Bar & Bat Mitzvah Entertainment

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• Low-key DJ for bar mitzvah
• DJ for a small Bat Mitzvah
• DJ for bat mitzvah who doesn't do a lot of games
• Band or combo for small bar mitzvah party
• DJ for bat mitzvah dance
• DJ for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah 
• Bar Mitzvah kids' entertainer
• Pianist or guitarist for Bar Mitzvah
• Klezmer musicians for bat mitzvah

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Low-key DJ for bar mitzvah

Jan 2016

We're looking for a DJ, I think... Someone who can help organize games/activities for a group of maybe forty 12-13 year olds. I've spoken with some dj's who all have shown me videos of some pretty over the top, loud dance parties. Not really my son's scene. I'm looking for a dynamic yet low key emcee. Some dancing would be OK. Any recommendations?
Not so hardy party mama

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We used Ken from DJ-K Productions. The price was far less that the big DJ company that our Walnut Creek friends used. Ken offered many options, of which we chose only a few...the bubble wrap dance was a big hit. You can get special lighting & games, and you and your child choose exactly the way you want it to go. If you want to be lifted up in chairs, fine, if not, no problem. If you just want music, fine...Ken will meet with you ahead of time, and you'll tell him exactly which songs (or which type of music) you want, how often you want a game played (or none at all)...etc. He'll send you paperwork ahead of time so you can view all your options and fill out a song list if you like (he has many popular songs & artists listed; you can just check off the ones you want). Also, he brings his laptop, so he can instantly play probably any song that's requested, even if it's not on the list. Ken has also DJ-d dances at our elementary school...he really knows how to keep every crowd happy! http://www.djkproductions.com sk8ma

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Mark Welch http://www.mwedjs.com/ is great with kids. He sets up games, he manages a fun party and definitely is not over the top. I attended several bar mitzvahs he handled and he was the DJ at my wedding. EVENTS [at] MWEDJS.COM 925.228.6275 stu s

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You mention you think you are looking for a DJ - if you are considering other options like a band, I recommend checking out Isaac Zones and his band Shamati. His group is great at engaging a crowd of all ages. Perhaps worth checking out. He has a website and video. An idea

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Hi. I'm a photographer specializing in bar/bat mitzvahs so I've seen a lot of DJ's in action. One of my favorite DJ's is Adam Goldstein at Gatsby Entertainment. The Gatsby group knows how to create a fun, engaging party for kids and adults alike. They do a great job playing games and getting everyone involved. Their web site is http://www.gatsbyentgroup.com. Phone is 925-200-7391. Shoey S

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Give JustINterntainment a call at 415-578-5764. DJ Just-In is a Berkeley native (including a BHS jazz band alum) and a BUSD parent. He DJs for all kinds of events for all ages and knows a wide variety of music. He's very easy to work with - he's got a friendly and open personality and is professional and conscientious. He's got the full DJ set-up, including lights and 'smoke' machine. And he's great with a crowd - everyone will be dancing. To get a better idea of the types of events he has done recently, check out his reviews on yelp - http://www.yelp.com/biz/justintertainment-san-francisco?start=20. Boogy down

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DJ for a small Bat Mitzvah

Oct 2015

I am hoping to get DJ recommendations for a small (50 people - mostly tweens) post Bat Mitzvah dance. We are not interested in games and would rather just have someone who can play music (mostly pop) and keep the kids dancing/engaged without too much MCing. If you also know how much a DJ generally costs in this area, that would be super helpful too. Thanks! DJ seeker

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Justin Credible is a super fun DJ! She always gets people dancing and she is warm and fun. http://www.yelp.com/biz/dj-justin-credible-oakland Henri

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My daughter's Bat Mitzvah was so great. And one of the reasons was the DJ we had. Darryl Grace djdgrace [at] comcast.net. He had everyone and I mean everyone adults and kids on that dance floor. Looking at the photos brings such a smile to my face because he had the kids dancing with us old folks, even the shy ones! From the Hora and Israeli group dancing to the YMCA song. Of course a lot of the music was geared towards the kids, but alot was the kind of music my friends and I liked... He mixed it up. I know he does a lot of Bnai Mitzvahs - and he used to or still does work for a Jewish school. While he's not Jewish, he knows more of the culture than I do. I really recommend him (you can also go see him in action ) Good luck and Mazel Tov Betty

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DJ for bat mitzvah who doesn't do a lot of games

Sept 2008

We are looking for a DJ for our daughter's bat mitzvah next January. We'd like someone who doesn't do a lot of games, concentrating more on really good R and Rock music for the adults to dance in addition to great music the kids would enjoy. There will be several generations to please. Thank you! Bette

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We didn't want the games and twice used Miguel ''High Top'' Fonseca (415-442- 7942); people raved -- 5 kids from my daughter's class asked for his number. He gets adults involved as well as kids; he goes around to each table to ask for suggestions. BTW, I got him as a referral from my caterer -- they see all the DJs and can provide great advice. Wendy

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Band or combo for small bar mitzvah party

March 2007

We're looking for a small (2-4 piece) band for a small (80 person) afternoon bar mitzvah party. Band needs to be able to play some Jewish music (e.g., horas), but also contemporary and oldies rock and ideally, some soft jazz or background music. Party will be mostly extended family with some teen friends. Any leads to good local groups (this event will be held in North Berkeley over Memorial Day weekend) would be appreciated. Nancy

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Try Klezkidz--they're a talented group of high schoolers. They just played for a group of elderly folks at Reutlinger in Danville; in the past they've performed at numerous bar/bat mitzvahs, in the Haight in S.F., etc. My daughter has been a part of this band for over 5 years. Contact the musical director: Carol Ginzberg at 524.3293 (gizmos [at] earthlink.net).
kg

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Meshugga Beach Party http://www.meshuggabeachparty.com/ They play Jewish Intrumental Surf Music!
anon

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DJ for bat mitzvah dance

Feb 2007

Can anybody provide a good recommendation for a DJ for an age-13 dance party / bat mitzvah? A playlist including the latest contemporary music on the radio would be mandatory, but the #1 goal is fun. Unhip-Pop

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DJK productions DJ'ed about every Bar/Bat Mitzvah my son went to last year ( which included around 12 or so of his Hebrew School classmates). We think Daryl Grace is the best of their DJs. He absolutely keeps it all moving smoothly, but doesn't make himself the focus of the event. DJK productions has a number of other DJs as well. Here's their voice mail: 352-8020 and website: www.djkproductions.com Good luck! We recommend them highly -Just survived the Bar Mitzvah circuit 2006

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Our daughter celebrated her Bat Mitzvah with Denon & Doyle at the recommendation of our party planner. We were highly satisfied. The MC met with us at our house and asked us about our preferences. Gil helped us with the orchestration of the event. He and crew were fabulous at keeping the guests of all ages engaged. We highly recommend them. Web site is http://www.djay.com/index.html Have fun! Denise

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A wonderful deejay for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs is Joel Abramson. He creates a great, dynamic party for both kids and adults, yet keeps everyone aware of the real meaning of the celebration. He offers a variety of packages, from electronic deejay to live bands, sometimes even with dancers, and helps you plan the party, too. Look him up at www.joelabramson.com. He and his staff are terrific! Cynthia

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Just had the Bat Mitzvah thing, and I used the same DJ that was at my son's event 4 years ago: Miguel ''High Hat'' Fonseca. (He was recommended by my caterer.) He's strictly a music DJ -- doesn't do the games, so if you want that, look elsewhere. But he gets everyone up and dancing. He came with one helper for my son's Bar Mitzvah and 2 for my daughter's. They went around to all the tables (adults as well as kids) and got requests from everyone. I've been to a bunch of events with other DJs (mostly the music-and-game variety), and at all the kids were dancing pretty much the entire time. The difference with my family's events were that adults danced much more than at the others. Which could be a down-side to this DJ from your child's perspective! ;-) And for parents: his fee was relatively very reasonable. Phone: 415-442-7942. Feel free to email me if you want further info. wb

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DJ for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Any suggestions for an affordable, energetic, not-overwhelming, cheerful DJ for a bat mitzvah party? We're looking for someone who will do a variety of group dances that involve the adults and little kids as well as the teens. Giveaways and games aren't too important to us, as long as the DJ can keep the party going. Thanks, Merry

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I suggest DJ K -- 352-8020 -- He did our son's Bar Mitzvah and was great. Very professional -reliable accommodating of family's wishes re musical variety, directing the flow of the party or not, etc. Good sound system, even lights if you want. Very experienced and willing to offer suggestions of things that have worked at other bar/bat mitzvahs, if you're interested. I'm not sure about the affordable part, you should ask around to find out what other parents are paying and what other DJs charge. -Jeff

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Temple Sinai http://www.oaklandsinai.org/ in downtown Oakland keeps a binder full of recommendations for B'nai Mitzvot. Lori Abramson is the Education Director there and her husband, Joel, is a wonderful DJ (Joel Abramson's Orchestra, I believe). We used him for my daughter's Bat Mitzvah in 1998 and would definitely do so again! Joan

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For my daughter's bat mitzvah I wanted a band and she wanted a DJ. We compromised on Joel Abrahamson. He brought 2 musicians and himself. So we had a small band that could play ALL KINDS of music. So adults and teens danced. We had everything from the standard Jewish tunes for line and circle dancing as well as the child (and parents) raised on the chair. Then he went to current popular music and he brought tapes. I bought the toy give away stuff and gave it to him. He did the games with the teens. Then when my daughter and her friends wanted to take over the microphone and sing, etc, he asked me if it were OK to turn it over to them because they then became the entertainment. I said yes. So I felt that he was flexible, knew what to do when and met the needs of adults and teens at the party. You can contract with him for just a DJ, or you could have a larger band. It is priced by the number of performers you want. He works out of his home in Oakland and the number is: 510-839-3793 DCK

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You can find some of the better DJs (and event locations) in the Bay Area at www.herecomestheguide.com . They have to submit up to 30 trade/professional references to qualify to be on this website and are all checked out in advance of being listed. Most DJs have email and will gladly give you names of up and coming or younger djs who will work at school dances. Lynn

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I can heartily recommend Warren Rodgerson as a DJ. I had attended several Bat Mitzvahs and Bar Mitzvahs where he provided music and I was impressed. I hired him for a big party in 1995. He was professional and responsible and was GREAT with both kids and adults. Wide variety of music, taught us ole foggies the electric slide. We all had a great time. His web site has lots of valuable information, including lists of music.
Warren Rodgerson
Creative Soul Productions
cr8vsol AT msn.com
http://www.creativesoulinc.com
888-326-1689

Sherry

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Bar Mitzvah kids' entertainer

Feb 2004

I'm looking for an adult/skilled teen to entertain kids (ages 6-14) at my son's bar mitzvah. I'm not seeking a DJ because this will be a lunch reception with a jazz quartet. Any suggestions for someone to play games/music with kids for an hour or so at the reception? Naomi

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we hired the San Francisco Klezmer Experience for our wedding and loved them. they aren't inexpensive, but perhaps they could recommend someone. Or you could hire (aas we did for our dinner hour) a subset of the musicians -- they are amazing and festive and everyone at our wedding was up dancing and having a great time. and half of them aren't even jewish ;-)
Daniel Hoffman San Francisco Klezmer Experience Work: (510) 658-4528 E-Mail: krywanoga at jps.net 
julie

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Pianist or guitarist for Bar Mitzvah

Feb 2004

My son's Bar Mitzvah is March 6th and I'm looking for someone who can play piano or maybe guitar as background music during the lunch. It would be from about 12:30 or 1 till maybe 2;30 or 3 at the latest. The piano at the temple is old and funky but in tune. Music? Any kind....jewish, popular, classical... Thanks for any recs. June

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I heard a 4-person band in a SF restaurant. They played a good variety of background music - jazz & klezmer. You can contact Darren Johnston at 415-552-3243. Have fun. M

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Klezmer musicians for bat mitzvah

Jan 2004

We are seeking a few klezmer musicians to play at my daughter's bat mitzvah? We are working with a modest budget and require only one hour of music...any ideas?

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We hired California Klezmer for our wedding 3 years ago and they were great. The price varies with the number of hours and musicians, but I thought it was reasonable. They'll send you a demo tape. Contact Gerry Tenny, the ''band leader,'' at http://www.californiaklezmer.com
David in Berkeley