Location
Maine Center for Taijiquan (Jason's studio), 500 Forest Ave. (rear), Portland
Attending
Mellen D, Erin P, Shelagh R, Jamie S, Cueva G, Dena R, Jason A, John B, Kari P, Jimmie P, Rebecca B, Lori H, Chloe U, Parks M. Joining on Zoom: Deb G, Lisa H, Pika S
Agenda
- DJ enthusiasm and expansion
- Music volume during dance
- Can we use prerecorded playlists?
- When/how can we return to weekly dances
- 2024 Retreat planning update
- 10th Anniversary celebration update
DJ Discussion
We had a freewheeling discussion about DJ enthusiasm, the possibility of bringing on new DJs. Notes in somewhat raw form:
Possible new DJs: Sandra, Jamie, Nate, Dena
Lori: considered a hybrid approach where new DJ and seasoned DJ work together
Shelagh: Other DJs who aren't here: Mark, Kellie,
Frequency expectation: 4x/year minimum
Lisa: Contact 5Rhythms DJs (Willow suggestion)
Deb: Counter comment - when we discussed that before in DJ meeting, we want DJs to be community dancers. If we go outside, do we lose continuity?
What is the vitality of PCD? Have been a vibrant community, and are now, but perhaps Covid loss
Only group around here that does DJ our music that we don't set a playlist. Other groups provide playlists
We want to be careful not to be a group that just accepts playlists. Music that is not mixed is just different.
Beck: what's the difference?
Jason, John, Parks explanation
Kari: assumption was a playlist only an interim to tide us over until we have enough energy to dance every Sunday
Mellen: DJ in training would still be there
Cueva: the reason we're having this conversation: Not enough DJ juice
DJs part of the community and also be able to read a room
Deb: Put a few ideas together: Likes Lori's idea of seasoned DJ being there with trainee DJ
Shelagh: Agree with importance of music coming from the group. The collective is important.
Even if we have enough DJs, we don't have a steady location with storage, etc.
Jason make the point that we show the new DJ what the expectation. That's important to understand what a wave is and how the dance flows
Kari - Grateful for opportunity for the conversation. Learning a lot about what the DJs do. As member of search committee, life goal is to find our next permanent home so we can dance every Sunday.
Parks Speak to Shelagh/Kari: We hope that the organic moment of both space and DJ juice happens simultaneously.
Shelagh
John read Kellie's email to the effect: While she loves to DJ, she doesn't feel called to PCD the way she once did. She would like to see more DJs invited into the circle. Yes to: Get more Dj energy in. Require less to begin. Start with great music choices and flow, then later bring in the mixing and dj skills. YES!
Chloe: out of rotation because Covid + Dad sick. Interested in rejoining the rotation. A super passion
Parks: A little all over the map. Hard time getting the juice back with every other week.
Hardest thing: Spotify no longer links with DJ Pro any more. Buy all songs, then add to DJ Pro, then mix. Evolution of playlist to mixing: a want to do it better. Happy to be involved in the training. Have heard Dena set, it was fantastic.
Deb: Another challenge: the people who say they might do it.
Dena: goose bumps about an experienced DJ working with her playlist. Challenged herself to make a playlist.
Lori: Because DJs buy their own music, does PCD
John: PCD pays for
Lisa: Looking for DJs: if you're interested, come prepared
Jason - in favor of growing from within, rather than putting out a survey
Parks - seconds that, ("whose phone number")
Mellen - 3 or 4 current DJs said they would be interested in training. Deferring to one or two people who don't have the time
Deb - Old pattern. It will be important to have criteria, quality control. On DJs to be quality control. One hit wonders
Pika - All for bringing in new DJs. Fresh perspective would be beneficial. Doesn't think a playlist is right for Sunday Dances. Strive to maintain a certain level of quality and committment, concerned about diluting that with playlists. Anyone who's excited/interested, take time to learn software etc. Interested in setting up training crew. Doesn't want to lower the barrier to entry
Erin - Hard to say after that. Record sets as they're playing, for later playback.
Chloe - Wholeheartedly agree with Pika. Recorded set is better than a playlist. Excited to hear Dena's passion. Hell yeah!
Cueva - Appreciate our DJs for a minute. The attention/quality is so beautiful to listen to your integrity. Mixed sets (outside once or twice). Not about playlist, about DJ/Dancer interaction
Jason - possible solution: Getting DJs together with trainees. Tag team with instruction/feedback
Picker / mixer
Contact people, guage interest, from there, do training
Jason will reach out to Sandra and one other person
(Break)
Sound Level
Lily researched, and the gold standard is what we already have: a handheld meter. However, a wall-mounted meter with a large display would be an aid for DJs to easily monitor sound levels. We've discussed this before, and decided to purchase one. We'll compare its readings to the handheld meter to give DJs a guidance to equivalent of 85 dB maximum.
10th Anniversary Celebration Update
Planned for October 22 after dance at MCWS. Attendees to bring their own lunch and utensils; PCD will provide some extras and a celebratory something. Games and activities available depending on weather.
2024 Retreat Update
Planned for October 18-20, 2024 at Ferry Beach Conference and Retreat Center
Next Meetings
September 19, 7-9PM on Zoom
October 17, 7-9PM, location TBD
