Despite what you see in movies, Texas is not only cowboys, oil men, and rugged terrain. Houston is a very cosmopolitan city, and one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Over 145 different languages are spoken in the Houston region! As a DJ, I have the gift of experiencing the diverse cultural celebrations through my client's parties! In this month’s blog, pack your passports and join me for three unique musical experiences.
First stop- Mexico! Given Houston’s rich Mexican history, Houston DJ’s need to know Latin music and how to DJ a quinceanera, or ‘quince’. Until recently, I had never attended this Hispanic tradition that celebrates a girl’s transitioning into a young woman upon her fifteenth birthday. I took a moment to understand how the DJ actually serves as the musical gravity for the event. Through my preparation, I learned that the music and the emceeing ensure the celebration will flow seamlessly, and that the quince will feel the love from her community. Here’s why.
The tradition includes several elements, including processionals, several choreographed dances, followed by a joyful hours-long party. Weeks before the event, I coordinate with the parents, choreographer, performers, and any special effects technicians to understand the vision for the special night, then develop a minute-by-minute schedule. From grand entrance to grand exit, the DJ connects the guests to every moment of this unforgettable night with music and his/her voice.
For our next stop, we're flying across the Atlantic to Liberia. I had the pleasure of DJing the rehearsal dinner for a Liberian soldier marrying an African American teacher.
In our consultation, I learned that the groom’s mother intended to showcase their west African roots through food, music, storytelling, art and dance. I prepared by making a playlist of Nigerian Afrobeats and Amapiano from South Africa. I then asked the mom to review and add any of her families’ favorites. To add another level of expertise, I conferred with a longtime friend and Liberian music expert for his top recommendations. I learned that the West African Lappa Dance, where aunties put down a colorful cloth ("lappa") for the new couple to walk on and then the guests shower them with dollar bills, is an essential element of the wedding celebration. Yes, I prepared a custom playlist for this moment, as well. For the special moment of telling the couple’s origin story, I put my technology aside, and pulled out my djembe drum to accompany the griot’s performance.
For our last stop, let's go further east to India. A former coworker contacted me to DJ her 25th anniversary wedding celebration. What an honor. We talked about the vision for their milestone: a “Sangeet” for day one; and a “Barat”, ceremony and reception, on day two. As this was my first South Asian formal event, I needed to expand my existing song collection. I worked with a young family member to organize a playlist of traditional Hindi instrumentals and high energy Bollywood style dance music. I also received mixes from guests who would perform tribute dances and songs. For a memorable and hilarious retelling of the couple’s life together, guests recited poems and performed a collective skit. This was both a challenging and rewarding experience for me, as the event was organic, and conducted mostly in non-English languages.
As an open format DJ, I welcome the challenge of learning new styles of music and how to delight different crowds on the dancefloor. During almost two years, I have had clients from six continents. Playing their favorite music takes them back to their home. (On my own bucket list is the goal to DJ internationally). In the next blog, I invite you into the announcer's booth for a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DJing outdoor sports events. Stay well!
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