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Jason Douglas is all about entertaining his crowd. Whether it’s at a wedding, bat mitzvah or church event, he makes sure everyone is having fun, thus making him South Philly’s favorite disc jockey.
In 1985, he and his friend Valentino DiGiorgio started a booking agency, which would send out DJs to various events, but the DJs sometimes didn’t show up, so he was forced to cover for them.
“I had a ball,” he said. “I [couldn’t] believe people [got] paid for going to people’s parties.”
His clients included many local television stations and gigs that often took him to New York City, but he grew tired of the traveling. Now his company consists of three DJs and sticks to mostly local gigs, but the entertainment factor is still present.
“We literally have people put chairs by the dance floor – who sit there and watch,” he said. “It’s a show.”
It’s all about determining the vibe of the party and choosing the appropriate music, which could be anything from hip-hop to disco.
“If we don’t have it, all we have to do is make a phone call and it’s there,” he said.
While his favorite event is the annual Christmas party for the South Philadelphia Lions Clubs, an organization that assists those with visual impairments, regardless of the festivity, his focus remains on the guests.
“We become part of your family,” Douglas said. “We’re having fun with grandma, we’re having fun with your little cousin. We become part of your family, and that’s what South Philly is really about.”
Eddie Tully laid down a beat in second and Mike Corny spun in third.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
2014 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Steak ‘Em Up French fries
Philip’s Steaks and Geno’s Steaks (tie) Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies Hoagie
Lil Nick’s Deli Specialty sandwich
City Pizza Pizza crust
Green Eggs Cafe Brunch menu
Penrose Diner Omelet selection/Diner
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant Date night/BYOB
Ristorante Pesto Italian restaurant
Johnny Chang’s Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Breezy’s Café New restaurant (January 2013 to present)
Stogie Joe’s Tavern Bar menu
Nick Elmi Top chef
Sweet Tooth
Isgro Pastries Cannoli/Bakery
Pop’s Water Ice Gelati
Potito’s Cupcakes
Termini Bros Cookies
People
Jason Douglas DJ
The Business Local band
Bobby Rydell South Philly celebrity
Dana Smith Elementary school teacher
Vikings Mummers Brigade
Carl Arrigale High school coach
Neumann-Goretti High school team
Bryan Hughes Youth/recreation league coach
Nick Foles Philly pro athlete
Places
DiBruno Bros. Italian specialty store
Galdo’s Catering Hall
Ten Pennies Florist
Monti Rago Funeral Home, Inc., Funeral home
Packer Park Neighborhood
Epiphany of Our Lord Church Church
Lombardi’s Prime Meats Butcher shop
TLA Music venue
On the Move
Planet Fitness Gym/health club
DanceAdelphia Ballet program
Barry Playground Community pool
Fitness Works Place to take a Pilates class
And Let’s Not Forget
Bartender Category not on this list
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