How To Throw A Virtual Zoom Dance Party
If you are anything like me, the one thing you miss the most about pre-covid life is a night out dancing with friends. Quarantine has been hard on all of our social lives, but thanks to the miracle of modern technology, you don’t have to sit at home bored for too much longer! Zoom dance parties are now happening and honestly, they can sometimes be more fun than the real thing.
Technical difficulties can crash your party real quick. That is why it is important to hire an experienced zoom DJ who can help guide you through the process and provide you with everything needed to have the best Zoom party possible!
Here are some great tips to get started!
Pick Your Guest List
You don’t need to keep the numbers low since you can invite up to 100 guests free of charge to your event. Gather them via the best way to reach them all, whether it be a group text, email or a Facebook event. Before event day, make sure to send out the Zoom link to attendees. You may even want to send it a few times the week prior to ensure everyone gets it.
Set the Theme
Themes make everything more fun! Decorate the room you are in or find virtual backgrounds that fit the vibe. Be sure to tell everyone else so they can do the same on their end.
Use A Pro Zoom Account
The basic Zoom account limits you to 40 minutes so make sure whatever account you are using to host the Zoom party is pro level or higher. An experienced Zoom DJ will have access to the proper account and should be able to create the zoom meeting for you. You can have your Zoom DJ adjust the settings to be specific for your group (like not allowing anyone to screen share or having to approve them to enter) so be sure to discuss your needs with your Zoom DJ beforehand.
Sound Check
You will want to sign in 15 minutes early to finalize everything and do a soundcheck with your Zoom DJ before participants start to join. When the Zoom party starts, be sure participants are muted and have themselves set to gallery view in Zoom so they can feel like everyone is at the party together!
Music
A professional Zoom DJ will be able to produce high-quality sound that will make you and your guests feel like there is a club inside their living room. It is important to tell your Zoom DJ exactly what type of music you want to hear beforehand to ensure they play all of your favorites and exclude all of your not-so-favorites. Your Zoom DJ can also take requests live using the Zoom chat feature.
Play Games
A good MC and the right games can make all the difference when it comes to a Zoom event. Attention spans while staring at screens can be low so it is important to keep everyone engaged at all times. Find the games that work best for your group, whether it be an at-home scavenger hunt or virtual drinking contest!
Chat With Each Other
The chat box is a fun way to talk while still dancing. You can also have your Zoom DJ carve out time for toasts and speeches at some point during the evening.
Take Photos
Take screenshots, create a hashtag and upload them to your Instagram stories all night. This is a fun way to keep everyone engaged while also creating memories that you can keep forever (just make sure to save your stories when you wake up the next day)!
Have Fun!
Quarantine won’t last forever so you might as well make the best of it. Hire an amazing zoom DJ and dance to your favorite tunes while enjoying time with friends from anywhere in the world!
Lending Relief's Virtual Fundraising Event
Help us make an impact on World Homeless Day at Lending Relief's Virtual Fundraising Event. I’ll be your DJ/MC and there will also be lots of giveaways as well as other fun things!
Sat, October 10, 2020⠀5:30 PM – 7:00 PM PST
⠀
3 Ways to make an impact:⠀
1. Share our invite with friends
3. Donate in your absence
...The Tumbler and Tipsy by Michael Kuluva Spring/Summer 2021 Virtual Runway Collection
The Tumbler and Tipsy by Michael Kuluva Spring/Summer 2021 Virtual Runway Collection presented by CreakyJoints just dropped and it is amazing! I am so thrilled to have been the soundtrack creator on this project. Congratulations to the entire team on another successful NY Fashion Week!
How to throw a virtual cocktail party!
Being at home doesn’t have to be boring! With a proper mix of fun and function, a virtual party can be just as entertaining as a live one. Check out this article from The Vendry for tips on how to make your digital event the best one anyone has ever attended.
"Even though we all could use a drink right about now, many bars and restaurants remain shuttered (or are shuttered again), which means getting together for a few is still tricky. But thanks to a plethora of video conferencing technology, hosting a cocktail party, while adhering to social distancing guidelines, is totally doable. So cheers to that!
Whether you’re digitally gathering your work colleagues for a happy hour or planning a convivial event for a virtual conference or meeting, here’s what you need to know to host a virtual cocktail party. Read full article. "
Randi and Amber's Go Big or Go Home Girly Girl Wedding
Cant think of a better way to wrap up #PrideMonth than by being a featured vendor on Wedding Chicks today for Randi and Ambers wedding! This is on my list as one of the top 10 most fun weddings I've ever done, so these photos bring back some amazing memories.
https://chrissygphotography.com/
Read all about it by visiting the wedding chicks blog.
Quarantine Vlog - Virtual DJ Services
Want to plan an event, but government mandates still wont allow it? No worries, we have you covered! DJ Keelez and Associates is now offering virtual DJ services for your weddings, parties, corporate functions, zoom meetings, webinars, online workouts, and anything else you may want to add some fun to.
Reach out to info@djkeelez.com for more details!
Virtual DJ & MC Services
Coronavirus Quarantine Short Mix
DJ Keelez nominated for the Equally Wed Awards
via @equallywed
What a time we're having in this world. The event and hospitality industry is being hit hard by the coronavirus, so the timing of our voting period for the Equally Wed Awards opening up feels appropriate for lifting up the wedding community, especially those who are intentionally and authentically LGBTQ+ inclusive.
Thank you to everyone for nominating your favorite LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding pros and venues. This is very much a community project, and we've loved seeing all your nominations come through. The top five vendors have been chosen in 28 categories. Vote now for your favorite. Polls are open through March 31.
https://equallywed.com/awards
Congratulations to the finalists!
Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Inclusive Wedding Vendors Who Give Back & Help Communities
DJ Keelez was recently featured by Crystal Lily Photo as a Southern California wedding professional that gives back to the community they serve. Crystal Lily is a Los Angeles based photographer who encourages couples to work with vendors who have a philanthropic or sustainable element to their businesses. Below is her list of Greater Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Inclusive Wedding Vendors Who Give Back & Help Communities.
"For those of you who are looking to not only have an amazing time on your wedding day, but also want your event to help make an impact, I’ve pulled together a list of Greater Los Angeles LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding vendors who give back and help communities in Southern California and beyond." Read full article here.
DJ Keelez Named Winner in 2020 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®
Press Release: Los Angeles, January 16, 2020. -- DJ Keelez was announced a winner of the 2020 WeddingWire Couples’
Choice Awards®, an accolade representing the top wedding professionals across the board in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism reviewed by couples on WeddingWire.
A leader in the global wedding planning industry, WeddingWire continues its celebration of local wedding vendors with the announcement of its twelfth annual WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® winners. To determine these distinguished wedding professionals, WeddingWire analyzed reviews across more than 20 service categories, from venues and caterers to florists and photographers to find the most highly rated vendors of the year. These winners exhibit superior professionalism, responsiveness, service, and quality when interacting with the millions of consumers who turn to WeddingWire to help ease their wedding planning process each month.
Wedding professionals who win WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® are members of WeddingPro, the leading B2B wedding brand. As the largest marketplace and community for wedding professionals, WeddingPro connects businesses with more than 13 million visitors per month who are planning weddings on WeddingWire and The Knot, as well as with hundreds of thousands of pros in the industry. Through its online marketplaces, educational programs and community-building events, WeddingPro is dedicated to helping wedding professionals build relationships with couples and pros that grow their businesses.
DJ Keelez is honored to be one of the top wedding businesses in Los Angeles on WeddingWire.com.
Choose the right wedding DJ
Are you shopping around for the perfect wedding DJ? If so, you probably have noticed there are lots of options out there; some with really over the top personalities, others more subdued, some with tons of lights and fancy equipment, others with just the bare necessities. You may even have found some that are ridiculously expensive, and others that are shockingly cheap. So how do you narrow it down? Many people simply look at the price, but if you are wanting an amazing wedding DJ that will play all of your favorite songs and truly match the music to you and your partner’s personalities, there are a few things you should know before starting your search:
- Make sure to meet with your DJ before hiring them. In-person or via Skype/Face Time is best so you can get a feel for how they interact with you and your partner. You will be spending a lot of time planning a very important event with this person, so you want to be sure you get along well and you are both on the same page with expectations of how the day will go.
- Ensure your DJ has everything you need for the big day. Not every DJ provides the same services so if you want someone who can seamlessly mix between songs, make announcements throughout the evening, play alongside a live musician or even simply provide extra speakers or lighting, you want to ask them during the interview process to avoid disappointment later on down the line. SIDE NOTE: Be sure to set realistic budget expectation when planning for add-ons. Cool things come at a cost, so make sure to set aside some wiggle room in your budget in case the company you decide to work with presents some upgrade options that are too good to refuse. More on budgets in a bit...
- Any good wedding DJ should provide you with tools to help make music selection easier. Ask the DJ what sorts of things they do to help guide you through the process. There are lots of possibilities when it comes to songs to play at your wedding, so you want to make sure the person you hire is willing and able to help you when needed.
- Don’t let pricing make the decision for you. Cheaper isn’t always better and is usually the sign of an inexperienced DJ. Weddings require a lot of hard work, expensive equipment, talent and experience, so if you want someone good, be prepared to pay around $1,500 for their basic package - $5,000 for something more elaborate.
Changing the Game
“DJ Keelez is thrilled to be a part of Modern Rebel’s “Changing The Game” series. Modern Rebel & Co. is an alternative event planning company based in NYC, Los Angeles & Washington D.C. that allows clients to plan an awesome event as well as give back to their community. For every event Modern Rebel does, they give a portion of their profits to a local non-profit that the client selects. Check out their website and my interview below!”
DJ Ash
DJ ASH is an open format DJ who specializes in hip hop, reggaeton, dancehall, and moombahton. Born and raised in Salinas, CA, Ash has performed across California at events such as Salinas Pride, Palm Springs Pride and social parties for the mobile app, HER. More recently she has performed onstage with artist Metta World Peace at We the West this past Spring. Ash has performed at venues such as Wildcat Lounge in Santa Barbara (Voted Best college night in Santa Barbara), Revolver in West Hollywood (Voted friendliest staff), and Atomic Nightclub in San Diego (San Diego’s Best DJs). Ash has previously held residencies with 24+ Event’s Ladies’ Night, and is currently the resident DJ on the B Side Forum.
Ash’s favorite genres to perform: Pop/Top 40, Dance/Remix Top 40, Hip-Hop, House/Lounge, EDM, Trap, 90’s
Other genres that Ash performs: Motown, 70’s, 80’s, 00's, Alternative, Indie, Rock, Disco, Funk & Latin, Current Hits
Hottest 2019 Trend in Weddings!
Introducing one of the hottest wedding trends of 2019, combining a live musician with a live DJ! You now don't have to decide between the two, you can get the best of both worlds! Your guests are sure to enjoy the variety of music and great show that comes along with it. Not to mention, the energy level of your event will instantly go up to about 1000 and your dance floor will be poppin' all night long! Highly recommend this addition to your special day!
Huge thank you to OMG Ocdamia Music Group, LLC and Creative Cloudworks. for making this video happen!
Preferred Wedding Vendors
I've had the honor of working with some of the best wedding vendors in the industry over the years. I highly recommend all of the ones listed below, so if you or anyone you know is on the look out for any of their services, please reach out and be sure to let them know I referred you!
WEDDING COORDINATORS
Renee Dalo of Moxie Bright Events - www.moxiebrightevents.com
Nam Lam of Modern LA Weddings - www.modernlaweddings.com
Jason Rhee of Rheefined Company - www.rheefined.com
Holly Gray of Anything But Gray Events - www.anythingbutgrayevents.com
Jessica Carrillo of Art & Soul Events - www.artandsouleventsla.com
EVENT PRODUCTION
Jose Camara - www.skyeventproduction.com
Entire Productions - www.entireproductions.com
FLORISTS
Nadia Guzman of The Flower Shop 818 - www.theflowershop818.com
Thy at Oceanic Flowers - www.oceanicflowers.com
CATERERS
Elayne Sawaya at the Catering Concierge - www.cateringconcierge.net
24 Carrots Catering and Events - www.24carrots.com
Amy's Culinary Adventures - www.amysculinaryadventures.com
LIVE PERFORMANCE ARTISTS
Masha at Artist Creating Entertainment - www.artistcreatingentertainment.com
BANDS
Amanda Castro of The Amanda Castro Band (Jazz) - www.amandacastro.com
George Loreto of Undercover Live (Variety of Cover Bands) - www.undercoverlive.com
DESSERTS
Nika Yazdani of Sugar Studio - www.sugarstudiola.com
CAKE
Nicole Redd-McIntosh of Nicole Bakes Cakes - www.nicolebakescakes.com
Tamara Brown of Mwokaji Cakery - www.mwokajicakery.com
PARTY RENTALS
Anna Canno of Signature Party Rentals - www.signatureparty.com
DJ Brynn Taylor
Since her arrival to Los Angeles in 2005, Brynn Taylor has earned her place as one of the most versatile and skilled female DJs in the country. She consistently maintains several residencies at high-profile venues in Los Angeles, New York, and Las Vegas. Brynn Taylor's eclectic repertoire, infectious energy and sheer talent have lead to her widespread recognition and acclaim. She was voted "Best West Hollywood DJ" by Wehoconfidential.com, and Curve Magazine has highlighted Brynn as one of the "Most Powerful Women."
Brynn’s favorite genres to perform: Pop/Top 40, Dance/Remix Top 40, Hip-Hop, EDM, Nu Disco, House/Lounge
Other genres that Brynn performs: Motown, 70’s, 80’s, 90's, 00's, Disco, Funk, Rock, Alternative, Indie, Current Hits
DJ Danni Ammon
Danni Ammon hails all the way from Perth, Australia, and has the reputation of being my friendliest DJ. Since leaving Australia just a few years ago, she has performed at 100’s of events, including several weddings, fashion shows, pride festivals, corporate parties and numerous high-profile film and TV events. Danni is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, guitarist, music producer and drummer, and has performed internationally for various Indie-Pop bands throughout the last 10 years.
Danni’s favorite genres to perform: Pop/Top 40, Dance/Remix Top 40, Motown, Hip-Hop, Indie, EDM, 90’s
Other genres that Danni performs: 70’s, 80’s, 00's, Alternative, Rock, Disco, Nu Disco, House/Lounge, Funk, Current Hits
Event Tips and Tricks - How to Get Your Dance Floor Going
Welcome to another episode of events tips and tricks! The number one question I get asked is "how can i get my friends and family dancing?"
Tip 1 - Make sure you are on the dance floor. Your guests are more likely to dance if you are.
Tip 2- Take a group photo just before opening the dance floor. That way you'll have all your guests there.
Tip 3 - Invite your guests join you during your first dance. Then, have the DJ switch to a fun song to get the party started.
Here are just a few tips and tricks to get the crowd onto the dance floor. Happy planning!
Event Tips and Tricks - Modern Bouquet and Garter Toss Ideas
Modern Bouquet and Garter Toss Ideas
The bouquet and garter toss are some of the oldest traditions, but I'm finding more and more couples omitting this from their wedding reception because it doesn't fit their modern day style. Here are some alternatives that I've seen at actual wedding that might inspire you to think of something super special.BOOKINGS AND QUESTIONS
DJ Keelez is a wedding, corporate and special event DJ. She covers Los Angeles, Orange County, Palm Springs, San Diego, and is also available for destination weddings and national events. Now also providing virtual DJ services for weddings, events, webinars, online workouts, zoom parties and much more!
(323) 399-1702
info@djkeelez.com
© Copyright 2020. DJ Keelez & Associates. All Rights Reserved. Website by Creative Cloudworks.