Emman's Corner

We each have our own ways of experiencing the holidays. For some it’s a joyous six-week festival of lights and good cheer, going into celebration mode the minute the Halloween pumpkin is off the porch. Then there are others who just grit their teeth and bear it. I’ve got to admit, I’ve had my own mood swings when it comes to observing the season over the years.

The magic of holidays. I’d forgotten how great the holidays were as a child and how wonderful this time of year is. As an adult I no longer lie awake in bed fantasizing about what presents I'll open on Christmas morning. Once I outgrew that magical experience, Christmas never had quite the same meaning as when I was young. Then the focus shifted to the stress and consumerism of the season.

Building traditions. Now that I have children the holidays have returned with a special significance. My wife and I are setting a foundation of tradition that will mark and define ourselves as a family. How we celebrate the holidays today will shape how our children celebrate when they are grown.

Holidays have important meaning. Whether you are cynical or the most celebratory, you can’t deny that holiday traditions play a very important role in our lives. Winter holidays mark a reference point that we have all made it together for another year. It’s an end to a year but also a beginning of a new one.

A time of celebration. We mark these traditions by coming together and gathering with our loved ones—our friends, our families, our coworkers—in ways that are celebratory or spiritual. Whether you observe Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or New Year’s or are simply an innocent bystander to the frenzy, in one way or another the holidays touch all of our lives. However you decide to celebrate this year, we at Smooth Groove Productions wish you a wonderful season!

Emmanuel del Casal
 

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Smooth Sounds
Setting the Right Holiday Mood

Coming together with friends and family for some holiday cheer, that’s what any holiday party is about. So what should you do to create the perfect musical mood for your holiday event? It depends on what kind of bash you’re hosting, what atmosphere you’re creating and who’s attending.

A grande affair.
For a cocktail mixer or dinner that’s more on the formal side, the best choices are always jazz or a classical string quartet. We’re pretty laid back here in the Northwest, and frankly I think that classical can be kind of stuffy for even semiformal occasions. For a sure bet, go with a jazz quartet or trio. Jazz has been around for nearly a hundred years, and I feel that it’s the modern answer to classical music.

Let's swing!
If you’re creating more of a party atmosphere, then your music selection really depends on the musical taste of whoever’s on the guest list. Every age group has a different taste. In my company we really cater to the 30-plus crowd simply for the fact that most of our musicians are a little older. So if you’re targeting an over-60 crowd, you can’t miss with a swing/jazz band.

Heard it through the grapevine—Boomers love to groove.
For Baby Boomers you can’t miss with classic rock or R&B. I heard once that the favorite music we listen to throughout our lives is whatever we loved at the age of 19. If that’s the case, then it’s no wonder so many Boomers love music from the 50s and 60s (and even the 70s will be a hit).

Hip-hop is for hipsters.
If you want to sizzle and not fizzle with late teens and 20s crowd, then go for a DJ. This group wants to listen to their favorite music they hear everyday—hip-hop, rap and pop. And you might be surprised to learn, there aren’t many bands out there these days playing those chart-topping hits.

Here’s to creating the perfect mood for your holiday party with just the right entertainment.

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