Latin Lady DJ Margarita
INTERVIEW
by: Angel Ortiz
Note: This interview was conducted in the past. Please
consult the local establishments mentioned for updated or changed information.
DJ Margarita has relocated and now living in California.
"Be
happy, be good to yourself and others. Laugh daily and dance as much as
you can - what a wonderful feeling!!!!!" - Margarita
Is it any wonder we don't hear much about Latin Lady Disc Jockeys? With
this interview, my hope is to continue to bring awareness to the reading
public that there are many talented women D.J's involved in the salsa
scene but rarely heard.
The first in my series of interviews was New York City's Elvira Dominguez.
A dynamic, and goal-driven individual, Elvira has established herself
in the N.Y. salsa scene.
Next, I bring you from Hawaii (now relocated to California) Latin Lady
D.J.-Margarita. In a relatively short period of time she established herself
on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. She then subsequently relocated to California.
It is her strong inner-beliefs, her passion for humanity, and talent in
her D.J. abilities that has brought her recognition as Hawaii's leading
Latin Lady D.J.!!!
Born and raised in San Francisco, she is of Mexican and Puerto Rican parents.
She moved to Oahu and decided to pursue her passion for music. She offers
her D.J. services for private parties, wedding receptions, class reunions,
birthdays, corporate events, fundraisers, holiday celebrations, anniversaries,
etc. To add to her abilities, Margarita is also an ordained minister licensed
by the State of Hawaii to officiate wedding ceremonies and perform committed
ceremonies. She was ordained as a minister on July 30, 1999.
Margarita is personable, friendly, sincere, and has a great sense of humor.
She lives by her beliefs and follows them with unceasing passion. With
so many talents, how could you go wrong in having a friend like Margarita!!!
INTERVIEW
What motivated you to become interested in being
a Disc Jockey?
Margarita: Actually, it was my youngest sister, "DJ Rosie".
She's been a DJ or over 25 years. She started back when Disco was the
craze. She insisted that I knew enough about Latin music and I should
be a Latin DJ. So, half heartedly I acted on that suggestion and asked
the owners of a local Mexican restaurant "Cancun" in Sebastopol,
CA if I could have the use of their banquet facilities on an off night
to promote Salsa Dance Lessons and then play Latin music for a couple
of hours. I would get the door and they would get the bar business. So
they agreed and the rest is history.
How long have you been involved as a Disc Jockey?
Margarita: I began playing on July 18, 1996, so I so I just celebrated
5 years this past July, 2001.
How's the current Salsa scene in Honolulu?
Margarita: I would have to coin the expression "Off the Hook".
The salsa scene is HOT out here in Honolulu and starting to spread to
the outer islands as well. At this moment, you can find Salsa being played
almost 6 nights per week. We're still working on Sundays…but Tuesdays
through Saturdays, there is salsa being played at a number of venues here.
Is there a particular way you play the music? i.e,
do you mix, blend, cut?
Margarita: I'm told that I do play different than other DJ's. I
play the whole song…I seldom cut or blend bpm's unless it's a merengue
mix..I enjoy playing until the end and just come in right away with the
next song. It has worked for me, the dancers appreciate my style of playing
and that is truly what's important that they are happy and have a good
time.
What motivates you to play the songs that you do?
Is it the dancers? Mood?
Margarita: Of course the dancers motivate me because as
a DJ you are playing to them. It's a wonderful relationship (at least
it is for me) that you share with dancers. I never know what it is I'm
going to play until I play it. I have no format. I just play what I "feel"
they will love. When they're on the dance floor and I play that perfect
song and for a moment I catch a glimpse of them looking at me with smiles
radiating from their faces, I know I've done well. And then of course
there are those special songs that you know are the favorites of this
person or another and I try to play those in there as well as long as
it doesn't interfere with the flow. That goes for requests as well.
Do you ever find yourself "in the zone"
when you are playing music? "In the zone" means are you
feeling in the groove, a sense of "I'm on a roll", type of feeling.
Margarita: I'm usually in a "Zone" of my own because
I love what I do…but I understand the question..and yes, I've played
some incredible sets that have even amazed the heck out of myself!! And
I'll tell you that it's an awesome feeling because if I'm feeling it,
then I know that the crowd is as well. I love being in that zone too!!!
Are there any festival, events, or radio stations
that support salsa music and dance?
Margarita: We are fortunate to live on an island with so much diversity.
Our Latin population here in Hawaii (I believe that includes all the islands)
is approximately 100,000 plus. Of that population, over 33,000 of them
are Puerto Ricans. There is always some kind of event going on to promote
Salsa here and there are several radio stations that support Salsa music
and other Latin music here as well. For example: Sabor Tropical HPR 89.3
FM with Ray Cruz, airs each Saturday from 5pm-8pm. The Alma Latina Show
K-108 1080 AM with Nancy Ortiz, airs each Sunday from 1pm-4pm.
An event/fundraiser, which I was involved in, went very well this year.
It was in celebration of El Diaz De San Juan. The event included a 7 hour
SALSATHON with live salsa music provided by Orquesta SalsAloha. I received
tremendous support for this event and it is my hope to make this an annual
event. In addition, I also get to help raise money for Centro Hispano
de Hawaii, a non-profit organization that provides resource services and
referrals to the Hispanic community here on Oahu. This past June I celebrated
my one-year anniversary in Hawaii. In that year, I've attended a lot of
special events, "Sizzlin' Salsa" night here, "Salsabration",
Salsamania" etc.
Salsa is very much supported here and it's getting better. Salsa lovers
here in Hawaii, such as; Rob Capili, Roberto Vargas of Salsa 101 Productions,
Alberto Archilla of Son D' Hawaii, Nancy Ortiz from Alma Latina, Dalion
Productions, myself and others, in cooperation with Luis & Joby Vazquez
of "Salsa Brava" from Los Angeles, are working closely to bring
to Hawaii the First Hawaii Salsa Festival! (Somewhat like a Congress)
This is being planned for sometime in 2002.
If you were to describe the level of salsa dancing
in Oahu, what would it be?
Margarita: In my opinion, I would describe the level of salsa dancing
here as consistently growing with new venues looking to get in on the
"tail of the comet". Salsa has and continues to be the Comet
of genres that packs the clubs. Of course, some nights are better than
others and it's up to the promoter to come up with creative ideas to bring
in the dancers as well as the DJ's responsibility to keep them dancing
and coming back for more. But, for the most part, if there is Salsa being
played on any given night, the dancers will come out.
Which are some of the current most requested songs
the public asks you to play?
Margarita: Merengues are hot here because it's easier to dance
to, especially if you don't dance salsa well. So, I still get asked a
lot for Elvis Crespo's "Suavemente" or "Juan Luis Guerra".
As far as current music goes, Hawaii is a bit slow to get the newer stuff
out here. Unless you're a radio or club DJ, or on the Internet 24/7 listening
to what's hot, you're probably not going to know what the current music
is out here. We as DJ's try to bring that new music to our Salseros and
get them acquainted with it via repetition at the clubs. They'll then
come up and ask for it. Even for me, there was this great song, European
Salsa, on the Sidestepper CD called "Hoy Tenemos", the crowd
went wild when I played that and it's a great sounding song. Once in awhile
I'll play it and it gets the same response, the dance floor gets packed.
Another favorite is "Lady" by Orquesta La Palabra. Awesome number.
For those that are in need of dance lessons, each venue promotes free
dance lessons before we start playing. So this helps the dancers as well
as it does provide clients for our Salsa instructors. All around it's
a win-win situation.
Which venues, events, have you played and which
clubs are currently hosting Salsa music and dance?
Margarita: I have been fortunate and blessed with playing at a
variety of venues since my arrival to Hawaii. I have played at the following
places in the past year: The Pier Bar, World Cafe', Havana Cabana, Rolando's
Salsa Dance Club, Gussie L'Amour's, E-Club Kaneohe Marine Corps, Officer's
Club-Hickam Air Force Base,
Currently I play 4 nights per week:
Tuesdays @ Zanzabar, with DJ Frankie and DJ Alberto
Wednesdays @World Café, with DJ Frankie
Thursday @ Rumours -Ala Moana Hotel with DJ Ray Cruz
Fridays @ Café Sistina with Dalion and DJ Rod
Saturdays @ Planet Hollywood in Waikiki.
I have also played at the following: The Pier Bar, Havana Cabana, Rolando's
Salsa Dance Club, Gussie L'Amour's, E-Club Kaneohe Marine Corps, Cinco
De Mayo 5K Run Hawaii Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Heritage
Events Windward Mall, Ilikai Hotel Marriage Retreat
Additional clubs hosting Salsa are Banyan's, Pearl Harbor on Saturdays
with "El Maestro" himself, DJ Ray Cruz, also on Saturdays a
new venue which just opened, Pyramids, hosted by DJ Franky Villalobos.
Moose McGillicuddy's on Mondays with live Salsa by Orquesta SalsAloha,
Tuesdays Blue Tropix-DJ Karlos, Thursdays Club Tropix-DJ Karlos Schofield
Barracks-Wahiawa, Fridays Tradewinds NCO Club DJ Franky Villalobos-Hickam
AFB, Saturdays Banyans Club DJ Ray Cruz, Pearl Harbor Naval Base.
Do you predetermine the music you are going to play?
Margarita: I listen to music before I even add it to my library
and if it makes me feel like dancing within the first 10-15 seconds of
the song, then I'll go ahead and put down as something that I'll play
eventually. If it's really hot, it gets played immediately and then I
watch for the response. However, while I'm actually playing I have no
predetermined sets and I try not to be too repetitive with my music. I
just go with a "let's see what shall I play next" attitude.
This has worked for me.
As a Disc Jockey, is there anything you do different
than the local D.J.'s?
Margarita: I don't know that I do anything different that other
DJ's. I suppose I must because I'm constantly being told that I play different
than other DJ's and that's funny do to the fact that we basically all
play the same music. I will share that I really care about the dancers
and that they go home feeling glad to have shared a night with me. I try
to cater to all the needs and requests. I play just enough of each type
of music, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cha Cha….and so on, and not overkill
any one type of music or discourage the dancers on the floor….so
I would say that I play with "heart and balance". My good and
trusted friend/mentor "DJ Ray Cruz" (who always tells it like
it is) shared that he felt I brought a "femininity" to my playing.
So, not only do I play from my heart I also play from deep down within
who I am.. my soul...the soul of a "Woman".
When people go to hear you play, what can they expect
to hear or experience?
Margarita: I love music and I am fortunate to enjoy all types.
I enjoy playing Salsa in English so I incorporate that in what I offer
as well. I play from the heart so people can expect to hear a variety
of great salsa, merengues, some oldies that still work, and of course
a variety of new salsa. I would hope that the experience is positive,
energizing, filled with laughter, sweat that makes them not want to leave
the dance floor!!
Is there anything different or additions you would
like to see to enhance the working environment for Disc Jockeys?
Margarita: I suppose the only real change I would like to see,
and one that is of major importance to me, is the health related issue
of smoke filled clubs. In Hawaii, smoking is still allowed everywhere,
especially clubs. Smoking indoors is a problem. Short and long term and
affects all of us, not just the DJ's. A clean breathing environment I
feel is important to everybody.
Any other passions outside of music?
Margarita: Life, love, laughter, my family, and people in general.
Add music to those and you have my passion. Living in Hawaii is for me
a dream come true. Just getting here was the realization of that dream.
However, never in my wildest dreams was I ever prepared for all of the
blessings that have been bestowed upon me since my arrival. During the
days I volunteer my services at the Centro Hispano de Hawaii. This is
just one way of giving back for all I have received, and I have received
so much. I can't imagine not ever being here or knowing all the people
who I now love and who love me in return. I know in my heart that I was
lead to be here and I am truly grateful for this gift. This is my passion!!
Simply the best, always give your best, always be your best and the best
will always come back to you - a motto which I try to live by on a daily
basis.
THE
END