While Dan was Hosting the Karaoke and playing great dance songs the two Expressway Music dancers (Kaylee & Latoya)led the dancing.

The Kids weren’t the only ones singing and dancing. So were the parents and teachers!

Here is a photo of DJ Dan

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Who: David Swirsky
Craft: DJ/Founder of Expressway Music
Lives: NYC
Where to Find Him: expresswaymusic.com
Why We Think He’s Cool: He’s a DJ without a God complex!
Interview by: José

Foundry: So I guess the first obvious question would be, “How did you become a DJ?”
DJ David: My folks had MANY parties while I was growing up and at the age of 8 I was the designated DJ for them. I took to it naturally because since the age of 3 I was asking my mother to take me to the record store to buy music. Growing up I learned as much as I could about who wrote what song and what instruments were used on each recording. In high school and college I read every copy of Billboard from cover to cover. My family was/is very involved in music..my mother was a musician, my brother is a welll known songwriter and I have many of my original songs in television movies. Here is a link to some of my original songs: reverbnation.com/davidswirsky
I am just as passionate sharing my musical knowledge as I am creating a new song…being a dj has allowed me to combine two of my strongest skills: putting music together for diverse groups/crowds and analysing a live event… making people happy is the biggest reward to me.

F: Tell me about Expressway Music.
D:  I started Expressway Music in the Summer of 1992 focusing in on Disc Jockeys, Live Music and Karaoke. While we are hired for all types of events the majority of the events we do are Weddings, Corporate events and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Our staff of DJ’s and Musicians are so passionate and dedicated to what they do. I am very fortunate to work with people I deeply admire and respect.

F: So, DJ’s in the industry have a reputation for having a God complex.  Working with you, you’re the furthest from it. What gives? Have the DJ Gods shunned you to be mortal?
D: I am focused on Customer/Client Service and Music. I don’t understand inflated egos and never did. Actually if you are Albert Einstein, Paul McCartney or Martin Luther King then I’m fine if you have a huge ego but not for what we do.

F: Amen! So,you’ve been in the game for a long time.  How would you say the music scene has changed for DJ’s?
D: I think right now is the best time for dj’s. MP3 Technology finally allows us the tools to completely be able to concentrate on what we need to concentrate on and that is picking the best possible song to play next instead of going thru record crates and cd books searching for an album or cd to find a song you may not even use. Now you can test 5,6,7 songs before you choose what to play next. Musically, the last few years has produced the best dance music since the 70′s in my opinion…songs from David Guetta, Pitbull,  and many more artists have kept guests dancing longer and with more energy. Producers are also getting much more prolific and becoming experts at what they do which is knowing subtle ingrediants to songs that make people dance without them necessarily knowing why.Again, David Guetta, Will I am are great at this as are many others.

F: Once, I asked if you knew how to infuse other cultures, like Latin music into a wedding.  You said, “If you don’t know how to mix Latin music, then you’ve never DJ’d in New York.” What if I told you Frodo & Samwise were having a wedding – Hobbit style!  Can you still bring the house down?
Haha. Yes. I believe there is a KEY to every crowd. Pre Party preparation helps a lot by asking the client general information(age, ethnicity, where they’re from) about their guests and of course asking the client their own preferences. However, no amount of preparation  matters if you can’t read the party as it’s happening and if you can’t put together the music quickly that reflects the crowd you’re in front of. I am VERY skilled at this.

F: You’ve DJ’d some of the best venues in NYC.  How is The Foundry different  from some of the others you’ve done.
D: Well I’m pretty certain it’s the only Steel Foundry that’s been converted to a 1st rate event venue …possibly in the Country??  All kidding aside, the Foundry has Heart and Soul and character…..
I personally love the fact that the Foundry keeps upgrading it’s space like the new greenhouse and the new flooring. I also really appreciate it when I am there you(Jose) and Allison(owner)always make me and my staff feel so welcome. Feeling like I’m part of the family there certainly makes the client have an even better party!!!

F: You’re sweet. Thank you. Tell me, how do you unwind after each gig?
D: It depends what time the gig ends(day or night)…most end late at night in which my lovely wife Katherine always has my favorite foods available which I eat while watching repeats of Criminal minds, The Voice or while playing facebook Scrabble!!

F: Last question – can you try and list me ten of your favorite albums?
D: Wow. That’s tough. I’ll tell you what, you can really get to know what music I personally listen to by listening to my weekly podcast “Music First with DJ Dave Swirsky” found at: Musicfirst.podbean.com Beware of the many diverse styles of music(everything from Jay z to Hector Lavoie to the Beatles)

F: Looking forward to it!

The Foundry is owned and operated by Alison DuVal. The interview was conducted by Jose Rolon who is media director and event coordinator. The Foundry is one of the Premier Wedding and event spaces in New York.  Contact them!! http://thefoundry.info/index.php
718-786-7776

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Expressway Music DJ Dave Swirsky played Music for the pre-ceremony, Processional and Recessional(and provided the officiant with a microphone and speaker). It was a beautiful ceremony done by Christopher Frost Shelley the officiant.

After guests enjoyed cocktail hour to music provided by DJ Dave guests returned to the Ballroom for the reception which started with a beautiful tea ceremony honoring members of Bo’s family.

After the tea ceremony, DJ Dave Swirsky introduced the wedding party and bride and groom into the reception and then the dancing began….all night I might add!

The Groom Bo made a montage of him and Tracy that was shown during dinner on the projector and screen supplied by Expressway Music (as seen here with our decorative uplighting)

Bride and Groom were VERY attentive to their guests as they went around to each table and toasted them!!!!

Here is a photo of DJ Dave with officiant Christopher Shelley pre-Ceremony

Bouquet Toss!!

The Wedding was captured on Video by Wen Productions (Wen Wen Lin) and the wedding was overseen by Caitlin from the Roosevelt Hotel. We wish Bo and Tracy the best of luck and Thank you very much for using our services…it was our pleasure!!!!

From: Bo Zhou
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 4:42 PM
To: David Swirsky
Subject: thank you!

Hi David -

Tracy & I are very grateful for your help and that of your assistant!.  Everything was well coordinated and the event flowed really well, considering that we didn’t have a rehearsal.  You get a lot of credit for that. All in all we were superb happy and would definitely recommend people to you.
Also very glad that you, Wen & Christopher got along really well.  I really liked these two vendors as well, and hopefully you can refer business for each other.  Especially Christopher who is just starting out but is such a great officiant, any referrals for him would be most useful;)

Once again, thank you! It was such a pleasure working with you.

Bo & Tracy

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After a brief cocktail hour guests began singing right away….Here is a copy of the songs that were sung that night

Carrie Underwood-BEFORE HE CHEATS.mp3
Clapton Eric – Lay Down Sally
Cohn_ Marc – Walking In Memphis
Madonna – Material Girl
Standard – Amazing Grace
Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby
Queen – We Are The Champions
Madonna – Vogue.mp3
Elvis – It’s Now Or Never
Led Zeppelin – Rock And Roll.mp3
TLC – Waterfalls.MP3
Cash, Johnny – Jackson.mp3
Hall & Oates – Private Eyes
Guns N Roses – Welcome To The Jungle
Taylor Swift-Mean.zip
Lady Gaga-Bad Romance.zip
Bill Withers – Ain_t No Sunshine
Sinatra, Frank – Summer Wind
Madonna – La Isla Bonita.mp3
McCoy,_Travie_&_Bruno_Mars_-_Billionaire.zip
Green Day – Basket Case -
Abba – 02 – Dancing Queen.mp3
Seger, Bob – Old Time Rock N Roll
Rogers, Kenny & Dolly Parton – Islands In The Stream
Jefferson Airplane – White Rabbit
Bon Jovi-Livin_ On A Prayer
R.Kelly – Ignition(Remix).mp3
Dion & The Belmonts – Runaround Sue.mp3
Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love
Lauper_ Cyndi – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back -
Meatloaf – Paradise By The Dashboard light
Wonder_ Stevie – I Just Called To Say I Love You
Beatles – Ob La Di Ob La Da.mp3
Warwick & Friends – That’s What Friends Are For.mp3
Beatles – Hey Jude – DKE2004-06.MP3

From: Marion
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 4:14 PM
To: David Swirsky
Subject: Thank you

Hi David,

Thank you for a great evening.   We had some stars in the group for sure.   Will be in touch soon…..

Speak with you soon,

Marion

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The Vanderbilt Suites is a unique space operated by the Patina Restaurant group located in the Met Life Building.
Contact Jill Hafferty for more information about booking the space: 212-867-6245

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Scott and Annie held a Dance Party Wedding at the Beautiful and Unique event space the Foundry Last night.
Guests came from all over the country and (of all ages) came to celebrate their wedding.  Look at the fun they had
this guest is 73!!

Cocktail hour music was also provided by DJ Dave Swirsky while guests enjoyed the tasty food of Real Food Catering.

DJ Dave Swirsky pre-reception

Here is DJ Dave’s Assistant and fellow dj Taylor pre-reception

More dancing……..

Here is a photo of Gary from Real Food Catering, DJ Dave Swirsky and Jose from the Foundry after the wedding….

Thank you very much to Yen and Gary from Real Food Catering for once again producing another great wedding with stellar food!!! Also to, Jose and Allison from the Foundry and their beautiful new floor and greenhouse…what a great space! And of course to bride and groom, Scott and Annie, for putting together such a great event. We wish them much happiness and success!!!!

From: Annie Boccella
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 9:47 PM
To: David Swirsky
Subject: THANKS!

Hi Dave,
You are getting a special email direct from the Carribean because we can’t stop talking about the terrific job you did! We will send a proper thank you when we return, but we just wanted to thank you for hitting it out of the park for us. Many guests commented that they haven’t had that much fun in years. You definitely had a lot to do with that.

Thanks very much again. Hope to book you for our anniversary party!! So sad our wedding is over….

take care,
annie and scott

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Expressway Music provided our super popular Photos in Frames this past Saturday at a Bar Mitzvah at Play.

We provide unlimited photos to guests and put the photos in a frame for them to take home. It’s a great activity and favor for both kids and adults.

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DJ Dan seamlessly got the crowd dancing when they were done with the delicious dinner provided By Stefan and his staff at the Brasserie 81/2. Here is a photo of Dan’s Set up(notice the Bose speakers!)

Here is a photo of DJ Dan before guests came into the room….

Thank you to NYC Event Planner Lynn Silverman and Brasserie’s general manager Stefan for producing another successful event. Here’s more dancing….

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It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding this past saturday at Brooklyn’s Palm house at the Botanic Gardens. The ceremony was held outdoors in the gardens and the music was provided by Expressway Harpist Chrissy.

The Palm house is a spectacular wedding venue in Brooklyn NY. The food is perfect and the staff first rate. This wedding was expertly run by one of the top Maitre de’s in the Business Leigh.

Expressway Music owner/dj Dave Swirsky played great tunes that reflected the crowd and kept them dancing all wedding long….

DJ Dave set up pre-reception

The Decor was done beautifully and elegantly by wedding and event designer Ara Farnam from Rock Paper Scissors in NYC.

Thank you to Leigh from The Palm house for running another incredible event and  thank you and best of luck to bride and groom Michael and Kirstin!!!

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Expressway Music Disc Jockey Dave Swirsky played a diverse cocktail hour mix while guests filled up on the amazing food and drinks provided by the attentive PJ Clarke’s staff. Then the singing and dancing began with guest George starting out with  Ushers “DJ got us fallin’ in love”  and Tracy singing “Love is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar

DJ Dave was seamless in his transitions between Karaoke music and dance music and kept guests involved all evening.

Songs played and or performed last night included “moves like Jagger”, “Give Me everything”, “Last Dance”, “livin’ on a prayer” and much, much more!!!

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Lucien and Elizabeth were married on a beautiful, sunny day yesterday at Battery Park NYC Event venue in lower Manhattan Battery Gardens.
Bride and Groom also had a beautiful write up in the New York Times Wedding Section. 

Expressway Music DJ Dave Swirsky announced Bride and Groom into the Room to “You are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne and then into their first dance “Come away with me” by Norah Jones. Guests joined in soon after. Guests danced all reception long!

Here is a photo of DJ Dave and part of his set up pre reception:

We have dj’d many times at Battery Gardens and know the set up and acoustics VERY WELL. If you’re going to have anyone giving a speech make sure you have your band or dj add a third speaker at the far end of the room. This way EVERYONE will hear what is being said. For this wedding DJ Dave’s assistant, Taylor, set up a seperate bose speaker and wired microphone for all speeches and was on hand to gauge the volume levels. It worked out perfectly! Here is the father of the bride making welcoming speech.

The photo booth was also a big hit!!

DJ Dave literally covered all styles/genres of music for the diverse crowd…here’s more dancing….

and more….

From: Elizabeth Chuck
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2012 11:45 AM
To: David Swirsky
Subject: Thank you

Hey David,

You and Taylor were SO fantastic. I can’t thank you enough! Lucien said to me afterwards that he literally could not contain himself from dancing – and from what I could see, a lot of our guests felt exactly the same way, including some of our 80-year-old guests! Congratulations on a job well done. Thank you thank you thank you- you achieved exactly what we were hoping for and more. You played a great mix of music, making all age groups happy… My dad’s friend who had requested that ’50s song lit up with excitement when he heard you play it. He had printed out the lyrics to it for me and everything! Thank you so much again… you guys did GREAT.
Oh, and as for our honeymoon- thank you for asking about that, too. Wow, did we love Bucuti! I can see why you and your wife love it! Maybe we’ll see you there sometime, if we’re lucky enough to get over there again!
Thanks so much, David- you and Taylor created a great vibe at our wedding. We’re so grateful to you!

Thanks for being a part of our day,

Elizabeth and Lucien

A big thank you to the Bride and Groom for throwing such a wonderful party and to Battery Garden’s maitre de Eddie who always runs a great event!  Here are some photos right outside the venue:

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The party was held in the Firms offices and employees sang all night (our photo boothwas also a HUGE hit..you can see it in the back round here)

More singing……..

and even more….

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Expressway Music provided the DJ(DJ Alberto)and Emcee(Dan Kingman) and Photo Booth.

Everyone LOVED the Photobooth also!

Kids and adults danced all night….

The Kids LOVED the Expressway Music raffle as presented by Emcee Dan Kingman

Thank you very much to the staff at 404 tenth ave and Savory and Sweet catering and to Ruby and her family. It was a GREAT night!

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Courtney and Greg had a fantastic wedding yesterday in Long Island. DJ Dave Swirsky was the disc jockey.

DJ Dave was assisted by his wife Katherine who helped line up the bridal party for introductions and with many other details of the party. Here is Katherine and DJ Dave pre-reception.(poorly taken by DJ Dave on his iphone:)

Here is very proud Poppa (Richard Whitfield) dancing with his Daughter the bride Courtney to “Kind and Generous” by Natalie Merchant

The Brides father, Richard Whitfield, was a former long time vocalist for Expressway Music and a close personal friend of DJ Dave.

Everyone at Expressway Music congratulates Courtney and Greg on their wedding and Courtney’s very proud Father Richard!!!!!

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Shelly Talan once again produced an amazing event which helps kids, stricken with cancer, and they’re families escape and have fun for a few hours.The Ronald McDonald House NYC is a wonderful organization!

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To say there was a lot of dancing is an understatement!!

Lexi had over 100 friends and her closest family members in attendance. Here are Lexi’s wonderful parents Elliot and Karen enjoying the party.

Expressway Music DJ Dave Swirsky dj’d the party and Expressway Music also provided the Photobooth (as seen below)

More Dancing!

Top New York City PhotoJournalist Jayd Gardina was the photographer for the Sweet 16 and was loved by all!

and more dancing………..

Lexi’s parents each gave a heart warming speech first thanking friends and family for helping them celebrate with Lexi and then each gave a loving, personal toast to Lexi. It was a beautiful moment.

Thank you to Dora from Club Illusions for helping run a truly perfect party. Thank you to DJ Dave’s assistant Taylor, and mostly a big thank you to Karen, Lexi’s mom, for Producing the party and to Lexi’s dad Elliot!!!

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Sam and his friends and family had a joyous, fun Bar Mitzvah on Saturday. DJ, Emcee and Magician were provided by Expressway Music NYC. The Bar Mitzvah was held at the Beautiful
Harvest on the Hudson Restaurant in Hastings NY. 

DJ Dave Swirsky played a great mix of music that appealed to both the kids and adults. Emcee Dan Kingman(pictured above) conducted the raffle including trivia on multiple subjects, games (including an extended game of Coke and Pepsi..see video below) and kept the energy of the party up and fun all party long

Expressway Music also had there Magician Dennis for the first two hours of the party doing strolling slight of hand magic for both the kids and adults. He was a huge hit!

Thank you to Regina and her staff at Harvest on the Hudson for running a perfect Bar Mitzvah! Congratulations and Thank you to Debra and her son Sam on a Wonderful Bar Mitzvah!!!!

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Diana and Kevin were married on Friday and had a dance filled reception Friday night at popular
NYC Wedding Venue The Alger House.   After DJ Dave Swirsky introduced the wedding party and bride and groom into the room the dancing begun and didn’t stop all night!

Here’s a video of the Happy Bride & Groom dancing to Usher.

As usual Jeno and his staff at the Alger house did a spectacular job running the wedding. The food is also always first rate at the Alger house.
Because the Bride and Groom love to dance there weren’t many “formalities” during the wedding. DJ Dave kept guests dancing for the better part of 4.5 hours!

From: Kevin Quinn
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 2:18 PM
To: David Swirsky
Subject: thank you

Hi David,

Thanks so much for doing such an amazing job at our wedding. We have gotten so many compliments about how much fun everyone had – from my 20yr old cousin to Diana’s 85 year old grandma. Your ability to cater to the energy of the crowd and keep people on the dance floor was truly fantastic. People of all age groups have said it was a truly amazing party. We will be recommending you to anyone we know who needs a great DJ. Thanks again. You helped make the most special day in our lives into an amazing celebration.

Thanks again,
Kevin and Diana

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The U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University and the Student Veterans of America held their 2nd annual Military Ball Thursday night at the Low Library.
Expressway Music disc jockey Dave Swirsky provided the music for dinner and dancing. 

The Low Library has very high ceilings and the acoustics are fantastic. Here is a photo from high above.

Here’s a photo of DJ Dave Swirsky before guests arrived in the room.

DJ Dave played an eclectic mix of music for dinner including songs by Rumer, Adele, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys, and many more. For dancing DJ Dave played numerous genres and artists including Rihanna, LMFAO, Biggie, Kayne West, Ben Folds(slow dance) and much, much more.

The Ball was emceed by fellow officer Azur who did a spectacular job as host.

 
Thank you very much To Benjamin and to the U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University. It was a great night!!!

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