SwingDJs

I do think an exchange should reflect the city, or at least the image we would want to project. Currently, we're in the planning stages for KCLX 2005. One of our goals to showcase our city's jazz history and we would like the music to reflect that. That may change for late night venues, but that's ...

I disagree that exchanges are or should be all about the locals. A party is all about the company--since when is any party about who is throwing it? Parties are thrown to show the guests a good time, and a host is shown off when the guests have a good time. I do think an exchange should reflect the...

Just thinking about this subject gives me a headache. My worst fear as a closer, or just following someone is duplicating a song already played. My memory sucks and I don't retain things easily.

When an exchange contacts a DJ about djing at their exchange, what typically transpires? Do some exchanges demand certain styles of music, or just let you do your thing? I'm just curious. How do you initially gauge what to play?

Could someone explain to me the difference between Kansas City Jazz and other styles? Also, could you supplement this with particular songs, artists, or albums?

De nada

Well, this time (3rd time for these dances), I took a lot of time going around the room and asking many dancers their opinions of the music and of the event. For the most part, they were positive, whether they were dancing or not. I tried playing a good variety from 120bpm-200bpm, mixing things arou...

How does a DJ please the dancers? I've heard you're supposed to read the crowd, but are there hints/tricks for successful crowd reading? I DJ a dance where there are a wide variety of dancers (skill level and swing dance preference, whether it's ecs, lindy, bal, blues, etc). Do you read by looking a...

It's a parody, though:

Grapefruit Diet - Weird Al

How do you keep the DJ flow going, though?

Personally, I'm combing through the library for my music and then burning it. It works nicely. My next step right now is to find music that's recommended on dj lists, like the one on lindygroove.com for example.

If you play off a laptop, how do you preview?

I haven't seen if this is posted or not, but Blu Cantrell's "Swingin" is pretty fast.

My two cents, even though they're a little outdated (it's been a while since I've spent more than 2 weeks there, but I do talk about it with friends), is that KC already has what I think most people would call a "groove" lindy scene. And that's why the lindy and east coast scenes are so d...

Basically, if you want to change a scene, bridge a gap, whatever, it is very helpful, almost critical, to have some teachers on your side or be a teacher yourself. That is my advice to the Kenny. In my mind, teachers are the key element. Teachers can indoctrinate the dancers in their very formative...

Good point, Greg: Kenny--are you asking how to convert people to lindy or how to make lindy hoppers & east coasters happy while at the same venue? Well, I certainly can't make everyone happy. Let me try explaining in a roundabout fashion. What I see are a lot of ECS dancers addicted to speed. T...