It’s easy to envy DJs, who get paid to work crowds into sweaty, dancing throngs. But breaking into DJing has long required roughly the same process as becoming a kung fu fighter in the movies: To learn the way of the DJ, you’d have to find a learned master of the ones and twos, and hope he or she would teach you something.

Enter the Beat Refinery.

At the DJ school, which opened last year at Bach to Rock (B2R) music school, working club DJs are the teachers — Chris Stiles (a.k.a. DJ Stylus Chris) and Brian Sadiarin (better known as DJ Geometrix) oversee the two schools in Bethesda and Herndon. No need to stalk them in a crowded club for a lesson; you simply sign up.

A few weeks ago, I found myself at the Beat Refinery, in the first session of its four-week Intro to DJing class. With the swiftness of one Speedy Gonzales, Artit Sriboonruang (DJ As-One) efficiently ran through the basics of DJing — and DJing, according to Beat Refinery founders, means learning the much-used DJ software Serato Scratch Live. Thirty minutes later, our teacher had shooed us to the turntables.

Were we ready? Not really, but it was moments before Sriboonruang, a nationally ranked battle DJ, was by my side with suggestions.

Kim Venetz, 24, was a shy newcomer to Washington when she signed up for the Beat Refinery as one of its first students; a year later, you might find her at the Georgetown Madewell, Eden, Science Club or on the roof of Public, spinning as DJ Alkimist. When I caught up with her after class, she tells me it clicked for her because “you can learn by doing.”

As my class wound down, I rummaged through my electronic music “crate,” determined to try out my new skills. I picked two songs with roughly the same mellow beat, and listened as Slick Rick’s “La-Di-Da-Di” flowed into my headphones. When I heard my opening, I let the other record fly — in came the opening drum salvo of a Tribe Called Quest’s “Oh My God.” Somehow, it worked: I had managed to mix 10 seconds of a perfectly decent club jam.

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Summer Shakedown promo mix by dj sheeno

Holly Morris – International Soul Society Festival: MyFoxDC.com

The legendary DMC DJ Competition took place in Washington, DC on Friday April 15, 2011, at the U Street Music Hall in Washington, DC. The DMC Competition in Washington, DC was part of the 3rd Annual International Soul Society Festival which was held in DC from April 10-17, 2011. More info at www.internationalsoulsociety.com. This show was promoted by Urban Artistry and Beat Refinery.

Beat Refinery, U Street Music Hall and Urban Artistry
Present The 2011 DMC DC DJ Battle!

Date: Friday, April 15, 6:00 – 10:00pm.

Location: U Street Music Hall located at 1115A U Street NW Washington, DC 20009.

Cost: FREE and open to ALL ages (18+ after 10pm).

DMC, the preeminent showcase for DJ talent around the world, are pleased to announce that Serato and Rane have come on board as major sponsors of the DMC World DJ Championships, a collaboration which DMC believes will take DJ creativity to an entirely new level with the ability to use Serato Scratch Live.

In order to balance traditional mixing and the popularity of digital vinyl playback, DMC have confirmed that from 2011the 26 year-old event will, like the DMC DJ TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP, permit the use of the software-based system Serato Scratch Live in addition to traditional vinyl.

For the classic showcase style DMC battle (which now allows Serato) DJs should have a 2 min. elimination set + a 6 min. finals set prepared.

DMC DJ Battle is part of the International Soul Society Festival 2011

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To Register:

Please write to DMC USA’s Christie Z-Pabon: usa@dmcworld.com with the following info:

DJ Name
First Name & Last Name
Complete Address, Apt or House
City
State
Zip
Phone
Email
Website, myspace, facebook etc.
Which city/battle you are entering?
Crew affiliation


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For updates on the DMC USA Battles please visit
www.dmcdjchamps.com/news for updates.

For rules (as they are updated) please visit http://dmcdjchamps.com/rules.asp

The 2011 DMC DC Champ will win a choice of either SL 4 for Serato Scratch Live or TTM 56s Mixer!!!

http://rane.com/
http://serato.com/scratchlive
http://www.frank151.com/

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DMC USA on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=77036991044
http://www.myspace.com/dmcusa
http://www.dmcdjchamps.com/
http://www.dmcworld.com/
http://www.dmcworld.tv/
http://stores.ebay.com/DMC-USA-DJ-Gear

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Don’t forget to sign up to vote and/or battle at www.dmcdjonline.com – for the online battle too!! Anyone can enter!