How Much Contact ?

[Booche]

Just a question/advice id like as i've got a Surprise 30th Birthday and the client has said to contact via email only (which is understandable) but on that note when i spoke to her she said she only checked her emails every so often, now the issue i have is she has secured the booking by sending the deposit and ive explained and gone through everything i can think of:- location,times,style,theme,announcements,names etc etc but ive still not heard anything for over 2weeks now. So am i just worrying about things to much as this is my first Surprise gig or is there anything else i should do. She did say she would send a list of her husbands best tunes. This gig isn't till 22nd may so still time, but i thought i would ask, also how would you do a surprise gig on the opening ie: annouce happy birthday when the actual birthday person comes through the door etc.

Many thanks for any help and all is appreciated :)

Sorry for such a weird thread lol

Cheers Dave :)

[Dynamic Entertainment]

My advice would be to send everything you want answered in 1 email (if you havnt already done so) and hope that she gets back to you. i would expect her to read her emails before the date, or got in touch with you to ensure everythings ok

[rob1963]

My advice would be to send everything you want answered in 1 email (if you havnt already done so) and hope that she gets back to you. i would expect her to read her emails before the date, or got in touch with you to ensure everythings ok

I agree.

The gig is nearly a month away, so there's still plenty of time for her to read her emails & reply.

I wouldn't panic just yet!

:)

[Charlie Brown]

Has she not provided you with a contact number? I reckon everything will be fine. She doesn't need to email the DJ every two weeks to reassure him that everything is fine. :)

I always use Happy Birthday, The Best or a song from their choice.

[DazzyD]

Hi Dave.

First up, it's not a weird thread so no apologies needed. I've always believed the only bad questions are the ones that don't get asked. If you have a question to ask I'm sure the answers you receive will also be of use to someone else.

Now, as for contact, I'd send a simple reminder email regarding the song request list. It seems that this is all you are missing and the client still has just under a month. With request lists I always ask for them at least 1 week in advance which gives me time to source any tracks I don't have.

As with any of our shows, the client gets to decide on the format. However, for surprise parties, it's generally a case of playing background music (no lights) until the "target" arrives at the venue then, when he/she walks in, everyone will cheer, we will announce the arrival on the mic, straight in to Happy Birthday, 3 cheers and then on with party.

[Kernow]

, but i thought i would ask, also how would you do a surprise gig on the opening ie: annouce happy birthday when the actual birthday person comes through the door etc.Cheers Dave :)

First of all, make sure you arrive in plenty of time to get set up and make sure there are no obvious indications of your presence (move signwritten vehicles away from the entrance etc.). Usually there will be people getting the catering ready, decorating the room etc., so liase with them as to exactly what the running order of the evening will be. There is normally also a plan in place to ensure that the guests are all present before the 'surprise' celebrant arrives. (People can be very resourceful !;) )
As they walk through the door, have everything as silent as possible and then be ready to blast out something like 'Congratulations- Cliff Richard and put on a blaze of light. Guests will often join in by clapping and cheering along and provide a real welcome :)
"Happy Birthday" is usually better kept till later, for cake cutting or before speeches.

The most recent 'surprise' party I did was for a young fellow leaving Cornwall to join the Metropolitan Police. Following the above plan, he walked into a darkened ,quiet room for a 'swift pint' to be greeted by my lights slow strobing blue and the theme from Z-Cars.
Set the tone for the really fantastic night that followed. :)