Northwestern University Dance Marathon Raises $854,396!!
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under News and Updates
A very excited Jay Sims shows off the final total!
Wow! What a weekend for the dedicated students at Northwestern University who danced for 30 hours raising $854,396 for StandUp for Kids, from March 5-7. There was so much energy in the tent at Norris Center that even outside you could hear the students singing along to their favorite anthems “Sweet Caroline,” “Jump Around,” and “I gotta Feeling,” just to name a few. Culminating at 1:00am March 7, with DJ Jay Sims playing another favorite “I’ve Had the Time of My Life,” following the very emotional check presentation to StandUp for Kids to a teary-eyed Rick Koca, the founder of the organization.
Every year when I attend I am so moved by these students who not only raise money, but raise awareness for so many worthwhile charities. What a difference these students make by putting on their dancing shoes to support a great cause. And even at 1:00am, exhausted and sleep deprived…they all manage to end the night with smiles on their faces. We can all gain inspiration from them!
The dedicated dancers & DJ Jay Sims
DJ Jay Sims Back Again for NUDM!
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under News and Updates
DJ Jay Sims smiling and spinning tunes at Northwestern University's Dance Marathon 2009.
The first week of March is always a busy one for Jay Sims as he prepares for his 14th year as DJ for Northwestern University’s Annual Dance Marathon. The weekend of March 5-7, Jay will be spinning tunes for 30 Hours for over 800 Dancers at his Alma Mater, as students groove to the beat while raising money for StandUp For Kids Charity which helps homeless youth in cities across the United States by providing them basic necessities and support.
DM is one of Northwestern’s largest traditions, dating back to 1975 and involving, in 2009, over 1,000 students. DM dancers get to spend 30 hours dancing, singing, and having fun with fellow Northwestern students, all while helping a great cause. In 2008, these dedicated students raised an all-time fundraising high of $933,855!
Jay and Something 2 Dance 2 are so proud to support this amazing event year after year. To learn more about NUDM or to donate to StandUp For Kids, please visit: www.nudm.org
Tags: Northwestern University Dance Marathon
ABC Vendor Showcase & Wish Upon a Wedding
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under News and Updates
Helping Make Wedding Dreams Come True!
A huge thank you to Melissa Phillips of Simply Perfect by Melissa and Judy Alden, our Illinois ABC Coordinator for putting on an amazing event at Sutton Place Hotel in Chicago. As proud ABC Vendor Members, Jay & I were given the opportunity to showcase our Lighting and Decor division of Something 2 Dance 2 to Wedding Consultants in the Chicago area along with over 25 Chicago based Wedding Professionals. And thank you to the fabulous Jennifer Mordini, for capturing the evening with your Photography.
We had the opportunity to meet wonderful vendors and wedding planners who are committed to making their clients dreams come true on their wedding day. And speaking of dreams…we also learned about an amazing organization Wish Upon A Wedding, America’s only wedding wish granting organization, Wish Upon A Wedding produces weddings & civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness. By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, it is their hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love.
Our very own Melissa Phillips, is involved in this organization and is looking for Professional Wedding vendors to be a part of it as well. She had a huge response last night from our ABC members, and we are looking forward to attending the Chicago Chapter Kick-Off Party on March 24, at Ravenswood Event Center in Chicago .
To learn how you can help Wedding Wishes come true contact Ali Phillips, Chicago Area Chapter President: chicagopresident@wishuponawedding.org
Tags: Association of Bridal Consultants, Jennifer Mordini, Ravenswood Event Center, Simply Perfect by Melissa, Sutton Place Hotel, Wish Upon A Wedding
Hilton Garden Inn St. Charles
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under Wedding Venues
Sara and Tamara at St. Charles Chamber Annual Charlemagne Awards. Photo by Alex Claney Photography.
Part of my mission in creating this Blog is to spotlight various reception locations to help future brides and grooms during the initial Wedding Planning process. Each month I will conduct a “Vendor Spotlight” showcasing the many wonderful Wedding professionals our team at Something 2 Dance 2 and Elegant Event Lighting works with throughout the year.
Sara Boal, CMP is the Catering Sales Manager at Hilton Garden Inn in St. Charles, IL. Sara works very closely with each Bride & Groom providing a very hands-on approach from the beginning of the planning through the wedding reception. Our brides love working with Sara and appreciate her dedication and attention to detail in creating the wedding of their dreams. Her property has received a Guest Loyalty Award and the Hilton Brand is ranked #1 in the U.S. for Customer Service.
Sara loves the wedding industry and strives to be the best each and every day…so it is not a coincidence when asked what her favorite song was, she replied: “Simply The Best,” by Tina Turner!
To learn more about Sara and Hilton Garden Inn for your Wedding or Special Event please visit: www.stcharles.gardeninn.com
Tags: Hilton Garden Inn, Wedding
Mobile Beat Las Vegas DJ Convention
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under News and Updates
Jay & Tamara Sims at Mobile Beat Las Vegas 2010
We just attended our annual Mobile Beat DJ Convention, and I always return feeling recharged after connecting with other Professional DJ Entertainers from around the country. As the majority of attendees in the DJ Entertainment Industry are predominantly male, I was excited to have been approached by a reporter from Mobile Beat Magazine who wanted feedback on the convention from a female’s perspective. I was more than happy to share with her that I have always felt welcome at this convention and have made numerous friends over the years who have helped me with my business. Several of my personal mentors in this industry live in Dallas, New Jersey, Las Vegas and Indianapolis, and I look forward to sharing with and learning from them every
year. The seminars are invaluable, but the true networking takes place between the seminars in the hallways, at lunch in the coffee shop, or at 7:30AM with New Jersey DJ Marcello leading a positive energy workout…what a great way to start each day. There are also several “breakout sessions,” or “Think Tanks” that take place throughout the week, where fellow DJ Entertainment Professionals share ideas.
Andy Ebon & Tamara Sims at Mobile Beat Las Vegas 2010.
One presenter who stood out this year was Wedding Marketing Blog author, Andy Ebon. He is not only a polished and witty speaker, but is known as one of the foremost thought leaders in the Wedding Industry and an expert in Wedding Marketing. Jay and I have seen Andy speak over a half-dozen times and have never been disappointed…his honesty can be brutal (our first encounter with Andy was during a seminar in Chicago where he showed one of the first ads we ever ran in a bridal magazine and let’s just say he was not too kind), but his knowledge of the wedding industry is spot on. Jay and I have implemented so many ideas from Andy’s seminars in our business from our fresh new website, to Facebook, and most importantly, this Blog…I think even Andy would say we have come a long way from our first meeting!
The value of attending Mobile Beat Las Vegas continues well after the conference ends as DJ Peter Merkle, who presents an annual Think Cycle in Las Vegas, is hosting a weekly webinar with DJ’s throughout the country to discuss Michael Port’s small business marketing book “Book Yourself Solid.” I am looking forward to being a part of this wonderful group. After all, “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish!”
Tags: ADJA, Andy Ebon, Book Yourself Solid, Michael Port, Mobile Beat Las Vegas, Mobile Beat Magazine, Wedding, Wedding Marketing Blog
Valentine’s Day Photo Contest
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under Marketing
NYC LOVE!
Since February is the month we celebrate Love…what better way for a Photographer to generate business than by holding a Valentine’s Day Photo Contest. Well that is exactly what Chicago based Melissa Jean Photography did, and I must say, the moment I saw her post on Facebook looking for entries, I was intrigued. So on a whim I entered one of my favorite photos of Jay & I in our favorite place…NYC…and low and behold, our photo was selected as one of the Sweetheart Photo Finalists. As a result of this contest, I have seen a spike in the number of fans to Melissa Jean’s Facebook Fan Page…her creativity in marketing will definitely increase her business. Oh, and by the way, I have included our photo above, and we would LOVE to have your vote. Please visit http://www.facebook.com/melissajean.us and click “like” under our “NYC LOVE” photo and become a fan of Melissa Jean Photography. I wish all of you a February filled with LOVE!!!
Tags: Melissa Jean Photography, Valentine's Day
Hotel Baker St. Charles
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under Wedding Venues
Hotel Baker Rainbow Room 10 Seasons of Love!
Rolf's Patisserie Wedding Cake
Thank you to Liz, Mary, Karen and Jack at Hotel Baker in St. Charles for hosting another wonderful Bridal Tasting. Jay & I enjoyed spending time with our upcoming Hotel Baker Brides and Grooms. The Rainbow Room was adorned with beautiful flowers, linens and decor provided by The Elegant Petal, Elizabeth Wray Design and Town and Country Gardens…all amazing floral designers who we at Something 2 Dance 2 have had the pleasure of working with over the years. The Waterfront Room was filled with delicious treats and gorgeous cakes provided by Rolf’s Patisserie, along with a mouth watering ice cream bar provided by Cold Stone Creamery…what guest wouldn’t love to create there own creamy concoction!
The historic Hotel Baker is a hidden gem in downtown St. Charles, and is the perfect location to create the Wedding of your dreams. Have your Ceremony in the gorgeous Rose Garden along the Fox River, and dance the night away on an illuminated dance floor in the Rainbow Room…the possibilities are endless.
I speak from true experience to the level of dedication the staff at Hotel Baker provides as Jay & I renewed our vows here for our “10 Seasons of Love” Anniversary Party in 2007. The photo above captures that amazing night we will never forget! To learn more about Hotel Baker please visit www.hotelbaker.com
Tags: Ceremony, Cold Stone Creamery, Elegant Petal, Elizabeth Wray Design, Hotel Baker, Rolf's Patisserie, Rose Garden, Something 2 Dance 2, Town and Country Gardens, Wedding
Bolingbrook Golf Club
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under Wedding Venues
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- Washington Room Entrance Drape
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- Dance under a beautiful ceiling canopy
We had the opportunity to showcase our business at Bolingbrook Golf Club’s annual Bridal Fair on Sunday January 24, and would like to thank Taryn and Jill and their amazing staff for a wonderful day. The Ballroom was filled with 39 quality vendors including florists, room decor, specialty linens, photographers and DJ’s, to name a few. Each Bride & Groom were treated as VIP’s to a delicious tasting of mouthwatering Hors d’ Oeuvres prepared by the Chef along with Champagne to really set the mood for their upcoming special day! Jay and I truly enjoyed sharing ideas with Brides and Grooms on how to make their wedding day fun and memorable.
Bolingbrook Golf Club is a perfect venue to host your Wedding or special event; from the pre-function cocktail area with a player piano to beautiful ballrooms with high ceilings and gorgeous chandeliers. Their tagline says it all: “Experience the elegance, and admire the ambience.” Please visit Bolingbrook Golf Club for more information on this beautiful venue.
Tags: Bolingbrook Golf Club, Ceiling Draping, DJ's, Fabric Backdrop, Wedding
Creative Wedding Reception Ideas
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under What's New
Our beautiful bride Laura
Sharing elements of your personality at your Wedding can truly take your reception to new heights. Why not incorporate favorite hobbies or sports into your reception?
Something 2 Dance 2 provides unique alternatives to the traditional “clinking of glasses” to make our brides and grooms share a kiss during dinner. How about “Putt for a Kiss” for your groom who loves to hit the links in his free time or “Wedding Baggo” for those who play the ever popular “bags” with their friends on the weekend.
We work closely with each bride and groom to learn about their journey together as a couple…one of the most creative wedding receptions we have done took place on New Year’s Eve at The Chicago Marriott Schaumburg. Laura & Dan are triathletes who love to compete…to showcase their love of biking and running we had them “cross the finish line” into the reception for the Grand Introduction, and to create more fun for their guests we brought a stationary spin bike for guests to “pedal as fast as they can” for Laura & Dan to kiss. Laura even got into the action as you can see by the photo.
And don’t be afraid to come up with your own ideas when meeting with your DJ Entertainer; the more personalized the better. Creating Your day in Your vision is our goal at Something 2 Dance 2.
Tags: Creative, DJ, Reception, Wedding
Beautiful Memories
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under News and Updates
Something 2 Dance 2 and DJ Jay Sims had the privilege of working with a wonderful couple Robin & Rob.
When I opened the mail today, I received 2 beautiful photos from their November 2009, Wedding at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, IL accompanied by a lovely letter. The first photo shows Jay pinning on a boutonniere for Robin’s Grandfather, and the second photo is during the Bridal Party line-up…showing everyone smiling. This reminds me of how amazing my husband and business partner is and how he truly touches people’s lives every weekend by creating long lasting memories.
I have included Robin & Rob’s comments regarding these photos: “Rob and I wanted to thank you again for making our Wedding and overall experience so wonderful. I’ve enclosed a couple of pictures for you that really capture our experience. The photo of Jay pinning on my Grandpa’s boutonniere reminds me that someone should take care of him once in awhile. Both my Grandma and Grandpa still talk about how much they enjoyed our wedding and how they were able to relax. Thank You for that. The second photo shows everyone just smiling and having a good time! As a bride-to be, lots of vendors told me how I should be able to relax and enjoy my wedding, but you made me believe it!.”
Thank you Robin and Rob for truly brightening my day with this wonderful letter.
