My Best Reference List.

     

     It has been a year or perhaps much longer since I have updated or even sent a “Reference List” to a potential customer. I still use the slogan “references upon request” on a regular basis, yet it seems less and less frequently do I receive this specific request. In the past, references were a fantastic source in booking events. In fact, it was not uncommon to find this Top Notch DJ glued in front of a computer updating my reference list on a very regular basis. I even had the list separated and categorized by events such as “Summer 2012 list” or “The best for kids parties Reference list”. I seemed to have had success utilizing this references source, however last year I determined there may be a more effective, and even practical method for displaying my product to my customers. The Answer? Well, simply that, actually “Displaying my Product to my customers”. Hence, the Top Notch Entertainment and DJ Services Video page and youtube channel was born. Actual film of your events are real, they're lively, and it allows new customers to see your mannerisms, hear your voice and become familiar with you're appearance. Furthermore, a good video is not only more fun to view but it's also more convenient for your customer, as it saves them time from them contacting your references and awaiting your reference responses, etc. Lastly, it's not secret that the world of social media is growing drastically and therefore online presence is essential. Shooting a video allows one to share on multiple social media avenues including emails, youtube, vimeo, twitter, facebook, google plus and more. The advantages to using a video versus a reference list are obvious. My only regret is that I did not put this concept to work many years ago. I however, do not intend on keeping an updated reference list any longer. Past customers will therefore no longer be bothered by questions from new potential customers and new potential customers will now have more to see, more to hear and more to absorb regarding Top Notch DJ service which should hopefully assist them in their decision process in a more convenient manner. 

                                                         

Top Halloween Songs to Play Besides "Thriller" & "Monster Mash"

                                                

     

     As I write this blog, Halloween is only 3 days away! The day of trick or treaters and frightful fun is right around the corner! As a DJ, Halloween means 1 thing...PARTIES! Consequently, along with Halloween parties comes the inevitable song requests for “Thriller” by Michael Jackson (you have to play it at least 2-4 times on Halloween) and The Monster Mash by Bobby “Boris” Pickett. Although, I find it cliché, both songs are rhetorically expected to be played at any Halloween event. I personally, like to think outside the box, and for Halloween, that means I strive to play a few additional songs that may have a “ghoulish” message for the spirit of Halloween. So, below is Top Notch's Top 10 Halloween songs that ARE NOT “Thriller” nor the “Monster Mash” with links to preview each tune as well. Enjoy guys and Happy Halloween!!!

1. “This is Halloween” by Panic at the Disco (also performed by Marilyn Manson and The Nightmare before Christmas soundtrack) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIKVF_dA7nQ
   
   
2. “Don't fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClQcUyhoxTg
   
   
3. “Ghostbusters” theme song by Ray Parker Jr. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe93CLbHjxQ
   
   
4. “Somebody's Watching Me” by Rockwell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY
   
   
5. “Halloweenhead” by Ryan Adams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC6pu0_snFw
   
   
6. “Running with the Devil” by Van Halen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5txwFv-zYM
   
   
7. “Bark at the Moon” by Ozzy Osbourne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnNWUUZ7cEA
   
   
8. “I Put a Spell On You” by “Screamin” Jay Hawkins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwXai-sgM-s&feature=youtu.be
   
   
9. “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhSc8qVMjKM
   
   
10. “Living Dead Girl” by Rob Zombie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvsMPOfblfg

Frightfully Fun Games to Play for your Halloween Party!!

(picture of a Mummy Wrap Game from a recent Top Notch event)

     October is here, the weather is getting cooler and it appears that pumpkin spice flavored everything is everywhere that you look. People have many reasons to celebrate the Fall Season including the return of Football and tailgating, Homecomings and back to school events and of course, Halloween! Top Notch DJ's has certainly celebrated countless Halloween parties. So, what type of fun ideas and events can you incorporate into your Halloween party to keep the guests entertained when they're tired of doing the “Monster Mash”. See this list for some of Top Notch's favorite Halloween themed games!

      1. Squirt the Pumpkin- Yes, you read that right. Although most Halloween activities include carving a pumpkin, this fun game can be played after the pumpkin has been carved. HOW TO PLAY: Contestants must line up in a line facing a candle lit jack o lantern. Make sure there is a good distance between the start of the line and the Jack O Lantern. Contests each take turns with a water gun or spray bottle attempting to put out the lit candle that illuminates the pumpkin. Kids Love this game!

2. Find the Bats- This game is very simple, and requires very little prep work. One should either cut black construction paper or purchase small bats for decoration (they can be found at the Dollar Store) and decorate the premise with bats. Guests usually will notice them as only decorations until the game starts. HOW TO PLAY: Guests must gather as many bats that are located around the room as possible. The person that collects the most wins! It often helps for the bats to be numbered, and even some hidden, so that one can keep track of how many are available for contestants to collect before the start of the game.
3. Mummy Wrap- As seen in the above picture from an actual Top Notch event. This game does require lots of toilet paper as well as 2-4 very willing participants to be dressed as mummy's. HOW TO PLAY: Contestants are divided up into teams and given either 1 to 2 rolls of toilet paper. The teams are then given a time limit to unravel all of the paper around their assigned “participant” and to dress them up as a Mummy. When the time clock stops, the team that has dressed their participant the best is determined the winner.
4. Find the Critters: This game does include some preparation. Take a bucket, very large bowl, or even a large bin and fill it with a small seeded item of your choice (bird seed, dried corn, dried beans, etc.) HOW TO PLAY: Small rubber toy creatures (such as frogs, spiders, lizards, etc and can be purchased at the Dollar Store) are then hidden within the bin for guests to find. Whoever collects the most creatures wins. HINT: Top Notch recommends going the extra mile and purchasing “Glow in the Dark” creatures. These too are available at most dollar stores and are more of a thrill for kids to find. Make sure before you hide the creatures that they have been in the sunlight for some time before you play this game, so that the creatures will be illuminated at the start of the game
5. Boo Bomb Toss- This is another FAVORITE! This game does involve much prep work but is completely worth the time and effort to play. For starters, one must understand exactly what is a “Boo Bomb”, so I'll explain. An egg is carefully broken at either end (as if you were to use them to cook with), then all yoke is emptied out of the shell. The shell is then filled with flour, the top of the egg is taped with tissue back on to the shell, and a ghost face (as pictured below) is then drawn on the eggs. HOW TO PLAY: This game is played just like water balloon toss. Contestants must pick a partner and alternate tossing the egg toward one another while increasing distance with each turn until the bomb bursts. The team of partners that remains standing and does not drop their bomb are the winners.
   
                                        
   

    

   Picture illustration of a "Boo Bomb"

Other games that Top Notch has been known to play in the past include

• Eye bounce- An eye is drawn on a ping pong ball and guests must attempt to bounce the ping pong into a bucket
• Pumpkin Decorating Contrests- Guests are given small pumpkins and a time limit. The contest that can decorate their pumpkin the best in that time limit wins
• Glow in the Dark Ring Toss- Glow sticks are combined together to make large bracelets or rings. A pole and stand is then set up for contestants to attempt to toss the glow rings on the stand
• Frightening Dice- Dice are created with an action or order labeled on each of it's 4 sides (buy a simple wooden block at a hardware store or purchase large dice and decorate/or paint them a bright color. When the guests roll the dice they must do a combination of the actions that are shown on the dice he or she rolled. ToP notch calls this game “frightening dice” because the contestants never know exactly what they will have to do until the dice is rolled.

The above mentioned games are all excellent activities for Fall Festivals, or Halloween themed events that Top Notch recommends for any party! So, now that we have the games out of the way, what type of music should you play? After all, you can't just keep “Monster Mash” and “Thriller” on repeat to play throughout your entire party can you? Make sure to check out next week's blog for the top Halloween theme songs to play BESIDES these 2 song selections mentioned above. Thanks for reading!