AHN Masquerade Ball
Access to Healthcare Network staff retreat, Reno, NV
The Details
A masquerade ball for the Access to Healthcare Network staff retreat, three hours of cumbia and dance music in their own boardroom on a Thursday afternoon.
- Event
- Masquerade Ball staff retreat
- Location
- Reno, NV
- Guests
- About 40
- Room
- AHN Boardroom
- Theme
- Masquerade, black and purple
- Services
- DJ, MC, PA, two mics, two dance lights
- Hours
- 2:00 to 5:00 PM, 3 hours
- Photos
- Sean Franzen for Access to Healthcare Network
The Details
A masquerade ball for the Access to Healthcare Network staff retreat, three hours of cumbia and dance music in their own boardroom on a Thursday afternoon.
- Event
- Masquerade Ball staff retreat
- Location
- Reno, NV
- Guests
- About 40
- Room
- AHN Boardroom
- Theme
- Masquerade, black and purple
- Services
- DJ, MC, PA, two mics, two dance lights
- Hours
- 2:00 to 5:00 PM, 3 hours
- Photos
- Sean Franzen for Access to Healthcare Network
The Story
Access to Healthcare Network had me back for their staff retreat on a Thursday afternoon in July 2025, two summers after the first one. Sean Franzen booked it again and put the whole brief in one line of his email: a fun, danceable and dark vibe to go along with the masquerade theme. Black and purple, a mask for everyone, and a Spotify playlist in no particular order for me to build from.
The retreat ran all day in their boardroom on South Virginia Street. Staff were in the room from ten for talent shows and lunch, a taco and burrito bar, and I loaded in around them. Music started low at two. By two thirty the masks were on and the checkered floor was open.
I leaned into cumbia and kept it there. Baila Esta Cumbia by Selena went twice, then La Chona by Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Suavemente by Elvis Crespo, Cumbia Sobre el Rio by Celso Piña, La Rebelion by Joe Arroyo and Danza Kuduro by Don Omar. Payaso de Rodeo by Caballo Dorado was in there too. The floor turned into a line dance more than once, masks and all, and Sean caught it.
The rest of the room got Cheap Thrills by Sia, Ritmo by the Black Eyed Peas and J Balvin, Taki Taki by DJ Snake and a clean Body by Megan Thee Stallion. Three hours, no break, and I closed the day at five with Fame on Fire and their rock version of Smells Like Teen Spirit, which is about as dark as an office party gets.
Sean brought his camera and a blue backdrop for staff portraits, and between songs he pulled me in front of it with my headphones on. One of those frames is the photo of me on my home page now.
He had left a review after the first retreat in 2023. After this one he came back and added to it. His words are below.
Key Songs
Straight from my play history for Access to Healthcare Network
- Line dance
- Caballo Dorado - Payaso de Rodeo
- Floor filler
- Elvis Crespo - Suavemente
- Floor filler
- Don Omar - Danza Kuduro
In Their Words
“Update for 2025! We hired Jon again this year for our masquerade ball themed staff retreat in Reno, and he absolutely crushed it! From the moment the music started, he brought an amazing energy that kept the vibe fun, lively, and exactly what we were hoping for. He had everyone on the dance floor, no small feat with a mixed age crowd, and kept the momentum going all night with a perfect mix of tracks. His ability to read the room and adjust the music accordingly was spot on, and he brought such a positive, professional presence to the event. It felt less like a hired DJ and more like having a great friend behind the booth who just gets it. Thanks for making our night one to remember! Highly recommend for any event where you want people dancing and having a great time.”
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