This past Friday, January 15th, was my first public gig since March, when my career as a full-time DJ was put on pause. My set was a low-key affair for the Dunedin International Film Festival between films, with Open House Conspiracy‘s special screening of Check Your Body at the Door immediately after. Since I was filling in for Fred & Nico of The Moviemix — who, for obvious reasons, couldn’t make it from France — I stuck to their theme of music selected from movie soundtracks and picked a few of my favorites from the film Eden, a Parisian love story set in club culture. It wasn’t my intention, but once the audience arrived it turned into a small, masked and socially distanced ball complete with an impromptu commentator (MC, master of ceremonies…) for a few songs before the film and one last song (Barbara Tucker’s “Beautiful People”) after the Q&A when dance legend, and the film’s griot, Archie Burnett did his planned live dance demonstration. He even made mention of how he wasn’t supposed to dance before the film, but said that’s the sign of a good DJ. It was humbling to receive this compliment, especially from a club culture OG, after so long off the decks, and a welcomed sign of encouragement not to give in or give up on my purpose, not that I could ever anyway. What he was really speaking to though was the power of music, of which we are just a vessel, whether dancer or DJ; make sure you’re harnessing it for good during these times. Maybe it’s because we were in the presence of an icon like Archie, showing a film that celebrated other icons that have left us such as Willi Ninja, but I was reminded of the importance of how we want to be remembered after all is said and done, an idea so much greater than any singular moment in time. In this sense, vogue came full circle for me as everything we do really is for the camera in the end, even if it is just for our own viewing and the inward perception of ourselves. I am happy, proud, and fulfilled to have been a part of these events during what will be looked back upon as such an odd period of history where the curtains were finally lifted and our true selves were left fully exposed. In times like these we show what we are truly made of.
“Considering these new conditions that we’re under, to still have events happen, with the new protocols, is a big deal, it’s a big deal. Because, for the human spirit, the idea is to continue. This too shall pass.”
— Archie Burnett
I hope through this effort I was able to honor some of the friends and colleagues I’ve lost to this disease, due to both its physical and mental health tolls, Mike Huckaby and Nick Moses.
“Thank you for introducing me to one of my favorite music cultures. Wish I knew about it sooner. I know you’ll bring it back with style and respect.”
— Nick Moses
Your constant encouragement and appreciation these past years always made things more worthwhile, Nick, and is why I know we must continue, safely. Love you and wish you were here.
The second photo included below is of the Thursday night vogue and punking masterclass with Archie hosted in collaboration with What the Punk Fest and sponsored by Metro Inclusive Health.
