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Post by Sparrow of WPA on Aug 2, 2011 20:53:36 GMT -5
Figured I would just go ahead and create the topic!
My suggestions are:
1) Better DJ.
He was nice and indulged me on a couple songs (I was the horrible person who requested Sandstorm, which I know is so overplayed, but it was just much easier to dance to). If there were nerdy versions of songs, those ought to have been played - "Roll a D6" instead of "Like a G6" etc.
He also slowed it down at the worst moments by playing like an 80s ballad in between two good fast songs, which really brings down the energy of a room and makes people exit the dance floor. You never want a nearly empty dance floor. Playing the BSG and Voyager themes was fun, but should have been done earlier even if they were to announce the presence of a star which is what I assumed they were being played for. At least find a dance remix of them so no one wonders at how to dance to them.
2) Free to get in if you have paid for a badge.
I think this may have discouraged people from buying the (over priced D: ) drinks at the bar. I know it discouraged me. $10 at the door for anyone who doesn't have a badge, or only has a gamer badge.
3) Keep the free water! This was just the best. It probably kept a ton of people from getting dehydrated.
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Aug 3, 2011 9:02:39 GMT -5
I had a blast during the dance, but I agree on the DJ. Like I stated in the general forum, the dude didn't even know pop songs from people like T-Pain, Jason Derulo. Instead he played the extended version of Thriller in which nobody knew the dance to lol
If I'm drunk as fck, I'm going to want to dance my ass off. Not listen to the Wedding Greatest Hits.
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Post by iam8114 on Aug 8, 2011 13:37:38 GMT -5
I liked the DJ last year so much better. I want a DJ with the balls to play TMNT Power and other nerdy classics.
Ultimately I agree, it kinda sucks to pay an extra fee for the Ball. If the drinks were cheaper I wouldn't think too much of it, but that coupled with overly expensive drinks and people are just going to avoid it. I know on the MWG forums people brought up the fee including a drink ticket or two would go a long way to making it worth it. I tend to agree.
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River
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Post by River on Aug 10, 2011 5:35:35 GMT -5
I wasn't there long, but it seems everyone shares the same sentiment. There were few songs played that i thought were actually 'good'.
I Dj'd for 4 years on the east coast, one thing you learn is you keep the people dancing and have a CRAPLOAD of songs. You research your people ahead of time and make sure you have songs they'll want to hear.
On the MWG boards last year I asked for song requests from many of the troopers. I got a good mix and i played 'most' of the songs requested. SOme I just couldn't get to becuase I just didn't have enough time.
Someone told me that they asked for a song called "The Tardis" or something like that. and the guy didn't know what she was talking about. Even though this song is apprantly played at local clubs.
I didn't care much for the video screen, that's all flashy stuff to me. And i was really turned off by them playing theme songs to the shows like voyager and BSG. Cool, but not sure if you wanna play that when people are dancing, you want to keep them dancing.
As Kearstin stated earlier, she's there to dance, and drink. You wanna keep that mood flowing and the more that mood moves them, the more they'll want to dance, drink, and get drunk as fck. LOL
Overall, i give the DJ a C-
-River
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Post by RFlatstone on Aug 12, 2011 11:12:16 GMT -5
I think, given the drink prices, what amounts to a $10 cover charge is a bit. Instead, make it a two drink minimum. If the hotel is willing to work with you (goodness knows I’ve seen no evidence of it, but it seems reasonable to me), you could give those who paid $10 in advance, or at the door, a voucher good for $10 at the bar. Of course, they are free to buy MORE if they choose to.
Troy Pacelli
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Post by RFlatstone on Aug 12, 2011 11:16:40 GMT -5
Oh, yeah, and a better DJ would be nice. I liked the projector because he did some good sci-fi themed vids, but they were poor quality. What would be a BRILLIANT use of that screen would be to show someone leading actual line-dances (would have been great for the extended Thriller mentioned earlier). However, that’s really up to the DJ. Shop around; I’m sure there’s good ones out there.
It would be a good idea to take requests in advance, as someone else mentioned. Start a thread here specifically for that and then share it with the DJ you choose.
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River
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Post by River on Aug 15, 2011 5:25:09 GMT -5
Oh, yeah, and a better DJ would be nice. I liked the projector because he did some good sci-fi themed vids, but they were poor quality. What would be a BRILLIANT use of that screen would be to show someone leading actual line-dances (would have been great for the extended Thriller mentioned earlier). However, that’s really up to the DJ. Shop around; I’m sure there’s good ones out there. It would be a good idea to take requests in advance, as someone else mentioned. Start a thread here specifically for that and then share it with the DJ you choose. When it comes to DJ'ing, everyone is different. - I was the one who stated that I had a list over at the Midwest Garrison boards. The only problem is that people expect everything to be played. Well you just can't. but you can try to play most of the list. And that should be stated up-front. - Starting a list on here is a good idea. This way, whoever the dj is, can get that list a week prior to the con and get his music together. - The line dancing is fine, but I think many people were complaining about the 'wedding music'? I beleive line-dancing songs (albeit not everyone of them) is thrown in that category? - As for the drinks and door charge, honestly, $10 isn't much per head. I've seen much higher prices at other places. And drinks were inlign with most places too. - I don't think a 'drink voucher' is really the way to go. I honestly feel that Bollow got the drinks down to a good price. I spoke with other people at the con and they weren't complaining about the door charge or the drinks. - think of it this way, if there was no door charge, the drinks would be higher priced. Also, you'd have all sorts of random people in and out of there. I for one don't want some random schmoe walking around the party. - Logistically I enjoyed the party and so did our ladies. They WANT to come back! So expect more of our ladies to attend next year Bollow. - As for the DJ, not too impressed. -River |
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Post by RFlatstone on Aug 15, 2011 9:13:31 GMT -5
- I was the one who stated that I had a list over at the Midwest Garrison boards. The only problem is that people expect everything to be played. Well you just can't. but you can try to play most of the list. And that should be stated up-front. -River Actually, maybe it should't be thought of as a list of "requests," in which people would have an expectation of hearing their song, but rather a list of "suggestions," which would tell the DJ what KIND of music to play. |
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Post by heatherdawson on Aug 15, 2011 12:11:12 GMT -5
I guess I would have liked to see a better variety of music. I don't mind the dance music he played, (and maybe I'm showing my age here), but I would have liked some older stuff that I would have known. Yes, a lot of people were dancing, but about 2/3 were not. I watched the dance floor and the most popular song (with the greatest diversity of dancers) was the Time Warp...
I know they aren't everyone's cup of tea, but it would have been nice if the DJ could have tried to play at least ONE slow song...
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Post by Michael Bollow on Aug 15, 2011 12:41:11 GMT -5
I'm not having that DJ back again. I was very unhappy with his song selection.
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Post by RFlatstone on Aug 15, 2011 14:17:18 GMT -5
To hear Heather saying something about showing her age says even MORE about me (don't know for sure, I'm guessing I outpace her by a decade).  And, come on! Time Warp is so obvious, that if he didn't play it, we'd have had to have taken him out back and beaten him with Ma'Staka sticks! (Note: It will be even more appropriate, and necessary, next year!) |
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Aug 15, 2011 16:21:18 GMT -5
Dude all I can tell you is when he put the Beyonce All the Single Ladies video up with the song? My drunk ass was like OHH YEAHH!!!!!11k djfhdkjhgkjdfhg trying to do the moves.
THAT WAS AWESOME.
The complete like 11min thriller video?
No. Go away.
If you were going to do anything Thriller, you should have a separate room of someone who knows the whole dance, to teach people the entire dance.
Just like Dragoncon LOL
Otherwise, I'm good with having the music videos pop up when the song comes up!
Like, "I'm on a Boat!" by Lonely Island. THAT WOULD BE AWESOME KTHX.
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River
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Post by River on Aug 16, 2011 7:12:22 GMT -5
Glad to hear Bollow is not asking that DJ to come back.
I like Heather's suggestion, too. Genres like Hip hop, dance, slow, line dancing, pop, etc. should be played in 'sets' this way you get a good mix of people dancing to different stuff.
The DJ was definitly all over the place. I just don't think he was tapping into what the crowd wanted/needed.
Kearstin, in regards to the vid-screen i see what you mean, 3-4 min vid of people dancing to an awesome song. sure rock sox on that!
But an 11 min. thriller vid. yeah one is losing his crowd quick.
What killed me was the opening title sequence to Voyager, BSG, etc. Not needed maybe in the beginning or the end, but not during.
Troy, thanks for taking up the mantle of starting that list. We've got tons of time for the next Cyphan, but if Bollow has another 'holiday party' again, the DJ who plays there could really use that list too.
-River
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Post by RFlatstone on Aug 16, 2011 8:45:33 GMT -5
I don't think I started it...? I did vote yea on the idea, but I don't want to take credit I'm not due (I don't think ...? IDK, I forget sometimes)
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Aug 16, 2011 10:13:39 GMT -5
Better DJ: sfx-360.com/newsite/These guys did Wizard's dance party last year, promoting Mafia II. It was electrifying. Lots of fun. DJ played pretty much dance/trance the whole night but it got EVERYBODY'S drunk ass moving. Including that Zombie Hulk that was on stilts (if anybody remembers him lololol) Trying to get these guys would not only bring in the gamers, but they know how to party. Thoughts? |
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