WEDDING REVIEW: BROWN’S REVOLUTION HALL
by Kenny Casanova

Recently, I had the pleasure of providing my wedding services as the disc jockey for a fun group at Browns Brewing Co .  I just thought it would be nice to share that Brown’s Revolution Hall is a nice  option for bride’s & grooms in the area who want an all-in-one venue to host both the ceremony and the reception on their special day.

For those of you Collar City residents of the historic Troy, New York area, many may know well what I am referring to when I mention, “My wife loves the Cherry Razz.”  Brown’s micro brewery produces a sweet Cherry Raspberry beverage, served complete with a cherry in the bottom; a definite must-have chick drink native to the area. However, to the passive Brown’s fan, here is something that not quite everyone knows about; Browns Brewery also provides a great wedding service throughout the year.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION:  “Revolution Hall,” Brown’s private party venue is located to the right of what most of Troy knows as Brown’s Brewery 417 River Street in Troy. This private function venue is an area closed off to the public, but is often made known by hosting musical acts. Many Capital Region favorite bands like Hair Of The Dog and The Refrigerators, have played under the Brown’s banner in this very location. And because of the stage and open floor layout, this venue can be the perfect alternative option for a wedding.

VENUE LAYOUT INFORMATION: The venue layout has great potential. Brown’s Revolution Hall has its own private bar with Brown’s on tap, its own kitchen, its own bathroom, a separate entrance/exit, a stage for entertainment. A wedding ceremony (like the one I attended) can easily take place in the stage part of the hall.

After the ceremony is over, Brown’s staff will just usher your guests over to the private bar for cocktail hour. During this festive cocktail consumption time, the layout used for the ceremony will be transformed into an elegant area for reception dining. There is even a balcony for additional reception seating.

FOOD SELECTION: Brown’s dinner selections are actually very good. They are not only known for their beer. They have everything from high end cuts of meat, to pretzels. My suggestion to those of you planning a wedding at Brown’s, however, is to focus on a few really good entree selections.

Because Browns is very flexible and easy to work with, they do have lower-end entrees available. However, cheaper food selections may not be your best option for a dream wedding… cheap food is still just that, low end. If budget is a huge concern, Brown’s will work with you. But my suggestion,  is to spend the extra little bit and get their good stuff, and leave an impression!  Your guests are worth the extra sawbucks, right?

Here is a link to their catering menu:  CATERING MENU

If you are planning your wedding now in the Tri-city area, give these guys a shout. Brown’s Revolution Hall is a good alternative venue option for your medium-sized wedding.

…And if you want a DJ with experience working this location, give us a call at 518-506-3305. We can also give you some more information about Browns!

HOW TO THROW A TOTALLY RAD 80s THEME WEDDING – A checklist of ideas

Have you been to a bunch of weddings and can’t really remember one from the other a few years later? There is a way to really make your special day stand out, and have fun at the same time. At what cost? How about, $19.80. Having a theme-based wedding set in the 80s can be awesome. This campy era saw the rise of the King of Pop Michael Jackson, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran, and even one-hit-wonders like Flock of Seagulls.

Here is a comprehensive list of 80s wedding theme ideas that can really help you make your 1980s wedding theme a success.

INVITATIONS – Setting the mood immediately, when you send out your RSVP’s, do it 80’s style. A good way to get inspiration for this is to take a look at 80s pictures on a Google search and work with your invitation printer. Looking at images will give you a glance at the neons and pastels that were trademarks of this time frame. It will also bring some ideas into the mix. Any 80’s color schemes and images that you choose are fine are fine, but most important of all is to remember to tell everyone to dress 80s, and/or come dressed as their favorite 80’s star.

ENTRANCE – Rides with style were everything in the 1980’s. If you can find one, it may be a perfect blast from the past to use a DeLorean as your limo! (One complete with a flux-capacitor would be even more so ideal.) Also a customized A-team van, a Trans-Am or any iconic 80s ride would be unforgettable. Imagine how “def” a Knight Rider entrance! Word!

CLOTHING – Television proved to be the driving force behind 1980’s fashion trends. No matter what you go with, first and foremost, black and white lace like Madonna for the brides maids would be classic. For the groomsmen, think Duran Duran and Miami Vice; pastel colored jackets with sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

Encourage your guests to engage in the fun too. Have them dressing up in bleached and torn up jeans, neon legwarmers with excessive makeup, and sport some crazy 80’s teased up hair. For accessories, dig up some jelly bracelet’s, Swatch-watches, and Risky Business sunglasses.

Typically, some guests will not want to dress up, but will wish they did after they see all the fun the other guests are having, once they get there. For those who do not come prepared, make sure to have extra of jelly bracelets on the tables, and a stashed duffle bag full of ugly neon bright t-shirts, fishnet gloves and punky wigs.

The 80s was not only hair bands and rock. Hip hop became really popular in the 80s. The guys could dress up in the Adidas jumpsuits and big gold chains and sunglasses. Girls in the baggy overalls, big buckle belt and stupid fresh gold jewelry, you know, def dookie ropes.

DECORATION OPTIONS

Again, I cannot stress enough to you that looking at pictures is going to be one of the greatest ways to come up with ideas that you will want for your wedding reception. You may want to put pink and blue streamers all over the room. Or, perhaps, how about decorating with neons and pastels, like blue, yellow, pink, and green balloons?

If you are going to go 80’s, why not go all the way. Posters and pictures of Back To The Future, Silver Spoons, The A-Team, and The Ninja Turtles are a must, pinend up everywhere you can. (Make sure you check with theh all before pinning up anything. If they are against this, you can always use foam boards and make little displays.) How about tossing garbage pail kids collecting cards all over the tables? Old Teen Beat magazines, and pull-out magazine posters. Vintage 80’s clothes like a Michael Jackson glove or jackets, Cabbage Patch Kids , cardboard cutouts, and don’t forget movie posters like Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles.

Another good idea is to incorporate music into your décor. That’s what it is all about, right? Look for 1980’s record singles, that’s right, 45’s from the eighties and hang them everywhere, from the light fixtures to the head table.

FAVORS – Another idea for the nostalgic romantics, why not make Custom Mix tapes? If cassette tapes feel too much of a waste of time to you, you can cheat. Burn a CD with top 80’s movies and tv show themes, as well as some of the number one hits of this era.

CENTERPIECES & TABLES – At a recent 80’s wedding I was the disc jockey for, they had decorated their tables with eighties albums and 45’s, including Like a Virgin, Pac Man Fever and Olivia Newton John’s “Physical.” As a centerpiece, a basket full of 80’s junk like magic eight balls, rubik’s cube, pop rocks, Star Wars and He-Man toys and what ever eBay can help you with. A basket full of 80’s retro junk is totally awesome.

But how can you give your centerpiece away? Well, how about a Rubik’s Cube Contest? (They now have pretty decent Rubik Cube knock-offs at the dollar store. Maybe these would make good party favor answers as well?) While the Rubik Challenge can be done several ways, probably the quickest payoff is to award the winner as being whoever can solve the most sides done within one song. The Rubik champion will then get the centerpiece.

TALK THE TALK – 80s WORD LISTS – Why not put 1980’s dictionary sheets around the dinner tables? In the 80’s, “Valley Girl” speak totally took off in a big way, dude… ‘fer shurr.

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

While you can still have a blast with your traditional flower and garter toss festivities working in songs and styles of this theme, there are other 80s activities you can do as well. For one, 80s lip synch contests could be a great option. Since many people will be dressed up anyhow, you could put the spotlight on a few of your guests and hand them a microphone… if you dare!

Once the dancing begins, an impromptu “Breakdance Contest,” is also a must-have at an 80’s wedding.

Jeopardy Challenge – During the meal, Jeopardy questions could become a big party favorite. All you need are some standard 80s trivia questions, here and there, and the people will love it. (Make sure to ask your DJ if he can grow an Alex Trebek mustache to sport during the audio daily double.)

Name that 80’s theme – is also fun. Before the dancing portion of the reception, have the DJ play a sample of an 80’s television show theme song, first correct guess, wins. (Double the prize if they can name the ARTIST!)

Pepsi Challenge Drinking Games – How about Pepsi Challenge. (Coke vs. Pepsi. Can you tell the difference blindfolded? Pour some rum in one of them and really get the party going.)

Video Game Challenges – A lot of people rent photo booths for weddings now. The photo booth has really turned into an up-coming fun past time at weddings. How about renting or even buy an authentic 1981 Pacman arcade game and setting that up in the corner?

ATARI! If you can’t afford a legit Arcade game, Atari Inc. recently released a new game system with the feel of the original Atari system. It is black and wood grain and also has the original joysticks. The new classic system easily plugs directly into the a/c jack of and runs on AA batteries… it gives the feel of the old joystick and the games are not updated at all

…imagine having a Space Invaders, Asteroids or Combat contest using the original joystick, on a big screen TV, or digitally projected on the wall.

MUSIC IDEAS – Thanks to the early music video-playing channel, MTV, a defined style came into existence. If you choose to go this theme, everyone will be able to join in on the fun. Yes, back then, MTV played Music videos.

A year or two back, I put up an awesome music list post to help you pump up the jam, appropriately. Here are a list of songs you may have heard and seen watching MTV back in the day. CLICK HERE TO OPEN LIST

THE #1 DJ IN WYNANTSKILL

If you are looking for a fun affordable disc jockey with knowledge of new music as well as the classic hits that everybody loves, we are the DJs for you. Our local Wynantskill office serves customers from down in Center Brunswick, Walmart shoppers on Hoosick Road & New York State Route 7, Eagle Mills by the fire station, over on Route 2, North Greenbush, Haynersville / Haynerville, the old Cooksborough neighborhood in lovely downtown Pittstown, over in Poestenkill, and all over Troy all the time.

“If you are a resident of Wynantskill NY looking for a Wedding DJ, Graduation Party DJ, or Backyard BBQ, and you love Jack’s Drive-in or Villa Valenti Pub, then we are probably the local match for you.”

WEDDING & PARTY DJ SPECIALIST

As a wedding and party specialist, DJ Kenny Casanova and TheDJservice.com brings Wynantskill, New York:
•Completely Ridiculous & Huge Track Listing Library
•Music Video Package – The Best in Latham NY
•Professional Gear, state-of-the-art
•New Digital Slideshow Projection
•DJ/MC experience since 1996

•Voted Capital Region #1 Karaoke DJ
•Radio Personality & DJ Experience
•Prowrestling Ring Announcer Experience: WWF / WWE
•Sports Broadcasting Experience
•Karaoke & with big big big track library
•Huge Laser Show – Great for Sweet 16 parties & modern weddings!
•”The DJ Cam” Professional Photography
•Interactive events, dances, & nifty activities
•Very affordable prices!!!

CONTACT: Drop us a line at 518-506-3305, or email us at ken@thedjservice.com . Providing affordable fun, DJ experience, and jammin’ music for your special occasion in or around Wynantskill, NY!

Check out www.theDJservice.com for more information!

POINTS NEAR WYNANTSKILL WE HAVE BROUGHT THE FUN TO INCLUDE: Center Brunswick, Hoosick Road & New York State Route 7, Haynersville / Haynerville, the old Cooksborough neighborhood in Pittstown, Troy and Bennington, Tamarac / Tamarack, Platestown, Eagle Mills, Boyntonville, Millville, Poestenkill Creek, New York State Route 2, Grafton, Williamstown, Cropseyville, New York State Route 351, Quackenkill Creek, East Brunswick (aka Rock Hollow,) Clum’s Corners, Averill Park, West Sand Lake.

Waterford’S #1 DJ for Wedding & Parties

(518) 506-3305. Affordable wedding DJ / Mobile disc jockey in Waterford, NY with a complete library of new music & classics. Also – Digital Photography & Lights!

If your Waterford wedding reception is being planned using other great local professional event services in and around Waterford NY like Time Capsule Photo booths, Maloney’s Flower Shop, Platinum Limousine of Saratoga, Franklin Plaza, The Old Daley Inn Catering Company then we are the wedding DJ service for you!

If your Waterford wedding is set to take place at not too far away from, Goat Island, Northside, Peebles Island State Park, Prospect Hill, State Canal Park or Sugarloaf Pond, give us a call! If you are in Waterford New York and need a DJ to play a great mix of all the latest music and all the greatest classics look no more!

As a local wedding reception and wedding ceremony specialist with tons of experience in the industry, DJ Kenny Casanova and TheDJservice.com brings Waterford, New York a great mobile DJ service including:

•200,000 song library
•Wedding Ceremony Services, when at same location
•Music Video Package – The Best in Waterford NY

•Professional Gear Bose L1 Stick & Peavey
•Digital Slideshow Projection
•DJ/MC experience since 1996
•Voted Capital Region #1 Karaoke DJ
•Radio Personality Experience
•Ring Announcer Experience: WWF / WWE
•Sports Broadcasting Experience
•Karaoke & with huge track library
•Huge Laser Show – Great for Sweet 16 parties, and modern weddings!
•Professional Photography “The DJ Cam”
•Interactive events, dances, & activities
•Very affordable prices!!!

 

VOTED THE #1 CHOICE FOR FUN WEDDING DJs IN WATERFORD NEW YORK

Drop us a line at 518-506-3305, or email us at ken@thedjservice.com. Providing affordable fun, experience, and great music for your special occasion in or around Waterford, NY!

Check out www.theDJservice.com for more information!

The French-Canadian Trough Dance by Albany NY DJ Kenny Casanova

In an earlier article, I discussed how the tradition of the French-Canadian Ugly sock dance (click here to read) was making a comeback and beginning to flourish once again, throughout Ontario Canada and other French-speaking parts of the country.

Subsequently, this odd sock dance tradition that punishes single siblings for not already being married has bled some into the states. Today, brides and grooms in the Capital Region and specifically Albany and Saratoga Springs, NY who come from our northern neighbors have been working the custom into their wedding planning. Now, another odd Canadian tradition related to the Ugly Wedding Sock Dance is making its way into our wedding halls. This one is called “The Hog Trough Dance.”

The overall philosophy behind The Trough Dance is still the same as the Sock Dance; to punish an unmarried older sibling at a younger sibling’s wedding reception by making them dance in a ridiculous manner for not being married yet. Hoever in the Hog Trough Dance, the sibling dances barefoot in a pig trough or a wash basin, sometimes full of liquid. The idea is that if you are older and still not married, you need to be thrown into the spotlight and peer pressured into tying the knot soon, to avoid the public ridicule at your next brother or sister’s wedding. Because you are not already married, you are indangering the passing down of the family name, and this is punishable by mud.

From my research, I found Ethnologist Jean-Claude Dupont of New Brunswick , showing the earliest written description of the trough dance. He said that, “a musician would play a tune and the single sister had to dance in the muddy pig trough, which had been brought inside special for the event.”

Dupont went on to explain that if the sibling were a male, things would be even worse in a French-Canadian Hog Trough Dance. When it was a bachelor who was being punished for not marrying before his younger sibling, “the brother would actually be made to eat out of the same trough!”

The tradition also sometimes involved dancing in and around a trough filled with food that would be sampled after the dance. Sometimes, a variation with a basin filled with alcohol, a mixture of beer, and hard liquor that the dancer must also drink after the dance.

I have learned that updated variations to this tradition that has evolved some in recent years. Early on, legitimate dirty old troughs pulled right off the farm complete with mud, steaming fresh pig droppings (or worse) were in fact used for the dance, in the most extreme cruel and unusual forms of this wedding torture tradition.

You can bet that feet covered in pig droppings would have left some really lasting impressions on guests sitting near the dancer’s piggies after the festivities. This is all the reason more to make sure that you are married before your younger sister.

However, in today’s more politically correct version of The Dreaded French-Canadian Trough Dance, we see a more forgiving version. People spend a lot of money on clothing on the big special day, and not many people will want to cooperate in such a dance knowing that they will get ridiculously dirty. Another issue, is many halls do not want confetti getting around, let alone pig $#!t, so you can imagine what their responses may be to this type of custom.

With the loosening of family constraints, we now see relatives pushing victims into the Trough Dance in a clean trough purchased just for the occasion.

…

For more Canadian customs & wedding madness, check out the French-Canadian Ugly sock Dance To book DJ Kenny Casanova for a wedding, visit www.theDJservice.com.