Full Circle at Sophie’s: The Power of Community, Open Decks, & 3-Hour Sonic Journeys 🪩✨
Recapping my All Star Happy Hour DJ Set + Why nerding out on music with fellow artists is essential for culture.
Familia,
There are moments in an artist’s career where you look around the room and realize just how far the journey has brought you.
On July 8th, I took the decks at Sophie’s Artist Lounge inside the Kranzberg Arts Foundation for a special 3-hour All Star Happy Hour DJ Set, hosted alongside A Turn At The Table.
Sophie’s isn’t just another venue for me, it’s where my DJ journey began. It’s where I took my first group lessons, met my 1:1 mentor, and spun my very first 20-minute open deck sets (you can still watch my February 20-minute set on YouTube). To return to that exact room and hold down a 3-hour sonic arc for a house packed with STL’s most dedicated artists and friends was pure magic.
Step Behind the Decks: Watch this 6-minute and 20-second 360° video recap on YouTube to get the full view from behind the booth! See the homies who came through, the vibe, and the layout of Sophie’s.
The Joy of Nerding Out on Music: Being an artist can sometimes feel isolated, which is why stepping into a space dedicated purely to artistic community and raw joy is so vital. We spent the evening nerding out over tracks, seamless blends, and multi-genre transitions.
Starting slow at 71 BPM and climbing all the way to 120 BPM, we moved seamlessly from Soul and Golden-Era Hip-Hop through Afrobeats, Latin heat, and Soulful House.
Huge love to everyone who showed up, danced, and contributed to the energy:
Selectors @jillianskrillian, @djmonieloveee, @djmanifest_stl, and @phdinfunk.
Alexa Seda (@silky.seda) founder of @encorestl & @encore4youth.
NayNay (@sophiesstl) artist & curator behind Sophie’s.
Musician Bates (@bates_stl).
Photographer, videographer, and multi-disciplinary artist Marty (@idunnomarty), who captured incredible photos of the night.
Longtime friend Chelsea Sleet, owner of Cynergie Holding Security Group (@cynergieholding).
🎧 Take the Vibe With You
Experience the night across all your favorite formats:
🔊 Stream the 3-Hour Live SoundCloud Recording
Take the full musical ride featuring Burna Boy, Bad Bunny, Anderson .Paak, FKJ, D’Angelo, Asake, and custom edits.
📱 Watch the Raw Cellphone IG Reel
Catch the quick day-of momentums and raw behind-the-scenes energy.
A bite-sized visual burst of the booth in action.
Let’s Build Cultural Infrastructure: Booking & Collaborations
Whether you are a venue owner, corporate coordinator, or event curator looking for an experienced DJ who brings technical skill, genre versatility, and community connection, let’s collaborate.
Every booking and brand partnership helps support The Pachamama Shift Foundation (our 501c3 non-profit), where we teach local St. Louis youth how to DJ, produce music, and step into creative leadership.
Stay Blessed,
DJ AO Anna Ortiz-Aragon, founder of Align With Anna®️
Inquiries: info@alignwithanna.com
Listen: SoundCloud
Follow Me: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | Threads