Video Music Box Dance Party with Ralph McDaniels
Celebrating 30 Years of Video Music Box.
For the opening day of DanceAfrica 2013 at BAM, Uncle Ralph broke out the Pioneer DVJs and the Numark Video Mixer and took us all on a musical journey.
Celebrating 30 Years of Video Music Box.
For the opening day of DanceAfrica 2013 at BAM, Uncle Ralph broke out the Pioneer DVJs and took us all (yes even me) on a musical journey.
General
Client: Brooklyn Academy of Music
Event Name: Dance Party with Ralph McDaniels
Venue: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAMCafe) - 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Load In: 21:00
Start: 22:00
End: 03:00
Load Out: 0:345
People: 400
Technical
Main Speakers: 6 QSC KLA12 (In House)
Subwoofer: 2 QSC KW181 (In House)
Control Surface: Pioneer 2 DVJ 1000
Mixer: Numark AVM02
Headphones: Technics RP-DH1250-S
Computer: None
Lighting: Martin (In house)
The Wedding of Maria and Devon
Summary
This was an early wedding ceremony. Travel time was short so I arrived more than 2 hours before the start time. This is a beautiful venue with beautiful waterfront views both inside and out. The plan this morning was for an outside ceremony immediately followed by the reception. When I arrived, the venue had just opened, and they were still cleaning from the night before. They had the tables set up in such a way, that the normal DJ position had a guest table in it. That area has several isolated circuits and is set back from the dance floor with a wall behind it. They told me to set up on a small 4 foot table that was about 1 1/2 feet wide. I was only part way into the setup when they decided to change tables (and locations) again. I was less concerned with that and more concerned with the ceremony location. It wasn't raining, but it looked like it could happen an any moment, plus it was very windy. It wasn't until 45 minutes before the ceremony time, that the decision was made to have it inside. I was able to setup in the ceremony location with no problems; there was an elevator. The ceremony was a little delayed because the limousine had mechanical problems and another was dispatched. The intros and scheduled dances went well. I kept the pre-brunch mood low as I was asked. Once the formalities were take care of, with the permission of the new couple, it was party time. I started a dance set, at kept it going throughout the rest of the event. At the end I received hugs from the Groom, Bride and Grooms father.
General
Client: Maria & Devon
Venue: Giando's on the Water - 400 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Load In: 09:15
Start: 11:00
End: 16:00
Load Out: 16:45
People: 80
Technical
Main Speakers: 2 QSC K10
Subwoofer: 1 QSC KSUB
Control Surface: Denon HC-4500
Mixer: Rane MP25
Headphones: V-Moda Crossfade LP
Computer: 15" MacBookPro - Serato ScratchLive 2.4.4
Lighting: 2 Chauvet SlimPar64, 2 Chauvet Mini Laser RBX
DJ Idlemind opens for Senegal Sensations, Abdou Mboup and Waakaw
A key developer of the mbalax style of Senegalese dance music, multi-instrumentalist Abdou Mboup is a longtime ambassador of Senegal’s musical tradition. Having collaborated with the likes of Nina Simone, Harry Belafonte, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Afrika Bambaataa, Mboup, who performs with his new band Waakaw, marries jazz with a virtuosic mastery of the West African kora.
A key developer of the mbalax style of Senegalese dance music, multi-instrumentalist Abdou Mboup is a longtime ambassador of Senegal’s musical tradition. Having collaborated with the likes of Nina Simone, Harry Belafonte, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Afrika Bambaataa, Mboup, who performs with his new band Waakaw, marries jazz with a virtuosic mastery of the West African kora.
General
Client: Brooklyn Academy of Music
Event Name: BAMCafelive presents, Senegal sensations, Abdou Mboup and Waakaw
Venue: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAMCafe) - 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Load In: 20:00
Start: 21:00
End: 23:00
Load Out: 23:45
People: 150
Technical
Main Speakers: 6 QSC KLA12 (In House)
Subwoofer: 2 QSC KW181 (In House)
Control Surface: 2 Technics 1200
Mixer: Rane TTM57
Headphones: V-Moda Crossfade LP
Computer: MacBookPro Serato ScratchLive 2.4.3
Lighting: Martin (In house)
The Wedding of Dremeche and Antione
The Wedding of Dremeche and Antione
Summary
This was a Thursday evening wedding. Even though I left at 3PM, and it should have taken about an hour, traffic was crazy and it took almost 2. So my plan of arriving 2 hours early, was reduced to about an hour and a half; but I got it done. The ceremony was supposed to take place outside, but the threat of rain put an end to that. The Emerald room at Crest Hollow is on the first floor (Awesome) but the dance floor is actually down a flight of stairs (Not Awesome). There is a janky ramp placed on the stairs and rolling anything down them is scary.
The ceremony went fine. I used my "Project Wifi" speaker and iPad for the ceremony and it worked like a charm as expected. It's still a work in progress, but I will eventually make my mod plans public. The intros and scheduled dances went well. I kept the pre-Dinner mood low, since we still had 4 hours to dance. The garter was caught by a pre-teen boy so the rest of that tradition went out the window. A few guests made requests, and the couple told be ahead of time that requests were OK, but "nothing crazy". One of the guests came up a few times, with reasonable requests, but of course at the wrong times. (asking for songs that are in direct opposition to the current vibe). When the floor started to slow down, I played the requests. I did get a request from that same guest that I had to question. There are many kinds of DJs in this world and not every one will fit in every situation. I never really chose a kind to be since I love so many aspects of it. If this were a Concert, or a Hip Hop showcase, maybe the rules are a little relaxed, but at a wedding reception, "Incarcerated Scarfaces" (A Hip Hop Classic), is just not something I could play unless I check with the couple. I proceed to tell the guest that although I like the song too, I need to know if its OK with them; And for some reason, this guest starts getting mad (and too close) and tells me, I don't know what I'm doing and that he's a big time DJ, and that the Groom asked for this song. So I said, "OK, if the Groom asked for it, walk over to him and tell him you want me to play it, and have him give me the 'thumbs up'". (This is not my first time in this situation) All of a sudden, the story changed, now its a "Surprise" for the groom and he can't go over because he doesn't want to spoil it. Obviously, the same rule applies, so I ask him to go ask the Bride. After a bit, he realized that I was standing my ground and protecting the wishes of my client, and he asked the Bride. She came over a few minutes later, and said, "OK"; but not the kind of "OK" that made me think she knew what song it was, so I told her. She looked a little surprised, but it was near the end of the night, and she said to go for it. I played, it and He and the Groom danced to an empty floor. I saw the looks on the faces of some of the guests but what can I do? If the Groom is out there they know its not on me.
The couple thanked me at the end of the night, and over all, I'd say the night went well.
General
Venue: Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, NY
Load In: 17:35
Start: 19:00
End: 0:00
Load Out: 0:45
People: 80
Technical
Main Speakers: 2 QSC K10
Subwoofer: 1 QSC KSUB
Control Surface: Denon HC-4500
Mixer: Rane MP25
Headphones: V-Moda Crossfade LP
Computer: 15" MacBookPro - Serato ScratchLive 2.4.4
Lighting: 2 Chauvet SlimPar64, 1 Chauvet Mini Laser RBX
Smash Bros Album Release Party
Hip Hop is back in the building! Come celebrate the release of Fear Factor; The long-awaited debut Album from the Smash Brothers. DJ Idlemind will be on the set. Album will be available on CD and Vinyl at the party while supplies last. Also available on iTunes.
Hip Hop is back in the building! Come celebrate the release of Fear Factor; The long-awaited debut Album from the Smash Brothers. Album will be available on CD and Vinyl at the party while supplies last. Also available on iTunes.
Sept 20 2008
General
Client: The Smash Brothers (Ash Holmz & Classic Beats)
Event Name: Smash Bros Album release party
Venue: Tamboril, 523 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Load In: 21:00
Start: 22:00
End: 03:00
Load Out: 04:00
People: 180
Technical
Main Speakers: Venue 6 Mackie SRM 450,
Control Surface: 2 Technics 1200
Mixer: Rane TTM57
Headphones: Technics
Computer: 15" MacBookPro - Serato ScratchLive 1.8
Lighting: Venue Spots