Jewish Wedding Traditions Take a Modern Twist

April 7, 2016/in DJ Akron, DJ Cleveland, DJ Columbus, DJ Pittsburgh, DJ Toledo, DJ Youngstown, Gay Weddings, Lighting & Drapery, Weddings /by mhadder4561

As we prep for this weekend’s Jstyle Wedding Show, we reflect on some of our favorite Jewish Wedding Traditions that have stood the test of time. The history and depth of each culture is featured and celebrated during milestone events like weddings and Bar Mitzvahs. However, you don’t always have to do your grandma’s hora – there are ways to take these traditions and amp them up with a modern mark. Here are some ideas to help you highlight your Jewish wedding traditions.

The Chuppah

Whether you choose a classic cloth chuppah, deck it out with decadent flowers, or do something ultra-modern, the Chuppah is the focal point of many Jewish Wedding ceremonies and should really shine. Add drama to your ceremony by adding a chandelier, some uplights or even spotlighting your Chuppah. This way, guests can focus in on the couple they are there to celebrate.

The Ketubah

Before the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, the bride and groom meet with their families to sign their ketubah. “The ketubah is a unilateral agreement drawn by witnesses in accordance with Jewish civil law” (Chabad.Org). Today, brides and grooms purchase Ketubot that display their personalities. Make sure yours really shines through your Chuppah by adding light to it.

See the beautiful, traditional wedding ceremony of Katie and Ethan in the video below:

2014-06-28 RTH DSLR Highlight from RTH Multimedia on Vimeo.

Breaking the Glass

As the Jewish Wedding Ceremony concludes, it’s traditional for the groom to break the glass by placing it under his foot and forcefully stomping down. Make sure this moment makes a big impact by utilizing the appropriate sound equipment. Ceremony sound systems are a modern-day product offering that ensures that every prayer, vow, and stomp is heard – loud and clear.

The Hora

The Hora, a traditional, celebratory circle dance is popular at Jewish weddings and throughout many cultures. The dance is a great way to kick off almost any event, as it gets nearly all guests on the dance floor. Today, some non-Jewish couples dance the hora at their weddings as it is the epitome of a crowd-pleaser.

According to our very own, Nick Duvé:

“Jewish receptions are rich with traditions that have gone back generations. I especially love the Hora. It instantly brings an energy to the crowd and sets the tone for an amazing celebration. We have so many different versions of the Hora that can mix withalmost any wedding vibe.”

Read more about RTH “Wow” Weddings by clicking on the photo above!

From the ceremony to the reception to the after-party, there are so many ways to enhance your culture’s traditions with modern event technology. For even more info about Rock The House Weddings, click here!

Wedding Songs That Have Stood the Test of Time

March 3, 2016/in All Posts, DJ Cleveland, Gay Weddings, Weddings /by mhadder4561

Did You Know: When asked, most guests say that the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.

Imagine this: brides and grooms put so much thought into everything from decor to desserts. All of that effort could all be dismissed if the wedding music leaves much to the imagination. That’s why we have classic wedding music that is proven to get people on their feet, celebrating the bride and groom.

Our instagram followers had lots to say about which song they’d pick for their first dance.

Just like the color scheme, the concept and the flowers, the playlist at a wedding has the ability add personality to any given dance party. Before you choose to go totally off the beaten path with your playlist, consider some classic favorites as part of the celebratory night.

Below, our team has pulled together a list of wedding music that has never, ever gone out of style.

Are there any songs we missed? Sound off on our facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/igotrocked/

RTH Brings 2016 Today’s Bride Show To Another Level!

February 5, 2016/in All Posts, Disc Jockeys, DJ Akron, DJ Cleveland, Lighting & Drapery, Photo Booth Rental, Weddings /by mhadder4561

We loved the 2016 Today’s Bride January bridal shows at The John S. Knight Center and Cleveland’s IX Center! The energy level at every show was beyond contagious. From attendees to exhibitors, everyone genuinely wanted to be there (us especially)! Our team had a blast participating in the shows and meeting hundreds of newly engaged couples from the Cleveland, Akron, Canton and surrounding areas.

The Fashion Show:

The Today’s Bride fashion shows have become a ‘must-see’ attraction at the Today’s Bride shows and for the past eight years, we have been proud to be their exclusive entertainment and audio-visual partner.

At this year’s’ fashion show, Rock The House’s own DJ Flightz and MC Nick Duvé kept the energy going for both the models and the audiences. Over 70 fashions from 10 different companies graced this years runway! Spotify even had a spike in tags that day from the audience searching for the amazing mashup mixes we selected.

Over 70 fashions from 10 different companies graced this years runway!

Spotify even had a spike in tags that day from the audience searching for the amazing mashup mixes we selected.

Our Built-“Up” Booth:

Now, as an exhibitor, we wanted to stand out from the crowd and be seen from all areas of the convention centers. So, we decided to build UP! Yes, we were the first two-story exhibit at a Today’s Bride bridal show.

We incorporated marquee L-O-V-E letters, chandeliers and uplighting to create a fun and unique booth. The DJ spinning tunes on the second floor was the cherry on top (literally)!

The Today’s Bride Show Manager, Jennifer Fyffe, said it best:

“Rock The House, you set your own bar higher every year. This year was no exception. Not only did you win the Best Booth Award, you won Best-in-Show. Truly a show-stopper remembered by all!”

Oh, and the best part of it all? We’ve got it on video! Go ahead, check it out!

Rock The House Weddings is part of the Cleveland & Akron’s finest Interactive DJ, Entertainment and Production Company, Rock The House Entertainment Group, Inc.

Since 1999, RTH has exceeded expectations by providing amazing talent, cutting-edge products, and award-winning customer service.

Find out more about what we do by visiting our website or give us a call at 440.232.7625

Team Member of the Month – Sean Tyrrell

October 1, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

A Helping Hand When You Need It the Most

Rock The House is a living, and breathing machine. The people within the company are always going to keep the heart beating and the joints moving. Every so often we bring on an employee who takes us from a jogging state to a full on sprint. That is exactly the bolt of energy that Sean Tyrrell has given to keep up our pace.

Sean has been with RTH for a little bit over a year now. He considers this a team and rarely calls his tasks ‘work’ since someone is always willing to help out. Holding a mantra of being friendly to everyone you meet while working has led him to some memorable events. Being a dancer and a production technician gives him an unique edge as an entertainer.

We asked him his favorite memory from working at Rock The House:

“I was working photo magic at a Mitzvah but it didn’t stop me from dancing with some of the kids at my booth. The other dancers started a dance circle to show the kids what they’ve got. The looks on all the kids’ faces were priceless. I was called out to the floor and I did a slow motion head-slide that slowly sped up with the song. The atmosphere of that party was unreal!”

It wasn’t until the begging of this summer that Sean really proved he had what it takes to be in the spotlight on the dance floor and behind the scenes. He stepped up to take the lead on show load-in/outs, danced on high profile events, and operated photo systems for high profile clients. Many people may not see the depth in those tasks, but Sean understood how it was a direct reflection of Rock The House and how people see us.

Our Creative and Talent Coordinator, Ryan Konikoff, added his impression of Sean:

“Sean is the kind of guy you want working next to you, he’s fun and upbeat, but understands the company and clients’ goals and works towards those while keeping a positive demeanor. With a higher than average amount of bookings over the last summer, he has made himself available to help the team either as an onsite tech or staying late in the warehouse to make sure the shows are prepped and ready to go.”

A year ago we could not see how lucky we were to have Sean on our team, but now that he is here, we can’t thank him enough. We are always looking for the next rising star and a year can tell a lot about the people you have working for you. Sean proved he has what it takes to be a high profile member of the Rock The House team.

Quicken Loans Arena Bridal Show

March 27, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Rock The Q!

The last bridal show of the season took place at the Q Arena this March. Each year, Quicken Loans Arena provides its concourse for over fifty vendors to display their expertise.

Trade show events are always a great experience for us. We spent the afternoon talking with couples about ideas for their weddings, plans for the reception, and everything related to the big day. Jeff and Travis had a great time connecting with other vendors in the arena. Bridal shows like this are a great opportunity to make connections with the brides and industry professionals.

In addition to the vendor showcase, Rock The House put on an elegant runway show. All types of wedding apparel strutted down the stage while guests could take a glimpse of their future wedding day.

Rock The House can transform any wedding venue into your ideal setting. Visit our website for more info – RTHGroup.com

Greatest Best Man Speech – Aaron Kutz

October 3, 2013/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

You’ve Never Seen A Speech Like This!

This is the greatest best man speech of all time!

On September 28, 2013 RTH VP of Sales Jeff Kutz married his best friend (and newest member of our familly) Sharon. The wedding reception was held at the Marriott Key Center in downtown Cleveland. Jeff’s younger brother Aaron wanted to do something extra special for his best man’s speech. Here’s what we all came up with!

Enjoy!

This video has been shared and viewed 1,000s of times since it was uploaded this week!

As featured in:

96.5 Kiss FM – Greatest Best Man Speech Ever!

Cleveland Scene Magazine – A Best Man Speech That Doesn’t Suck

January Team Member of the Month: Carmen Moscarillo

January 22, 2013/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

The Key To Her Success? Having Fun!

Coming up on her third anniversary, Carmen has made a huge impact on many of our client’s lives. She does that by making everyone around her feel comfortable and happy. No easy task in the high pressure world of event production but Carmen makes it look effortless. With 250+ shows with Rock The House, Carmen has gone from a fresh new face to a mentor to other team members in a short period of time. As is the case with many of our best team members, training in a few different arenas has allowed Carmen to be able to one of Rock The House’s best assets.

Carmen is one of the most requested dancers by our clients because she makes real connections with guests and they remember her. Because she is so well-liked amongst event guests, she has really found her niche as one of the most important photo novelty technicians that company has ever had. This position puts her one on one with every guest at an event which lets her great attitude to become infectious. This position has a strong technical aspect to it as well which she has more than embraced.

As a student, Carmen has developed the skills of work/life balance by continuing her education while growing with Rock The House. She hasn’t met a challenge that has scared her yet which is the trait of a real achiever. Creative and Talent Director, Ryan Konikoff had this to say about Carmen:

“Anyone who has ever worked with Carman at 1:00am after a 15 hour day (when there are still hours left to go) knows why she is so important to Rock The House. She has the drive, energy and teamwork to lift the team up and carry all of them to the finish line.”

Being calm under pressure is something that separates true event professionals from the amateurs. Carmen is able to do this by taking a second to breath and realizing that events are parties…everyone should be having fun the whole time. It’s this perspective that endears her to our entire team. We asked Carmen what makes her tick, here’s what she said:

“Over the past few years, I have shown both dedication and love for this industry. I love making someone’s special day perfect, whether that is making a room look beautiful with uplighting, taking pictures to capture all the memories of that special night, or dancing to keep the energy level going all night long.I love every part of my job, and I want to continue learning more. Although I started here quite younger than expected, I have ambition and passion for what I do and for everyone I share it with every weekend. I am also presently pursuing Marketing and Dance at Cleveland State University.”

Thanks to your dedication, Carmen, your positive energy has spread to thousands in the region!

Nationally Connected

January 3, 2013/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

The Best Entertainment PERIOD

We recently had the privilege of working with one of our closest friends in event entertaiment, Emcee Marz of Charizma from Chicago. Marz is part of a group of entertainers across the United States that shares tips and tricks learned in the field. He has personally helped teach and grow our dance division as well as being a big influence on our MC team.

Being able to work with someone of his caliber on one of our client’s events was a real treat. We brought him into town as one of our Dance Jam instructors which gave us an opportunity to work with him on an event. We are committed to growing through continued education and inspiration. Check out Marz’s video from this wedding:

December Team Member of the Month: Samantha Fox

December 14, 2012/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Making People Smile Matters

Samantha Fox brightens up every room which is a big part of her job and why she is the Team Member of the Month for December. We’re seeing a pattern here with what it takes to earn this achievement. The pattern is round robins, which Sam most certainly is. Here is a list of some of the positions Sam has trained and excelled at: dancer, dj, photo technician, shop technician, and an assistant to anyone who needs one. Another area where Sam sets herself apart is her ability to train newer staff members. She really understands both the Rock The House work ethic and our company culture enough to instill it on others.

One of the reasons that Sam really made her mark in December is a new job title she can brag about: Manager for Legacy Village’s Polar Point Program. This is where Rock The House provides free photos with Santa for families in the community during the month of December. Her proven ability to work directly with clients while managing a team gives her the unique ability to run this operation. Another sign that Sam has proven herself as a star is through client requests. Generally, our MC’s are usually the most requested category of team member but Sam has often requested as much as any of our MC’s. This is due to her ability to connect with guests and make an impact on events in a way that looks effortless. It looks effortless because she is actually having fun on the job which attracts others. Her smile multiples others.

Creative & Talent Director, Ryan Konikoff had this to say about Sam:

“Sam is proof that leadership is not just a title. No matter what position she has in an event, she leads through example. She also understands that no one person earns the win or loss for an event – it is the team. Her commitment to the team is evident when she is willing to give up her personal time in order to fill in for a team member that is unable to make it to an event. She puts the team first.”

Sam’s commitment to the team and it’s members is best said in her own words:

“I started out as a dancer and have grown into so many other positions.I plan on continuing my training at every chance available as well. I genuinely love it too! I can honestly say there is not a single person at RTH I don’t have some love for. I always want to give everyone hugs, as silly as that is. The employees at RTH are definitely a special family to me.”

Sam’s favorite Rock The House moment shows how much the team thinks for her:

“My favorite memory created by my coworkers of RTH is how an impromptu, surprise dance party happened on my birthday. I worked on my 25th birthday and when I got back to the office, the majority of the staff that also worked that evening was waiting for me with enthusiasm and baked goods. We were having so much fun it turned into a perfect little birthday bash!”

Congratulations, Sam! You’re a big part of what makes this team so special.

November Team Member of the Month: Ryan Durfee

November 8, 2012/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Taking Production To The Next Level

Our Team Member of the Month for November is Ryan Durfee who has been with Rock The House for the last 9 months. Ryan was hired as a production manager and has quickly made a large impact on Rock The House. His commitment to productivity is shown in how he uses his time in the shop. If Ryan has 15 minutes between appointments he will use every minute to work on something in the shop until the meeting begins. He’s always working!

Ryan was selected by the staff and management for the Team Member of the Month because he came on board and immediately worked on implementing our new inventory system while managing and training a staff during our busy wedding season. Taking on a big project while managing a team during a peak season and coming out on the other end is a pretty impressive accomplishment and Ryan did just that.

Creative & Talent Director, Ryan Konikoff has this to say about Ryan Durfee’s efforts thus far:

“He is very organized and has taken important steps to keep the shop just as organized. He is just as creative, however, and can design and operate with the best of them onsite. Finally, and MOST importantly, Durfee never forgets that our clients are our bosses. Ryan is always willing to go the extra mile to make sure we can achive last min requests, events, and changes.”

One of Ryan Durfee’s first decisions was making sure that there was always a production staff team member at the shop to see each show back at the end of each busy night. This often means the staff member is here until 4 or 5 AM. For the first month, Ryan made sure he was that staff member in order to create the systems needed for this initiative to succeed.

Ryan Durfee’s own words are the reason why he is one of the most important asset of Rock The House’s future:

“I enjoy enjoy most that I am a part of every event. At some point, I touch every event and have a chance to keep our best foot forward by my thoughts and observations. Seeing or hearing positive reports from our clients is the best way to tell that we have been successful.”

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