At formal youth events like Bar \ Bat Mitzvahs adults typically
prefer to enjoy their meal. Usually 1 hour plus. Whether it’s a
sit down meal or a buffet. Young people on the other hand
only need 10 minutes. If that. LOL

One solution is to stagger the meal times. Let the adults savor
their meal, while your entertainer plays an interactive game
with the kids.

A well designed interactive game that is not too loud will serve
as entertainment for the adults and keep kids occupied.

Approximately 15 minutes later the Bar\Bat Mitzvah boy\girl
can lead his\her friends in a Conga Line to their very own
buffet line.

Of course there is also that eat and dance at the same time
thing about Jewish events. But that’s a tip for another day

Wednesday night Davy Jones of the Monkees died in Florida of a heart attack. It was sudden and unexpected. While most famous in the 60′s and early 70′s he continued to perform regularly with and without original members of the Monkees. Their TV Show Meet the Monkees was quite avant-garde for the time. And considered quirky by some.

The Monkees had several hits with Davy Jones in the lead including I’m A Believer (Covered more recently by Smashmouth), Daydream Believer (Later covered my Anne Murray), I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone (covered my no one), Last train to Clarksville, and many others well remembered by those who grew up during that time.

Companies across the nation are currently looking forward to the better weather months ahead and are planning now their employee appreciation events, team building activities, and C.A.P.’s (Client Appreciation Parties).

Tried and true games and activities can be fun. But the results are short lived.

For a memorable experience with benefits that are long lasting, and offer improved performance, increased team spirit, heightened productivity, and an attitude of gratitude amongst your employees look to ADJA members who offer Game Master and Team Building services to put your team on the track to true success!

The night before the Sunday Grammys, quoted as being her favorite night of the year, Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Despite the highs and lows of her personal life, and troubled marriage to R&B Singer Bobby Brown, there is no denying a voice and sound that defined a decade.

Her performances of A Moment In Time at the 1988 Olympics, the Star Spangled Banner at 1991 Super Bowl XXV, and I Will Always Love You (Grammy album of the year, 1994, from the 1992 movie Bodyguard, with Kevin Costner), and the sale of over 170 million albums, singles, and videos worldwide were some of the highlights of her career.

A tragic and sad ending to amazing voice. She will be missed.

Fun at your ceremony

Many couples have pets at home. They are part of the family.
And may participate in your ceremony and \ or reception.
There are plenty of options.

Walk down the aisle
Bring the wedding ring
Pull a wagon with the ring bearer
Fetch the bouquet
Share the ring pillow at the front
Have your bird friend whistle a song or
say something at the appropriate time

Next, who will take care of your best friend after the ceremony,
while you are enjoying the reception, or gone on your
honeymoon?

A good pet sitting and training service can help you with all the
above. Many professional entertainers are also consummate
networkers and can offer a referral to a pet professional in
your area.

Soul Train’s Don Cornelius passed away Wednesday at his home
in Los  Angeles. Long before MTV started in the 80′s,  Soul Train
set the dance floor on fire in the 70′s with Don as the host.

With the latest dance music and expressive dancers it was the edgier
alternative to Dick Clark’s Band Stand. He is remembered by many
of the dancers as gracious, inviting and encouraging; always
looking for a groove and a move that would break the mold of
traditional music and dance.

We wish you love, peace and soul Don.

Couples get married in all four seasons – Winter, Autumn, Spring and Summer.
Many want to have their ceremony at sunset. Or capture a romantic photo just
as the sun is going down  and the sky is alight with beautiful colors.

This (free) site: http://www.sunrisesunset.Com/calendar.asp can tell you
what time the sun rises and sets in your area on your wedding date.

Too, if you are into a moonlit night sky, it also shows the rise and size
of the moon on the day of your celebration.

Entertainment for your celebration can begin the moment your guests arrive with the selection of creative table names. Even if you are not planning on reserved tables or place cards, the naming of your tables can set the tone for your party, telling your guests they are going to have a really good time.

For weddings, how about table names of places the couple visited while dating, places they plan to visit while on their honeymoon, popular honeymoon \ romantic destinations, or names of famous married couples like Brad & Angelina Jolie Pitt, Jay Z & Beyonce, Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman…. Here is a link to get started: http://www.celebritycouples.net/Married.aspx

Also popular for weddings is to have romantic names for your tables – Love, Joy, Cherish, Happiness, Faith, Devotion, Elation, Heaven, Fidelity, Paradise, True…

Table names for weddings and other events include Sporting Teams, Favorite Songs, Album Covers, Artists, Movies, Actors, Stars, Famous People… City, State, and Country names you have traveled to, lived in, or want to visit.

Have fun with Photoshop and put the guest of honor in the table name picture.

Or have fun with the table numbers which represent numbers in your life – 8524 your first address, 2 the number of dates before your first kiss, 6 the number of pets, 102160 your birth date.

For more table names and creative ways to incorporate the table names into your entertainment plans consult with one of the ADJA’s many qualified entertainers.

The Candle Lighting service at a Bar\Bat Mitzvah is a great way for a young
man\lady to say thank you, and recognize those in his\her life who helped
them to achieve this milestone in their life.

Many families like the idea of saying thank you and offering recognition, but
are tired of candles, as they are so pervasive at Mitzvahs, and are looking
for alternatives to candles as a way of distinguishing their child and event
as unique .

Here are some suggestions and options regarding candle lighting that will
allow you to do just that.

Variations on candles

While candles are the standard you can also use Flowers, Leaves,
Trees, Tony’s, Emmy’s, Academy Awards, Puzzle Pieces that
create a picture of son\daughter, or something to match
your theme.

Rename the Academy Awards \ Oscars to be the Joshua’s or Rachel’s.
Fill in your son\daughter’s name here. Or have the leaves represent a
tree planted in Israel in the name of the person being honored.

Time Factor

If each candle takes 60 seconds \ 1 minute to – Announce, allow
recipient(s) to walk up, take a few pictures, and walk away, then
13 candles would take 13 minutes.

2-3 minutes each is more realistic. So add 30+ minutes to your
time line if you decide on a candle lighting service.

Vandle Lighting

Adding visuals, pictures, and video to your candle lighting service
is a great way to keep your family and friends engaged in what
is now a very personal experience.

Your memorial candle can take on the emotional feel of the Oscar’s
Memoriam. Your family candles can include pictures from vacations
and special memories.

Guests unable to travel\attend can record a video message that would
play after the candle is lit, as a surprise for your son\daughter.

Practice Please

Just like your son\daughter will practice with the Rabbi for his\her
reading part in the service, so he\she should practice with cards
or a print out of what will be said for each candle.

Rhyme Time

Aunt Judy you are so much fun, please come light candle number one.
Uncle Irving and I love fishing. It is me and you for candle number two.
And so on.

This Dr Seuss style rhyming is a popular, but not necessary. The
message and sentiment are far more important. (In this blogger’s
humble opinion)

As always ADJA members who specialize in Bar\Bat Mitzvahs can help you
make the most of your Candle Lighting and guest’s experience.

Selecting the right theme for your Bar \ Bat Mitzvah early
can put your celebration on the path to success. While a
theme is not necessary, it can make choosing a venue
and entertainment easier.

Here are some questions to ask your son \ daughter that
will get you started. What is their favorite…

Color, Food, Movie, Actor\Actress, Model, Singer, Band,
Song, Teacher, Subject, Sport, Team, Player, TV Show,
Cartoon, Hobby, and so on.

The answers may surprise you. Now armed with a theme
you are ready to select a place and entertainment that
will support your plans.

ADJA entertainers who specialize in Bar \ Bat Mitzvah
can help you with more theme ideas to personalize
your celebration.