Amy Kaherl knows how to get people together.
She coordinates the monthly community event Detroit SOUP; a shared feast where diners bring $5, a healthy appetite and some social conscience. Attendees vote to award microgrants to worthy ideas around the city.
And when Kaherl isn't facilitating more good ideas for Detroit, she moonlights as DJ Amy Dreamcatcher, a throwback champ spinning all of the biggest and boldest anthems of the 80s and 90s. From the decks, she and Lady Fantastic have turned their monthly event at the Old Miami, Nothing Elegant, into a riotous perennial dance party.
We asked DJ Amy Dreamcatcher for her go-to party playlist for a midsummer night's eve. Here's what she had to say...
Midsummertime. Driving with the windows down. Friends in the car. Slurpees in the cup holders. These are the moments that make the summer so memorable. I love a power jams playlist when the weather is like this and you just want to have the best Saturday night kicking around Detroit. As a party DJ, it’s hard to pick just a few songs, but I hope these take you back for a second to a different time or place. The memories could either put a smile on your face or make you laugh, but they'd better make you dance!
Listen to DJ Amy Dreamcatcher's summer playlist on Spotify, or scroll down to find out why she picked each irresistible jam.
1. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, "Summertime""This is one of my favorite jams," says Kaherl. "Each time I hear it I just want to BBQ, sit on the back porch, grab a beer, and swap stories and ideas with friends."
2. Ginuwine, "Pony""I love 80s and 90s hip-hop and R&B. This is the best song of that era. Also it was in an episode of "Parks and Rec" and it would have been a deal breaker for Tom Haverford. Everyone wins."
3. Mark Morrison, "Return of the Mack""I have a friend that always asks for this song to play when he sees me. There are moments in this video where he is sharing his amazing snakeskin boots.. I wouldn't lie to you!"
4. Ghost Town DJs, "My Boo""Classic hit from classy ladies. People love this song every time I play it, it gets the dance floor moving!"
5. Missy Elliot, "Lose Control""'Control' ALWAYS has me dancing. I love the back beat from Cybertron. I also love this video. What's not to love about this jam?"
6. MC Luscious, "Boom I Got Your Boyfriend""What an in-your-face song! Boom... she's got it!"
7. Ssion, "Psy-Chic""I fell into this song one winter day while the iPod was on shuffle and I found this little gem. This one makes the shoulders shake!"
8. Beastie Boys, "Sabotage""My favorite Beastie Boys song ever. The guitar line is so killer."
9. Japandroids, "Wet Hair""I used to work in the suburbs. The moment I'd get into my car on a Friday, I would put this song on and I feel like the weekend had started!"