DJ Information
Why be a DJ for SSD?
Our mission is to produce a welcoming and inclusive, all-ages, community freestyle dance that supports free expression, community, physical and emotional health, and a spirit of generosity. We are all volunteer-produced, which means our DJs don’t get paid. Instead, they give time and effort to support the mission of the dance.
How we add New Resident DJs to our Roster
New DJs generally come from within our dance community. We ask that potential new DJs who are not regulars at our dance attend at least two dances to become familiar with our dance and our community and what our community expects. Each potential new DJ is paired with a current DJ for mentoring. Together, the mentor and the potential new DJ decide how best to proceed. This could involve working together to make playlists or having the mentor prescreen and give feedback on playlists. The decision to add a DJ to our permanent roster is considered an “organizer-level decision” which involves our entire dance community and is made by consensus of the organizers. In making this decision, the organizers will consider whether the potential new DJ has demonstrated a consistent record of supporting the mission of the dance through his or her period of mentored DJ work.
Sound System
Mentor DJs train newcomers on the sound system. DJs can play live using a laptop or other DJ equipment, play premade playlists on a laptop or an mp3 player, or burn playlists onto CDs. Details of running the sound system are in a separate document.
Music
Music plays from 11-11:30, and from 11:31-12:45 (we have a brief welcoming circle at 11:30).
Our group expects slower music from about 11-11:15 and also from about 12:30-12:45. It’s best if you start at 11:00 with very slow or even ambient music, then gradually pick up the tempo to get people upright and moving in the interval from 11:20 to 11:30. Likewise, a gradual slowdown during the interval from 12:30 to 12:45 is good. In between, you can have a single peak in tempo or provide a dip in tempo in the middle to give folks a rest. If the weather is warm, people generally won't dance at high tempo for more than 10 minutes.
Please do not play songs that promote violence, hatred, substance abuse or prejudice. Songs with lyrics about deep romantic love or sex should be used sparingly if at all. (These can be particularly uncomfortable to dance to when you’re dancing with children or someone you just met in a friendly way.) A variety of genres and rhythms is the norm. Also avoid playing more than two very similar songs in a row.
Schedule (assumes the DJ is also setting up the sound system, opening the space, and serving as “Host.” This is not necessarily the case for all DJs).
1) Before the dance, make arrangements to pick up the SSD supply box and bag (includes keys.)
2) Arrive with the box and bag, keys, and your music at 10:30.
3) Unlock the side door (next to the front door) with the key marked “SD” so that people can avoid the stairs if they need to. (Generally, people using strollers, bikes, and wheelchairs use the side door). Go in the front door (unmarked key). After you open the door, slide out the deadlock to keep the door ajar when it closes. When you arrive, the karate class will usually be in progress. They are OK with us setting up quietly while they work.
4) Start by setting up the sound system and testing it for a moment (see separate document).
5) With help of the “Welcomer” (who should arrive by 10:45), set up the free table, art area, and welcome area. If the Welcomer doesn’t come, then you will need to fill the role of Welcomer.
6) Start the music at 11:00. (The karate class generally stops promptly at that time.)
7) Move the tables and chairs off the dance floor at 11:00. (Doing so earlier may disturb the karate class.)
8) Welcome Circle: At about 11:30 (by which time almost everyone has arrived and the music has started to warm up a bit), pause between songs and invite everyone to join you for a very brief (one minute) circle, standing on the dance floor. If you have a theme or something special about your intention that day, you can mention it.
9) Closing Circle starts when music ends at 12:45. You can invite any “regular” to lead or do it yourself if no one volunteers. Information on leading Closing Circle is here.
10) If the next Ashkenaz user is there and wants the sound system left open, you can leave it open (after following the instructions on the sound system sheet for shutting down). Make sure all is clean. Unless the next user is there, lock the internal door to the restrooms by using the wooden bar, and lock up both Ashkenaz doors (front/side) as you leave. In general, you should plan to be done and leave by 1:15.
11) After the dance: Count the pay-it-forward cash gifts and write the gift total at the bottom of the sign-in sheet. Reimburse the volunteer Fruit Shopper/Server for fruit, and collect the receipt. Place the receipt and the remaining gift money in an envelope (see supply bag), the seal and date the envelope. Return everything to the next DJ in the rotation.
Emergencies and Mishaps
In case of emergency, call 911.
In case of an emergency pertaining to Ashkenaz, contact the Operations Manager Larry Chin on his cell: 491-7225.
Phone numbers for SSD organizers will be supplied to you.
Our mission is to produce a welcoming and inclusive, all-ages, community freestyle dance that supports free expression, community, physical and emotional health, and a spirit of generosity. We are all volunteer-produced, which means our DJs don’t get paid. Instead, they give time and effort to support the mission of the dance.
How we add New Resident DJs to our Roster
New DJs generally come from within our dance community. We ask that potential new DJs who are not regulars at our dance attend at least two dances to become familiar with our dance and our community and what our community expects. Each potential new DJ is paired with a current DJ for mentoring. Together, the mentor and the potential new DJ decide how best to proceed. This could involve working together to make playlists or having the mentor prescreen and give feedback on playlists. The decision to add a DJ to our permanent roster is considered an “organizer-level decision” which involves our entire dance community and is made by consensus of the organizers. In making this decision, the organizers will consider whether the potential new DJ has demonstrated a consistent record of supporting the mission of the dance through his or her period of mentored DJ work.
Sound System
Mentor DJs train newcomers on the sound system. DJs can play live using a laptop or other DJ equipment, play premade playlists on a laptop or an mp3 player, or burn playlists onto CDs. Details of running the sound system are in a separate document.
Music
Music plays from 11-11:30, and from 11:31-12:45 (we have a brief welcoming circle at 11:30).
Our group expects slower music from about 11-11:15 and also from about 12:30-12:45. It’s best if you start at 11:00 with very slow or even ambient music, then gradually pick up the tempo to get people upright and moving in the interval from 11:20 to 11:30. Likewise, a gradual slowdown during the interval from 12:30 to 12:45 is good. In between, you can have a single peak in tempo or provide a dip in tempo in the middle to give folks a rest. If the weather is warm, people generally won't dance at high tempo for more than 10 minutes.
Please do not play songs that promote violence, hatred, substance abuse or prejudice. Songs with lyrics about deep romantic love or sex should be used sparingly if at all. (These can be particularly uncomfortable to dance to when you’re dancing with children or someone you just met in a friendly way.) A variety of genres and rhythms is the norm. Also avoid playing more than two very similar songs in a row.
Schedule (assumes the DJ is also setting up the sound system, opening the space, and serving as “Host.” This is not necessarily the case for all DJs).
1) Before the dance, make arrangements to pick up the SSD supply box and bag (includes keys.)
2) Arrive with the box and bag, keys, and your music at 10:30.
3) Unlock the side door (next to the front door) with the key marked “SD” so that people can avoid the stairs if they need to. (Generally, people using strollers, bikes, and wheelchairs use the side door). Go in the front door (unmarked key). After you open the door, slide out the deadlock to keep the door ajar when it closes. When you arrive, the karate class will usually be in progress. They are OK with us setting up quietly while they work.
4) Start by setting up the sound system and testing it for a moment (see separate document).
5) With help of the “Welcomer” (who should arrive by 10:45), set up the free table, art area, and welcome area. If the Welcomer doesn’t come, then you will need to fill the role of Welcomer.
6) Start the music at 11:00. (The karate class generally stops promptly at that time.)
7) Move the tables and chairs off the dance floor at 11:00. (Doing so earlier may disturb the karate class.)
8) Welcome Circle: At about 11:30 (by which time almost everyone has arrived and the music has started to warm up a bit), pause between songs and invite everyone to join you for a very brief (one minute) circle, standing on the dance floor. If you have a theme or something special about your intention that day, you can mention it.
9) Closing Circle starts when music ends at 12:45. You can invite any “regular” to lead or do it yourself if no one volunteers. Information on leading Closing Circle is here.
10) If the next Ashkenaz user is there and wants the sound system left open, you can leave it open (after following the instructions on the sound system sheet for shutting down). Make sure all is clean. Unless the next user is there, lock the internal door to the restrooms by using the wooden bar, and lock up both Ashkenaz doors (front/side) as you leave. In general, you should plan to be done and leave by 1:15.
11) After the dance: Count the pay-it-forward cash gifts and write the gift total at the bottom of the sign-in sheet. Reimburse the volunteer Fruit Shopper/Server for fruit, and collect the receipt. Place the receipt and the remaining gift money in an envelope (see supply bag), the seal and date the envelope. Return everything to the next DJ in the rotation.
Emergencies and Mishaps
In case of emergency, call 911.
In case of an emergency pertaining to Ashkenaz, contact the Operations Manager Larry Chin on his cell: 491-7225.
Phone numbers for SSD organizers will be supplied to you.
