The Wedding and Event Insider talks with Sharon Planer at Pianist for Parties

Check out the podcast HERE!

Get the inside scoop on Sharon’s thoughts on performing piano music for parties and weddings. Listen to some of Sharon’s most unique and memorable performance stories. You will get a feel for Sharon’s passion to make events special with her music!

On Saturday the Twin Cities was blasted with a blizzard that recorded 14.9 inches of snow at MSP Airport and all runways were shut down. Most people were huddled safely at home.

But when the Muddy Paws Cheesecake owner entered her shop, it had been ransacked and snow was pouring in through the ceiling. Talk about a nightmare!

Twin Cities business owner Tami Cabrera of Muddy Paws Cheesecake represents the heart and soul of what true community is all about. She is one of the most respected and community supportive people in the Minnesota Wedding and Event industry and Catering scene. 

Over my music career I have come to know Tami and have watched in delight as her wonderful business grew into a local and even national success story. Muddy Paws Cheesecake is often the dessert of choice at many of the events where I am playing.  Lucky for me if the client let's me sample a piece of cheesecake!

Those of us in the Wedding and Event industry get to know each other pretty well. We share in each other's joys and our hurts.

When Tami Cabrera has been in the news it's been when she was invited to hand deliver her cheesecake to the Obama White House . . . or the announcements of her many cheesecake honors . . . or for her generous promotion of so many local charities.

Check out Jason DeRusha's interview with Tami regarding her annual fundraiser.

But this weekend the news was not good news. Extensive damage was wrought on the Muddy Paws Cheesecake shop. “They came in through the roof and cut a hole through,” Cabrera said. “I didn’t even know that was possible.”

During the tumble through the roof, the burglar ripped down wires, lighting and everything else along the way creating extensive damage to the shop. Before getting away with some cash and checkbooks, the burglar busted two other holes in the walls and ruined displays, pictures and signage.

Thankfully, business can continue at Muddy Paws. “We can still bake and still use our mixer and stuff like that,” Cabrera said. “I’m really thankful.”

Tami and Muddy Paws Cheesecake is famously known and loved throughout the Twin Cities.  It is now Tami's turn to be lifted up and helped by all those whose lives have been touched by her delicious cheesecake and her generosity and service over the years! 

If you are able to help Tami and Muddy Paws Cheesecake continue its wonderful contribution to the Twin Cities business scene, take a moment and visit the GoFundMe page set up to help Tami.

Let's all support Tami and help her make it through this challenge! If you are one of the few that have not yet had the pleasure of tasting Muddy Paws Cheesecake, ORDER TODAY. You can even rent their cheesecake food truck to come to your office or event!

You can read more on the story at the KSTP Eyewitness News Live Video

Hang in there, Tami. We love you and your cheesecake. The community supports you!

When planning a dinner, what role do you want the music to have?

If your intent is to allow the guests to easily converse at their tables, live solo piano music could be the perfect solution! 

Beautiful background music will provide an elegant musical atmosphere. Make sure you hire a pianist that knows how to keep the volume at the appropriate level to allow conversation. The acoustics of a room can change throughout an event depending upon the guest activity. Your pianist should be mindful of this when controlling the music volume.

Also important is the musical quality of the piano.  Some venues have a grand piano on site. Make sure the venue has their piano on a regular tuning schedule. For best results the piano should be tuned just prior to your event. The expense of the tuning will likely be passed on to you. 

If your pianist brings their own portable piano, you will want them to provide a good quality instrument. Equally important are the speakers they use. A beautiful piano can sound awful when amplified through cheap quality speakers.

For best results, hire an experienced pianist with a good reputation! 

This weekend I performed after dinner music for an annual corporate event. The client that hired me explained that the last several years he has hired a band or DJ to provide after dinner music. The guests complained that the music was too loud and invasive. Since the guests only see each other once a year, they wanted the opportunity to visit with each other. I was delighted to be hired as their pianist. Many of the guests stopped by my piano and told me my music was the perfect touch!

I do not intend any offense to my band and DJ friends in the entertainment business. When you want to get your guests moving and on their feet there is nothing like a great band or DJ!  

If you are planning an event and would like to learn how my solo piano music can enhance the experience of you and your guests with a beautiful musical ambiance, I would love to hear from you!