Though she splits her time between two contrasting jobs — massage therapist and a deejay — Annie Flores sees the connection.
“I’m customer service oriented and big on making people happy,” says the Coachella Valley resident.
Lately, Flores has been focusing on her DJ career and making quite a splash as Femme A with gigs around the Greater Palm Springs area as she continues her studies as an audio production student at The Art Institute of California.
“Audio Engineering lends to credibility,” she says. “I learn things more in depth that helps me with what I’m doing with sound. It’s more of a science.”
Annie Flores: "People know you because you are one of the only female DJ’s. They won’t forget you".
DJ Femme A will spin her magic on July 25 at the 8th Annual Mid-Summer Dance Party benefiting Desert Aids Project (DAP). This year’s event has a change of venue and will be held at the Palm Springs Pavilions, a fully air-conditioned auditorium. This is great news for one of the “hottest” charity parties taking place at the height of the desert’s heat.
DJ Femme A joins Alex Harrington, Queen of the Desert folks: Jazmyn Simone-Echelon and Ethylina Canne, plus go-go dancers, complimentary cocktails and hor d’oeuvres and more to create a fab 1950s-themed atmosphere to get the crowd jumping. Guests are encouraged to “grease back their hair and grab your poodle skirts” and get ready to dance.
Proceeds from the event go to DAP to provide assistance for those living with HIV/AIDS. Client services include fulfilling needs for food, medical and social services as well as advocacy, education, and HIV/AIDS prevention awareness.
Annie Flores: “I love to play to the crowd.”
Palm Springs Life had a few questions for DJ Femme A as she preps for the Mid-Summer Dance Party.
Describe the music scene here in the Coachella Valley.
“It’s grown a lot. The live music scene has changed for the better. It’s a lot more current and there are so many new places. I mostly do clubs and that’s what I like to do.”
Do you think it’s harder to achieve success as a DJ because you are a woman in a profession largely dominated by men?
“Yes, I do. Sometimes, I think that guys… I play at a lot of gay clubs… I feel like I get looked down upon until they see what I have to offer. Then I get good feedback. Being female can be good and it can be bad. People know you because you are one of the only female DJ’s. They won’t forget you. It can be bad, I guess, being judged before you even start your set.”
As an out gay woman does performing at a DAP event mean something to you beyond any another gig?
“Yes, I mean, I definitely like playing at gay events. I feel more at home. As far as DAP, it is huge and I’m honored and very blessed to be a part of it.”
What style will DJ Femme bring to this year’s 1950s-themed Mid-Summer Dance Party?
• “With every set I do, I get into the music and infuse different things. New modern music and I’ll throw in some old dance classics from 1970s or ‘80s. I’ll throw in some Michael Jackson, take people back and bring them back to what’s current. Lots of dance flavor… mainly mixing music. I’ll blend and beat match everything.”
• “I love to play to the crowd. I don’t really stick to one genre. I’ll play to whose dancing.”
• “I’m excited about DAP. I’ve already started my playlist. Also, being a girl and being feminine, I get to dress up. This event is so exciting. I will have hair and make-up and clothes. Or at least I’m gonna try.”
8th Annual Mid-Summer Dance Party, 8 p.m. July 25, Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 S. Pavilion Way at Sunrise Park, next to the city pool, 760-992-0440; http://desertaidsproject.thankyou4caring.org/danceparty
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