O Christmas Trees

We had a tremendous time at the O Christmas Trees Gala Event. The amazing dinner and auction raised a million dollars this year, providing funds for Providence Senior and Community Services throughout Puget Sound. Thanks to Team Photogenic for providing stellar photo and video coverage.

Children's Hospital Benefit

DJ Sean spun some fun at Herban Feast's Sodo Park for an event benefiting Children's Hospital. MC Pat Cashman had the group in good spirits as the Frances W. Nordstrom Guild celebrated it's continuing commitment to Children's uncompensated care program.

Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Festival

DJ Leslie had the crowd dancing at the Columbia Tower Club for the 18th Annual Beaujolais Wine Festival. 500 revelers gathered to honor the French tradition of welcoming the arrival of the first 2010 “new wines” – the famous Beaujolais Nouveau wine from the Beaujolais region of France. And what a party it was! Incredible food, astonishing views, and of course some of the best wine made on Earth.

Urban Unveiled 2010

Another stellar evening hosted by Jesse and Travis of True Colors Events. Excitement always builds up when the show is getting close because we know the wow factor will be high with such talent involved. A relaxed and elegant vibe permeated Benaroya Hall as brides and wedding industry bigwigs gathered to celebrate the best that Seattle has a to offer. Luly Yang's fashion show is always the highlight and this year was no exception. Glamorous gowns and lovely coutoure dresses had the crowd in awe.

Jen & Jody Photography at the Woodmark

Last Friday Sean had the pleasure of providing music for a great couple, Christine and Mark, at the Woodmark in Kirkland. Such a lovely setting caught perfectly by talented photo team Jen and Jody. Walking down the aisle to Elvis' timeless classic I Can't Help Falling in Love to You, the lovely bride stepped closer to her husband to be, reminding us of the classic scene in Blue Hawaii. Later, children from each side of the new family lead dances into the night.

McMillan Graduation Party

What a blast we had producing this amazing party for The McMillans. Coach of the NBA's Portland Trailblazers, Nate Mcmillan is known as Mr. Sonic up in this part of the NW. Sean was thrilled to meet a basketball great, and to DJ for his daughter's graduation. Leslie threw together quite a shindig at the Space Needle, with Choice Linens, Tallant House, and Floranova. We couldn't ask for better vendors or for nicer clients! After the party, Sean hopped over to the Ruins for a benefit (see previous post).

Haggis Brothers at Habitat for Humanity Benefit

The Haggis Brothers were honored to have performed at a benefit for Habitat For Humanity last Saturday, June 5. The band's services were one of the many items available for auction as the event at The Ruins raised thousands of dollars for such a great cause. Photographer Nick Gunderson captured the event beautifully - this guy's got skills!

M.I.A.

One of the most unique artists making music today, M.I.A. has forged ahead into pop stardom mixing hip hop and a post-modern mash-up of styles. She celebrates her Tamil Sri Lankan roots with lyrics evoking revolution - a far cry from her contemporaries on the charts singing vapid lyrics. With a new album due out in July, we're waiting with anticipation.

Hip Hop Samples

DJs and producers Kon + Amir give us a great list of the 50 Greatest Hip Hop Samples of All Time. What seems to be a potpourri of records ranging from classic old soul and R&B to very obscure thrift store finds, samples from these tracks can be heard all over Hip Hop classics and are still used today. Give a listen to the originals and see what songs use them.

Head Like a Kite

One of our favorite local bands now has a coffee named after it! Roaster Caffe Vita has released Head Like A Kite Reserve from Gayo farms in northern Sumatra. To celebrate their new album, load up on their latest releases, music and coffee, and get fueled up for a record release party at Neumos tonight (May 21). It'll be one of those shows you don't want to miss!

Bellevue Farmer's Market

What a great way to spend a nice spring day on the eastside! The Bellevue Farmer's Market offers incredible locally grown and organic food, amazing vendors such as Veraci Pizza, guest chef demos and great tunes from bands such as our own The Haggis Brothers.

Nat King Cole

NPR's excellent series, 50 Great Voices, has featured some incredible singers over recorded music history, from a variety of music genres. One of our favorites, Nat King Cole, gets his due props as what we think is possibly the greatest voice of the 20th Century (oh and he played a mean piano to boot!). Check him out here laying it down with jazz giants Oscar Peterson and Coleman Hawkins.

Another Music Loss - Malcolm McLaren

First it was Alex Chilton, then Mark Linkous, now Malcom McLaren has passed away. An important figure in the birth of punk rock in the 70s, he went on to produce and record some really great stuff. From our dear friend Peter "Dishy" Ambrose in NYC: Malcolm McLaren was most likely the biggest influence on how we hear music today. He manufactured a band - The Sex Pistols - out of nobodies - and he changed the face of music. From svengali to visionary, Malcolm was destined to stir the pot. Taking the political British tempest in a teapot of the late 70s and throwing into the soup an anarchistic group of establishment rebels (all self created) - he opened up the punk movement which either spawned (the Clash, The Damned) or spurned on the other side of the pond (Ramones, Blondie) to bigger audiences - this man took the shallow pond of rock and roll and created an ocean of possibilities...... After the pistols he managed Adam and the Ants and then took some of the ants, grabbed Annabella Lwin from a dry cleaner and created bow wow wow - more of the similar tribal rhythms the ants were using but with a more ferocious marketing. UP YOURS! BONDAGE! Bow Wow Wow were an instand success in the UK (which later had a brief slot on the US charts)......however the man had to move on...he created the iconic Duck Rock LP in ____ which was a mixture of NYC underground rappers and scratchers - using snippets from radio shows and sampling all types of sounds into his groove - BUFFALO GALS was an international smash - followed by DOUBLE DUTCH - the sidewalk skip rope game girls in the NYC ghetto were skipping to. He literally introduced the entire idea of sampling and blending - which we should thank him for and also hate him for - see the current hip hop scene. He didn't stop there - his next solo venture was a mix of pop and opera! Imagine that!!! The album FANS had the internanional smash MADAME BUTTERFLY which blended beautifully the aria of butterfly with a smart rap....it still sounds as current today for it's individuality and beauty as the day it was released......McLaren followed this with his WALTZ DARLING album - which he wanted to blend old time waltzes with pop...not as brilliant as FANS, however he did DEEP IN VOGUE - a song about Vogueing - a year before Madonna's Vogue. This man was always ahead of his game. His later releases were either regurgitations of his Do Ya Like Scratchin's Days or Bow Wow Wow rhythym puzzles....he released a BEAUTIFUL 2 CD called PARIS all about his love for the city. The first disc had 'vocals' by the lieks of Catherine Deneuve and Sonia Rieke;, the second a gorgeous instrumental. His influence is grand. He created the idea of men creating a britney spears. Obviously there were manufactured bands in the past (The Monkees - who of course grew out of the factory that created them), The Archies ( a cartoon) and The Partridge Family (A tv show) ...however McLaren knew how to take a potential "client" and groom them into his idea of expression. And that is what he left us with. A great burst of energy. There would be no Soiuxsie & The Banshees, The Cure, Joy Division, The Clash, Echo & the Bunnymen...there would have been no NEW WAVE for the music industry to respond to the raw sounds of the sex pistols so we would have had no Duran Duran, Human League, OMD.....you can lead this up to every band who has ever sneared or given the middle finger to a camera. There are only two big influences on the scene since 1970 and they have dominated everything - Kraftwerk and Malcolm McLaren, death of butterfly

Great Choice

Linens are a great way to add panache to your event. Choice Linens has an incredible selection of fine and exotic tablecloths in styles and colors that cannot be found anywhere else in Seattle. Visit owner Liza in her delightful boutique storefront located in lower Queen Anne and marvel over her unique selection of linen while gaining advice and decor tips from a very knowledgeable lady! Let Choice Linens put some WOW in those little finishing touches that will make you stand out from the crowd!

What a Tallant!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of lunching with Judy Tallant at her 100+ year old home on her estate in Monroe, WA. Judy served a Pithivier filled with chicken, spinach, garlic, and fresh parmesan, in puff pastry - and a mixed greens salad with a fig and pomegranate balsamic vinaigrette. Desserts included toasted vanilla bean marshmallows, little lemon meringue tartlets, pistachio and raspberry Parisian macarons, candied Mandarin orange peel, and entremet of hazelnut, espresso and chocolate. I know...could you just faint over this menu?? Her pastries are made with all natural ingredients. Mix that in with Judy's homemade touch and you'll agree that Tallant House is one of most amazing dessert experiences you'll ever have! -- DJ LESLIE

Now booking for wedding cakes 2010/2011!

Wedding Cookies

So many regions of this country offer different wedding traditions. In western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, for example, hundreds of cookies adorn desert tables at wedding celebrations. Wedding guests in Pittsburgh seem to come for the cookies first and foremost, leaving the party at the end of the night with boxes of cream-filled lady locks, snowflake-shaped pizzelles and chewy nut cups. With tremendous variety of shapes and flavors, it's no wonder the popularity is expanding beyond the mid-west and east coast.

Eastside Gem

The Harbor Club in Bellevue has to be one of the finest establishments on Eastside. The view is tremendous, the Cascade and Olympic Rooms available for weddings and events are amazing, but most of all we are impressed with the professional staff. Chef David Thierry's experience at The Four Seasons Olympic Hotel, the Herbfarm, along with local and European training, makes him the real gem of this venue. For people who want a top notch food experience, this is the place.
With two tremendous spots atop buildings in the heart of each downtown, the Harbor Club Seattle and Bellevue both offer an excellent event experience. Being a private club, membership is required, but upon viewing these places and tasting the food, you'll want to join!

Eco-Friendly Wedding Dresses

A great way to contribute to the reuse and recycle tenets of the environmental movement is to have this amazing Ballard shop make a dress for you. Owner Amanda Vernell explains how Twice Blushed Bridal is a creative exploration that remakes a once-loved bridal gown into a unique, one-of-a-kind work of art that represents an environmentally conscious approach to the wedding dress. Bridal gowns hold layers of beautiful, reusable materials. With a little care these materials can be re-designed into an updated style that fits a new wearer in a customized, personal way. In addition to being a sustainable practice, reusing materials lowers the cost of the dress and allows for more delicate hands-on work to enhance the design.

We Heart Sharlane Benefit

We are honored to be involved with this benefit for one of the great photographers in the region. Sharlane Chase is fighting cancer and the wedding community is coming to help with the staggering costs with an auction event on February 4 from 7 - 10 pm at SODO PARK. Leslie will be the auctioneer and MC for this very important fund raiser for one of our own.

Weddings in Woodinville

There are so many great venues in this lovely eastside town. With it's multiple wineries and lush landscapes, Woodinville has a lot to offer to couples looking for a convenient location with a rural feel for their celebrations. Catch DJ Leslie at Januik Winery on January 31 at this multiple venue open house, including wine-tasting, catered food, and luxury transportation from Butler Transportation. Other Woodinville wedding spots on the tour include Delille Cellars, Columbia Winery, JM Cellars, Russell's Barn, and Willows Lodge. Get tickets now before it sells out!

Beatles Charts

This has to be one of the coolest things we've seen in a while. Designer Michael Deal created what he calls an exploration of Beatles music through infographics. Charting everything from song keys to authorship and collaborations to a breakdown of their working schedules, this just adds to the lexicon of Beatles lore. They are a band that never seems to stop giving. The new mastered stereo and mono releases sound phenomenal, Cirque Du Soleil's LOVE looks incredible, and Ringo even has a new album!

Thelonious Monk: An American Original

We love Monk. We love his unmistakable piano style and his knack for writing great tunes that become jazz standards. Although many of his solos and compositions are advanced rhythmically and harmonically, his music always feels rooted in the blues and soul that so profoundly influenced 20th Century music. This Genius of Modern Music had an almost punk rock attitude and with such a unique musical voice, Monk's appeal will grow on you. In a new book, Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original, author Robin Kelly explores his incredible history and misunderstood mental problems. His bipolar disorder alienated some during his career, but there seemed to be a method to his madness. Later in life he literally could not sit still, but when on the piano, he could swing like no one else.

Luxe Wedding Design Event at Georgetown Ballroom

Annette Lefebvre of Luxe Productions and Wedding Design is putting on an amazing invitation only gala event for the Georgetown Ballroom on Sunday, January 10. From great food and drinks to brilliant music from the likes of Lushy and The Blue Four Trio as well as the always stunning performances by Enjoy Productions, this is bound to be one of the great events of the winter. Just added to the bill, Seattle Parties' own DJ Sean plays bass with the Haggis Brothers.

Great Locations for Seattle Weddings

Seattle Parks offer a variety of great spots for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The mix of natural beauty and affordable cost make many of the locations highly sought after. Sign ups for many of the venues take place on January 4. Expect long lines and stiff competition for the big dates in the summer. It's well worth the wait if you can grab one of the lovely park locations, including Hamilton Viewpoint in West Seattle, Golden Gardens Bath House in Ballard (pictured), Gas Works Park in Wallingford and many others. Special locations, such as Kubota Gardens, Discovery Park and the Arboretum, are booked up to a year in advance and are not offered on the January 4 sign up. Instead, call Parks Event Scheduling at 206-684-4081.