One of the best resources I have found as a party host are free online music streaming websites. I find them invaluable for easily curating a soundtrack for a party, regardless of the theme or purpose. My favourite is Songza, which I access from my iPhone and throw on my doc for flawless surround-sound (but there are others!) Most have playlists already curated, and they are excellent for themes, especially past-era themes. For a private dinner party using Murder at the Bourbon Club (a Vintage Hollywood 1950’s era murder mystery party), I used a 50’s playlist. For The Ad Man Murder, I found a Man Men-themed playlist available! For Murder at Studio Paradise, the 1970’s disco playlists are invaluable, and they even have a 1920’s prohibition-era playlist for A Flapper Murder at the 1920’s Speakeasy and The Sly Mr. Foxx (our nod to The Great Gatsby). Finding and purchasing all this music would cost a lot of time and money, but an online music streaming service can help set the scene or mood for your party with nearly zero effort on your part.
