Play good songs. Don’t play bad ones.
How to be a better dance DJ
Richard Powers was kind enough to teach a lesson on how to DJ events like Dancebreak. Please watch this video before making your set.
Expectations for DJs
Before their Dancebreak sets, DJs are expected to:
- put together a setlist following the guidelines set forth in this document, with a final version prepared and shared with Dancebreak leadership at least one week before the event
- work with instructors and Dancebreak leadership to ensure the set is beginner-friendly and supports the overall Dancebreak curriculum
- edit songs as necessary to make them danceable and beginner-friendly, or use our pre-edited songs
- ensure a balance of new songs and old songs, and a mixture of genres
- generally follow all the advice on Richard Powers's website
- download their setlist to their computer so it can be played without Wi-Fi, and ensure they have sufficient battery to play the full set
During their Dancebreak sets, DJs are expected to:
- announce the dance style before each song during Dancebreak, and provide a 10-20 second pause between songs for dancers to find new partners
- monitor audio levels and make sure the music is audible but not painfully loud
- teach mixers or uncommon line dances
- answer questions from dancers
To make these jobs easier and more manageable, in general we expect all new DJs to co-DJ with our regular DJs. We expect that, between the co-DJs, they do all the main Dancebreak dance styles (both waltzes, west coast swing, and Lindy Hop).
Breakdown of Dance Styles
Approximate breakdown of 35 dances for a two hour social:
- 17-18 Waltzes
- 9-10 Cross-Step Waltz
- 1 Jam + Pivots
- 1 Waltz with a Stranger
- 7-8 Rotary Waltz
- 0-2 Fast Waltz