The 11th event honoring Andy “A_Dog” Williams takes place Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Andy A_Dog Williams Skatepark in Burlington. The celebration features a skate jam, food truck, live bands, DJs and other activities honoring the life of late Vermont club DJ.
But just who was DJ A_Dog? It’s been more than a decade since his passing, and newcomers to town or those too young to see Williams in his DJing prime might not fully understand how this one modest person could leave such a lasting impact on his community.
Here are a few things to know about Williams and the work and play that continues to be done in his memory and in his footsteps.
Who was DJ A_Dog?
Andy “A_Dog” Williams grew up in Franklin County and became known at an early age in Burlington as an avid skateboarder. He would become one of the city’s most-prominent DJs in clubs such as Red Square, entertaining dancers and bringing awe to his fellow DJs with his impeccable scratch mixing.
“He almost looked at (the turntable) like a trumpet or another instrument in the band,” one of those DJs and fellow Vermont natives, Kyle “Fattie B” Thompson, told the Burlington Free Press in 2013. “His ear was just advanced beyond his age.”
How and when did DJ A-Dog die?
Williams was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012 and began chemotherapy that December. He underwent a bone-marrow transplant in May 2013 but succumbed to complications from his illness just after Christmas 2013 at age 38.
Williams was famous locally as a DJ, but it was his personality – upbeat no matter what he was facing – that wowed anyone whose path he crossed.
“I’m approaching it like I do everything else. I go after it with all the resources I can,” Williams told the Free Press from his hospital bed on New Year’s Eve 2012. “I definitely have a good support system. It’s definitely all the love of the people of Burlington.”
“He’s so humble. He never took any of that for granted,” his partner, Josie Sourdiffe, told the Free Press just after his death. “He’s just such a genuine person, which is why so many people love and care for him.”
What’s happening on this year’s A_Dog Day?
The eight-hour event at the skatepark near Waterfront Park features skateboarding, food trucks; live performances by Greaseface, Omega Jade, Blake Matteson and more; DJs including Big Dog and Tricky Pat; and live visual performances by artists such as Anthill Collective. Displays will include information about bone-marrow transplants.
Who presents A_Dog Day?
A_Dog Day is presented by the Friends for A_Dog Foundation. The Burlington-based group formed to raise money for his fight against leukemia and continued in his honor as a nonprofit organization after his death.
What does the Friends for A_Dog Foundation do?
The most high-profile event is A_Dog Day, “a true celebration of Andy's lasting influence on his community,” according to the foundation’s website .
“Our efforts with bone marrow drives and education continue and we expanded our focus to encompass a variety of programming and scholarships in the arts and skateboarding,” the foundation’s website reads. “We aim to keep Andy's legacy thriving in all the areas he was passionate about by offering free programming accessible to area youth, particularly those from underserved populations.”
If you go
WHAT : The 11th A_Dog Day
WHEN : Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
WHERE : Andy A_Dog Williams Skatepark, Burlington
INFORMATION : Free admission; donations accepted. www.friendsforadog.org
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com .
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Five things to know about the day honoring DJ Andy 'A_Dog' Williams in Burlington
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