We Opened The Decks: Live from STL DJ Community House Party Launch! 🎧
Stream the live 1-for-1 blend session with DJ Manifest + an update on the Open Decks STL movement.
Hey Familia,
We officially launched our first Open Decks DJ House Party (the next evolution of our DJ AO PreGame Series), and the energy was pure magic. We opened up our doors, lit up the patio, filled the space with incredible catering from Hope’s Kitchen, and brought together four local St. Louis local artists.
The true heartbeat of this movement is collective growth. I am incredibly honored to share that I have stepped into a formal mentorship under DJ Manifest, who has spent over 20 years sharpening this craft. Alongside veteran DJ Jillian (12 years in the game), myself (4 years), and DJ Spacetime (3-5 years), we are building a living pipeline of artistic mentorship in this city.
To show you exactly what it looks like when selectors push each other to grow, we recorded the entire session.
The Live Feature: The Technical 1-for-1 Blend Session
This recording isn’t just a standard party mix. It is a live demonstration of a high-level DJ Drill: Going 1-for-1.
In the second half of this set, DJ Manifest and I stand shoulder-to-shoulder, freestyle transitioning tracks back-to-back. Mixing one single song directly into the next without missing a beat. Cruising through a smooth and soulful 73–100 BPM lane, I bridge ancestral Salsa and Island frequencies with Manifest & I’d impromptu Hip Hop and house.
You’ll hear Elvis Crespo and Joe Arroyo crashing effortlessly into G-Unit, Ludacris, Janet Jackson, Burna Boy, and Kendrick Lamar, layered with premium club edits from Onderkoffer, TWRK, and Da Phonk Club.
Two of my favorite tracks in this set are The Boondocks (Theme Song) & Yukon x Up (edit by DJ Hunny Bee).
📲 STREAM THE LIVE OPEN DECKS VOL. 1 SET ON SOUNDCLOUD
PS - We also had an impromptu Salsa dance lesson by Gerald (G) Harrison!
Looking Ahead: 360° Visuals & Round II
Coming Soon to YouTube: The full 360° Experience of the house party will be completed shortly! You’ll be able to step directly onto the patio with us, stand behind the turntables, and see the community action live.
Open Decks Party Round II: The response was so massive that we are already plotting our next gathering. Keep your eyes locked to your subscriber inbox, coordinates and dates for Round II will drop right here first.
Manifesting A Larger Space: Tune in for my sentimental, after-magic feels, gratitude & thought piece on how important create a safe space is for local artists. If you’re interested in hosting, opening up your doors or connecting us with someone who can, please reply to this email!
For Brands, Sponsors & Venues: Let’s Build Infrastructure
This newsletter is a portal for lifestyle brands, local businesses, and community organizations who want to invest in authentic cultural growth.
Through our parent organization, The Pachamama Shift Foundation (a registered 501(c)3 family and youth arts foundation), we are actively utilizing these spaces to teach local youth how to DJ, manage sound, and command a room.
When you sponsor an Open Decks event, hire me to curate your next corporate activation, or collaborate on a wellness campaign, you are directly investing in the creative infrastructure of St. Louis. We are open for hire, ready to scale, and looking for partners who want to host, elevate, and expand this beautiful community.
This past Saturday, I DJed a Pride Event! DayDream with DJ PBNJEFFY, Swade Cannabis, Since Cannabis, The Church on Del Mar and Hello Chill & Vibz. It was everything and taught me a lot about how to bring many brands together.
Tune into that mix now! Stay tuned for Pride’s 360 Experience 🥰🌈✨
Stay Blessed,
DJ AO Anna Ortiz-Aragon, founder of Align With Anna®️
Inquiries & Booking
Email: info@alignwithanna.com
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If this brought a smile to your face, put it in the family group chat! Word of mouth is how we grow this community.
Bendiciones 🥳
✨ Support the Shift: Invest in Youth & Music Education
Align With Anna® and The Pachamama Shift Foundation 501(c)3 are entirely community-supported. Every single paid subscription tier directly funds equipment, free workshops, and music production mentorship for St. Louis youth and emerging adult artists.
Choose your level of community impact and unlock your exclusive perks below:
Community Member (Free): Weekly culture updates, public mix archives, and open event notifications.
The A-List Circle ($8/mo or $80/yr): Directly supports local workshop materials. In return, you unlock access to our Seasonal Somatic Workshops, private audio downloads, and invite-only “Music as Medicine” mini-pop ups.
Founding Impact Member ($250/yr): Direct patronage for youth DJ gear and class sponsorships. Unlocks VIP Front-Row Access to all live experiences, first-look drops of the DJ AO PreGame Series, and a private 1-on-1 audio branding consultation for your personal brand or private event.