Cutting Edge Entertainment » Event

Will The FCC Crash Your Party?

Cutting Edge — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:04:12 +0000

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

Don’t Call It a Comeback…

Cutting Edge — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:15:40 +0000

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 Event Videography & Filmmakers

Cutting Edge — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:36:05 +0000

I was introduced to my first event filmmaker in 1993. At the time David Stiles was operating out of a small apartment in Northeast Philadelphia under the name “Video Styles” (clever, huh?) that seconded as his editing studio. It just so happened that I was looking for a videographer to shoot some demo video for my fledgling DJ company, but what I found in Mr. Stiles was much more than a simple videographer… I found a filmmaker. The work that Dave was doing was so cutting edge (when the term fits, use it), that he literally blew away anything I’d ever seen before, and after some coercing, Dave agreed to do some “pro bono” work for Cutting Edge Entertainment.

Sadly for us, but good for Stiles, he was SO good that we lost him to N.F.L. Films about a decade later. David Stiles has moved on from the event business, and is now an accomplished editor and film producer (and Emmy Award Winner… Just Google him) for the good folks at N.F.L. The loss was bittersweet.

It took me almost a decade to find another videographer whom I considered to be the caliber of David Stiles… and coincidentally, his name was Dave as well.

Now before I continue, I should probably say that my little story of David and David doesn’t mean there aren’t other great videographers in the Philadelphia market that produce exceptional quality event videos, but few stand out in my mind as to call them filmmakers.

Truth be told, I’d never applied the term “filmmaker” to a video produced for a wedding, bar or bat mitzvah prior to meeting Dave Williams (my second Dave). Williams coined the phrase, and I adopted it… It fit. Having done some video work myself for some YouTube projects, I’m living proof that anyone can just pick up a camera, point, and shoot, but a camera does not a videographer make. Trust me, I’m no filmmaker. To turn a video of a wedding or a bat mitzvah into something so well crafted and carefully shot and edited into something wholly entertaining and, well, totally friggin cool takes serious skills. It’s a way of telling a story using imagery to evoke emotion and capture precious moments, weaving them all together to make something more akin to a major motion picture than a home movie.

So what inspired me to write a blog post all about videography and film making? Well, a few weeks ago Dave Williams sent me a link to a music video he had created to be debuted at his own daughter’s bat mitzvah. I was awed. Now keep in mind, I don’t get to see too many of these, and the last time I remember seeing one anything close to this was ten years ago, by that other Dave who now wins Emmy Awards. I’d almost forgotten how awesome a video could be.

Take a look and judge for yourself. (Dave is “Gus” the bus driver)

And the outtakes…

So umm, yeah. pretty cool huh? As you can probably guess, it’s not cheap to produce something like this, but really, really cool things rarely are.

No, Mr. Williams didn’t pay me to say any of this. If he were to ask Dave Stiles as to my motives, Stiles would probably tell him that I was one of his biggest fans, and that perhaps somewhere deep down, I wished I was selling videography instead of DJ services. He might even be right. But when something is this good, it kind of sells itself. Or maybe, just maybe, I’m looking to score a few more pro bono demo videos from another great film maker.

And if you aren’t impressed yet, feel free to check out some more amazing stuff at Dave Williams website (see below). You won’t be disappointed.

Craig Sumsky
Director and Wannabe Film Maker
Cutting Edge Entertainment

Dave Williams “CinemaCake” – www.cinemacake.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Fresh 2010 at The Elkins Estate

Cutting Edge — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:49:15 +0000

The Philadelphia chapter of the International Special Events Society (I.S.E.S) held its annual “Fresh” gala this year at The Elkins Estate, in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

If you aren’t in the event biz, that sentence says very little, so allow me to illuminate.

Perhaps I’m biased, but I honestly believe that the folks involved in Philadelphia’s event industry are perhaps some of the finest in the world. On March 24, 2010, I.S.E.S. assembled some of the most brilliant and creative minds in the Philadelphia event business to transform The Elkins Estate from an already stately and magnificent venue to an out-of-this-world magical extravaganza. I’ve attended dozens of industry galas and events, and although “Fresh” is in essence just another industry trade show, the planners, coordinators and creators of this particular event outdid themselves. The event was truly spectacular.

To say I.S.E.S. event really isn’t truly fair though, because it is people and ideas that really made this happen, and not an acronym. To attempt to name everyone who contributed would be a task I could never achieve, but the true catalyst’s are a list much less insurmountable, first and foremost being Nancy Bauman (NKB events). As the immediate past President of I.S.E.S. Philadelphia, the job of producing this years Fresh fell upon Nancy, who in her infinite wisdom chose Mark Kingsdorf (Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants) to chair the event, and together they assembled a crack team of professionals (caterers, entertainers, decorators, etc) to pull off something truly unique.

The second great stroke of wisdom was to host the event at The Elkins Estate’s Elstowe Manor, one of the newest and most exciting venues in the Philadelphia area. The enormous mansion – constructed in the late nineteenth century – is a breathtaking monument to the affluence and grandeur of the Gilded Age in which it was built. The core staff at Elkins – Anessa Pappas and Lindsay Martin (along with Amy and Melissa) – were a big part of the event as well, working in concert with Nancy Bauman’s I.S.E.S. team.

Although my company is one of the select few on the hand-picked preferred vendors list at Elkins, we sat this one out and I opted to just be an attendee for the evening, but several others on the list were instrumental in pulling off the soirée. Brian Toner and Rian Winther of Eventions Productions were in charge of lighting and electricity, while Christopher from Offshoots was the decor chair, and Gene from Provence Catering was the catering chair.

In speaking with Anessa and Lindsay afterward, they were grateful to all the participants for allowing them to introduce the venue in such a grand way, and if this was The Elkin’s big “coming out” party, it couldn’t have been done any bigger. As the keepers of the Mansion, the Elkins staff always have it’s integrity and preservation first and foremost in their minds, and to that end they gave the most credit to Phyllis Jablinowski of Eventricity.

As the story goes, sometime during The Great Depression in the 1930s, the estate was sold to the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine, who preserved the integrity of the buildings and grounds while operating the manor as a women’s religious retreat. As it turns out, Phyllis’s Aunt was one of the sisters who lived at Elstowe, and Phyllis spent time there when she was a little girl. Her fond memories there as a youth left her with a deep love and respect for the Mansion and property, and her emotional attachment to The Elkins Estate make it’s safekeeping a priority. Phyllis is the unofficial “Guardian Angel” of Elkins you might say, and the staff entrust her with its conservation.

Speaking of conservation, The Elkins Estate in a non-profit conservancy, and welcome donations of time (volunteerism) and funding in it’s ongoing restoration. If you aren’t familiar with the estate, check it out in the link below. I’ve been involved since the team took over nearly a year ago, and if what they’ve accomplished so far is any reflection of what’s to come, I expect nothing less than miracles.

Thanks to I.S.E.S. and The Elkins Estate for creating such a fabulous event.

Craig Sumsky
Director
Cutting Edge Entertainment

Photos of The Elkins Estate courtesy of Love Shack Photo - www.loveshackphoto.com

Film courtesy of Dave Williams and CinemaCake – www.cinemacake.com

Photo of Craig and Phyllis courtesy of The English Godfather (Paul Evans)

The Elkins Estate – http://www.elkinsestate.org

I.S.E.S. – www.isesphila.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Shoshana: Philadelphia’s Mitzvah Marvel

Cutting Edge — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:26:27 +0000

I am the only female MC here at Cutting Edge Entertainment, and let me tell you that, in of itself, is a lot of work. I’m treated like the little sister; teased and picked on but very over-protected at the same time. I was fifteen years old when I came from another entertainment company, after being what one might call a “bench warmer” for about six months. I came to Cutting Edge with the hope for growth and, quite frankly, a chance. Well, I certainly have gotten more than that, and along the way have gained a family.

Cutting Edge Entertainment has opened up a world of possibilities that I never thought imaginable. I have my own jobs now, with my own clients, my own meetings, and all of the lovely paper work to go with it. I LOVE IT. I am filled with excitement every time Craig tells me that we have booked another client with me as the MC. I immediately ask for the client’s information and call them right away to let them know that I am their MC and ask them about the type of vision they have for their party. I make sure to get my client everything they want by listening to all of their desires and requests and attending to every detail.

I am also in charge of auditioning and training all of our dancers. I am still trying to grasp that responsibility because it’s hard to imagine that after a short five years I’m in charge. It feels like only yesterday when Pedro and Allison were up in the front of the studio teaching me how to become a better dancer and performer. Now it is me up front teaching people that are not that much younger than me, how to do this job, and how to do it right. Knowing that the staff looks up to me is humbling in a sense; it makes you grow up really fast. I love each and every one of the dancers here at Cutting Edge. We have a great group who works hard to improve with every event. They are all eager to learn and also know how to have a really good time at a party!

While this all might sound like a full plate of responsibility to some, I still wanted more. I always wanted to get in on the planning side of events. When you MC and meet with clients, you pretty much are planning out their party with them, but I wanted to get involved from the very beginning stages. With that in mind, I spent last summer hunting for an internship opportunity. My mom and I Googled, “Wedding Planners in the Philadelphia Area” and the very first link that popped up was for The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants. After browsing the site, I looked at my mom and said, “ There is no way that this guy is going to take me, there is just no way.” She suggested I talk to Craig to see if he knew anyone that I could get in touch with. We figured he would know SOMEONE, even if it was a little company, just so I could get some experience and THEN try for The Queen of Hearts.

So, I called Craig, and when I got the answer, I nearly fainted… HE KNEW MARK FROM THE QUEEN OF HEARTS!! I died right then and there because after he told me that, he also let me know that Mark was looking for someone with Mitzvah experience. I died yet again. Screaming into the phone with, Craig on the other end of the line, all I could say was “Okay what do I need to do? Will you talk to him? Oh my god what do I need to do? Craig, please help me, oh god PLEASE Craig!” Well, being the little sister has its benefits, because he did talk to Mark, and after I wrote Mark a letter introducing myself and explaining that I was interested in an internship, I was interviewed and began working with The Queen of Hearts this past May.

Working with Mark has been such an incredible experience. In less than a year, I have learned so much from him and all of the amazing staff at Q.O.H. Weddings (a little shout out to Karen, Christina, Rebecca, and Kristin! xoxo). I have found, once again, another family, and quite frankly, that is how a work environment should be. Q.O.H. is growing and I am so excited to be part of this company during such a wonderful time. We will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary this year and 2010 is going to be a promising one full of new adventures, new clients, and new friendships. I am looking forward to all that is to come.

Shoshana Katz

Photo by Kevin York – www.kevinyorkphotography.com

Some Thoughts from a Philadelphia DJ

Cutting Edge — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:55:29 +0000

As I sit here at Cutting Edge Entertainment on my week off (I’m a school teacher by day), I find myself looking back on my years as a DJ and MC. It all started way back in 1991, just a few months after my Bar Mitzvah when I took some of my gift money and spent it on a stereo system and my first CD (Another Bad Creation). As a thirteen year old, I thought that being a DJ was the coolest job ever, listening to music and getting paid for it… Life was good.

I joined the Cutting Edge family in 1995 and I’ve never had a moments regret. I’ve been busy doing parties and helping to coordinate events ever since. I attended Temple University in Philadelphia and continued working weekends at C.E.E. through four years of college.

Today I’m an elementary school teacher and camp director during the summers. Now, I find my mindset has evolved somewhat. I still had my love for music, and I certainly didn’t mind getting paid to listen to music, but as a seasoned entertainer, it was the event planning aspect that I found interesting. I enjoy helping clients plan out the details of their party as well as being engaged and involved, dancing and participating with the guests. I get great satisfaction seeing party goers smiling, dancing and having a great time.

I want everyone at the party to walk away saying they had the most amazing time. From the first time I meet with a client, I want them to understand that the success of their event is my ultimate goal. I want the host and/or hostess to feel as if they were a guest at their own party. On the day of, I’ll coordinate the details with the maître d, photographer, videographer, and any other party staff to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. We all have the same objective: Success.

Marc Mednick
Entertainment Coordinator
Cutting Edge Entertainment

Photo by Kevin York – www.kevinyorkphotography.com

‘Holiday of Hope’ in Philadelphia

Cutting Edge — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:32:05 +0000

On Saturday, December 5, 2009, Cutting Edge Entertainment was given the great honor – for the second time in a row – of participating in the Kids Wish Network’s ‘Holiday of Hope’ event at Shriner’s Hospital here in Philadelphia.

In the spirit of the season and the event Cutting Edge spared no expense, bringing out the big guns to make this special day for the kids as magical as possible. We brought the sound, the lights, and of course great entertainers and personalities, including former American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini, former Eagles cheerleader and alum Monica Devlin, former Philadelphia Eagles lineman Brandon Whiting, Michael Lacivita (current Cutting Edge MC) and myself.

To say that this was an unforgettable and rewarding afternoon would be an understatement. The joy and excitement that every contributor brought to the children at Shriner’s Hospital will stay with us and all of the volunteers for a long time to come. There were bags of gifts and prizes for all, and the people at the Kids Wish Network truly created an event that will be remembered for years to come (we still remember the first one).

The following Monday I received an email from Margo Carter, Facility Coordinator for the Kids Wish Network, which read:

Hi Pedro!

I just wanted to thank you and Michael for all you did on Saturday! You guys, along with Justin, were a HUGE hit and the kids loved it!!!
It really is events like this that bring joy to these kids who have so much other stuff to deal with and the fact that you gave up your Saturday afternoon to hang out with them means a lot!!

If we are ever back in the area I will definitely be giving you a call and if you ever get the urge to visit sunny Florida, please look us up!!

Thanks again for everything!
Margo Carter

You’re very welcome Margo, and thank you for the opportunity to bring a little more joy to the kids this holiday season. Happy Holidays Everyone!

- Pedro Coelho
Creative Director
Cutting Edge Entertainment

P.S. Special thanks to Eli at Majestic Images for these photos, and for donating his time for this cause.

Majestic Images – www.majesticimages.net

Disc Jockey Overhaul

Cutting Edge — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:53:02 +0000

For the past few Thursdays, Cutting Edge Entertainment has been re-tooling our DJ and production gear. Pedro, Marc and I have been working with Carl (our production manager), overhauling our equipment and making some much needed changes to the technology we implement at events. Although I admit it is exciting to see great new systems and equipment put in place, it hasn’t been easy.

Cutting Edge Entertainment is a ‘multi-op’, a term used within the disc jockey industry to describe a company that has multiple DJ rigs or setups, in our case the magic number is seven (we didn’t pick the lucky number, it just worked out that way). What this means is that on any particular day Cutting Edge Entertainment can handle up to seven simultaneous events.

That’s a lot of sound gear, so to tackle a project like re-wiring and re-tooling is no small task, it’s a major undertaking.

This year alone C.E.E. has invested thousands of dollars in new equipment, and going into 2010 we are confident that Cutting Edge Entertainment truly is ‘cutting edge.’

The 2009 year presented many challenges being a recession year, and we met it head-on with an aggressive business plan and a few staff changes, but for the most part our mission has stayed the same… to provide great entertainment.

Certainly having state of the art gear is important (great sound, cool lights, etc), but at the end of the day it’s the caliber of talent that Cutting Edge employs that makes all the difference. While having great equipment is no doubt important, it’s the skills of the artist that make the masterpiece, not the quality of his paint brush.

But it doesn’t hurt to have great paint brushes as well.

-Craig Sumsky
Cutting Edge Entertainment

P.S. I’d like to thank Carl for his tireless efforts in overseeing this project (which still isn’t quite finished), as well and Pedro (a.k.a. wizard with a soldering gun) and Marc for all the time, work and dedication you’ve all put into this project.

P.P.S. For those DJs out there reading this blog, you might recognize the old Soundcraftsman mixer in the photo. It’s for sale – cheap – quite a relic and time to be retired from service. It’s in excellent condition and would appreciate a loving home.

Cutting Edge Entertainment – www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/CuttingEdgeEntertainment

Photo courtesy of the Pedro iPhone

DJ Richie

Cutting Edge — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:42:17 +0000

Richie Abrams has been with Cutting Edge Entertainment since about 1996. Like so many other DJs that work here, I’ve watched Richie grow up from the boy with the baggy oversized hip-hop jeans shlepping equipment, through his high school and college years while learning the skills required to be a truly phenomenal DJ.

There is one major difference though between Richie and all those other DJs that grew up here at Cutting Edge… Richie became a better DJ than me.

Yes, I said it. When it comes to technical ability, mixing music and reading a dance floor, Richie has surpassed his teachers.

As the owner of the company, I can’t even claim responsibility for Richie’s success and achievements, as it was my former business partner Mr. Joe Quinn who should receive a great deal of the credit. It wasn’t until after Joe’s departure some time in 1999 that I recognized Richie as a rising star and scooped him up as my DJ on countless events that I worked as an MC in the Philadelphia area. So I suppose maybe I finished his training, but only after he was already well on his way to becoming the Disc Jockey he is today.

Joe – if you’re out there reading this – trust me, you would be proud.

I’m proud.

Years ago I might have had a bruised DJ ego, but today, at this point in my career, it’s really a source of great joy to see Richie accomplish becoming the master.

As I write this I can hear Richie down the hall in the conference room speaking with a new potential client. I hear a man, confident in himself and his abilities reassure a soon-to-be bride and groom that he will stop at nothing to ensure their reception is going to be amazing, and that they can depend on him to make sure that the guests all have a great time.

And they can.

-Craig
Cutting Edge Entertainment

Photo by Valentin

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www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Wedding Photos at The Seaport Museum

Cutting Edge — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:40:00 +0000

Kelly Ayn McKay of Culinary Concepts was wise to choose photographer Kevin York to do the promotional photography for The Independence Seaport Museum and Events at I.S.M. Likewise, Kevin York chose Cutting Edge Entertainment’s own Shoshana and Tony to pose for the shoot. These breathtaking photos are only a few of the many beautiful views from and around the Seaport Museum – located at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia – and truly show what a world-class photographer can do with such an amazing and scenic venue.

Tony (MC, DJ and dancer) and Shoshana (MC, dancer and choreographer) have both been with Cutting Edge Entertainment since 2002, and we at C.E.E. were honored to have had been asked to represent Kevin York and Events at I.S.M.

The Independence Seaport Museum is a fresh and exciting new hot-spot for weddings as well as any other type of event you can imagine.

Culinary Concepts

Events at I.S.M.

Kevin York Photography

www.cuttingedgedjs.com