Tag Archives: ecstatic dance

Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan

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I have been playing Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan as a DJ for a while and it continues to grow on me. I find myself chanting Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan while walking around going about my day sometimes. As a Multicultural Wedding and Party DJ in New Jersey, I hear a lot of music and listen to a very diverse mix of grooves and jams. This one has taken over lately.

 Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan

      Fun-Da-Mental - Ja Sha Taan (Transglobal Underground Karachi Deathcult Mix)

If you are not familiar with the group Fun-Da-Mental, they are a British group that are often considered radical for their political views and music. They are a diverse group of musicians that typically produce Islamic World Fusion with Asian and Afro-Cuban beats and rhythms. They have gone through several reformations of their musicians but continued to create powerful, conscious music to dance and raise awareness about the treatment of Asian and Afro-Carribean British populations. I think it is important as a professional DJ we need to support artists that are willing to create music that stands for the rights of people who are marginalized or discriminated against like Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan.

“Fun-Da-Mental is a British-based multi-ethnic hip-hop–ethno-techno–world fusion music group formed in 1991. The group is notable for its energetic fusion of Eastern and Western musical forms, for its outspoken political stance, and for its strong Islamic affiliation and advocacy. Fun-Da-Mental’s political stance has led to the group earning the label “the Asian Public Enemy“. The group’s work has led to international attention and collaborations with artists from Pakistan, South Africa and Siberia.” Wikipedia

Beautiful Woman Dancing at Rhode Island Multicultural Wedding DJ Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan

Listen to Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan and crank it up! Just make sure you have enough room to move, this is forceful and addictive. You have been warned.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Natacha Atlas I Put A Spell On You

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One of the most widely covered songs of popular music makes its way to a Belgium singer named Natacha Atlas. I was recently turned-on to her music and have become a fan.  Natacha Atlas finds a way to integrate Hip Hop, Western melodies and Arabic rhythms into driving beats and heartfelt vocals. She is a fun artist for a professional DJ because she can be mixed into so many different genre and situations and feel like it ‘belongs’, especially Natacha Atlas I Put A Spell On You.

Natacha Atlas I Put A Spell On You Music Video

Provious to her solo career, Natacha was a member of Transglobal Underground (TGA) as lead singer and belly dancer for their mixing of Easter and Western beats and rhythms. Before TGA, she was also a lead singer and belly dancer for a Belgium Salsa band.

Natacha Atlas I Put A Spell On You History

I looked up “I Put A Spell On You” to see how many artists have either covered or samples the song and the list is extensive! I acquired the  list from Wikipedia. Of course, the original was by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

Fun Rhode Island Multicultural Wedding DJ with Natacha Atlas I Put A Spell On You

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Has A Great Time

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Saturday Night was the 30th Anniversary of Barefoot Boogie at Insight Meditation Center in NYC! It was such a fun night with an incredible energy and feeling of celebration. As the Coordinator of DJs and Teachers for our twice monthly dance events, it was extra special for me personally. When I returned to The USA almost three years ago after living in South Korea and traveling Asia, I discovered Barefoot Boogie as a means for dance and building community here in the New Jersey and New York area, after being away from this region for fifteen years. The Barefoot Boogie has been an essential piece of my life and was a driving force in me returning to being a professional DJ full-time again. I am so grateful for that cold, snowy January Night when I first walked in the doors to the Insight Center and heard the flowing music in the background. I felt home for the first time since landing on American soil.

 

We danced, sang, moved and grooved to fun music and special events we had planned. We did this really fun dance that the DJ played a short clip of a song form each of the thirty years and the person who was wearing the bib-like shirt that we made with the year corresponding to the song, did a brief solo dance and then gave way to the next dancer and subsequent year. We had two children present who also picked a year to dance solo.

 Barefoot Boogie celebrates 30 Years with Three DJs

I was the DJ for the last set and played some really open and expansive music, since the two earlier DJs played mostly popular old and new songs. I felt like I needed to offer another alternative to balance things out, since we are a very diverse and alternative community of freestyle dancers. This is one of the more unusual songs I played for the first time at a gig Saturday Night. Music likes this is not something I typically get to play at Weddings, Parties and Events and the Barefoot Boogie is a great place for me to experiment as a professional DJ.

What do you think of this tune for dancing or listening?

Creative DJ at Barefoot Boogie NYC

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael at Barefoot Boogie Saturday Night 10/27

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As Coordinator of DJs and Teachers at Barefoot Boogie, it is important for me to try and give as m ch of my time to actually being there and DJing to show our new and upcoming DJs how to master the skills. I have not been able to DJ at The Boogie since last month but it seems much longer since I miss it. Playing music for such an open and diverse group is fun, it allows me, or any DJ, to get creative and stretch the playlist far beyond what would be acceptable or productive at a Wedding, Party or Event. Of course, I always enjoy DJing in NYC, especially downtown or at least in Chelsea.

What is The Barefoot Boogie?

The Boogie is a freestyle dance which happens twice a month in New York City. We offer a relaxed, smoke- and alcohol-free environment where folks can freely express themselves in movement.

What Kind of Music Do The DJs Play?

From our pool of talented DJs, two spin each dance. Each of our DJs has his or her own distinctive style, but one thing you can rely on is that atevery Boogie you’ll hear a wide variety of music: R&B, World, Funk, Tribal, Hip Hop, Ambient, Reggae, House, African, Electronica, Disco, Rock, Techno, Drum & Bass, etc.

People of all ages, families and kids are welcome. Come alone or bring your friends. You’ll find folks at the dance moving solo, with partners, and/or in groups. Dress as you wish, but please leave your street shoes at the door before hitting the dance floor. The Barefoot Boogie is a not-for-profit, cooperative and volunteer-run venture.

The Barefoot Boogie as about to celebrate its 30th anniversary next month! It is amazing to me that a group of dancers started this back in 1982 and have found a way to keep it going for thirty years! This is one of the reasons I am so willing to volunteer and DJ when I can at Barefoot Boogie. What DJ would not want to support a creative dance community with such history and talent like the Barefoot Boogie? Besides, where else can I play World, Buddha Bar, Rock, Soul, R&B, Oldies, Hip Hop, Jazz, House and Top 40 as a DJ all in one night?

Dancers Partying with DJ Mystical Michael at Barefoot Boogie

Looking forward to tomorrow night at Barefoot Boogie!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Live At Barefoot Boogie Saturday Night!

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I always look forward to the nights I am able to provide DJ music for dancers at The Barefoot Boogie. As a dancer, this is one of my favorite places to perform. There are so many appreciative dancers that I have such a great time.

Barefoot Boogie Dancers with DJ Mystical Michael

If you have never been there, The Barefoot Boogie is a bi-monthly dance event held at Insight Meditation Center 28 W. 27th St, NYC.  Our community has been providing dance events since 1982 and is still going strong today! It is an honor for me to DJ at events. I am also Teacher and DJ Coordinator for the community.

 

Sometime before the dances, I find myself up late one night creating new mixes and possibilities for the upcoming event. Last night was one of those nights. I am excited to share these with our community. It is one of the rare opportunities for me as a DJ to really get to play with diverse genres, tempos, textures and rhythms. If you would like to read more about the larger dance community, Barefoot Boogie is a member of the Dance New England community of dances and dancers.

Contact Improvisation at Barefoot Boogie NYC with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

A DJ Has A Night To Play

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There is something really fun about having a night without a playlist.  As a professional full-time DJ, I rarely get to choose the music I play. I am extremely committed to making sure the folks that hire me as a professional DJ get what they want and not pick music for myself at a gig. Last Saturday night at the Barefoot Boogie I had the music all to myself!  We usually try to schedule more than one DJ at each event to add diversity in style and musical choices.  This particular night I was the only DJ on the schedule and took full advantage of the opportunity.

 

I can’t say it was my most fluid segues but we had fun and there was plenty of great tunes for moving and dancing.  We started the night with some mellow, lush music for letting the dancers get loose and grounded to the music and environment.  It was not long till we had it cranked-up to full volume and the energy was very high. I was mindful of bringing the energy and tempo down to provide space for catching breath and get even deeper into their process.

 

As usual, we had a great time and nobody wanted to leave at the end of the night. I still am smiling that I got to play Acoustic Jazz, New Age, Pop, Top 40, R&B, New Wave, Punk, Rock, Old Soul and Hip Hop all in the same night while visiting Cuba, Africa, India, Turkey, Mexico, Japan and Spain along the way. A fun ride for all!

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael at Barefoot Boogie Saturday Night 10/8!

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I am even more excited than I was last night!

 

Along with being a professional full-time DJ & MC, I am also the volunteer Coordinator of Teachers & DJs at The Barefoot Boogie NYC.  It is my responsibility to recruit, schedule and sometimes train our teachers and DJs for our semi-monthly events.  The venue we create these evens is Insight Meditation Center, originally had a special event scheduled for this Saturday Night, 10/8. We shifted our schedule to accommodate. It turns out they had to cancel the event and we had some conversation and decided we would scramble together and put a dance event together for tomorrow night.  I offered to DJ since I have not had the opportunity to DJ there since before the wedding season was in full swing. I miss it.

 

I now get to DJ at an outdoor wedding in the afternoon and Barefoot Boogie at night.  Besides seeing friends and being in an environment I enjoy, DJing at The Barefoot Boogie allows me to get extremely creative in musical selections.  I will start the night with some slow, lush music to support dancers in getting warmed-up and stretched.  After I see folks are ready, I will slowly raise the energy, tempo and volume till we are at full force.  The Boogie is an environment that diversity and creativity are considered gifts for dancers and movers.  Throughout the night I will try to mix in some music from many decades, genres and cultures from around the globe.

 

Should be a great day between the wedding and the boogie!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Freestyle Frolic

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On Saturday night I was in Tilson, NY at an event called Freestyle Frolic. It is a bi-weekly event where it is free of smoking, drinking and drugs sponsored by Dance New England. I have been to, danced and DJ at their partner events in NYC Barefoot Boogie but this was the first time I participated in their outdoor, freestyle event in the New Paltz area.

It was fun dancing and observing the different DJs throughout the night. I took particular attention to when and how they changed the flow and energy of the music to meet the needs of those dancing.  Since there was a big picnic first, the beginning DJ needed to slowly engage folks into dancing and getting them moving in a way that supported being outside, barefoot and taking in the beauty and tranquility of the environment. He did so with gentle coaxing through slow progressions of tempo and energy. I watched as each participant found their way to move and dance in way that felt right to them and helped them to feel comfortable with their body and atmosphere.  As people were starting to demonstrate more energy and enthusiasm, the DJ livened things up a bit in a slow methodical manner. This is what I have found effective as a DJ as well. It is somewhat different for a wedding or major event where it is assumed in advance that guests will be ready to get and move from the beginning but there is still a ‘warm-up’ period to get them comfortable.

The second DJ from 10:30-12:30 had the advantage of taking over when the dancers were already warmed up and now it was dark outside with a sky filled with stars and star-gazers.  We were ready for higher energy music and they delivered. They were a team of husband and wife and they alternated selections and mixes through the next two hours. It was a welcomed choice to slow down the music and add some layered, heavier textures to mix things up every now and then.  This allowed dancers to sink into the music deeper and for a richer experience that is hard to find in faster rhythms and beats. They seemed to be truly having fun ,mixing and choosing their music, a good sign from a DJ.

The final DJ who was to spin from 12:30-2:30, came in with more melodic and electronic music. There was a dose of Trance for those who were still up and moving. This allowed the dancers to move in their own way without forcing a style or tempo on them. I noticed how more creatively the dancing became when the opportunity was given. This is something that many new and young DJs often exclude.  New DJs and young DJs often choose what always works or what they like and do not create space for the dancers to make it their own, they force a tempo or style to suit their own needs or lack of experience.

After a night of dancing and music in the woods and mountains of New York State near The Catskills and Woodstock, I left with the feeling that I had learned or maybe been reminded of some simple concepts as a DJ.

1) Be creative but do not push your needs on the folks dancing.

2) Create space for people to get comfortable physically as well as socially on the dance floor.

3) Have fun as a DJ! No need to be cool or look like you are solving world issues or a cure for cancer. Enjoy the music, energy and dancing!

4) Be present and let go of what you thought you were going to play and pre-made playlists. The energy of the crowd will determine the best possible music for that moment and time. Listen and feel the energy and match it with your own gut feeling on what is needed for the dancers to enjoy the event most. It is their event and it should be for them- the music, the style and the beats. We just make it happen.

5) Dance is a social and community event even of it does not look or feel that way at the time. Help facilitate this process by being part of the event without ‘being’ the event.

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DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ