Area DJs make beautiful music together at South Jersey cafe event

The International DJ Cafe is an event that brings area DJs together in one spot for education, networking, and entertainment. Watch video

You finally arrive at the party of the year.

The hottest local disc jockey is behind the turntables, ready to make you move and groove.

The DJ works hard to mix up the hottest hits, but other than the music flowing through the room, his work goes mostly unnoticed.

The art of DJing -- mixing songs together, remixing popular tunes, and keeping the party going -- involves much more than just picking the next song on the playlist.

In an effort to educate, network, and keep the art alive, a group of area DJs -- lead by Jonathan Hines of Philadelphia -- got together about five years ago to form the International DJ Cafe. With chapters in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, these DJs host monthly events throughout the area, and everyone is invited.

The Salem County Chapter -- lead by Lower Alloways Creek DJ, Michael Shannon -- met at People's Tavern in Carneys Point on Nov. 7. More than 10 of the area's best DJs came together in one spot, and put on the kind of show you won't hear during a regular DJ set.

"This is for us," said Shannon, known as DJ Sheezy. "It's not a party. It's a time for DJs to come together and learn from each other. But if you're lucky enough to catch it, it's great."

Pennsville's Joe Glessner, aka DJ Booger, said the cafe is an opportunity for DJs to network, learn, and show off their skills.

"You can see what other DJs are capable of, and if an opportunity comes around to recommend someone else, you can do so confidently," Glessner said. "Also, some of us are more tech savvy than others. So, if someone is having an equipment problem, there is usually someone there who can assist."

While the Cafe is helpful to the DJs, it's also a fun event, packed with music. And if you come out to see a Cafe event in action, you would dispute that the it isn't a party.

With a long line of tables set up from the front door to the far wall, holding multiple sets of turntables, laptops, and high tech equipment, the Nov. 7 DJ Cafe at People's Tavern was a continuous set of the most popular hits mixed with classic rock and old school hip hop favorites.

Each DJ has a different style, plays different genres of music, and puts on a unique show of his own.

"Playing a set at a DJ Cafe is very different than playing in a club," Glessner said. "Most people who are out at the club usually want to hear the same few songs they hear regularly on the radio. They usually don't care much about the art of DJing when it comes to mixing. However, at the DJ Cafe it is all about DJing -- mixing, scratching, and trying to find that next track that makes everyone turn their heads and say, 'Oh no he didn't!'"

The next Salem County Chapter DJ Cafe is Dec. 5 at People's Tavern in Carneys Point.

In addition to Carneys Point, International DJ Cafe's are held monthly in Philadelphia, Pennsauken, and Chester, Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit www.tidjc.com.