The Art Of DJing
The mandate of downtown Toronto's Off Centre DJ School is simple: have fun with records! We strive to find new ways to teach and creatively express ourselves by playing with sound. At OC we emphasize the roots of DJ culture: vinyl, two turntables, and a mixer. By focussing on the turntable as an instrument, creating music with turntables can take on a completely different shape. While the art of DJing and Scratching has often been clouded by gimmicks, competition, and commercialism, we bring to the learning environment the school of thought that the DJ is a musician playing an instrument of personal expression called the turntable.
News
Tis' the season. Another Christmas is lerking around the bend. Avoid the hustle bustle with a few simple mouse clicks and make anyone on your list happy with DJ Lessons.
OCDJ Video Feature by UGS Magazine...
Check out exclusive footage of classes in session as Off Centre's founder Steptone breaks down the who's, what's, where's, and how's of the DJ school. He also describes the rich character of vinyl and its surrounding culture vs. the inevitably watered down versions of DJing which come with the digital form.
Saturday scratch sessions...back, back again and in full stride! Once a month on Saturdays the ones known as Steptone & Professor Fingers (iNSiDEaMiND) host a little something called the Open Scratch Sessions @ Off Centre DJ School.. Click here for more info.
04/03/08 - "Free Your Turntable" -- an open turntables art event where anyone can step on stage and present a 10 minute vinyl based musical piece. Join us tomorrow night Wednesday March 5th, 2008 @ The Cameron House // 408 Queen West. // 9:30pm // $7 // 19+. Featured showcases will be presented by iNSiDEaMiND and DJ Veteran.
29/01/08 - Welcome to 2008! We are happy to say that our monthly open turntables event "Free Your Turntable" is back! Join us 9:30pm Wednesday March 5th, 2008 @ The Cameron House Theatre for a chance to witness DJ's of all levels perform 10 minute sets to a seated audience. Names go into the hat early....don't sleep. iNSiDEaMiND will be this events featured showcase.
08/10/07 -
As part of our ongoing Events & Workshop series, Off Centre DJ School Presents:
Featuring: No Luck Club (Vancouver), iNSiDEaMiND and special guest dj Veteran with a live video presentation by Videocake. This will all be taking place at the Smiling Buddha located @ 961 College St. This is a 19+ event // $10 at the door, but for those reading this here...email lessons@offcentredj.com before October 15th and get on the reduced price list.
Doors open at 8:30 -- Arrive early and get closer to the decks with a special Off Centre DJ School workshop!24/09/07 - Coming off a wikkid workshop at the Manifesto underground urban arts festival...This past weekend OCDJ was invited for some fun in the sun at Nathan Philips Square as groups took their 1st shot at learning how to scratch a record...yes, records are still arounf folks. We'll have some footage of the event posted here in the next little bit as well as more info on our next public DJ workshop at the Art Gallery of Mississauga at the end of October...checkout iNSiDEaMiND.net for some more info.
20/08/07 - The Fall Semester is just around the corner....as Toronto based turntable musicians iNSiDEaMiND wrap up their summer long recording of their debut LP (to be released worldwide in 2008) Lessons at Down Toronto's #1 DJ school continue. We are now offering weekend sessions for our Introduction course and we're excited to be adding a few new faces to our teaching roster...keep an eye out. Once again, remember....Music is what you make it!
26/10/06 - The 1st Off Centre DJ School "Lecture Series" event to take place at the Gladstone Hotel Art Bar on Friday November 10th. Featured artist and details are now posted: EVENTS.
16/08/06 - New Introduction to DJing courses...this is a new comprehensive course that covers all the basics of mixing and scratching in a 4 week course. See the Lessons page for times & details ~ Click ~
01/06/06 - There's an interesting article entitled "Not Just a Venture for Guys" with a few different takes on the increasing number of women DJ's in a traditionally male dominated industry. Check out words from Toronto based DJ's such as Lil Jazz and Off Centre DJ School's Steptone who were recently interviewed by Sheena Osman of One80 youth magazine for this months addition. ~Check it out: Clik Clik~.
15/04/06 - After a crazy week of new group lessons, changes for insideAmind, opening for Soul Position, and unpacking boxes and more boxes, we've landed safely in our new dedicated studio space and things are coming along as smooth as can be. Our doors are open, so come scratch it up this and every Saturday at Off Centre's new home in the Queen Broadview Village. See the Scratch Sessions Page for more info!
03/04/06 - As of April 7th, 2006 Off Centre DJ School has a new home... more info when our backs have recovered from the move!!
15/02/06 - Starting Monday March 6th, 2006 OC will once again be offering Group Lessons. Sessions last 4 weeks with new sessions starting at the top of each month. Classes fill up quick and are kept to a minimum for a better more concentrated learning environment. Guarantee your spot by joining early...for more info contact lessons@offcentredj.com. Ask us about the OC monthly feature!
