Meet Lazarus Stark, a true luminary in the world of event production and entertainment. Laz boasts an impressive 25+ years of experience that makes him a standout figure in an industry where few can match his depth and breadth of expertise. His career spans high-profile events, luxury weddings, and unique experiences across North America and beyond, setting a new standard for excellence in event production.
Laz’s journey began at the age of 15 when, during his sister's Bat Mitzvah, his grandmother was so impressed by his dancing to Frank Sinatra's "Summer Winds" that she insisted the MC hire him. This pivotal moment set Laz on a path that would lead him to become one of the top DJs and event hosts in the industry.
As a college student at the University of Maryland, Laz's path diverged from the ordinary. Answering a seemingly simple ad for DJs, he made an immediate impact by offering insightful suggestions to a potential client. This spontaneous display of expertise earned him a spot in a top NYC DJ company, marking the beginning of his illustrious career.
A Journey Through Excellence
From his early days as a trainee server, Laz immersed himself in the food and beverage side of the event business, climbing the ranks from Captain and Lead Bartender to Director of Events for a prestigious $15M catering company in Baltimore. This diverse experience across hotels like the Four Seasons DC and Park Hyatt enriched his perspective, enabling him to craft unparalleled experiences for clients at the highest levels.
Laz’s career is decorated with significant milestones, including crafting cocktails for Presidents, serving dinners to celebrities, and orchestrating events for elite clientele. His extensive resume includes luxury weddings from Charleston to Banff, high-profile product launches, and multi-day conferences. Notably, he has been involved in iconic events like David Tutera Couture Weddings at Walt Disney World and the grand opening of Estadio Omnilife in Guadalajara.
Laz’s expertise is not just in his technical skills but also in his approach to event production. As a public speaker, he has developed "The Psychology of the Guest," a presentation that explores what makes an event memorable and emotionally resonant. His insights into creating transcendent experiences are informed by a deep understanding of client needs and the emotional dynamics of events.
The Personal Touch
Outside the spotlight, Laz is a devoted husband of over five years and a father to two daughters. His home is shared with a pitbull who believes the family’s two rabbits are his babies. This warm, family-centric environment reflects Laz’s own approach to his work—caring deeply about every detail and making every event a personal and memorable experience.
Music runs through Laz’s veins. With a father boasting an unparalleled music collection, a mother who was at Woodstock and Shea Stadium, and a grandmother who adored Sinatra, Laz's musical heritage is as rich as it gets. His philosophy as a DJ revolves around understanding that the true essence of great entertainment lies in putting the ego aside and focusing on the crowd. By listening to the audience and responding to their needs, Laz ensures every dance floor is a success.
A World of Experiences
Laz’s favorite aspect of his job is the opportunity to celebrate love in various forms, in different venues, and with diverse crowds every week. This ever-changing environment keeps his work fresh and exciting, allowing him to explore different cultures and styles from Guadalajara to Istanbul.
Laz’s journey is a testament to his passion, dedication, and unparalleled skill in the event production world. Whether he's reimagining a hip hop song for a wedding processional or speaking on the psychology behind memorable events, Laz continues to set new standards and inspire those around him. As he puts it, "I’m living the dream and always looking for ways to pay it forward." In every event he touches, that dream becomes a beautiful reality.
We had the chance to ask Laz a few more personal questions about himself and some special wedding moments:
Tell me some interesting or unexpected facts about yourself.
- “I love New York sports (Yankees, Giants, Rangers, Knicks)
- I’m a founder of a web3 company focused on networking, education, and mentoring/advising new brands.”
What’s your favorite local wedding venue and why?
“There are so many amazing venues, it’s such a personal choice. But there are definitely some venues that are easier to load into than others…but that’s not YOUR problem!”
If you were getting married this weekend, what would your first dance song be?
“Never Stop by Safety Suit (this was my actual first dance song).”
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen at a wedding?
“At a wedding celebration in the middle of a corn field in Indiana (corn farmer's backyard) the dance floor was absolutely PACKED. All of a sudden, at 8pm on the dot everyone jumped in the pool (some fully clothed, some fully disrobed). As if on cue, at 9pm every single one of them flooded back to the dance floor. Everyone was slipping and sliding, some still clothed, some not and to my right, I see the groom (in his skivvies) smushing a small cake on his best man's head (soaking wet in a tuxedo) because, "he looked like he needed a hat". The party was an incredible time, everyone had the greatest night and I can NEVER tell that story when talking to brides and grooms because this scenario will never happen again.”
What’s the best “little kid moment” you’ve seen at a wedding?
“As a stepfather, I have a unique perspective and have become attuned to the kids involved in a wedding. It’s important that they feel like this is a celebration that includes them in a major way, so I always encourage my couples to find fun ways to get the kids into things and love brainstorming sessions. That being said, if the kids aren’t yours, they don’t need to be invited and we’re seeing a LOT more kid-free wedding celebrations over the last couple of years.”
What’s one thing you wish people knew about working as a DJ?
“It’s not just the 4 hours of partying…We spend decades perfecting our craft, thousands of dollars on equipment, and countless hours preparing for each and every event; and we only get one chance to get it perfect. That’s a LOT of pressure for any entertainer who cares about their job. For a four hour party, we have put in about 60 hours of preparation from calls/texts/emails with you and your vendors/planners/venues to organizing the music requests, purchasing special music requests, and going through the timeline, vision, and promises multiple times with multiple parties. Then there’s the load in and set up, almost always done by those of us about to perform, which includes setting up the booth, speakers, lighting, etc. for dinner and dancing, as well as the ceremony mics, speakers, music for ceremony, and the speakers for cocktail hour. Oh, and we have three weddings to do this weekend and have to make sure to keep every single detail organized perfectly!”
To book DJ Laz for your upcoming event, reach out today!
Published on:
Monday, August 26, 2024
