I’m excited to introduce Brian Wasser, CEO of Electric Entertainment LLC. Brian is a true nice Jewish boy who, along with his awesome team, will take amazing care of you and ensure your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah is world class. Not only can they provide your MC and DJ, but you can also use Electric Entertainment for lighting, lounge furniture, draping and novelties. Working with Electric Entertainment is an easy way to check many items off of your planning to do list. Here’s Brian to share a bit about who he is and what he does:
How did you get started with Electric Entertainment?
Believe it or not, I started Electric Entertainment with my Bar Mitzvah money. Like most Jewish kids, I went to sleepaway camp during the summer. We had these terrible camp dances where the counselors would play music, the boys would sit on one side of the room and the girls on the other. No one did anything. I always loved to dance and perform, so I happened to have The Macarena on cassette tape with me at camp. I gave it to the counselors and told them to play it and I would teach everyone how to do it (it was hot and new at the time! Don’t ask…). Anyway, I grabbed the mic and the rest was history. After camp ended, campers would ask me if I would DJ their party back home. When I got home, I took my Bar Mitzvah money, bought some basic equipment, and Electric Entertainment was born!
What’s your favorite part of what you do?
By far my favorite part is being able to give families a memory they will have forever. Watching smiles on faces and getting people outside of their comfort zone to have an amazing time is such an awesome feeling. I will never forget a mom hugging me after a party, saying she never thought her son would be up on stage dancing with me, or a Bat Mitzvah girl asking to pose for a selfie while saying it was the best day of her life. What’s better than that?
What’s your pop color–that something special that makes you, you?
I think what truly makes me special is that everything I do is innate. I have never worked for another company nor been trained by anyone. This is all me, au natural. I always just did things the way I thought they should be done. From the MC’s and dancers to the lighting and lounge furniture, I’ve always just had a knack and an eye for what works and what doesn’t, how to make people comfortable, how to set certain moods, and most importantly, how to connect to people on a level way beyond just “packing a dance floor.” My clients tell me that I “become a member of the family” and that’s what I instill in my staff. I can’t break dance. I can’t spin on my head. I’m 5’7″. None of that matters when you just KNOW how to make people FEEL GOOD, and that’s what I think truly separates Electric Entertainment from the rest.
What’s your favorite moment of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
My favorite moment at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah happened recently. I lost my father to liver disease 3 months ago and had a Bar Mitzvah just 2 days after his passing. My client, of course, told me that I needed to be with my family and grieve my loss. I told them that the show must go on and I would be at their son’s special day. Entertaining is my passion, it’s what makes me feel good. None of those guests care what I am going through. When I walk through that door, I want to give everyone there the time of their lives. What made this even more special was that this party was for a family that was also celebrating a different milestone; mom was finally cancer-free! During the party, I knew I was in a zone honoring my dad. The photographer came up to see afterward saying it was probably the best show he’d ever seen me at (He’s seen us dozens of times). But the best moment was after the party ended. The now cancer-free mom came up to me at the end, gave me a huge hug, and just started crying. She told me she was so proud of me, but I told her this wasn’t about me. She was crying because, after all she went through, her family truly had the night of their lives and they felt forever grateful. I will never forget that hug of emotion or the tears of joy.
What questions should parents ask someone in your field?
I advise my clients to decide what kind of party they want! High-energy and action-packed? More low key and reserved? More games focused or dancing focused? Nighttime/NY Style or less flashy? All of those answers will help narrow the entertainment scope.
Clients should always ask about Bar and Bat Mitzvah experience. These parties are a completely different animal than weddings, corporate events, etc. Maintaining energy and entertainment for 13-year-olds and 50-year-olds at the same time requires unique talent and training. Ask about what kind of training their staff receives. Some companies just hire former high school cheerleaders and throw them to the fire. My company, however, hires only polished and professional dancers. We also have monthly training sessions where we practice what we do, learn from each other, and go over tools and tricks to maximize the guest experience. It makes a huge difference, but not every party “needs” that level of talent quality, etc. They should also ask about meeting their MC before even signing a contract. This could help ensure there’s a connection between the MC and guest of honor, as well as get to know each other and get a feel for his or her personality and style.
When it comes to entertainment and decor, there are various price points for different reasons. I often use the hotel analogy. You have the Four Seasons and you have the Hampton Inn. Both provide a bed and a room while on vacation, but the experiences are completely different, as are the price points. You have to determine what’s right for you. I am biased but firmly believe that entertainment can make or break your guest experience and the overall success of your child’s special day. There are no do-overs. So long as you do your research and believe your entertainment company aligns with your vision and style for the party, you will have made a good choice.
