Capital Blues

Devona Cartier

"Oo you make my motor run, my motor run. Gun it coming off of the line", Devona..."My-ee ey-ee by-ee ahee ah woo!" "Ma ma ma my" Devona. "Ma ma ma my" Devona.

Well, gentlemen: start your engines. Tracks will be played and if you play your Mooche just right, Devona's musical selections just may make 'players' out of you. And no letting up until the checkered flag - or your checkered past - comes out. Whichever comes first.

But no gaming with Miss D. She's taken. Josh might grind you (and not at all in a good way) into the dance floor. Sneak a peak over the top of her laptop and catch a glimpse of her ring finger as she works those keys. From Cartier, perhaps? Hm. You'll have to ask.

John Joven

John has been a staple in the Chicago scene spinning from 2004-2011. He added blues to his repertoire in 2006, debuting at the Chicago Underground Blues Experience. During his time in the Midwest, he had spun at various swing and blues events in the Twin Cities, Madison, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Urbana-Champaign, and Northeast Missouri. Now hailing from Brooklyn, NY, he's taken his act to the East Coast most recently spinning at Snowbound Blues, Enter the Blues, and the Steel City Blues Festival. He brings a versatile style influenced by the live blues of the Second City and the jazzy blues spun during his days as a young lindy hopper.

Ben Long

Ben Long began his DJ quest at Portland's Tuesday Blues in 2005. He has since roamed the country playing at a myriad of Blues dungeon crawls seeking experience points to level up his skills. Ben is multiclassed as a dance instructor which has improved his perception attribute used for observing the dance floor. Come out for his sets at Red Hot Blues where dancing to each song he plays nets +25 exp, but there will occasionally be a +100 exp bonus, and there's a 1 in 256 chance of a +2500 exp song!

Mike Marcotte

Soon after learning the basics, Mike did what a lot of dancers do -- play their idea of good music, and by all accounts there was a lot of room for improvement. Thanks to some breaks from Nancy at Zoot's back in the day, Rayned at k2, the organizers of every DCLX, and Donna and Craig with Virginia State Open there soon was no turning back. Collaborating is his favorite thing to do and so Mike was one of the founders of Capital Blues and has helped grow the Washington D.C. scene into the fun it is today.

Dan Repsch

Dan is a Baltimore resident whose obsession with music has been life-long. He’s taken to DJing because he loves sharing his music, inspiring other dancers, and guiding the energy of a dance. He’s constantly challenging himself to bring new material to his fellow dancers and works hard to offer a variety of music in his sets that stays true to the roots of the dance. He loves all styles of music and his sets tend more toward authentic Jazz and Blues, but he can bring the funk if the dance calls for it.

Jennifer Sowden

Jenny loves to create a good time with music whether with Blues, Swing, Fusion, or just House Party Style incorporating vintage, classic and modern eras. She has been found in DJ booths along the East Coast, West Coast, Canada and now in Ireland and the UK! Jenny loves smooth transitions along with surprising jumps for drama. Otherwise, dance inspiration and instruction is her full-time joy and profession. The dance floor is a space where we have conversations with each other and the music and she loves to talk and listen. Jenny will inspire you to create in your next dance. More info at JennySowden.com