Exceptional musical entertainment can really make your event come alive…
UpBeat MUSIC PRODUCTIONS provides a comprehensive live music entertainment service, whether your event requires a full orchestra, The Michael Cascio Orchestra for dancing, a five piece dance ensemble UpBeat Band, a jazz group, Michael Cascio Trio or jazz quartet for reception music, a string quartet for classical ceremony music, solo piano or strolling violin, a blues group, or a custom theme for a corporate gala. We know how important your special event is – creating just the right party atmosphere is what we do. Outstanding musicianship will make the difference for your special event – our artists create a distinctive, unforgettable party atmosphere. And, we are also a group of really fun people!
The UpBeat Band was proud to headline at this exhilarating event, and Emmy Award winner for Alternate Media and GM of HeresChicago, Jim Grillo, created an uproar as he sat in with UpBeat and sang “Sweet Caroline.” From Sinatra to Santana, The UpBeat Band performed classics spanning the last five decades…especially noteworthy was the Michael Jackson tribute medley. Another wonderful guest, renowned Blues artist Lynn Jordan, sat in with UpBeat and sang “Let The Good Times Roll.” …and the good times certainly did at this event!!
The third annual HeresChicago Summer Bash was THE special event for the summer of 2009…the annual event has become Chicago’s highly anticipated top standard, and it sold out faster than a rock concert, with many industry planners wishing they had registered early….it featured Chicago’s newest and most innovative meeting and event ideas, all listed on HeresChicago.com!
The event was produced by HeresChicago.com
Very special thanks to our venue host, Tara Hippensteel, at the Hard Rock Chicago. Tara rocks!
Very special thanks to event hostess Keri Miller, In The Loop Chicago, Keri knows how to rock!
Live music entertainment and audio production was provided by UpBeat Music Productions
Very very special thanks to Michael Mach, CMP, of Mach Events who stage managed this jam packed event. His planning skills rock!
Photography was provided by Joanna Kozek. View photo gallery and download pics at http://gallery.joannakozek.com/g/summer_bash. Video was provided by Jan Muller Co.
Here is a complete list of all the sponsors and exhibitors who really brought this event to life:
www.HeresChicago.com, www.UpBeatMusicProductions.com, www.HardRockCafe.com, In The Loop - Chicago, www.showdepartment.com, Resolution Digital Studios, Coach USA/megabus.com, O’Hare-Midway Limousine Service, Broadway In Chicago, Carey Driving Success, M&M The Special Events Company, Total-Event.com, Mach Events, M Special Events Company, US POKER SERIES, PhotoBoothExpress.com, Brazzaz, Broadway in Chicago, Buca di Beppo, Cubby Bear Wrigleyville, Carey Transportation, Chicago Sailing, Color and Company, ComedySportz Theatre, Entertainment Cruises, ESPN Zone, Group Travel Directory, Heidel House Resort & Spa, Le Colonial, Lettuce Entertain You, Maichef Cuisine Inc., Melrose Park Indoor Grand Prix, Pheasant Run Resort, Sheraton Suites Elk Grove, The Business Ledger, Amalfi Hotel, Ben Mahoney Productions, Bonsoiree, Chicago Trolley, Edventure Promotions, Galleria Unico/Salute, LakeShore Audio Visual, Rockit Ranch, The BoozeHound, The Business Ledger
“The UpBeat Band was immensly professional, responsive, and a fantastic value. I felt fully confident handing them the m/c duties. They were very willing to learn a few special songs and went out of thier way to make sure the event went smoothly. We had several guests comment on their quality and enthusiasm. I would recommend them to anyone!”
Josh and Rachel, Allerton Chicago Wedding Celebration
The UpBeat Band is proud to be featured on one of the top web standards for vendors in the wedding industry, Martha Stewart Weddings. We are pleased to post that our band received a five star review just after our web launch from one of our previous wedding clients:
“Amazing band, tons of fun. They really made our day special!!! A year later, we still get comments on how awesome the band was. Choosing the Upbeat Band was definitely one of the best decisions we made in planning our wedding.”
UpBeat was proud to provide the Michael Cascio Jazz Trio for this HeresChicago special event. This was THE planner event for the summer of 2009, and featured Chicago’s newest and most innovative meeting and event ideas. This VIP event was for event and meeting planners and DMC’s to showcase the Best of Chicago aboard the newly renovated Anita Dee II cruise ship each level had a different theme filled with music, specialty drinks, food, prize giveaways and goodie bags for everyone!
Soulful world class vocalists, dynamic horns, and a cooking rhythm section. Our team of veterans perform musical drama with creative arrangements and originals in the tradition of Chicago’s Blues, R&B, and Soul legends, and the group performs an immensely fun and dynamic party atmosphere. The R&B Machine is also known for it’s interactive show, so be prepared to sing along with our group and answer the the call: “Let The Good Times Roll!”
Our Blues/ R&B groups band comes in several sizes and flavors – you can see these options on our Blues Page.
With my years of experience and insight, I’ve decided to write an article outlining a method for choosing and refining custom music for the components of your wedding reception party. Music is a major part of your reception, and plays a key role in creating the atmosphere of your wedding…
Your wedding should be a joyous occasion–and planning your wedding should not be stressful. We help organize the process and make it easy. An accurate and organized time line is important. We provide a detailed check list for our clients, where every possible traditional or contemporary option for music and hosting choices is covered, including: wedding party introductions–music and hosting production, first dances, traditions (we have tasteful, fun music for these), toasts, specialty dances, when to cut the cake, an explanation of hosting style and choice of wording for bridal introduction, and much more…
Our five piece group, The UpBeat Band, is always committed to customized wedding planning, and last weekend at the Chicago Cultural Center we performed a very specific play list created by the bride and groom which focused on the swing classics, including standards by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as R&B/Soul classics, especially Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. This was a very elegant party, and the finale was “Dance To the Music” by Sly and the Family Stone.
Cheers!
–Michael Cascio
UpBeat Music Production’s pianist Gregg Opelka performs a charity event at the Nathalie Salmon House Chicago! The event was organized by the Chicago local chapter of PCMA, which is the Professional Convention Management Assn. Jen Arndt from Talking Point, Rhonda Chesney from Four Seasons, and all the pros with PCMA organized a wonderful event for the senoir citizens at the Nathalie House – it was like a holiday party with smiles everywhere, and included a raffle – pianist Gregg took many requests, mostly the swing era classics… let the good times roll!
is the band leader and music director of UpBeat. As a leader, Michael has assembled a dream team of Chicago's finest and most versatile professionals. Michael has led and performed many hundreds of dates in the past decade, and as Maria Barberi, Event Manager for RE/MAX wrote:
"You are my guarantee for fabulous entertainment! Everyone we spoke to LOVES your band and had a great time dancing. It is always a pleasure to work with you!"
