East London Diggers, the monthly record sale and open decks social hosted by music matriarch Auntie Maureen, is running a 4-week beginners course in vinyl DJing in Spring, for FLINTA participants only.
The course will run as a supportive, safe and shame free learning environment. It is FLINTA-centric because of inherent bias in the club industry. Budding DJs who identify as female, lesbian, intersex, non-binary, trans and a-gender age 18+ are welcome. Please reach out if you want to discuss this.
The course is taught by Auntie Maureen. It will take place over 4 weeks on Wednesday 05, 12, 19 & 26 March 2025 between 6:30pm - 9:15pm at High Hill Taproom in E17. Doors & bar are open from 6pm plus there is an informal short open decks practice afterwards, from 8:45pm - 9:15pm, with soft drinks, craft beer & cider bar throughout.
- DJ skills are shared in a supportive feminist environment where we uplift each other to learn through demonstrations and hands-on practice on the decks.
- Each weekly workshop outlines particular aspects of DJing, building upon the previous week’s lesson.
- The Professional DJ equipment includes 2 x Stanton STR8.150 turntables, Pioneer DJM600 mixer, all connected to the in-house amplifier & speakers plus Sennheiser SH25 headphones, Shure M44-7 cartridges & a crate of vinyl records. You can use your own DJ headphones and records if you prefer.
- No question is too small!
- No experience necessary. We'll work at the pace of absolute beginners.
- After 4 weeks you will have a working understanding to help you start to DJ with vinyl independently.
- From March 2025, East London Diggers Open Deck monthly daytime socials return to Hackney Brewery as a dedicated platform where students from the course can showcase their DJ sets.
- If you have particular access needs please contact the course tutor on eastlondondiggers@gmail.com so we can discuss how to support your participation. The venue is accessible, with a disabled toilet.
Code of conduct
We want to make sure that participants' experiences are positive and productive. Please respect names and pronouns. We will not tolerate harassment or bullying in any form.
Refund policy
Deposits are non-refundable (as per Outsavvy). If you tell us that you want to cancel your ticket, we can only give you a refund if you request one in writing via eastlondondiggers@gmail.com, giving a minimum of 7 days notice before the start of the event. If your reason for cancellation is Covid-related, reach out as soon as you can. You'll be asked to send a screenshot of the notification (NHS app or test result).
Concession
The discount rate is for people in receipt of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support or Job Seekers allowance, Full time Students, people with disabilities and in receipt of PIP. Evidence of status is required.
Payment plan & further info
If you would like to discuss the deposit / payment plan, find out more about the equipment or course content per week, or you have additional questions please email eastlondondiggers@gmail.com
About the tutor:
Auntie Maureen has been a professional queer DJ (shellac, vinyl & digital) since 1988. They / She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Creative Leadership from the Royal College of Music 9(as a turntable sound designer). They / She has worked as a tutor for Camden Music Services, the Roundhouse, East London Dance & Stratford Circus. They / She DJs across East London Clubs, at institutes such as Kew Gardens, Tate Britain and the Museum of the Home plus festivals like Happy Valley Pride, Risen, Wilderness, Shambala and Camp Bestival. They / She is DBS checked.