Driftwood Catering Open House

Welshfield Inn Banquet Center

We had the pleasure of providing lighting and sound for the June 13, 2013 Driftwood Catering Open House at The Welshfield Inn Banquet Center in Burton, Ohio. This newly remodeled banquet center is easy to access for Main Market Road but is located on 19 acres of rural land. With a restaurant, banquet facility, and room for a tent, this is a really flexible venue for weddings, corporate events, or really any type of party.

We have developed a strong relationship with Driftwood Catering as well as the other restaurants owned by Chef Chris Hodgson. Chris is currently competing on the reality TV Show, The Next Food Network Star and was featured on The Great Food Truck Race for his food truck “Hodgepodge“, which was also at the Driftwood open house Thursday. Chris and partner Scott Kuhn (celebrated local restauranteur) have worked with us on event’s at their downtown Cleveland location Hodge’s as well as corporate events such has Hyland Software’s Holiday Party. We wish them nothing but the best of luck as they expand further in the event industry in Ohio.

A Call To Courage Benefit – May 23, 2013

A Benefit For The Cleveland Courage Fund

Channel 3 WKYC, LaVilla Conference and Banquet Center, and Party 411 Events have created a community event to benefit Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry and Michelle Knight Call on Thursday, May 23rd from 5:30 to 9 pm. Rock The House will be providing all sound, lighting, and video support for Party 411 Events at this event. It’s inspiring how quickly our community can get together to organize in order to help these woman who are fellow Clevelanders who have been through so much and survived.

Tickets can be purchased at the door. General admission is $20 and includes heavy appetizers and cash bar with wine and beer. You can look forward to live performances by Monica Robin’s Ninja Cowboys, Rock The House DJs, Cleveland celebrities, photo favors, a silent and live auction (including an autographed Justin Bieber guitar and One Direction tickets). Read the full story here.

Get your tickets here.

 

 

Team Member of the Month: Brent Motika

Passion For Audio

Brent has had a great month!

Brent has a passion for all things A/V but particularly audio. Brent has continued to better himself and to push us as a company to increase the quality of our audio production and equipment. He has really stepped it up by setting aggressive goals and to doing whatever it takes to see them through. His hard work and leadership has allowed production managers Ryan Durfee and Ben Allison a chance to focus on operations as we begin our busiest season. Brent also completed the technical site survey, gear speck, and management of this years Make A Wish Gala, with rave reviews from the client.

Creative and Talet Director, Ryan Konikoff explains just one reason why Brent is one of Rock The House’s best:

“The Cleveland Airport Marriott has requested him personally 3 times in the last few months to come in and mix audio for several of their largest clients. Mary Francis Ody, Director of Catering and Special Events recently told me at a social event that one of her clients wanted him back for an event in two weeks because of the stellar job he did the week before.Being singled out by a partner like this is a big deal to us. Brent is here to work, and he works hard, but he has huge heart and it shows. He fully understands and embraces the idea of The Rock The House Family and works to make sure that all are included and feel the same rewards he does from a job well done.”

Brent has been with Rock The House for over two and a half years and has worked as a technician in many different areas of the company. His passion for audio comes through in his love of music. Music and sound will always be at the core of Rock The House and Brent has brought us to another level. Brent knows that we’re in the business of fun and that means having fun at what you do is just as important.

Production Manager, Ryan Durfee had this to say about Brent:

“Brent has become a lead tech specifically for larger audio events. It is important for the RTH team to see  someone who puts effort and can handle new as well as more responsibility while maintaining a high level of professionalism. The surge of responsibility and work load at the start of our busy season brings wears us all. Brent has been able to keep a positive attitude and keep on his responsibilities as they continue to grow.”

In addition, Production Manager Ben Allison says this about Brent as Team Member of the Month:

“Brent was chosen for team member of the month because of his dedication to the company as well as our clients.  He is a team member that others can look to for help and encouragement. He is constantly looking for opportunities that he can have full ownership of and thereby spread the responsibilities across the team instead of on the two production managers, which is greatly appreciated.

When we asked Brent what he liked most about being part of the Rock The House team, here’s what he said:

“The happiness it brings. We throw parties, and we’re damn good at it! The smiles, the laughter, and happiness that comes as a result from all your hard work, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

Thanks for all your hard work, Brent! You’re one of the reasons why Rock The House is great!

2013 ISES Ohio WOW Awards

We Won BIG!

The 2nd annual ISES Ohio WOW Awards took place on April 19, 2013 and it was a big night for Rock The House. Created last year by John Bibbo of Event Source and Rick Jobe of Jobe & Associates, this awards event celebrates the best in the event industry in Ohio. The second year of this traveling event took place in Cleveland at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rock The House Founder/Owner, Matt Radicelli, was the Co-Executive Producer of the event which included Rock The House providing the sound entertainment, and lighting. Producing an awards event of this caliber in front of the best in our industry was both a challenge and a privilege that we were excited to take on.

Rock The House Marketing and Communications Director, Nick Borelli was also the Marketing Chair for this year’s event which brought double the attendance of the first year. The inaugural event set up a foundation for an important annual event with plans to grow each year. The 2013 ISES Ohio WOW Awards not only double the event’s attendance but also more than doubled submissions making winning more challenging then ever. Each nominee submission was graded and judged by event professionals in St. Louis and all company names were removed. Because of this, these are the most unbiased and professional awards in the state for event professional’s achievements. The process for submission is identical to those who submit for the International ISES Awards which means it is not an easy process.

Now that the dust has cleared we have so much to reflect on with this event. Working with our partners to create a beautiful event, growing attendance, and entertaining our friends made for a fun (albeit busy) night. These awards mean a lot to us because they represent both our client’s unique visions achieved as well as the hardwork of our team. We’re already looking towards 2014’s event in Cincinnati!

Rock The House won the following at the 2013 ISES Ohio WOW Awards:

Photos by Digital Photos by Dale

A Prom To Remember 2013

A Magical Night of Hope

Rock The House is really proud to have helped create “A Prom To Remember” on April 5, 2013 at The Ritz Carlton. A Prom to Remember‘s mission is to provide the ultimate prom experience for teens who have been affected by cancer. Their goal is not only to provide them something incredible to look forward to, but also to give them an experience that will give them lasting memories. This event that helps provide hope, strength and inspiration.

We’re very excited that many Cleveland businesses offered their services to help make this event one of the best proms anyone could hope for. Guests arrived via limo to a red carpet walk where they had their photos taken and were interviewed by WJW/Fox 8 reporter Kristi Capel. Attendees ages ranged from 12 to 19 with a number of guests making repeat appearances. Cleveland Browns players Greg Little and Dan Gronkowski were both on hand to hang out and play games with the students as just one of the surprises this event had in store for the guests.

Thanks to Jane Knausz, Prom Chair, for these kind words on our participation:

“Thanks so much for DJing Prom 2014.  I got a lot of good comments about the music, etc.  You are a welcome addition to our team!  As you could see, the kids had a great time.  I was very comfortable with your music selection.  And I did hear you making announcements about eating and hydrating!  That was perfect.  The kids have so much fun, they forget about that.  And with their health, it is really important they take care of themselves.”

All of us at Rock The House are excited that we had the opportunity to provide the entertainment and lighting for this important event. Being able to do what we excel at for worthy recipients is at the heart of our RTH Gives Back program.

Check out these links that talk further about A Prom To Remember:

April Team Member of the Month: Mychael DeLano

Big Impact In A Short Time

Mike has really been on a roll lately! Since joining Rock The House last August, Mike has become the regular DJ for Founder / Owner Matt Radicelli. Being in that position takes a lot of leadership to make sure everything is just as it should be when Matt arrives to perform. Mike has done a great job working with other new staff members to make them feel at home and is always working to take his skills to the next level.

Mychael DeLano cleveland events

What make him a great example to the rest of the team is that he gives 110% at every show and is always pushing himself to improve as a performer. He is in “GO MODE” from the minute he walks in the door to start his shift straight through when the last piece of gear is scanned in when he returns to the office after a show.

cleveland entertainment events

RTH’s Ryan Konikoff has this to say about Mike: ”

“Well anyone that can keep Matt happy is important to the whole RTH Team! We’re looking forward to him working with other MCs in the summer when Matt isn’t in the field as often. He has been working hard to prepare to join the wedding team and also is very excited to ROCK some proms.”

We asked Mychael what being part of the Rock The House team has meant him. Here’s what he said:

“Being part of the Rock The House team has meant a lot to me. I’ve always thought doing something like this would be pretty cool to do since RTH entertained at my High School Homecoming and Prom. Now working for Rock The House has given me so much growth and experience that I never imagined getting this early in my career. Its even helped open other doors for me.”

“One of my favorite Rock The House memories comes from a Bar Mitzvah at Richmond Force Indoor Sports. It was one of the bigger events I had worked on at the time. It was one of the longest days I’ve had. We                         spent more time preparing and getting the event together then the event actually lasted but it was so much fun. But I had a blast and would definitely do it all over again!”

djs lighting team member month

Great work ethic + love of Music + love of entertainment = A GREAT RTH DJ

Newest RTH DJ!

Introducing DJ Scratch!

april fools!

We’ve been putting together a new division at Rock The House that is focused on adding social elements to events. Working towards this goal, we’ve brought on DJ Scratch to help us engage with more people online. As a cat, he understands what people want to see on the Internet intuitively.

Scratch is never grumpy and loves Mondays so he is available for events any day of the week. He is going to make a big impact on our social media efforts as well by…well…just being a cat. Cats were early adopters of the social media online while dogs met face to face at dog parks. His involvement in marketing will keep him busy in the day and his DJ skills will be apparent in the evenings. Who knows…maybe you’ll see Scratch at your next event!

March Team Member of the Month: Nick Borelli

2013 Has Been Big For Nick

Rock The House’s Marketing and Communications Director, Nick Borelli has already had a big 2013 and it’s only March!

As the Vice President of Communications of the Cleveland Chapter of ISES (International Special Events Society), Nick ensures that event professionals in the North East Ohio area are kept up to date with the monthly events ISES plans. In addition, Nick is the voice of ISES Cleveland on their various social media efforts. In 2013, Nick has taken on the additional responsibility of the position of Marketing Chair for the state wide ISES Ohio WOW Awards. This event takes place on April 19th at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and celebrates the best events in Ohio from 2012.marketing rock the house entertainment

Starting in January 2013, Nick was elected to the board of directors for The SEARCH Foundation for a two year term. The SEARCH Foundation is a national non-profit that raises money for event professionals in times of need. As someone who has been in the event industry since he was fourteen years old, giving back to this group means a lot to him. As well as being on the board of directors, Nick is the Chairman of the Public Relations Committee for SEARCH and is engaged in a campaign to raise awareness for this charitable organization. Nick assisted in the recent SEARCH Foundation fundraiser in Chicago this January.

Cleveland event professional marketing

Nick spent a week in Chicago this January to attend a ISES leadership summit, a SEARCH Foundation board meeting, and fundraiser, as well as the 2013 TSE conference. TSE (The Special Event) is an annual conference and trade show with thousands of attendees from all areas of the event industry. Nick had been selected in 2012 as one of the ten “Voices of TSE“, a group of event professionals who blogged on trends leading up to the January event. While at TSE, Nick went to a variety of educational sessions, networked with an international network of contacts, and was able to attend some of the best industry events of the year.

The 2013 year began with Rock The House’s big bridal show push. RTH has a large presence at the Cleveland and Akron Today’s Bride Bridal Shows as well as attendance at the Ever After Bridal Show, Cleveland Jewish News JStyle Show at The Ritz, the Quicken Loans Arena Bridal Show, and a number of event venue bridal showcases. These efforts are executed by a large team and is driven by the marketing department.

rock the house djs entertainment Facebook

Nick had the opportunity to travel abroad on a much-needed break in February to Mexico. For his fifth wedding anniversary, he and his wife visited the Riviera Maya region as well as the island of Cozumel. As someone who is very connected to dozens of social media outlets, this trip included his largest stretch of time “unplugged” in a decade. Being able to refresh and unwind is crucial in the deadline driven world of events.

Upon his return Nick was a guest at the sixth annual CBC Magazine Connector’s Choice Awards at the Galleria at Erieview. Rock The House was nominated for three awards and Nick won for Networking Star against a few really great networkers and friends of the company.

marketing social media djs lighting

The next week, Nick was featured in an interview on 19 Action News Cleveland on the rise of popularity of the social media site, Pinterest. The interview was both about Pinterests popularity and that some men have started to adopt this platform that has been dominated by a female demographic since it’s inception. The article also featured the Rock The House Pinterest Page which has images from some of the best weddings, corporate events, and bar / bat mitzvahs.

After only two months of 2013 in the books, there is still even more time for Nick to make an impact for Rock The House. We’re all looking forward to what the rest of the year will bring!

DIY Party Planning Event

Dirty Little Secrets by Party411 Events

Party411 Events‘ Sherri Foxman presents “Dirty Little Secrets” about DIY Party Planning.

This FREE event will feature Education, Fun, and Refreshments

cleveland djs mitzvah landerhaven

The event will cover:

  • Etiquette
  • Budgets
  • Vendors
  • Menu Selection
  • Timelines
  • Entertainment Options
  • and Much More

Rock The House’s Matt Radicelli will be on hand to give advice and answer your questions, as well.

  • Event Date/Time: March 14th, 2013 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Event Location: Landerhaven – 6111 Landerhaven Drive, Cleveland OH 44124
  • RSVP to this FREE event by March 10th to [email protected] or call 216-514-8411 ext 201

Harlem Shake Video by Rock The House

The Latest Dance Trend Hits RTH

Everyone’s in on the Harlem Shake because it’s simple and fun! Cleveland event entertainers, Rock The House, put together a few of our own this weekend.

The first Harlem Shake video we created was at Natalie’s Bat Mitzvah where we provided DJ/MC Entertainment, Lighting, and Party Motivators (dancers) for the evening.

Check out how much fun they had:

 

When we all came back to the office on Monday, we decided to do our own office version of the song. What do you think?