Hospitality in New Hampshire from a DJ’s Perspective

New Hampshire provides a perfect setting for weddings, parties, and proms. It is a state with incredible scenery so it’s no surprise that many hotels have taken advantage of its natural beauty. Several hotels have the distinction of a rich history as places for city-dwellers to spend the summer in the countryside, such as the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods and the Mountain Grand Resort and Spa in Whitefield, NH. I am based out of Wolfeboro, NH, which has the honor of being “the oldest summer resort in America.” Each season brings its own possibilities and opportunities for events. From the spectacular foliage of the fall to the warm buds of flowers in the spring, it can offer a wide range of settings from outdoor parties to romantic getaways.

As a DJ in New Hampshire I have experienced working in many settings and finding the right location for your event is a must. Depending on your event and your guests, it will be crucial to find a space that allows for your dreams to come alive. As a DJ I always appreciate the ways hotels provide space that allows for excellent acoustics and discrete places to power lights and equipment. Also, the little details that hotels are able to provide at an event can really enrich the experience. For example, at my own wedding at the Eagle Mountain House in Jackson, New Hampshire, the color of the linens, the cocktails on the front porch, the accommodations available for my family and the excellent view for wedding photography sealed the deal for our choice to hire their wedding planner. Also, I loved that we could move from our meal into a separate space for our wedding party. At the time my wife wanted to hire live music and I agreed. We spent a long time finding a band that could play the music we wanted and paid about $2,500 for this band to travel to our wedding venue. Unfortunately between arriving late and then needing to set up, the flow of our wedding didn’t go as planned. While our wedding was incredible and we loved our experience celebrating our day, I think if we could do it over again we’d hire a DJ. The live music was awesome, but having a wide range of music could have given more life to the party and gotten more of our guests, both young and old, dancing.

While I have experienced several venues around Wolfeboro, I think some of my favorites are The Wolfeboro Inn and The Old Church. These are fantastic places to plan events. While I only provide music and entertainment, I can say that my work with these two places have been fantastic.

The Wolfeboro Inn- located on Main Street in Wolfeboro, it is an elegant hotel that captures all that the town of Wolfeboro has to offer. The Wolfeboro Inn is located on Lake Winnipesaukee and has a property with access to the Lake and is within walking distance of the Downtown. It is an ideal place to stay if you want to experience the lake life in Wolfeboro in the comforts of a well-established hotel. The Wolfeboro Inn is also the owner of theWinnie Bell boat, which host cruises in the summer around Lake Winnipesaukee.

As a DJ in Wolfeboro, I have had the opportunity to play at the Wolfeboro Inn and on the Winnie Bell. Both these venues are marvelous to perform in as a DJ. The Wolfeboro Inn is well versed in accommodating formal and casual events of any size. The ballroom downstairs is quite large can provide a great space for setting up both lighting and a DJ Booth that can fit the style of your event. For formal events it is the perfect place for up lighting as the room will take on the color for a beautiful effect. The room also provides a great space for sound that is crisp and clear and can be heard throughout the room. Upstairs in the 1812 room, there is a space for intimate events such as small private parties or weddings. The bar is a fantastic place for casual events such as parties. In this space there is a smaller dance floor. While it is a suitable location for music, it is also a place for conversations and dancing.

The Winnie Bell is another great place to hear music. Being on a boat makes it a fun experience and it has its own distinct atmosphere and feeling. You can spend time outside enjoying drinks, conversations, dancing and good music. The boat rides last for a couple hours and is usually high energy and fun. These boat rides are packed with people who came on the Winnie Bell to experience the Lake while they dance. Being a DJ on the Winnie Bell during the summer has always been an enjoyable experience and both visitors and locals alike participate in the events. The Winnie Bell is a must if you are visiting Wolfeboro New Hampshire for the first time during the summer.

Behind the Mixer: Being a Wedding DJ

If you were do ask someone, “What is the job of a wedding DJ?” most people would respond that it is to entertain guests. While this is correct, there is much more to being a wedding DJ. A wedding DJ’s biggest job is to implement the vision of the wedding couple by creating a fun dance mix that brings all the guests to their feet and makes the celebration memorable. Planning a wedding can be a stressful experience, so having the right DJ can make couples feel assured that their special day will be perfect. The initial meeting is crucial for hiring a DJ who can add the personal touches to your day that will make it meaningful to you. The emotions for a wedding couple can range from eager anticipation to feeling completely overwhelmed. Usually it is helpful to think through how you want your wedding day to feel like. What is the theme of your wedding? How can the music support this theme and get your guests feeling comfortable? As a professional and experienced wedding DJ, it is my job to guide you through the process of selecting music. Remember that hiring a DJ means that there will be a mixture of planned songs and spontaneity; you will need someone who can play the songs you love, while also making sure to respond to the needs of your guests. If you’re not sure what music you would like, it’s often helpful to look through the popular wedding music lists provided by your DJ to give you some ideas. Remember a good DJ is there to focus on bringing your dreams for your wedding to life in the music!

Preparation and Communication: Constant preparation and communication is a key ingredient to ensuring you get exactly what you are looking for from your wedding DJ. You should schedule at least one meeting, preferably in person or via online or phone communication, before your wedding. Before you meet with your DJ, discuss with your fiancé the styles of music you would like to include or if there are any songs you want on the Do Not Play list. After the first meeting, most communication will be done via e-mail or phone conversations,however if you have additional ideas or major changes to your wedding playlist you may want to schedule a second meeting. You should expect communication with your DJ on a regular basis until your event. Remember you are the stars of your day and DJs are the musical directors.

Providing a lasting memory: A DJ’s goal for every wedding is for audience members to say, “that was a spectacular wedding!” All DJ who play at weddings,proms, and parties should aim for creating a memorable experience. Each event you play should be different and the music should reflect this. It’s crucial for each member of your event to appreciate the experience of being there and to create fond memories. An experienced DJ can really make your event one that stands out.

Adaptation and Spontaneity: These are two of the most important skills that a DJ should possess. As a DJ planning for a set can take hours, however, sometimes you might plan for a set and the mood and tone of the event is total different from what you originally presumed. This is when your daily practice and years of experience will come in. In situations like these you always have to go with the flow and observe the mood of the crowd. Some DJ’s feel the need like they need to take center stage; these DJs will play music just because they spent hours planning the layout of the music, but ignore the needs of the crowd. As a DJ it’s important to think about the making the experience take center stage and put personal preferences aside. All DJs should realize that there are times when you will need to make adjustments to your set in response to your audience’s preferences. The point of performing at an event is not to hear yourself play, but to entertain and satisfy the needs of your audience.

End on a Positive Note: Always stay positive and professional. The DJ is providing a service and it is important to recognize that each DJ must do his or her best to satisfy their customers. Read carefully through the contract and make sure you understand the responsibilities of hiring a DJ. It’s best to clearly outline circumstances ahead of time as well as the timeline for payment. Setting clear expectations and goals for your event can make everyone’s experience better!

BLOGGER:DJ SHAMAR

Good Friends are Like Family.

Everyone knows that music can make or break a wedding or prom, and that a good DJ makes all the difference in the world. But what about for something a little outside the box, like a family gathering or a fundraiser?

A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a fundraiser for a good friend’s sister. She had been diagnosed with late stage cancer, but according to my friend, she was in good spirits but just needed some financial support to get through the days. I watched as our little town pulled together to donate food, drinks, desserts, silent auction items, even the adorable rustic barn space where the party was held was donated. DJ Shamar was on hand to provide music for the evening – also donated.

It was an event that celebrated life, love, friendship, and family, and though it could have taken on a very dark mood given the prognosis of her illness, my friend’s sister shone like a beacon at that party. One could see her spirits lift through the hugs of friends and family, and even from those who had only just met her that evening. The silent auction, donations at the door, and an online campaign yielded just over $5000, and we were able to provide, in that short evening, a way to lift the financial burden that had weighed heavily on her heart.

My friend’s sister, herself incredibly caring and generous, was able to enjoy a carefree, wonderful evening in a beautiful atmosphere only made better with the right combination of music, food, friends and family.

BLOGGER: ML

How To be a Good Wedding Guest

We all have that one friend we hesitate to put on the guest list. The one that you loved to dare to dance on tables, the one that you had to drag out of the bar before he got sick, the one who spun old ladies on the dance floor only to drop them.Secretly, we hope we never have “that guy” as a guest at our wedding.

Here are a few pieces of advice from experienced wedding guests:

1. Good wedding guests don’t grab the mic during the maid of honor’s speech. I don’t care how good your Lionel Richie impression is and “how much the groom would want me to do this right now,” do not do this.

2. Good wedding guests keep the dance floor going. There is a reason your friends getting hitched hired a good DJ. Bring out your shopping cart, sprinkler, and YMCA human lettering.

3. Good wedding guests do great things in the photo booth you’ve hired. Some of the best wedding photos come from people getting together to take great pictures in the photo booth. And the photographer knows well enough to edit out the ones of Uncle Carl lifting up his shirt to show his belly button ring.

4. Good wedding guests take pictures of the bride and groom that the photographer might miss. Stealing kisses in the hallway before being introduced, quiet moments together at dinner – some of the best wedding photos have come from friends who have caught the bride and groom while the photographer was on break.

5. Good wedding guests don’t ask to bring more guests. This is a major sticking point. If your invitation doesn’t indicate a plus one, or doesn’t include your daughter’s best friend, don’t invite him/her along. That’s just inconsiderate.

6. Good wedding guests make sure the bride and groom eat. When we got married, we were so busy talking, socializing, dancing, or taking pictures, we forgot to eat! I’ll never forget how grateful I felt when my girlfriends handed over a plate stacked with all the apps from cocktail hour – we’d missed all that food taking pictures!

7. Good wedding guests bite their tongues. Even if you don’t like the dude your girlfriend is marrying, do not pick their wedding day to let them know. This also relates to #1.

8. Good wedding guests go with the flow. Seated at a table with strangers? No problem. Only single person invited to the wedding? Go with it. DJ not feelin’ the crowd? Help the dude out and request a song you know will get the party poppin’. You can help improve your own situation in the face of wedding “adversity.”In short, don’t be “that guy” we can’t put on our invite list. Be the guy everyone wants at their wedding! There’ll be more parties and great food in your future!

BLOGGER:ML

What Makes a Great DJ

What Makes a Great Wedding DJ

One Wedding Guest’s Opinion

I’ve been to my fair share of weddings. I recall one summer in particular when we had a wedding every weekend from July to September. That happened to be the year my then-fiance and I spent planning our own celebration, so we paid particularly close attention to detail in conducting our own “research.”

While I had thought all along that a band was the way to go, he was adamant that a DJ would be the key to getting the party going. The price tag was much kinder than the live bands, and because our guest list was growing and our budget was shrinking by the day, we decided to do some research on DJs. After careful field research and considering many possibilities, I have to concede that we made the absolute best choice, and our DJ made our wedding something our family and friends still talk about, almost ten years later!

Here is one wedding guest’s opinion on what makes a great DJ:

1)    Flexibility. A great DJ needs to be able to read the crowd and keep the dance floor going. A given, you might think, but it’s not an easy task and some DJs do not do this well. I highly recommend going to see your prospective DJs in action, at another gig or wedding if possible. That’s where you’re going to get the best sense of how your party is going to go.

2)    A good listener. Good DJs honor requests on the fly, great DJs anticipate requests by reading the room, and paying close attention to the requests of the bride and groom before the event. I knew I didn’t want my father-in-law near the microphone at any point during the party. Our DJ knew he was not allowed to play my father-in-law’s signature song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” and I knew I didn’t want my guests doing the Chicken Dance. Great DJs take the time to listen to your needs, and know when to throw on another 80’s classic and keep the party rocking.

3)    Selflessness. A great DJ knows that the party is not about him, and never will be. I can’t tell you how many weddings I went to where the DJ grabbed the mic and tried to take over the party and make it about him. No thanks. A great DJ pays attention to what works and what doesn’t for you, because your happiness is important.

4)    Enthusiasm. Generally, guests get turned off when DJs are rude, inconsiderate of their requests, and have an attitude. This goes without saying that the best DJs are the ones who have the most love for what they do.

A DJ can make or break your party. Make sure you spend the time to find the right one that works for you!

5)    Attire and presentation. DJs with light-up vests, cardboard cutouts of themselves, or seizure-inducing light presentations should probably be avoided. They may be rare, but they do exist.

Blogger: ML

Halloween At The Kingswood Golf Club-#Wolfeboro

The Wolfeboro Nursery School held their yearly Halloween dance party at the Kingswood Golf Club. The many costumes at this party were phenomenal and fun. From the Egyptian couple to the Gorilla and Banana couple to the princess in the white dress. All these costumes were realistic and well- done.

The party started with warm-up tunes from Flume and Chet Faker. It did not take long for us to start high-intensity dancing. This crowd was fun to DJ for they loved to dance and loved to have fun. They are a positive bunch who dances the night away. Some of the dance moves on the dance floor were nothing but awesome. People requested the songs that they loved and then got in the middle of the dance floor and danced to their requested songs. People were moved by the music and they showed it by being on the dance floor all night.

The most requested and biggest song of the night was Macklemore's Downtown. Nearly the entire party was on the dance floor when this song was played. Everyone knew the words and everyone knew the dance moves. People absolutely went crazy when this song went on. This song was such a big hit that I played it twice and the party was fired up both times. 

All in all this Halloween party was dynamic and the costumes and people's positive attitude were my favorite part of the night. It is always nice to do parties with awesome people, who loves to party and loves to dance.

DJ Shamar L.L.C-Blogger