We have officially entered our busy season after a bit of a hiatus. Our first gig back was a very lovely wedding at the Ritz Carlton. The group was fun loving and huge dancers. The parents of the groom were fun folks. I believe the entire event was planned by the groom’s mum. That is somewhat unusual because traditionally, it is the bride’s parents who plan and foot the bill. I have been coming across it a lot lately, especially if the MOG (mother of the groom) has only sons. It seems every mum wants to throw a wedding. I reckon if the family can cover the expense of a dream wedding they figure why not! It is quite a nod of approval for the bride to be.

The next event was a corporate party at a corporate hotel downtown (as opposed to the 5 stardom of the Ritz) We did a party for this same organization a few years back and I remember them as being a crazy group. They extended the party for more music and dancing. And so expecting the same, I was prepared for wild dancing and a huge party.

The first thing I noticed was that the group was much smaller than last time. “Hmmm” I thought, “this is different.” The plan was for us to start playing after a long program at which I noticed a lot of “CEO of this” and “president of that” being introduced. But my instructions were to start with a bang, though my gut said “we need to start this one slowly” The program ended and half the room stampeded out the door. Hmmm…But my instructions were to “Jam out right away”

And so we started with a nice rockin dance tune and the “nervous Nellies” started freaking out about the volume. I noticed that the President of this particular organization seemed quite pleased and he reminded me of my dad. Meanwhile a gentleman in a tux came over to Colin – screaming about the volume. Poor Colin took the brunt of it. But better him than I. It can be quite disconcerting to have someone yelling at you like you are a piece of crap. It can be a real buzz kill. It’s one of the down sides of corporate work. We rarely experience this as I am very sensitive to the groups we play for and have become quite a master of feeling the room, but sometimes you just can not avoid it.

Action was called for. I knew as long as Brotha man boss dude was on the floor than we were ok. And so I completely rearranged the set on my feet. I started calling oldies and swingin’ jazz stuff: Sam Cooke, a Sinatra tune, a couple of standards. Give ‘em some oldies and sweet songs like “It’s A Wonderful World” and then bring ‘em out of their shells – slowly. It worked. It always works. Dazzle ‘em with the mastery of my band to play every music style well; combined with some great singing, and then the dance tunes turn it into a party.

And that’s what they want – a party. Neil Sedaka was playing in the next ballroom for the Jewish Council on the Elderly. He & his band stopped in and listened to a few tunes. That was cool. By the end of the night we were playing Beyonce and Michael Jackson and had them all on the floor. Success!

The next gig was another corporate party in the Music Hall at the House of Blues. That is always a great room to play because you get big sound and a full production crew. These folks were nuts. At one time we had twenty broads on the stage. They were just climbing up and dancing together all over the place. By night’s end we were exhausted , the client ecstatic and I was thrilled.

Then came the Harvest Ball for the Chicago Botanic Garden. Six hundred plus wild and crazy folks in evening gowns and tuxedoes dancing their asses off. They had two shot bars. Need I say more? It was a lovely night. The Botanic Garden is a wonderful venue to play in. There are lakes and lagoons (with swans even!) and greenery everywhere and playing out of doors under a big luxurious tent.

Tonight found us at the Penninsula Hotel (another five star.) This event was a reception for event & meeting planners from all over the world. Once again we were pitted against a nervous group of event planners but they left us alone and let us do our thing. It was a huge success.

I really do get a lot of joy out of my work. I love playing for different groups and facing the challenge of not knowing what each night and party will bring. Each group has to be approached differently and it really is an art to crafting a successful dance party for people who do not know each other. We have to bring them together to one purpose… enjoying the party, the band and dancing or at least staying and listening. I feel a keen sense of accomplishment after each successful attempt. Life is good. I go to work and love my co – workers (the band) and get tons of love from the clients. You exit the party and people just come up to you and shower you with appreciation. Did I mention that we get paid really well for this work? What’s not to like?

Filed under: In the Life of a Diva