Melissa & Gus’ Dance Party - Hotel Del Coronado Wedding

I kicked off these wedding festivities by grabbing Melissa and Gus and saying, "this was a day I have been waiting on for nearly 10 years." Wait ... me? 

My former intern, Melissa, and her groom Gus, just as their wedding festivities kicked off. 

You see, Melissa and I used to work together. In fact she was my intern at the Port of San Diego. We shared many hours sitting together, working on projects and laughing. Occasionally, on Monday mornings, I would share my adventures of a wedding I DJ'd over the past weekend. It was then, she said, "when I get married - probably in like 20 years - you're DJing my wedding." 

Well, it only took eight years to find her life partner and it was as much fun as I imagined. 

Gus and Melissa's wedding at the Hotel Del Coronado (October 10, 2015), in the historic Crown Room was special with hundreds of friends and family joining in on the party. 

The Hotel Del Coronado Crown Room, with uplighting, monogram, DJ service and dance floor lighting all provided by DJ Kanoya. 

I've DJ'd the weddings of all three of these lovely ladies. 

A wedding cake with a spotlight nicely illuminates this focal point of every wedding reception. 

Here's the setlist for the night:

Bridal Party Entrance

• Queen - Don't Stop Me Now

First Dance

• Carlos Gardel - Por una Cabeza (True Lies Tango)

Dinner Music

• Maoli - Love Song
• Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - What a Wonderful World
• Atlantic Starr - Two Occasions
• Frank Sinatra - I Get A Kick Out Of You
• Tupac - Tupac Tribute Medley
• Sam Feldt f./Kimberly Anne - Show Me Love
• Vanilla Ace - Follow Me We Can Go (Clean) (Extended)
• Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (Kandy Space Remix) (Short Edit)
• Alesso - Heroes (Basic Tape Remix) (Clean) (Extended)
• Jay Z - Empire State Of Mind
• Chris Brown - Yo (Excuse Me Miss) (Main Version)
• Eve - Let Me Blow Ya Mind
• Rihanna - I Hate That I Love You
• Atlantic Starr - Two Occasions
• R. City f./Adam Levine - Locked Away
• Bastille - Pompeii
• DJ Cassidy - Calling All Hearts (Radio Edit)
• Ariana Grande f./Mac Miller - The Way
• Ella Henderson - Ghost

Cake Cutting

• Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me (2012 Re-Recorded Version)

Father/Daughter Dance

• Van McCoy - The Hustle

Mother/Son Dance

• Jennifer Lopez - Let's Get Loud

Open Dancing First Set

• K.C. & the Sunshine Band - That's the Way
• Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk (Select Mix Remix)
• Pitbull, Chris Brown - Fun (Select Mix Remix)
• Earth, Wind & Fire - September
• Michael Jackson - P.Y.T.
• Al Jarreau - We're In This Love Together

Selfies

• The Chainsmokers - #Selfie (Clean Radio Edit)
• Martin Garrix - Animals (Radio Edit)
• Clean Bandit ft Jess Glynne - Rather Be (Discotech Remix) (Extended)

Open Dancing Second Set

• Cupid - Cupid Shuffle
• Major Lazer & DJ Snake f./MO - Lean On
• Britney Spears & Iggy Azalea - Pretty Girls (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Party Break - Montel Party Break
• Usher - Yeah
• The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face (Select Mix Remix)
• Charlie Puth, Meghan Trainor - Marvin Gaye (Select Mix Remix)
• The Spinners - I'll Be Around (70s Classics) (Clean) (Extended)
• The Whispers - Rock Steady (Short Edit)
• Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake - Love Never Felt So Good
• Michael Jackson - Off The Wall (Hot Classics Remix)
• Young MC - Bust A Move
• Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
• Emotions - Best Of My Love
• Santana - Cha Cha
• Cha Cha (Big Band) - Track08
• Bega, Lou - Mambo No.5
• Isley Brothers - Between The Sheets
• Notorious B.I.G. - Big Poppa (Intro Clean)
• 2 Pac - Keep Ya Head Up (Select Mix Remix)
• Marcia Griffiths - Electric Boogie
• V.I.C. - Wobble
• Dr. Dre ft Snoop Dogg - Nuthin But A G Thang (Intro Clean)
• Don Omar & Lucenzo - Danza Kuduro (Ft. Lucenzo)
• Sean Paul - Get Busy
• Natalie La Rose, Jeremih - Somebody (Select Mix Remix)
• Mariah Carey - Dreamlover
• Notorious B.I.G. - Mo Money Mo Problems
• Afrojack f./Mike Taylor - SummerThing! (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Ariana Grande, Zedd - Break Free (Select Mix Remix)
• Walk The Moon - Shut Up And Dance (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Meghan Trainor - Dear Future Husband
• Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
• Colbie Callait - Turn Your Lights Down Low

Last Dance

• Maroon 5 - Sunday Morning

Vendor Team:
DJ: Justin Kanoya, DJ Kanoya Productions
Uplighting: DJ Kanoya Productions
Slow Motion Video: DJ Kanoya Productions
Venue: Hotel Del Coronado
Florals & Design: TessFresh Flowers
Wedding Coordinator: Swann Soirees
Photographer: Atrero Photography
Videography: Norma Medina

Other weddings hosted by DJ Kanoya at Hotel Del Coronado

Happiness Is Now Here

Reflecting on my week in Lululemon’s Om Base

Spending a quick moment with Amie Zimon and Rob Tubajon before we get the party started. These two made it possible for me to spend a week DJing for Lululemon employees in Vancouver. 

As I arrived in Vancouver for the second time in less than 50 days last week, I had this overwhelming sense of familiarity. I had that feeling we sometimes get seeing a friend whom we may not see that often, but within a few moments, it’s as though no time has passed.

I was there to DJ various events over the course of three days, for Lululemon Athletica, one of the world’s most recognized brands, and for an audience of nearly 1,000 people from all over the world. Here I was outside, of my hometown, anticipating having to DJ in front of a large crowd, using a borrowed DJ set-up that wasn’t my “normal” gear and for a high-profile client. During my journey, I kept thinking about all the things that could go wrong.

• Will my hard drives of music crash; or erase while going through TSA?
• Will my computer suddenly decide to not work?
• Will the equipment I’m using fail?
• Will I play the right music?
• Will I be successful, and how will I even measure this?

In the past, all of these things would give me a mild case of anxiety. But the moment I arrived in that city, met with my contacts and the audio visual team (and confirmed my computer and hard dives safely made the trip), I had an overwhelming sense of calm.

Maybe it’s a Canadian thing (they really are nice people). Maybe the task at hand wasn't so hard after all (more on this later). But then, maybe it’s a Lululemon thing.

In the article I wrote back in August, I had attributed this company for being a catalyst in aiding me to make some bold life decisions. This was after interactions with store employees -- educators and key leaders they call themselves -- I met at different San Diego community workout and running groups. But last week I had the opportunity to be around the company’s top leaders. On a small scale, DJing events in local San Diego Lululemon stores, I got a glimpse into this culture. But that glimpse was magnified at this annual leadership conference.

Like a sponge, I absorbed and experienced the culture I have heard so much about. And the experience was calming and introspective.

I worked with 12inchskinz to have custom Serato control vinyl made exclusively for the Lululemon Leadership Conference. 

Empowering Employees
Lululemon is notorious for empowering their employees, allowing them to succeed on their own and not being overly critical of failure. Even as an event “vendor” I never thought I was following orders. In fact, because I was playing so many sets within the three days, to essentially the same crowd each time, I suggested theming each set by music genre. There was no hesitation to accept my recommendation. They trusted my expertise and went with it.

Setting Goals
I used to joke that Lululemon employees were always happy because they get to wear comfortable clothes all the time. And while there probably is some truth to that, I know these people are genuinely happy because they are goal-oriented. They are constantly moving forward.

When I am around Lululemon employees I never have the sense that I am around people who are unsure what their next steps in life are. Literally, every employee is forced urged to write down their goals, as far out as 10 years. Those goals are posted on bulletin boards for the world to see and are inadvertently part of the conversations I have with them. It makes me realize I need to write my own goals and make them part of every conversation going forward.

There’s No “I” in Team and That’s Okay
There is a strong sense of encouragement and honesty. I quickly picked up on the fact that Lululemon is culture of “I” and not “we.” I noticed this when a brave soul stood up in a room full of conference attendees and was asked to share her thoughts. She had some incredible insight, but used the “we” word. She was asked to rephrase, using “I”.

This goes against conventional thinking, we’ve all heard that “there is no ‘I’ in team.” But when you think about it, when we set personal goals and have a strong determination to meet them we attack those goals with ferocity. Therefore that type of work ethic makes us a better team member.

When it’s “we,” there is the assumption that others are doing their part and that isn’t always the true. A strong set of “I” people, will make up an incredible group of “we.”

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

I Am A Pro
Going into the Vancouver week I didn’t know what I was going to take away from the experience, I just knew it was going to be something good. But by the end of the week I came to this amazing realization.

I was capable. I am a pro. And I am damn good at what I do.

The trip to Vancouver was sandwiched between several other gigs, including a kick off event for the San Diego Asian Film Festival, a 30th birthday party at a private estate in Rancho Santa Fe, and on the day after I returned, a wedding at the Hotel Del Coronado.

Playing such a diverse line-up of events and taking it all in stride made me realized I’m doing exactly what I should be doing right now. It doesn’t matter if the gig is a 30th party for 50 attendees, or Lululemon’s closing night party for 1,000 … the task is the same. Read the crowd, play music and make memories.

And I did have equipment issues, but I kept my cool, notified the right people and managed the problem until a replacement was brought to me. This experience made me realize I really can DJ anywhere and for anyone. A 13-year old birthday party, I’m there; Kim Kardashian’s next wedding, mark me down; pre-concert dance tunes at Seawheeze 2016 (hint, hint), let’s do it!

And I come to this realization solely because Lululemon, like they do for so many people, helped me realize what I am capable of. They took a chance on me, some random DJ from San Diego. But they knew I had goals and only because I vocalized them.  

And they realize that goals, not matter how big or audacious they are, are meant to come true.

Tucker, a custom painted VW van was part of the lobby decor at the Westin Bayshore. He is from the original Lululemon store and was placed right next to my DJ booth.

Esther was one of a handful of people that walked up to me and mentioned they had read my blog post last month. So cool to meet people who were moved by my humble words. 

November Project - San Diego kinda took YVR over ... San Diego co-leaders and Lululemon Ambassadors, Lauren Padula and Angelo Neroni, led a workout of more than 400 on Wednesday morning. 

November Project - San Diego co-leaders and Lululemon Ambassadors, Lauren Padula and Angelo Neroni led a workout of more than 400 on Wednesday morning.

Live DJing a November Project workout at the Lululemon Leadership Conference. 

Meet Tucker. He was next to me all week long. Although he didn't dance.

View from the DJ booth just before the closing night party kicked off. 

Matthew’s 30th Birthday Party - Private Home, Rancho Santa Fe

Sprinkles cupcakes were the perfect way to celebrate 30 years for Matthew.

On this night, Matthew celebrated his 30th birthday among family and friends. It was also a rather unique day because it fell on the exact same day as his Bar Mitzvah nearly two decades ago.

It was a fun night that included a lot of dancing, as well as the playing of “Remix to Ignition.” Not only because it’s such a dope song, but because Matthew’s cousin was in the video with R. Kelly. True story.

Here’s the setlst:

• Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots
• Carl Carlton - She's a Bad Mamma Jamma
• Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy (Select Mix Remix)
• Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Edge Remix)
• Pet Shop Boys - Domino Dancing (Edge Remix)
• Brick - Dazz (Hot Classics Remix)
• Justin Timberlake - Senorita
• Emotions - Best Of My Love
• Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove
• Mark Ronson f./Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
• Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music
• Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It
• Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It
• Natalie La Rose, Jeremih - Somebody (Select Mix Remix)
• Sister Sledge - We Are Family
• Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Something (Hot Classics Remix)
• Earth Wind & Fire - September
• Flo Rida - Low
• Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone
• Nelly - Ride Wit Me
• Beyonce - Crazy In Love
• Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Thrift Shop
• Taylor Swift vs Lauryn Hill - Blank Space (DJ Skillz Throwback Blend)
• Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)
• Jason Derulo, 2 Chainz - Talk Dirty (Select Mix Remix)
• George Clinton - Atomic Dog (Hot Classics Remix)
• Justin Timberlake - Take Back The Night (Extended)
• The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Luther Vandross - Never Too Much (Extended)
• Will Smith - Men In Black
• Usher f./Nicki Minaj - She Came To Give It To You (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Maroon 5 - Sugar
• Jason Derulo - Want To Want Me
• Pitbull, Chris Brown - Fun (Select Mix Remix)
• Daft Punk f./Pharrell Williams - Get Lucky (Radio Edit)
• Flo Rida f./Robin Thicke & Verdine White - I Don't Like It, I Love It
• Chris Brown - Fine China (Instrumental)
• Beatles - Birthday
• Third Eye Blind - Semi-Charmed Life (Select Mix Remix)
• Sublime - What I Got
• Naughty By Nature - Hip Hop Hooray
• Toto - Rosanna
• The Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love
• Beatles - Twist and Shout
• Isley Brothers - Shout (Parts 1 & 2)
• Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Til' You Get Enough
• Markie Mark & The Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations (Select Mix Remix)
• The Commodores - Lady (Hot Classics Remix)
• Phil Collins - Sussudio (Select Mix Remix)
• Haddaway - What Is Love (Select Mix Remix)
• Bizarre Inc - I'm Gonna Get You
• Pink - Raise Your Glass
• Chris Brown - Yeah 3X
• K.C. & the Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight
• The Jacksons - Blame It On The Boogie
• Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
• Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)
• Ja Rule - Livin' It Up
• Barenaked Ladies - One Week (Select Mix Remix)
• Third Eye Blind - Never Let You Go (Select Mix Remix)
• Dave Matthews Band - Ants Marching
• R. Kelly - Ignition (Remix)
• Jay-Z - H to the Izzo
• Silento - Watch Me
• Tupac - California Love
• Walk The Moon - Shut Up And Dance (Select Mix Remix)
• Disclosure ft Sam Smith - Latch (G Duppy Reggae Remix)
• Jay Z ft. Kanye West - N***** In Paris
• Mark Ronson f./Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
• Andy Grammer - Honey, I'm Good (Select Mix Remix)

2015 Chew The Scene - Corky McMillan Events Center

Chew the Scene is the the official kick off event for the 2015 San Diego Asian Film Festival.

View fullsize

San Diego DJ Justin Kanoya spins tunes at Chew the Scene, the kick off event for the 2015 San Diego Asian Film Festival.

The 2015 San Diego Asian Film Festival season has kicked off and is in full swing. The event that launches this month long celebration is Chew The Scene, which took place on October 1, 2015 at the Corky McMillin Events Center in Liberty Station.

At Chew the Scene, festival organizers presented previews of this year’s films and also put together a silent auction of prizes donated from local businesses. But the real feature of the event is the food. More than 20 San Diego based restaurants were on hand to provide bites of their fare.

It’s the perfect blend of food and film.

Here’s the setlist from my soundtrack for the evening.

• Angelo Ferreri - Revolution  
• Cosmo Klein ft YNOT - When Doves Cry  
• LOVRA - Love Sensation (Leave Remix)
• Lillywood & Robin Schulz - Prayer In C (Robin Schulz Radio Edit)
• Cazzette ft Terri B - Blind Heart
• Ariana Grande - One Last Time (Gazzo Remix)  
• Pharrell ft Jay-Z - Frontin (DJ Miles Isla Bootleg)
• Tinashe ft Iggy Azalea - All Hands On Deck (Buck Rodgers Remix)  
• The Bucketheads - The Bomb (Select Mix Remix)
• The Gap Band - Party Train (Hot Classics Remix)
• Michael Jackson - Working Day and Night (Hot Classics Mix)
• Peaches & Herb - Shake Your Groove Thing
• Demi Lovato - Cool For The Summer (Cahill Remix)
• Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc (Joe Maz & Adam Foster Remix)  
• Zedd, Selena Gomez - I Want You To Know (Select Mix Remix)
• Bastille - Pompeii (Promo Only Audien Intro Edit)
• Florence & The Machine - Ship To Wreck
• Elle King - Ex's & Oh's
• Ella Henderson - Ghost (Oliver Nelson Remix) 
• Heavy D & The Boyz - We Got Our Own Thang (Select Mix Remix)
• De La Soul - Me Myself & I
• Coolio - 1-2-3-4 (Sumpin' New) (Select Mix Remix)
• Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)
• Duran Duran - Union Of The Snake (Edge Remix)
• The Whispers - Rock Steady (Hot Classics Remix)
• Chris Brown - Fine China (Instrumental)
• Timeflies f./Natalie La Rose - Worse Things Than Love 
• TLC - Creep (Remix)
• Taylor Swift vs Lauryn Hill - Blank Space (DJ Skillz Throwback Blend)
• Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)
• Tori Kelly - Nobody Love (Select Mix Remix)
• Years & Years - King
• Jess Glynne - Hold My Hand
• Afrojack f./Mike Taylor - SummerThing! (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• De La Soul - Ring Ring Ring (Sax Mix) 
• Kid N Play - Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody (Select Mix Remix)
• Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride (Select Mix Remix)
• Stevie Wonder - I Wish (16b Intro Clean) (DJ Joey C Extended Edit)
• Real McCoy - Come & Get Your Love
• Luther Vandross - Never Too Much
• Johnny Gill - Rub You The Right Way
• Charlie Puth, Meghan Trainor - Marvin Gaye (Select Mix Remix)
• The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face (Select Mix Remix)
• Iggy Azalea f./Jennifer Hudson - Trouble (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Positive K - I Got A Man
• R. City f./Adam Levine - Locked Away
   

The Perfect Groom’s Speech - San Diego Wedding

Joshua and Jonathan were married on September 1, 2015 at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot.

I know saying “never” is, ahem, never a good thing. But in this case I hope to hold to that promise.

Today I am writing about a same-sex wedding, and I’m promising to “never” write about it again. Especially to never categorize a wedding as “same-sex," since after all, it’s a wedding, no labels needed.

When I served as a wedding DJ for my first same-sex wedding, I decided to write about it because the experience made me realize seeing two people on their wedding day essentially looks the same regardless of gender. And I just wanted to document that. That’s really all I had to say on the matter.

But then I DJ’d Joshua and Jonathan’s wedding and it was even more, dare I say, “unusual.”

In paraphrasing Joshua’s own words, it was a same sex, interracial wedding taking place on a military base …. on a Tuesday.

I had actually made that observation in my head early on in the evening, but when it came time for the two of them to address their guests, Joshua delivered one of the most perfect grooms speech I’ve ever heard.

And I wanted to make sure you heard it too.