Everyone wore white. The Cisco team had a big win to celebrate, and the dress code for their afternoon at Mountain Winery in Saratoga was all white, so I dressed for it too. When L.Z., who organized the party for her team, saw me, the first thing she said was, “You look amazing.” It’s a small moment, but it told me we saw the afternoon the same way: a celebration where every detail, down to what the entertainer wears, is part of the picture.
Here is how the day came together, from the first acoustic song to the last shout-out.
A White Party at Mountain Winery for a Team Win
Mountain Winery sits in the hills above Saratoga, and its outdoor spaces are stunning. Open air is also unforgiving for sound. Music either drifts away into the sky or gets pushed so loud that nobody can hear each other. For a team party, neither works. People want to toast, swap stories and catch up with colleagues they don’t see every day.
So the brief was clear: immersive audio that still left room for conversation, outdoors, for a team of about 150 guests, with music from the moment people arrived. I’ve played Mountain Winery before with my band, LOLAH & The Travelers, for Microsoft, so I knew that outdoor energy firsthand.
From an Acoustic Welcome to a DJ Set as the Team Mingled
The team loved the idea of a hybrid afternoon. As guests arrived, I played a live acoustic set, just my voice and guitar, warm enough to set the mood without asking anyone to stop and watch. Once everyone settled in and started to mingle, I moved to the decks for a DJ set and let the energy rise with the room.
That handoff is exactly what my Signature Hybrid is built for: one front person, team setup, no gaps. If you’re planning something similar, here’s more on live music and DJ packages for corporate events in San Jose.
Outdoor Sound at Mountain Winery: Immersive, Yet Easy to Talk Over
The video below was recorded with live audio, nothing added afterward. You can hear how clear the sound is, and you can also see people talking comfortably. That balance comes from a professional sound system and from adjusting levels all afternoon as the crowd grows, gathers and moves.
It’s the part of outdoor events most people don’t think about until it goes wrong. If you’re planning a winery or estate gathering nearby, my page on hiring a live musician in Saratoga covers what to ask before the day.
Live Jukebox Requests and Shout-Outs for the Team
Because this was a team celebration, the Live Jukebox got a real workout. Guests sent song requests from their phones, and many added public messages for me to read out. There were shout-outs for the team win from all different team members, and one I won’t forget: a colleague was leaving the company soon, so the team requested a song with a message that said, simply, we’re going to miss you.
The challenge was variety. Requests came in across every genre and era, and they kept coming. My job was to blend them so the afternoon still flowed, and to time each announcement to the right moment, so a farewell landed softly and a team cheer landed loud. That kind of reading the room is what I bring as a private event DJ, whether the crowd is a team of fifty or a full ballroom.
Watch the Cisco Team Party at Mountain Winery
What the Team Said Afterward
The afternoon ran smoothly from start to finish, and the client was very happy. As the party wound down, guest after guest came up to tell me, “You were amazing, you did a great job.” L.Z. mentioned the team has more events coming next year and wants to have me back, which is the best review I could ask for.
“You look amazing.”
L.Z., Cisco
Cisco Team Party at a Glance
| Client | A Cisco team (organized by L.Z.) |
| Occasion | Team celebration, all-white dress code |
| Venue | Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA (outdoor) |
| Date | Wednesday, September 16, 2026 |
| Guests | About 150 |
| Format | Signature Hybrid: live acoustic welcome, then a DJ set |
| Highlights | Live Jukebox requests, public shout-outs, a farewell song for a departing colleague |
The Team
- Singer-guitarist, DJ and MC: LOLAH, LOLAH Entertainment
- Venue: Mountain Winery, Saratoga
Questions About Live Music at Mountain Winery
Can you have live music and a DJ at a company event at Mountain Winery?
Yes. For this Cisco team party I played a live acoustic set as guests arrived and switched to a DJ set once people started to mingle. Mountain Winery asks entertainers for a Certificate of Insurance, so I send the COI ahead of time and coordinate setup, power and placement with the venue team.
How loud should music be at an outdoor team party?
Loud enough to feel immersive, soft enough that colleagues can talk without raising their voices. Outdoors, sound escapes fast, so a professional sound system placed well matters more than raw volume. I adjust levels through the event, lower during conversation-heavy moments and fuller when the team is ready to celebrate.
Can guests request songs and send shout-outs at a company party?
Yes. With the Live Jukebox, guests send song requests and public messages from their phones, no app needed. I read the messages out at the right moment and blend the requests into the set, which turns the music into something the whole team takes part in.
Planning a team celebration, a winery party or a company milestone in the Bay Area? I’d love to hear about it.
