Rack and Roll: Miami DJ Mike Vasquez Plays the Gym
Although you might typically find me chanting OM in the yoga room at my gym, a few weeks ago I decided to start pumping iron with the big boys. I don’t normally pay much mind to the music—neither like nor dislike the tunes—and the beat just serves as background. But on this particular occasion, I found myself crunching some abs and suddenly realizing: “What’s going on here? The music is great and I’m having fun!” The wizard behind the desk responsible for giving my workout a little extra somethin’ somethin’ was DJ Mike Vasquez, who has been spinning tunes at the gym for six months now. Although voted “Best No Attitude Gym 2006” by the Sunpost, Sobesports Club does pull some major coolness clout by featuring Mike every Thursday evening, 6 to 9pm “There’s no better high than to see a room full of people dancing and loving what you do,” says Mike. “I love it. The love of it drives me.” Members may not be cutting a rug at the gym, but we definitely feel the love while exercising to Mike’s mixes, which are inspired by just about everything—ranging from Spanish music to rock and roll and late 70s disco funk. “I grew up in an American and Italian neighborhood in New Jersey, so I had many influences.” Born from Ecuadorian parents, Mike also enjoyed the music played at family parties as much as the hits of the day on the radio. Mike had no formal musical training, but began practicing the art of DJ in his early teens. “It came to me naturally, by ear.” Mike and his family moved to Miami in 1985 to open a business, during which time he stepped away from his role as DJ to support the family’s entrepreneurship. But in 2001, he started playing professionally again at Laundry Bar, where he had the opportunity to do what he loves best. Since then, as a freelance DJ, Mike has played at local hotspots such as Pawn Shop, Amika and the Bliss party series. He has also played nationally and abroad. This month, he is schedule to DJ at a private party for Tracy Young. With a regular weekly club gig at Blue Martini in Fort Lauderdale on Fridays and freelance work, Mike has achieved a great balance between work and workshop. “I don’t like to play every night, getting burnt out and offering the same mixes over and over again. I need time at home to listen to new music and stay fresh and inspired for clubgoers.” A Miami Beach resident, Mike draws much inspiration from the place where he lives. “I love Miami. It’s paradise.” Indeed, Mike has a very sunny disposition, which comes from having the blessing of doing what you love for a living. At SoBe Sports Club, Mike has the chance to try out new material every week with the added benefit of reenergizing those of us who are pumping iron. “People don’t want to leave, they work out longer.” And it’s true. One more crunch never felt so good! You can catch Mike at Blue Martini every Friday. Can’t wait? Head over to El Hood to enjoy samples of his music online. Blue Martini SoBe Sports Club (formerly Ironworks) The history of DJs at the gym While not unheard of, DJ entertainment at health clubs is not exactly common either. Dr. Drax, Executive Director of the American Disc Jockey Association, tells me that about ten years ago a major health club chain tried to make Friday and Saturday night workouts more interesting for Los Angeles area for singles by hiring a DJ. “But it’s somewhat rare. It takes some forward-thinking on the part of gyms to spend money on a professional, established DJ.” As for South Beach today, Crunch on Washington Avenue also offers DJ entertainment on Wednesday nights, although at time of publication the program was on hiatus because of remodeling. The trend, however, seems to be catching on. Idol’s Gym plans on featuring a DJ in the near future.
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7 Comments on"Rack and Roll: Miami DJ Mike Vasquez Plays the Gym"
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Gus says:
Nice article, Manola, interesting to learn about DJs at the gym.
In South Beach, it’s also not uncommon to see DJs at some of the hot retail stores too. As a matter of fact, there’s also a DJ booth in the window of Cheese Burger Baby. And who here rememebrs The Womb website; they use to video stream DJ’s playing from a building that overlooked Lincoln Road.
I’m starting to see, South Beach people love their house music. I guess that’s why Scratch DJ Academy is here.
Do you have a link to the new gym website?
I enjoyed reading about Mike, and his love of music. This quote touched me:
“Mike has a very sunny disposition, which comes from having the blessing of doing what you love for a living.”
Many people I meet who live in Miami Beach express this.
There’s something to be said about living on vacation, and reinventing yourself.
Posted on 10/30/2006 at 7:03 AM