Cool Jays hold first Denon DJ contest

Event management and entertainment firm Cool Jays is to host Sri Lanka's first all-island Denon DJ competition.

The Denon DJ of the Year Contest, the finals of which will be held on 25 November at the Hotel Taj Samudra, is expected to draw hundreds of entries from talented DJs across the country.

DJ competitions or 'spin-offs' are highly popular overseas, attracting thousands of fans who dance to the music played by the competitors and popular guest DJs. Now Sri Lankans, too, will have a chance to experience these exciting events.

'Denon DJ' of the Year 2006 is open to all DJs in Sri Lanka,' says Chamila Perera, Managing Director of Cool Jays.

'We're expecting a lot of entries, so we'll be holding a preliminary selection round at Clancy's Irish Pub on 22 November to pick the DJs who will participate in the final round on November 25. Both rounds will be judged by our hand-picked four-man judging panel. The first and second runners-up will all get big prizes. But of course, the real thrill is the competition itself,' added Chamila.

Three of the judging panel are internationally renowned DJs: Ronnie Jacks from Dubai, DJ Solo from the UK and Sri Lanka's very own Mass Ramli, who was voted Dubai's Denon DJ of the Year in 2004 and again in 2006. The fourth judge, Roland Lim, is a senior manager at D&M Electronics, Singapore, which is co-producing the event with Cool Jays and will also supply the high-tech Denon DJ consoles that will be given away as prizes to the winners.

"The first prize is two Denon DN-S 3500 single CD consoles,' explains Mr. Perera. 'The second prize is a Denon DN-D 6000 dual CD console and the third prize is a Denon DN-D 4500 dual CD console. Cool Jays, who are agents for Denon DJ and professional audio products in Sri Lanka, will provide service and support" The competing DJs will also perform on Denon equipment supplied by Cool Jays.

Asked what criteria will be used to pick the winning DJ, Mr. Perera cites mixing and track selection, speech and audience interaction, attire and general presentation. Each competitor will be given a 15 minute slot in which to perform and must play a minimum of five tunes. The contest will be followed by a night of fun and entertainment as the audience will be entertained with music from Cool Jays' own spinners and international guest DJs till dawn. To make things more exciting, there will also be an entrance ticket draw for audience members with a prize of a return air ticket to Bangkok sponsored by Ceylinco Travels, ideal for that shopping trip or getaway break.

'Entries for the contest are now open,' says Chamila Perera. 'DJs who want to take part should contact us as soon as possible. Obviously there's a limit to the number of people we can accommodate, so it's best to contact us early.' The Denon DJ of the Year 2006 Contest and after party will be held on the North Lawn of the Hotel Taj Samudra on 25 November. Entrance for audience members is by ticket priced at Rs 500/- per person. Contestants should register by calling Cool Jays Entertainment on 0777 680 366 no later than 20 November.