Productions Who is doing a NYE gig?

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Jeff Romard

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Sep 4, 2006
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Sydney, Nova Scotia
I'm doing a 40th birthday party at a small community hall about 15 minutes from home complete with the countdown. This will be my 39/41 years of NYE parties I was cancelled in 2017 and of course 2020

If you have the night off enjoy! If you are playing be safe especially on the way home
 
I had 30+ people at the house last night. Used my new LED curtain which people loved. When the party thinned to just about a dozen, we broke out my new wireless karaoke setup. This was the first time I used the QR codes for people to add songs to the queue. I can't believe how many of my friends had difficulty with this. OK, we are mostly in our 60s but c'mon, it is not THAT difficult.
 
I had my longest day of the year yesterday...on the last day of the year. I worked 6 am to 2 pm. I woke up at 4:35 AM. I had to work, and I only have 4.5 hours of sick time to use so I used it to leave early. I had to work in order to get the holiday pay for New Year's Day. After I left work, I came home, and prepared to head out for my NYE gig. It was a 6 hour party at a big McMansion down in McClean, VA. I had to hand carry all my equipment in. There was a party planner there and she wanted me to have a full facade. I brought in my 5 panel facade. Well...the facade was in their living room, and honestly, it was a super tight fit, and there was a Giant Plant Pot that I had to deal with. It was a PITA but. I was also given two Spotify playlists to play from, and they wanted me to keep to their list of 90s Hip Hop, 2000s Hip Hop, and a handful of Reggae and Afro beats songs.

There was only 20 people, mostly all family, and a few friends at the Party. It was a Disco Theme Decor. I had my ADJ Starburst set up. The planner specifically wanted me to only have the light in white all night to imitate a mirror ball. She had me turn off my lights for the facade saying they were too bright so I wasted my time setting them up.

I had to hand carry in all my equipment in and out, but other than that, this was an Easy gig. There was some dancing through out the night especially when the adults got buzzed and drunk, but over all, it wasn't anything to write home about. The lady throwing the party said thank you to me at the end of the night al though she never introduced herself to me. Nobody told me who they were, and I was called "DJ" all night. Nobody wanted to know my name. Everyone there generally were nice, BUT also came off Snobby to me with how they carried themselves. I'm grateful for the money as it was a very nice paying event considering the amount of work put into it on my end, BUT it isn't the type of event I really care to do. I would have rather done an NYE wedding if one had come in.

It was my first NYE booking in the last 5 years.
 
That was a painful read Ricky.😁 New Years gigs have just been more of a pain in the behind.
Don't you just love working with planners? Sounds as if it may be time to hang up the headphones? :djsmug:
 
That was a painful read Ricky.😁 New Years gigs have just been more of a pain in the behind.
Don't you just love working with planners? Sounds as if it may be time to hang up the headphones? :djsmug:

I do it for the money. If this event offered only half as much money which is honestly what the price for what was involved should have been, then I would have declined it and kept NYE off and stayed home. However, money talks and this paid very well. Some people have too much expendable income and splurge on stuff.

At first I had no idea about the Spotify playlists, and I had no idea how big of an event it would be. Just had the time frame, and that it was a house party in McClean, VA. Knowing that McClean is a well to do wealthy area, I figured it would be a big nice house. Financially it's good way to start 2024! I don't have another scheduled event until April 6th at the moment!

Here are a couple of pics

My back was up against the draped to a large window. I had like no room. I had to sit on my stool a certain way with my legs a certain way. Standing up was literally standing in place, and I had to duck and manuever under this large plant on my left to walk outside of the facade.
NYE 2023-24 Party Set Up.jpg

NYE Disco Party Set Up.jpg
 
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I don't have another scheduled event until April 6th at the moment!
That makes sense. Do what we gotta do. Nice setup for what you had to work with. Thankfully you have the starball that looked like worked well?
I do it for the money. If this event offered only half as much money which is honestly what the price for what was involved should have been, then I would have declined it and kept NYE off and stayed home
Sometimes we have to put up a little work & discomfort to make a little money. Sounds like you priced the event right for not having all the details on setup, loading, & music requirements. You got lucky!! :djsmug:
 
I did a NYE event at a private golf course called Silverado in Napa. It's the 4th time in 6 years that I have done this event.
It cost's $300 per couple. For that they get fancy hors d'oeuvres free beer or wine and four hours of music from me with a ball drop and glass of champagne at midnight. Older crowd, not a "bar" type crowd.. Always fun!
 

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That facade reminds me of one I had like that. I finally sold it because it was 4 big pieces that was difficult putting it into the van I had at the time. Nice setup.