On June 11th I had the opportunity to DJ at Huntingdon Valley Country Club for Linda and Julian’s wedding reception.   The Club is very close to our office and we’ve done many weddings and parties there in the past.  I was really looking forward to this wedding because the Club’s staff really do a great job, and they’re accommodating to the guests and the other event staff.   I also knew that the bride and groom were pumped up for a fun time.  I always tell brides and grooms while I meet with them before their wedding, that my goal is to make this reception the best that any of their guests have ever been to.  I know that may seem like I’m setting the bar really high, but I feel that with my experience and talent as a professional DJ, that it’s a promise I can not only keep, but one I can be consistent with.  At Cutting Edge Entertainment we take time to get to know our clients, because each wedding is uniquely different, and a great deal of preparation goes into each event to ensure success.  We are in touch with our couples weeks, sometimes months before their wedding to go over each and every detail and be certain nothing is overlooked.

The day of the wedding was as close to perfect as you could ask for.  The weather was amazing outside, which made for a great cocktail hour outside on the terrace.  Inside Cutting Edge lit the room with up lighting, creating a great effect and really setting the mood.  The bride and groom, along with their guests, danced and partied non stop the entire night.  We played lots of fun sing-along classics like “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey and “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond.  I even played some music from Argentina which went over great with many of the guests (a few of who happened to be Argentinian).  I was very happy to hear so many nice compliments from guests at the end of the night.  I’m glad that everybody had such a good time.

The photographer that night was Michael Smith from Ash Imagery.  I was very excited when Michael sent me some pictures to post on our blog.  Also, I want to send a shout out to the staff at Huntingdon Valley Country Club.  Whether it’s a wedding, sweet sixteen, anniversary party, or whatever, they do a good job and always are great to work along side.  Thank you very much to Linda and Julian.  I look forward to seeing you guys again in October at Jordan and Theresa’s wedding.

-DJ Richie

Huntingdon Valley Country Club - www.hvccpa.org

Photos courtesy of Ash Imagery – www.ashimagery.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

On June 12th, 2010, Courtney’s Sweet 16 became “The Greatest Show on Earth”. Kathy – Courtney’s Mom – dubbed me as the acting “Ringleader” of this three-ring celebration, as the carnival was literally brought right to their backyard. We spoke several times prior to the event, and I’d have to say, it’s likely that the Ringling Brothers couldn’t have pulled off what Kathy had in store.

There was a dunk tank, a strength meter (you know, the one where you have to ring the bell), as well as a few other circus games, and the guests were treated to funnel cake and hot dogs, all keeping with the circus/carnival theme. As Courtney and her friends played the games, they won raffle tickets, which in turn were placed in baskets for even bigger prizes to be raffled off later in the evening. Amongst the prizes were Phillies tickets, gift cards to Rita’s and iTunes, and three surprise drawings, with a grand prize surprise that was saved for the very last.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a circus without an animal, and although insects aren’t the usual animals you find at a circus, this one had a very big bug. It rolled into the backyard just after Courtney was blindfolded so that she would have no idea what was about to transpire. The “big bug” (a shiny new Volkswagen Beetle to be more specific) made its way onto the grass. It was then that Courtney’s blindfold was removed for the big reveal. “I have dreamt of a red Volkswagen Bug since I was 10 years old,” was Courtney’s comment to me when we got a moment to talk about her gift (It took her a while to calm down after her initial shock and excitement over her Sweet 16 gift). There was even a birthday cake shaped like a VW Bug that was brought out as everyone sang “Happy Birthday”.

Thanks to Leslie from Conway Productions for providing photos from the event, and to the Cole family for giving this DJ the chance to be ring leader for the day. Once again Courtney, happy birthday, and best of luck with your new convertible!

-DJ Foltzy

Photos courtesy of Conway Productions – www.conwayproductionsinc.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

On Saturday afternoon, May 29th of 2010 I got the chance to once again MC a wedding at one of my favorite venues, Cairnwood Mansion.  We have been a part of many wedding celebrations at Cairnwood, and although  I have even written other blogs about weddings I have done there, this wedding ranks among one of my favorites.

Kathleen and John were a great couple to work with.  They were laid back, fun and I could tell they were really looking forward to having a good time.  They had a large group of guests to share the special day with them (perhaps the largest I’ve seen at Cairnwood), and we provided music for them during the cocktail hour, outside on the terrace for their meal, and of course we rocked it out with some great dancing tunes inside.  Whether I was playing some traditional Italian music, the sounds of Motown, or the popular music of today everybody was out there on the dance floor.

Once again, I had the opportunity to work with the incredible staff from Feastivities.  The food and service was excellent!  It’s always great to get to work with them, and I’m looking forward to another wedding I’ll be doing with their staff again in July.  I also want to thank Jason and Nick from Ultimate Images.  We appreciate them letting us use their pictures from the wedding.  They are extremely talented and I look forward to working with them in the future.  Finally, to Shannon, Evelyn and the entire staff at Cairnwood Mansion, I really enjoy working with all of you.  I’m glad that I get to work so often at such a majestic estate (it really is a very cool place with an awesome staff0.

Thank You, and congratulations to Kathleen and John.

DJ Richie

Photos Courtesy of Ultimate Images – www.ultimateimages-photography.com

Feastivities Catering – www.feastivitiescatering.com

www.cairnwood.org

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

There seems to be a new trend in Philadelphia… band booking agencies selling DJ services.  I think it’s worth mentioning that – for the most part – I’m on pretty good terms with my competition, and by competition I mean both the area’s larger and more prominent Disc Jockey companies, as well as the independent DJ who operates single operation outfits.  Of all of these companies, only one offers an option for a live band or orchestra, and that’s because the owner is in the band.  Otherwise, DJ companies do offer percussionists, an occasional bassist and a keyboard player for cocktail… but DJ companies in Philadelphia don’t sell bands.

We don’t need to.

So why is it then that the larger band booking agencies in Philadelphia are all offering DJ and Disc Jockey services on their websites?

Could it be because they need to?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love… LOVE live bands, and I’m a DJ.  I have a great appreciation for live music and can clearly see why they have a place at weddings and bar and bat mitzvahs.  The energy created by live musicians is unique and exciting, and has a perception of sophistication and elegance.

So why is it then that these band agencies are scrambling to hire DJ entertainers of their own?

Personally, I don’t think they “need” to.  I think that they might think they need to … which could have to do with a lot of things.  The demand for quality and talented DJs hasn’t diminished in this economy, in fact it  has increased.  In speaking to my competitors, it seems that business is good, and the more reputable DJ companies seem to have weathered the storm of the recession.  Additionally, the DJ has become more and more popular in the past two decades . At a fraction of the cost of a band or orchestra, the DJ would understandably seem like an attractive alternative.

In trying to grasp this, I’ve looked at my own DJ company, as well as a handful of my competitors/colleagues in the Philadelphia area, and I have to give credit where credit is due. The DJ companies in my market, whom I compete with on a regular basis, have better DJs than the band companies.  They work more, doing their own events, they have more experience, a higher skill level and a better understanding of what it is to be a DJ than those that work for band booking agencies. The caliber of a DJ or MC working on his own or for a DJ company is reflected even more clearly in the fact that he or she doesn’t depend on the table scraps of a large band booking agency. Their skill, talent, and ability ensure that their calendar is full.

If you are looking to hire a DJ, we would be more than happy to speak with you  (and as counter-productive as it  might seem for me to say this )  so would a dozen other DJ companies in Philadelphia.  Disc Jockey services specialize in DJ entertainment, it isn’t something secondary that we also sell, it is what we do.

If a client asks me about booking a band or orchestra (which they ask fairly often), I give them a recommendation.   I don’t want to be in the band business, and I don’t need to be.

Craig Sumsky
Director
Cutting Edge Entertainment

DJ Brain Illustration by Sean Gallo – seangallodesigns.wordpress.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

I was just a little girl (around ten years old) when I first “met” Cutting Edge Entertainment at my brother’s Bar Mitzvah, where I was carried into the room by one of the dancers (Pedro). Dancing since the age of three, I would have never thought I would be performing in front of people as a profession. At every party that my family would attend Cutting Edge Entertainment seemed to be the DJ company that everyone we knew was using. As I got older, Craig said to me one day at a party I was invited to, “When you’re older, I’d like you to come work for Cutting Edge”. As a child I never thought I would live up to his expectations, and would certainly never be like the dancers who were at my brother’s Bar Mitzvah.

As I now begin my third year as a Cutting Edge employee, I look back on when I started working here and being taught the ropes by one of the MCs, Shoshana, and  I realized that I could achieve anything I set my mind to, because Cutting Edge is a great place, with an environment that really allowed me to grow as a person.  Working at Cutting Edge I’ve learned so much about myself, and I’ve grown up from the quiet, shy girl I once was.  Before I got this job, I was afraid to stand up in front of a room full of people and talk.  Now, after working here all this time, I no longer have that fear. I even get on the microphone and talk to crowds of people, and I love it!

I learned that having a job that you love is not always about the money, it’s about enjoying what you do. Working for Cutting Edge parties I sometimes forget that it’s a job. I get so into the music and the kids that I feel like I am just hanging out with new friends and the time flies by. Everyone is extremely close and it’s like working with family. We’ve built a relationship as a team and everyone has taken me under their wing as one of their younger (sapling) dancers.

~Ashley

Photo by Kevin York – www.kevinyorkphotography.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

On Sunday April 25, 2010, I had the opportunity to be the MC at Danielle and Brad’s wedding reception.  The party was at the Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia, and it was truly amazing. People were dancing the entire night, and I had a lot of fun being a part of the action.   A couple weeks after the wedding Danielle emailed us with this to say…

Rich at Cutting Edge is the BEST DJ/MC you could ask for. We had such a pleasant experience working with him, he’s a true professional and I would recommend him to my friends. Rich kept the dance floor packed during our wedding reception and all of our guests had the time of their lives dancing to all the great songs Rich had to offer. Go with Cutting Edge and you will have an amazing party!

This was my first opportunity to do a wedding at the Rittenhouse Hotel, and I enjoyed working with their team.   I got to work with Lori, Emil, and the rest of team. The food they had was great and the staff provided the guests with excellent service.  I also got to work with Nicole Leigh Photography.   Nicole does a great job and took the newlyweds all over the hotel and in the park to take pictures.   Thank you Nicole, for providing us this great picture of the bride and groom.  Finally, a thank you to Eddie Bruce for referring Danielle and Brad to Cutting Edge Entertainment. Eddie is a very good friend to Cutting Edge and we enjoy working together with him when we get the chance.

-Richie

Photo courtesy of Nicole Leigh Photography - www.nicoleleighphotography.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

As of June 12, 2010, The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated that anyone using a wireless microphone (or similar device) that operates in the 700 MHz Band will have to stop using that device, or face up to $10,000.00 or more in fines and penalties.

For more details check out -  http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones/

As of today, June 14, 2010, Cutting Edge Entertainment is 100% compliant with this law. Over the past six months, we have taken twelve wireless microphones out of service, replacing them with brand new microphones which are compliant with the new FCC rules.

One might ask “Why should this concern a client?”, and the answer is fairly simple. The frequencies between 698 and 806 (the 700 MHz Band) are now designated to be used for public safety entities (such as police, fire and emergency services). Naturally, we don’t want to interfere with law enforcement (typically a bad idea), but even more so, we don’t want them interfering with us doing our job at your event.

Imagine the police car cruising by a local venue, and suddenly hearing “And now let’s welcome in our guest of honor” broadcast over his police radio. Not only will the DJ be fined, but the DJ (or band) certainly wouldn’t be allowed to use that microphone for the remainder of the party or event. That’s why a client hiring a DJ or band should be concerned.

At Cutting Edge Entertainment, we own all of our own fully insured and maintained sound systems and DJ rigs. Since we do not subcontract our entertainers, it ensures that we control what equipment is being dispatched to an event, while staying current on the laws governing what we do which allows us to be aware of what changes need to be made, and we make them swiftly and universally.

That’s called staying on the cutting edge.

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

When tossing around ideas for my “Return to Cutting Edge Entertainment” blog post, those famous opening lines from the LL Cool J classic ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ kept ringing in my head as a perfect opening…

“Don’t call it a comeback / I’ve been here for years”

Literally, I have been here for years. And though I may have been “out of circulation” for a little while, I never really left… not in my heart. And now, I’m back on the scene and ready for action… and it feels great.

I guess a good place to start would be the very beginning, the Fall of 1996. I got my first opportunity to work for a DJ company, albeit as just the guy who carried the milk crates full of records; yes, those large vinyl discs that spin slowly. My job was that of an observer and a helping hand. I would help the Master of Ceremonies and the Disc Jockey carry all the records and equipment and take notes the entire party as I watched the DJ work his magic with seamless precision. The more parties worked, the more I helped the DJ, learning about all genres of music from Big Band to Top 40, from Jazz to Hip Hop, from Motown to Funk and everything in-between, all the while gaining experience and confidence with every successful party. Working with the best DJs I also learned the most important part of any party, the art of  ‘Reading a Crowd.’  This is the most important skill a DJ should have. A great DJ knows what their client wants, and is able to deliver a great party every time.

Over time, several DJ practices, lots of party experience and constant badgering of MCs to give me a chance, I finally became an everyday DJ for any Master of Ceremony that needed me. After years of being the best DJ I could be, I was ready to take the next step; to become an MC, Event Coordinator & great Entertainer. Eventually, Craig gave me the chance to start doing my own parties and I never looked back. I worked hard not only at perfecting my art of being a great Entertainer, but also building a quality rapport with all my clients. I had the luxury of learning what it takes to be a great Master of Ceremonies from the numerous talented MCs at Cutting Edge Entertainment. I learned how to work with my clients fashioning THE perfect party they’ve pictured in their minds.

Word spread, and for several years I was a highly requested MC at all kinds of events all across the Philadelphia Area.  Ultimately, as I got older, health issues forced me to take a step back from my passion of providing the perfect party for all my clients.

My passion and enthusiasm for the industry never went away.  I still kept in touch with my Cutting Edge Family as often as possible during my brief sabbatical. Recently, I was approached by Craig who asked me to take a position with the company that he said was tailor made just for me.  He asked me to resume doing a lot of what I loved when I was an MC, but without actually being at the event. I would still get to meet with clients and work with them to build their dream party. I can help them bring their visions into reality and make sure they are set up with the perfect staff for their event.

When Craig explained everything the job entailed, I couldn’t say no. I accepted the position, and here I am writing about the “comeback”… that really isn’t a comeback. I honestly feel like I never left… nor do I think that anyone who works for Cutting Edge Entertainment ever feels like they really leave Cutting Edge. No matter where life takes them. After all, a family is family… no matter what.

Tony Donato
Networking Director
Cutting Edge Entertainment

Photo courtesy of Kevin York – www.kevinyorkphotography.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

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

Wedding season is in full swing, and I have plenty of weddings I’ll be blogging about for a long time to come. For now, let me tell you about a wedding I did recently at the Lake House Inn on a Sunday afternoon. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, and neither could the outcome of the day. Now if you’ve never been to the Lake House Inn before, it’s name says it all… a big and beautiful house situated on a beautiful and scenic lake. The ceremony was right outside, with the lake as the backdrop for the bride and groom to say their “I do’s”. Cocktails followed inside the house, but even though the food and drinks served were inside, people mingled outside on the terrace enjoying the fantastic weather. We moved on into the tent for the reception, beginning with our introductions and first dance. During dinner the bride and groom surprised their guests with a performance by an Indian dance group. Once everyone was finished eating we got everybody up and dancing. Playing everything from the Four Tops to the Black Eyed Peas, guests both young and old filed on to the dance floor.

The bride and groom were wonderful to work with. They are blessed to have a multitude of family and friends that love to dance, which made the party a great time for all. Of course it’s always a privilege to work at the Lake House Inn, and Robyn and her staff did an amazing job as usual. The flowers were done by Suesan and her team at Murphy and Klein Floral Studios, and the photographer was my good friend Kevin York. Finally, a big thank you to Priya and Marcello (the bride & groom) for having us DJ the wedding. Congratulations, and all the best.

Your DJ,

-Richie

The Lake House Inn

Kevin York Photography – www.kevinyorkphotography.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com