Bless My Disco

[theoloyla]

Did an unusual gig last night. It was a church social. One of the regular members of the congregation is an old friend and she got them to book me. In the past they have had a barn dance or an organist or a band but never a disco. I wasnt too sure what to expect and I dont think they were either. It was very dificult to get much information out of them. They said they wanted some ballroom and singalongs and not too loud as they didnt want to be deafened. The hours were nice (7 till 11) and the access was wonderful (park outside fire escape which was right next to where they wanted us). It is a modern red brick church which also doubles as a community centre. The altar had been moved away and table and chairs laid out for 70 people. It was a buffet style meal and bring your own drink. We were in an adjacent room which can be separated by a sliding screen which was open; so the effect was an L shape.
I had expected that they would all be old but I was surprised to find half a dozen teenagers and lots of folk in their 30's, 40's and 50's. I played some background (All Time Movie Greats) whilst they arrived and then at 7.30 I was asked to start. I explained that we would play a mixture of music for everyone. I thought I would start with some ballroom to win over those frightened of a disco; so I started with "Sam" by Ross Mitchell and followed with "Dance In The Old Fashioned Way" (foxtrot) by Tony Crane and had a few couples up straight away. I then did some classic oldies and they were up and dancing. I then went into some newer stuff starting with Scissor Sisters "DFLD". Everyone stayed on the floor. It was apparrent that (unlike some audiences) they had come to dance but lots of them were not used to discos. They gave a round of applause after each song. I continued with September "Cry For Me" and they all stayed on the floor although I guess lots of them had never heard the song before. I also played the new Kid Rock which they loved. We broke for the supper and I played some Antonio Carlos Jobim, Rod Stewart (American Songbook) and got asked for some Sinatra. After the meal it contined as a good old mixture of well known favourites including a slow set once ever 30 minutes or so and a request for some rock n roll. All in all it was a lovely pleasant evening and we got a big round of applause at the end and lots of people thanking us. Not unlike many other gigs what made it unusual was that we had a prayer of thanks and safekeeping before the last dance. I cannot ever remember that before.

[Kernow]

Sounds like a cue for Bon Jovi-'Livin on a Prayer' :)

Well done Theo, you always come up with the solution to the unexpected, where others might fall, and respect to you. :thumbs_up:

Canonization can be but a short step away ?:boy_hug:

[CRAZY K]

Did an unusual gig last night. It was a church social. One of the regular members of the congregation is an old friend and she got them to book me. In the past they have had a barn dance or an organist or a band but never a disco. I wasnt too sure what to expect and I dont think they were either. It was very dificult to get much information out of them. They said they wanted some ballroom and singalongs and not too loud as they didnt want to be deafened. The hours were nice (7 till 11) and the access was wonderful (park outside fire escape which was right next to where they wanted us). It is a modern red brick church which also doubles as a community centre. The altar had been moved away and table and chairs laid out for 70 people. It was a buffet style meal and bring your own drink. We were in an adjacent room which can be separated by a sliding screen which was open; so the effect was an L shape.
I had expected that they would all be old but I was surprised to find half a dozen teenagers and lots of folk in their 30's, 40's and 50's. I played some background (All Time Movie Greats) whilst they arrived and then at 7.30 I was asked to start. I explained that we would play a mixture of music for everyone. I thought I would start with some ballroom to win over those frightened of a disco; so I started with "Sam" by Ross Mitchell and followed with "Dance In The Old Fashioned Way" (foxtrot) by Tony Crane and had a few couples up straight away. I then did some classic oldies and they were up and dancing. I then went into some newer stuff starting with Scissor Sisters "DFLD". Everyone stayed on the floor. It was apparrent that (unlike some audiences) they had come to dance but lots of them were not used to discos. They gave a round of applause after each song. I continued with September "Cry For Me" and they all stayed on the floor although I guess lots of them had never heard the song before. I also played the new Kid Rock which they loved. We broke for the supper and I played some Antonio Carlos Jobim, Rod Stewart (American Songbook) and got asked for some Sinatra. After the meal it contined as a good old mixture of well known favourites including a slow set once ever 30 minutes or so and a request for some rock n roll. All in all it was a lovely pleasant evening and we got a big round of applause at the end and lots of people thanking us. Not unlike many other gigs what made it unusual was that we had a prayer of thanks and safekeeping before the last dance. I cannot ever remember that before.

Well done there--my funniest memories of booking Barn Dances for Church groups is the quite common request--

Please---no swearing, rude jokes, drinking or smoking by THE CALLER.

As if--confusing me with DJs again.:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[theoloyla]

Sounds like a cue for Bon Jovi-'Livin on a Prayer' :)

Well done Theo, you always come up with the solution to the unexpected, where others might fall, and respect to you. :thumbs_up:

Canonization can be but a short step away ?:boy_hug:
Steady now!:)

[robbiedj]

We did a church social for Carol's parish when the priests' order had a big anniversary. They invited other priests from the order, including the Abbot.

The highlight of the night was watching a number of monks ............. dancing the Macarena. :D

Oh, joy! :clap:

[theoloyla]

We did a church social for Carol's parish when the priests' order had a big anniversary. They invited other priests from the order, including the Abbot.

The highlight of the night was watching a number of monks ............. dancing the Macarena. :D

Oh, joy! :clap:
I would have loved to see that!:)
PS Sorry I never got chance to say hello last night at SEDA. Have you seen my thread on DJ Lulu?

[nigelwright7557]

Did an unusual gig last night. It was a church social. One of the regular members of the congregation is an old friend and she got them to book me. In the past they have had a barn dance or an organist or a band but never a disco. I wasnt too sure what to expect and I dont think they were either. It was very dificult to get much information out of them. They said they wanted some ballroom and singalongs and not too loud as they didnt want to be deafened. The hours were nice (7 till 11) and the access was wonderful (park outside fire escape which was right next to where they wanted us). It is a modern red brick church which also doubles as a community centre. The altar had been moved away and table and chairs laid out for 70 people. It was a buffet style meal and bring your own drink. We were in an adjacent room which can be separated by a sliding screen which was open; so the effect was an L shape.
I had expected that they would all be old but I was surprised to find half a dozen teenagers and lots of folk in their 30's, 40's and 50's. I played some background (All Time Movie Greats) whilst they arrived and then at 7.30 I was asked to start. I explained that we would play a mixture of music for everyone. I thought I would start with some ballroom to win over those frightened of a disco; so I started with "Sam" by Ross Mitchell and followed with "Dance In The Old Fashioned Way" (foxtrot) by Tony Crane and had a few couples up straight away. I then did some classic oldies and they were up and dancing. I then went into some newer stuff starting with Scissor Sisters "DFLD". Everyone stayed on the floor. It was apparrent that (unlike some audiences) they had come to dance but lots of them were not used to discos. They gave a round of applause after each song. I continued with September "Cry For Me" and they all stayed on the floor although I guess lots of them had never heard the song before. I also played the new Kid Rock which they loved. We broke for the supper and I played some Antonio Carlos Jobim, Rod Stewart (American Songbook) and got asked for some Sinatra. After the meal it contined as a good old mixture of well known favourites including a slow set once ever 30 minutes or so and a request for some rock n roll. All in all it was a lovely pleasant evening and we got a big round of applause at the end and lots of people thanking us. Not unlike many other gigs what made it unusual was that we had a prayer of thanks and safekeeping before the last dance. I cannot ever remember that before.

Should have tried "22 Acacia Avenue" by Iron Maiden.
That would blow the cobwebs out !

God bless you my son....