DJGold

djmc

Not really a complaint mind you........but have you ever felt like an "outsider" at some of those Ethnic wedding/receptions?

Saturday's reception was for regional Mexicans.......they are really EZ to please except for that language barrier (LOL)....

fortunately for me, my wife is Mexican and she pre-screened my ERG Regional Mex CDs to find the best trax for dancing.

Nevertheless, I thought it was funny as I was the only "gringo" at this reception. (Hence the Fish out of water scenario).

Sunday's wedding/reception was no better: about 100 Chinese at a posh country club. They had a friend of the family serve as emcee, which is the SECOND time this has happened in the past 2 months.

We felt out of place because everyone spoke Mandarin, except the other vendors were caucasion, so we had some company.

On the plus side, the $$$ was good and they fed both me and my daughter (Tri Tip and Halibut "Surf and Turf" platter)

dokai · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:49 pm Post subject:

Yes, I absolutely have felt that way. A recent "commitment ceremony" left me feeling like the only heterosexual person at the reception, with the possible exception of the parents of the brides. :lol:

Sounds like you're developing a reputation for being "ethnic friendly". Diversity is the future! Keep up the good work!

michigandj · Joined: June 7th, 2005 Posts: 67 Location: Boyne City, MI

I feel out of place at cetrtain events - mainly the ones where my Dodge Caravan is tucked in between a Hummer and a Beamer - and there is a guy folding towels in the bathroom with a tux on making more than me that night... :shock: OK THAT might be a little extreme - but you get my drift. But let me tell ya - the rich folk know how to party! I guess I just get the jitters at the beginnings of these type of events moreless.

Another instance where I feel out of place is certain school dances - but at 33 yrs. young I guess that feeling should come natural. Ethnic weddings usually end up being awesome for us - but that is only after settling down, and figuring out how to relate to the crowd... :lol:

winsorpd · Joined: February 21st, 2005 Posts: 110 Location: Gorham, ME

Howdy,

I think we all find ourselves feeling this way, whether you are at an ethnic party, hs dance or anywhere else you are the "minority". I believe it's a normal reaction to have butterflies because of that imbalance. However, if we are truly great at what we do, we can read the room and adjust to it. That is the true test.

Dave

DJ Teddy Bear · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:17 am Post subject:

When I got started, the multi-op I worked for didn't provide much training, and we never talked to the client until we got to the gig.

I've been working for about 4 months and am setting up at a gig and the people start showing up. Surprise! They're all black. I'm no racist or anything, but I'm thinking, stereotype or not, the music will be different and I don't have enough of their music to carry me thru the gig.

I was real nervous, and they knew it. Fortunately, I got enough requests, and requests for good stuff that I might not have thought to play on my own, to get thru the night. It turned out to be a pretty good party despite me being the wrong DJ for the gig.

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

What Teddy says goes to prove you have to introduce the DJ for the event to the client during the planning sessions if you are a multi-system operator. This way the client doesn't think the company owner will be there and so the DJ for the event also knows ahead of time some of the requests that will be needed for the event.

djwak59 · Joined: September 21st, 2004 Posts: 200 Location: Dyer, IN

I used to work for a big multi-op guy too teddybear. But, I always knew what was coming. I got my exposure to Latin/Mexican music while working for him. Most of the time, there were other white folks there, but one time, I was the only one, and that did feel kinda weird.
He would also get Hindu teen dances every now and then and if you've never played one of those, you're missing non-stop dancing! They would give me CDs to play and tell me which tracks, it's just like house /club stuff in a different language! These kids wouldn't stop, and I had NO idea what I was playing.
So, yeah djmc, I've felt like that too.
See ya. 8)

djHSL · Joined: October 22nd, 2005 Posts: 1

Hahahah ... I'm caucasian, but I spent 5 years playing Chinese and dialect trance in ecstasy clubs across SE.Asia ... I'd get lots of funny looks at new venues when people came to the DJ booth with requests, then look around for the Chinese guy who must have been working with me.

DJPete · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:15 am Post subject:

We did an Big (for SW Oklahoma) wedding several weeks ago -- the Bride was 1/2 Indian (India) -- they brought CD's and as others indicated we played the tracks they requested and they danced non-stop -- They really had fun -- but the rest of the crowd got tired of this and wanted hip-hop -- Interesting job to handle!