DJ Company Succeeds by Keeping its Jewish Roots

“Why is this DJ different than every other DJ?” No, that’s not one of the four questions asked during Passover, but it’s a question answered all-year-round by “Boppers DJs Entertainment,” known throughout CT, New York, New England and the entire East Coast as the foremost “fun” Bar/Bat-Mitzvah entertainers.

In the early nineties, DJ companies began to get louder, flashier, sexier and more gimmicky. Some of those companies had no idea how to incorporate Jewish themes into the event. To some, this was a glorified birthday party for kids . . . with the price-tag of a gala wedding! The main thing that set “Boppers DJs” aside from the rest of the DJ companies in business was the ability to combine the traditional with the contemporary. Along with such party embellishments as high-energy dancers (“Boppettes”), dance routines, costume changes, laser lightshows, video dance parties and every imaginable game for the kids, imagine a Bar or Bat Mitzvah reception where the Master of Ceremonies also throws in some Yiddish to please the grandparents, where big band swing music or some golden oldies breaks up the monotony of the same hip-hop dance beat for 4 straight hours, where the DJ actually slows down the music to let the grown-ups get cheek-to-cheek for a set of songs, and where Klezmer, Israeli, Hebrew or Yiddish music is readily available by request. And where the music is never too LOUD. “Boppers DJs” fills the void of knowing how to ride that fine line of being able to provide all the high-energy, New York-style interactive party features and activities that today’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah boy or girl has come to expect, without ignoring the adults.

Things have come full circle. Years ago, a band would play standards for the entertainment of the adults and the exclusion of the youngsters. They knew “Hava Nagilla” and an embarrassing rendition of “Proud Mary.” In the 80’s and early 90’s, as the younger people matured earlier and became more worldly and media-wise, they began to dictate the music of their party. This brought upon a new problem, as the same boom-boom beat from the beginning to the end of the party served to alienate many of the grown-ups in attendance. Acrobatics and scene-stealing “spotlight hogs” became the vogue. Unfortunately, they couldn’t adapt that aspect of the DJ show into an all-encompassing package that would energize the kids while also engaging the adults. The best of both worlds would be the entertainers who would keep the kids dancing and playing games, while also captivating the interest and amusement of the grown-ups. Even greater would be entertainers who could also incorporate a “freilich” feeling. Boppers DJs excel in all these departments!

So what exactly is that “freilich” feel? It’s the ability to bring an energy and joy to the occasion without ever losing sight that the party is a celebration of a very spiritual stage of life. This comes naturally to “Boppers DJs,” many of whom are Jewish, a definite plus for entertaining at simchas. This is exactly what the Jewish community looks for: multi-talented DJ performers who are not only great showmen, but also know how to handle all the traditional elements of a Jewish party. They could professionally conduct a candle-lighting ceremony, lead a hora, assist in prayers, supply the yarmulkah when necessary and, as funny as it sounds, be able to pronounce “hamotzi” or a “challah” correctly. There’s nothing more embarrassing to a family than having to cringe when a novice DJ mispronounces “challah” or just doesn’t know how to run a proper reception. Many catering halls and maire d’s look to the “Boppers DJs” for proper guidance, especially when it comes to the order of activities.

Is there indeed a correct order of events? And how many people should be called up for the candle-lighting ceremony: 13, 14, 18 or more? And when should the “hora” be played? And is it okay to play the popular game “Coke & Pepsi” during the cocktail hour? Unlike “hallacha,” or Jewish law, there is no set, definitive answer to any of these often-asked questions. While there is no “correct” order of events, there is a “suggested” order. The blessing over the “challah,” usually by the elder male member of the family, should be recited before any food is eaten. If there is a cocktail party and the “motzi” is saved until everyone is seated, that should be the first event . . . and there should be the cutting knife out and ready. The candle-lighting ceremony should be next. Years ago, when the cake had to be served as soon as it was cut, the ceremony was saved toward the end of the party. Nowadays, where momentum and energy levels rise as a party continues, it works best to have the candle-lighting ceremony early on. Again, it’s not set in stone, and the Boppers DJs customize every party to the family’s requests and desires, but this is part of a “popular” itinerary. It is customary to have fourteen candles, the extra one being for “good luck.” However, when a family feels that more people need to be called up there’s no reason to limit the candles and leave out some special people. Instead, call up 18 people for “chai,” which means “life.” Subsequently, if there are a smaller number of “important” people to call up, there’s no reason to call up fourteen or even thirteen -- just don’t announce the candle numbers as people are called up (nobody’s counting!). Is it necessary to have a poem or anecdote for each person called up to the candle? It’s cute, but definitely not necessary. Is it imperative to have a different song played for each person called up? Hardly. It could be fun, but there’s always the alternative: simply playing a continuous medley of upbeat traditional music could reinforce the Jewish theme in a very unobtrusive manner. And who should get called up first, or left for last? Although there is no set order, it is believed that Grandparents should be given the “couvet,” which means respectful honor, to be called up first. Next should be closest relatives, such as aunts and uncles. They are followed by cousins. Then it should be parents’ friends, neighbors or co-workers. Teachers or clergy may be next in line, if invited. Up next should be the boy or girl’s friends, fellow students or camp-mates. Next to last should be siblings, who stay up for the final call-up, which is saved for the parents. After the candles are lit, it’s nice to have the parents and siblings help blow out the candles. If it’s also birthday time for the boy or girl, a birthday song could be played. If not, a shout of “Mazel Tov” signals the start of a hora, and then the party should kick into full gear.

A nice balance of music for all generations would follow interspersed with fun interaction such as line dances and games or competitions. On the other hand, if it’s an all-kids party, tradition is out the door, and fun-energy-music is everything.

“Fun” is the raison d’etre for “Boppers DJs.” Making it fun for everyone is Boppers’ forte, whether the event is for a frum, religious family or just for a gang of kids in a nightclub setting. Every DJ has all the great up-to-date music (with censored lyrics when necessary), every DJ can do the requested games or lines dances or bring out the obligatory limbo stick. So why is this DJ different from any other DJ? Aside from the Jewish aspect, “Boppers DJs” are party motivators, not obnoxious, over-bearing cheerleaders who overdo and overkill every second of the event.

“Boppers DJ Entertainment” is a cast of the East Coast’s foremost world-class DJ/MC entertainers plus a team of very talented “Boppettes” – dancers who accompany the DJs and bring parties to a higher-energy level as interactive motivators. They never steal the show, but always encourage everyone to have more fun. They always dress properly but stand out in the crowd.

Over 50 schools employ “Boppers DJs” on a regular basis, and numerous synagogues look to them for the perfect mix of music and activities at their dances and special events. They also perform regularly at clubs and lounges in the tri-state area. Several years back, “Boppers Entertainment” completed a unique trifecta by entertaining at “Israel 50th Anniversary” celebrations in three different Connecticut Jewish Community Centers: the Greater Hartford JCC, the Stamford JCC and the JCC of Greater New Haven. They can be seen regularly at all these locations, as well as the JCCS of Greater Fairfield. They can be seen throughout CT, NY, RI and Mass at Chanukah and Purim parties. They have been the official DJs of Camp Laurelwood and Camp Shalom, and they have also entertained at Jewish Singles dances both in Connecticut and at resorts in the Catskills. As if this weren’t enough, they are also the official entertainment of the vacations overseas produced by Club Kosher.

With promotional material that boasts “New York-Style DJ Shows Without Having To Pay NY-Prices” and the slogan “We Don’t Just Stand There Like Statues, We Perform,” the marketing still can’t capture the true essence of the DJ’s individual personalities, who truly enjoy what they’re doing, and it shows. That’s the secret. They have as much fun as the audience. They are “the life of the party for the party of your life!” Combine that with the newest music and dances, while still maintaining a strong sense of how to make a function “hamish,” and Boppers Entertainment leads the way in satisfying hundreds of families in the Jewish community every year.

They now boast that they are “Connecticut’s ONLY Mitzvah Entertainment Company,” and few would disagree.