Huge Props To Those Doing School Dances

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djfatman

New DJ
Oct 5, 2006
132
0
69
Vacaville, CA
www.djfatman.com
Man, I gotta hand it to you guys and gals who do these dances on a regular basis. I only have one school I will do a dance for, and it's a Christian School. How do you guys put up with all the crap?

If you're not upsetting the kids, then you're upsetting the adults. If you not upsetting the rockers, then you're upsetting the rappers, or upsetting the Country folks. If you're not upsetting those who want to belly-rub, then you're upsetting those who want to line dance. If you're not upsetting the edited folks, then you're upsetting the unedited folks.

You guys bring in a ton of equipment, both lights and sound, yet get paid very little for your effort. Yet, you keep going back for more. You guys are either masocists, or you really enjoy the kids.

I tip my hat to you, and and am glad I do mainly weddings.
 
I'm only doing teen dances for the free cookie cake and punch :)

Seriously, something about my peers and allowing kids to have a great time, typically they are a little bit more interactive than older crowds from what I've seen at other events (that I have/haven't djayed)
 
I'll have to "second" DJFatman's comments!

I don't know how you guys do it.... :D


:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Tom,
I'm just the opposite of you; so glad we do nearly zero weddings! I love school dances. Not only are they our best paying events (we are currently averaging about $2500 for school dances), but I like the energy.

We recently did a homecoming dance in Chicago. I had several Chicago DJs ask me how many kids either pestered us all night or we wanted to kill by the end of the night. These questions just baffled both Steve and I. We just don't have that kind of response. There is a rhyme and reason why that response occurs or not--we just happened to have found the right niche I guess. A Chicago-DJ friend of mine stopped by during our dance there and later commented on how polite the kids making requests were. These are things that don't seem unusual to us! That is the normal reaction; what we see every weekend. Teens are easy. Unless they are unhappy and in a big group :sqwink: . Keep them happy and they are no problem! I see a lot of DJ egos get in the way of having a stellar dance. I see a lot of DJs who insist on popular songs in the playlist, regardless of if they are danceable, appropriate or fit the need.

For us, there really is no 'crap' to put up with. They are never disappointed; we are always happy to be there. No issues, no confrontations, no threats, no hassles....it just doesn't happen very often.

Now as to the schlepping lots of gear part.......I'll leave that one alone! (though in reality I kinda enjoy that too)

Signed--Happy to specialize in high schools.... :sqwink:
 
Tom,

ASs you know for years schools were my bread and butter and if I was still in CA, I'm sure they would still be...

It used to kill me when I would hear that DJ companies would send their "new" DJ's to do the school dances...

because you are right, they do take a certain kind of DJ who can handle the students and the teachers...

It's a fine line..

I miss the energy and the production of the big show..

I'm doing a partry for 48 people on Saturday from a beverage company and I am throwing in my full show becuase I haven't used it much since I've been here, and I want top!

They seem like fun people and it will give me a chance to take some pics that may help in selling it down the line.

But it tough to beat the sheer madness of a school dance.. :)
 
Chuck, you are so right on!

Hey, I may be able to top your party for 48 though....got a call from a small high school. They've been searching for a company that does video dances for their prom. They want to spend little on decorations and most on the DJ. They may blow their entire budget on us....we'll see. It is not out of the question. The quote? $2300 (our small system). Number of students? 30. yep. Thirty. All together, 30 kids.
 
Valerie Ruste said:
They want to spend little on decorations and most on the DJ. They may blow their entire budget on us.
Click to expand...
Wow, to me that's un-heard-of, typically the horror stories we hear on the boards reveal vice-versa.
 
I miss 'em sometimes...

I miss the raw energy and the fun. I miss the smiles on the pups' sweaty faces. I miss the endless possibilities the pups hold in their little paws.

In a way, I miss wearing ear plugs during the shows. I miss watching some fat pup sit in front of the cabs. I miss seeng those endless sheets of paper with endless songs requests that were made up during class.

I miss the teachers I worked with every year. I miss the new principal who got out there and got down on the floor with the rest.

I do not miss the politics.
 
That's great Valerie sounds like you have hit a great market.

Here there just isn't much money in schools. My husband is a school teacher they just hired a local DJ. Live video, two screens, light system for $600.00 and that's on the high end. Normally dances here go for $150.00 believe it or not.

I don't know maybe it is because we have five teenagers between us. I do kid's parties not my favorite. For me it takes alot of patience. I always have one special pain that drives me crazy all night.

My hat is off to all of you who specialize in school dances.
 
I have rarely had any trouble at many pre teen/ Middle School and High School gigs over the yrs. Even get the Chaperones into the fun. I could relay a rare occasion of trouble but so many good ones engulf the few. I actually can say I have had more trouble with the big kids (adults) Wedding type gig than schools. Im currently loaded uo to go do a evening 1st grade through 7th plus parents party at an elementary school. Will report back . Its from 6-9.
Cya all after.Hopefully with pics.
 
Yeah... unfortunately, adults seem to have this thing about taking over pup parties. No offense intended toward the ladies... but some of the womenfolk are notorious for this practice.

To those adults who would "guide" youth events, I would like to say the following:

It's a dance, not a Sunday morning worship service. Quit your glowering and browbeating.

This is not 1976. That was 30 years ago. Do not expect today's young people to act like it's 1976. It isn't gonna happen.

If you don't care for the rattling bass and rap, bring a pair of earplugs with you.

Try to remember that you were young not long ago. At that age, did you like it when your elders tried to micromanage every moment of your lives?

Let the pups have their fun. Leave 'em alone. They're in a safe environment in the company of their peers.

Lastly, encourage a pup's interest in music. Music is an art and not many understand it.

Hope it helps.
 
Ive battled many a power hungry staff in my years. The kids as recent as last night were dancing like crazy all night long will hopefully get some of the video and pics on the TUBE. Ken could ya help me out with it? I was a bit worried as I hadnt actually worked with this young of a group in the past it was 5th grade and up. This was 1st thru 7th. The kids came up and said this was the best party we ever had and some tasked if they could have me back for a christmas dance. Had a couple assistance for mic check and light placementbefore the dance. Had to butter a few up to get the word out you are a good guy.One little girl about 9 was on the stage with a few others after and she saw my setup and with an awe struck said Now I know how you make people have so much fun. That made my night.
 
Help ya?

Anytime.

Well... call me at a decent hour, have your vid clips in a folder on your machine and we'll get something going.
 
There's only one school where I've had the issue of teachers VS students.

With the schools we've worked with for years, they trust us and usually don't second-guess our music options. Our new clientele is assured that we will please both sides and we go in depth with ways on how to do this.

I've had the issue of "play some country/rock/emo." Which is often solved by: "Will you dance to it?" If it's rock, I'll play something popular such as Pretty Fly For A White Guy or Dance Dance.. with Country, any slow song works great.

I often make mashups as well that keeps a hip-hop flavor with alternative music styles.
 
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