The 2012 year has begun, and, if you’re reading this, so far so good – we’re all still here. As Christmas of 2011 concluded, and the barrage of holiday tunes dissipated, R.E.M.’s It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (and I feel fine) was the tune that took their place playing inside my head.  Whether it be Nostradamus, the ancient Mayans, or some nut jobs like Harold Camping or The Westboro Baptist Church, it seems that every couple of years someone else is predicting the “end of days”… Can you hear me yawning?

As someone suggested to me only days ago; “How do we know the Mayans didn’t just run out of stone to make more calendar?”

Besides being completely overrated, I think this whole “End of the World” thing should be a little more organized, not chaotic and haphazard like the lyrics of the R.E.M. song.  I don’t think it’s too unreasonable of me to ask some specifics, so that I might know when it would be acceptable to stop making mortgage payments.  The word mortgage itself – taken from the Latin meaning “engagement until death” – suggests that perhaps Fannie Mae might be behind the vagueness of it all. Essentially, Armageddon would mean no more bank bail-outs, and we all know ‘they’ can’t let that happen.

But I digress.

Apparently what is “great” is that it all starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes and an aeroplane, not to mention that Lenny Bruce is not afraid (giving much relevance to a comedian, and perhaps the irony of it all).  I mean, of course Lenny Bruce isn’t afraid, he’s been dead since 1966 for Pete’s sake. Being that I personally experienced my first earthquake in 2011, I can tell you there’s really nothing great about them.  As far as the birds, they must be the Alfred Hitchcock variety, and the snakes could be anything from the serpent in the Garden of Eden to the ones on that aeroplane, which wasn’t even invented til long after the decline of the Mayan culture, so really, what does it all mean?

“The future’s uncertain and the end is always near”.
-Jim Morrison, deceased.

It’s fairly clear that our society has some obsessive, if not romantic fascination with the end of the world, and regardless how it would come to pass, I’m afraid we would get no warnings like snakes or birds, it would just happen.  That being said, if this whole Mayan thing doesn’t work out, things will be business as usual.  Instead of concerning ourselves with endings, perhaps it’s best we embrace beginnings, and all that is good in the world.  The sun will still rise, children will still laugh and smile, life is good…

And I feel fine.

Happy 2012

-Craig

We couldn’t help but notice that the Google scribble on Tuesday, September 27th was a “Happy 13th Birthday”. We weren’t exactly sure if every September 27th Google posts a different birthday scribble (although it was less a scribble and more a photo), or if there was some specific significance to this birthday (we’ll have to check back next year to be sure). Then is dawned on us… “What if Google is Jewish?” Now that would make sense, as a Bar Mitzvah is observed on the thirteenth birthday.

But then we thought, “Well, maybe Google isn’t Jewish”, in which case it would be awfully silly to be wishing you a happy Bar Mitzvah, so we called a meeting of all of our top management in order to discuss the matter. After several hours of deliberation, it was decided that it was better to wish you a happy Bar Mitzvah and have you tell us you were not Jewish, than say nothing, in which case if it did turn out that you are Jewish, you might have been upset that we didn’t say anything.

Of course, the question was also raised “What if Google is a girl?”, in which case we should be we should be wishing you a happy Bat Mitzvah. Again we assembled our brightest executives, debating if Google were male, female, or perhaps no gender whatsoever (being that you’re essentially a search engine, and we don’t know too many search engines personally). Once again, after long hours of heated discussion, it was decided that you were likely genderless, and the more generic ‘Bar Mitzvah’ might be more appropriate.

At any rate, if you are Jewish, then Mazel Tov to you!  And if you’re not, well,
Happy Birthday Google!

With Love,

The Staff of Cutting Edge Entertainment

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Many articles have been loaded to this blog that pertain to one particular cast member who has risen above the rest. It is no secret that the cast member who has made the most permanent impact on Cutting Edge Entertainment is our American Idol himself, Justin Guarini. Everyone knows the rough-outline of Justin’s story; he joins the cast of CEE as a just another face wanting to entertain at events, later auditioning for some “unknown” reality TV program and finishes second to another budding superstar, then fades –as most assume- into obscurity. However, it’s never that simple and it’s always more uplifting than assumptions allow.

After the conclusion of his run on American Idol and the subsequent public-thrashing of his movie with fellow alum Kelly Clarkson, Justin stayed true to his goals and continued to work at perfecting his craft. As a host for the TV Guide Network’s coverage of The Oscars, The Grammys and The Emmys, Justin was still in the public eye while keeping his eyes on projects that truly spoke to him. In keeping with that theme Justin returned to one of his first loves, the stage, for a run in several Broadway shows – with a few stops at some local venues, as well, for a role in my favorite show.

Widely known as the show that revived Broadway, at least for a new generation, “Rent” became a staple for the reinvention of the “rock musical”. The Tony-winning musical (1996; Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score and Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical) spent over twelve years –and 5,124 performances- at one of Broadway’s most underrated houses, the Nederlander Theater. Known as the only working theater south of 42nd street in New York, the Nederlander was the launching pad –excluding its run at the New York Theater Workshop- for a landmark show that “speaks to Generation X the way that the musical Hair spoke to baby boomers”.

After successfully appearing on Broadway in “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” and in Green Day’s “American Idiot”, Justin tackled a role that not only required the pipes to rule a stage, but also the emotion to portray a powerful, yet tragic character. The role of Roger is one of conflict and pain, but one that reaches for the positive ending even if that conclusion is tough to see. The play follows Roger and his friends (Mark, the filmmaker; Mimi, the exotic dancer and Roger’s new love interest ; Tom, a philosopher anarchist; Angel, the drag queen percussionist with a heart of gold; Maureen, the performance artist and Mark’s ex-girlfriend; Joanne, the lawyer and Maureen’s current girlfriend; and Benny, Mark and Roger’s landlord, ex-roommate and hypocrite) as they struggle to survive in New York’s East Village while dealing with love, drugs, the onset of the AIDS epidemic and the relationships that develop between them.

Being a self-professed “Rent-head” –no, I have not slept outside for tickets in NY or have followed the actors around, but I do know the lyrics to every song and get choked up, every time, during Tom’s reprisal of “I’ll Cover You” during the funeral scene- I struggled to wrap my head around the thought of someone I knew playing the role of one of my favorite stage characters. It was not difficult to imagine Justin playing the role, but this would be the fourth different Roger in my fourth different viewing of the show. His true “star-power” was showcased throughout the performance as he transitioned from a soul lost within his own world and to the wide-eyed dreamer who rediscovers his art and his heart within a new love.

Attending a show within a smaller setting -the Surflight Theater in Beach Haven, NJ – is unlike seeing a performance in New York or downtown Philadelphia, bringing a fresh perspective on the stage itself. This permits an intimacy that is not provided during a large theater setting. The ability to get closer to the actors makes the emotion easier to grasp and allows you to enter the experience and not just watch it. It was a great experience, especially for a first timer –Alicja, who attended the show with me had not seen it previously. Despite the afternoon performance –on a dreary day, no less- and the minimal crowd, which was alluded to during “Maureen’s Performance”, the cast did not falter and presented the show as it was meant to be.

Thank you to the cast and crew for a marvelous performance.

Congratulations, Justin, on making Roger your own. Jonathan Larson would be proud. I know your family at Cutting Edge is.

No Day but Today…

~Brian

More on Justin Guarini and Cutting Edge Entertainment

www.JustinGuarini.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

As soon as I found out that Denny Laine and Laurence Juber – both former members of Wings – would be performing at Havana in New Hope, I got right on the phone with my Photographer friend Kevin York. The conversation went kind of like this…

“Kev, we’re going to New Hope next Friday to meet Wings.”
“Ummm… Wings Wings?”
“Yeah, like as in Paul McCartney and.”
“Ummm… Okay.”

It was really that simple. Denny Laine and Laurence Juber were slated to perform at Havana, in New Hope, Bucks County Pennsylvania on Friday, June 10 of 2011, and for me, it was a unique opportunity to not only see two legendary performers together on stage, but, a chance to really get up close and personal. It’s a Beatles adventure, one of which I’ve dragged Kevin on many times in the past. He doesn’t ask questions, he just knows to bring his camera because something’s going to happen.

Now it’s probably important I add a few more little details that made this such a magical opportunity. First, Havana in New Hope is a world-class establishment in my humble opinion. Not only do they have great live act after great live act, but the venue itself is intimate, classy, and totally conducive to awesomeness… And the food is to die for. It’s like dinner theater meets totally hip. Knowing this ahead of time, and also knowing I happened to know the owner and manager, I was fairly certain that we would literally be ‘hanging out’ with the two former Wings members by the end of the night… Which we were.

The second bit of magic is Photographer Kevin York, my friend and partner in crime. Like Havana is a world class establishment, Kevin York is a world class (and former NASCAR) photographer, who has the knack and skill for getting that live performance shot (as you can see in the photos here).

Now the last part of the magic was – of course – Laurence Juber, Denny Laine, and the band ‘Fooling April’. Juber opened the show with an amazing acoustic guitar performance of both original tunes, hits by The Beatles, along with The Pink Panther theme thrown in for good measure. He brought down the house, and that was just the opening act. Juber was followed by Laine, who played familiar tunes (Mull of Kintyre) and pub singalongs, while charmingly bantering with the audience and having a great time with everyone. The highlight – for me – was when Fooling April took to the stage, and were joined by Juber and Laine for an electrifying performance of Wings classics ‘Live and Let Die’ and ‘Band On The Run’. They had the entire audience on their feet, singing and dancing, while transporting me back to my childhood.

On the ride home I nor Kevin could wipe the smiles from our faces. We both shared the feeling of having not just met a couple of our Rock n Roll heroes, but, for a moment, had shared in the epicness of it all.

Thank you first to the great folks at Havana in New Hope for being so amazing, particularly Ernie, David and Mark. Thanks to Kevin York for sharing this adventure with me and grabbing these spectacular images, and lastly, thanks to Laurence Juber and Denny Laine for being such great people and letting us get close. I wish you both the best of health and happiness, and congratulations to Laurence on the upcoming wedding of his daughter. Cheers, and thanks.

-Craig Sumsky

For other thoughts and suggested reading on The Beatles, click here
The Beatles

Images by Kevin York

Havana in New Hope

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

This blog, along with several others by our event brethren, has recently been inundated with articles relating to the “relationship” between an event entertainer and their client. In the grand scheme this is the most important part of planning an event or private reception – an event will not reach its’ potential if the client and entertainer are not on the same page. The priority of the entertainer is to satisfy the needs of the client, as well as push the event to the next level. Once the planning part is complete, the weight lays solely on the entertainer and his/her staff. The one fact that cannot be ignored is that any multi-faceted event requires two skills that are often ignored in a landscape flowing with “individuals”; the skills are simple, they’re called “communication” and “teamwork”.

A few recent entries to this blog have served as inspiration for what follows, beginning with an article by Tony Donato detailing what a client should expect from their DJ:

http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2011/05/02/the-philadelphia-dj-what-you-should-expect

That was soon was followed by Craig’s article about the unwavering communication between the client and the DJ:

http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2011/05/18/the-dj-and-the-client-in-perfect-harmony

This is the final chapter in a “trilogy of thought” that deals with the process of planning and executing a memorable evening.

The private event entertainment industry is a victim of the “too many cooks in the kitchen syndrome”; simply put, between the MC, DJ, Photographer, Videographer, Caterer, Decorator, Planner, or any other event vendor involved in the project, it can a handful keeping everyone on the same page. Each person working an event has a responsibility to perform at the highest level, but the results are in direct relation to the other variables. A photographer needs to capture specific moments that will be cherished for years after the event, but they cannot freeze that moment properly if the subject of that image is not prepared for it. In order to be sure that each moment has the chance to be perfect, it is the duty of the staff to coordinate in advance. As an entertainer I am aware that we are – typically – one of the final stops during the planning process; however, we may be the most vital part of the event.

Much of the staff at Cutting Edge Entertainment have been involved in event entertainment for over a decade; many of whom have been tasked with every aspect of event entertainment (MC, DJ, Dancer, Salesperson, Manager, Technical and/or Sound Engineer or lighting designer) at some point of their tenure in the industry, myself included. Having been blessed with the opportunity to work on each facet has given me a respect and rounded knowledge of the responsibilities for each team member. It is said that a “team” is only as strong as its weakest link; however, it’s the responsibility of the team itself to know, and therefore capitalize on each others individual strengths. The determining factor of a successful event may hinge on the ability of the team to streamline the requests of the client. Luckily, the staff at Cutting Edge prides itself on not just our customer service, but our team communication. This begins with the camaraderie that develops between each member of the team; this was never more apparent than on March 28, 2011 during our most recent photo shoot.

Team Cutting Edge gathered for an evening that would allow us to expand on our recent marketing explosion – namely, the outbreak of recent posts to the blog; as well as photos and videos on Facebook and YouTube. It was also an opportunity to bring the entire cast and crew together for a night of pizza, laughs and some great photo moments. Each type of event takes a different approach in regards to staffing – e.g.; a wedding will provide both an MC and a DJ (the first to coordinate and lead, the second to provide a constant ear on the audio quality), while a Bar/Bar Mitzvah may provide a MC, DJ, as well as several motivational dancers, a lighting technician and possibly a video simulcast operator – and many of the team members will perform at numerous events, over the course of a season, and never bump into one another. This is my favorite part of working with Cutting Edge; the people and the relationships that begin as strictly business, but turn into lifelong friendships.

The photo shoot itself was an “on-the-fly” production. We had a concept in mind, but the evening was quite organic. Everyone arrived ahead of schedule to begin their allotted tasks; the DJ’s and crew began to construct our biggest setup – including plasma displays and a full overhead light show – while the Dancer staff (cast) began costume changes and photo-appropriate make-up application. I volunteered to take the lead with the construction of the equipment to keep the evening flowing smoothly; it was made easier since our entire staff was in attendance. This was a chance to me to take charge, thereby flexing my directorial ‘muscles’, working a highly efficient and self-motivated team. It is also an opportunity for both staff and director alike to learn and become more accustomed to one another, our abilities and skill sets, thereby strengthening the team even more.

This is also the ideal opportunity for people to see both sides to someone’s personality. Speaking for myself, I tend to straddle the line between business and playful, (I am an entertainer after all). Basically, I will be “all business” one minute and “bouncing off the walls” the next. I believe the balance is necessary to being successful in this industry; we are required to be organized and “business-like” in our approach with clients, yet “fun and animated” during meetings and at the event.

Some would say that you have to be a little crazy to be in this business. I tend to agree with them.

It’s nice to have people around you that fit the same mold.

~Brian

Photo Images Courtesy of Nicole Leigh Photography

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

As a DJ and self proclaimed Musicologist – very much like John Cusack’s character in the movie High Fidelity – I find myself compelled to compile and organize music into lists and categories.  This particular list is one that has been the source of heated debate amongst my office staff who are also DJ and music type people, and being that collectively we were unable to reach any sort of agreement, a completed ‘Happy Songs’ list was tabled and left unfinished primarily due to clear parameters of the term ‘happy songs’.

The object was to come up with a list of happy songs that referred to a sense of self-happiness, excluding songs that were based on happiness attained through love or relationship, therefore counting out tunes like ‘Happy Together’ by The Turtles or ‘You Make Me So Very Happy’ by Blood, Sweat and Tears.  Although these songs had the word ‘happy’ in the title, the lyrics refer more to someone making another person happy, and not just being happy.

The other type of song that was carefully avoided was the ‘uplifting’ tune.  There are countless more songs that talk about things looking up, or getting better than those that simply say happy, which include ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ by Johnny Nash, ‘Don’t Stop’ by Fleetwood Mac and ‘Here Comes The Sun’ by The Beatles.  Although these, and many tunes like them promise good days ahead, they fall short of the “I am happy in the here and now”.  Going down that road we could have mistakenly included ‘Tomorrow’ from Annie or ‘Over The Rainbow’, again, uplifting and encouraging, but not just plain happy.

So after long debates and deliberation with both my staff (Brian, Richie, Tony D. and Carl), along with my friend Dean, we were able to whittle away at what really made for a happy song.  Of course – ultimately – I was the ‘editor in chief’ of the final outcome, I don’t think I could have come up with as definitive and narrow a song list, as specifically tweaked as I believe it is.  Here are the final eight my brain trust and I came up with for happy songs.  We aren’t saying that other songs aren’t capable of making you happy, we all have our personal favorites, we’re just saying these songs are pretty happy.

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin

Okay, so who didn’t see this one coming?  Not only is this McFerrin’s biggest commercial hit, but if there were a nation of happiness, this would probably be its anthem.  It is also rumored that it’s the song Bobby McFerrin likes least, which would be understandable if he’s had to perform it as often as most of us have heard it.  Even so, it’s catchy, and we all know we find ourselves humming or whistling along.

‘Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive’ by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters

Giving credit where credit is due, it was Johnny Mercer who not only recorded this first in October of 1944, but he also wrote the lyrics.  Johnny Mercer and Bing Crosby were good friends, and Bing’s version released in December of the same year is my own personal favorite (although Mercer’s is still the bees knees as they say).  The added goodness of The Andrews Sisters makes this version fun, and reminding a United States just free of the great depression and entrenched in World War II  to”Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative”, in other words… just be happy.

‘Joy To The World’ by Three Dog Night

If you had a very good friend, who happened to be a bullfrog, whom you shared an occasional drink of fine wine with, would you listen to him if he proclaimed joy to all the boys and girls?  Well, in 1971 they were listening, and made this Billboard’s number one song of that year.  Looks like bullfrogs know a thing or two about happiness and joy.

‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’ by James Brown

When the Godfather of Soul feels good, he says it loud and proud.  Although this one kind of breaks the rules in that a lyric says “When I hold you in my arms, my love can’t do me no harm”, there is no doubt that James is keeping in character by saying she’s lucky to be with him because he’s the one that feels good.  Take the top down, and take a drive on a sunny day with this tune turned up loud, smile, and perception becomes reality with a theme song.

‘Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life’ by Eric Idle/Monty Python

By far the most popular original song from a Monty Python film, Eric Idle wrote and performed this happy ditty for the film Life of Brian, and no surprise to its musical magic, former Beatles George Harrison was the films executive producer.  Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life had become a novelty song – particularly in the U.K. – where it is sung at sporting events, and even funerals.  The title speaks for itself.

‘Get Happy’ by Judy Garland

Although previously released, Judy Garland’s version from the 1950 motion picture ‘Summer Stock’ is the most memorable, and although this tune borders on encouragement vs. personal happiness, it’s still certain to put a smile on our face, and give us a quick reminder to forget our troubles, and get happy, not unlike Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry, Be Happy.  A little known factoid about this song is that it served as the original opening song for Warner Brothers ‘Merrie Melodies’ in the early 1930s.

‘Come on Get Happy’ by The Partridge Family

A.K.A. The Partridge Family theme song, although it initially underwent various incarnations, this song almost didn’t make our list due to it’s collective “We’d spread a little lovin’ then we’d keep movin’ on” was borderline love/happy.  Yet, it isn’t happiness dependent on others, it was the family spreading happiness to others through song.  Admittedly, Susan Dey – being one of my pre-teen crushes – will always be synonymous with happiness to me.

‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong

“And I think to myself, what a wonderful world”.  Could there possibly be a more pure and happy thought?  Trees of green, clouds of white, and Satchmo singing about it to us.  The song has been used in countless films, and What a Wonderful World – originally recorded and released by Armstrong in 1968 – has become somewhat of a standard.  It beckons us to appreciate the colors of the rainbow and the faces of children, and the lyric’s reference to babies crying who will learn much more then we’ll ever know metaphorically reminds us that life itself is eternal.  It’s a song that softly asks us to stop and be amazed at the beauty all around us.

-Craig & Company

Sometime in December of 2010 I got a call from Philadelphia wedding and event planner Randi Martin from Always Fabulous Events.  We have worked events with Randi before, so naturally I thought she was calling about some event that we were working together in the near future (she is very thorough like that).  To my surprise, it wasn’t just any event, but the Wish Upon a Wedding Philadelphia launch party, and she was asking me to handle the music for the event personally.  Yup, lil ole’ me.

What is Wish Upon a Wedding you ask?  Well, I grabbed this blurb from their website to give you an idea of what the organization is all about.

Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Often, couples facing such situations do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. Our organization takes care of all the details, offering couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.

Now, I’d love to spin this and say something like “Oh what an honor it was to be chosen to be a part of this” or perhaps suggest I was chosen because I’m somehow the best at what I do, but truth be told, all of the credit goes to the event planners involved, and their infinite wisdom. Randi Martin wanted me specifically not because I am the best, but instead because I was the best suited for this specific event.  Good event planners are very clever like that… choosing what’s the right fit for a specific instance.

Randi also knew I’d be unlikely to turn it down, as I’d have a soft spot for it’s Beatles-esq theme, “All You Need Is Love”

It was a really cool event, with well over two hundred attendees and countless volunteers.   Mark Kingsdorf, President of the Philadelphia chapter of the organization presided over the event – held at the Top of the Tower – with a heartfelt speech intended to formally introduce Wish Upon a Wedding’s objective and goals to the Philadelphia event industry (see video above).

Although I knew that Randi and the team were hoping to pull upon my knowledge of The Beatles, and the whole Beatles/Love connection, I knew I couldn’t just create a music program entirely of The Beatles, as it would get stale pretty quick to the eclectic, event industry-centric audience.  Instead, in creating the music program, I focused on two ideas: ‘Love’ and ‘Fun’, or as I titled the folder that served to collect my selections, ‘Fun Love’.  Naturally, love is a recurring theme in music, but to pick out the ones I felt conveyed the most up-beat and smiling side of love (as opposed to the mushy, fall asleep ballads) was a fun undertaking.

Again, thanks to Randi Martin, Mark Kingsdorf, and the rest of the Wish Upon A Wedding team for including us in such a noble and worthy cause. It’s okay to stop thanking us now Mark… It was truly our pleasure.

I’ve included a sample selection of the songs here, which I hope you’ll listen to and enjoy.  Whether you listen at work, or while you’re doing your thing at home, I hope you find as much fun in the little play list I’ve compiled as I did.  And naturally, there are a few Beatles tunes sprinkled in .  Just click below on the play button and remember… All You Need Is Love.

~Craig

Video courtesy of Branded Productions – www.brandedvideo.com

Wish Upon a Wedding Philadelphia

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

]]> http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2011/02/11/the-philadelphia-wish-upon-a-wedding-launch/feed/ 1 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2011/02/09/the-george-fund-teen-formal/ http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2011/02/09/the-george-fund-teen-formal/#comments Wed, 09 Feb 2011 06:05:32 +0000 Cutting Edge http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/?p=3356 Cutting Edge Entertainment had the pleasure to be a part of many great events in the month of January.  I was happy to be apart of a very special event at the Great American Pub in Conshohocken.  The event was a Teen Formal which was hosted by The George Fund Charity.  Cutting Edge Entertainment was [...]]]>

Cutting Edge Entertainment had the pleasure to be a part of many great events in the month of January.  I was happy to be apart of a very special event at the Great American Pub in Conshohocken.  The event was a Teen Formal which was hosted by The George Fund Charity.  Cutting Edge Entertainment was proud to be a sponsor for the event.

About 200 teens from the area showed up and enjoyed food and beverages, and of course lots of dancing.  Not only were they having a good time, but they also were raising money for children in need.  The teens got dressed up in their best formal wear and packed the dance floor the entire night.  DJ Foltzy and I had a great time playing music, and meeting everyone involved in this charity.

The George Fund – named in memory of George Hedges Pappert – was established by his parents Jerry and Ellen Pappert at Keystone Hospice in 2008. George died on January 12, 2008, just eight days before his fifth birthday and 18 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

Pediatric hospice care is often three times more expensive than adult hospice care, and urgently needed services are sometimes out of reach for many families. The Fund is designed to help families of terminally ill children with their needs for quality hospice care, including clinical services, medication and equipment.

Every dollar contributed to The George Fund goes to help pay for comprehensive pediatric hospice care, which insurance plans do not adequately support. Contributions are used for durable medical equipment, prescription medications, creative arts therapies and the many other needs of terminally ill children.

We want to thank Connie and the rest of the organizers of the Teen Formal, for asking us to be a part of this event.  Also, I need to thank all of the amazing teens who came to the event.  We had so much fun at this dance, and I hope everybody had as good of a time as we did.

Richie

The George Fund

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

]]> http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2011/02/09/the-george-fund-teen-formal/feed/ 0 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2011/01/19/the-2011-philadelphia-n-a-c-e-gala/ http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2011/01/19/the-2011-philadelphia-n-a-c-e-gala/#comments Wed, 19 Jan 2011 06:34:56 +0000 Cutting Edge http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/?p=3198 It’s been a few years since the Philadelphia chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives (N.A.C.E.) held a Gala for the folks in the event industry. On January 16, 2011 they certainly made up for lost time. This Gala – by far – was the most impressive industry event I have ever attended. As [...]]]>

It’s been a few years since the Philadelphia chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives (N.A.C.E.) held a Gala for the folks in the event industry.

On January 16, 2011 they certainly made up for lost time.

This Gala – by far – was the most impressive industry event I have ever attended. As a matter of fact, it’s quite likely that this was the most impressive event I’ve ever attended period.

After valet parking, guests entered into the surreal, as they were treated to mouth watering hors d’oeuvres, and trapeze artists serving champagne from on high.  There was no shortage of eye-candy, both in the attire of the attendees and the lights and thematic décor, but the most impressive element was yet to come.

It was the infinite wisdom of Karen Pecora to assemble the team of event professionals that were to be involved.  Among many great and creative minds, she brought together the three “E’s”,  Eventions Productions, Evantine and EventQuip… and the rest is history.

“If you build it, they will come.”
~Field of Dreams

Ed Knight and his team at EventQuip did just that.  I’ve written about EventQuip in the past (click here), but to actually see them in action was something else entirely.  Truth be told, I wasn’t planning on even attending the Gala until Ed phoned me the week of, telling me I would be making a mistake if I missed it.  He was right, and I was significantly blown away, as Ed likely knew I would be.

As I crossed over the glass floor (with a girl lying below), I beheld ‘the ballroom’.  I put ballroom in quotes because, in reality, it didn’t even exist, so to speak.  Ed Knight and the EventQuip team (props to Josh) ‘built’ the structure which sat 200 plus guests, and housed a lounge area, full bar (two bars if you include the appendage of the vodka bar), and a raised stage with a water pool beneath it (upon which Big Ric and his band rocked the house).

In short, let’s just say that all future events might need a limbo theme, because the bar has just been raised.

As Karen Pecora said in her opening remarks, “We couldn’t find a ballroom this cool in Philly… so we got Ed Knight to build it”.  And so they did.

Before

After

To Brian Kappra from Evantine, Brian Toner from Eventions Productions, Sandy O from Creative Juice and Scott Barnes from Stephen Starr, my hat is off to you all, and to those I may have forgot to mention.  To Karen… Kudos for putting together such an all-star team, and lastly – in my humble opinion – the cake goes to Ed Knight and all the folks at EventQuip for building something from nothing.  And although even Ed will have a hard time out-doing himself on this one, I suspect the next big Gala may just be held in a ballroom built entirely of Lego blocks… Silly? Maybe, but if it could be done, EventQuip would be the company to do it.

Craig Sumsky
Director
Cutting Edge Entertainment

Images (other than the before and after) courtesy of Barton Paul Photography
www.bartonpaul.com

Catering by Stephen Starr – www.stephenstarrevents.net

Lighting by Eventions Productions – www.eventionsproductions.com

Design by Evantine – www.evantinedesign.com

Magic and Pixie Dust (live performers) by Creative Juice Group
www.creativejuicegroup.com

Tent Structure/Architect – www.eventquip.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

]]> http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2011/01/19/the-2011-philadelphia-n-a-c-e-gala/feed/ 3 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2010/12/01/mug-shots-good-coffee-and-david-williams/ http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2010/12/01/mug-shots-good-coffee-and-david-williams/#comments Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:02:06 +0000 Cutting Edge http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/?p=2890 A few days ago we received an email from Philadelphia Film Maker David Williams, with the above photo of himself attached. In the email, Dave asks, “Why does my coffee taste so good?” Well Dave, let us tell you. First, the coffee tastes so good because you are drinking out of a Cutting Edge Entertainment [...]]]>

A few days ago we received an email from Philadelphia Film Maker David Williams, with the above photo of himself attached.

In the email, Dave asks, “Why does my coffee taste so good?”

Well Dave, let us tell you.

First, the coffee tastes so good because you are drinking out of a Cutting Edge Entertainment coffee mug, which would make any beverage taste excellent, especially coffee.  But it takes excellence to recognize excellence David, and you Sir are excellent at what you do.  Combine an excellent film maker and an excellent coffee mug from an excellent DJ company, and it is a formula for excellence that the world has likely never known, and the end result would most certainly be the most excellent cup of coffee that there has ever been.

Mmmmm, sip that coffee Dave… drink up the excellence.

Now imagine if you can a great man like Dave, with great skills at making films. Skills beyond imagination.  The type of man who would stop at nothing to get the job done, always at the ready with the most advanced technology, cameras and equipment, shooting in the most remote and exotic places… David Williams is a man on the cutting edge. The type of manly-man who would scale the highest and most treacherous heights of Mount Everest, scuba dive to the darkest and most dangerous depths of the ocean floor, fight his way through an army of trained Ninjas, or wrestle an entire pride of lions – bare handed – to get the footage he required.  Dave Williams is a man who does not have the words ‘can not’ in his vocabulary, a man who does not know the meaning of fail.

This is a truly great man, and without a doubt one who would not settle for anything less than great coffee, served in the greatest coffee mug.

We hope that has helped to answer your question Dave.  May your Cutting Edge mug be ever filled with rich, full flavored coffee which is excellent, just like you.

Dave Williams excellent company – www.cinemacake.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

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