DDPP 1/26/11

Oh, what a night… and oh, what publicity can do! We had a record number of ladies dancing their butts off and stomping their feet in the dance studio tonight. Thirty-one ladies graced us with their mad dance skills and boy did it get hot up in the space. I think this was the night when spontaneous clapping also reached its heights.  We all rocked the house and got our Bikram Yoga simultaneously. Thanks to all the new ladies who took a chance on us. Thanks to all of our beautiful regulars that keep coming back with unconditional love. Finally, thanks to the Red Eye for putting us out there. Without further a do, our playlist for the night.

Tighten up……………….Black Keys

Raise your glass……….Pink

Fancy Footwork………Chromeo

Triple Double………….Girl Talk

Beware of the Boys…..Panjabi MC featuring Jay-Z

Desi Girl…………………Dostana

I wish I was a Baller….Skee Low

Award Tour……………A Tribe Called Quest

Tightrope………………Janelle Monae

Hang With Me………..Robyn

Great DJ……………….The Ting Tings

Dancing in Heaven….Q-Feel

Only Girl……………….Rihanna

Make Her Say…………KiD CuDi (Ft. Kanye West & Common)

19 Young Forever…..Jay-Z – Mr. Hudson

Cake or Death or Bears?

I must admit, I was a little concerned this Sunday.  People tend to disappear when Chicago gets all sports-fevery, but surely the magic of dance outweighs a possible Super Bowl slot?  Right?

Damn right!  Despite this weekend’s football fanaticism, we had a solid crowd of ladies on Sunday who were ready to celebrate life touchdowns or not.  Good thing, because come Sunday night Jay Cutler was feeling like this:

A lot of Bears fans were feeling like this:

 

And we lucky 10 were feeling like this:

All thanks to DJ Cake or Death’s mix!  Now those of you who are new to DDPP (almost half the group on Sunday!), may be asking yourselves “Cake or Death?  Sounds so freaking cool, but just what the heck does it mean?”  Enlighten yourselves here.  Others of you are probably like “enough of James Van Der Beek already, tell me about the music!”  Well, I kind of already did.  You see this week DJ Cake or Death brought us a hot mix with a very subtle theme. See if you can guess it:

I’ll give you a hint: it’s NOT almost all songs Kelley C. knows the words to and sings at the top of her lungs, regardless of whether or not she should.  Give up?  The title of DJ Cake or Death’s theme mix is……….”I Kinda Miss the 90s You Guys!”  DJ Cake or Death, I think some of us will always kinda be missing the 90s, so thanks for this!  It was like a nostalgia balm.  Until next time, we’ll just have to satisfy our aching desires with early MTV Party to Go albums and this delightful internet archive of 90s terminology.  Thanks for the sweat, the beats, and the memories DJ Cake or Death!

PEACE OUT.

 

Bustin’ Hump Day Loose

For the second time in as many weeks, both of our regular Wednesday Den Mothers were down for the count with nasty cases of The Crud. I’m sure their employers appreciated the “doctor’s notes” they e-mailed in, though:

Happy as usual to step in, I was joined in my efforts to hype the crowd by DJ Sex Frosting; together we greeted NINETEEN other women, including more than five newcomers. Guess that Red Eye article really did its work!

It turns out these ladies didn’t need much warming up, though. DJ Pelagic Magic worked the room over with a mix that kept us in that very comfortable middle area (you know, like the pelagic zone) between “What just happened?!?!?” and “Oh no she di’int!!!!!” Our newbies were bustin’ loose like pros in no time and not givin’ a damn about what kind of reputation they might be getting. I’m not sure what kind of mind control our DJ was using, but any memories of slippin’ on icesheets to get to the studio that evening were completely erased by the first strains of “Walkin’ on Sunshine.” And don’t even get us started on the song from “Hairspray.” Our sweaty selves really, really NEEDED her to stop the beat! But she wouldn’t!

DJ Pelagic Magic, YOU put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp. YOU put the ram in the rama lama ding dong. Heck, you can probably do wardrobe changes as quickly as this lady, too, and we look forward to seeing it the next time you DJ. Soon, please??

(Note: I particularly like how Brandy’s all, “Ahhh, I dunno…” at first but then Hasselhoff’s just BUYIN’ it from minute one. Obvs.)

DDPP in the Red Eye!

Behold, high priestess DJ Bran channeling the goddesses of dance:

If you didn’t already see this photograph in today’s Red Eye and read the superb story accompanying it, check it out on the web!  Quotes from Kelley C. and DJs U.N.I.T.Y. and Sexx Frosting are featured.  Thanks to everyone who danced with the lights on in front of a dude to make this happen!

 

Super Charged

In physics, energy is a quantity that is often understood as the ability a physical system has to produce changes on another physical system.  In Chicago, DJ ENRG is often understood as the lady with the ability to produce a spontaneous catwalk in the middle of a dance party:

It might have been the first time the entire room of dancers participated in spontaneous choreography–it was at least the first time I ever witnessed it. Props to DJ U.N.I.T.Y. for getting the modeliciousness going, and also for unleashing, and whipping, her gorgeous mane!  Another DDPP first!

From the liberation of locks to Barbara Streisand to our beloved DJ’s awesome moniker (her real initials!), the (subconscious?) theme of this mix was definitely POWER.  When running on pure ENRG, one needs no gin in her system to shake it into overdrive.  All she needs is a little human flesh, and maybe a map of Tasmania, and WHAMMO–fully charged!  Though I think it’s safe to say that our batteries were fully drained by the end of this one. Check out the mix that danced us dirty:

Energy is understood to produce changes on another physical system.  Well DJ ENRG, your kinetic miracle flooded us with a thousand volts of joy!  Way to be the change you want to see in the world!  Gandhi would be proud.  Or Barbara Streisand would, anyway.

And if you thought todays mix was hot, you should check out the fabulous burlesque show that DJ ENRG is choreographing!  The Kiss Kiss Cabaret can be seen Fridays at 11pm at the Greenhouse Theatre Center.  Facebook it!  Check out the website!  Buy tickets!   But wait, DDPPers are eligible for half price tickets if they want to go on Feb. 18.  All you have to do is shoot DJ ENRG (ericareid@gmail.com) an email!  What are you waiting for?  Check it out!

Okay, now to wrap a hot towel around my neck.  I feel a class action lawsuit against Willow Smith a brewin’…

DJ MLB Dishes Out Music + Trade Secrets

The den mother Jenn’s were uber-bummed we couldn’t be at DDPP getting our sweat on last night with the 2 Live Crew. It seems we’ve both contracted some throat-crap-cold. We’re on the mend though – yesterday I sounded like Satan choking on a pine cone. Today, it’s more like Kathleen Turner.

From what was reported by life-saver DJ Ssssnake – we heard it was chock-a-block full of DDPP virginal energy (so pure! so zesty!). And from our dear tune-spinner Emeritus, DJ Michelle Leslie Brown – this is what she done spun:

So rather than patently lying and pretending we have any perspective on what all transpired last night, we thought you might want to know, as we do, a bit more about this mysterious DJ MLB… who is now on her umpteenth mix for DDPP. Yes, she is our most prolific DJ EVER. How the hell does she manage it, month after month? Mix after mix? Keep reading, you literate dancer, you.

1. OK – your DJ name, DJ Michelle Leslie Brown. What gives? Where did that moniker come from?

DJ MLB: it all started with the fugees. specifically, the skit that starts at the 4:15 mark here:

i listened to that fugees album on a nonstop basis back in the day. the dorm i lived in my sophomore through senior years of college had a radio station, and i adopted mlb as my dj name. when i decided to start dj’ing for ddpp, mlb seemed like an obvious choice (to me, anyway!)

2. Do you remember your virginal experience at DDPP? If so – what went through your mind? What was it like?

DJ MLB: i wish i could remember my first time at ddpp. i’m sure i thought it a bit strange a first, but obviously that didn’t deter me from coming back!

3. Tough question – what has been your favorite DDPP moment? If you can’t choose one, we understand.

DJ MLB: actually, this one’s easy – the day after election day 2008. it’s hands down my favorite ddpp moment, and not just b/c i dj that night. there was definitely a higher than usual level of energy in the studio that night and i’m pretty sure we were all still floating from seeing obama elected.

4. Since you’re our most prolific DJ – I think the people deserve to know – how the hell do you do it? What’s your process like? And since you usually have all songs that have never been played at DDPP…where do you go to find the songs you use? Your personal collection, the interwebs, what websites?

DJ MLB: most of the songs i use come from the collection of just under 7,000 songs (and counting!) i have in my itunes library. sometimes i’ll hear a song on tv or while i’m out and about and think “hey, that’d be a good ddpp song,” and add it to my collection if i don’t already own it. sometimes teh interwebz will introduce me to a song that i just have to have. i’m lucky in that i have a lot of friends who are into music, so we’re usually sharing songs/artists that we’re currently in love with, so that helps build my overall collection.

in terms of making a playlist: i have a “songs i want to use for ddpp” list. once i’m ready to start making my playlist, i’ll start throwing songs together from that playlist to see if/how they work together. then, of course, i have to check the ddpp database (which i’d like to make a plug for, if i may – hey, dj’s! add your playlists to the ddpp database! thanks!) to see if the song’s been played before. if it’s not in the database, then it’s a go. if it’s already in the database, then i’ll usually save it for a dj rerun playlist…or, if i REALLY want to dance to that song, then i put it on the playlist anyway.

5. Onto the lightning round of super tough questions:

-Prince or Michael? Why?

DJ MLB: in concert: michael, b/c i never got to see him perform live. otherwise, prince.

-Janet or Erykah? Why?

DJ MLB: if i want to be entertained? janet. if i want something to listen to while i’m having a glass of wine and/or thinking deep thoughts? erykah.

-Al (Green) or Otis (Redding)? Why?

DJ MLB: ok, this is a tough one. as much as i love otis, al gets the edge b/c “love and happiness” is one of the best.songs.EVER. if you don’t like “love and happiness,” then you have no soul *and* the terrorists win.

6. What dancey song would you be thrilled to never hear again?

DJ MLB: oh, wow. i’d be ok if that “barbie girl” song went away and never came back. it was fun the first million times i heard it, but i could live the rest of my life quite happily if i never heard it again.

7. What dancey song would be impossible to torture you with? (in other words, someone could lock you in a room with it on full blast for a week straight and you’d still be loving it at sundown on day 7?)

DJ MLB: i’m not sure i can pick just one song for this one!

8. If money was no object, and perhaps raising the dead were possible, which artist or band would you bring to play a live set at DDPP? Why?

DJ MLB: it’s a tie: the roots and femi kuti. they both put on AMAZING live shows and i could (and have) listened to them live for hours on end.

9. What makes you come back every (or nearly) every week?

DJ MLB: lots of things, actually. i count ddpp as my weekly workout. i love getting excited about songs i haven’t heard in ages, and i love hearing new songs that need to get added to my collection. ddpp helps me get through the week – the first part of the week could suck, but i know i’m gonna dance on wednesday. thursday and friday might be crazy, but i danced on wednesday and therefore life is good. it’s gotten to the point now where if i skip more than one wednesday, i feel a bit lost, like “i should be dancing right now! why am i not dancing?”

10. What question didn’t I ask that you wish I would have? (and answer it:))

DJ MLB: i got nothing.

11. Do these sweatbands make my wrists look warm?

DJ MLB: if by warm you mean hot and by hot you mean awesome, then yes.

And upon request for a photo to run with this interview, DJ MLB retained her mysterious ways and provided this rendering of herself.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Stardust

For those of you who don’t have this permanently emblazoned upon your calendars, this past weekend marked David Bowie’s 64th birthday!

Now here comes the fun part.  What do you get when you mix the king of glam with a DDPP queen known as DJ Kling-On?

A) a hilarious bastard love child created in photoshop:

B) a couple of ladies spinning themselves silly in the middle of the dancefloor:

C) a killer tribute mix:

Answer?  D–ALL OF THE ABOVE!!  And probably a lot more.  You see, I was unable to celebrate Bowie’s B-Day in the studio, as I’ve been felled by my recurrent old-lady hip injury (stupid kickboxing).  So I’m asking you dear readers, dear dancers, dear random strangers who’ve happened upon this blog, tell me what happened on Sunday!!  Or share some other Bowie-inspired memory, joy, or wisdom.  Leave your comments ladies, so that DJ Kling-On might know the ways in which Bowie has touched your heart.

Also, thanks to everyone for putting up with the photog on Sunday!  The resulting story is going to appear in the Red Eye, and we’ll make sure to send an email blast to let you all know when to look for it!

Happiness = dancing? O’Hal Yeah

If you don’t have 3 minutes and 36 seconds to spare, but more like 36, please watch 36 seconds starting at minute 1:41. And yes, this queen of dance’s name is: Happiness.

And so we are hereby referring to this goddess Happiness from now on as “Lady Saint Happiness: the Perfect Queen of Soul Spirit Exemplar.”  Thanks to Catherine Carrigan for sending that vid our way. And mega thanks to our DJ du jour, DJ O’Hal Yeah for creating a playlist that turned all of us into pure Happiness (aka LSHPQSSE) at one point or another during the eventide:

So how did this playlist of pure happiness play out more broadly speaking? Like this:

But instead of a shirtless cookie-monster doo-rag man-child with a celly tell, sub in a sea of shimmering shimmy-ing ladies, infinitely refracted and recursed and reflected within the mirrors of our humble studio, the sequins on their skirts, the glint of their gold lame (lah-MAY) leggings, and in the sparkle of their white teeths and scleras.

We had 2 birthdays in the house, and a fever of DDPP virgins steaming up the mirrors.Were cakes to have been on the floor, you betcher soggy bottom we would have been thigh deep in frosting.

A very happy 1st Wednesday DDPP of the year, ya’ll! And happy birthdays to O’Hal Yeah and Melissa – please come back any every time.

Shake Your Cumberbunz

After a year-long hiatus, DJ Cumberbun (aka Den Mother Kelly P.) was back in action for the first DDPP of the New Year!  I don’t know about you but 2011 was not prepared for the bass boomin’ beats that were thrown down.  Some old school, some new school, some oldies and some slow jams you never thought you’d hear again.  Is your name Lisa, Angela, Pamela or Renee?  DJ Cumber bun loves ya, you’re from around the way!