Planning an event? I've already got your soundtrack!

Planning an event? I've already got your soundtrack!


The RIGHT music for ANY occasion!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Online Networking

I haven't posted in awhile - just like in your world, things have occasionally been crazy busy. You can check out my personal profile at Facebook.com now; I'm also getting started on LinkedIn.com. Both are turning out to be tremendous avenues for me to find new connections and to re-connect with old friends and colleagues.

Coming up, I've got a New Year's Eve party, and then wedding season is just around the corner! Start recommending "A Positive Spin" to your friends and family who are thinking of planning an event!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Autumn

There are still some openings for Fall/Winter events, so schedule yours now!

This past weekend I provided the music for a wedding reception at the recently rebuilt/remodeled Community Center at Oak Hill Park in Danville. It's always a pleasure to be there, with the stream, the pond, the willow trees, and all of the ducks and geese. As usual, I delivered great music for drinks, dinner and dancing. You should have been there!

Upcoming, I'm scheduled to be the DJ for a 30th reunion of Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. The event is being held at Boundary Oak Golf Course. Classic rock and disco. Long live 1978!

The following week, I'll be at the Deaf Community Center in San Leandro for their Oktoberfest. I'm sure those attending can't wait for all the beer and brats, although those have never been quite my thing.

If you're planning on having your own Oktoberfest, Halloween party, an autumn wedding, birthday, or even thinking of Christmas or New Year's Eve, contact me now!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Hot Summer Nights in Danville!

Last Thursday evening was the final "Hot Summer Nights" car show in Danville for the year. I was set up in front of Mountain Mike's Pizza, playing good-time rock and roll music from the 1950s and 1960s. Since the cars/owners were all registering just north of where I was (at the high school), I got to see each entry as they paraded down the street in front of me. Lots of "thumbs up" and positive feedback from the drivers as they passed!

The general public crowds really started to swell a couple hours into the afternoon/evening, and stayed busy right up to the end. There were alot of short songs during that era, and I think I nearly got through my entire 100-150 songs during the 5 hours I was there! Of course, I played a bunch of Elvis, Beatles and Beach Boys, but also most of the other tip-top best of upbeat oldies hits that just don't get heard much anymore.

Several passersby took my business card; one gentleman said that this was the first year that he's heard the "right" music at this event. That simply validates what I've been saying myself: When the music matters...The RIGHT music for ANY occasion...

Contact me to reserve the date for your fall and winter events now!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Book your Fall/Winter events now!

I know it feels like summer has barely begun, but before you realize it, we'll be back in the rhythms and routines of autumn. School schedules, soccer matches, and in general, just more of a hurried pace.

These upcoming months are also going to start filling up with anniversaries, theme parties, reunions, school fundraisers, fall weddings, Halloween parties, and more. If you don't plan ahead, you may miss your chance for "A Positive Spin" to provide the perfect mix of music for your important event!

And don't think that a DJ is synonymous with getting people dancing. At "A Positive Spin", we also specialize in providing the right background music! Whatever theme your event is going to have, we can help set the right mood. Look at the ideas below:

"Moonstruck" - the music of Little Italy
"Ratatouille" - music for a French Bistro
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" - exactly.
1950's "Back To The Future" prom/sock hop
50's/60's "American Grafitti" or "Grease" party
1960's surfboards and hot rods beach party
1960's "Austin Powers" shagadelic groove fest
1970's jukebox gold - classic hits to disco/funk
1980's MTV bash
Halloween 2008 - Ghostbusters to Thriller to Monster Mash, plus stuff you haven't thought of...

Contact us now for the best available dates.
Phone (925) 487-1755
e-mail: djolling@hotmail.com

Monday, July 7, 2008

Summer Events: sum'r okay, sum'r great!

It's that post-wedding, post-graduation time of the year again. And aside from this blog, my only real advertising has been the yellow pages ad. I thought I'd try to kick-start things a bit by offering my services for free at a couple of events (one of which didn't work out).

Toward the end of June, "Auto Affair" (an auto accessories retailer for owners of Ferrari's, etc.) sponsored an "exotic and performance auto show" here in Danville. On one end of the parking lot, a live band was set up near the American Classic cars (Mustangs, etc.), and on the other end (with the European models), I was set up playing a combination of techno instrumentals, classic rock and adult/latin pop. One of the owners insisted that the music on his laptop was best suited for the clientele (James Blunt, Andrea Bocelli, etc.), so I wired it into my system for the first hour. After awhile, however, people started complaining that his music was boring, and I began doing my own thing, to rave reviews. A few business cards were taken, and so far, one inquiry has come in. Sadly, I had to turn it down, since I already had another gig for that date.

Danville turned 150 this year, while also celebrating the 50th anniversary of it's fabled July 4 parade. "Hay Days" was resurrected for the occasion, and I thought I'd try to piggy-back onto some of the festivities by setting up at Trader Joe's (for free!). Everything was going well until the property management thought the wires, etc., might be a liability, and so they put the kibosh on it.

Undaunted, I proceeded for the second year in a row to provide music for our homeowners' association's annual July 4 BBQ at the pool/clubhouse. I taped down the electrical cords and set up the heavy equipment prior to the parade, then left early to finish setting up before noon. By all accounts, things went great! Except for one 7-year-0ld's request for some song about a Frog, I was able to play every request. With a combination of patriotic tunes, top 40, oldies and kids' favorites, it was a success! The kids were dancing, people were smiling, and I got paid!

Friday, March 14, 2008

You want to hire a DJ, but you don't want the "wrong" music at your event.

Neither do I. Afraid that if you hire a DJ, you'll hear lyrics that are inappropriate for certain ears (like the nieces and nephews, plus both grandmothers)? Today, even the bleeped, or "radio-edited" versions of songs often contain lewd or suggestive elements. Who needs a moral dilemma like that when you're trying to plan a big party?

I'm Darrell Olling, owner of "A Positive Spin" Mobile D.J. Entertainment. I'll spend the time weeding out those offensive songs, so that you don't have to. And you'll still get a full spectrum of music at your event - fun songs from different eras - including today's Top 30 and Dance/Club favorites. Even "positive hits" (aka Christian Pop) if you want. I've got thousands of songs, representing every genre, decade and style.

The RIGHT music for ANY occasion. Because the MUSIC matters.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

a few of 2008's events

January
birthday party at Kabul Restaurant
Hayward, CA

February
birthday party for 6th grade girl
Wildside Room at CPC
Danville, CA

March
wedding reception at Oak Hill Park
Danville, CA

March
SRVCA 8th grade dance
Danville, CA

Friday, January 25, 2008

Event Planning

When planning a party, wedding, or any event, one of the most important elements is the entertainment. A Disc Jockey can be one of the best ways to entertain your guests. The right DJ can really make your event come alive! DJs can provide entertainment that will keep your guests from leaving early, and get them up and moving, dancing, mingling, and having fun.

Your event can be customized with music ranging from romantic ballads to big band and swing, to high-energy dance music and everything in between! But more than just music, the DJ can be an emcee that will entertain and keep the evening running smoothly with formal announcements and introductions.

With state-of-the-art sound equipment and dazzling light effects, a professional DJ can truly be the life of the party. The DJ can not only provide the entertainment, but also make sure your event goes without a hitch, to make your event one that will be remembered for years to come.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Weddings

What makes a great wedding? When you think about it, isn't it whether or not you and your guests are having a great time? Top wedding coordinators know that wedding music is the "good time" factor of the wedding... the secret ingredient of every great wedding. Plan a great music program, and you've practically planned your whole wedding!

The bride and her wedding gown, the flowers...the setting...all these will make a wedding look beautiful. But it's the music that makes a wedding FEEL beautiful. Planning the music for a wedding is a lot like finding the music for a film. Every special highlight of a wedding is a different "scene", and to make it perfect, you want just the right touch where the music is concerned. Wedding songs can enhance the scene, or overwhelm it; they can make you feel a part of what's going on, or be so dull that you can't wait to go home.

At a wedding, special highlights have grown in popularity and significance over the years, and popular wedding songs are being written especially for these moments - such as the "Father/Daughter" dance songs and "Mother/Son" dance songs. You can even select that perfect song for every special moment, even songs for bridesmaids, celebrating friendship, or a last dance!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

selected 2007 events

May 2007
Field Day (outdoor games)
San Ramon Valley Christian Academy

June 2007
Birthday Party for 15-year-old girl
Fairfield, CA

July 4, 2007
Neighborhood Pool Party and BBQ
Diablo West Homeowners Association
Danville, CA

July 2007
poolside Fiesta Dinner for CPC musicians
private home in Alamo, CA

August 2007
Poetry Slam
Antioch, CA

November 2007
Annual Live and Silent Auction
San Ramon Valley Christian Academy
at Roundhill Country Club, Alamo CA

December 2007
S.F. Regional Holiday Party
Spherion Staffing and Recruiting
at Blackhawk Country Club, Danville CA

December 2007
small company holiday party
private home in hills north of Livermore, CA

Monday, January 7, 2008

The RIGHT music for ANY occasion!

It's a new year! Lots of important events will probably happen this year - life's milestones. Is one or more of these events in your future?

Wedding - Anniversary - Retirement - Graduation - Birthday - Reunion

Is your family, church youth group, neighborhood or place of business planning a party? Virtually any occasion, in any location (as long as there's electricity), would be enhanced with the addition of music!

Think of it - a holiday gathering, fashion show, banquet, classic car show, grand opening, fundraiser, barbecue or picnic - wouldn't that event have so much more energy and fun if there were a live DJ present, taking your guests' requests? Encouraging folks to dance (or spend more money at an auction, or get the little ones involved with The Bunny Hop, etc., etc.)?

Sure, you might be able to find a collection of songs you want and put them on an i-pod playlist, but would you have the ability to change things up at a moments' notice? Would you have the volume and sound quality that you need?

I show up to each event with hundreds and hundreds of songs, from a wide variety of styles and eras, including the most requested songs of all time.

You need to call me to help you plan a great event!