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

“For 50 minutes, they spin, move, dance and sweat…” were the exact words that Kara Seymour, editor of www.patch.com used to begin her article about my class. I smiled as my eyes moved over the rest of the publication. I had never heard anyone describe my class in such a dynamic way.

It is my second year of teaching break dancing/hip-hop at the N.A.C. (Newtown Athletic Club), in Newtown, PA. I also run a one week camp in the summertime that is an abbreviated version of the full session. My classes focus on teaching students what I have coined as the “Styles or Elements” of Hip-Hop. Instead of being a choreography heavy class, my classes focus on the different forms of dance that create the diverse category the world knows as hip-hop dance.
These techniques include breaking, popping, locking (yes they are two different disciplines), waving, gliding, tutting, krumping and many other aspects.

While all my classes have been extremely successful, the N.A.C. and I have found that the class that has drawn the most attention has been my all boys group. The lesson is open to boys ages 7 to 12. We have found that it offers these kids a unique setting. They don’t have to worry about being embarrassed in front of the girls, or whatever may restrain them from exploring dance for what it can be. The little guys learn from a male teacher (me!) and have the chance to learn that dancing can be “cool” as well. My director, Kim, always calls it “doing the boy stuff.”

This is what Kara wanted to check out last month. As Kara explained to me via email, “Patch aims to provide ‘hyper-local’ news content to communities under served by existing media.” Newtown, Pennsylvania happens to be one of those areas, and Patch.com has an entire section for the Bucks County town. Kara and her co-workers publish something new every day about the local community, whether it be about the schools, local government, community events, or the day-to-day social happenings in the area.

I was flattered and thrilled that my class had drawn so much positive interest, and we were more than excited to have Kara come to watch. She snapped some photos, as well as spoke to Kim and myself. I was also intrigued to learn of a website like Patch.com. Not only do they have a section for almost every town in the Bucks County area, but they also provide coverage to locales such as Abington, Bryn Mawr/Gladwyne, and West Chester. All you have to do is go to Patch.com, click on the state of Pennsylvania on the map, and find your neighborhood!

I would love to thank the Newtown Athletic Club for its continuous support of my classes, and Kara Seymour for her awesome article on the little guys, they loved it!

-Tony

To check out the article, click here

Image courtesy of Kara Seymour

For more info on my classes, check out the Newtown Athletic Club
www.newtownathletic.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Hello Cutting Edge and all those who follow our blog out there! It’s been awhile since I have seen ya’ll, but from what I’ve been told it’s been quite a busy season, and I am sure ya’ll have been rocking out gigs all over Philly.

Rome has been the most incredible experience, and although I do miss entertaining, I’ve be so lucky to have an opportunity like the one I am living through at the moment.  I’m staying in an apartment complex that’s about a five minute walk from the walls of The Vatican in the Northwest part of Rome. I walk from my apartment to Temple’s Rome campus surrounded by the inviting smells of hand-made pasta and fresh meats from the open-air market around the corner.  As I’m sure some of ya’ll can imagine, it is very hard for me to make it to classes on time without taking a quick detour down a side street for a quick snack.  Although the “campus” here is only one building, it has all the amenities of Temple’s home campus in Philly as well as some different and unique things, like a vending machine that makes fresh caffés and cappuccinos!  Rome is such a striking city, because it has the metropolitan feel of New York, or any other modern city, but there is not one skyscraper in sight. Rome is all on about the same level, which allows for breathtaking views of the city from any of the legendary hills of Rome, with only the magnificent domes of the multiple basilicas surfacing above the city.

Every day is like a living breathing history lesson, as my classes take me to almost every significant location throughout the city, and it is still hard to wrap my mind around the fact that places such as the Coliseum, the Vatican Museums and the Roman Forum are now my classroom.  My professors are from various countries and walks of life, and have written textbooks or – in some cases – are themselves responsible for the discovery of some of these amazing pieces of history.

While this all seems like a lot, there is still time for fun! There are endless options for things to do, day or night, and I have been on the go trying to do it all.  Between clubs, bars, soccer matches, eating gelato, the theatre (which Italy is famous for Shoshana!), wine tasting, seeing the stores on Via del Corso, and even watching a dance show in the Roman Forum, I figure I’ll just sleep whenever I get back to Philadelphia.

I was also blessed, no pun intended, to witness a canonization at St. Peter’s in the Vatican.  I have been fortunate to touch my feet down in various places outside of Rome as well, including the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Naples, Venice, Paris, Greece, London, Oxford and Windsor.  I tried to have tea with the Queen while I was in England, but those guys in the big, furry hats wouldn’t let me in the palace…clearly they need a Cutting Edge party because they didn’t even crack a smile.

I still have time to do more, and I don’t plan on wasting a second.  Some of my favorite moments, however, are the little things that happen that make me feel as if I’ve made myself at home amidst this incredible culture. Whether it is carrying on a conversation in Italian, giving someone directions because they have mistaken me for a local, or having the owner of the restaurant near school give me free food and sit at my table with me (yes, I am in there almost every day).

I can only hope that all these experiences here only help to make me a better person, as well as make me better at what I love to do; entertain others.   I do believe there is something to be said for seeing different places, cultures, and living in the midst of people who aren’t like yourself and, as some people say, “getting cultured”.  While I could possibly live in Italy for the rest of my life without a second thought, I’m also excited to return home. It will be nice to see my family and friends, sink my teeth into a hot cheese steak covered in Whiz, and watch some Eagles football. I’m also looking forward to returning to work as an MC, DJ and dancer at Cutting Edge, and I know that I’m already penciled in for December (thanks Craig).

Y’all better be ready for me.

Arrivederci mi amici!

Tony A.

To find out more about Tony, click here: DJ Tony: Southern Hospitality

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Okay so we all have the desire to want to look good and more importantly the desire for others to think that we look good, but with the fashion trends constantly changin and few things remaining constant, this can be a completely daunting task. These are the quick reflections of a young stylish adult.

Being a 22 year old soon-to-be college graduate I am often placed in a weird place in the world of fashion trends, the middle ground.  You don’t want to seem too old with your attire while at the same time you are well past the days of big name brands molesting the clothing you adorn. The best policy is to keep it clean and keep it simple.

With this hot and humid weather, a nice fitted pair of jeans and a classic sneaker is an option you can never lose with. Most of the time this is what I choose. Its clean classic and timeless.  Sperry’s (a brand of boat shoe) are also a must have in every closet for the summer season.

One of the most important things about clothing is that it must match your personality.  Before you are even given an opportunity to express yourself verbally, your appearance speaks volumes.  This is a very dangerous and powerful fact.  This allows a person to give off whatever impression they wish to simply by what they choose to wear.

The next is to make sure that your clothes are appropriate for you.  There is nothing worse than seeing someone who is wearing something that is completely too small for their body.  Smaller is not nessicarily sexier (women tend to violate this rule the most).  I love women with all my being but when I see a women who is a XL trying to fit into a Medium, the next thing i see is four people slyly TwitPic’ing her.

Lastly I greatly dislike this “skinny jeans” movement.  It’s a personal choice of course which is what I talked about earlier but I would be remiss if I didn’t sound off on this nonsense.  The worst part about this whole movement is that  I’ve never seen a guy wearing these ‘super skinny jeans’ walking with a girlfriend.  Bottom line, your jeans should not be as tight as the ones your girlfriend is wearing.

Just some kick reflections of a young stylish adult.

-Nate Jones

Nate is a dancer and MC with Cutting Edge Entertainment.  To learn a bit more about him, check out some of these posts on our blog.

Nate on Cutting Edge

Nate on Hip Hop

Nate Style

Photo courtesy of Erin Duffy

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

My Name is Wayne Gustafson and I’ve been performing as a bandleader for Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs in the Philadelphia area for almost three decades.  In all those years I’ve seen both trends as well as entertainers come and go, yet some things I’ve found I can always depend on.

One day in the fall of 1995, after ending my tenure with The Entertainment Group, I was scheduling my musicians and dancers for upcoming events.  Speaking with my lead dancer, she informed me that she was retiring from the mitzvah dancing business.  I was disappointed, but more than that, unsure of where to start looking for a replacement.

Not ten minutes later, I answered a phone call from Craig Sumsky, who introduced himself as the owner of Cutting Edge Entertainment, and was calling to offer the services of the dancers from his company for my Bat and Bar Mitzvah clients.  He told me how well they work with bands at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and . . .

“Stop”, I said.  “I’m sold”.

He went on to say how well they are trained, and . . .

“Stop”, I said.  “I’m sold”.

He also added that they were very experienced with working with kids, and . . .

“Stop”, I said.  “I’m sold”.

You get the point, I was a motivated buyer.  But after all these years, I am still very fortunate to have a great relationship with Cutting Edge.  I have had the privilege of working with many different artists – Alison, Justin, Monica, Pedro, Regina, Kelly, Shoshana and Tony just to name a few.  Throughout the years there has always been one constant;  every single dancer has been the consummate professional.  They are overly prepared, energetic, enthusiastic, and extremely easy to work with.  It’s no wonder that every party that I do with them is a huge success.

So I look ahead to a bright future of many great parties with Cutting Edge Entertainment, and yes Craig, I’m still sold!

Wayne Gustafson
The Untouchables
www.wayneron.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

What can one say about a place where so many different and creative minds come together?

Cutting Edge Entertainment is a mad house of energy, talent, and personality.  It’s really become so much more than just a place of business to me, it is my extended family.  If you ask the average person how many jobs and different places of employment they’ve had over their high school and college years, it’s common that you’ll hear anywhere from four to five different answers. This is completely different at Cutting Edge… great people stick around.

To be honest, Cutting Edge isn’t really just a job to me… it’s an experience. When I was first hired (almost a decade ago), and I heard how many years some people had been with the company, I was kinda like  “These guys are a little nuts! Why have they been doing this for so long?  Don’t they have real jobs?”  It didn’t take me long to figure out what was really going on.

That thought was quickly replaced with the understanding that C.E.E. is a place where you can do some serious growing, both professionally and personally.  I have been fortunate to have been with Cutting Edge Entertainment for seven years now, and I wouldn’t change a thing about my time here.  Starting out as a dancer, I learned from some of the most talented and unique people I have ever had the opportunity of meeting, not to mention working beside.

Now as I make my transition into the world of being an MC, I’m excited knowing there is so much more I will be exposed to and learn from being with this company.

Cutting Edge Entertainment a very cohesive unit, learning from one another’s strengths in an environment that is conducive to success.  Much of what makes this a great company to work for is what makes it such an outstanding company to hire.  Folks who are excited about what the do and the organization they represent are the kind of folks I work with, it’s just a great formula to succeed.

-Nate Jones

Photos by Jean Valentin Photography – www.jean-valentin.com

Become a fan of Cutting Edge on Facebook
www.facebook.com/CuttingEdgeEntertainment

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Having been in business since 1992, Cutting Edge Entertainment has come in contact with a great many photographers. One of our favorites for many years has been Joel Perlish. Joel has an uncanny knack for capturing our staff in motion, while at the same time never missing a moment of the action on the dance floor.

I recently reconnected with Joel, who was kind enough to provide us with a couple of photos he took a few years back. These photos have been hanging in our office for several years now, but we never had the digital copies of them so as to show them off here on our blog. Joel was happy to provide them, and found the specific photos I requested within moments of my asking for them even though they were taken almost four years ago. Quite impressive.

The first is a photo of C.E.E. dancer Regina (now in her second year of law school), and the second photo is Kelly (now a middle school phys-ed teacher).

Joel Perlish Photography – http://www.joelperlish.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

On August 29, 2009 the DJ and Dancer staff of Cutting Edge Entertainment had the honor of performing at Anna’s Bat Mitzvah at Reading Country Club (pronounced ‘redding’ for those non-Pennsylvanian’s out there) and we had a blast.  Anna and her family were a pleasure to work with, as were the country club staff, Photographer James Cucinotta and Reading C.C. Banquet Manager Jeffery Stauss.

Anna’s guests were awesome (special shout out to all the kids) and danced non-stop all night.  CO-MC Tony did a great job most of the event, with help from the dancers and DJ Foltzy.   The entire crowd came ready to party (and play cool games), including Anna’s parents, Cindy & George (a.k.a. G-1).

As you can probably tell from the photos,  Reading Country Club is an amazing facility, located in beautiful and scenic Reading Pennsylvania, about forty minutes outside Philadelphia.  Built in the 1920′s to be a golf country club, the ballroom – with an impressive vaulted ceiling and elegant balconies – offers seating for up to 250 guests very comfortably, while offering separate rooms just off the main ballroom for cocktails, a bar, and buffet or dessert.  There is also a spacious outdoor patio accessible from the ballroom that overlooks the golf course and countryside beyond.  I would highly recommend the facility for both bar & bat mitzvahs and weddings, and we look forward to working there again soon.

And of course… Happy Bat Mitzvah Anna!

Photos by James Cucinotta – www.cucinottaimages.com

Reading Country Club -  www.readingcountryclub.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Recently, Cutting Edge carried out a long standing tradition that the company has held since its inception.  Holding the highly energetic and truly enjoyable event known as ‘dancer practice.’  These monthly rehearsals have been going on since the infancy of Cutting Edge Entertainment when the company was based in a small studio office and we would have to clear all the equipment to one side to make room, till today at our current location where we have a private dance studio with mirrored walls roll-out dance floors.

So what exactly is it that we do at ‘dancer practice’ you ask?  Well, it covers quite a bit, including dance routines, techniques in running games, acting/improvisation exercises, ‘Mingling 101′, stage presence, and even crowd psychology (yes, it really gets that deep).

Cutting Edge has always taken a multi-faceted approach when it comes to training our entertainment staff.  Throughout the years we’ve added some things to the practices while taking away others, but our goal has always remained the same . . . Training our staff to be as well prepared as possible to handle every imaginable personality, group or situation that they might encounter during an event.  Every party is different, and there is no set formula, so we have always felt that our staff should have the physical and mental tools necessary to react accordingly.  That is the reason we have always trained our dancers on so many levels .

Some people don’t understand why we include acting, improv, and psychology into our practices, after all, Isn’t a dancer just supposed to be a good dancer?  NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!  A dancer needs to be a dynamic, charismatic, and engaging individual at an event.  If all they are going to do is stand there and look pretty, we’re simply not interested.  Their energetic personalities become infectious during an event, influencing everyone around them and therefore catapulting the crowd (and the party) to a whole new level.  For that reason our dancers are requested to perform for other DJ companies and bands throughout the Philadelphia region.  The pros know where to go for great staff!

So hopefully this will peel back some of the mystery as to what happens during our dancer practices.  (By this point you should be able to understand why I prefer to call them ‘entertainers’)  Its a lot of fun and everyone always walks away learning something new that they didn’t know about themselves, pushing their skill set up one more notch.

If you are ever interested in stopping by to see what all the noise is about, let us know.  Till next time . . . Ciao!

-Pedro Coelho
Creative Director
Cutting Edge Entertainment

Photos by Eli Allen at Majestic Images – www.majesticimages.net

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

“Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that’s ours and ours alone. Something that can’t be learned… something that’s got to be remembered.” ~Will Smith as Bagger Vance

Photographer Jean Valentin captures the style of Cutting Edge Entertainment’s Nate Jones with just the authentic swing that Bagger Vance was referring to in this nostalgic photo (above), depicting Nate sporting a stylish and classic Jazz 1930′s/1940′s look, with the Gramophone in the background.

“Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor” ~Kappa Alpha Psi Mantra

Nate, a Fraternity man at West Chester University and the current President of The Black & Latino Greek Council, has been an employee of Cutting Edge Entertainment since his days at Abington High School, where he served as his Senior Class President.  Nate is a born leader and gifted entertainer, having won the ‘Rookie Of The Year’ award his first year with Cutting Edge.

“Confidence is one of the key elements to becoming a great entertainer, and Nate oozes with confidence” ~Pedro Coelho, Creative Director/Cutting Edge Entertainment

It takes a confident man to wear pink, and of all the outfits Nate brought to the photo shoot, the smile on his face shows his response to the chiding, teasing and taunting remarks from his co-workers as Valentin took the pictures.  Nate is seldom bothered by such silliness, and like a true performer, laughs with them during a less serious moment seen in the photo above.

“If I were to choose three words that best describe Nate Jones, they would be style, professionalism, and intelligence.” ~Tony Azzaro, MC, DJ & Dancer/Cutting Edge Entertainment

Whether as a dancer, or an MC, Nate brings ‘it’ to every event.  He works a dance floor with the same strategic approach that a Superbowl Quarterback works a football field, entertaining and charming audiences as if it were second nature.  He also understands the legacy of Cutting Edge, and works hard to deliver the level of excellence expected of a CEE employee.  With hundreds of Philadelphia area events under his belt, from bar/bat mitzvahs to corporate events, Nate is a seasoned veteran and consummate professional.

The combination of Jean Valentin’s artistic eye, and Nate Jones sense of style (and extensive wardrobe) made for quite a photo shoot.  Thank you Valentin for these beautiful photos, and more we will be posting in the upcoming weeks.

Photos by Jean Valentin – http://www.jean-valentin.com/

Valentin on twitter

Nate on twitter

www.cuttingedgedjs.com