MannyPalooza Cinco Pictures!

More MannyPalooza Cinco Photos!!

MannyPalooza Cinco for MusicWorks!

All anyone could say was "wow, it's going to be hot!" Well, that was an understatement. Although, by our turnout, it did not seem to stop anyone form enjoying the fifth annual MannyPalooza on Saturday July 24th! Crabs, chicken, salads, sandwiches, pizza, cupcakes, tira misu, just to mention some of the eats many donated from local vendors in the Delaware county area. Misting stations, dodge ball, basketball all enjoyed by adults and children that attended. Then the music started! Tony & Petie Del Pizzo got the entertainment started with Petie's awesome renditions of favorite pop tunes accompanied by her extremely talented brother Tony on guitar. Del's Groove soon hit the blacktop and the party went on till it got dark.

This was the 2nd year for Del's Groove donating all proceeds to MusicWorks, http://www.musicworkswonders.com/ raising over a thousand dollars to provide individuals of all ages with special needs through music therapy.

Everyone had a wonderful time despite the heat. There are so many to thank for the success this year, I hope I do not leave anyone out. First, Del's Groove, http://www.delsgroove.com/ for once again donating their time. It is important for us to give back, also mentioning several band members cut their family vacations short to make this wonderful event. So, thanks to Rob, Anthony & Raymond of Del's Groove and their very understanding families. All of our friends, families, and residents of Havertown that participated. Bandleader Emanuel Del Pizzo's wife Teresa, and Maria & Clay for their never ending hard work in all that heat along with their children, we love you guys! Lori O'leary for pounding the phones along with above mentioned for donations, it is so difficult in this economy to ask for free goods.

Thanks to Panera Bread Co, Rocky's Catering, Peace a Pizza, Soprano's, (so sorry if I left anyone out), special thanks to The Drexelbrook http://www.drexelbrookcatering.com/ , Colonial Village Manoa, http://www.colonialvillagemeatmarkets.com/ .

So, thank you ALL! See you, next MannyPalooza!!!

~Susan

Rebecca & Chad - What a Beautiful Couple!!

Rebecca & Chadd were married at the beautiful Drexelbrook in Drexel Hill, pa. Del's Groove duo, Anthony & Emanuel played the ceremony on the sunny patio with family & friends witnessing their nuptials. When the reception started with best man Nick telling the story of Chadd & Rebecca meeting, he mentioned Rebecca sure could dance...well he was right! Getting back to Nick for a minute, I have to tell you, he really could work the room, and was a great storyteller. The afternoon continued with Rebecca dancing with her dad to Somewhere over the Rainbow, sung by Philip, and Chadd dancing with his mom to In my life by the Beatles, which our resident Beatles expert Rob did beautiful version. Nothing was more breathtaking though as our bride & groom danced their first dance to The Way You look Tonight, with Raymond doing his usual job crooning a Frank Sinatra tune!

Del's Groove packed the dancefloor once again, and I must say our Bride & Bridesmaids got the party going! The afternoon ended with Mike rapping on his perfect rendition of Gold digger! Thank you Jones & Guss family for having Del's Groove share in your awesome wedding! Thank you too for taking great care of us! Del's Groove also had the pleasure to work with Filippone Photography http://www.filiphoto.com/ thanks for the pictures Al - be sure to check their website.

All the best to Rebecca & Chad Guss!

She married her BFF! Heather & Marks Wells!

No two weddings are ever the same, that is what I love about being the Wedding Singer. I get to experience so many cultures, traditions, and wonderful people. Heather & Mark were married on July 4th. Not the usual, I met Heathers parents back in October of last year. Mom did a lot of helping out on this wedding since this couple live in LA! Although, Heather’s mom did assure me that her daughter & son in law certainly helped all the way across the country.
Ok, loved the lime green! Everywhere you looked, there was hints of lime green from the bridesmaids dresses to the huge brandy snifters filled with fresh limes….then there was the cake! Trimmed in limes! You know, I really think that made me forget the heat, maybe everyone else too, because it certainly did not stop them from dancing!
Crazy Love was this couple’s first dance, their very good friend Derrick Lee joined the band for this special song, and wow he was awesome! What I really thought was super was the Father/Daughter dance and Mother/Son dance was done together. All the years being The Wedding Singer, I never saw that done and what a great idea! We were also honored to have had Heathers Granddad & Great Uncle’s perform their polka specialties, they were awesome!
Dancing the night away, all ages, from traditions to Del’s Groove taking it all the way up to Lady Gaga..under the lanterns strewn overhead. Our friend Doug Burns of Candid Moments Photography http://www.candidmomentsphotography.com/ was the photographer! We worked with Doug before and he is truly talented and wait till you see his shots, hard to believe he gets them because he is so unobtrusive!
Mark sent me a post saying one guy split his pants from dancing, and told us he was still beaming thinking about their wedding, you could tell. Heather had posted on her facebook that she was marrying her best friend that day, I could see why she feels like that about Mark…Thank you so much for having Del’s Groove on your special day, and many thanks to your families for taking such great care of us! Best of everything Heather & Mark!

Mr & Mrs Cole!!

Mr & Mrs Cole!!

There is nothing better than a family wedding. Del’s Groove had the privilege to perform at bandleader’s nieces wedding. Jeanette & Olumide were married on Saturday July 3rd. Their reception took place at Nicole Renee Occasions in South Philadelphia. You know the night is going to be great when you get a parking spot right in from of the venue! But all kidding aside, this was one of the most unique experiences of mine as The Wedding Singer.
Jeanette’s roots are that of Italian and Cuban. Olumide is from Sierra Leone. What a delight to share in all the traditions from ceremonial drums & dancers to the hot Latino feel of the music we got to enjoy on our breaks. Jeannette’s sister Renee sweetly sang the couples first dance – To Make you Feel My love, which immediately confirmed the warmth of this family. Sugar Pie Honey Bunch was her choice to dance with her father, as that was always “their song” as I came to learn that Ernesto had sang it to her ever since she was a little girl.
Bandleader Emanuel, who was a guest, did assist in setting the “dance your feet off” tone starting out with The Authority song since he had sub drummer Steve Arditi. Now, we did surprise the family and guests with a little Latino medley we put together, and seemed as though they loved it!
Thank you to the Betancourt’s for the family treatment! Best of Love, Health & Happiness to Jeanette & Olumide!
Sincerely,
Susan, Your Wedding Singer
Oh, and check out their website!! Ha! You thought I didn’t know about that huh? http://jeannetteolumide.ourwedding.com/

Kimmie & Eric

Ok, has anyone ever seen that show Bridezillas? Well, all I can say is our bride Kimmie was the furthest of any of those mean, nasty brides. First of all, anyone who has Gerber daises and sunflowers in every vase in every room has to be sweet!
Kimmie & Eric were married on June 26th at the Brandywine Country Club. Emanuel & Anthony found the shade under a tree of the beautiful grounds to play for their ceremony. Yea, my band will play the ceremony as well!
We were treated like guests at this classic venue, it is so warm to be treated like your one of the family rather than hired help, and Kimmie, Eric and the staff of BCC were all responsible for this..
Philip sang Yellow by Coldplay for our bride & Groom as their first dance. We also learned two other songs for our bride & groom as we usually do, as it’s never a problem.
Now if you have been reading my blog, you may remember that Mike, Alex and I carpool together, well, I drove, and neither of them got on my nerves! Can you believe it! Of course I put my car in the garage earlier that day as it was super hot, and I wanted to be sure the car was cooled when we picked up Michael, after all, I would hate for him to be hot. Not like he is a whiner or anything like that. (hmmm)
As usual, Del’s Groove packed the dance floor and Michael and Philip’s rendition of Gold digger was a smash! Kimmie sported her “B” baseball cap and climbed up on a chair and led everyone as they danced! Not to mention “Sweet Caroline” as their finale as requested. Best to you both, and thank you for having Del’s Groove! oxoxoxo