Skills/Talent: High
Experience: Medium-well (gaining rapidly, thanks 2 CL and referrals)
Rates: Ridiculously low (see below)
Personality: Happy, fun, spunky, nice, Professional ... Try me, You'll like me!
Hi! If you want great music at your party, wedding or event, are on a small budget, don't need loads of lighting effects and thumping bass overloads, please get in touch with me. I recently started DJ-ing professionally (for about 2 years now). I've been Designated DJ for parties with my friends for years, and somehow started spinning here and there just from recommendations. I have so much fun, it's a hobby. Since i'm in need of some extra cash to pay my bills, I figured what better way to support myself than spend a few evenings having fun and spinning music.
My specialty is Playing Music for smaller parties and events. By small party I mean up to (or a little over)100-120 people. Depending on the type of sound you want, for larger parties I charge a bit more to cover my costs of renting bigger speakers, subs and lighting effects. Right now I prefer to keep it small and intimate, but am capable of producing big club sound if desired. I've been doing events for 40-120 people mostly, although more recently I have been hired for many larger events, including a highschool reunion with 250 guests, weddings and corporate parties with 150-200 guests, and I provided sound, lighting and music for a friend's wedding with 300+ guests.
I have many larger events booked this summer and fall, so i'm adding to my sound system and CD collection pretty fast. My Equipment: I Own a deceivingly small portable sound system that sounds great. (details of equipment below) It's been in ballrooms, backyards, boats, and balconies. On Cinco De Mayo we were dancing out on the deck of the Giants boat to loud latin grooves. The system sounded beautiful at the wedding banquet hall (300 guests, 5000sf) for amplifying the priest's voice and playing ambient music at a background to medium volume. With an added subwoofer, the highschool reunion was a Booming success with a multimedia nostalgia presentation and a bouncing dancefloor.
Music: I listen to, and play, a lot of world music. I'm equipped with lots of asian rhythms, african and Caribbean beats, and latin grooves (Cheb i Sabbah, Tabla Beat Science, Gigi, Bebel Gilberto, Zuco 103, Afro Celt Sound System, Thievery Corporation, Gotan Project, etc ... and some salsa, samba, swing, jazz, tango, chill, ibiza, house, dub...). I master smooth transitions between songs and have a good feel for the audience. I'm equally competent and happy playing many types of music (rock, swing, oldies, disco, 70s, 80s, modern, etc) but am limited on my music collection (although it is growing, I buy new CDs for each party, including yours). I have also recently done a few 12,13, & 14 year birthday parties (so I now have a lot of up to date hip hop and pop).
I spin CDs. I don't have much experience spinning records. If you want vinyl, I understand and have recommendations.
Rates: Negotiable depending on length and details of event. Discounts given for non-profit, recurring events, and whatever other reason you can convince me to charge less. I have checked around and know that my rates are hundreds of dollars less than the norm. The reason is that it's a hobby- side job, and I need just enough to cover my expenses and make a reasonable income. So here's a range: $280 for 2 hours (music time) +$120 each additional hour. Above rate includes the basics stated above (base sound system). Discounts if you provide sound system and/or music. Additional if needed: Lighting effects- $50-200+ (my cost to rent) Additional speakers- $60-500+ (my cost to rent plus extra time to pick up and set up, will need to rent van for large speakers/subs - usually only necessary for events in large open spaces with 300+ people) (Added: I just bought a sub and some lighting, so add $50 for sub, $50 for basic lighting, and I am in the process of buying more speakers to accommodate the demand for larger events)
Note on Weddings and special events: I do not charge higher rates for weddings. My hourly rate prevails for any event. The only variables are based on sound system/effects needs (determined by the number of guests, size of space, and/or type of sound desired), and on additional preparation/planning time prior to the event. I offer preplanning / coordination services at a rate of $100/hr, which drops to $50/hr after 2 hours. This rate is for in-person consulting, planning, and verifying details with onsite staff and vendors. This rate is negotiable depending on your needs and extent of time.
I do not bill for my setup time. I start billing from the time I need to be set up until the time I finish and start packing. For hotel events, I ask that parking be covered, and that service tips be reimbursed. There are sometimes other specific venue related variables, which I only ask to be reimbursed for.
Technical data: Sound System- Fender PD250 Mobile PA system (Bose designed speaker) CD System- Tascam CD302 Dual CD System Behringer 15" sub effects/Lighting- small mirrorball, flame, fogger, bubbles, multi-color chase...
Please get in touch with me. I'm happy to do house parties of any size. Call me at 510-594-0754 or e-mail me with any questions.
I Also: Rent sound system ($250 for the evening- I'll set it up and take it down)
Cater-(Exotic tapas and meals for small parties)
Provide Computer Consulting and training
Provide Sound Engineering (high quality mics, mixer, etc. for acoustic live performance with minimal mic-ing (up to 8 mics))
Help in event and wedding planning and coordinating
Have contact for an excellent and reasonably priced Videographer
Have contact for an excellent and reasonably priced Florist
Have contact for an excellent and reasonably priced venues
Have contact for excellent and reasonably priced Stationery/invitations
Have contact for an excellent and reasonably priced turntable DJ
I don't sing!
Music is a passion of mine. I play to listen, to enjoy, to dance. I love to see you dancing or lounging and enjoying the music. I feel the crowd and add music to enhance the energy. The music, the sound, is in the foreground, while I am in the background. As a caterer 's focus is on the presentation and flavor of the food (by the way, I cater too), mine is on the music. The caterer provides the cheese. I provide the rhythm. I believe the cheese belongs on the platter, not on the dancefloor. I strive to keep it off of the floor. If you are looking for a fun, talented, personal, professional DJ who is Not into the Cheesy fluff ... Here I am! I am an Independent 1-person artist (I prefer not to call myself an operation, i'm a person).
Did I leave out any details?
Thanks for reading and for your support.