Need a DJ for Your Halloween Party?

Booking a DJ for your Halloween Party should never be a scary experience! With over 15 years in the business and roughly 1100 parties under our belt, SOFLO PARTY PROS guarantees a great time for you and your guests, no matter how rowdy, conservative, scary or diverse the crowd! 

With a library of  well over 75,000 titles, we provide a dynamic playlist of party music with a freaky, Halloween twist to keep everyone in attendance consistently entertained at a PEAK level of explosive energy, fun, dancing and excitement!

We show up on time, our prices are competitive and our service is incredible!

Call us TODAY for a FREE quote and consultation:

(954) 663-7165 or email us at redoctober1074@hotmail.com 

references furnished upon request.

Hits, Tips & Tricks for Planning the Perfect Party!: 10 Common Mistakes in Company Party Planning

Hits, Tips & Tricks for Planning the Perfect Party!: 10 Common Mistakes in Company Party Planning: You may have the responsibility of planning your company party in addition to your regular job duties...it can be a real "bear of a job". Y...

Hits, Tips & Tricks for Planning the Perfect Party!: Choosing the Right Bar Mitzvah DJ Company

Hits, Tips & Tricks for Planning the Perfect Party!: Choosing the Right Bar Mitzvah DJ Company: Selecting the right DJ Entertainment for your bar mitzvah is a serious part of the party planning task. Ask any parent who has had a Bar Mi...

10 Common Mistakes in Company Party Planning

You may have the responsibility of planning your company party in addition to your regular job duties...it can be a real "bear of a job". You have to face the pressure of being responsible for the party's success and it's not as easy as having 8 people over for dinner at your house...and that can be a nerve jangler. We've produced hundreds of fun company parties - of all types. Of course, we'd like to offer our entertainment and event planning services to you, but in the meantime, here are some minefields to avoid. ... Remember "party" is not a 4 letter word......and planning it shouldn't feel like facing an overdue term paper.

1. LARGE PARTIES -PARTY DATE PROBLEMS

For "once a year" bashes, usually held in December, often the comptroller will hold up the party planning, by not giving a clear go ahead to you. If you're having more than 300 people, you should try to get the party date as soon as possible. (e.g. for parties of 300 to 500 you should begin planning by Sept 1.....parties of 600 to 800, begin planning by August 1 and parties of 900+, try to set your date and hall as early as March, if possible). The very large halls book the good Friday and Saturday dates in December quite early. but because some halls have cancellations for prime dates, it's still possible to plan a large December party in the fall. Of course, once the comptroller has given you the funds, it's advantageous to have several preferred dates in mind, in case the best hall is already booked up. Some planners have tried to deal with party date problems, by shifting their "holiday parties" to January....or to weeknights (e.g. Thursday) in December. Most employees, though, don't appreciate attending the big bash on a weeknight, when they have to rise at 6:00 a.m. the next morning for the job. We keep in close contact with the halls, to learn which ones have last minute weekend openings because of a cancellation.

 

2. COMMITTEE PROBLEMS

You want to let many people have a voice in planning the party, so you've assembled a committee of 12 people. Unfortunately, it's hard to match the schedule of 12 busy employees for planning meetings. Usually a maximum of 3 to 5 people works better. Try not to schedule meetings just for small tasks....obviously the meeting should be as organized as possible. (when we work with you, we have a worksheet for party aspects to consider).

 

3. LACK OF INFO ON PAST PARTIES

For some reason, some employee/party planners either squirrel away their notes from past parties (taking it with them to the next job), or just toss them in the shredder. It's hard to "reinvent the wheel" each time party planning comes up. This doesn't mean that you "rubber stamp" last year's plan, having the same D.J., the same chicken and mashed potatoes, the same dreary hall.......you're liable to have the same "dud party". But, it's helpful to have each year's party details put into an accessible party booklet. (We, of course, have a massive booklet with all types of party services that we draw upon when we help you plan). It can add hours to your drudgery time to have to relocate 1) dance floor to rent ... or 2) party invitations with your company logo......3) fake snow drifts..........4) chocolate cable cars...........5) that great band you got in 2005 whose name slips your mind...etc.

 

4. PROCRASTINATION TREADMILL

 

Yes, everyone has a tendency to put off making decisions....we sympathize with you, but there comes a point in the planning process that further indecision compounds the work. For example, if you have a good party date in December, but can't decide whether to have a holiday themed event, or a political correct non-sectarian black and white event.........you'll be stuck, unable to plan the decor, food, etc....months may go by. (Medically speaking, this is how ulcers form). We can help clarify your questions, and help you come to a consensus, so that you can move forward.....and get back into the fun of party planning. Another procrastination treadmill is the D.J. vs. band question (we have solutions for that). Just give us a call or shoot us an email and we'd be happy to set up a free consultation to get the ball rolling!

 

5. DISAGREEMENTS OVER D.J. VS. BAND

 

Ah yes, it was easier when there were only dance bands composed of human musicians. Now we have the additional option of machines with recorded music in the electronic age. There are advantages to both options. Obviously a disc jockey is less expensive, and has the versions of songs you've heard on your car radio countless times. The advantages of a dance band (assuming it's a great band) include: 1) the presence of all those live human beings in tuxes and sequins, singing and playing on stage creates a great party atmosphere right off the bat.......2) the band can shorten or lengthen songs according to your preferences and pacing.........3) live bands generally add a specialness to a party.  However, a GREAT DJ will play a great blend of music that appeals to everyone in the room with the ability to switch from one genre to the next in the interest of maintaining a high consistent energy level that will have everyone dancing till they drop! Regardless, if you can't agree on D.J. vs. BAND, we can provide an affordable D.J./BAND package, which will keep all sides happy.  Just give us a call or shoot us an email and we'd be happy to set up a free consultation to get the ball rolling!

 

6. CANCEL PARTY DUE TO LOWERED BUDGET

Your employees work all year long, and look forward to a holiday party, and it's not good for morale to skip the party all together. In this day of downsizing and myopia towards the "bottom line", you may feel it's impossible to create a party if your funds have been slashed. We have been able to help employees continue the party tradition, by producing the party cheaply "on site", bringing in very affordable decor, food and music to transform "Building B-253" into a temporary festive locale. Tell us what your Scrooge has given you to work with, and we'll tell you what we can do. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

7. THE NEVERENDING CEO SPEECH!

 

This is a difficult problem, since no one wants to advise the CEO to "keep it short", but we've seen some parties almost squelched by a droning 50 minute speech by a CEO. The CEO may see the party as merely an opportunity to rant on about his(her) "vision", making his party guests sit quietly, unable to enjoy the party.....as the minutes tick by. We remember a party that had the best of all intentions----they had a French theme, complete with can can girls, strolling French bistro musicians, flambe desserts, etc...and a 14 piece dance band waiting in the wings. But the CEO proceeded to talk for 70 minutes. When he mercifully finished, some people were too tired to stick around for the band, and his speech definitely contributed to the fizzle out of the party. If you can't speak up to the CEO, perhaps show him this column.

 

8. FOOD

 

Your choices may be constrained by your budget, but there are other things to consider. In the health-conscious South Beach Area, you probably have some vegetarian employees. Also, some may be allergic to certain foods. Some dishes are too messy for elegant affairs, but fine for picnics or informal parties. For parties of over 500, some menus don't work because of the logistics of carrying food to 500 people (e.g. sauces congeal)....and there's always the bad coffee mistake. (if you must cut corners, don't skimp on coffee, or real cream. If you do, the last impression the partygoer will have is the dinner ending with brown water coffee, and a plastic packet of fake "cream" powder). On a positive note, our caterers have some great menu ideas (themes, multicultural cuisines, flavorful latin-american cuisine, exciting innovative dishes and presentations....for example in an abundant seafood presentation over ice, we included something unusual--- a succulent marinated baby squid in-a-cone hors d'oeuvre, to be eaten with chopsticks). For a holiday party, we had a fabulous elegant French dessert called "Croque En Bouche" (a 4 foot pyramid of eclairs filled with creme anglaise "glued" together with golden spun sugar). Whether your budget is champagne or Dr. Pepper, there are small effective touches one can do.

 

9. REPEAT THE SAME PARTY YEAR AFTER YEAR

 

Yes, it's easier to simply repeat last year's party (see Mistake #3 above), but with minimal changes, you'll keep up your employees' enjoyment of each year's party. Though there may be 1 or 2 employees that rave about and demand to get "D.J. Dave" back again for the 3rd time, there may be 10 or 15 that that would rather have something different this year. Parties are more memorable if there is something unexpected, exciting...and delightful. We'd be happy to share some proven effective ideas on how to make your next holiday party bigger and better, yet not more expensive than the last! Just give us a call or shoot us an email and we'd be happy to set up a free consultation to get the ball rolling!

 

10. TRY TO DO IT ALL YOURSELF

Often the party planning responsibility is dumped onto 1 person (namely you), and what was fun, now feels like a PBS Pledge night....it just goes on and on. We can offer 2 suggestions: ask for help from your fellow employees or.............give us a call - (954) 663-7165. We can come up with 4 or 5 complete party package ideas (complete proposal usually to you within 48 hours). Staying within your budget, we can provide as much or as little as you want: hall, menu, decor, music and entertainment, celebrities, children's activities, awards, invitations, photographer, transportation, etc. Just give us a call or shoot us an email and we'd be happy to set up a free consultation to get the ball rolling!

Choosing the Right Bar Mitzvah DJ Company

Selecting the right DJ Entertainment for your bar mitzvah is a serious part of the party planning task. Ask any parent who has had a Bar Mitzvah and they will tell you that the Entertainment plays a critical part in the success of the party. After choosing your bar mitzvah location, the next vendor that should be hired is the bar mitzvah entertainment company or bar mitzvah DJ. 

Keeping a crowd of 13 year olds, 30 somethings, and older adults happy, entertained, and on the dance floor, demands a certain level of expertise. If all of these groups liked the same music bar mitzvah entertainment would be a no-brainer, but as you know, this is not the case. So, keep this in mind when choosing to hire a bar mitzvah DJ. Make sure the bar mitzvah DJ has experience in these kinds of events. A bar mitzvah DJ is different than a club DJ!

Different age groups like different music - fact, but there are interactive and fun dances that both can enjoy at the same time. This is where your MC (master of ceremonies) comes in. An experienced Bar Mitzvah MC can have a crowd of adults and kids out on the floor together having a blast.

Aside from handling the candle lighting ceremony, the grand entrance, and various introductions, your Bar Mitzvah MC is the chief motivator and leader of your bar mitzvah. It's important to have an experienced bar mitzvah MC on the dance floor with a microphone to lead your guests through interactive dances and games. Your Son or Daughter is the star of the show and the MC's job is be right there making sure everyone is having fun while paying the right amount of recognition to the guest of honor at whatever level the Bar or Bat Mitzvah feels comfortable. This should be discussed in detail during the planning process, so your child is neither neglected or embarrassed by the bar mitzvah DJ or MC.

All Bar Mitzvah DJs and MCs are different, so make sure spend enough time with any potential bar mitzvah entertainment company you are considering to see if they match your personalities. This will be very important when your bar mitzvah date arrives, and you'll have to count on him or her to ensure the success of your bar mitzvah.

Make sure the bar mitzvah DJ company you are thinking about hiring has a special MC for bar mitzvahs. Bar Mitzvahs are different from wedding in that it takes a little more skill to handle a large group of 12 and 13 year olds than it does to entertain a group of 30 somethings. There is a lot for the MC to keep track of to make sure things run smoothly (making sure the photographer and videographer are ready before an important moment, shutting down any side entertainment before a candle lighting, being by your son or daughter's side during the candle lighting to name a few). It's a good idea to let the Bar Mitzvah DJ play the CDs, and allow the bar mitzvah MC the freedom to run the party.

Some bar mitzvah DJ companies also bring motivational dancers that can help get the kids and adults on the dance floor. This is very popular. They are available through most DJ companies who specialize in Bar Mitzvahs. The dancers are young and energetic, and they work right along side the bar mitzvah DJ and MC. They help fill the dance floor and lead the interactive dances.

Many DJ companies will supply colorful lighting, dance stages, and special effects like dry ice machines and strobe lights. They can completely transform a stale dining room into a rocking night club.

What's the best way to get a feel for a bar mitzvah DJs style? Ask the entertainment company to send you their demo DVD. Most good Bar Mitzvah Entertainment companies will have video footage of their entertainers working bar mitzvahs and weddings. After watching the bar mitzvah DJs demo dvd you can make a sound decision about whether you think they are a perfect fit for your child's bar or bat mitzvah.

Start this process right away, because it is common for some of the more popular companies to book 2 years in advance. When you have narrowed your search to about 4 companies, call them up and make appointments to meet in person. Best of Luck!

SoFlo Party Pros has extensive experience in Bar and Bat Mitzvah entertainment services and would welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can become your Bar Mitzvah DJ of choice.  Please call our office today to set up a complimentary consultation: (888) 779-1221

Top 10 Party Venues in South Florida

Whether you're looking for a venue to host a quiet dinner party, wedding reception, or even bachelorette party, South Florida is full of locations to suit all kinds of events. This region, typically referring to the Miami, Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale areas, has plenty to offer party hosts and hostesses who are looking for the perfect place. And with warm weather almost year round, the South Florida has some of the top golf courses in the Sunshine State. When you put your clubs away and are ready to get the party started, there are a multitude of party venues from which to choose.

Nikki Beach Miami

This South Beach venue is a nightlife hot spot for dancing, dining, and often celebrity-spotting. Located on One Ocean Drive, Nikki Beach offers a posh view of the ocean as well as a posh cabana atmosphere.

One Ocean Drive

Miami, Florida 33139

305-538-1111

www.nikkibeach.com/miami

Mango's Tropical Café

Also located on Miami's infamous Ocean Drive, Mango's Tropical Café offers a vibrant atmosphere for a romping good time. Their private rooms can be reserved for entertaining dinner parties or the quintessential bachelorette party.

900 Ocean Drive

Miami beach, Florida 33139

305-673-4422

www.mangostropicalcafe.com.

Wherehouse 2016

A little further north on Miami Beach, Wherehouse 2016 provides a quirky, whimsical venue for parties of all kinds. No matter what the celebration is, this spot will impress guests with its floor-to-ceiling, art and mural-covered walls.

2016 NE 155 Street

North Miami Beach, Florida 33162

305-956-9282

www.wherehouse2016.com.

Fontainebleau

The completely renovated but always legendary Fontainebleau in Miami Beach serves parties of all sizes with its vast array of event rooms and outdoor beach space. This sophisticated hotel never fails to meet high expectations for dining and overall atmosphere.

4441 Collins Ave.

Miami Beach, Florida 33140

305-538-2000

www.fontainebleau.com.

The Breakers

Another elegant resort, The Breakers in Palm Beach, also continues to impress with its stunning views of the ocean and multiple luxurious venues. This little taste of paradise doesn't come without a hefty price tag, but it's perfect for a posh party.

One South County Road

Palm Beach, Florida 33480

1-888-273-2537

www.thebreakers.com.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

A trip to South Florida is not complete without visiting the historic landmark of Vizcaya, but the real treat is getting to attend a party there. Once the daytime public museum hours are over, its lush gardens, courtyards, and terraces provide a one-of-a-kind location for unforgettable events.

3251 South Miami Avenue

Miami, Florida 33129

305-250-9133

www.vizcayamuseum.org.

White Space

This venue located in the Fort Lauderdale area is exactly as the name suggests: an all-white, blank space ready to be transformed. The location offers a chic loft-style space and larger open area for parties of all shapes and sizes.

111 SW Second Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

954-522-0733.

Gemma Lounge

The Gemma Lounge is a cozy, inviting haven from the boisterous nightlife of Miami Beach. Its intimate atmosphere and comfortable setting are ideal for a quiet and sophisticated dinner or cocktail party.

529 Lincoln Rd. Miami Beach, FL 33140

305-534-3662

www.gemmalounge.com.

Revolution Live and America's Backyard

In the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, this historic space offers two separate areas for private parties. The multi-level Revolution Live venue is great for large-scale indoor events, while America's Backyard provides a laid-back outdoor area complete with a pool bar.

100 SW 3rd Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
954-727-0950.

Exit 66

Also in the midst of Fort Lauderdale's nightlife, the Exit 66 venue finds its home just off the ocean. With a handful of variously-themed rooms, this spot allows you to host whatever size or style party you have in mind from pool parties to proms.

219 S. Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316

954-357-9981

http://www.exitsixtysix.com/

Reference: www.Golflink.com

SoFlo DJ's and Entertainment Services, Inc. 888-779-1221: How to Hire a Bartender

SoFlo DJ's and Entertainment Services, Inc. 888-779-1221: How to Hire a Bartender: "In the restaurant business, finding a good bartender is akin to striking gold. There are lots of people who can mix drinks, but few have th..."