this kind of crowd would
be simple. However, this is not usually the case.
Therefore, the first thing to look for is an entertainment
company that specializes in Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
While the specific tastes in music may vary amongst
the different age groups, there are interactive
dances that both can enjoy together. This is where
your MC (master of ceremonies) comes in. A seasoned
MC can have a crowd of adults and kids out on
the floor together having the time of their lives
almost instantly.
Aside from handling the candle lighting ceremony,
the grand entrance and various introductions,
your MC is a source of motivation and energy for
your party; a physical and verbal presence on
the dance floor to lead your guests through interactive
dances and games. Your son or daughter is the
star of the show and the MC’s job is to
be right there making sure everyone is having
fun while paying the right amount of recognition
to the guest of honor at whatever level the Bar
or Bat Mitzvah feels comfortable.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah MCs come in all shapes, sizes,
personalities and experience. Be sure and sit
down with any potential MCs you are considering
and see how your personalities fit. This will
be very important when your party date arrives,
as a large portion of the success of your celebration
is resting on his/her shoulders.
Be sure and ask questions about anything that
is on your mind. A seasoned MC will have the answers
to your questions and will be able to set you
at ease about your specific concerns.
If the DJ company you are considering does not
offer a dedicated MC for your event, you may want
to keep searching. There is a lot for the MC to
keep track of to make sure things run smoothly
(making sure the photographer and videographer
are ready before an important moment, shutting
down any side entertainment before a candle lighting,
being by your son or daughter’s side during
the candle lighting, to name a few). A separate
DJ should be playing the CDs.
Another thing that can help engage the kids and
the adults together is the use of motivational
dancers. They are available through most DJ companies
who specialize in Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Their high
energy style and dance expertise is appealing
to all ages. During the follow-along dances, they
are there to instruct and motivate right along
side the MC. This should be done in a tasteful
manner.
Colorful lighting and special effects are available
from many DJ companies. They add to the energy
of the room and can transform an elegant dining
room into a trendy night club environment in a
moments notice.
Some DJ companies offer dance stages that can
help to spotlight the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. While
on stage he/she will be raised above the crowd
for all to see. Even the grandparents in the rear
of the room will be able to see the guest of honor.
How do you know if the DJ company you are considering
does all (or any) of this in a way that is a proper
reflection of you and your family? Through the
use of video. Most reputable Bar/Bat Mitzvah Entertainment
companies will have video footage of their entertainers
in action. By watching a videotape you can see
their style, appearance and how they make the
day special for that guest of honor. After sitting
down with an MC and watching his/her video, you
can get a pretty good idea of whether of not you
are a match.
Also visiting the Web sites of all potential companies
you are considering is a good start. You can often
times view party pictures, read past client testimonials
and even download video footage all from the comfort
of your home computer.
The earlier you start the process, the better.
It is common for some of the more popular companies
to book two years in advance or more. When you
have narrowed your search, call to set up appointments
to meet in person and you will feel confident
that you are on your way to selecting the right
DJ entertainment.
Keith
Schroder is a respected Bar/Bat Mitzvah entertainment
DJ in Atlanta. You can find out more about Keith
and his company, Horizon Entertainment, at www.horizondj.com.
