Dana “DiDi” Pagitt has been a DJ since the 1980s. She started using vinyl records, switched to CDs and now works digitally. Although there have been changes over the decades, DiDi has always loved creating spaces for people to dance.
“I know this is what I was destined to do in my life. There is rarely anything that brings me as much joy as making people dance,” DiDi said. “And just seeing the freedom and the joy that just comes with that.”
DiDi grew up in Golden Valley and graduated from Hopkins High School. Today she lives in Crystal and manages Mia Dorr’s Premiere Entertainment, a business that holds tribute concerts, karaoke and dance parties.
“One of my superpowers is to create a dance floor,” DiDi said. “And that’s been true for my whole career. No matter what genre I’ve been working in, it’s creating the music that creates that flow for people.”
DiDi just started a new show at Camp Bar in St. Paul. They scheduled three initial shows, but DiDi hopes to play at Camp Bar once a month if there is a good enough turnout.
“Music is one of the most powerful tools in the entire world and it transports people immediately,” DiDi said. “Let’s do that. Let’s transport ourselves into a space where we just get to enjoy ourselves for a couple of hours and do nothing but just dance and have a great time. Or if you don’t dance, come and watch other people dance and listen to the music.”
The Sun Post asked DiDi what kind of music she is planning for Camp Bar. DiDi said she doesn’t have a ‘prescribed’ setlist but makes choices based on the energy of the crowd.
“I can tell you right now I’m gonna play ‘Uptown Funk,’” DiDi said. “I can tell you right now I’m gonna play [‘Can’t Stop the Feeling!’] from Justin Timberlake [because] those songs make people happy. But I’m also probably gonna play something from the ‘90s with the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears. I’m probably gonna play some other really fun ’80s music. ... It’s across all of those decades: ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, into the 2000s, ’10s and ’20s. So we’re gonna cover all of that space with the music that people love to dance to. When I’m in my flow, every time it’s different.”
For these new Camp Bar shows, DiDi said there is a bit of a theme, which is to stay away from covers and remixes. If people want ‘I Will Survive,’ they will hear Gloria Gaynor.
“There are some acts nationwide that just do the coolest versions of songs,” DiDi said. “But we’re going to take the twist at this show, in this space, to do it the way that you knew it to be. So I won’t do Scary Pocket’s version of ‘I Will Survive’ – which is by the way super cool. ... I’m going to do the one that people are used to.”
Anyone over 21 is welcome to dance, make song requests and hang out, but DiDi said these shows have an emphasis on playing for a slightly older or middle-aged crowd. DiDi, who is 60 years old herself, wants to ensure it is a fun space for everyone to enjoy. With familiar music and an earlier start time, DiDi hopes to bring in people from all over the metro.
“It’s not difficult to navigate to Camp Bar at all,” DiDi said. “I would encourage people [to] give it a try. ... It might just change your whole week for the better.”
DiDi will be playing 9-11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30, and Saturday, April 13, at Camp Bar, 490 Robert St. N., St. Paul.
There is no cover fee. Drinks are available to purchase. Learn more about the venue at camp-bar.net. Learn more about DiDi at miadorr.com.
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