Ouvert Open Decks: DJ-ing in the Paris of the Piedmont
By Tim Meehan
Ouvert is an inclusive group of local DJs dedicated to growing and supporting the DJ/dancing community of Carrboro and Chapel Hill. Our efforts include free DJ workshops, open decks nights, and dance parties. We aim to cultivate a fun, unpretentious, and welcoming community of music enthusiasts open to all.
In an era shaped by post-COVID isolation and on-demand music streaming, it is worth considering why people leave their homes to dance together. Live DJs create a shared musical experience for the audience through their song selections and the transitions between them. By choosing and mixing tracks, a DJ can reshape how a familiar song is interpreted, connect it to an earlier (perhaps unfamiliar) antecedent, draw parallels between musical themes in seemingly unrelated tracks, or introduce audiences to music they are unlikely to encounter within their Spotify echo chamber.
Live DJs use dual, speed-adjustable vinyl or digital turntables (decks) to move seamlessly from one track to the next without interrupting the flow; sustaining the energy of the room. A DJ creates their set using any style of music to cultivate the desired atmosphere. Some of the most compelling and creative sets trace throughlines across a wide spectrum of genres, such as funk, R&B, hip hop, and jazz, revealing unexpected relationships and influences.
In addition to creating a music collage, a DJ also acts as an interactive social engineer, staying attuned to how the audience is experiencing the sound. By reading the room, a DJ can pivot in real time - adjusting song choices, transitions, and effects to subtly shape the energy and direction of the experience.
If you want to dance, learn more about DJ-ing, or just chill out while listening to local DJs there are plenty of opportunities nearby. Check out Ouvert’s events at Steel String Taproom (Carrboro) and Northside District (Chapel Hill) and follow OuvertOpenDecks on the socials to stay up to date. Listen to past sets on OuvertOpenDecks and OuvertCollectif on MixCloud.
Support our DJs and Dance Locally!
Join Ouvert Open Decks on February 13 from 7 - 11pm at Steel String Taproom for "Platonic - A Galentine's Day Dance Party." Free waffles! All ages, no cover.
