Back by popular demand, DJ Joe will host a Free Virtual Dance Party II on Saturday, 3/28 from 6:30pm – 7:30pm! Joe is a participant at STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way, a not–for-profit serving individuals impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Fairfield County (including Down syndrome and Autism), as well as providing support services to their families. Joe’s Virtual Dance Party last week, which celebrated World Down Syndrome Day, took off like a rocket with over 6,400 comments and 400+ local followers in the first half hour. Join DJ Joe for the sequel on Saturday night! For details, visit @djjoegetdown or www.djjoe.info.
Fairfield County DJ Rocks the Extra Chromosome: Free Virtual Dance Parties to Share the Love during COVID-19 Crisis
Joe Agostino, a 24-year-old graduate of Norwalk High School Sacred Heart University RISE Program and a participant at STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way, is pursuing his dream of being a DJ. With the support of a recent grant from the State of CT Dept. of Developmental Services and with mentorship of STAR staff member and musician, Mark Minnock, Joe’s career launched with gigs that have stretched from coast to coast. With a calendar that was rapidly filling up for the spring season, Joe now finds himself, like most businesses, waiting for the COVID-19 crisis to pass.
With his unbridled energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to music, friendship, fun and inclusion, Joe has created an “in-home” studio from which he broadcasted a free Facebook Live Virtual Dance Party last week for World Down Syndrome Day. The event took off like a rocket with over 6400 comments and over 400 local followers in the first half hour. By popular demand, DJ Joe has planned a sequel event this Saturday, March 28 from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.
When asked about his idea, Joe shared, “I was inspired by a video that a friend shared with me about a DJ in Austin, TX, DJ Mel, who is hosting great virtual living room dance parties. I knew it was something that I would like to try to do for my friends to make them smile and dance again. I thought World Down Syndrome Day would be a perfect day for me to try it. I think everyone had a great, great time. So, let’s do it again!”
Anyone interested in joining the DJ Joe’s Share the Love Virtual Dance Party again this Saturday, March 28 can find it at 6:30 p.m. on DJ Joe’s Facebook page: @djjoegetdown. For more information about DJ Joe, please visit www.djjoe.info.
STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization established in 1952 to serve individuals of all ages who are impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Fairfield County (including Down syndrome and Autism), as well as providing support services to their families. STAR creates opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy. STAR informs and encourages the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals. STAR is the only affiliated chapter of The Arc in Fairfield County. The Arc is an advocacy and informational agency benefitting people with intellectual disabilities on state and national levels. For more information about STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way please visit www.starct.org.
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