The New Norm
July 6-12, 2020
By Cait Smith
caitlin@dailydata.com
Live streaming DJ
I moved to the Argenta area of North Little Rock around this time last year. Once settled in, I immersed myself fully into the downtown nightlife. I was out every weekend enjoying live music, great food, and cheerful spirits. I loved the metropolitan scene … full of energized people with hearty laughs. What a grand time it was. Now when I walk downtown, I make sure I have a mask in my purse, and sometimes I find myself googling if a certain bar or restaurant is even open.
Of course, living downtown made me wonder about the people in the entertainment business. How badly did the coronavirus affect their professions? Mario Luna, a local DJ, shared his experience with me. “I was completely booked to DJ for events right as the virus hit. To know that most of my shows were going to get canceled broke my heart,” said Luna.
As a wedding, corporate, and event DJ, Luna brings vibes that gets people off their feet and dancing. However, going to a dance club or a concert is not ideal right now, so Luna did every in his power to remain positive. “It was an alarming situation. I tried to reschedule most of my events for later in the fall or possibly early next year,” he said. But like most of the world, Luna had to file for unemployment and hope for the best. “I had to cooperate with wedding couples to reschedule their venues rather than cancel my gig. It was a hard process.”
With the panic over social distancing, Luna is uncertain if the nightlife will soon return to a somewhat normal. But in the meantime, Luna has moved his passion online to remain connected to his supporters. Inspired by friends DJ Doug Kramer and DJ Nick Hud, he began live streaming his shows after most entertainment businesses closed temporarily. “I used to rock out for ‘Throw Back Thursdays,’ at Cajuns and Bar Louie so I brought that feeling back on Thursdays via live stream,” he explained. For him, live streaming has been nothing but fun as he gets to interact with people as his mix’s tunes. And thanks to social media I have been able to see some of my favorite artists sings or rap via live stream.
As we move further into the summer months, many events are approaching their rescheduled dates. So, Luna will finally start to pick up gigs again. “My first official wedding is coming up soon. I’m excited. I talked to the bride and groom and told them I want to rock it out to the best of my ability,” he said. The six feet apart rule will be enforced, but Luna is not letting distance ruin the celebration of a marriage.
With his hands full at home raising a newborn son, Luna continues to play music via live stream and remains organized as he battles the virus. “It has been a psychology approach for me. I feel like the more organized I am, the more relaxed I am compared to what is going on outside.”
