to mix or not to mix? that 's the question

The natural breaks between songs for me signals the appropriate time to switch partners. Sometimes when they are too seemlessly mixed, you end up stuck with the same person song after song. That's not so great if you aren't enjoying dancing with the current person or you like to switch partners often. I don't like long pauses, but I do like to know clearly when the song is over.

Very good question. Personally I don't mind the mixing that much although I would prefer not to have it. When the salsa songs are mixed really well it is tough to tell when the current song ends and the next one begins. It is only a problem when you want to stop dancing. It is considered bad form to stop dancing with your partner in the middle of a song. When one cannot tell when a song ends and the next one is beginning, it creates an awkward moment when you want to take a break but don't want to be rude and just stop dancing in the middle of the song. It does not happen to me so much since I have heard the song soooo many times I know when all the starts and stops are. I even know which song is coming next....

What really erks me is when the DJ loops the track. Nothing erks me more. A good track is playing, you are in a smooth grove with your partner, the momentum of the song is building up... Your energy and emotion is building up... That that big break moment is almost there and you just want to unleash all of that energy and emotion into a wicked move with your partner!... then the song loops back 10 seconds... OK so here it comes again!.. Loop back again... and again and again... By the time the DJ lets the song play through, the feeling is lost and replaced with a comment like, "It's about friggin' time!!"

I have to agree with Jess on the not mixing. I think it a girl's worst enemy. I have danced with very few guys who have ever recognized the end of a song/beginning of a new one and asked if I wanted to keep dancing with them. Unless I'm really not enjoying myself or need a break, I don't mind dancing a second one, but I've also been caught in an endless dance with one partner where I am stuck for the whole block of 5 salsa songs and find myself praying for a bachata just so I can extricate myself from him. It is particularly hard if I don't know where the beginning/endings are, because as Jamin says it is rather rude to stop dancing mid-song. By the time I realize we're on a different song it's too late. Twenty minutes later I'm begging for a water break.

I like a nice pause between songs just long enough for me to say thanks, give a hug and look for another partner.

agree with Heather, Jess and Geo on not to mix...for all the same reasons - I dont want to beat the dead horse anymore.

Joining the other voters, I have exactly the same reasons. So many times I keep waiting for the end of the song, then the partner doesn't realize it's a different song, thinks he can go on & it seems rude to say "thank you!" and leave...

The way I see it is that not all salsa songs have a strong ending ... so they don't suit to be ended ... instead mix to a song that goes clean with it and let that one end with a big bang or soft depends on type "Romantic, Fast, etc" Mix it up ... no matter what you will never satisfy everyone because everyone views things differently ... by doing some mixed sets and ending others you are being diverse just like your crowd. As a person of the crowd you have to realize that your DJ is doing his/her best to keep you all moving to the beats. Yes ... I do understand what you all say about switching partners but come on ... if you really really want to not dance at the moment ... no one has a gun to your head ... I'm sure your all mature adults who can choose what to do. Besides that's what the social industry is all about ... Enjoy! DJ BELIZE

Don't Mix....so I don't get stuck with the same dancer endlessly...unless you see me dancing with a really good one...not necessarily good-looking... just a really good dancer!...or maybe a good-looking beginner...Oh, heck! Don't Mix - Zee

When I DJ I don't Mix, let me tell you why..
It is because I don't know how!! LOL!

I should learn though, it would be a useful skill to have. Like I said, I don't mind the end of one song being mixed into another. I would prefer it if my salsa songs were not mixed but oh well... You can't win em all... Unless you start your own salsa night...

This topic seems to surface every year or two. How and why do we define and rate the DJ? What consitutes good or bad? Are we rating them by the type of music, the era, the duration of the song, the loudness or softness of the music (to me the louder the music the less I enjoy it), the mix or lack of mix? Whether they play for dancers or music lovers? Interesting that we judge persons in this manner. I know I wouldn't want to be a DJ.
It seems there has been a lot of experiementation and aiming to please the dancers lately most of which I have enjoyed or been challenged to figure out what type of dance I can do to the music. My partners and I have been stumped by a few that have changed from Cha Cha Cha to Bachata or Salsa or Merengue. One of my partners made it fun by mixing the dances during a song telling me what was going to be next. It was a riot. I do find it awkward when my partner & I can't figure out the ending or beat of a song. All have been good sports & we finally decided whether we wanted to continue to dance or leave the dance floor. Guess it is a matter of choice.
Sharon