Here is a video clip of the fireworks provided by Young Explosives Corp. from the Rochester area.  Nature provided some fireworks as well which my assistant Adam was able to capture on this video.

I had a wedding scheduled for July 4th, but unfortunately cancel a month or two ago.  I'm disappointed but I will enjoy the day off with my family.

July 5th has me at Heron Hill Winery again for Ed and Katies wedding.  They are having a string quartet for their ceremony and cocktail hour and I'll pick things up from there with their grand entrance and introductions into dinner and on through the reset of their evening.  I met with them on Monday to go over the final details and met them and their beautiful Rottweiler.  We became fast friends and she was enjoying the country life.

Jason is off Saturday, and I'm off on Sunday so we're looking forward to a mellow weekend and recouperating from a very busy and fun June.  I've had a chance to view some of the picutres from Missy and Rons wedding at Esperanza on June 15th.  They used Tom Mike as their photographer and in addition to being a really great photographer he is a really nice and fun guy to work with.  They also used my favorite Videographer Dave Carro so hopefully I'll be able to provide some video footage from the event as well.

To view pictures of Missy & Ron's wedding please visit Tom's website. 

It's a question I'm asked often, it's a question that brides are encouraged to ask by just about every wedding website or publication out there in the great big world of wedding planning.  The 64 thousand dollar question you ask?  Can we come watch you perform at a wedding?

This question is about as current and appropriate as powder blue tuxedos, high hair, and weddings recorded on VHS.  As outdated as this question is, it is asked often and to just about every DJ and MC service that I know and have talked with.

The question is outdated and inappropriate for two reasons.  We now live in an era where everyone is a star, has a website, youtube, myspace, facbook, or personal wedding or information page.  With individuals being able to share personal information about themselves and thier lives the same has occurred in the business world, in particular the wedding industry.  Top notch photographers, videographers, venues, florists, and bakers have embraced the digital age and many have websites, and the elite and quality services are sure to boast an informative and entertaining website.

The same applies to the DJ, Music and Entertainment industry.  Many companies, including Fingerlakes Entertainment have made the jump in the past few years to digital and we have our entire comprehensive music, video, and karaoke libraries on site at every event that we perform.  Websites have become a necessity and even a benchmark of qauality DJ Services in the Finger Lakes Area and across the country.  With numerous wedding forums, websites and message boards available to brides, grooms, and others helping them plan you can get a great idea and do research on most DJs even before you email or call them. 

The question is outdated because customers can receive information about the DJ service without visiting and seeing the DJ Perform live.  We recommend to clients asking to see us perform visit our website, view our blog and view the pictures and videos from events that we have performed at in the recent past.  This is so much better than seeing 5-20 minutes of someone in person for a number of reasons.  First, you can do it from the comfort of wherever you are.  It is pretty inconvenient (not to mention gas is over $4 a gallon and you have to drive to the venue) to make arrangements and have to drive across town or farther on a weekend evening to get a short glimse of a wedding dj. 

In addition to convenience there is the "wedding crasher" factor.  Recently I had a prospective client email and see if she and her fiance could come watch me perform at an upcoming wedding if I was going to be close to their home.  I politely responded with our policy of not inviting clients to other peoples weddings and explained why.  Her response was priceless!   She stated that, in fact, she was relieved that we had this policy and that she was put up to asking it by friends helping her plan her special day.  She went on to say that she was mortified of the thought of strangers "crashing" her wedding and being present for a very important occassion and time for her close friends and family.

I've never been comfortable inviting prospective clients to current clients receptions or parties.  I have had people not involved in a party or a guest at the party approach me for information or prices.  I'm flattered and although I do believe each event is a sales vehicle for Fingerlakes Entertainment, it is not in that particular way.  When I'm presented with this situation I politely provide a business card and let the prospect know that I appreciate them stopping by but to contact me during business hours and I would be happy to talk to them and give them my undivided attention. 

As an Emcee and DJ I realize what I do is not rocket science but there is a great deal of detail and communication that takes place at a reception.  Whether I'm communicating with the venue or room manager, another vendor or guests I need to be focussed and attentive to make sure my client, their guests and the vendors are happy and to make sure the event is perfect.

If a DJ Service you are interviewing or vetting offers to invite you to another clients events, it should send up a red flag.  Be assured that if they feel comfortable inviting you to someone elses special event, they will have no problem inviting complete strangers to yours.

I was sitting around thinking about this upcoming summer and all of the great events we have booked and I figured I'd put my thoughts to screen.

What started my train of thought were the meetings I had with clients over the weekend.  I had two great meetings with two very different couples who are having their wedding at the same location... Esperanza Mansion.  I met with Justin and Heather on Saturday who are planning an August wedding and are looking for a relatively laid back traditional reception and were very concerned about our systems aesthetics and appearance to make sure that it fit in with the decor of the room and stays consistent with the atmosphere they were looking for.  I'm flattered that Kathy the sales manager also highly recommended me because of my style and the fact that.... as Justin put it "you're not the stereotypical cheesy over the top wedding DJ". lol I still laugh each time I hear something similar to that because unfortunately my industry is over populated with ‘colorful’ individuals who fit this description.  They may even have a family member or friend act as the MC for their introductions and we’ll assist them with a script and run the music.  It’s going to be a fun event and I really look forward to it.

On Sunday I met with Ron and Melissa.  Completely different style!  They’re looking for a super high energy multi-media reception.  They are planning a slideshow and utilizing our Big Video Screen for a video or picture montage and we will also provide video dance party for their open dancing.  We’re still planning but a multi-media grand entrance and introduction is in the works as well.  We will help them create a slide show or video production for their wedding party’s entrance and introductions and we’ll be using sound clips and song segments to create a fun, emotional, high energy and entertaining grand entrance into Melissa and Ron’s introduction and first dance.  Melissa and Ron are also taking advantage of one of our newest features, The Fingerlakes Entertainment Name in Lights option.  Using high tech moving head light projectors we are able to project their name in lights onto the dance floor and it can sweep the room, walls, dance floor ceiling in different colors and even rotate.  Many of our peers offer name in lights but they use a simple gobo projector to put it onto a wall or the floor and it is stationary for the evening unless taken down adjusted or moved.  Ours is built into our light show so during dinner hour it will be projected onto the floor or wall behind our newlyweds and we can use an elegant color change to make the effect even more dynamic, elegant, and interesting.  Then when the dancing starts its one of the patterns programmed into our intelligent light show and is sure to provide a stunning background for pictures of the couple’s reception!  We’re so excited to add this to our wedding packages. 

Ron and Melissa are also having us assist them in providing the sound for their ceremony which will also be taking place at the mansion.  This is something we do quite often and many times I’m more nervous about ceremony music than I am about receptions!  It has to be perfect, timed just right, because it is so important and the couples and their guests will remember their ceremony for the rest of their lives.  I love when couples allow us to assist with their ceremony because it is such an intimate setting and really makes me feel even more part of their special day.

So after meeting with these two couples and listening to what they wanted for their reception entertainment and music I’m excited to work with them as well as all of the other great couples we have booked this year.  From Name in Lights to Photo/Video Montages, to High Energy Multi-Media Grand Entrances and Introductions to Choreographed First Dances and Wedding Party Dances….2008 has it all!  None of the events we’re doing is the same as the last or the next and I feel that is what keeps me and Jason so excited and passionate about this business, the couples we work with and all of the events we have coming up.

The pictures and videos we plan to take this summer should be great, and we’re also excited about the chance to work with some of our favorite vendors.  Speaking to the two couples last weekend I learned they both hired the same photographer as well.  They have contracted Tom Mike and although I have only had the pleasure to work with him once I enjoyed the event we shared and was impressed with his level of professionalism, the way he treated his clients and their guests and his finished product was outstanding!  Here is a link to his site and the wedding we worked together for Colleen and Rich.

In addition to working with great couples we also get to work with some great wedding vendors.  From venue managers to photographers, bakers, videographers, and florists and other musicians and performers I love the chance to work with the same professionals on a regular basis, and the opportunity to meet new vendors as well.

2008 is going to be great and we hope to maybe see many of you reading this at weddings or events this summer or if you’re planning a reception for this year or next I look forward to learning about your reception plans. 

As always thanks for reading!

http://picasaweb.google.com/nthnbaker/MyPictures

We had a great weekend!  Jason and I had the opportunity to entertain and provide sound for the St Michaels School 125th Anniversary Gala and fund raiser on March 1.  This was the third event that we've done for them and the biggest to date.  It was a great time and we always enjoy helping out in the community and St Michaels is a great school and means quite a bit to Penn Yan.

 There were a number of really great baskets that were raffled off and helped in fund raising and the fund raising ended with a live auction.  Mike Healey served as auctioneer and was really great and running the room and getting the group involved and had great energy.  Sports memorabilia was on hand to be auctioned as well as a 42" LCD TV and beautiful full length antique mirror.  The TV was prominently displayed and we offered to provide video for the evening using it and they loved it!  We displayed information on the items and winning ticket numbers via the text feature in our DJ Platform and we played Ambient video for cocktail and dinner hour and although we had a short time for open dancing we turned it into a video dance party on the spot!  Its great being prepared, and digital as it allows us to change things on the fly and to provide more and better service to our clients.

 Today Jason and I made a trip to RIT where we were vendors for the NYS CLSA which is a student leadership conference.  We were one of 3 DJ services there the others being Whirling Disc out of Rochester, and Bobby K out of the Elmira area.  Bobby K runs a great operation and although they stated as a DJ service they really excel in event rentals, inflatables and some really great game show and party rentals including fantasy casino.  We had the chance to meet Bobby's daughter and it was nice networking with other professionals. The conference was attended by about 600-700 students and their advisers from all over the Finger Lakes Region and Rochester and Syracuse.  We hope to increase our business to school events and teen dances and parties and have added some great services and we're always looking for the next big thing to add to FLE.

 Please take a look at our off shoot of FLE FLEDJ.com.  Its a website aimed at a younger audience and cliental and we want to separate our Wedding and Corporate events from the School and Teen functions to serve them both better.

Today ended with Jason purchasing some additional equipment and we have added another 18" powered sub woofer to our already powerful arsenal.  As Jason said there is no event we cant do at this point.  I'm sure we'll be challenged but we are ready to move into larger events and really look forward to it. 

The first event of the month was the Post Holiday Party for the Esperanza Mansion on January 4.  The event was held at the Penn Yan Moose Lodge and was a really fun night.  Dinner of beef or chicken was served and I had the chicken and Jason the steak.  Good food!  We played fun classic rock and country for the cocktail hour at the bar and then put on some alternative grooves for dinner.  Dancing was a riot and the group had a great time.... and I'll leave it at that! lol

The second event was the Post Holiday Party for Aramark on January 5th on the campus of the U of R.  I've broken that down in a previous post as well.

On the 14th I entertained the Aurora Inn Staff for their Post-Holiday Party.  What a fun group!  Lauren, the Marketing and Sales director is one of my favorite people in the business and I had so much fun with them.  She made me get out there and dance with the group and that was a lot of fun.  They had the party at the Fargo which is a nice tavern located across the road from the Inn and is owned by the same group, which I believe is associated with Wells College.  It was funny because I played alternative and covers for the earlier part of the night and then classic party songs and requests for most of the remainder of the night.  I was scheduled to play until 11PM and at 11PM Lauren said I could stay longer and play if I wanted.  Heck yeah!  The last hour was nothing but new and old skool hip hop and was so much fun.  Great night!

On January 19th We performed at Lori's Secret Garden in Palmyra for Information Packaging's Post Holiday Party.  This party was originall scheduled for December 29 but due to an issue with a different venue they rescheduled.  Good for us!  Interesting setup for a small room.  We set our lights and speakers up in the corner on the dance floor and put or table and setup and another speaker on the stage on the other side of the room.  We ran everything wireless and it sounded great and worked the same.  Not a big dancing crowd but we received many compliments from them and they said it was the best time they'd had and we're looking forward to entertaining them again next year.  We played a game with them after dinner and received a ton of great feedback about it.  Thank you to Jason for coming up with a great game that went over huge!

Jason had two Sweet 16 Parties which I'll try to persuade him to talk about soon.

In between and after events we have been camped out up at Esperanza Mansion.  The Mansion is closed for the month of January (kind of) and we were able to set our systems up and test them and take some pictures and video which should be up on the website soon.  We got to hang out with Captain Bart (my name for him) who is the Boat Captain for the Esperanza Rose which is a dinner and cruise boat owned by Esperanza Mansion.  We made a nice connection with him and enjoyed learning about the Mansions history and hauntings and all about the Esperanza Rose.  I don't believe in that stuff but there were times late at night where I felt like we weren't alone!  Shivers up the spine and all!  I wanted to thank Kathy and Heidi for letting us use the room and we look forward working with them quite often this summer.

On the 24th I provided equipment rental for Rural Opportunities Inc for their wine tasting dinner at Esperanza Mansion.  Very simple, and we set up a microphone and PA system.

 Our February is pretty light and I'm still contemplating flying to Las Vegas for the Mobile Beat Convention.  Mobile Beat is a Industry leading DJ Magazine and they promote conferences for DJ's throughout the year.  They have another convention in July in Chicago that would be more feasible to attend as I will be finished with school.  If I can go I'd like to take in the seminars on marketing and to find out what other entertainers around the country and world are doing to provide their customers with the best and newest ideas in entertainment.

I will be adding some pictures to this entry shortly and I'm sorry its the first week of February before it was posted.

 From my understanding she and her mother put the decorations together with the help of Carmen at  Belhurst.  They did a phenomanal job!  The appearance of the room rivaled that of a few of the events where we've worked with dedicated wedding planners. 

 One of the other fun things I got to do, and this is a secret to them so far.... I recorded the ceremony and reception audio which I will be putting together in a nice presentation and giving them as a gift for their keeping and enjoyment.  The pastor and his wife performed a duet which I've produced and will be giving them as a single as well.

 The technology at our disposal these days is unbelievable and makes life so much easier.  If you haven't done so already I encourage you to watch the video link in the previous entry.  The wireless capabilities we have now are awesome and the digital cababilities for grand entrances intros, video montages, etc... are, well I can't even begin to describe where my mind goes with this tech.

 Rather than bore you with my ramblings about the options we can provide email me. lol

Last weekend was absolutely nuts!  I had 3 events in 4 days and I'm finally rested and ready to go this weekend.  On Friday DJ Brew and I enertained for a post holiday party for Aramark Employees at the University of Rochester.

My brother in law is the Food Services Director there and we used his contact to land the gig.  He is an amazing chef and the food at the event was some of the best fare we were priveledged to in a while and we are at quite a few very nice venues on a weekly basis.  Chicken Parm, and Grilled Steak and Garlic Smashed Potatoes were fantastic.

The event was a lot of fun and we met some really great people.  The highlight of the evening was watching some of the guests teaching their manager Rita how to do the Soulja Boy dance.  I'm still laughing at that one.

Saturday had me at Belhust Castle for a wedding ceremony and reception and Jason in Dundee for a young man's 16th birthday party.  The wedding was for Bethany and James and they were a fun couple to work with.  The crowd was country and rock and roll but we had them out their dancing to all sorts of fun stuff.  The ceremony was beautiful and they had well over 150 candles througout the Meritage room during the event.  We ran our main dancefloor speakers and ligts wirelessly which was a leap of faith and they worked flawlessly and saved me over an hour of running cables and having to hide them.

 Monday had me at the Fargo Tavern in Aurora NY entertaining the staff of the Aurora Inn for their post holiday party.  Lauren, and Heather are two of my favorite people in the wedding business and I always enjoy working with them for weddings at the Aurora Inn.  The event was a blast!  I was to play from 7-11pm and when we went to wrap up we still had a packed dance floor.  I ended up playing until Midnight and finally had to kick them out. lol  Old meets new Skewl hip hop dominated the last hour with the last song of the night being Biz Markee-You Got What I Need.  Awesome time! 

 This week has Jason and I at Lauries Secret Garden in Palmyra NY for another post holiday party for Information Packaging Inc. out of Macedon.  This will be our first time with this group and we look forward to entertaining them and having a grea time.

 After this weekend things calm down for a few weeks, or so it looks.  I will be trainging some new assistants and dj's for this year and we have a Valentines Weekend event at Bristol Harbour whcih is being advertised on the radio and print currently. 

Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rochester NY.

This was a really fun event. The night started off pretty mellow with a nice buffet style dinner. I played a classic rock/modern rock set for the dinner hour. It went over pretty well. A lot of guests would throw me the occasional thumbs up when a song came on that they enjoyed.

Just as dinner was ending, I had met up with Peter, the gentlemen that booked us for the event to begin coordinating the raffles and door prize giveaways, when all of a sudden...FIRE ALARM!! The irony was really quite funny in that we were doing a Christmas party for a fire department and had a fire alarm go off. Apparently someone was smoking in another room and set off the alarm. We all had to vacate the building. Downtime was about 15 minutes.

Back in from the fire alarm, we continued with the raffles and giveaways where guests won some really nice center pieces, a JVC Digital Camcorder and a 4gb Ipod.

Once open dance started, it was a full out party right through until the end. Starting off with a couple of the "golden oldies" and then moving right into some old school hip hop and r&b, mixed in and out of the old school and into the new school, and really just kept it hoppin' all night. Dance floor was packed all night! It was a great party.

 Ridge Culver Fire Ass. - Thank you for allowing Fingerlakes Entertainment to be part of your Party! It was an absolute blast!!

I guess I should explain the name of the blog.  As a history buff and political junky the word 'gravitas' has always been a favorite since the 2000 Presidential Election.  After George Bush selected Dick Cheney as his running mate the national media somehow pulled the word gravitas out of nowhere, and all of a sudden it was everywhere!  The first 50 times I heard it I had a rough idea of its definition by the context in which they were using it but I decided to turn to Webster's to make sure. 

The definition provided: [Latin gravitās, heaviness, seriousness; see gravity.]

Gravitas is an amazing word and describes what we do here at Fingerlakes Entertainment.  We are an entertainment company and gravitas as a definition may have you scratching your head as to why I would associate our company with such a heavy, serious word.  I believe that what we do is very important and further I believe the 'gravitas' that we posess separates us from our peers.  We are in the business of fun but we take it very seriously.  Whether its a clients wedding day, a corporation trying to impress a client or someone wanting to throw a party to entertain, or dazzle their family or friends... we take it seriously.  Its not enough for an event to be "OK", it has to be amazing.  Approaching each event with gravitas helps us deliver the event that our clients expect.

While driving my 4 year old son home from school last week I was searching for Christmas Carols to listen to on the radio.  I came across a parody of the José Feliciano classic, this one titled Feliz Gravitas.  It was very funny and satired the above political happening.  Ever since, my son runs around the house singing Feliz Gravitas.  It's quite funny and very cute.   Of course he also sings give a give a garmin, give a give a  give a garmen to the tune of Carol of the Bells made famous this year by the GPS manufacturer.    So Feliz Gravitas everybody!

I wanted to provide a way for our current, future, and past clients to keep up with the ever changing and improving Fingerlakes Entertainment.  I also wanted to provide a way to share some great ideas that couples and customers help us think of and provide for their unique events.

 I will try to update the blog as frequently as possible and I aim to keep it fresh and interesting by asking other members of the FLE team to submit entries and to provide video and pictures of whats going on with FLE.

 With that...I want to thank you for visiting and hope you find our site and service interesting and visit often!

regards,

Nathan

Owner-FLE