Walking and Falling

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Chicago, IL
Walking and Falling

A DJ Workshop and Mentoring Program for Woman-Identifying and Non-Binary Music Enthusiasts

Our Story:
Walking and Falling began in Chicago during March of 2017. The program presents a series of workshops open to any woman-identifying and nonbinary folks with an interest in DJing and music production. These workshops are free and provide instruction and information in a safe, supportive, and communal environment. The program can also provide ongoing mentorship via experienced DJs, which

can include private lessons, networking opportunities, “field trips” to radio stations, performance spaces, and record stores, and potential public performance opportunities, if participants express interest in doing so. Mentorships are provided free of charge on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“Walking and Falling” takes its name from a track title from pioneer electronic music artist Laurie Anderson’s album Big Science. It works well as a symbol for the type of learning philosophy necessary to grow as an artist--the tightrope balancing act between growing and failing and how beneficial “falling” can be in the learning process. Goals of the Mentorship Program
- Participants will have an externship experience where they will receive instruction, mentoring, and support in DJing in a variety of formats
- Participants will receive ongoing support and mentoring beyond the externship experience; their host will be available for ongoing communication
- Participants will be provided with community-based support and networking opportunities in the dance music space
- Participants will take their experience back to their communities and “pay it forward” through mentoring, volunteering, advocacy efforts, etc. Walking and Falling mentorship programs have been regularly offered in Chicago and satellite programs and workshops have been presented in Columbus and Cleveland, OH, Buffalo, NY, and Rock Island, IL.

04/07/2026

Reminder: This Sunday is our free workshop at Podlasie Club! We have had over 25 attendees rsvp so far and can accommodate a few more. Join us!

03/22/2026

Here's what you need to know for our upcoming workshop 4/12, including where to RSVP!

April 12, 2026Last year we were humbled by the amazing turnout ror our workshop at Podlasie Club, so we’re hosting another one on Sunday, April 12th! During this afternoon workshop, we will provide water, snacks, and free used records while available. We look forward to seeing many of you again or...

03/16/2026

CHICAGO, SAVE THE DATE!
FREE workshop @ Podlasie Club
4-7pm, (doors @ 3:30)
Please rsvp so we can plan the best experience possible for you! 🙂

Help us provide the best experience possible for you by filling out this form. Event Details: Sunday, April 12 4PM-7PM, Free Podlasie Club

05/18/2025

Podlasie Club Workshop 5-16-25

05/14/2025

Hi everyone!

Our workshop at Podlasie this Friday is at capacity. We have had over 60 people respond, which we did not anticipate at all! While this is exciting for us (and will be our biggest turnout ever) it will mean that we will not be able to accommodate any more attendees due to limited space. If you sign up for our mailing list, we hope to offer another workshop very soon, likely during the summer.

We encourage you to join the afterparty to meet us and connect! There will be expanded capacity starting at 9pm following the workshop.

05/03/2025

Chicago: please join us for a FREE workshop at Podlasie Club Friday 5/16 with a hot afterparty to follow!

UPDATE:
THE WORKSHOP IS CURRENTLY FULL. JOIN US AT 9PM FOR THE AFTERPARTY!

In 2 weeks we celebrate 8 years of our mentor program Walking and Falling with another free DJ workshop for women and nonbinary music enthusiasts and a sweer after party, this time at one of our favorite spots in the city ! Workshop is from 7-9pm, After party follows from 9-2am.
💞Please RSVP for the workshop at walkingandfallinghq@gmail com 💞
Excited to share the decks with fellow co-creator of Walking and Falling, Sassmouth for an opening set.
Closing out the night, we have a special b2b with and . Honestly I cant wait to hear what these 2 cook up together- both are masters at melding genres and bending bpms. Expect the dance floor to go from buckwild to berzerker. 💗🤠💗

04/26/2025

Today at CEMC, co-founders Kiddo and Sassmouth welcome a fantastic panel of guests to chat about Mentorship in the dance music community, including current mentors like Jenny Arcade from Columbus! See you at 4pm CST, Chicago!

03/25/2025

What a weekend! Thank you Cleveland for joining us at one of the best workshops we've had in so long! Great after-workshop party as well.

02/11/2025

Save the date! 3.22.25 W&F Workshop in Cleveland partnering with Deep Field

DF x WF - Cleveland
March 22nd…

Walking and Falling is a Chicago based program offering DJ workshops for women and non-binary friends looking to learn the skills. These workshops are a wonderful opportunity to provide instruction and information in a safe, supportive, and communal environment.

What to expect:
Participants will have a hands on learning experience with turntables and CDJs. This is a beginner-focused workshop, though all skill levels are welcome. Some topics covered will be: basics of equipment set up, beat-matching, and EQing.

Sign up & more info linked in comments

11/10/2024

Thank you to PBS for celebrating our House heritage and putting a much deserved spotlight on our female pioneers!

When Celeste Alexander DJed in the 1980s, she wore baggy sweatshirts and a baseball cap to conceal the fact that she was a woman.“I wouldn’t take the hat off and reveal that I was a female until after I had played a few songs and gotten the crowd’s attention by the music. Then I would reveal m...

10/05/2024

https://amazingradio.us/profile/curator-kitty/tunes/05c0be22-7bd1-488b-93ab-797e19b27995

Amazing Radio, home to the best online Internet radio station. Supporting indie artists & bands worldwide helping your talent get heard.

09/16/2024

New Album Coming Soon!
Click to Hear Samples of Each Track and Get Your PRE-SALE Order! (*Tracks May Be Purchased Individually*)
👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

Stream and Save The Strobe St. Realm - Distributed by DistroKid

Address

2918 N.Central Park
Chicago, IL
60618

Website

https://soundcloud.com/walkingandfalling

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What is “Walking and Falling”?

Walking and Falling began in Chicago during March of 2017. The program presents a series of workshops open to any woman-identifying and nonbinary folks with an interest in DJing and music production. These workshops are free and provide instruction and information in a safe, supportive, and communal environment. The program also provides mentorship via experienced DJs through private lessons, networking opportunities, “field trips” to radio stations, performance spaces, and record stores, and even occasional opportunities to perform publicly, if participants express interest in doing so. Mentorships are provided free of charge on a first-come first-serve basis.

“Walking and Falling” takes it's name from a track title from pioneer electronic music artist Laurie Anderson's album Big Science and works well as a symbol for the type of learning philosophy necessary to grow as an artist--the tight rope balancing act between growing and failing and how beneficial “falling” can be in the learning process.

Goals of the Mentorship Program: • Participants will have an externship experience where they will receive instruction, mentoring, and support in DJing in a variety of formats • Participants will receive ongoing support and mentorship beyond the externship experience; their host will be available for ongoing communication • Participants will be provided with community support and networking opportunities in the dance music space • Participants will take their experience back to their communities and “pay it forward” through mentorship, volunteering, advocacy efforts, etc.

Walking and Falling mentorship programs are regularly offered in Chicago and satellite programs and workshops are being offered in Columbus, OH and Buffalo, NY.