Dance Party Parade today
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Front yards across the Mon Valley will turn into make-shift dance floors today as local DJs take to the streets to bring mini-dance parties to dozens of neighborhoods.
Several area musicians, DJs and production companies have come together to throw an epic social distancing event, the Pittsburgh Dance Party Parade.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in dozens of communities.
Sponsored by 2ND II None Productions, Audio Force Productions, DJ Jess, DJ KK, DJ Steve Maffei Jr., Galiffa Productions, Loyalty Entertainment, Party-Time Productions, Pittsburgh DJ Company, PVU Event Group and Soundwaves Event Group, more than 20 DJs chose routes surrounding the city — close to their home towns and neighboring communities.
They will load pick-up trucks, and using a generator, will power their equipment and play live from the bed.
The event, spearheaded by owner of 2ND II None Productions William “Willie” Theiss, also known as DJ Willie T, was intended to be a national event.
“With the virus and everything happening in the world,” Theiss said, “I saw this as an opportunity to have DJs from across the country come together to do something really unique and show our little parts of the world we care about them.”
Theiss reached out to companies and DJs across the country, but the response wasn’t what he hoped for.
“So, it became very clear that this was going to be a Pittsburgh thing,” he said.
Theiss hopes when other cities see the photos and videos of the event, they might be inspired to do something similar in their own communities.
“We just want people to know we are thinking of them and realize all of the important events they are missing because of no fault of their own,” he said. “This is a way to come together as a DJ community to put smiles on the faces who allow us to host their events, who support us and allow us to take care of our own families.”
DJ Willie T will be in Elrama, Floreffe, West Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Jefferson Hills and Pleasant Hills.
Director of operations at 2ND II None Productions Chaz Hurlbut, also known as “DJ Chaz” helped put the event into motion.
“After we decided this was going to be a Pittsburgh thing, we started to reach out to different contacts in the area,” he said. “This is a competitive businesses, but we were able to collaborate and put something really amazing together.”
While the weather is going to be chilly, a high of 44 degrees with a predicted low of 34 degrees, he is hoping residents will bundle up to come outside and dance.
“Yes it will be cold, but this is going to be something incredible,” Hurlbut said. “At a time like this, to have five minutes with people and see them smiling and dancing along is huge. It will be really gratifying to know that we made a difference in Pittsburgh.”
DJ Chaz and DJ Dickie will drive through Glassport, Port Vue, Liberty, North Huntingdon, Manor and Westmoreland City.
Stacy Johnson and her husband Jim, who own Soundwaves Event Group, have multiple entertainers who have volunteered to participate.
“Our entertainers perform all over for events,” she said. “Our company has been as far as Punta Cana, Put-in-Bay and New York City.
“We thought it is a great cause to spread positivity in these scary times. As an entertainment company, we strive on seeing smiles on people’s faces and that is what we are out there trying to do.”
North Versailles resident Jessica McKelvey, known as “DJ Jess,” performs at various events in the Pittsburgh area and across the country.
When she was approached about the idea, she couldn’t respond quickly enough.
“I was already thinking about how I could drive around White Oak on Memorial Day since their parade is canceled and this was the perfect substitution for that,” she said. “We all met on Google Hangouts, and I found myself taking on the roles of secretary and social media promotions. … I found myself obsessively responding to questions and posts on the event page.”
McKelvey said the event provides a sense of control during uncertain times.
“The coronavirus pandemic has created such a disheartening time for many,” she said. “Milestones that people were excited about have changed and even disappeared. Life is uncertain, and our concept of what we have control of has shifted.
“But with this event, I can control the energy that I put out there for my neighbors.”
Energy, she said, is key to a memorable performance.
“Energy is a huge part of who I am, both giving and receiving,” Johnson said. “I am absolutely thrilled to get out into the streets and spread joy through positive energy and music. I’m also really craving receiving energy, too, because it’s been so long.”
She plans to play music that gives residents chills.
“I’m going to be playing music that gives me goose bumps, because if I can get that feeling, I can be sure that others will get them too,” she said. “And it will not be from the cold weather.”
She hopes her music will bring joy to those who bundle up in the cold to listen.
“I want my neighbors and friends left feeling energized inside,” Johnson said. “I hope that their souls are truly happy, that they are left with a brighter outlook for the future and that my soul is left filled with a creative and personal recharge.”
Dancing is therapeutic, she added.
“Your brain chemistry literally changes from dancing and singing,” Johnson said. “I’m not kidding, it helps produce serotonin. So please, please, please, make sure you’re dancing. I’ll see you soon.”
DJ Jess and DJ Vibes will cover White Oak, Fawcett Plan, North Versailles, Mc-Keesport, Dravosburg, West Mifflin and Duquesne.
Washington Township resident Alicia Delmastro is known as DJ EESH.
Delmastro was asked to participate by DJ Jess, and the community helped her pull it off.
“I was so excited about the idea of spreading love through my community by spinning music for them that I was instantly on board with the idea,” she said. “People of my community offered to let me borrow their trucks and generators within minutes when I told them about the idea.”
She is most excited to share music with her friends and neighbors.
“My town is small, so I’m familiar with most of the people who live here,” she said. “So depending on who I see outside and their musical preference, I will play to the crowd as I typically do at any gig.
“I try to play what the people want to hear.”
While it is a tough time for those in the music and entertainment industry, Delmastro said she is thankful.
“Unfortunately, COVID-19 has either canceled or postponed most of my summer events,” she said. “ It’s upsetting because summertime is one of the busiest times of the year for DJs, but I am grateful that I’m healthy and can have opportunities like the Pittsburgh Dance Party Parade to bring people joy using music.”
Despite the weather forecast, she is all in.
“Anything that can bring people happiness during these trying times is worth doing, even if that means freezing on the back of a truck for hours,” she said. “Music is amazing because it’s the one thing that we can freely give away, make people happy and still remain safe while sharing it.
“As long as I’m around, I will do whatever it takes to keep spreading love throughout my hometown, “ she said. “Let’s keep bringing fun back to the Mon Valley and keep the positivity going.”
DJ EESH will drive through various streets in North Belle Vernon and Lower Belle Vernon.
Donora resident Derek Galiffa, known as “DJ Galiffa,” who owns Galiffa Productions, and Washington Township resident DJ Jim Johnson, co-owner of Soundwaves Event Group, will divvy up other Mon Valley communities.
Galiffa said music is important when times are difficult.
“I truly understand that music is needed every day to get us though these tough times,” he said. “It’s part of every celebration and is the soundtrack to our lives.
“We will get through this with music.”
DJ Galiffa, DJ Jim Johnson and DJ Jacob (Cox) will team up and rotate between Lowe’s, Walmart and Shop ‘n Save in Rostraver Township. In between playing businesses they will head to residential areas in Donora, Monessen, Charleroi and Monongahela.
A new team, comprising DJ Pat (Johnson), DJ Jake (Ely) and DJ Chuck (Alter) will take over around 1 p.m. to other neighborhoods in Rostraver Township and Perryopolis.
DJs involved took an area, designed a route and will individually be announcing times/locations on their respective social media accounts and the Pittsburgh Dance Party Parade Facebook page.
Residents are encouraged to get creative and make signs or wear costumes to the mini-parties.
DJs remind residents to sing and dance along safely on their porches or lawns while maintaining 6 feet of distance from others, to wear masks to protect others and to not gather in large groups.
Special requests can be sent through message on the Pittsburgh Dance Party Parade page on Facebook and will be passed along to the DJ covering a specific area.
Residents who participate are asked to share photos and videos from the event to social media.
For more information, specific times, locations or streets, go to Pittsburgh Dance Party Parade on Facebook.
