18 March 2021

We Love To Party

By Ally Pally

This Friday (19 March) we’re inviting lovers of music and dance everywhere to kick the weekend off with a Zoom party hosted by the Rhythm Stick crew! The night is curated by and for people with disabilities and will feature a range of DJ sets and entertainment, offering a safe space for people to meet, socialise and party.

To get in the mood, Alexandra Palace’s student placement Tilly Woodhouse, from Central School of Speech and Drama, spoke to two of the contributing DJs: DJ Marky Mark and DJ 4Blue:

What can we expect at the Rhythm Stick: We Love to Party Zoom event?

DJ 4Blue: Good music, entertainment and people trying to enjoy themselves.

DJ Marky Mark: On my side, expect really good music, and a few new tunes thrown in as well!

Why are inclusive events like Rhythm Stick important?

4BLUE: To me it’s all about opportunities and meeting different people and just experiencing life!

MM: There’s a lot of people with disabilities, and non-disabled people, that are sitting at home while this covid is on being bored, you know. If people know there is a party going on then at least that way they can enjoy themselves! It takes people’s minds off things.

(DJ 4Blue)

How did you get into DJing?

4BLUE: I did some DJing in my youth club called Hafad in Hammersmith, messing around with decks and CDs and somebody invited me to learn how to set up PA’s and sound systems and band equipment. Then I did a beginner’s course with the Bubble Club in East London. I got certificates from their intermediate and advanced courses too which was good, and went from there.

MM: I saw other people DJing in night clubs that I went to when I was younger, and I thought to myself ‘I’d like to take that up’. I found out there was courses going on, so I went ahead and got into a college – Tottenham College – and passed! It was a 16 week course and I passed it!

What do you love about DJing?

4BLUE: I like experiencing music and learning as you go along and having fun. I also have a big passion for representing females in DJing. Women produce music and work in bands, but there are not many women DJs representing disabled adults, so it’s great to do that.

MM: I like using the equipment and really I just like to see everybody dance and enjoying themselves.

What is the one track you play to get the party started?

4BLUE: Ooh that’s a hard one! Well, in the pandemic, I don’t know. But before the pandemic? The audience plays a big part and the time of the evening you’re performing plays a big part.

MM: There’s so many! I can’t choose at the moment! There’s loads of them. Ones I like playing is Pitbull. There’s all different artists, I play David Guetta because his music is all dance!

(DJ Marky Mark)

What would you say to a young person interested in getting into DJing?

4BLUE: If you have a love for music, give it a go! It can be good to get a qualification because it’s evidence of your skills. Then it’s about getting experience.

MM: It can really help to find out if the colleges near where you are do any DJ courses. Go in there, ask about it, hopefully sign up and be taught how to DJ. Hopefully when you qualify or pass that DJ course you’ll be on your way to being a famous DJ! Or a good DJ. Being a good DJ is more important that being a famous DJ!

Rhythm Stick: We Love To Party is for adults (18+) who identify as disabled or having a learning disability, but anyone is welcome to come and join in the fun. Please note that the party will take place on Zoom.