Anybody who has ever played Mario Cart or been to K1 Speed track in Carlsbad must watch this!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
How to have a Meaningful Mitzvah Celebration without Breaking the Bank
At ZG Productions we speak regularly with families who are concerned about the costs of having a Bar or Bat Mitzvah party for their child.
In the first group are parents who pull out all the stops and throw a big, flashy party. If this describes what you want – go for it. Be prepared both for significant costs and a great party. Remember that the best Mitzvah’s manage to keep the focus on your child and the spirit of the occasion, no matter what the final budget of the event.
But what if you want something less flashy, less expensive, and just as (or maybe more) meaningful? In this group are families who are not interested in trying to out-do others on spectacle. The best part of planning a party for this second group is that you’re already focused on the heart of the event: planning a special, memorable and fun family party that incorporates Jewish tradition, special ceremonies and good times.
Here’s how you can have a special, exciting and memorable Bar/Bat mitzvah party for your child without having to take out a second mortgage on your home!
1. Choose a venue that has great dynamics for a party vs just a room in a fancy building – look for a large main room sized to the number of guests, allow for some alcoves/smaller areas that allow people to get away to talk, that has clean restrooms, and that has easy access for setup and takedown.
2. Choose inexpensive but interesting party favors to hand out to guests as a special memento.
3. Choose game prizes like I-Tunes gift cards, $2 bills, or other small chatchkis; small gift bags that appeal to kids and adults alike filled with inexpensive, Jewish themed items which can be assembled at home.
4. Make good use of simple fabric backdrops and up-lighting to make the room look beautiful.
5. Use your photos, videos, and LCD projectors to best advantage. In some rooms this may be off to the side; in others your slideshows may be part of the main event.
6. Think about interactivity for your guests. A digital snap shot booth, a live camera fed to a projector, a fun game table off to the side, and so on.
7. Keep the focus on your child and your guests.
8. If you are the host parent, then delegate, delegate, delegate even if you are not hiring coordinators. This leaves you free to work the room and relax.
9. Sweat the details of the guest list. A good party starts with a good crowd.
At ZG Producions we strive to work with families to create a Mitzvah party that accomplishes both your objectives: affordability and fun. We’ve learned to find the happy medium between a lavish, high cost affair and a casual low cost get together by placing the emphasis on fun, family and tradition. We are good at it and we’d love to be your Entertainment company of choice.
In the first group are parents who pull out all the stops and throw a big, flashy party. If this describes what you want – go for it. Be prepared both for significant costs and a great party. Remember that the best Mitzvah’s manage to keep the focus on your child and the spirit of the occasion, no matter what the final budget of the event.
But what if you want something less flashy, less expensive, and just as (or maybe more) meaningful? In this group are families who are not interested in trying to out-do others on spectacle. The best part of planning a party for this second group is that you’re already focused on the heart of the event: planning a special, memorable and fun family party that incorporates Jewish tradition, special ceremonies and good times.
Here’s how you can have a special, exciting and memorable Bar/Bat mitzvah party for your child without having to take out a second mortgage on your home!
1. Choose a venue that has great dynamics for a party vs just a room in a fancy building – look for a large main room sized to the number of guests, allow for some alcoves/smaller areas that allow people to get away to talk, that has clean restrooms, and that has easy access for setup and takedown.
2. Choose inexpensive but interesting party favors to hand out to guests as a special memento.
3. Choose game prizes like I-Tunes gift cards, $2 bills, or other small chatchkis; small gift bags that appeal to kids and adults alike filled with inexpensive, Jewish themed items which can be assembled at home.
4. Make good use of simple fabric backdrops and up-lighting to make the room look beautiful.
5. Use your photos, videos, and LCD projectors to best advantage. In some rooms this may be off to the side; in others your slideshows may be part of the main event.
6. Think about interactivity for your guests. A digital snap shot booth, a live camera fed to a projector, a fun game table off to the side, and so on.
7. Keep the focus on your child and your guests.
8. If you are the host parent, then delegate, delegate, delegate even if you are not hiring coordinators. This leaves you free to work the room and relax.
9. Sweat the details of the guest list. A good party starts with a good crowd.
At ZG Producions we strive to work with families to create a Mitzvah party that accomplishes both your objectives: affordability and fun. We’ve learned to find the happy medium between a lavish, high cost affair and a casual low cost get together by placing the emphasis on fun, family and tradition. We are good at it and we’d love to be your Entertainment company of choice.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Seven Alternatives to Traditional Bar Mitzvah Candle Lighting Ceremonies
Many mitzvah moms struggle with the tradition of candle lighting. They worry about offending or excluding family and friends, their kids spend hours writing rhyming poems instead of studying their Haftorah portions and song selections become a family debate. All the while, the underlying question remains – how can a Bar Mitzvah candle lighting ceremony be unique, memorable and “cool”, all at the same time?
Well, let’s start by considering the history of the candle lighting ceremony. Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing in any Jewish text that describes or mandates this tradition. No one knows exactly when it began or who started it, only that the popularity of the candle lighting ceremony has grown to the point where it’s now an expected occurrence at any New York Mitzvah celebration. But what does it all mean?
Technically, when Jewish children “become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah”, they become responsible for their own actions. The term mitzvah has also come to express any act of human kindness. By using these definitions, I have found and created 7 non-traditional alternatives to candle lighting ceremonies which are inclusive and meaningful. Who knows? Maybe we’ll start a trend!
Dim the lights. As your child lights each candle, he/ she will call upon a particular group of guests to light their own candles. Ideally, by the time your child lights the last candle, everyone has lit theirs and the room is glowing. Some examples below. Create your own groups.
”Because you mean so much to me and I’m grateful that you’re all here today to help me celebrate, I’d like to call upon each of you to participate in my candle lighting from your tables.”
1. I would like to light a candle for those who could not be here with us tonight (mention names)
2. Would my immediate family please stand and light their candles now (mention names).
3. Would my grand parents please stand and light their candles now (mention names).
4. Would all my aunts, uncles and cousins please stand and light their candles now.
5. Would those of you who knew my family before I was born, please stand and light your candles now.
6. Would those of you who I met in elementary school please stand and light your candles now.
7. Middle School
8. Summer Camp
9. after school activities (hockey, gymnastics, etc.)
10. Family friends
11. My parents work colleagues and their spouses
12. Those of you who took care of me as a child (babysitters, nannies)
13. Neighbors
These are a few examples of grouping guests so get creative. Use common interests or geographic locations. The possibilities are endless.
2. VALUES – Work with your child to identify qualities in your honorees which he/she hopes to incorporate into his/her own life. Have your child tell a short anecdote about how each quality is reflected in that person or group of people. For instance, “I remember my grandfather whistled everyday. I think it was because he was content with his life, everyday. Now, when I whistle, I realize it’s because I’m content. Thank you, grandpa.” Other qualities to consider are Consideration, Strength, Compassion, Honesty, Reliability, Humor, Courage, Honor, Tenacity, Creativity, Intelligence, Cooperation, Love and Patience.
3. MITZVAH PLEDGE – Have your child pledge 13 mitzvah or good deeds that he or she plans to achieve, either over the next year or over his or her lifetime. It can range from helping around the house without being asked to organizing volunteers at soup kitchens. Ask each guest to silently light his or her candle at their table and make a mitzvah pledge of their own.
4. WISDOM – Combine the montage with the candle lighting by hiring a company that specializes in combining video and photos, such as rewindpics.com/. Have them film interviews with honorees. Long distance relatives can be recorded by phone. Each honoree offers words of wisdom your child. Candles can be lit live by your child as he/she watches candles being lit in the video.
This idea can also be accomplished without a montage. Ask honorees to offer a blessing or words of wisdom to your child when they’re called up to light the candle. Be sure give enough advance notice so that honorees can prepare something appropriate and don’t forget to tell them to keep it short. One or two sentences per candle is perfect.
5. PLANT A TREE - Instead of lighting candles, plant 14 trees in Israel. Display 14 saplings during the reception in the same way you would display a cake with a small card in front of each explaining the Honorees they represent. his is a great option for families who don’t actually want a candle lighting ceremony.
6. VOLUNTEER – Take photos of your child doing 13 volunteer projects and create a montage. Have him/her dedicate each mitzvah to an honoree. For example, “To my Grandmother, who always read to me and continues to inspire my education, I donated books to our local library” or “To my Aunt and Uncle, who taught me to reuse, renew and recycle, I planted a tree in Israel”.
7. REMEMBER US PROJECT - The simple act of remembering someone restores that person’s value and meaning, and adds meaning and value to your own life. One-and-a-half million Jewish children were lost during the Holocaust before they had a chance to grow into Jewish adults, many before their own call to the Torah. Visit www.remember-us.org to request a name of one of these children. Dedicate the first candle to this lost child and ask your child make a commitment to saying the Kiddush prayer on the anniversary of his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah each year, so they never forget.
Well, let’s start by considering the history of the candle lighting ceremony. Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing in any Jewish text that describes or mandates this tradition. No one knows exactly when it began or who started it, only that the popularity of the candle lighting ceremony has grown to the point where it’s now an expected occurrence at any New York Mitzvah celebration. But what does it all mean?
Technically, when Jewish children “become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah”, they become responsible for their own actions. The term mitzvah has also come to express any act of human kindness. By using these definitions, I have found and created 7 non-traditional alternatives to candle lighting ceremonies which are inclusive and meaningful. Who knows? Maybe we’ll start a trend!
- CUP OF LIFE - Created by Rabbi Anchelle Perl. Fill 14 small cups of grape juice or wine (13 for each year plus one for good luck). One by one, they are poured by each honoree into a large brandy snifter. At the end, your child recites Kiddush and drinks from the snifter. Each cup represents an ingredient in the “recipe” for a good life:
- Cup of Good Health
- Cup of Wisdom
- Cup of Faith
- Cup of Compassion
- Cup of Good Humor
- Cup of Dedication
- Cup of Success
- Cup of Prosperity
- Cup of Generosity
- Cup of Friendship
- Cup of Happiness
- Cup of Humility
- Cup of Patience
- Cup of Love
Dim the lights. As your child lights each candle, he/ she will call upon a particular group of guests to light their own candles. Ideally, by the time your child lights the last candle, everyone has lit theirs and the room is glowing. Some examples below. Create your own groups.
”Because you mean so much to me and I’m grateful that you’re all here today to help me celebrate, I’d like to call upon each of you to participate in my candle lighting from your tables.”
1. I would like to light a candle for those who could not be here with us tonight (mention names)
2. Would my immediate family please stand and light their candles now (mention names).
3. Would my grand parents please stand and light their candles now (mention names).
4. Would all my aunts, uncles and cousins please stand and light their candles now.
5. Would those of you who knew my family before I was born, please stand and light your candles now.
6. Would those of you who I met in elementary school please stand and light your candles now.
7. Middle School
8. Summer Camp
9. after school activities (hockey, gymnastics, etc.)
10. Family friends
11. My parents work colleagues and their spouses
12. Those of you who took care of me as a child (babysitters, nannies)
13. Neighbors
These are a few examples of grouping guests so get creative. Use common interests or geographic locations. The possibilities are endless.
2. VALUES – Work with your child to identify qualities in your honorees which he/she hopes to incorporate into his/her own life. Have your child tell a short anecdote about how each quality is reflected in that person or group of people. For instance, “I remember my grandfather whistled everyday. I think it was because he was content with his life, everyday. Now, when I whistle, I realize it’s because I’m content. Thank you, grandpa.” Other qualities to consider are Consideration, Strength, Compassion, Honesty, Reliability, Humor, Courage, Honor, Tenacity, Creativity, Intelligence, Cooperation, Love and Patience.
3. MITZVAH PLEDGE – Have your child pledge 13 mitzvah or good deeds that he or she plans to achieve, either over the next year or over his or her lifetime. It can range from helping around the house without being asked to organizing volunteers at soup kitchens. Ask each guest to silently light his or her candle at their table and make a mitzvah pledge of their own.
4. WISDOM – Combine the montage with the candle lighting by hiring a company that specializes in combining video and photos, such as rewindpics.com/. Have them film interviews with honorees. Long distance relatives can be recorded by phone. Each honoree offers words of wisdom your child. Candles can be lit live by your child as he/she watches candles being lit in the video.
This idea can also be accomplished without a montage. Ask honorees to offer a blessing or words of wisdom to your child when they’re called up to light the candle. Be sure give enough advance notice so that honorees can prepare something appropriate and don’t forget to tell them to keep it short. One or two sentences per candle is perfect.
5. PLANT A TREE - Instead of lighting candles, plant 14 trees in Israel. Display 14 saplings during the reception in the same way you would display a cake with a small card in front of each explaining the Honorees they represent. his is a great option for families who don’t actually want a candle lighting ceremony.
6. VOLUNTEER – Take photos of your child doing 13 volunteer projects and create a montage. Have him/her dedicate each mitzvah to an honoree. For example, “To my Grandmother, who always read to me and continues to inspire my education, I donated books to our local library” or “To my Aunt and Uncle, who taught me to reuse, renew and recycle, I planted a tree in Israel”.
7. REMEMBER US PROJECT - The simple act of remembering someone restores that person’s value and meaning, and adds meaning and value to your own life. One-and-a-half million Jewish children were lost during the Holocaust before they had a chance to grow into Jewish adults, many before their own call to the Torah. Visit www.remember-us.org to request a name of one of these children. Dedicate the first candle to this lost child and ask your child make a commitment to saying the Kiddush prayer on the anniversary of his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah each year, so they never forget.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Are you comfortable with your DJ?
Sometimes you can get a great price or a great deal from a dj or other vendor — but something just doesn’t feel right. Should you follow your pocketbook … or your heart?
Well, sometimes it gets confusing.But the one thing I hear over and over from my clients is that they hire me because they like me and feel comfortable chatting with me. As with all relationships chemistry is important. How many relationships have stuttered because, although a person is wonderful witty … there just doesn’t seem to be that chemistry happening.
It’s no different when hiring a DJ, photographer or other vendor or performer. You have to choose someone you like — someone you feel comfortable with when things are going well and when they start to fall apart.
My advice is: When you find that special dj or other vendor who is easy to talk with and with whom you share that special chemistry — that’s the one you should go with as long as their cost is in the ballpark.
More than one person found out too late that their “bargain” dj or vendor just wasn’t a bargain after all.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Plan A Midweek Wedding For Substantial Savings
If you’re on a tight budget (and who isn’t, these days) you’re probably thinking of ways to save some green. Well, have you ever considered having your wedding on a week day?
Ten years ago, the idea of planning a weekday wedding was unthinkable. Today, due in large part to the substantial savings involved, it has become not only commonplace, but has spurred another wedding industry trend.
The concept of midweek weddings always has been a part of European tradition, and people have picked up on it at least two decades ago. The custom has slowly made it’s way throughout the country.
By opting for a Thursday “or any weekday” wedding date opens a world of possibilities for couples and parents who are planning an affair. For the majority of couples who announce engagements a year or even two years before a wedding, weekend dates at well-known facilities throughout the major metropolitan areas are already reserved, especially during the high-volume months of April through November.
If the bride and groom and their respective families are flexible, they can save themselves a lot of legwork and phone work, and will not need to settle for vendor alternatives. For a weeknight wedding, they have a strong chance of obtaining their first-choice musicians and others who can fulfill their wedding dreams. It all falls into place.
Midweek also works well for couples who want weddings with all the trimmings soon after becoming engaged, and cannot book a weekend easily. Thursdays are usually available within four to six months and off-season midweek weddings are even more cost-effective.
For those getting married, and for those attending, a weeknight wedding can add spark to a normal workaday week. Generally, most invitees know about the date far enough in advance to work out their personal schedules. If they want to be there, they will. And once the festivities begin, bridal parties and guests are aware only of the elegant surroundings, and they don’t think about what day of the week it is.
When sending out your engagement announcements, includ a “save the date” segment. Friends and family will know ahead of time that you are getting married on a Thursday, and should be able to arrange to travel earlier or to arrange to leave work early, if necessary. Many guests might be happy to start their weekend as early as Wednesday, and they can combined the wedding with other vacation plans. It will also allow the newlyweds to use Friday for tying up loose ends before leaving on their honeymoon the next day!
Ten years ago, the idea of planning a weekday wedding was unthinkable. Today, due in large part to the substantial savings involved, it has become not only commonplace, but has spurred another wedding industry trend.
The concept of midweek weddings always has been a part of European tradition, and people have picked up on it at least two decades ago. The custom has slowly made it’s way throughout the country.
By opting for a Thursday “or any weekday” wedding date opens a world of possibilities for couples and parents who are planning an affair. For the majority of couples who announce engagements a year or even two years before a wedding, weekend dates at well-known facilities throughout the major metropolitan areas are already reserved, especially during the high-volume months of April through November.
If the bride and groom and their respective families are flexible, they can save themselves a lot of legwork and phone work, and will not need to settle for vendor alternatives. For a weeknight wedding, they have a strong chance of obtaining their first-choice musicians and others who can fulfill their wedding dreams. It all falls into place.
Midweek also works well for couples who want weddings with all the trimmings soon after becoming engaged, and cannot book a weekend easily. Thursdays are usually available within four to six months and off-season midweek weddings are even more cost-effective.
For those getting married, and for those attending, a weeknight wedding can add spark to a normal workaday week. Generally, most invitees know about the date far enough in advance to work out their personal schedules. If they want to be there, they will. And once the festivities begin, bridal parties and guests are aware only of the elegant surroundings, and they don’t think about what day of the week it is.
When sending out your engagement announcements, includ a “save the date” segment. Friends and family will know ahead of time that you are getting married on a Thursday, and should be able to arrange to travel earlier or to arrange to leave work early, if necessary. Many guests might be happy to start their weekend as early as Wednesday, and they can combined the wedding with other vacation plans. It will also allow the newlyweds to use Friday for tying up loose ends before leaving on their honeymoon the next day!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
ZG Productions January 22nd, 2011 Birthday Party
San Diego special events DJ company was proud to be a part of Jesse's 39th birthday party. The event was held at Del Sur Ranch House in Del Sur. the weather was amazing for guests to have drinks and appetizers provided by Dinners by David. Crazy coincidence,a lot of the guests were from my home town of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This was definitely a party crowd with requests from Run DMC to Lady Gaga. The party was supposed to end at 10:00pm but the guests did not want to stop dancing and we went 2 hours overtime, ending at midnight.
ZG Productions is San Diego's top rated special events company. If you are looking for a San Diego Bar Mitzvah DJ, San Diego Bat Mitvzah DJ,San Diego Bar MItzvah Disc Jockey, San Diego Bat Mitzvah Disc Jockey, San Diego Wedding DJ, San Diego Wedding Disc Jockey, San Diego School Dance DJ, San Diego Bar Mitzvah Event Lighting, San Diego Bat Mitvzah Event Lighting, San Diego Wedding Event Lighting, San Diego School Dance Event Lighting, look no further. ZG Productions is a Bar and Bat Mitzvah Entertainment company that has created its reputation by offering new and unique ideas to help your event standout from the rest.
ZG Productions is San Diego's top rated special events company. If you are looking for a San Diego Bar Mitzvah DJ, San Diego Bat Mitvzah DJ,San Diego Bar MItzvah Disc Jockey, San Diego Bat Mitzvah Disc Jockey, San Diego Wedding DJ, San Diego Wedding Disc Jockey, San Diego School Dance DJ, San Diego Bar Mitzvah Event Lighting, San Diego Bat Mitvzah Event Lighting, San Diego Wedding Event Lighting, San Diego School Dance Event Lighting, look no further. ZG Productions is a Bar and Bat Mitzvah Entertainment company that has created its reputation by offering new and unique ideas to help your event standout from the rest.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Looking for a DJ/MC or Photographer
Usually finding a dj is a once (maybe two or three times) in a lifetime event. Most people don’t have a relationship with a dj or entertainer the way they do with their attorney, doctor or dentist. That’s why it’s important to begin to research dj’s and vendors before that big event is upon you.
My advice to people is, when you know when you’re going to have your event, check with the vendors, get on their mailing lists, call them up, visit their web site and start building a relationship. That way, when the big day comes, you’ll have someone you can trust.
Nothing is more disconcerting than to have to hire someone quickly and not feel confident in your choice because you were forced to rush to a decision.
A little advance planning goes a long way!
ZG Productions is a San Diego based entertainment company offering DJ's, MC's, Special Event Lighting, Video Production and Event Extras.
My advice to people is, when you know when you’re going to have your event, check with the vendors, get on their mailing lists, call them up, visit their web site and start building a relationship. That way, when the big day comes, you’ll have someone you can trust.
Nothing is more disconcerting than to have to hire someone quickly and not feel confident in your choice because you were forced to rush to a decision.
A little advance planning goes a long way!
ZG Productions is a San Diego based entertainment company offering DJ's, MC's, Special Event Lighting, Video Production and Event Extras.
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