Search found 256 matches

by Platypus
Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:22 am
Forum: DJ Skillz
Topic: DJ Summit coordination question
Replies: 15
Views: 50620

DJ Summit coordination question

Next month, one of our local venues is coordinating a local DJ summit/training geared towards our newer DJs in town. We are planning to focus on the basics, of DJing, from equipment to choosing music that fits the venue. Since i am a researcher at heart: For those who have run Summits: What was the ...
by Platypus
Sun Apr 25, 2010 5:57 am
Forum: Swinging Music
Topic: Quick, give me some recommendations!
Replies: 32
Views: 22494

the scary part is how many of these tunes I have on my computer and just hadn't gotten around to playing at dances yet. Thanks for the (free) ideas.

I recently found the Tommy Dorsey version of Wade in the Water.
by Platypus
Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:42 pm
Forum: Swinging Music
Topic: eMusic changes
Replies: 18
Views: 17029

Veteran's Day music, 50 tunes for 12 units. http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Art ... 65963.html
by Platypus
Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:14 am
Forum: DJ Skillz
Topic: Dance to it before you dj it
Replies: 10
Views: 36421

Take consideration the sound system at the venue. It isn't always as kind to older music as your home system. At some point, we had a top hits thread (completely forgot what we called it). A number of years ago, a group of teachers, DJs, coordinators, and dancers got together in Houston specifically...
by Platypus
Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:30 am
Forum: Swinging Music
Topic: Halloween Songs
Replies: 34
Views: 83668

We were just mentioning that it was time to start cracking out the Halloween swing, so bringing this back up to help refresh our memories...
by Platypus
Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:57 pm
Forum: DJ Skillz
Topic: worst request ever
Replies: 15
Views: 52416

Back in the late 80s and early 90s, they DID sometimes play "Jitterbug" at our swing dances.
by Platypus
Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:10 am
Forum: DJ Skillz
Topic: How do other scenes compensate their DJs?
Replies: 11
Views: 37758

Most of our dances are non-profit and run on a shoestring budget. We usually get free entry, a thank you, and occasionally a free drink. A few years ago, I could drop into a pre-dance advanced class on the nights I DJed at one venue (loved that perk). One venue has a CD music library that can be bor...
by Platypus
Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:32 am
Forum: Swinging Music
Topic: New CD by the Solomon Douglas Swingtet
Replies: 5
Views: 5466

I played "Splanky" last Saturday night, the floor was filled, so I am calling it a success.
by Platypus
Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:59 pm
Forum: Swinging Music
Topic: Japanese school girls in short skirts playing Swing music
Replies: 16
Views: 14141

They are from the Japanese Movie, called Swing Girls. I just bought it and haven't yet had time to watch it. Had to buy it since it is not on Netflix.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Girls
by Platypus
Thu Nov 27, 2008 5:11 pm
Forum: Swinging Music
Topic: Your local Lindy Hop scene - Uses real Swing music or other?
Replies: 76
Views: 44755

There are still strong swing-focused instuctors, organizers, events, and DJs in town who are working to keep the swing in swing dance. Fusion is an offshoot. Don't y'all have blues dancing, bal, or other offshoots of the swing scene in your area? Some of the Dallas dancers even holds a soul music we...
by Platypus
Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:05 am
Forum: Swinging Music
Topic: Your local Lindy Hop scene - Uses real Swing music or other?
Replies: 76
Views: 44755

With a growing blues dancing scene in Texas and some people moving here from other states, there was growing interest for something different. A local dancer wanted to have a weekend where she could do all of the styles of dance she enjoys, including swing, tango, and blues. People liked it. Kicked ...
by Platypus
Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:24 am
Forum: Swinging Music
Topic: Your local Lindy Hop scene - Uses real Swing music or other?
Replies: 76
Views: 44755

vintagefreak, you have fun sets and when you are on, I KNOW that I will be getting the real swing deal. We ARE having a blues/fusion growth in the area. We are now split almost half-half between the number of venues that prefer all swing vs. fusion. The organizers who have developed the newest month...
by Platypus
Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:15 pm
Forum: Swinging Music
Topic: Songs for teaching / beginners classes
Replies: 97
Views: 69629

Houston's beginner friendly song list, with input from at least 20 local DJs, coordinators, teachers, and dancers. In order for a song to make it on the list, it had to have a clear majority vote that it included many of the beginner-friendly qualities that y'all have already mentioned, even if it i...
by Platypus
Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:52 am
Forum: Swinging Music
Topic: Songs for teaching / beginners classes
Replies: 97
Views: 69629

One of our local clubs had the beginner-friendly discussion a few years ago. We had so many different tastes and opinions about what "beginner-friendly" meant that we needed to bring everyone together so we could come up with a communal definition. The club brought together teachers, board...
by Platypus
Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:53 pm
Forum: DJ Skillz
Topic: mad skillz: mentoring, encouraging and skilling up (new) DJs
Replies: 9
Views: 12822

I think we currently have twice as many women as men spinning regularly, although the split is more even if you add in our "occasional" DJs. I agree about the new vs. old. Ya gotta set up the "feedback" loop early on, letting everyone know who is going to spin that they will get ...