Richard and Stacy’s Intimate Wedding at the Hilton Torrey Pines

Richard and Stacy walk the sand after their wedding ceremony at the Hilton Torrey Pines.

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There are times I instantly connect with my wedding couples and meeting Richard and Stacy the first time was one of those. In fact, I felt that connection in the initial emails with Stacy. These connections always prove to be instrumental in planning their party and ultimately the end result.

Richard and Stacy were married at the Hilton Torrey Pines on October 14, 2017. It was an intimate gathering of 40 friends and family celebrating two wonderful people.

When guest counts are “small,” it can sometimes be difficult to get a real dance party going. But not the case for this crowd. Despite what I’m calling the “world's smallest dance floor,” this crowd was great and kept the good time flowing all night.

Here’s a look at the setlist.

First Dance
Robin Thicke - Sweetest Love

Dinner
Chris Malinchak - Wonderful
Praful - Sigh
Greg Adams - Firefly
Steve Cole - Everyday
Nick Colionne - High Flyin’
Jack Johnson - Breakdown
Jack Johnson - Situations
Bay Ledges - Safe
Bob Marley - Is This Love
Mr. Probz - Till You're Loved
The Lumineers - Ophelia
Gavin DeGraw - Chariot
Charlie Puth - Some Type Of Love
George Ezra - Budapest
John Mayer - Half Of My Heart
Beach Boys - Fun Fun Fun
Capital Cities - Safe And Sound
Bay Ledges - Safe
HAIM - Want You Back
Bob Marley - Is This Love
Jack Johnson - Situations
Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody
Bob Marley & the Wailers - Mellow Mood
Stevie Wonder - Superstition
Jason Mraz - Live High
Bruno Mars - That's What I Like
311 - Amber

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Father/Daughter Dance
Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight

Open Dancing First Set
Lionel Richie - You Are
Chaka Khan/Montell Jordan - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
K.C. & the Sunshine Band - Boogie Shoes
Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling!
Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk (Select Mix Remix)
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Rolling Stones - Honky Tonk Woman
Wilbert Harrison - Kansas City

Cake Cutting
James Taylor - How Sweet It I To Be Loved By You

Open Dancing Second Set
Bob Marley - Three Little Birds
Al Green - Let's Stay Together
Lionel Richie - All Night Long
Four Seasons - Oh, What a Night
Kool & The Gang - Get Down On It
Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride (Select Mix Remix)
Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried
Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel
Journey - Don't Stop Believen’ (Live)
Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
Usher - Yeah (Wedding Crasherz Break)
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f./Ray Dalton - Can't Hold Us
B-52's - Love Shack
Otis Day & the Knights - Shout
Tom Petty - Free Falllin’
Rick James - Superfreak
Maroon 5 -Sunday Morning

Last Dance
Colbie Caillat - Turn Your Lights Down Low

Vendor Team
DJ/MC: DJ Kanoya Productions
Photographer: Brant Bender Photography
Venue: Hilton Torrey Pines

Chew The Scene 2017 at Brick - Liberty Station

The 2017 San Diego Asian Film Festival kicks off with a party at Brick in Liberty Station.

Kicking off the 2017 San Diego Asian Film Festival Season

It does not matter if it's a wedding or a food and film event (as shown here). I'm all about creating the right vibe for the right moment.

DJing this years Chew The Scene, which took place at Brick in Liberty Station, as well as other Pacific Arts Movement events during its 2017 San Diego Asian Film Festival season, always calls for that. It's not about getting people to dance (although a few did toward the end of the night), but providing the right beats, for the right moments at the right volume at the right time. That's what enables others to enjoy the atmosphere they are in.

During the set a woman came up and complimented how much she enjoyed the music. I jokingly asked if it was better than last year, to which she replied, "yes."

I was the DJ last year ... but hey, I'm always happy to outdo myself.

Here's a look at the setlist.

• Robert Palmer - Every Kinda People (Joey Negro Multicultural Multitrack Mix)
• Fugees - Ready Or Not (Cheyenne Giles Remix)
• Justin Bieber vs Aaliyah - Let Me Love You vs Rock The Boat (Hype Intro Kerry Glass Edit)
• Stevie Wonder - Superstition (Simone Nu Disco Remix)
• Lauv - I Like Me Better
• Chromeo ft Toro Y Moi - Come Alive
• Snakehips & MO - Don't Leave (Kue Remix)
• Stoned Butterflies - Love The Music (70's Mix)
• DJ Dan & WhiteNoize - Hey Ho
• Ivan Jack - The Dock Of The Bay
• Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You (Disco Killerz Remix)
• Chachi & Paige - Land Down Under
• Halsey - Colors (Sam Feldt Remix)
• Soul ll Soul - Back To Reality (KLATCH Remix)
• Calvin Harris vs Tinie Tempah - Girl Bounce (Schoeny Bootleg)
• George Michael - Careless Whisper (DJ Amor & DJ O'Neill Sax Remix)
• Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done To Deserve This
• Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Something (Hot Classics Remix)
• Ce Ce Peniston - We Got A Love Thang (Select Mix Remix)
• DJ Dan & DivaDanielle - I Got A Man
• Lorde - Green Light (Chromeo Remix)
• Sage The Gemini - Now & Later (Merk & Kremont Remix)
• Felix Jaehn f./Jasmine Thompson - Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better) (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Next - Too Close (Andrew Masta & The Disco Punk Nu Disco Dance Edit)
• HAIM & BloodPop - Little Of Your Love (BloodPop Remix)
• Bruno Mars - 24k Magic (Rock It Scientists Hype Edit) (Dynamiq Cutdown) (Dirty)
• Calvin Harris ft Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean - Feels (Fabian EWF Mix) (Hype Edit)
• James Brown - Soul Power
• Destiny's Child - Jumpin' Jumpin' (Jean Tonique Remix)
• The Weeknd ft Daft Punk - I Feel It Coming (Mr. Collipark Remix)
• Clean Bandit ft Anne-Marie & Sean Paul - Rockabye (PeteDown Moomba Mix)
• LL Cool J - Around The Way Girl (Untouchables Remix)
• 99 Souls ft Destiny's Child & Brandy - The Girl Is Mine (DiscoTech Midnight Remix)
• Starley - Call On Me (Ryan Riback Remix)
• Palm Trees - Casanova
• Blackstreet - No Diggity (Bondax Edit)
• Hailee Steinfeld & Grey ft Zedd - Starving (Kay Stafford At The Ibiza Beach Remix)
• Drake - Passionfruit (BPM Supreme Remix)
• Jamiroquai - Cloud 9
• Hall & Oates - Out Of Touch
• Seinabo Sey - Younger (Kygo Remix)
• A-Ha - Take On Me (Kygo Remix)
• Lost Frequencies f./Janieck Devy - Reality
• Tori Kelly - Hollow (Promo Only WestFunk Intro Edit)
• Bingo Players - Cry (Just A Little) (A-Trak & DiscoTech Remix)
• Flo Rida - I Cry
• Disclosure - Latch (Lost Kings Remix)
• Sam Feldt & Kimberly Anne - Show Me Love (EDX Remix)
• Everything But The Girl - Missing (PB Remix)
• Tom Petty - Free Falllin'
• Naughty By Nature - Jamboree
• Arrested Development - People Everyday
• A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum (Remix)
• Notorious B.I.G. - Big Poppa (Remix)
• Bruno Mars - That's What I Like
• Mariah Carey - Fantasy
• Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It
• Mann ft 50 Cent - Buzzin (Remix)
• Nicki Minaj ft Drake - Truffle Butter (Jester Remix)
• Bruno Mars - 24k Magic (Rock It Scientists Hype Edit) (Dynamiq Cutdown)
• Usher - Yeah (Wedding Crasherz Break)
• K7 - Come Baby Come
• Janet Jackson - Love Will Never Do
• Robbie Nevil - C'est La Vie (Select Mix Remix)
• HAIM - Want You Back

Courtney and Nick's Garden Wedding at Green Acre

Courtney and Nick’s ceremony at Green Acre on October 7, 2017.

Courtney and Nick’s October 7, 2017 wedding took place at Green Acre, a hidden gem of a venue located within the inland area of La Jolla. It’s the perfect spot for a secluded celebration and the two of them put together an amazing celebration with family and friends.

Here’s a look at the setlist.

First Dance
Ed Sheeran - Perfect

Dinner
Noah Cyrus f./Labrinth - Make Me Cry
LP - Lost On You
Julia Michaels - Issues
HAIM - Want You Back
Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody
Gavin DeGraw - Chariot
Stevie Wonder - Superstition
Drake - Passionfruit
Discotron - Disco Ballin'
Carl Carlton - She's A Bad Mama Jama
Bruno Mars - That's What I Like
Sia f./Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills

Father/Daughter Dance
Rascal Flatts - My Wish

Mother/Son Dance
Jackson Five - I’ll Be There

Open Dancing First Set
Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight
Otis Day & the Knights - Shout
Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
Usher - Yeah
Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It
Britney Spears - I'm A Slave 4 U
Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling!
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Fitz And The Tantrums - HandClap

Open Dancing Second Set
Lil Jon - Get Low
E-40 - Tell Me When To Go
Nicki Minaj ft Drake - Truffle Butter (Jester Remix)
House of Pain - Old School Jump Off
Juvenile - Back That Azz Up (Fraze Remix)
Sir Mix-a-Lot - Baby Got Back
Fergie - Fergalicious
Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
Lady GaGa - Just Dance
Kesha - Tik Tok
Cali Swag District - Teach Me How To Dougie
Lil Wayne - Go DJ
Future f./Kendrick Lamar - Mask Off Silento - Watch Me
Romantics - What I Like About You
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
Kingsmen - Louie Louie
K C & The Sunshine Band - Give It Up
Michael Jackson - P.Y.T
AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Tupac - California Love
Snoop Dogg - Drop It Like It's Hot
The Game - How We Do
Too Short - Blow The Whistle
50 Cent - Just a Little Bit
Sean Paul - Get Busy
Miley Cyrus f. Jay-Z - We Can't Stop (DJ Scooter Twerk Remix - Clean)
Miley Cyrus - Party In The U.S.A.
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee f./Justin Bieber - Despacito

Last Dance
James Arthur - Say You Won't Let Go (Last Dance Remix)

Celebrating a Long Career at Torrey Pine Periodontal - Retirement Party DJ

Music is always the perfect addition to a celebration, but especially a retirement celebration. This was a party recognizing one of the doctors at Torrey Pines Periodontal. This was the second time I DJ’d an event at this office. This time I was there to provide background tunes and a little MC service.

Here’s a look at the setlist:

• Harry Connick Jr. - Don't Get Around Much Anymore
• Harry Connick Jr. - Autumn In New York
• Joey Thomas Big Band - Mack The Knife
• Earth, Wind & Fire - Shining Star (70s Classics)
• Peggy Lee - Fever
• The Jacksons - Blame It On the Boogie
• The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On (Hot Classics Remix)
• Toto - Africa (Extended)
• Steve Winwood - Higher Love (Select Mix Remix)
• George Benson - Turn Your Love Around (Select Mix Remix)
• Lionel Richie - All Night Long (Select Mix Quick Trax)
• The Whispers - Rock Steady (Hot Classics Remix)
• Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling! (Promo Only Intro Edit 1)
• Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up
• Stevie Wonder - Do I Do
• Carl Carlton - She's A Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked) [Hot Classics Remix]
• Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage (Hot Classics Remix)
• Madonna - Holiday
• Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)
• Rob Thomas - Smooth
• David Bowie - Let's Dance
• Eric Hutchinson - Oh!
• Jason Mraz - Make It Mine
• Andy Grammer - Fresh Eyes
• Sia f./Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills
• Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
• Doobie Brothers - Listen to the Music
• Grand Funk Railroad - Some Kind of Wonderful
• Toploader - Dancing In The Moonlight
• Bruno Mars - That's What I Like (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
• Calvin Harris f./Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean - Feels (No Rap Single Edit)
• Kool & the Gang - Fresh
• Michael Jackson - Rock with You
• Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack
• Aretha Franklin - Respect
• The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud to Beg
• Me'Shell Ndegécello - You've Really Got a Hold on Me
• Drake - Passionfruit (Instrumental)
• The Chainsmokers f./Halsey - Closer (R3hab Instrumental)
• Chris Brown - Fine China (Instrumental)
• Jack Johnson - Upside Down
• HAIM - Want You Back
• Florence & The Machine - Ship To Wreck (Intro Clean)
• Praful - Sigh
• Greg Adams - Firefly
• Steve Cole - Everday
• Nick Colionne - High Flyin'
• 50 Cent - In Da Club
• Eric Sermon - Music
• Ja Rule - Always On Time
• Mystikal - Bouncin' Back

A Silent Disco Wedding Celebration in Palm Springs - Casa Cody Wedding

Fabian and Mickela pose after their wedding ceremony at Casa Cody in Palm Springs.

The first dance at Fabian and Mickela’s weddings at Casa Cody in Palm Springs.

Fabian and Mickela’s wedding included a host of “firsts” for me:

• First time to DJ a wedding in Palm Springs

• First time renting a cargo van to haul equipment

• First time to include a silent disco element at a wedding

• First time to have a post wedding meal inside a casino (The casino was the best option at 1 a.m. in Palm Springs.)

But more on this wedding. It took place at Casa Cody, a funky inn in Palm Springs (which is probably how all inns are described in Palm Springs) on September 16, 2017. They essentially took over the entire complex, as their ceremony, cocktail hour and reception were held in various places within the venue. The whole event had a cool vibe, with Miho catering, a pour over coffee bar and even a group sing along.

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Oh yeah, the silent disco too. Because of strict noise ordinances in Palm Springs, amplified music is not allowed after 10 p.m. But when we broadcast music to personal headphones to all the attendees, that is no longer an issue … and the party continues till Midnight.

Here’s a look at the setlist, including the silent disco -- which of naturally has many sing along songs!

Dinner

• Halsey - Colors (Blonde Remix Radio Edit)

• Sia f./Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills (Le Youth Remix)

• Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till Get You Get Enough (Hot Classics Remix)

• Daryl Hall & John Oates - You Make My Dreams

• Leon Bridges - Coming Home

• Mindi Abair - The Joint

• Solange - Cranes In The Sky

• LP - Lost On You

• Julia Michaels - Issues

• HAIM - Want You Back

• Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody

• Gavin DeGraw - Chariot

• Bay Ledges - Safe

• Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color

• The Avett Brothers - Ain't No Man

• Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon

• Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home

• Carl Carlton - She's A Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)

• Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)

• Imagine Dragons - Believer

• Andy Grammer - Fresh Eyes

• Childish Gambino - Redbone

• Kygo ft Maty Noyes - Stay

• Santana - Oye Como Va

• Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

• Sia ft Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills (Mr. Collipark Remix)

• Coldplay - A Sky Full Of Stars

Father/Daughter Dance
Paul Simon - Father and Daughter

Mother/Son Dance
John Lennon - Beautiful Boy

Open Dancing

• Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight

• Al Green - Let's Stay Together

• Jackson 5 - I Want You Back

• Bruno Mars - 24K Magic

• Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It

• Usher - Yeah (Wedding Crasherz Break)

• House of Pain - Old School Jump Off

• Nicki Minaj ft Drake - Truffle Butter (Jester Remix)

• K.C. & the Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight

• Boyz II Men - Motownphilly

• DNCE - Cake By The Ocean

• Katy Perry - California Gurls Party Break

• Flo Rida - Low

• Salt N Pepa - Push It (Mayeda Remix)

• Kesha - Die Young (PeteDown Acapella Out)

• Fergie - Fergalicious

• Imagine Dragons - I Bet My Life

• Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake - Love Never Felt So Good

• Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee f./Justin Bieber - Despacito (Remix)

• DJ Khaled f./Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne - I'm The One

• The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This

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Silent Disco

• Beyonce - Single Ladies

• Blackstreet - No Diggity (Mayeda Twerk Remix)

• DJ Snake, Lil Jon - Turn Down For What (Select Mix Remix)

• Men Without Hats - Safety Dance

• Celia Cruz - La Vida Es Un Carnaval

• Journey - Don't Stop Believin' (Live)

• Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling!

• Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk (Select Mix Remix)

• Daft Punk - Get Lucky (Select Mix)

• David Bowie - Let's Dance

• Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

• Elvis Crespo - Suavemente

• J Balvin & Willy William - Mi Gente

• The Weeknd ft Daft Punk - I Feel It Coming (Mr. Collipark Remix)

• Backstreet Boys - I Want it That Way

• Max A Million - Sexual Healing

• Dr. Dre - Next Episode

• Iggy Azalea - Fancy (Seize Where The Ladies At Edit)

• Chaka Demus & Pliers - Murder She Wrote

• Destiny's Child - Jumpin' Jumpin' (Jean Tonique Remix)

• LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem

• Icona Pop f./Charli XCX - I Love It

• Sage The Gemini - Now & Later (Merk & Kremont Remix)

• Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Ummet Ozcan Remix)

• Pitbull f. Kesha - Timber (Promo Only Quick Edit)

• Calvin Harris - Feel So Close

• Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger

• Calvin Harris f./Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean - Feels

• Oscar DeLeon - Lloraras

• Tito Nieves - La Salsa Vive

• Pitbull f./Osmani Garcia & Lil Jon - Taxi

• Prince - Raspberry Beret

• Drake - Hotline Bling

• Jay Z ft. Kanye West - N***** In Paris

• Flo Rida, Sage The Gemini, Lookas - GDFR (Select Mix Remix)

• Fetty Wap - Trap Queen

• Ginuwine - Pony

• Robin Thicke f./Pharrell & T.I. - Blurred Lines

• Lady GaGa - Just Dance

• OMI - Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Radio Edit)

Vendor Team
DJ/Master of Ceremonies/Uplighting: Justin Kanoya, DJ Kanoya Productions
Venue: Casa Cody
Event Coordinator: After The Engagement
Videography: Carry On Studios
Photographer: Andy King Photography (all photos in this blog, courtesy of Andy King Photography)
Catering: Miho