For routing, avails and pricing for Headline Dueling Pianos performances, call 248.398.9711 x 122 or send email to jasons@lorioross.com. 

Bad Company

Jeff Dunham,  Martina McBride,  Ziggy Marley

Faith Hill,  Blue Oyster Cult,  Adam Lambert

Ratt,  Dokken,  Sammy Hagar

B-52s,  Styx,  Joan Jett

Wierd Al Yankovic,  Gary Hoey,  ZZ Top

HISTORY OF THE OC FAIR

The fair first took place in the year 1890 and consisted of some minor exhibits in Santa Ana and a horse race. From 1889 to 1894 the fair was run by the Orange County Community Fair Corporation, but was then taken over by the Orange County Fair Association, Inc. Early fairs mainly consisted of horse races and livestock shows, but around 1900 new attractions were added and the fair become a yearly occurrence. At that time, the fair was located in Santa Ana, except for a brief period after World War I, when it was moved to Huntington Beach.

Starting in 1916, the fair was managed by the Orange County Farm Bureau. An Orange County Fair Board was elected in 1925, and the fair was moved to Anaheim with the addition of a rodeo and carnival. Following World War II the 32nd District Agricultural Association was formed by the state of California, and it took on the task of running the fair. The state purchased land from the Santa Ana Army Air Base and set some of it aside for use as a new fairgrounds. In 1949 the fair became a five day long event and was relocated to the old army base, which quickly became the permanent location. The city of Costa Mesa was incorporated in 1953 with the fair residing in its boundaries; it has been the home of the fair ever since.

OC Fair Attendance History

Year Attendance
2009 1,070,061[1]
2008 1,062,673[1]
2007 1,090,653
2006 924,315
2005 1,058,192
2004 963,984
2003 881,596
2002 898,197
2001 843,347
2000 808,810
1999 724,561
1998 723,061
1997 785,944

Dueling Pianos International looks forward to making new friends this year in Costa Mesa, California.  We’ll see you at the OC Fair!

www.duelingpianoshows.com

All Brides and Grooms who contact Dueling Pianos International have one thing in common — they want to offer their guests something DIFFERENT.  Watching a Dueling Pianos perfomance in a traditional Dueling Piano bar is a unique and excitiing experience.  Likewise, Dueling Piano wedding receptions can be a great time.  However, if scrupulous attention is not given to the itinerary of events and the physical layout of your facility, your Dueling Pianos Wedding Reception may not yeild the energy and excitement that you witnessed at Crocodile Rocks, Howl at the Moon, Ernie Biggs or RumRunners.   

The consultants at Dueling Pianos International have years of experience in Wedding Entertainment and have served as Wedding Planners at Lorio Ross Sterling Entertainment, the largest Wedding Entertaiment agency in the Midwest.  For more information on incorporating the Dueling Pianos concept into your wedding reception, please visit www.duelingpianoshows.com or contact Lorio Ross Sterling Entertainment at 248.398.9711.  The information provided in this post will serve as a checklist for setting up the proper environment for a Dueling Pianos Wedding Reception. 

Setting up a proper environment for a traditional wedding reception is a relatively simple task:  Cocktail Hour followed by dinner, toasts, featured dances and then it’s party time!  This formula has been used for centuries and is always successful if you have hired professional entertainers to facilitate each event of the evening.  However, one must plan for a different series of events when considering featuring the Dueling Pianos concept at a wedding reception.

When considering Dueling Pianos for wedding entertainment, the first question to ask is, “How does dueling pianos differ from a band or DJ?”  The answer is simple:  a traditional band leader’s main objective at a wedding reception is to get people on the dance floor and KEEP them on the dance floor.  Although over the past 20 years the dueling pianos concept has evolved to include dancing, getting people on the dance floor is NOT the main objective of a good Dueling Pianos team.  So, how is dancing included in a good Dueling Pianos Wedding performance?

THE DUELING PIANO WEDDING RECEPTION PERFORMANCE

A good Dueling Pianos performance will consist of the following, IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER: 

1)  2 or 3 opening songs where the audience can sing or shout out the “hook” of a song

2) The entertainers should, in a fun and entertaining way, ”outline” the Dueling Pianos Concept for those in the audience who have never witnessed a piano performance of this kind.

3)  Entertainers will then perform several requests from the audience

4) Entertainers will then “call out” members of the audience to the stage for light-hearted roasts.

5) Enterainers continue to take requests and incorporate songs which showcase their talent

6) The last 20 or 30 minutes of a good Dueling Pianos Wedding performance should be performed in a way that welcomes the entire audience to the dance floor allowing the entertainers to end their featured performance and make a natural transition from Dueling Pianos to DJ entertainment.

Although the video below is of a smaller casual Dueling Pianos Corporate  performance, the above 6 steps are followed.

THE DUELING PIANOS WEDDING RECEPTION (PHYSICAL LAYOUT OF FACILITY)

When planning a Dueling Pianos wedding reception, realize that some of your guests will want to start dancing immediately.  Let’s face it, you can’t make your guests remain seated at your reception;  some people will actually feel cheated out of their evening if they can’t dance whenever they wish.  So, how do we allow guests to dance without disrupting the featured sing along / comedy performance for everyone else?  Here’s how:

It is common practice for guests to stay off of the dance floor until the Bride and Groom have had their first dance.  At a Dueling Pianos Wedding Reception, it’s best to feature the Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, Bridal Party and Bride and Groom dances BEFORE the Dueling Pianos performance begins.  This will allow any guests who may wish to dance during the Dueling Pianos performance to do so without breaking traditional protocal.  Dueling Pianos International likes to recommend the East Coast Style Wedding for this very reason.  For more information on the East Coast Style Wedding, please CLICK HERE.

Placement of the dance floor must also be given careful consideration.  Whenever possible, the dance floor should be place to the side of the stage (seen below) so guests who wish to dance can do so without blocking the view of those who wish to participate in the Dueling Pianos show.

A perfect set up for a Dueling Pianos Wedding

Not the best set up for a Dueling Pianos Wedding Reception

Dueling Pianos / Wedding Receptions and “Tipping”

One of the concerns all Brides and Grooms have when planning a Dueling Pianos wedding reception involves the notion of “tipping”.  In traditional Dueling Piano venues, it is no secret that the entertainers incorporate tipping into their performances.  Some entertainers will take the notion of “tipping” to the point of upsetting people watching the show.  Dueling Pianos International NEVER allows their entertainers to place tip jars on pianos at Corporate/Private or Wedding Dueling Piano performances.  Simply put, asking your guests to tip the entertainers at your wedding reception is in poor taste.  

At the same time, the concept of Dueling Pianos focuses on “letting the audience be in control of the show” – to a degree.  If “tips” are removed from the performnce, a certain element of fun and excitement is removed from the performance.  For this reason, we like to offer a recommendation of allowing the entertianers to incorporate ”tips” in the performance while making it abundantly clear that ALL tips will be donated to the Bride and Groom’s favorite charity.  We have found that 50% of our Brides and Grooms find this idea appealinng.  In any event, the  chice is completely up to the Bride and Groom.

In summary, Dueling Pianos provided by Dueling Pianos International (www.duelingpianoshows.com) is excited to be a part of your wedding reception.  Our wedding entertainment consultants will work with you to develop an itinerary of events and a suitable physical layout of your banuet facility that will create a unique atmosphere of class and excitement.  Call us today at 248.398.9711 to start planning your dream wedding today!

New York Dueling Piano performances are not only a hit with New York fortune 500 companies, ticketed banquet events, and weddings, they are also very popular at Universities for students activities and events.  For a video preview of Dueling Pianos international’s latest performance at Notre Dame University, please see the video below or call 248.398.9711 to ask for a DVD to be mailed directy to your address:

Recent New York Dueling Pianos International Performances include:

Mickey Spillanes – East Chester NEW YORK
Union College – Schenectady NEW YORK

Mirror Lake Inn — Lake Placid {Dueling Pianos New York}

Danfords Hotel and Marina — Port Jefferson, New York

New York Chiropractic College — Seneca Falls (New York Dueling Pianos)

First Arena — Elmira, New York

Canisius College — Buffalo, New York

SUNY Oswego — Oswego (New York College Dueling Pianos)

The Pearl — Albany {DUELING PIANOS NEW YORK}

**For more resources on hiring and booking Dueling Pianos in New York, vist www.duelingpianoshows.com or www.LRSCOLLEGEENTERTAINMENT.COM  or call 248.398.9711 **

Dec 12 — Cedar Rapids Marriot

January 8 — Collins Plaza Hotel and Convention Center

January 16 — A Touch of Class Banquet and Convention Center

February 24 — Coralville Mariott

February 26 — Elmcrest Country Club

Dueling Pianos near Cedar Rapids

Both Dueling Pianos International and The Funkeys are slated for several other events near Cedar Rapids, IA in 2010.  Please check back for updates.  For Booking Information please contact Jason Scarcelli at Lorio Ross Sterling Entertainment at 248.398.9711 x 122.

Dueling Pianos International, founded in 1999 by Lorio Ross Sterling Entertainment, specializes in nationwide Dueling Piano shows for private and corporate settings, providing full production including Grand Pianos, Sound Reinforcement and Lighting.  Dueling Pianos International has  performed for corporate functions and wedding at the following ohio venues.

{DUELING PIANOS OHIO}

The Oaks Club — Dueling Pianos OH (Sidney, OH)

Findlay Elks Club (OHIO Dueling Pianos)

The Crystal Room –  Dueling Pianos in ohio (Troy, OH)

Hope Hotel and Conference Center — Ohio Dueling Piano Shows

Ampitheatre Defiance — OHIO DUELING PIANO PLAYERS

Capital University – Columbus Dueling Pianos and College Dueling Pianos

Hilton Hotel – Toledo Dueling Pianos (Toledo, OH)

Holiday Inn French Quarter (Toledo Dueling Piano Bars)

Toledo Museum of Art – {Dueling Pianos Toledo}

Catawba Island Club – ohio dueling pianos

Valentine Theatre — Dueling Pianos in OH

The Pinnacle — Maumee, OH dueling Pianos

For more information on how you can bring DUELING PIANOS INTERNATIONAL to your next Corporate Function, Wedding or Featured Nightclub Event, please visit www.duelingpianoshows.com .

THE FUNKEYS

The Funkeys Traveling Dueling Pianos show will be making several trips to the great state of TEXAS this year.  Dan Satterberg and Marshall Charloff  have been performing the Dueling Pianos concept for over a decade.  “It’s been years since I’ve performed Dueling Pianos in Texas”, Dan said to me in a recent phone conversation.  Dan Satterberg began performing the Dueling Pianos concept in the early 9os and spent a great deal of time in Texas at Little Ditties and Alley Cats DUELING PIANOS TEXAS clubs.  He went on to say, “The crowds in the South Central States have a really genuine enthusiasm for sing along, not to mention the weather is a bit more tolerable in the winter months.” 

New Year’s Eve will wittness a great event in Odessa, Dueling Pianos Texas Style, at the MCM Elegante.  The Funkeys are also slated for Texas Dueling Piano performances in Dallas, Houston and possibly Amarillo for the month of October, 2009.  The Funkeys often find themselves wearing wacky props during their show and are may possibly break out their Cowboy Hats for Dueling Pianos Texas Style.    I’ve only been to Texas a few times and I did see Dueling Pianos in Texas, but I didn’t see too many people wearing cowboy hats.  Marshall Charloff of The Funkeys would much rather wear a cowboy hat as opposed to the 18th century costume (wig included) reqired for a Fundraiser for the Jodi House in late October, 2009 in Santa Barbara, California.

In any event, Texas Dueling Piano bars and Texas Dueling Piano private events will be in for a treat when The Funkeys Traveling Dueling pianos show comes to a venue in Texas.  Visit www.thefunkeys.net for more information on this great Veteran Dueling Piano team.  They look forward to being a part of your next Dueling Piano event in Texas soon.

Dueling Pianos in Texas Video Preview of The Funkeys (below)

Joe Peraino not only services Special Events in Michigan and in the Midwest; he is contracted by corporations nation wide.  He has recently serviced events for the following corporations at the following locations:

 Diamler Chrysler at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, TX  {Texas Event Production}

National CMHC/ Mis User Group in Hershey, PA {Pennsylvania Event Production}

Special Events at Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA {PA Event Production}

Troy Marriot MICHIGAN EVENT PRODUCTION

Michigan Association of Insurance Agents –  Michigan Event Production — Hyatt Regency Hotel

Ford Motor Company — Lorio Ross Sterling Entertainment (www.lorioross.com)

Phillip Morris — The Inn at Bay Harbor — Michigan Event Production

MTI Advertising at City Center Plaza –  Event Production in Michigan

3M — Ypsilanti, Marriott — Michigan Event Production Specialist

Comerica Park — Detroit Event Production

WJBK – Fox 2 — Michigan Event Production

University of Cincinnatti — Event Production OHIO

St Charles Health Foundation — Ohio EVENT PRODUCTION

One of the most popular headlining bands featured at many events Joe Peraino is contracted to facilitate is seen bolow:

Although Dueling Pianos International consists of the largest nation wide network of professional Dueling Piano players who are available for travel anywhere in the United States, Canada and abroad, a large number of our entertainers live in MICHIGAN.  Performing in Pub 13 (Ypsilanti, MI), Coco Joe’s (Mt. Pleasant, MI) and Rumrunners every W through Su, we also perform at many Country Clubs and Banquet facilities for featured/ticketed performances, private/corporate events and weddings.  We’ve compiled a list of all the venues in which we have performed DUELING PIANOS in MICHIGAN in 2009 (seen below).

 DUELING PIANOS MICHIGAN  Call 248.398.9711 for michigan dueling pianos booking information.

Bayview Yacht Club — Detroit, MICHIGAN

The Grafton Inn — Carleton, MICHIGAN

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa — Acme, MICHIGAN

Fox Hills Country Club — Plymouth, MICHIGAN

Oakland Hills Country Club — Bloomfield Hills, MICHIGAN

SVSU — Saginaw, MICHIGAN

Ken Ratliff Park — Oscoda, MICHIGAN

St. Rita / St. Joseph Hall — Maple City, MICHIGAN

The Rivieara Theatre — Three Rivers, MICHIGAN

Siena Heights University — Adrian, MICHIGAN

Soaring Eagle Casino — Mt. Pleasant, MICHIGAN

Westland Bailey Center — Westland, MICHIGAN

Perch Point Conservation Club — Casco, MICHIGAN

Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center — East Lansing, MICHIGAN

Fore Lakes Golf Club — Kimball, MICHIGAN

Monaghan’s Knights of Columbus — Livonia, MICHIGAN

ST. John Evangelistic Parish — Fenton, MICHIGAN

Double Tree Hotel — Bay City, MICHIGAN

Walnut Creek Country Club — South Lyon, MICHIGAN

*  If you plan to travel great distances to a Michigan Dueling Pianos show, I’d recommend using the following sites and video for Hotel reservations, Maps and destination information: 

Hotels

Maps

Check back soon for more information on Dueling Pianos International.

We look forward to hearing from you.  Give us a call!  DUELING PIANOS

www.thefunkeys.net <- Click here for information on dueling pianos for corporate functions and weddings – NATION WIDE.

The Funkeys have performed at the following venues and the following events in 2008 and 2009:

BA Days – Ghent, MN  {Minnesota Dueling Pianos}
Axles Bonfire
Lucille’s Rockin’ Pianos
The Shadow, Wichita, KS {Kansas Dueling Pianos} [dueling pianos kansas]
Profile Event Center – Minneapolis, MN
North Star Mohican Casino – Bowler, MN [WISCONSIN DUELING PIANOS]
Milwaukee Art Museum
Grand Piano Bistro – Des Moines, IA (IOWA DUELING PIANOS)
Buster’s – Mankato, MN
Stone Ridge Golf Club – Stillwater, MN
Children’s’ Hospital of Michigan
Citizens Banking Corporation
Coca Cola Corporation
Embassy Suites Hotel – Bloomington, MN
St. Ambrose University – Davenport, IA (DUELING PIANOS IOWA)
Greysolon Plaze – Duluth, MN
KI Convention Center – Green Bay, WI
Gale Woods Farms – Minnetrista, MN {Minneapolis Dueling Pianos}
Fontenelle Forest – Bellevue, NE
Warwick Hills Golf Club – Grand Blanc, MI
Northern Illinois University
Notre Dame University {Indiana DUELING PIANOS}
Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.