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)

What I'll Miss About Christina

The Abrenica Family from left: Alyssa, Christina, Italia (front), Elijah, Lawrence (holding Kaden).

Christina Abrenica passed away on October 12, 2017. Christina, married to Sheila’s brother (Lawrence), was 44 and had battled brain cancer for the past year.

There is no doubt that death at 44 is way too soon. But it’s comforting to know that her life was filled with the type of life milestones that many aspire to have.

She became a wife at 19; a mother at 20; a grandmother at 40; celebrated 25 years of marriage. In total she and Lawrence raised three children.

During the past few months, when her prognosis was bleak and her life was coming to a close, I scanned the memory book inside my head. I wondered what I would miss about her.

I struggled because I couldn’t pinpoint a single individual thing I was going to miss. And I realized that’s because her life, and the way she went about it, was not lived individually. It was one of selflessness.

The softball/baseball/football mom that rarely missed a game. The mom who made lunches and dropped notes into them. The Aunty who always had a hug and a kiss for her nieces and nephews.

I’ll miss seeing what she did for others and how good I could tell it made them feel.

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In her final hours, she was surrounded -- in her home -- by her family (her parents, two sisters, her husband and three children). This gathering was nothing new as it mirrored several special moments that these same people assembled throughout the years for birthdays, holidays or just Sunday football game watching.

At one point, the sounds of soft cries was broken up as Lawrence asked if anyone had a funny story to tell.

This group has been gathering for more than two decades and there are of course funny stories to tell. In fact, not a gathering went by without a reflection on some high school shenanigans and adolescent anecdotes. So why would this moment, this final gathering with Christina, be any different?

Tears quickly turned to laughter. Quips were punctuated with barbs from her Sicilian dad. Her mom would chime in, correcting facts from incidents that happened 30 years ago. Her sisters talked over one another as they each had details to contribute of a particular story.

What was missing was Christina’s contributions. She always had additional details to make the story even more funny. But she also had an uncontrollable laugh, so intense it would go from audible to mute as she bent over literally crying herself laughing.

And while these gatherings and storytelling sessions will continue after today; they will be absent of that laugh and those additional details.

I’m really going to miss that too.

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

Fitbit Captivate Chicago 2017 - Live Corporate Event DJ

Fitness event DJ, Justin Kanoya, walks into the Fitbit Captivate 2017 Conference

DJ Justin Kanoya, with Fitbit Health Solutions Senior Event Marketing Manager, Andrea Conti.

Fitbit Captivate is a wellness conference attended by human resource, benefits and corporate wellness professionals who manage and/or incorporate Fitbit devices into their companies wellness programs. I was fortunate to DJ this conference in San Francisco and equally grateful to make the trip to Chicago to spin my Fitbit vinyl for this years conference at Revel Motor Row.

The full day of DJing included three extended sets with a couple of short sets during conference breaks. The purpose was to provide a funky atmosphere and beats that would keep the attendees engaged throughout the day.

DJ Justin Kanoya, spins music at the Fitbit Captivate conference in Chicago.

Here’s a look at the music for extended sets.

Morning Set

• A Tribe Called Quest ft J. Cole - Can I Kick It (J. Cole Remix) (Instrumental)
• DJ Taz Rashid - At Home
• Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
• Mike Taylor - Colours (Instrumental)
• DJ Taz Rashid - At Home
• Cheat Codes & Cade - Stay With You
• Tinashe & Kaskade - Flame (Remix)  
• Jai Wolf - Indian Summer  
• Lost Frequencies & Netsky - Here With You  
• Daya - Sit Still Look Pretty (R!OT Remix) 
• Justin Bieber vs Aaliyah - Let Me Love You vs Rock The Boat (Hype Intro Kerry Glass Edit V1)
• Fugees - Ready Or Not (Cheyenne Giles Remix)  
• Lauv - I Like Me Better  
• Felix Jaehn f./Jasmine Thompson - Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better)
• Clean Bandit ft Sean Paul - Rockabye (Majestic Audio Remix)  
• Soul ll Soul - Back To Reality (KLATCH Remix)
• Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling (Loud Luxury Remix)  
• Halsey - Colors (Blonde Remix)
• Sam Feldt & Kimberly Anne - Show Me Love (EDX Remix)  
• Nina Simone - Feeling Good (Goldcash & RIVAS Remix)  
• Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Ummet Ozcan Remix) (My Favorite Edit)
• Jess Glynne - Hold My Hand (Richard Vission Remix) [Hot Tracks Remix]
• Ghost Town DJ's - My Boo (Francis Mercier vs Posse Remix)
• Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind (Joey Negro Disco Mix)  
• Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft MO - Lean On (FUTURE LINES Bootleg)  
• Craig David - Fill Me In (David De Luca Future House Bootleg)
• Katy Perry f./Nicki Minaj - Swish Swish (Promo Only Clean Edit)
• Cheat Codes ft Demi Lovato - No Promises  
• Kygo & Selena Gomez - It Ain't Me
• Drake - Passionfruit

Lunch Break

• Karl Swix - Mister Mister (Original Mix)
• Vanilla Ace - Follow Me We Can Go  
• The Beatangers - Do The Funk
• The Weeknd ft Daft Punk - I Feel It Coming (Mr. Collipark Remix)  
• Kygo ft Parson James - Stole The Show (TWRK & Doobious Remix)  
• Sia ft Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills (Mr. Collipark Remix)  
• Adele - Send My Love (Country Club Martini Crew Remix)  
• Stevie Wonder - Superstition (Simone Nu Disco Remix)
• DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air (Le Boeuf Remix)  
• Matoma ft Notorious B.I.G. & Ja Rule & Ralph Tresvant - Old Thing Back
• Starley - Call On Me (Ryan Riback Remix)  
• Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It
• Palm Trees - Casanova
• Calvin Harris f./Frank Ocean & Migos - Slide
• Maty Noyes - In My Mind
• Tobtok f./River - Fast Car
• Jamiroquai - Cloud 9
• Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake - Love Never Felt So Good (Promo Only Intro Edit)
• Jess Glynne - Ain't Got Far To Go
• HAIM & BloodPop - Little Of Your Love (Remix)
• Kungs & Cookin' On 3 Burners - This Girl
• George Michael - Careless Whisper (DJ Amor & DJ O'Neill Sax Remix)  
• Imagine Dragons - I Bet My Life (Lost Kings Remix)
• The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Like This
• Chainsmokers, Ashanti - Only U vs Roses (J. Espinosa Jumpoff Edit)
• Fugees - Ready Or Not (Cheyenne Giles Remix)  
• Justin Bieber - Sorry (Mr Collipark Remix)  
• Wale ft Sam Sneak - My PYT (Mr. Collipark Remix)  
• Campsite Dream - Crush
• Snakehips & MO - Don't Leave

Cocktail Mixer

• Kygo f./Ellie Goulding - First Time
• Naughty By Nature - Jamboree
• Blackstreet - No Diggity (Mayeda Twerk Remix)
• Beyonce ft Jay-Z - Crazy In Love (Mayeda Remix)  
• Destiny's Child - Jumpin' Jumpin' (Jean Tonique Remix)
• LL Cool J - Around The Way Girl (Untouchables Remix) (
• Bruno Mars - 24k Magic (Rock It Scientists Hype Edit) (Dynamiq Cutdown)
• Nicki Minaj ft Drake - Truffle Butter (Jester Remix)  
• Usher - Yeah (Wedding Crasherz Break)
• Kool & The Gang - Get Down On It (DJDX Extra Beat Edit)
• Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride (Select Mix Remix)
• Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight
• De La Soul - Me Myself & I
• Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)
• Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till Get You Get Enough (Hot Classics Remix)
• Ivan Jack - The Dock Of The Bay  
• Ace Of Base - The Sign (Antoine Chambe Remix)  
• Meghan Trainor - Me Too
• Calvin Harris ftPharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean - Feels (Fabian Transition 126-106 Hype Edit)  
• Jackson 5 - I Want You Moombahback (FeestDJRuud & Naffz Bootleg)
• The Weeknd ft Daft Punk - I Feel It Coming (Mr. Collipark Remix)  
• Kool & The Gang - Too Hot
• Luther Vandross - Never Too Much
• Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours (70s Classics)  
• The Spinners - I'll Be Around (70s Classics)  
• Tori Kelly - Should've Been Us (Lost Kings Remix)  
• The Chainsmokers ft Halsey - Closer (Not So Typical Remix)  
• Drake ft Majid Jordan - Hold On We're Going Home (Panic City Remix)
• Eric Clapton - Sweet Home Chicago