'Tis the season to be jolly!  So hey... Let's have a party!

Here comes that Norelco baby,  slidin' down across the countryside snow, which means you know it's time to get all of your friends and co-workers together to celebrate. Whether we gather because it's that time of year or for the reason that we just want to celebrate the birth of Christ, either way, it's a great excuse to whoop it up. And now you're barking up my alley (Gee, I love mixing metaphors). 

And mixing is what we all do best, isn't it?  The bartender will mix the drinks, the chef will mix the batter, and you will mix with the boss and his wife on the ol' dance floor while I mix the music. 

All the guests will make their entrances, one by one, two by two, clique by clique, department by department...and the music might be seasonal, yet cheery, and light enough so that all can talk amongst themselves and enjoy each other's company (yet not be embarrassed) outside of their normal realm.

If you are in charge of putting together your company festivity, then you may already be aware of the possible up-stream battle that could lie before you, in that co-workers may tend to be shy when it comes to getting loose in front of their supervisors. A professional DJ is sensitive to this matter, and knows many 'tricks' that one can use to break the ice when necessary. 

Perhaps trivia games (holiday-related or not) can lighten the atmosphere. I have also found that holiday parties don't necessarily always require holiday music at all, But it usually seems to be appropriate. 

Which ever kind of music I play, however, will remain light and lovely, yet upbeat all the way thru dinner (unless otherwise advised / requested). But when dinner is over, after corporate presentations and/or door prizes (if any), then the revelry will begin. 

Again, unless otherwise advised, you can expect everyone to enjoy such typically requested events as The Twist, Macarena, Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide, the exciting new Ketchup Dance, Y.M.C.A.,  Hokey Pokey and Chicken Dance for groups of all ages, 70's Disco, 80's, Oldies, Motown, Classic Rock, R&B, Latin, Country, all perfectly mixed to your specifications to satisfy everyone's wishes. Or, if you're like some of my other clients, you may opt to avoid some or all of the afore mentioned ditties altogether. You always have the power of veto.  You can't go wrong. Don't let this Typical Song List scare you.

Plus, I love taking requests. I love the challenge of seeing whether I carry in my music collection anything and everything that anyone may ask for. I'm almost neurotic about it; My collection is updated daily. This is why I used to ask for two tables to be set up for me at the venues; One for my front, which held my equipment and console, and the other for my rear for all the tons of CDs that I used to bring (Now I'm all digital, so I currently request only one 6-foot table). Plus, many times there are situations when you may be encouraged to provide your own CDs to make sure that I have what you want me to play, especially if any of your guests will be of ethnicity (for instance: As big as my collection is that I pride myself upon, I still might have trouble keeping up with the latest musical trends in certain areas of the world such as India, the Middle East, Orient and perhaps a few sections of upper Mongolia. Besides, I can only fit so much into my hard drive).

At times, games are necessary to make the event more interesting. I say it this way because I personally prefer to keep holiday parties elegant, letting the music, dancing, aforementioned mixers and your guests do the talking.  But if we feel games do become necessary (whether during our planning process or on the night of), then it's games that I've got! Everyone (especially kids) will have a blast playing Pyramid 21', or the my newest thang, Butt-Head, or how about a Lip-Sync contest... With classic diversions such as the Limbo, Holiday Trivia, Movie/TV Theme Trivia, Mystery Songs, Pudgy Bunny, Hula-Hoops, Wango-Tango, Walla-Balla... The choices are virtually ENDLESS...Better make sure you procure enough prizes!