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.
Being a guest DJ, and how we add New Resident DJs to our Roster
New DJs 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 pre-screen 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
DJs can make pre-made playlists on a laptop, or play live using a laptop or other DJ equipment. DJs in mentorship are not expected to set up the sound system.
Music
Music plays from 11-11:30, and from 11:35 to 12:40 or 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 unwards. 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 until the end is usually good (but not required). In between, you can have a single peak in tempo or provide a dip or dips 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.
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.
Being a guest DJ, and how we add New Resident DJs to our Roster
New DJs 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 pre-screen 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
DJs can make pre-made playlists on a laptop, or play live using a laptop or other DJ equipment. DJs in mentorship are not expected to set up the sound system.
Music
Music plays from 11-11:30, and from 11:35 to 12:40 or 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 unwards. 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 until the end is usually good (but not required). In between, you can have a single peak in tempo or provide a dip or dips 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.