DJ ALEX GUTIERREZ

  “Las Pedras” — The Greatest (and Dumbest) Game Ever Invented Ah, childhood. A time of innocence, curiosity, and absolutely terrible judgment. Now, most kids grew up playing tag, hopscotch, or stickball. But us? Nah. We had “Las Pedras.” Yes, The Rocks . Before you go calling Child Protective Services retroactively, let me explain — this wasn’t just some chaotic free-for-all where we chucked rocks at each other like tiny gladiators with no future plans. No, no. This was an organized game. With rules. We were civilized savages. It was basically hide and seek , but with the added thrill of being hunted like prey… by kids wielding projectiles. We didn’t just throw rocks — we strategically launched them . Some kids had a great arm. Others had stealth. Me? I was somewhere between a ninja and a baseball pitcher with a moral gray area. We played in vacant lots, behind houses, in cane fields — anywhere we could hide and, ideally, not hit someone’s abuela in the process. You’d hide...

  Reflections on the Jet Set Nightclub Collapse As DJs, our minds are wired to think about sound — mixers, turntables, PA systems, USB sticks, the right playlist, the energy of the crowd. When we’re booked for a gig, especially overseas, the checklist is all about gear and vibes. Rarely, if ever, do we think: Is this building structurally safe? That changed after the recent, devastating collapse of Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo. Jet Set wasn’t just any nightclub — it was an institution. Since opening in 1973, the venue became a cultural hotspot in the Dominican Republic, known especially for its iconic Monday night live dance music sessions that attracted celebrities, socialites, and music lovers alike. It wasn’t just a place to party — it was a place of legacy. Tono Rosario, Rubby Perez, Omega ,Raulin Rodriguez were just a few of the performers that graced their stage. But the tragedy that unfolded serves as a stark wake-up call for performers and partygoers alike. The bu...

  The Mysterious Art of Portion Control: Why Your Burrito is Either a Beast or a Snack By Alex Gutierrez I just got back from having lunch . and like we Cubans say " Se Me quedo en una muela" meaning I'm still hungry and it got me wondering................. Ever walked into a Chipotle or El Palacio de los Jugos and thought, “Wow, today I’m getting a burrito the size of a small child,” only to come back the next day and wonder if your server has decided to put you on a  diet instead? Some days, your food looks like it could feed an army, and other days, it's like they’re giving you the leftovers from a picnic. Is it fate? A secret conspiracy? Or have we simply not cracked the code of food portioning yet? Maybe it's all a game—Cuban style. Grab your napkins and your cafecito, mi gente, because we’re about to dive into the mysterious world of food portioning, Miami style. 1. The Mysterious Guidelines of Portion Control (or the Lack Thereof) You’d think places li...

  Why the Pairing of Salsa with Bachata Feels Strange to Me as an Old-School DJ As an old-school DJ with a deep passion for curating the sounds of the 70s, 80s, and early 90s Latin music, I’ve noticed a growing trend that I find perplexing: the pairing of Bachata with Salsa. For many, it seems like a natural combination, but to me, it feels a bit off. While I understand that musical tastes evolve over time, and I’m not blind to the popularity of Bachata today, I firmly believe that this genre has no place in my programming. Let’s explore why I feel this way and why, as a DJ who has spent years cultivating a specific atmosphere with my sets, Bachata just doesn't fit into my vision of what a classic Latin music night should be. The following are all personal opinions. 1. Bachata Is Too “Cheesy” One of the main reasons Bachata doesn't belong in my sets is that, in my opinion, the music has taken on a distinctly cheesy quality. This genre has become somewhat diluted over the ye...

  Supporting Local Artists: A DJ's Perspective on Breaking Through the Noise As a DJ, my job goes beyond just spinning tracks—it's about crafting an experience that makes people feel alive. Whether I'm rocking a packed club, spinning at an intimate bar, or commanding a large festival stage, my ultimate goal is to get people moving and grooving. But, while I genuinely want to support local artists, the reality is that the music they produce sometimes makes it difficult to seamlessly integrate it into my sets. Many of the tracks I receive from local artists are exceptional when it comes to lyrics, storytelling, and musicianship. The melodies are engaging, and the passion behind the music is evident. However, the energy and rhythm of many of these tracks don’t always align with the high-energy atmosphere I’m trying to create on the dance floor. Slow, low-energy intros or melodies that don’t transition well between tracks can pose a challenge when it comes to strategically in...

Music Review: Kid Creole & The Coconuts – My Male Curiosity (Why It’s Tough to Mix Into DJ Sets) As a DJ, you're always on the lookout for tracks that effortlessly slot into your set, whether you're crafting an upbeat, high-energy dance floor vibe or curating a more laid-back, genre-spanning journey. But every so often, there's a track that feels like it’s constantly evading categorization. My Male Curiosity by Kid Creole & The Coconuts is exactly that. While it’s a perfect example of the band’s genre-defying sound, its fusion of Caribbean rhythms, disco, and art rock creates a sonic puzzle that can make it tough to mix into modern DJ sets. A Sonic Legacy Rooted in Innovation Kid Creole & The Coconuts, led by August Darnell , have always pushed boundaries. Their music blends Caribbean influences, jazz, disco, art rock, and even touches of punk. The eclecticism of their sound is apparent in My Male Curiosity , which is a swirling concoction of these influenc...