• Home
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Resources
  • Workshops
  • Street Team
  • Code of Ethics
  • Friday Flourishes
  • Contact
  Contra Syncretist
Connect with Contra Syncretist!

Mixing and Dancing Toward Technophoria: Sheldon "DJ Shel D" Lieberman

7/13/2011

 
On June 4, Club Contras caller and organizer Brian Hamshar and Sheldon “DJ Shel D” Lieberman debuted Technophoria, a techno contra event that they now plan to expand into a series; while the first one was in Asheville, NC, they’re looking at possibly making it a floating series in different venues. Unlike some others, this series uses a seasoned professional DJ to mix the tunes. I caught up with DJ Shel D to see what he had to say about the experience and what drove the idea of Technophoria.

“The idea behind Technophoria as an event came about because of my experience at a contra dance where they ‘experimented’ with contra dancing to alternative styles of music. With my previous experience as a studio DJ (mixing music at a local radio station in Brattleboro, Vermont) I knew that I could professionally mix and produce a show, and take ‘Techno Contra’ into the mainstream of contra dancing. The prospect of contributing to the evolution of contra and be the person to set the new standard in Techno Contra got me very excited!”
Their vision was flat-out “Euphoria! It’s the feeling all contra dancers experience at one time or another when the music and the dance sends the endorphins flowing. But, I’ve experienced the same feeling at dance clubs when I wasn’t contra dancing…. What were the other contributing factors? It was the sound and lights! So what would happen if Techno Contra was in the mix? Technophoria! An unending stream of endorphin flowing excitement and sensations that come from contra dancing to the tight blending of progressive electronic beats, amidst mind altering swirling flashing lights!”

What did DJ Shel D bring to the table, then?

“I had a weekly radio show for about 6 years and covered genres from Rock to Psytrance. There were also a few events I spun for, but primarily it was studio work. Everything changed when I started mixing beats from Downtempo and Psytrance tracks. Engineering the smooth transition between tracks was where it was at! Most of the music I used for the 1st Technophoria was from my past DJ collection. I included Classic Techno, Tech House, Trance, Psytrance, Industrial, and Alternative 80’s. A few new tunes rounded it out.” He continues, “All the mixing and tempo transitions were up to me. Brian’s experience in the field and the feedback we got from the website led us to go with shorter music sets as opposed to a non-stop ‘rave style’ arrangement.”

Interestingly, this techno contra wasn’t only promoted on Facebook or in conjunction with another folklore society’s web efforts. Technophoria has a web presence of its own. What purpose did this serve? “The web page was necessary to set up advanced ticket purchases. About a third of the attendees bought tickets in advance… The page was designed to get feedback before the event. A number of people filled out our survey and most of our volunteers let us know they were interested via the website.”

The feedback from the event seems to be really positive: “The calling was ‘Right on’ as one of our attendees said. ‘When the music crescendo’d, the phrasing of the music was perfectly synced to the top of the dance progression. It was the first time I ever danced to Techno where it worked!’ he said. Someone else told me she thought the music was really GOOD techno! She came over to me to tell me that it was WAY better than she expected and was really looking forward to the next one! I even got compliments on the lighting: One guy said, ‘The lights got me so high I almost fell over!’ Yes! People truly did experience Technophoria!”

“We did have some challenges: minor sound equipment issues, and breaks between sets that seemed too long to me. We will update the format a little and use different sound equipment next time. Otherwise, we created a buzz and brought Techno into the mainstream of Contra dancing.”

Interestingly, it seems mainstream contra dancing can be both outreach and preparation for techno contras: “There are so many people who may not be attracted to traditional Contra. I see Techno Contra as reaching those people and being an outlet for others who want more variety. There’s only one way to learn though: Go to a traditional dance. The traditional dance is the training ground for Techno.”

Building on this initial success, the organizers are looking at turning their initial success into a series: “Since our first run was such a successful experience Technophoria is now officially on as a series! We will announce dances a few weeks in advance of creating them. We also see creating wider participation in Technophoria, so although we are centered in Asheville NC, we are open to going on the road with it. Personnel wise, Brian’s attention to detail works well with mine, so right now he’s the caller I’ll choose first. It takes so much time to get it all right, and now I understand why ‘Techno Contra’ hasn’t taken off until now. The amount of work I put into the mix is practically insane. Most of the music has to be remixed to get it into a 64 beat pattern before I even mix between tracks. It’s tedious! If there was someone else beside myself who would put that kind of effort into a mix, I’d be interested in working with them. I just don’t think anyone is doing what I’m doing, so right now I’m the Mixmaster.”

He also has advice for DJs who might want to try spinning for a contra: “64 beats! Watch your speed! The music has to be tight or it doesn’t work. It would take some pretty sophisticated live DJ-ing to make that happen. Other DJ-ing is a breeze compared to DJ-ing for contra!”

“To some people a Techno Contra is really just a big dance party and can be loads of fun regardless of how musically correct it is. Professionally speaking though, until DJ’s and callers put in the hard work and make calling to 64-beat progressive music 'tight,' dance organizers will only see Techno Contra as an 'experimental' event. It can be tuff [sic] to maintain a dance flow when callers are confused and dancers get lost; it leads some people to be turned off from the experience. Well, the time for losing people is over! I see the Technophoria team taking Techno Contra into the mainstream of Contra Dancing with just as much professionalism and organization as you would find at a Contra Dance weekend. Brian H and Shel D have successfully made the dream of mainstream Techno Contra into a reality. As long as you can contra dance to a lively beat, you can do Techno! At a Technophoria show, the music, lights, the caller and your dancing are all in sync. It’s the ULTIMATE Contra Dancing high!!”

Sheldon Lieberman is currently hard at work on the next Technophoria installment, which will take place August 13, 2011 from 9 P.M.-1 A.M. at the Masonic Lodge in Asheville, NC. Special thanks to him for taking the time to answer my questions! More information can be found on Facebook and at Technocontra.com.

Comments are closed.
    This project has concluded as of mid-2013 (with an epilogue posted mid-2016) but we hope to see you soon on a contra dance floor! Meanwhile, head over to our Facebook page for upcoming techno contra events and other items of interest.

    The 100+ Friday Flourish videos can still be found on YouTube.

    Author

    I dance with abandon. I play with glowsticks. I look for music that is conducive to one or both. I play behind cameras.  I write about all of the above. I'm based in Glen Echo's contra dance community outside of Washington, D.C., but I'm happy to go dance afield when I can. Lather, rinse, repeat. Always repeat.

    Archives

    June 2016
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011

    Categories

    All
    Aaron Marcus
    Advanced Dances
    Alan Foss
    Album Review
    Alex Krogh-Grabbe
    Allemande
    Allemande Swing
    Alternative Music Party
    Alternative Twirl Out From Promenade
    Andrew Marcus
    Andrew Vannorstrand
    Andrew Van Norstrand
    Andy Reiner
    Anna Kendrick
    Anna Rain
    Anne Midgette
    Ann Fallon
    Arlington Va
    Ascap. Bmi
    Asheville Nc
    Atlanta Ga
    Back Lead
    Backward Swing
    Backward Swing With Lasso
    Balance And Play
    Balance-&-swing Transition
    Balance Switch
    Bates College
    Beatles Contra
    Behind-the-Back Swing Variant
    Bennett Schatz
    Bev Bernbaum
    Binary Blackout
    Blaise Thompson
    Blogger
    Blogger's Soapbox
    Blogger's Soapbox
    Blogger’s Soapbox
    Blues
    Brendan Carey Block
    Brendan Taaffe
    Brian Hamshar
    Burning Man
    Cake
    California Twirl
    Caller
    Call For Submissions
    Cha-cha Slide
    Chaos Lines
    Chattaboogie
    Chelsea Co
    Choreography
    Chrissy Fowler
    Christopher Jacoby
    Christylez Bacon
    Claps
    Clark Baker
    Club Contras
    Community
    Connie's Whirl
    Consent
    Content
    Contra Evolution
    Contra Evolution.
    Contra Evolution. Greenfield Ma
    Contraforce
    Contra-phoria
    Contra Shenanigans
    Contrashock
    Contra Sonic
    Contrastock
    Cool Hip Dancer
    Copyright
    Costuming
    Courtesy Twirl
    Cover Bands
    Crabs
    Crowding
    Cuddle Swing
    Cuddle Swing Switch
    Cuddle-up California Twirl
    Culture Clash
    Cups
    Dana Parkinson
    Dance Experiment
    Dancers
    Dance Weekends
    Dancing In Small Spaces
    Dancing Switch
    Dan Kappus
    Dave Colestock
    Dave Eisenstadter
    Dead Cat Bounce
    Decadance
    Deca-dance
    Deca-dance Event
    Demon Barber Roadshow
    Diane Silver
    Dj
    Dj Fml
    Dj Gaga
    Dj Improper
    Dj Nu B
    Dj Shel D
    Dj Solar Sound
    Donna Hunt
    Do Si Do
    Double Allemande Swing
    Double Apex
    Double Twirl Under
    Doug Plummer
    Ecd
    Ed Howe
    Editorial
    Eileen Thorsos
    Elbow Swing
    Electric Camel Contra
    Electric Slide
    Electrotrad
    Elyse Marder
    Eric Harris
    Eric Johnson
    Fads
    Fiddlefoxx
    Firecloud
    Flash Mob
    Flourishes
    Flurry Festival
    Flying Swing Switch
    Follow
    Footfall
    Footworks
    Fox News
    Fremont Abbey
    Friday Flourish
    Gangnam Style
    Gate
    Gaye Fifer
    Gender Balance
    Gender Free Contra
    Gender-free Contra
    Gender Roles
    Gents Chain
    Gents Swing
    George Marshall
    Gerry Diver
    Giant Robot Dance
    Giant Swallow Motion
    Glen Loper
    Glossary
    Greenfield Ma
    Greenwood Va
    Gypsy Meltdown Twirl
    Hank Morris
    Hay For Four
    High Ceilidh Swing
    High Ceilidh Wing
    High Contrast
    Hip-hop
    Hiphop Contra33bdaf614f
    History
    Housekeeping
    Infographic
    Intergenerationality
    Jack Mitchell
    Jamie Oshima
    Jayjfresh02b2d7b2bf
    Jeff Kaufman
    Jesse Edgerton
    John Cote
    John Pranio
    Jordy Williams
    Julie Vallimont
    Ladies
    Ladies Chain
    Ladies Chained9d7891b2
    Lead
    Lewiston Me
    Licensing
    Lighting
    Lights
    Links
    Lisa Greenleaf
    Live At The Butterball
    London Bridge Hay
    Long Lines
    Louis Dow
    Low Ceilidh Swing
    Macarena
    Madonna
    Marketing
    Marlin Prowell
    Martin Hayes
    Martyn Bennett
    Medley
    Melissa Taggart
    Mel Novner
    Mens Chain
    Miami Fl
    Michael Ferguson
    Midswingc4f63a1de0
    Midswing Spinoutb14a07051c
    Midtwirl Reverse8b8dd124c4
    Mike Wilson-jones
    Miriam Baker
    Misdivine
    Money Musk
    Moral Issue
    Morris
    Mosh Pit
    Music
    New Dancers
    News Coverage
    New York Ny
    Nils Fredland
    Noah Van Norstrand
    North Carolina
    North Whitefield Me
    Organizer
    Other Syncretists
    Outreach
    Over The Head Slide
    Parallel Variant On Crabs
    Pattycake
    Paul Dalessio5fc83e8cd1
    Pawbat Twirl3677eefc75
    Penelope Weinberger
    Perpetual E Motion
    Perpetual Emotionab4aa3ee79
    Perry Shafran
    Petronella
    Phase X
    Portland
    Portland Or
    Pretzel Swing
    Principle
    Promenade
    Ray Polhemus
    Redux
    Resolutions
    Reverse Cape Position
    Reverse Courtesy Turn
    Reverse Ripcord Twirl Variant
    Rick Mohr
    Ripcord Twirl
    Road Stories
    Roanoke Wv
    Roll Away
    Rollover
    Ross Harriss
    Rss Feed
    Safety
    Sarah Dicegoldberg38fd311c67
    Scout House
    Sean Oshima
    Seattle Wa
    Sesac
    Seth Tepfer
    Seventeen
    Shiny Objects
    Simple Twirl Switch
    Singing Squares
    Skaters
    Sonny Newman
    Soulja Boy
    Sound Mixing
    Spark In The Dark
    Spider Vetter
    Spinout
    Spokane Wa
    Stanford Ca
    St Petersburg Fld35dde8e84
    Street Team
    Stretches
    Survey
    Swallowtail
    Swing
    Switch
    Technoberfest
    Techno Contra
    Technophoria
    Ted Hodapp
    Terpsichore
    Terra Price
    The Henry Road Bandits
    The Matt Blackfield Project
    The Speech Project
    The System
    The Turtle Duhks
    Things To Think About
    Tobacco Road
    Toki Oshima
    Tradeoff Twirl
    Transsiberian Orchestra6b3cf55bca
    Traveling Swing
    Tricky Swing
    Turn Under
    Twirl
    Twirl In Switch
    Twisted Swing
    Twisty Chain
    Twitter
    Two Handed Ladies Chain
    Ufo
    Uk
    Variety
    Vernals4785e4f52b
    Vicki Herndon
    Videos
    Vince Budnick
    Waltz Variant On Crab Swing
    Washington Dc
    Wendy Graham
    Whipperstomper Balance
    Whipperstompers
    Whitefield Me
    Will Mentor
    Willow Grove Pa
    World
    Xecd
    Youth Dance Weekend
    Yuja Wang

    Comments are welcome; spam-bots and disrespectful behaviors are not. Please do (nicely) point out errors if they are found.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from edwin.bautista, Cupcake KITSCHen, Ivy Dawned, Martin Pettitt, quinn.anya, LimeTech, avlxyz, Sarah and Jason, Bill Ward's Brickpile