Truly memorable parties have a wonderful flow to them.    "Momentum", is that wonderful quality that brings the party over the top.  When planning the evenings events, consider how each element will be perceived by all of your guests. Consider obstacles that may prevent your party from taking flight.  The most incredible 

parties get started great guns & the excitement doesn’t stop till the parents have to come inside to retrieve the kids.  Some never click because of an “emotional late start”.  An unprepared, long winded speech, a slow caterer who doesn’t serve the food promptly, or an improperly produced video that is too long and loses everyone’s interest -- may all be factors that contribute to a party not taking off sooner.  Some parties fizzle-out -- a request list of unpopular songs, a deejay that’s too loud and chases all the adults out of the room, a band that has limited musical choices, an inexperienced entertainer who doesn’t have the skills to work the room, or an unsupervised event where kids are allowed to roam or get in trouble outside the banquet room - these may all limit success.

Better be  sure to motivate.

In a video game age, where multi-media are coming to them from every direction, kids need to be effectively entertained.  Kids of all ages are sophisticated, they are looking for the “wow factor” that grabs their attention and doesn’t let them go.  Providing prizes to encourage participation is the best way to motivate partiers, by helping to focus attention and energy on the dance floor when desired.  Providing dancers at your party, can help make the dance floor more inviting to your guests.  Dancers help instruct guests who have limited dance experience and challenge experienced dancers to show-off their skills for all to watch.

Different isn’t always better.

In most cases, it is more successful to have an experienced simcha DJ do “something different” than they did at the last event, than to start looking for a different entertainer.  Many people will go out of their way to find something new.  If an entertainer has not performed at many B'nai Mitzvah receptions, there is probably a good reason.  Recently, I heard about a family spending an exorbitant rate, flying a DJ production company in from Boca Raton, to do a Bar Mitzvah reception here -- only to have the evening fizzle-out.  What worked in Florida, did not necessarily translate to a Twin Cities audience! 

A proficient entertainer knows how to maximize the moment.

Planning an exciting event has nothing to do with good luck.  It has everything to do with choosing a performer, who has the confidence and ability to persist -- keeping the energy flowing no matter what.  There have been some challenging times over the years, (e.g. when the power has gone out at a party due to an electrical storm,) but my DJs and I have continued parties without missing a beat.  I believe dedication and commitment have no equal. My colleague in Nashville uses the line “We’re serious about having fun.”  Exceptional DJs demonstrate this sentiment by attending regional and national seminars, to learn what other successful DJs are doing.  Every few years I, personally, go back to classes to hone my performing skills.  I do this to help re-invent myself and develop strategies to reach a new generation of B’nai Mitzvah. 

Howard Walstein is the creator of the Total Entertainment interactive format.  He’s been warm-up DJ for Chuck Berry as well as Chubby Checker.  He’s been featured as a “DJ All Star” in the national publication of “Mobile Beat Magazine”. His company Kidsdance DJs has been voted “Most Favorite Entertainment” by readers of “Minnesota Parent Magazine”.  Since 1982, Howard has performed at nearly 2,000 B’nai Mitzvah receptions.  He has taught Bar/Bat Mitzvah reception performing tips at a national Las Vegas convention of mobile entertainers, and has appeared on a Bar/Bat Mitzvah panel for DJs at a Chicago seminar.