Experiences of a rural DJ
Anniversary Party
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CJ the DJ (Chris Holman): Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2012 5:24 PM
 I began my DJ work at the closest gay bar to my home, the Rainbow Cattle Company in Dummerston, Vermont (30 miles away) fifteen years ago this summer. The local GLBT Community has been amazing to work with over the years, & collectively I have worked with dozens of AIDS Service Organizations, drag queens, talented singers, community leaders & community-minded businesses.  Nothing pleases me more greatly than living in a part of the country where individuals have come together to recognize that outdated thinking about love & human relationships needs to be removed from our legal system to truly recognize individual relationships, promoting everyone’s health; marriage equality has been the greatest change in our society in my lifetime & I cannot fully convey how deeply it continues to touch me & the lives of my friends & family.    Please continue supporting these causes because we are still a small minority of modern civilization with these rights. I encourage everyone to become part of PFLAG, because wherever you are in the rainbow, it has the ideals & cultural awareness to represent us in the upcoming national arena. I am thankful we have outstanding leadership in our region in the Barry Family, particularly Bobbie whose amazing ability to articulate the needs of the human soul has brought her to the forefront of our national campaigns. There are countless times I have turned to her for support over the years on a variety of projects & her dependability & commitment has been second to none in our community. Thank you. This year, I have three amazing GLBT events that I shall be hosting: Granite State Gay Men Pride Dinner & Dance (6/16 in Concord) National Coming OUT Day Business Expo & Fashion Show (10/11 in Keene) World AIDS Day Dinner & Dance (12/1 in Brattleboro) All events are for non-profit organizations, with the second two directly benefiting Twin States Network, a non-profit for whom I sit on their Board of Directors. In that capacity, I ask you now to consider being a charter donor for the organization this year as federal HIV funding is changed. For $500, you will be added to their website, given a spot at the expo for your business & tickets to our December event. There are some amazing speakers, entertainers & other surprises for both events & space is limited. Anybody who would like to volunteer to be on either event committee or to help those days is welcomed & your help would be greatly appreciated.  The GSGM Pride Dance has been selling tickets for a couple months for 200 dinner spots; those tickets are selling out, with only several dozen left. $20 for a wonderful dinner, great entertainment & dancing or $100 to be a sponsor for the event, AND you still get two tickets, plus the chance to talk at the event. It has been a great privilege working with Jeffrey from Human Touch Massage & many volunteers over the past few months to put this event together. Our dances at the Breezeway have been a lot of fun, with the Sunday crowds filling the bar to capacity. Working with Chris & his crew from Grip Lighting, I know we shall bring you a light & video show unlike anything you are accustomed to in our state!  Personally, I have not hosted a gathering for the GLBTcommunity in quite a while, although I have thrown quite a few memorable ones in the past fifteen years. This year, I am hosting a gay men’s pot luck at my beachfront property on Rockwood Pond on Saturday, June 30 from 11 AM – 5 PM. DJ McKay (Breezeway, Manchester) will be kicking us off from 11-1, & DJ Alan (Cirque, Lowell) will be entertaining through the afternoon. It is BYOB & pot luck. There will be swimming, boating, horseshoes, bocce, volleyball, games & other activities. At five o’clock the pace changes, we open up the attendance to our friends in the larger community, with live music from Santa Croce, a bonfire & whatever adventures the Zebra Party may have in store… To attend either event, you must RSVP, especially if you want to camp.  2012 has already been an amazing year, with lots of great events, but I know the best is just around the corner. If you haven’t had a chance, check out my interview with the talented Mama Savannah Georgia on her television show “Mama Knows Best”. It was an honor to work with her & I look forward to our upcoming events together, including our Fashion Show at the GLBT Business Expo & our World AIDS Day dinner, dance & toy drive conclusion…  Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, & I hope you become a fan on Facebook to remain involved in my activities. If you have an upcoming special event & would like professional entertainment, give me a call & we can discuss availability & pricing. |
Upcoming Gigs, GLBT, PRIDE, Anniversary Party, Freedom to Marry, Tea Dance, Fitzwilliam, Business Expo, World AIDS Day, Facebook, Barbecue, DJ, Santa Croce, Volleyball, Zebra Party, 15th Anniversary, Granite State Gay Men, Mama Savannah Georgia, Rainbow Cattle Company
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CJ the DJ a.k.a. Chris Holman :-): Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2012 6:32 PM
Time… it’s our most valuable resource. We only have so much availability & that is why each choice we make, each life celebration & important shared moment, with family or community, should be uniquely appreciated. Although events may have repetition, circumstances, conditions & attitudes shape each experience. It seems almost unbelievable when I think back of all the incredible DJ experiences I have had the past decade & half. Dozens of weddings become hundreds of weddings over the years, & I cherish each one. Similarly, I have personally worked with dozens of non-profits, community groups, and veterans’ halls, raising hundreds of thousands over the years for worthwhile causes.  There is a lot of work that goes on that most will never see. The planning for each event is a process in itself, which is also enjoyable. There is a bond when people work on special events together, especially when they come to fruition. I am so thankful for all of you, my clients, neighbors, event vendors, local business owners… Your support is heartwarming, your company is fun & I am humbled to be the host of so many wonderful events.  My memory is filled with a rich history for almost every song or artist; their meaning becomes enriched with each important moment it’s played or opportune time it’s sung, professionally or at our local eateries. Certain combinations can make me laugh aloud or tear up. I look ahead at the amazing events still to come, & am excited at the prospects of making new friendships & reacquainting with many older ones.2012 is an especially significant year in the community & I look forward to kicking off several celebrations, including the 250th anniversary of the Town of Fitzwilliam & the 50th anniversary of my alma mater, Franklin Pierce University. I look forward to working with the Alumni Board to create some great programming in social networking events & community involvement. For each event, there is a weekend of activities & I begin both with a Friday night dance; the first will be July 27th at the Fitzwilliam Town Common & the latter will be September 28th at the Woodbound Inn.  Personally, there are many significant anniversaries in 2012, too. My grandparents, Betty & Leo Short recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. My grandmother, Esther Holman, will be turning 90 this summer as well; it is amazing to think she has personally witnessed more than a third of my town’s history. I enjoy my weekly Tuesday lunches with my grandparents as I do any special event!For me, it has been fifteen years this summer since I first stepped into the DJ booth at the Rainbow Cattle Company. My only microphone experience had been doing the morning announcements at MRHS, including social events & the daily pledge of allegiance. I was born tongue tied & had to see a speech pathologist in elementary school to learn not to slur my soft-spoken words, so I never imagined that as an adult I would become requested to do so much public speaking, often a year or two before an event. It is amazing the experiences we have during life’s journeys!  This summer, I want to invite you to a very dear event, My Zebra Party. It has been years since I have hosted a community gatheringat my home (last year’s party at the legion was the dayof the hurricane) & thanking my friends & supporters as CJ the DJ seems like a fantastic reason to bring family & neighbors together. I am blessed to share an amazing home & waterfront property with my family & I would like to invite you to bring your bathing suits, warmer campfire clothes & personal drinks to a beach party.  The Zebra theme is to encourage people to wear black & white. There will be incredible food from many of the local restaurants with whom I work, including Ed’s Crossroads Pizza & Subs, The Dragon Palace Restaurant & J.P. Stephens. If you too would like to bring a dish to share, or something to personally grill, please feel free to do so. There is room for travelers to camp, but RSVP early. There will be a best tent set-up contest with a $25 gift certificate to be awarded by our judge Ed, from Ed's Crossroads. We would like to get the camping area set earlier during the day. We have prepared cleared areas along trails, with trails also going to the facilities & beach. This is an adult only party (17-21 okay with a parent). There will be games, including volleyball, & great entertainment by the very taleted local band, Santa Croce.So bring your beach chairs, your cameras, your bug spray & your friends & let’s make another night of fun memories.. I thank YOU for everything… I shall be taking off the next several days from work, so that I may spend time with friends that are flying in from out ofstate. That Monday, Joe Doku & Hannah Nichols from Phoenix will be hosting a beach day at the pond, a reunion for any MRHS friends that would like to spend a family day on the water (kids are welcome, too). The Zebra Party is only two months away, so mark your calendars, RSVP on Facebook or send me a text with whom you are bringing:603-852-6185.  If my DJ services have made you smile, brought your family together or helped your charitable cause, please take a moment & suggest my page to your friends & family & write me a reference on social media sites; for every one that you do, I shall give you a ten dollar credit in a gift certificate, up to $100 (ten sites) that you can use or give to somebody else to use for their event. While you are responding & inviting your friends, be sure you encourage everyone to RSVP because there will be security for this event & people helping with parking. If you would like to volunteer to help, please let me know; I need everything from bonfire tenders, kitchen organizers, golf cart taxis, etc. Thank you all so much!  I am looking forward to a great summer 2012 & seeing you again! |
Upcoming Gigs, Anniversary Party, References/Referrals, Fitzwilliam, Franklin Pierce University, JP Stephens, Facebook, Family, Barbecue, DJ, Ed's Crossroads Pizza & Subs, Santa Croce, Swimming & Boating, The Dragon Palace Restaurant, Volleyball, Zebra Party
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Christopher John Holman (CJ the DJ): Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 12:08 AM
  When I think about writing about my hometown, it is difficult for me to know how to begin. I love being part of a smaller community & having a close-knit multi-generational family all within my neighborhood. Cousins, aunts & uncles live within hundreds of yards of me, & we are fortunate to have many memories of family gatherings for every possible occasion. Particularly close with my classmate & cousin (Melanie) & my younger sister (Heidi), we spent much of our childhood learning & playing together. When the town of Fitzwilliam celebrated its 225th anniversary, the three of us played leading roles in a skit about our town’s founders. We were the last generation of Fitzwilliam preschoolers who were educated in the town hall in the early 80’s & as elementary school students,we performed our spring & holiday concerts there. Our love of music continued into junior high as we created roller skating & dance routines, like one MRHS favorite to C&C Music Factory. As a teen, I remember being contracted by Good Morning America (5/11/92) to aim a spotlight they had setup in the hall’s bell tower when they did their New England tour & thinking about what an amazing place in which I live. I realized at that point how much my family did in the community, both in terms of their businesses & with their volunteerism.  While in college, I became president of the board working with the historic Patch Place at Rhododendron State Park, before the snowstorm destroyed the barn. I was also appointed a commissioner by the selectmen for a four year term on the Southwest Regional Planning Commission. The amount of organizations in town for whom I volunteered for summers, special events & other occasions/services include our recreation program, library, historical society, garden club, sewing circle, after school program, fire departments, etc. I love the kinship of a smaller community & how, if properly nurtured, can create a stronger connection than business networks or government organizing could ever produce. To see multiple grassroots barn & house risings, or the neighborly response to a temporal hardship like a great ice storm, is awe-inspiring & heartwarming.   I reflect often on how much more change my parents & grandparents see; my paternal grandmother turns 90 two weeks after the town anniversary, and has always lived in town. I have helped her organize photos from several generations that have lived in our same home, attending our same school. I can only imagine my family's community involvement from what I read in town histories. I hear from my family’s experience the important roles of the granite quarries, trains, Finnish dancehalls & other activities from times past. I love the fact that both my grandparents are native of this beautiful town & enjoy looking at many of their pictures from when they lived in the Fitzwilliam Depot in the 1940’s.  Another picture shows the 50th anniversary of Dr. Emerson’s practice as a doctor for this region, one of our most prominent citizens & our community's grandest moments.It is with great excitement that this July, on the eve of my town’s birthday celebration (& coincidentally Mom’s birthday too), I shall be starting the weekend’s party with a Common Kick-Off Dance, right on the town common. Starting with an Ed's Crossroads Pizza Party at 5:30PM, (next to the fountain dedicated to one of my local heroes, Jane Fiske), families will gather & dance to music from each decade. spanning generations. There will be educational music from 6-8PM & general dance music thereafter. During the first part, multiple guests from the community will be instructing in various styles of dance. There will also be a dessert pot luck, with a good. ol' fashioned taste testing contest!   ShareJust a little more than four months until I get to play one of the most unique & meaningful gigs & I am psyched! This “Emerson Reunion”* will be the first event of its type & a great opportunity for old friends & distant family members to reconnect, while instilling in our youngest generation a love for all the great things that make our town so incredibly special… "It really is a moment in time that will never happen again so we need to acknowledge it and give it respect. Our forefathers were tough, as we are now, so let’s make a fun event that celebrates all of us – past & present!" Bonnie Jones - Co Chair of 250th Committee (3/23/12) PRESS RELEASE by Coni Porter Fitzwilliam 250th Common Kick Off!! Friday, July 27th from 5:30 - 10:00 A spectacular beginning to Fitzwilliam's anniversary weekend - bring your family, your appetite, and your dancing shoes!!
• Food and Drink A free piece of pizza and drink await the lucky first 250 residents who have one of the "250 Anniversary" printed tickets in their hands. Look for them at town-wide locations over the next 3 months. Note: Tickets are not mandatory for attendance - everyone is invited to bring a picnic dinner and blanket.
• Potluck Dessert Contest Calling all pastry and dessert chefs (and absolutely everyone else) - bring your biggest, best, and most delectable desserts to put on display, be judged, and then eaten by everyone. There is nothing like a competition to bring out the best from the kitchen. All in good fun "winning certificates" will be awarded in different categories by our resident food officiants and the whole town will enjoy the sweets.
• Dancing thru Time Our own CJ the DJ will spin us back through time, playing the "best of the best" songs from 2012 backwards into the days of pre-revolutionary 1762, the year of our "birth". Come move to the music of your favorite tunes, learn little-known facts about Fitzwilliam's history, and even dance the Polka, Charleston, and Jitterbug! Quick dance demonstrations will be shown for the older dance steps, and everyone will be encouraged to give them a try.
• Past Memories and Future Dreams Look for an indoor environment... sitting outdoors. An antique desk, chair, and lamp will transport you to another era as you contribute to the Fitzwilliam 250th Anniversary Book. We will, all, be co- authors together - recording our shared lives here and now, 250 years after the first Fitzwilliam settlers dreamed of what the future would hold for them.
• Common Lights The Fitzwilliam Common will be a spectacle to behold, something you won't see for another 250 years. |
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CJ the DJ (Chris Holman): Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2011 3:09 PM
Fortunate as a child to be raised on the same road as Meadowood County Area Fire Department, I have witnessed how important it is for a community to help each other in times of need. MCAFD is a volunteer non-profit privately funded fire department and training center located in Fitzwilliam, NH. Generations of my family have played various roles in the department’s history. My father has been a member for forty years, and my parents had their marriage reception at the Assembly Hall thirty five years ago this past Valentine’s Day.  The members of the department have are a large part of my life and I have many memories of fire schools, auctions, spaghetti dinners, and more. Last year I enjoyed researching some of the history of the department, and learned about an aunt that sewed the first curtains and that my grandfather used to be one of the first janitors after special events. It is with this knowledge of how large of a role this non-profit venue has played in my family’s life that I am happy to create a new Super Special Deal to help raise money for the Meadowood County Area Fire Department. For $400, you can rent the upstairs of the building for graduations, birthdays, retirement parties, baby & bridal showers, and other non-alcoholic events and get up to four hours of entertainment by CJ the DJ. By discounting my services, $150 will go directly to MCAFD, doubling what they would normally make for an event while you save $200 from my regular DJ costs. It also saves you $75 from what a normal local event plus rental would normally cost… If you would like to use the downstairs and kitchen, there will be additional costs. Early reservations are recommended. To check upon the Assembly Hall’s availability, please call Winston Wright at 603-209-1367. To check on CJ the DJ’s availability, please call me at 603-852-6185 or send me an email to cjholman@hotmail.com . Working together, we can make a big difference supporting our hometown community organization. |
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DJ Chris Holman: Posted on Tuesday, February 08, 2011 4:23 PM
Referral Incentive Program Save HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS on your next event!! Referrals are the cornerstone to building a good entertainment business. Especially when dealing with once in a lifetime event, it is important to know that your DJ is dependable, engaging, able to adapt & prepared for any type of emergency. It is through personal referrals that most people pick vendors for their weddings, anniversaries, fund-raisers, and other special event plans. As an individual, I recognize how time consuming writing these referrals for websites can be and I wanted to create a rewards system for the people and businesses that take that time to recommend my business to others. For up to ten websites that you give positive reviews of my services, I shall give you a gift certificate of $10 per review. REPEAT CHARITIES WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR NEXT EVENT FOR THE LOW COST OF $100!! My recommendation is to write one overall reference that you can copy and paste, and do all ten from the list below at once. When finished send an email to me (cjholman@hotmail.com) and I shall email you the coupon. For less than an hour of your time, you can save $150-$200 on your next party or get a coupon to give to a friend or family member for their party. For venues, vendors (photographers, caterers, restaurants, bars, etc.) with whom I collaborate that provide the ten references, I offer to entertain a company holiday party or summer workplace outing for the low cost of $200 (Sun.-Fri.). Again, let me know that you have submitted the reviews and I shall be glad to respond with reviews of your services or industry as well. This is a great way to do company parties that recognize the value of your employees. I appreciate the great teamwork I have experienced with many wonderful venues & their staffs. For brides & grooms, the most important referrals for a DJ, I also add the possibility of doing an anniversary party (Sunday-Friday) for $200. These certificates will not expire, so you can use it to celebrate your first, fifth, or twentieth anniversary. Due to the new nature of the program, I shall honor all referrals, even for weddings done more than a decade ago. If you have any questions, please let me know. I enjoy deeply the strong, long-lasting relationships I create with my couples and would be honored to help reunite the friends and family that attend your unions and receptions. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email or call me. I sincerely appreciate your help with this important step in my business development. Below there is a list of websites with which I advertise that reviews can be left: 1. Facebook (CJ the DJ fan page) 2. Eventective 3. Wedding Wire 4. Thumbtack 5. PartyBlast 6. Eventful 7. Yahoo 8. Purple Unions 9. LinkedIn 10. Email me for use on my personal website. (**Additional Bonus** $50.00 off your next event total or added to coupon if you provide 5 pictures or video highlights of your event for promotional use) |
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