How to DJ a Bar Mitzvah
- 1). Visit the reception venue and find out how many guests are anticipated to attend the bar mitzvah reception. This information is critical for you to plan your audio strategy and where the speakers must be placed around the room. A quaint bar mitzvah may only require you to bring in two or three quality speakers, while a bar mitzvah of 300 people will make it necessary for you to put together a sound system throughout the entire venue space.
- 2). Sit down with the bar mitzvah boy and his parents in advance and talk about the type of music that they like listening to. Write down any specifics, such as his and his parent's favorite songs, or special songs that have significant meanings that they definitely want played. Some festive, Jewish party music such as the Hava Nagila should be played too.
- 3). Fill in the blanks of your playlist based on the types of songs you arrive at with the bar mitzvah boy and his parents. Consider the mix of guests who will be at the party. Bar mitzvahs generally have an equal mix of kids and adults, so make your music selection appropriate for all ages.
- 4). Come up with a timeline of the reception. The timeline will consist of cue points for when you must announce the bar mitzvah boy's parents, grandparents, other relatives and the boy himself. Other items for the timeline are knowing when the food will be served, having a set time for playing games on the dance floor and whether people want to give toasts. Work with the family and the event coordinator at the reception venue to come up with this timeline.
- 5). Test your music equipment and song files before the big day arrives. You don't want to have any last-minute mishaps.
- 6). Set up the sound system two hours in advance before the party officially starts. This gives you enough time to hook up your speakers, cables, put your DJ table together and test it all out before the guests arrive.
- 7). Bring along party supplies to pass out to guests, such as leis, plastic construction worker hats, giant plastic sunglasses, bubbles, hula hoops and a limbo stick. It is customary for the kids at bar mitzvahs to wear party accessories for certain songs -- such as the construction worker hats for the "YMCA" song -- and use props for dancing and games.
- 8). Emcee the bar mitzvah with humor and an excitable tone. Keep the party alive by calling people up to the dance floor, getting peoples' attention and having a likable personality.
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