GORGE Presents: Ballroom DJ 101 with DJ Blackcat

Curious about DJing or want to sharpen your skills behind the decks? Learn the fundamentals of DJing through the music, energy, and culture of Ballroom with Legendary Canadian Overseer Charmed Mulan / DJ Black Catt.
This introductory workshop will explore core DJ skills including song selection, transitions, reading the room, building energy, understanding your audience, and developing your own musical style. Participants will also get an introduction to what makes Ballroom DJing unique—from recognizing the sounds and rhythms used for different categories to working with commentators, supporting walkers, and controlling the flow of a function.
Drawing from decades of experience in nightlife, festivals, Pride events, and Ballroom, DJ Blackcat will share practical knowledge about what it takes to move a crowd and create memorable moments through music.
Whether you're curious about learning to DJ, already experimenting behind the decks, interested in playing parties and events, or want to better understand the music that moves Ballroom, this workshop is for you.
No previous DJ or Ballroom experience required.
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This funky dread has opened for Dancehall Queen Spice, City Girls, Saucy Santana, Canadian R&B Superstar & friend Jully Black & hard hitting superstar  DJ`s like the late ICON DJ Vjuan Allure & DJ Mikeq. He has DJ`d for festivals like Blockorama (TOR) , UK Black Pride (UK), Halifax Pride (CAN) & Washington DC Black Pride. He also works closely with the Ballroom community in Toronto & is a The Canadian Overseer & Legendary member of the Kiiki House of Hua Mulan Toronto Chapter & The Premiere Legendary House Of Marilyn Monroe. The 1st Canadian house  in Canada. He also works with Pride Toronto as a Program Curator & consultant for the last 6yrs. Voted Ballrooms 4x DJ of the Year, 2X Best Dressed Of The year, the highest category winner in canadian ballroom history, Church Street's favorite DJ & recipient of the Inspire Awards “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his musical contributions to the Black LGBTQ community in Canada & bringing the popular urban sound to Toronto`s LGBTQ club scene, this Black Catt never sleeps and neither will you if you're at one of his events & dare to cross his path
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The Forks Event Space is a fully accessible space located on the second floor of The Forks Market at 1 Forks Market Road. There are two elevators that give access to the space and gender neutral washrooms located adjacent to the space.