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Shakermaker Promotions
26-06-2008, 11:33 PM
Hi all,
Every christmas I DJ for an autistic school. It's only a 2 hour function and is always a pleasure to do. I've done it for the last couple of years and it always sends the shivers up me at the kids reaction to the songs. They go all out to enjoy themselves and it really is heart warming seeing the smiles on their faces. At the last christmas party I was asked if I could DJ at their first prom night.

Tonight was the night and what a night it was....it was awesome and I loved every minute of the 2 hours that I was booked for. I started off with The Fratellis 'Chelsea Dagger' and from then on it was absolutely brilliant. There were about 80 kids and then teachers and helpers too and everyone was up on the dancefloor for the full 2 hours. Some of the teachers had requested certain songs and every one of them went down well. The last hour was what we would call a cheese fest but in all honesty, because I don't normally go that far with cheese, it was actually really enjoyable!! The last 4 songs of the night were - Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall (Requested in advance), Grease Megamix, Don't Stop me now and finally....Grease - We go togeather.

The last track really finished the night off well but it got to me and a few people hence the title of the thread "I'm a big baby". There were teachers with tears in their eyes and I have to admit that I had a lump in my throat too. I received a huge round of applause as I always do from them and was booked by the headmaster for christmas again and also next years prom.

I can honestly say that I would do stuff for them for free....It's a pleasure.

Thought I would share that with you - Happy chappy at the moment.

Shaun
26-06-2008, 11:37 PM
It's the jobs like these that make this crazy business worthwhile. Excellent job, Gary. :) :)

Shakermaker Promotions
26-06-2008, 11:42 PM
Thanks Shaun!
I have been out Monday, Wednesday, Tonight and still have Tomorrow and Saturday to go. After Wednesday I was a bit knackered but tonight has given me the oomph I need to get through the weekend!

Excalibur
26-06-2008, 11:44 PM
I've never done one for Autistic people, but I've done a fair few for learning difficulties folk, and before every one I wonder how I'm going to cope. At every one, the enthusiasm , love of music, and sheer happiness they show does indeed make them a joy to do. Well done that man.

nigelwright7557
27-06-2008, 12:40 AM
I've never done one for Autistic people, but I've done a fair few for learning difficulties folk, and before every one I wonder how I'm going to cope. At every one, the enthusiasm , love of music, and sheer happiness they show does indeed make them a joy to do. Well done that man.

I did a charity disco in memory of the man who took me on at the first disco I worked for. All the previous and current DJ's got together and took turns on the decks. It was very strange after 30 years going back to the first disco, they even had the same vinyl records they had when I was there. A bit like a trip in the Tardis to 1975.
It was an absolutely magic night and I got a stack of photos to remind of the night. And of course a deserving charity got some money too.......

Tom
27-06-2008, 12:43 AM
I love these kind of gigs. Some times I go down on the dance floor and join in so they can see that we dj's can be fun and be able to enjoy ourselves (but this depends on the gig ovcourse)

Im happy that it went well for you Gary.

robbiedj
28-06-2008, 01:45 PM
Yes, always great. We do 2 freebies each year for our local handicapped group (before anybody goes p.c. on me, they are called Waltham Forest Catholic Handicapped Group!), a christmas party and a fund-raiser.

We always enjoy them and the members are really into music. None of those "Can you play that one that goes ...." They know track & artist every time.

Don't you find the reactions, especially from autistic people, incredible?

axeman
28-06-2008, 04:16 PM
yeah, I echo the well dones, nice 1 shakes, i had a lump in my throught just reading the post too !! lol

Barclay's Beats
30-06-2008, 11:17 AM
I love stories like this, good on you for sharing. Music is a great medium and reaches parts that are sometimes very hard to reach.

Keep up the good work!

BB

Shakermaker Promotions
30-06-2008, 11:35 AM
Thanks again guys.
I had a very nice email from them about 10 mins ago which said that everyone involved and everyone who intended had a really good time and they want to make sure that I was available to do their prom night next year and also their christmas party again.

This bunch are a pleasure to work with and not only that, everytime I do something for them I get asked for cards etc from parents. I overheard one of the teachers comment on me the other night as I was packing down, he said "Well done, that guy is a real gem, keep hold of him". Which was very nice.