by Drew Wilson
The GLBT Community Center's long-awaited Rooftop Happy Hour series kicks off tomorrow night with amazing views, tasty things to eat and drink, fabulous people to schmooze with and DJ Gary Givant. I recently had the opportunity to chat with DJ Gary Givant and find out the secrets of his success as one of Denver's hottest DJs for over 30 years, the songs he never gets tired of and the time he met Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and Beyonce!
GG: I used to sneak into clubs with my fake ID when I was 16. It was the late 70's when Disco was at it's peak. I used to go up to the DJ, Woody, at this club in Des Moines, Iowa, called Uncle Sams. I'd ask him song titles and started buying 12" club remixes ... OMG! 34 years! Wow! I'm very blessed.
I'm one of the few DJ's around that has been spinning consistently since the 70's through today, and I always play the newest club mixes available. I've been a Billboard Magazine nightclub reporting DJ since 1993. That means me, plus the other DJ's (there are 140 or so of us in the US) help to compile the weekly Club Chart in Billboard Magazine. For doing that, I have had the opportunity to meet Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and Beyonce. I don't get paid for charting with Billboard but the perks are worth the time that I put in reviewing the latest club music for them.
The best part of DJing is the instantaneous crowd reaction and the energy the kids on the floor give me back!
The worst part of DJing is when a customer asks you to play a song, and you don't have it, you tell them to request something else, and instead, they go back to their table and have their posse of friends come up, one by one and request the song they asked for that I didn't have.
Where do you currently spin (in addition to The Center's Rooftop Patio)?
I'm spinning at:
Juke Ultra Lounge (1400 Market St in LoDo) - Thurs. and Sat. nights
Minibar (Cherry Creek) - check my Facebook/DJGaryGivant page for upcoming dates
Beautybar Denver (608 E. 13th Ave Capitol Hill) - Sun. 11:00 am brunch time
Hapa Sushi Bar and Grill (Cherry Creek) - Every other Sunday late night
Maloney's (LoDo) with award-winning DJ Kelly Insinna, alias DJ Sinna G, every other Sunday late night.
I also spin with DJ Tatiana from time to time ...
What song do you never get tired of? And what song would you like to never hear again?
Never get tired of "Good Life" by Inner City
I wouldn't miss hearing "Tardy For The Party" by Kim Zolciak.
Why should gay Denver come hear you at the rooftop on Friday?
Well, first of all, it is the kick off event for The GLBT Center Of Colorado's monthly happy hour event,the space is just fantastic! Secondly, I'll be playing a little bit of the history of dance music, from the 70's through today,it will be fun!
OMG there has been so many! I guess one thing I do not like is when there is a mechanical malfunction and the sound stops, everyone points to the DJ, and usually, you don't have any control over it ... it's slightly embarrassing, but you laugh it off and start again!
Where can we find out more about DJ Gary Givant?
Google me! Haha! Facebook.com/DJGaryGivant. I update postings with my current playdates.
What message do you have readers of MileHighGayGuy?
Keep your mind open when it comes to music, and have a GR8 Summer!
