🌊 Poolside in Kirkwood: The Anatomy of a Multi-Generational Live Set 🎧
Watch the 360° Day-in-the-Life Vlog, catch the IG Mini-Recap, and stream the full 2-hour live mix!
Hey Familia,
There is a distinct art form to playing for a mixed crowd.
When you have a pool, patio or dance floor that holds 5-year-olds, young parents, and seasoned 50+ music purists all at once, you can’t just rely on what’s trending today. You have to trigger memory.
This past Friday afternoon, I had the absolute honor of sound-designing the summer pool party at The James private residence in Kirkwood. This event came as a direct, high-trust referral from my family at OrangeTheory Fitness, and the assignment was clear: create a feel-good environment where everyone felt seen.
To showcase exactly how an event like this comes together, we captured the entire experience from every angle. Below is your all-in-one portal to relive the sunset session.
Experience 1: The Behind-the-Scenes 360° Vlog (3.5 Mins)
Want to step inside the DJ booth? This immersive look goes beyond the music to showcase the true business and people skills required to run a high-level function.
You’ll see me working directly with the venue management, emceeing the microphone, sharing the team’s raffles & prizes.
More importantly, you’ll see the art of human connection: how to read a shifting crowd, how to build relationships that make venues want to book you back, and how to gracefully handle live guest requests on the fly.
🎬 WATCH THE 360° DAY-IN-THE-LIFE VLOG ON YOUTUBE
Experience 2: The IG Mini-Recap (Social Edit)
Looking for a quick hit of pure, pool party energy?
Catch the fast-visual recap featuring the property, the families, the food, and the ideal afternoon vibes.
Perfect for sharing directly to your stories!
📲 WATCH THE INSTAGRAM REEL MINI-RECAP
Experience 3: The Full 2-Hour Live Recording
Once you see the layout, hit play on the full set.
This 2-hour live recording moves seamlessly from an easy-going 69 BPM up to a festive 119 BPM.
It bridges the gap between eras, blending the classic gold of Curtis Mayfield, War, and The Isley Brothers with the nostalgic energy of No Doubt, Smash Mouth, and Backstreet, while keeping it current with Burna Boy, Kali Uchis, and Dua Lipa.
It even features raw live crowd requests for The Beastie Boys, Missy Elliott, and Keyshia Cole (with a few explicit minutes edited out to play around your kids, your parents, or your corporate clients).
🎧 STREAM THE 2-HOUR LIVE POOL PARTY ON SOUNDCLOUD
Save for when you want that perfect balance of 70s, 80s, 90s - open format.
TONIGHT: The DJ AO PreGame Series Launch (June 13th)
This Kirkwood pool party was the perfect fuel for what is happening tonight, Saturday, June 13th. We are officially activating the house for the launch of the DJ AO PreGame Series!
To celebrate my birthday week, I am hosting 4+ incredible guest DJs spinning deep house, raw soul, funk, and Latin hip-hop.
More importantly, we are hosting Open Decks, opening our space for adults and youth who want to step up and learn how to mix.
Keep your eyes on my socials for the live behind-the-scenes look!
Planning an Event? Let’s Co-Create.
If you are a luxury lifestyle brand manager, a corporate coordinator, or a family organizing a back-to-school function, consider this portfolio your primary source.
When you hire me, you aren’t paying for someone to simply transition between songs. You are hiring a sonic director who reads human behavior, honors diverse cultures, manages your timeline, and pours every dollar back into local youth and adult creative education.
My late-summer and autumn 2026 calendar is filling up quickly. Let’s design something unforgettable for your community.
Stay Blessed,
DJ AO Anna Ortiz-Aragon, founder of Align With Anna®️
Inquiries & Booking
Email: info@alignwithanna.com
Listen: SoundCloud
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📣 Put It in the Group Chat!
If this video or mix unlocked a core memory, saved your Friday afternoon, or gave your family something to dance to, pass the medicine along. Copy this link and drop it directly into your family group chat or send it to your building management team! Culture travels through word of mouth. 🥳
✨ Invest in the Movement: Support the Shift
Align With Anna® and The Pachamama Shift Foundation are entirely community-supported initiatives. Every single paid subscription directly funds free community gear, youth music mentorship, and accessible wellness pop-ups in St. Louis.
We have completely redesigned our membership tiers to give you real-world access and value. Choose your level of impact below:
Community Member (Free): Public mix drops, weekly culture newsletters, and open event notifications.
The A-List Circle ($8/month or $80/year): Your pass to internal wellness and exclusive soundscapes. Unlocks access to our Seasonal Somatic Workshops, private digital audio downloads, and intimate, invite-only “Music as Medicine” mini-pop ups.
Founding Impact Member ($250/year): For the builders, leaders, and true patrons of the arts. You get VIP Front-Row Access to all live experiences, first-look exclusive drops of the DJ AO Pregame Series, and a private 1-on-1 custom audio branding consultation call for your personal business or private milestone event.
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