DJ INT COURSE FILLING UP NOW
For those who are serious about learning to DJ, Scratch DJ Academy offers an intensive 10-week course that combines the skills learned in the DJ 101 and 151 courses.  At the end of the semester, students will have the opportunity to spin in a NYC nightclub.  The next course begins on Monday, March 21.
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SCRATCH - LA HOSTS FREE OPEN HOUSE FOR UPCOMING SEMESTER
Scratch DJ Academy Los Angeles is hosting an open house for its upcoming Spring Term on Saturday, March 12th, from 2-6pm. The open house will feature FREE DJ tutorials, showcases, and info on spring classes.
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SCRATCH ACCESS 
If you can’t make it to class in New York City or Los Angeles , you might be able to check out Scratch in your hometown. Every month, Scratch hits the road with its partners to bring its curriculum and instructors across the nation. You’ll be able to find Scratch at these events and locations in the upcoming weeks:

• March 11th: Friday Night Fights Boxing Series in New York, NY
• March 11th-12th: PAC 10 Championship in Los Angeles, CA
• March 17th: NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis, IN
• March 18th-19th: Core Tour in Aspen, CO
• March 20th: NCAA Tournament in Oklahoma City, OK and Charlotte, NC
• March 26th: NCAA Tournament in Albuquerque, NM
• March 28th: University of Nebraska in Omaha, NE
• April 1st-4th: NCAA Men’s Final Four in St. Louis, MO
• April 2nd-4th: NCAA Women’s Final Four in Indianapolis, IN

DJ Alamo

Scratch: How did you come up with the name of DJ Alamo?
 
Alamo:  DJ Alamo used to be a graffiti name; I used to tag it up on the walls and subways. It really derived from high school. I played basketball; the band used to play “The Battle of the Alamo ” anthem whenever I would dunk or we had a main play. It had a nice little ring to it; it was original. So it stuck with me to this day.
 
Scratch: How did coming from the New York City area influence your style of DJ’ing?
 
Alamo: Well, I lived in New Rochelle but my family is from Harlem , so I was basically in the boroughs a lot. I grew up around the Crash Crew, the block parties. I had an older cousin in the Bronx who used to take me to the Zulu Nation functions- I was always intrigued. My aunt bought me my first record, which was Spoonie Gee’s “Spoonie’s Rap”, and Kurtis Blow’s “Christmas Rappin’.” Not long after, “Rapper’s Delight” came out and I knew this is something I wanted to do.
 
Scratch: For how long have you been DJ’ing?
 
Alamo: I’ve been DJ’ing since the 7 th grade.
 
Scratch: Were there any particular DJ’s you looked to coming up?
 
Alamo: Grandmaster Flash, for one. Grand Wizard Theodore, DST, Afrikaa Bambaata, DJ Hollywood, DJ Jazzy Jay. A lot of the pioneers. And, basically any DJ that was doing the block parties in the summertime. Prior to what it is today, it was all about the DJ. The emcee enhanced the DJ, but today’s society is totally reversed. Now, it’s about the emcee.
 
Scratch: What exactly did you do to practice your skill?
 
Alamo: It was pretty much after school, making tapes and trying to get them in circulation. Make them reach the general population. So after school, I would go to my friend’s house, and Sadat X and two other emcees, and we would just make mixtapes. That’s what kept the craft sharp. But now, I don’t do the battles and tricks anymore. I’m a little too old for that. But I can rock a party, keep the beat steady.
 
Scratch: What advice would you give to up-and-coming DJs and producers?
 
Alamo: Always keep your craft sharp, learn from your mistakes, and learn to conduct sound business primarily as opposed to secondarily. In other words: if you get jerked, learn from that- to prevent yourself from getting jerked again. That’s sound advice. And keep your record selections fresh. Value your vinyl. Honor your equipment.
 
Scratch: Do you have any projects currently in the works?
 
Alamo: I have two emcees I’m working with now and an R&B group. I have two companies. One is called Alamo Worldwide Entertainment, which is more marketing and consulting. Then I have a musical company called No Drop Entertainment.
 
Scratch: Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
 
Alamo: Hopefully, I’ll be rich. (laughs) I’m dabbling in some real estate. I’ve been fortunate that I’ve seen the world twice thanks to the music, and I’ve been playing a lot of Monopoly. But five to ten years from now, I’ll probably be on my own island. They’ll be calling me Mr. Rourke.