DJ’s and Hosts: For Whom Do They Perform?

I’ve penned two previous posts for this blog, one about my experience attempting to become an “escort”, and one about the life of a pro dancer in SL, and the up- and down-side of club design.

That brings me to another element of the club-hopping set in SL: DJ’s and hosts. Some are great, some are not, and some are just “phoning it in”, and we can tell, can’t we? If I pass a 250-linden tip to a DJ, and request a song, and he tells me there’s no time, or he doesn’t do repeats and the song’s been played, previously, do you think I’ll tip him again? Not bloody likely!

There are some club operators, hosts, and DJ’s who seem to forget that this experience is NOT for them! It’s not about how cool and sexy they are, or how massively bitchin’ their taste in music is, or how they can stuff their club with friends and “fan club” members. It’s for the clientele!. And no matter how “famous” or “successful” your venue has become, it can become a “ghost town” just as quickly, when word spreads that “attitude” has changed, and it’s not a customer’s best choice anymore, or it’s a “clique”, where new folks are not embraced. And let’s face it; every day in SL brings a new competitor into the club and dance business, and a new corpse on the map. Some will fail, but some will rise and prevail, and I’m attempting to provide just a little food for thought, for those who want to get into the club and dancing business.

I watch, and listen, very carefully, to how “diplomacy” is practiced with a customer who chat-spams, disobeys club rules, dances in areas reserved for club dancers, strips down a bit too far, or inflicts drama into the open chat. Are they approached with patience, kindness, and tolerance? Or, do the club owners/managers immediately become “authoritarian” and threatening, or wax smart-assed and “tuff guy” with the offender, flexing their imaginary muscles in open chat?

I’ve seen some folks treated very, very poorly in a club venue, and made a practice of never returning to that place, nor contributing my generous tips and donations to their clubs, DJ’s, or charitable causes. Correcting someone in open chat, with an “attitude” and an authoritarian approach, is just wrong, to my thinking. It only invites the offender to retaliate and become defensive. Take it to private IM, negotiate skillfully to resolve the problem, and inject humor, love, and kindness into the conversation. Pay a compliment, or share a joke, or take the time to explain the rule or policy, and why it’s necessary. Some “offenders” just don’t know that the dance platforms are “reserved” for staff, or that the poles are off-limits to customers, and if it’s near to “last call”, and someone offends, think again! Is it really a big deal? Would it serve your major goals of a profitable and full venue, to sometimes overlook a little rules violation? Is this about YOU, and your control over your venue?

I hate to be unkind, or negative; it isn’t my way, and that’s why I won’t criticize specific venues or people in my writing. Hopefully, those who recognize what my words depict, will react positively too, and take their own efforts to new levels of attraction for those of us who love, love, love to dance!

If you own a club, or know someone who does, and recognize any of these “negatives” in your own practices, think about easing up, or giving consideration to your management, design, and operating policies. We in SL know where it’s fun to be, and which parties always attract the hottest guys, and the most interesting and amusing chat, and that’s where we’ll be on any given night!

Thanks, dear reader, for enduring my little missive! Hope to see you soon, on a dance floor!