LOS ANGELES - American DJ is helping to light up the dreams of some lucky Cleveland-area individual who will win a brand-new $450,000 home . . .while lending its support to a good cause. The company has become a sponsor of the Lake County (OH) YMCA Dream House 2004, one of the largest annual special-event fundraisers in the nation.
Every year, a new YMCA Dream House is constructed from scratch, with the aid of builders, designers, landscapers and home furnishings suppliers who donate their time and provide materials and products at low cost. The designer showcase home is then raffled off to raise funds for the Lake County YMCA's programs and facilities. In the raffle's exciting conclusion, 20 finalists receive "keys" to the house, one of which opens the front door. Now in its 11th year, the Dream House project has raised a total of more than $1.45 million for the YMCA.
One of the most impressive features of this year's 3200 sq. ft. Dream House is its lower level, which has been made into a professional-caliber entertainment center. Decorated in a classic Hollywood film theme, the area includes a home movie theater, a cocktail bar modeled after Rick's Caf in Casablanca, and a 400 sq. ft. Saturday Night Fever-style disco with a 12' x 12' dance floor.
The disco is aglow with an eye-popping light show, with special effects created by a spinning mirror ball, flashing strobes, police beacons, a fog machine, and more. The lighting effects were provided American DJ at cost, after the company received a call from one of the Dream House's designers, Bill Rigo.
According to Rigo, he chose American DJ products after researching the club lighting market extensively. "American DJ's name kept turning up, so I went to their website (www.americandj.com) and liked what I saw. I gave them a call, and they were more than enthusiastic to help out with our project," said Rigo, who, with fellow designer Charlie Hayes, was responsible for planning and furnishing the Dream House's entire 1400 sq. ft. lower level.
Rigo explained to American DJ's staff members that he wanted to create a retro-looking Saturday Night Fever-style disco, and they helped him select the right combination of fixtures. "I knew I wanted a mirror ball, but (American DJ Marketing Director) Brian Dowdle went beyond that and came up with some really great ideas. For example, suggested a Luna 4 System, which comes with four units that all move in coordination with one another. He also suggested that we use black lights and fluorescent paint.
"Brian and everyone I worked with at American DJ really got excited about our project and were so helpful," added Rigo. "Then once we got the lighting equipment, we were pleased at how easy it was to set up and run."
The American DJ fixtures installed in the YMCA Dream House include: M-100L Mirror Ball, PL-1000 Pinspot, Luna 4 System, B-601 Red Beacon, B-601 Blue Beacon, two Big Shot Strobes, two Black-24BLB black lights, and a Mini Fog fogger. The light show is now in constant operation during public tours of the Dream House, which are given for several months prior to the raffle's conclusion.
"Everyone is just amazed when they see the disco lights," said Rigo. "People comment on what a professional system it is. American DJ's help is greatly appreciated by all of us involved with the Dream House, because this is such an important fundraiser for the YMCA."
Commenting on American DJ's participation in the YMCA Dream House, Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies, said that he was honored to have his company's products chosen for inclusion in the project. "The YMCA Dream House is an innovative, well-run project that benefits a good charitable cause, and we are proud to be associated with it," said Davies.
Davies added that he believes his company's products and personnel were an "excellent fit" with the project's goals. "American DJ is known for special effects lighting that is affordable and easy-to-use, and is also of the highest professional quality," Davies said. "Plus, our staff members are experts at taking someone's vision of a room or club's lighting presentation and working with them to turn it into a reality. We are happy we were able to contribute the products and expertise to help make the Dream House a truly special home."
For more information, contact American DJ at 800-322-6337 or visit the company's website at www.americandj.com. E-mail: info@americandj.com.
