Okay here's the deal. My sister and I are throwing a 30th anniversary party for my parents and have rented out an Italian restaurant/banquet hall for 70 guests. I'll be emceeing and dj'ing the party, so I need to create a playlist of songs that would play in the background good ambience during the dinner.

Any suggestions?

Also, afterwords there'll be dancing so what are good songs that you'd typically hear at weddings and stuff? I already have plenty of CD's but I just want to make sure I don't miss anything obvious.

For dinner: do you want modern music, or vocal-less classical?

for dancing: electric slide, macarena etc. Basically, all that stuff you hate if its an older crowd.

Is it a formal sit-down dinner or buffet style? Red or white or both? Seriously rabbit, you must provide us with all the details if you want an informed opinion.

SPY

*sigh* why can't you just read my mind? It'd be much easier for me then. It's a sit down family style dinner. Classic italian food.

I don't want to put them to sleep with vocal-less classical, I'd like a more party-type atmosphere. Think "Hey Mambo" by Connie Francis. I need suggestions for fun songs like that. But it should be a nice wide variety.

Most folks that'll be attending will be in their 50's and 60's with their adult kids like me. I'm 25. So I'll be playing a variety of dance music.

I haven't DJ'ed since my college days (ask Bothanspy about our last party) and I don't think I'd be playing house music for this gig.

during dinner: the entire Morcheeba "Big Calm" album.

"achy breaky heart" for dancing afterwards.

Have you ever seen the movie Big Night? If you haven't, it's a movie set in the 1950s about two Italian immigrant brothers who've opened up an Italian restaurant in New Jersey. Really good movie. I mention it because it's filled with music I think would go well with your dinner (Louis Prima, etc.) There's a big feast a little more than halfway into the movie -- I think any song playing during that stretch would be A-OK. Check out the movie (or at least the soundtrack) for suggestions. It's a bit on the older side, but you gotta have something for the old folks.

Giles, thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into it.

SAS, Yep, I have the DVD and LOVE that movie. I forgot I had it, and come to think of it I think Connie Francis' "Hey Mambo" is in that movie too. I'm going to check out the movie tonight. Thanks.

For Dinner music: Claude Challe -Buddha Bar albums

And since it's Italian - Check out some Carlo Buti.

I guess you'd be wanting Italian-type stuff, but a CD I own that never fails to be liked by anyone I've played it for is Antonio Carlos Jobim's "The Girl From Ipanema: Songbook" CD. I'm sure he has a million different comps, but this one is awesome.