On Saturday, May 22 of 2010 Cutting Edge Entertainment had the opportunity to perform for Nicole’s Bat Mitzvah at The American Helicopter Museum in West Chester, Pennsylvania. With most Bar & Bat Mitzvah clients, we deal with Mom and Dad from the booking stage all the way through planning, but once in a while I get to deal with Grandmothers and Grandfathers, which, for me, is a rare treat. When Lori Paradis (pronounced “paradise”) first contacted me she introduced herself as the grandmother of the Bat Mitzvah girl, and explained that she had been charged with interviewing and choosing the entertainment. Admittedly, I’ve got a soft spot for grandmothers, and have a photo from my own Bar Mitzvah framed at home in my study… It’s a photo with my Grandmother.

Lori’s concerns weren’t unique, they are ones we encounter quite often with clients inquiring about our DJ services. “Can we keep the kids engaged and entertained?” Throughout the process the Paradis family was pretty awesome to work with. Nicole herself was quite the young lady, with her own concerns, much like her Grandmother. Even Dad made a point to make clear that the kids should be the focus, and I assured him that that’s just what we do. At one point Lori even said to me “I entrust you with the success of this event”, and again, I reassured her that everything would be just fine.

The party was a huge success, and not only were the kids engaged and entertained, but the adults were too. It’s just what we do.

Being the MC for the event, and the Director of the company, I assembled an all-star cast of dancers, DJ, and crew. The event was a huge success, but I couldn’t even begin to take full credit for it’s outcome. Not only did my staff rock the house (or in this case, the museum), but we worked alongside Sherron Trio, the Director of the Museum as well as John Serock from John Serock Catering. True professionals, who were invaluable allies in the phenomenal outcome of the Mitzvah.

The party had a club theme, and our guy dancers seconded as bouncers (see photos), checking IDs and a guest list before anyone was admitted into cocktail. Introductions, candle lighting and a hora soon followed, and then it was fun, fun, fun. Games and dancing and fun. It’s what we do every weekend, and while Nicole and her friends were having the time of their life, I glanced over to see an expression on Lori’s face (yes Lori, I caught it) of pure joy. It’s moments like that that are the most rewarding part of my job.

The week following the party I received this email from Lori…

In September of 2009, I was asked to help plan the event celebrating my Granddaughter Nicole Paradis’s Bat Mitzvah. It was an honor to be asked. (If you knew Nicole, you would know why).

As any Bubbie knows, when all is said and done, at the end of the party, the place may not be remembered (although in this case it will be), or the food (although in this case it will also be), but the one part that will be remembered the most and which determines the success of the evening, is the success of the party itself depends on the entertainment.

So, one Saturday evening, I phoned Cutting Edge Entertainment to get information fully expecting to get a message machine. Instead to my huge surprise, Craig Sumsky, the owner of the DJ Company answered the phone, and proceeded to chat for a long time about not only his DJ Company, but life, religion, the world in general and his Bubbie!!

I knew right away that this would not just be a business relationship, and that a person with such compassion, caring, and kindness, along with great salesmanship would handle our party better than anyone else could ever do. I was more than right!!

On May 22, 2010, the BEST Party anyone could ever hope for was led by Cutting Edge Entertainment, with the BEST STAFF you could imagine. They brought joy to a gaggle of kids and adults as well, and they made Nicole feel like a princess for an evening (which she so deserved). Guests sang, danced, laughed, cried (candles!) and at the end of the party left wishing it weren’t over.

My deepest thanks to you Craig and your outstanding staff, Tony, Brittany, Nate, Louis, and the DJs.

With Love and Gratitude,

Lori Paradis

No Lori… Thank YOU. Mazel Tov to Nicole, and the entire Paradis family.

-Craig

Photos courtesy of Alexandra Horvath Photography – http://ahorvathphotog.wordpress.com/

Catering by John Serock – www.serockcatering.com

The American Helicopter Museum

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

On May 15, 2010, I had the privilege of being the DJ for Lauren’s Bat Mitzvah at Keneseth Israel Synagogue in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. This was particularly special for me as I have known the family for many years now, and I’ve seen Lauren grow up through the years. It all started about eight years ago when I was Lauren’s driver to a small summer camp called Indian Valley. Melanie (Lauren’s mom) was pretty nervous at the time about having her little girl starting a camp and being driven by someone she didn’t even know. As the summer went on, Melanie got more comfortable with me, and we began to talk fairly often. Lauren was comfortable with me from the beginning, and she wasn’t shy… she would chat away for the entire van ride. The next summer, Melanie began working at Indian Valley as our nature specialist and that is where our friendship really blossomed. I became friends with the entire family as Lauren and AJ (Lauren’s brother) both attended camp and Anthony (Lauren’s father) started playing softball with our counselor team. I would like to add that Anthony is one of the funniest guys I have ever spoken to. We all became friends and our friendship continued as we worked together for several more years.

When I received a call from Craig to see if I was available for the date, it was a no-brainer that I would be the MC for Lauren’s Bat Mitzvah. It would be my pleasure. The entire family was very laid back with all of their planning as I told them “Cutting Edge” would take care of everything the day of the event. Most parents are very nervous for their first Bar or Bat Mitzvah, but as I tell all of my clients “Let me take care of all the worrying for you.” Lauren’s Bat Mitzvah felt like a camp reunion of sorts, as a few counselors that I worked with, as well as a few campers were there. My disc jockeys Steven “Foltz” and Matt “Dirk” were former campers and friends with the D’Orazios as well. I even got to work with Chad Kramaroff, (the Director of Indian Valley Camp), who did digital photos.

My staff had an amazing time!I It was a pleasure to work with my DJs, and my dancers (Nate, Q, Ashley, Brittany and Elana), as well as an amazing family. We had a great time with the guests who were up dancing and partying with Lauren and her family. The kids followed along with whatever the dancers did and played all of the games with us. Mom and her girlfriends were out on the dance floor for the adult and kids sets. Anthony even danced for one song (if I called him out any more, he might have hurt me). I couldn’t have asked for the party to go any better!

As always, it was great to work with Barnett and Alfie from Hy Paul Studios, whose photos you see here.

I’m looking forward to AJ’s Bar Mitzvah in a few years, which I’m betting it’ll be a hockey theme. More importantly, although Indian Valley is now closed, it will be great to spend with the summers with them again at Camp America Day Camp where we will be working together again.

Mazel Tov Lauren!!

Marc Mednick

Photos courtesy of Hy Paul Studios – www.hypaul.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com