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ROCKstar of the Month of January: Evan Guffin

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New year, new ROCKstar! This month’s honoree is Evan Guffin, one of our Lead Technicians. Evan has been with Rock The House for over six years. Since joining the team, he has progressed from working as an audio technician to leading a team. He is willing to lend a hand to anyone in need and strives to make everything around him better.

Evan Guffin, Rock The House Technical Lead

Evan grew up around performance and performed as a kid, but eventually realized that he liked the behind-the-scenes factor more than being on the stage. His interest in the technical side of things even led him to study event production.

“Evan has excelled in and helped develop and mold our audio department in a positive way. He continues to make improvements on the look, feel, and sound of all of his events. His knowledge and attention to detail has given him the opportunity to project manage several Signature Events successfully.” – Ryan Durfee, Production Manager

Evan Guffin, Technical Lead at Rock The House

While Evan works in many areas and on many types of events, he shared that his favorite event to work on was the Cleveland Metroparks Centennial Celebration. “The Metroparks is a great organization and client of Rock The House,” said Guffin. “Their event was a great display of many of Rock The House’s audiovisual aspects.”

A Few Fun Facts About Evan Guffin:

  • Favorite guilty pleasure song? “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls
  • Favorite movie? Blues Brothers
  • Favorite TV show? The Office
  • Favorite song/artist? Foo Fighters
  • Favorite pre-event snack? Banana
  • Favorite post-event snack? Chips and salsa
  • If you could have a superpower, what would it be? I’d like to fly, I hate sitting in traffic.
  • What’s something not many people know about you? I’ve been drinking coffee since I was a little kid.
  • On that note, how do you take your coffee? Black.
Evan Guffin, Rock The House Technical Lead, Crowd Surfing

Yep, that’s Evan getting a “lift” from the RTH team!

“One of my favorite things about being on the RTH team is seeing the concept that a client has imagined for an event come together and then seeing their reaction to it when it is done.” – Evan Guffin, ROCKstar of the Month

When not at work, Evan can be found working out at the gym, enjoying craft beers, and spending time with his friends and family.

“Evan is someone who we know can handle whatever we throw at him. He personifies RTH culture by always being willing to step up and help out. He does what needs to be done and is more than willing to help anyone that asks!” – Tricia Adams, Production Assistant

Congratulations to Evan on being January’s ROCKstar of the Month! Interested in working with rockstars like Evan to produce your next event? Contact our team of event professionals today to get started! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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Get to Know Our Band: Rock The House LIVE!

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ROCK THE HOUSE LIVE! – HIGHLIGHT REEL from RTH Multimedia on Vimeo.

Cleveland is a town that loves to ROCK. And the words “rock and roll” invoke all kinds of imagery – heads banging, messy hair, and all manner of debauchery. Now let’s try “party band.” What do you see? Your uncle’s classic rock cover band playing in a divey bar? Sloppy, neon-clad dudes dancing around at a college bash? Or perhaps you imagine a group that specializes in only one style of music – Top 40, Motown, Rock, Pop, etc.

So, what is a party planner to do? You want entertaining, genre-spanning music and professionalism, but you’re struggling to find it.

A few years back, Rock The House Entertainment encountered this exact challenge. Our team was planning a couple big events that needed a strong party band. “As we searched around the region, we couldn’t find an act that we felt comfortable putting on stage at an array of events and that could consistently and frequently perform at a top level,” says Matt Radicelli, Founder and CEO of Rock The House Entertainment.

True to form, the team came up with a solution. “We set out to bring together truly talented individuals that were passionate, caring, and sincere about their work and the people around them,” says Radicelli. “Our goal was that the band would have the same style and flair of our brand. They would be clean cut and professional, without any of the negative stereotypical characteristics of a party band.”

Amanda Corrigan, Singer of Rock The House Live!     Jovan Wilder, Singer of Rock The House Live!

Enter Rock The House Live!, a high energy, dance-driven party band, made up of Cleveland’s most talented musicians and vocalists. The group tailors its music to any occasion – be it a wedding, corporate event, high school dance, or bar show – and they’re constantly adding music to their repertoire.

Dennis Nero, Drummer of Rock The House Live!

We interviewed Dennis Nero, bandleader and drummer of Rock The House Live!, and Jeff Kutz, VP of Sales, to find out more about this impressive group.

How would you describe Rock The House Live?

Jeff Kutz: “Our band’s specialty is that they’re a party band. That means that they cover all genres and don’t just specialize in oldies or current music. On top of being talented musicians, they’re energetic performers. They go out into the crowd and interact with guests and really put on a memorable show.”

How does the band prepare for different types of shows?

Dennis Nero: “Once a show is booked, the RTH team gives us an idea of the genres and specific artists that the client likes, and we start tailoring the set list. We figure out how many of the songs we are able to start learning and we get to work. We’re always learning music and always trying to change and grow. It keeps it interesting!”

Besides rehearsals, how does the band prep for shows? Is there a pre-show routine?

DN: “This group is a bunch of really professional, amazing musicians that all take complete pride in doing what they do. With this band, it’s all homework. You learn your parts, then at practice, we see where we’re at and what work needs to be done. Literally, 100% of the time, we hit the stage for a show and it is gold. Everyone knows what they have to do. These are the highest quality musicians I’ve ever played with.”

What are some common concerns/misconceptions about hiring a live party band?

JK: “People tend to think that a DJ can cover more music than a band. In this case, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Our band covers every single genre.”

DN: “We’re like a live band running as a DJ, in a constant medley. Like a DJ, there are no stops. By doing that, you get to hit on almost 60 songs.”

JK: “On top of that, when you book our band, you get a DJ/MC combo as well. So when the band is on break, the music doesn’t stop. Also, you get a master of ceremonies who will run your evening flawlessly, entertain the crowd, and make sure all formalities are taken care of.”

Final thoughts?

JK: “In the end, every client’s needs are different. Booking a live band has to be the best decision for the client. However, if someone is on the fence and concerned about sound or style, we’d be happy to invite them to a band practice or put them in touch with someone who has booked the band in the past.”

DN: “From my experience, if a client wants the energy at their event to be at a completely different level, bringing in Rock The House Live! sets a whole new bar for the energy and fun.

Interested in having Rock The House Live! at your next event? Contact our team today for details and availability! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

 

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ROCKstar of the Month of December: Tricia Adams

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As we wrap up 2017, we’re excited to end the year showcasing one of our hardest working team members, Tricia Adams! Since joining the RTH team almost 5 years ago, Tricia has grown from her role as a part-time dancer to take on the recently created position of Production Assistant. Although she hates being the center of attention, we couldn’t help but honor her this month!

Tricia Adams Rock The House Production Assistant - Black Tie Wedding Photo

Tricia is truly a force to be reckoned with! On a given day, you may find her tackling everything from production to staffing to rentals and more. “Tricia’s attention to detail and ability to see a project through to completion has helped streamline several areas of the production team. She is continuing to learn every day; her knowledge about what we do and how we do it has grown ten-fold.”– Ryan Durfee, Production Manager

A Few Fun Facts About Tricia Adams:

  • Cartoon character that best describes her? Margo from Despicable Me
  • Favorite movie? The Boondock Saints
  • Favorite song/artist? Norah Jones
  • Favorite pre (and post) event snack? Chocolate
  • Biggest fear? Taking life too seriously
  • Favorite thing about being on the RTH team? Getting to work with such a fun group of people!

Tricia Adams Rock The House Production Assistant - Donut Photo

“I find working for RTH rewarding because I get to be involved with so many awesome events in the city of Cleveland. It’s not just about the opening night of new local restaurants or massive parties, but also the charity events, fundraisers, and galas that show what Cleveland is really all about. I am lucky to be a part of it!” – Tricia Adams, ROCKstar of the Month

When not in the office, you may also find Tricia working a photo booth or striking an event. Of all the events she’s done, Tricia shared that she loved getting to travel to her hometown of Pittsburgh back in the day for events. “Getting to work with Matt and the A-Team and hanging overnight with an awesome crew makes those events stand out still to this day,” she said. When Tricia is off the clock, she enjoys spending time outdoors, drinking scotch, and going to yoga.

“[Tricia] has the capacity to see the bigger picture and make an early catch on potential issues. She has continued to push the responsibilities of this role and make our team better in the process.” – Ben Allison, Director of Human Development

Congratulations to Tricia on being December’s ROCKstar of the Month! Interested in working with rockstars like Tricia to produce your next event? Contact our team of event professionals today to get started! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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PartyPalooza 2017: Cleveland’s Premier Event Planning Showcase

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It’s baaaaaaack! The 22nd annual PartyPalooza will be on November 5th from 11am-3pm at the Cleveland Marriott East. PartyPalooza is Cleveland’s entirely FREE event planning showcase! PartyPalooza features a variety of event vendors, from catering and entertainment to accommodations and venues. If you have an event coming up, PartyPalooza is an amazing opportunity to book all your vendors at incredibly discounted rates.

Rock The House is proud to be the presenting sponsor of PartyPalooza 2017.  When you think of Rock The House, you naturally think of amazing parties. With over 100 entertainment options, the RTH team knows the importance of keeping your guests engaged. At PartyPalooza, Rock The House offers amazing incentives and promotional pricing that can save you UP TO 70% at your next event! With just a $200 deposit, you can reserve your event date right then and there. This offer only comes around once a year, you won’t want to miss it!

While Rock The House has a team of incredible DJs and MCs, we are also very proud of our other entertainment packages! From upgraded dance floors to photo booths and giant games, RTH has everything you need to host your best event yet. Read on for a sneak peek of some of our favorites and make sure to come to PartyPalooza to learn more!

Get Lit with LED Lighting

Rock The House is excited to introduce our new LED panels which are guaranteed to leave your guests in AWE! These light-up panels are customizable to just about any shape or size, whether that be an upgraded LED DJ booth, dance floor, creative wall façade, or even a tunnel for your grand entrance! Whatever you can imagine, Rock The House can make it happen! The possibilities are endless and are sure to bring the WOW factor to your event!

Rock The House Extra Entertainment LED Panels

Mirror Booth

Rock The House’s Mirror Booth is the latest and greatest photo booth option available. Guests take their photos through an interactive mirror that prompts them to do various actions, sign their pictures when they’re done, and even print and share their pictures on social media!

Interactive Sports & Games

Be sure that all your guests have a great time at your next event, on AND off the dance floor, with new interactive activities! From modern classics like LED Ping Pong and Giant 22-Player Foosball to Rock Shots Ultimate Basketball and their new Sports Simulator, Rock The House allows guests of all ages to test their skills and win ultimate bragging rights!

Rock The House Extra Entertainment Giant Games

Interactive Touch Screen DJ

Take your event to a whole new level with the Touch Screen DJ by Rock The House! This DJ system allows your guests to see the DJ mix the music right before their eyes. Thanks to the two-way touch screen technology and interactive control surface, you won’t just be able to hear the music…you’ll watch it come to life! And yes…the guest of honor can help!

Rock The House Interactive Touch Screen DJ System

Sparkular Indoor Fireworks

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have fireworks at your event? Now you can with Rock The House’s brand new Sparkular units! Sparkular is Cleveland’s first and only pyrotechnics effect created for indoor use. Perfect for your grand entrance, special effects, a unique photo, or your grand finale!  Sparkular is guaranteed to make your guests say “ooh” and “aah” at your celebration!

There’s a reason Rock The House has been entrusted for nearly twenty years with more than 2,500 Simchas. RTH goes above and beyond to ensure that every client’s expectations are met and surpassed. We want to make your event ROCK, too! Register for PartyPalooza 2017 to SAVE BIG on Rock The House party packages. We hope to see you there!

 

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ROCKstar of the Month: Bryan Wolbert

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This October we’re excited to showcase Bryan Wolbert as our ROCKstar of the month! Bryan has been with Rock the House for almost three years now working as an audio technician on our production team.

RTH Rockstar Bryan Wolbert

Bryan has grown alongside Rock the House over the past few years and has truly shined as we have continued to add more and more hotel and corporate events. He is regularly found supporting Cleveland’s many event centers and ballrooms, meeting and surpassing client A/V needs and expectations.

A Few Fun Facts About Bryan Wolbert:

  • Favorite Movie? Blade Runner
  • Most Relatable Cartoon Character? “Bender” from Futurama
  • Guilty Pleasure Song? Careless Whisper
  • Favorite Pre-Event Snack? C’mon is that even a question…Chipotle!
  • Favorite Thing About Being on the RTH Team? The bond with coworkers and how we can always joke with each other. We have a great team!

RTH Rockstar Bryan Wolbert 2

“It’s nice to be recognized for the time and effort you put into your job. It’s not ultimately needed but nice to be noticed for your hard work.” – Bryan Wolbert, ROCKstar of the Month

Bryan’s family is what motivates him to be his best and when he isn’t at work or Chipotle, he can be found spending time with his two sons, Clay and Evan. Bryan is a cherished and respected member of the Rock the House family and our events would not be the same if it wasn’t for all his incredible hard work and dedication!

“Bryan has been with the team for roughly two and a half years and quickly moved to one of our top Audio Engineers. He is a hard worker with a ‘get it done’ mentality that pushes teams to make it home before Chipotle closes.” – Ben Allison, Director of Human Development

Congratulations again to Bryan on being October’s ROCKstar of the Month! Interested in working with Bryan at your next event? Contact our team of event professionals today to get started! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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ROCKstar of the Month of May: Brian Raymont

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This May we are happy to shine the ROCKstar of the Month spotlight on Brian Raymont, one of our many talented MCs! No matter what happens while he’s at an event, Brian is always ready to adjust and puts nothing before the event and needs of our customers.

RTH ROCKstar Brian Raymont

Specializing as a wedding MC for Rock The House for 3 seasons now, Brian’s enthusiasm on the microphone captivates the audience’s attention at every show and ensures that the energy of the room is always at an all-time high. Working hard to facilitate his events and keep all scheduled formalities on time week in and week out, both Brian’s organizational and interpersonal skills are among some of the best on our team.

A Few Fun Facts About Brian Raymont:

  • Favorite TV Show or Movie? The WWE Network… Especially old school legends like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and Macho Man Randy Savage.
  • Favorite Song: “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey (“I’m an old soul… An 80’s baby!”)
  • Favorite Musical Entertainer? Billy Joel
  • Most Relatable TV Character? Doug Funny from “Doug”
  • Favorite Snack Before or After An Event? None – “I usually don’t eat right before or after events… I’m often too busy focused on making sure everything on the show goes right!”

RTH ROCKstar Brian Raymont 2

“At every event I do, I treat it like game 7 of the NBA Finals; You’re never gonna get another chance to have a perfect wedding and to go for the gold. Anytime I get to work with our other great entertainers… Or anytime you can win a game 7 and have a great night, you have it made. It’s the best job in the world.” – Brian Raymont

When not performing with Rock The House on the weekends, Brian prefers relaxing and spending time with his wife Erin. Additionally, Brian also serves as the Assistant Atheltic Director at Padua Franciscan High School and has received both his Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Studies and Master’s Degree in Arts in Education and Sports Administration during his time spent at The University of Akron.

“The lengths Brian goes to guarantee our clients’ satisfaction are unmatched. That surely has something to do with the constant praise we get from past couples who have worked with him.” – Ben Allison, Director of Human Development

Congratulations again to Brian for being awarded ROCKstar of the Month for May and for being an invaluable asset to our team! Interested in working with Brian for your next event? Contact our team of event professionals to get started today! Photos courtesy of Kelly Crews Photography and the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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ROCKstar of the Month of March: Alascia Jones

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This month’s ROCKstar of the Month is Alascia Jones, all-around ROCKstar at Rock The House! In recent years, Alascia has helped keep the office running smoothly by handling a lot of RTH’s daily tasks, working with our clients to ensure that everything is perfect for their events, and even helping the rest of our team prepare for their shows each and every weekend.keep

RTH_Rockstar_of_the_month_alascia_Jones_event_consultant

Alascia joined the Rock The House family in August of 2014, and has since proved to be an invaluable asset to our team. Serving as the Director of Special Projects of the International Live Events Association’s local Cleveland Chapter Board, it was clear to tell that Alascia was an excelling event professional from the start. Always ambitious and ready for the next challenge, Alascia has become an expert at any role she’s performed throughout the company.

A Few Fun Facts About Alascia Jones:

  • Favorite Group or Artist? Beyoncé
  • Favorite Guilty Pleasure Song? Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch – “Good Vibrations”
  • Favorite Snack? A “Guyzone” from Guy’s Pizza
  • Most Relatable Cartoon Character? Pepper Ann…. “I can relate to her on many different levels!”
  • Favorite Thing About Being on the RTH Team? The close-knit ties and relationships that make up the Rock the House team. Even after I move on from working in the office, I will always be a part of the RTH family!

RTH_Rockstar_of_the_month_alascia_Jones2

“Alascia is such a ROCKstar! With her ability to ‘multi-switch’ and her ‘ready to learn’ mentality, she has not only become an expert in all the areas in which she was hired, but she continues to pick up additional projects and tasks to assist our team in moving forward! We’re so happy that she is spreading her wings, but we will miss certainly miss her in the process!” – Amy Van Duyne, CSEP & Executive Assistant to the CEO

As of late, Alascia has accepted a new position in the event industry to further grow herself and her career. However, she is more than deserving of our distinction of our ROCKstar of the Month award, and we wish her nothing but the best in all of her future endeavors.

Interested in joining the Rock The House family? Visit RTHCareers.com to learn more about our various positions and how you can work directly in the event industry. Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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Today’s Bride 2017 Wedding Show Recap – I-X Center

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Todays_Bride_IX_Center

Every January, Today’s Bride gathers up some of the biggest vendors in Northeast Ohio for their annual I-X Center and John S. Knight Center wedding shows! Being one of the largest in the state, this show is known to attract thousands of engaged couples, so our team took our booth to the imagination’s limit, showcasing exactly what RTH Weddings can make possible for their special day!

RTH_Todays_Bride_Award_Winning_Booth

As you can see from the picture above, our 2017 bridal show booth was bigger and better than any booth we’ve ever done at any previous show! Recreating the double-decker design we executed last year, our team spruced up our setup by doubling the number of display monitors, adding fog to accent some fun lighting elements, and literally topping it all off with our own DJ Mattitude that mixed live for couples from the top of the booth! The award-winning booth also featured a massive banner that displayed the signature RTH logo, as well as some of our favorite wedding photos, which was all suspended from the ceiling of the facility for all of the show’s guests to see! While all this was taking place high in the air, another team of wedding professionals could be found below helping couples and answering any questions they may have had about their upcoming nuptials.

Todays_Bride_Fashion_Shows

Rock The House (RTHAV) is also proud to partner with Today’s Bride from a production standpoint, providing audio, lighting, and even staging for their fashion shows! With a total of six different shows happening in only two short days, our team worked diligently to ensure that everything was handled for each show throughout the weekend. Rock The House MC Nick Duve hosted all of the fashions shows, welcoming guests with opening remarks and announcing the various models’ outfit styles and show sponsors (American Commodore Tuxedo and Miller’s Party Rental), while DJ Flightz kept the high energy music pumping through the speakers the entire time. Guests were awed by a stunning light display, which proved to be an exceptional accent to the luxurious dresses and tuxedos the models ROCKED as they headed down the runway.

 

RTH_Kickin_With_Kenny

Our team also spent some time with Kenny Crumpton and FOX 8 News talking about some of the cool new products we had for couples at the show! The first item was also featured on top of the RTH Weddings show booth; The new Touch Screen DJ System, which allows couples to actually SEE their DJ mix live before their eyes, and even encourages them to get into the mix and play a few of their own songs! The second spotlight item this year was our Mirror Photo Booth, which is an interactive, state-of-the-art photo station that captures guests’ memories as they stand in the reflection of a full-size mirror! This novelty also prompts users to doodle and sign their masterpiece once it’s taken, and allows the photos to be printed live on-site, sent digitally via SMS or email, or directly posted to a social media account on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other popular platforms.

Check out a full recap of the Today’s Bride I-X and John S. Knight Center shows from last month above, and see exactly what the RTH team is capable of accomplishing. From weddings to fashion shows, and every event in between, Rock The House can do it all! To learn more about how you can work with our team of event professionals, visit our contact page by clicking here!