Natacha Atlas I Put A Spell On You

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

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

Volunteer DJ shares the power of Native American music | Reznet News

Volunteer DJ shares the power of Native American music | Reznet News.

 

Most kids can’t remember their first birthday, but Kevin Kicking Woman can.

He was 14 years old, his party consisted of cake, presents and a barbecue.

“I felt corny because I never had one before so I didn’t know how to act. You always think about them all the time,” he said.

But his childhood wasn’t always filled with positive memories. When he was two years old his father put him up for adoption and then he moved around from home to home. He faced abuse, was taunted by his siblings and missed out on the typical childhood most children have.

Eventually his bedroom became his only solitude. He often would have to hours in his room alone but this wasn’t necessarily a punishment because it was through these moments he began to sing Native American songs that gave him strength. Singing became a gateway that allowed him to leave this world and lose himself in the music and the power of the songs.

“When I start singing I praised the spirits that help carry me,” he said.

And now he helps others through the power of music as a volunteer DJ at KBGA College Radio at the University of Montana where he has his own show called ‘Greeting the Sun’. Kicking Woman’s show airs every Friday morning from 6-9 a.m. But before he slips into his radio voice he finishes his two other jobs. In the mornings from 3:30-7:30 a.m. Kicking Woman is a part-time custodian at the Missoula Indian Center and then he goes onto his second job at the University where he works as a Bridges Baccalaureate coordinator. As a coordinator he recruits Native American students from tribal colleges for the Bridges Program, which is a science and bio-medicine program.

While the two non-radio jobs provide for his wife Joni Kicking Woman and three of his five children at home (the other two are in college), it’s the radio gig that keeps him afloat. The radio show consists of traditional songs and an occasional live performance from him.

Kicking Woman attended Haskell Indian Nations University soon out of high school but decided he was better off in the military and signed up for the Navy. When he finished he started working in a number of places and eventually decided it was time to return to college. In 2011 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Native American studies and anthropology from the University of Montana. He is currently working on a master’s degree in cultural anthropology in music. He wants to use this degree to document Native American songs of the Blackfeet tribe.

His path to a happy, successful life wasn’t an easy one, but it’s one that can be learned from.

His mother left him when he was six months old, leaving his father to raise him. But his father had problems of his own. He eventually was placed into three abusive homes until he was finally old enough to take care of himself. At nine-years-old Kicking Woman had enough. After being knocked out by a shoe that was thrown at him from across the room he turned to prayer for help.

“I sat at the edge of the bed and I began to cry. I asked God to kill them and I was going to kill myself. All of a sudden I got this really warm feeling in my body and it was like a message came to me. It said ‘Look into your heart there’s a fire burning don’t let it go out’,” Kicking Woman said.

From that moment on he decided that nothing was going to get him down. When he turned 18 he decided to go to college. He attended Haskell Indian Nations University and entered the Navy.

“One of the reasons I joined the Navy was because of my dad. I asked him one time when I was a kid what makes a good man and he said a military man,” Kicking Woman said. “In the Navy I wasn’t that abused kid that everybody knew at home. There I had a fresh start.”

That fresh start led him to a whole new life where he was finally able to decide his own fate. In August of 1991 he married his wife Joni and soon followed their five children. Like most adults Kicking Woman often finds the weight of the world a little too heavy on some days. So when he isn’t with his family or at work he spends his free time at the local swimming pool.

“It’s like therapy. When you’ve got a healthy mind and body everything just follows,” he said. “ You just feel good.”

Swimming and singing have gotten Kicking Woman through a lifetime of pain and happiness. Having overcome a childhood of abuse he has accomplished so much
in his adult life and over the years he has forgiven those families that harmed him. He said he tried not to let the negative memories sneak into his mind and instead uses it to help him move forward.

“If I put energy into [worrying] then it’s wasted energy,” Kicking Woman said.

Stacy Thacker (Navajo) is from Navajo, N.M.

 

DJ Mystical Michael Live at Barefoot Boogie NYC Tonight

Like most professional Wedding and Event DJs, I tend to look forward to DJ opportuntities that I can give back to the community and offer our DJ services as a volunteer. I work a lot of fundraisers as DJ but not always able to do them completely volunteered, often there is a small fee to cover expenses. Tonight at the Barefoot Boogie is a freebie!

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

One of the best parts is that I get to have fun and dance as a bonus. As the wedding and event seasons start to pick up, my availability lessens. This may be my last chance for me to DJ at the Barefoot Boogie for a while, unless I have a last minute cancellation or something.

 

Tonight I will play an eclectic mix of R&B, Pop, Dance, Hip Hop, Rock, Arabic, African and Latin rhythms with who knows what else mixed in. The Barefoot Boogie attracts a very diverse an creative bunch of movers and dancers that appreciate music that is not heard elsewhere or often. I can do that and cherish the opportinty when presented. As a special bonus, I get to meet with one of my friends, also another Barefoot Boogie Coordinator for dinner beforehand. Should be a fun night!

Barefoot Boogie with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael at Barefoot Boogie Saturday Night 3/24

With Spring bringing sun, warmth, green and flowers, it also delivers the end of the down season for a professional DJ. I have had the opportunity to offer my DJ services at several volunteer situations in New Jersey & New York during this period. This Saturday night may be the last of the season. Tomorrow night I will DJ again at The Barefoot Boogie in NYC. For the last one and a half years I have been the Coordinator of Teachers and DJs at Barefoot Boogie. I enjoy being involved with such a positive and fun organization that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year!

 

I have been reflecting all week on what music I may play tomorrow night as DJ. So far I am feeling some Hip Hop, Reggae, Reggaeton, Rock, New Wave, Oldies, R&B, Pop, Arabic, Salsa and some mood music like Buddha Bar and Ambient rhythms.  I seem to always add an African jam or two as well. There will be an Alexander Technique class from 8:30-9:30 with freestyle dancing and DJ music the rest of the night at Barefoot Boogie. Should be a great night!

 

I have been very busy meeting with Brides, Grooms and other event planners hiring me to be their professional Wedding DJ and Event DJ all over New Jersey, New York & Pennsylvania.  It is fun and inspiring hearing about the fun Weddings and Events I will DJ in the near future. My schedule for 2012 and 2013 are starting to fill up quickly. Life is good as a professional Wedding DJ and Party DJ in New Jersey & New York. Looking forward to a night of fun and great DJ Music at Barefoot Boogie.

DJ Mystical Michael Rockin The Dance Floor NYC Barefoot Boogie

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Live At Barefoot Boogie Saturday Night! 2/25

There are few aspects of the winter that are beneficial to a Wedding and Event DJ and Entertainer in New Jersey or New York.  After the Holidays, we hit a bit of a slow season till the spring with weddings, graduations and parties starting to fill our schedules again. I do get the opportunity to volunteer my services as DJ at many local events. My favorite is The Barefoot Boogie in NYC. I have several friends there and enjoy the chance to play music that I could not play at an event I was hired to perform.

 

As a professional DJ, I am trained to play to what the planner hired me to play musically. I am very conscious of their needs and wishes throughout the gig. For the most part, I keep my personal tastes out of the mix, literally.  I will slip in a song from the genre or playlist we have created together that I enjoy more than others but mostly it is your music, not mine. The Barefoot Boogie is the exception to this general guideline. There are many creative and talented dancers who thrive and appreciate moving to music they do not know or would not typically dance to. In fact, they look forward to hearing new music and challenging tempos, rhythms and beats. Any good DJ thrives with the opportunity to create new and refreshing mixes and beats for dancers to move and experiment.  I am not as good a dancer as most of them but do enjoy a beat and rhythm that is somewhat unique or out of the norm.  Of course, being in the New Jersey and New York area allows even more creativity due to our diversity and openminded attitude towards music, art and movement.

Dancing Through The Storm with DJ Mystical Michael

What kinds of creative or unique music do you like to move to when given the opportunity?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NYDJ

 

DJ Mystical Michael Live At Barefoot Boogie Saturday Night!

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

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!

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

Accepting New Challenges As A Professional DJ

I was recently approached with an offer to professional DJ at a club that is under new management. It is really a sports bar with a club upstairs; a great place to eat and party. They already have a Resident DJ but he is not willing to play music for theme nights they are planning over the next few months. He does not want to do Country, Latin or a Ladies Night. He will only do what he does and nothing else. Why are so many professional DJs like this?

 

I look forward to accepting new challenges and expanding my repertoire as a professional DJ. How can this be a bad thing?

 

Even when I was new at this way back when many years ago, I wanted to try new things, learn and gain experience and confidence in as many genres and styles as possible. As a professional DJ, it increases my value and marketability. As a performer, I add to my pallet of music in my library that I can provide to clients.  Country and Latin Music are two of the hottest dance trends these days and why would a professional DJ not want to be a part of the fun and excitement?

 

I wonder if this is just a matter of ego and maturity? If you have any ideas on why so many professional DJs are afraid to venture beyond one or two genre, I would be most grateful for your thoughts.

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ