The Port of San Diego spent $28 million on the new cruise ship terminal on Broadway Pier. But with the decline in cruise activity, the downtown terminal sits vacant much of the time. But KPBS Metro reporter Katie Orr says the building is still getting some use.
San Diego’s Port Pavilion has been open for about a year. It’s designed for cruise ships. Its opening coincided, however, with a fall-off in cruise-ship visits here; drug-war violence in Mexico and a down economy are to blame.
But the new pavilion may have found its calling with something else.
With views of both San Diego’s bay and skyline, the pavilion has caught on as an events center.
In the last year more than 40 events have taken place at the center, bringing in more than $240,000 in revenue. The Port’s Rita Vandergaw said that’s happened without a formal marketing campaign.
“It has really exceeded our expectations,” she said. “We really didn’t know what kind of activity would be in the building and how many people would be interested in it.”
“If you want to have a wedding, you want to have a bar mitzvah, you want to have an anniversary, you just want to have a celebration, this is place where you can come and enjoy the bay,”
Officials said the port has spent about $229,000 this year on maintenance for the pavilion and the pier it sits on. And event planners requiring security must pay for it themselves.
Vandergaw said the Port has 18 parks around the bay and that the pavilion provides another option.
“This is an amenity that we don’t have on the bay. We do not have a facility, a building,” she said. “When people have a wedding they’d like to have it in a covered facility.”
Vandergaw said event revenue brings in about $10 thousand a day when the pavilion is rented out. But she acknowledges that does not make-up for the decline in cruise-ship activity, which brings in about $30 thousand a day when a ship is docked.
With a poor economy and continued drug-war violence in Mexico, cruise lines don’t figure to expand service in San Diego anytime soon. It may be time to start marketing the harbor-side pavilion to party planners.
Photo by:
Ashley Gabrielson
Your wedding entertainment is one way you can make sure your guests have a blast. It can also be another way of adding your own personal touch to the event. Your wedding is a party, after all! You want to make it a kick-ass party that your guests won’t soon forget. Whether your goal is to get people moving on the dance floor or to just have some great music accompanying the reception, hiring a wedding DJ can be a great option.
Unlike a live band, a DJ can play the actual recordings that your guests love and crossfade them so there’s no awkward silence between songs. Which DJ you hire will depend in great part on what kind of music you want and what your guests will be excited to hear. If you want a dance party, you’ll find plenty of DJs who can give you one. You can also find DJs who will customize a playlist for you, whatever your tastes. Here are some tips to keep in mind when hiring a wedding DJ.
1. Know what to look for and where
The most common option is to go with a DJ whose primary business is weddings. These wedding DJs know the ins and outs of wedding receptions and may even be great at serving as an emcee to make announcements. To find one of these, do the usual web searching and asking for referrals from other vendors.
If your focus is on having great dance music, you may consider a DJ from the local club scene. These DJs may actually charge cheaper rates, but they won’t necessarily be experienced with weddings. To find one you can start by asking at local clubs.
If you really want to go all-out on music, you may be able to find a wedding DJ who is also renowned for their great music or a club DJ who has lots of wedding experience. These can be ideal options, but be aware that they may cost you. A professional wedding DJ of this variety will probably be well known in your area. Just ask vendors.
2. Ask to hear samples of the wedding DJ’s work
Once you’ve found a DJ or two that seems right for your wedding, ask to see examples of their work. This could be a video of a live performance, a mixtape, or sample playlists. The more important to you the quality of the music is, the more you should see and hear before hiring.
3. Give the DJ your playlist and your “do not play” list
If you’re already set on a playlist, discuss it with DJs and make sure they are willing to follow it. You may also want to create a “do not play” list and share it to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
4. Ask how they get the crowd going
If you want your DJ to be really involved in making your reception fun, make sure to ask about how they engage a crowd. Some important questions to ask:
- How does the DJ get people dancing if they seem reluctant?
- Will they accept requests from guests?
- Is the DJ willing to also act as an emcee and make announcements?
5. Get a contract
As with all vendors, you should get a contract. Don’t work with someone who won’t provide one! Feel free to contact us for more information about our DJ services
Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens is San Diego’s most unique, premium, private wedding venue. Kylie and CJ’s Tropical wedding at the venue was a sight to be seen! This tropical mansion and garden space is located on the rolling hills of Fallbrook, California. DJ Leon Ellis of MYDJS had their guests on the dance-floor all evening! Savoring The Sweet Life Photography captured the most special moments. Photography by Pam Davis. “Sweet. Personal. Fun and Fabulous! Capturing all your cherished memories.”
Here is what the bride said after her wedding! Reviewed On 3/11/2019 by Kylie B
“DJ Leon was fantastic and kept the party going. He had a great energy and knew how to keep the flow going from the different events!”- The Knot
