The Michigan State University grad who’s become a rising force in the Windy City will headline Saturday’s second annual Grand Rapids street party for thousands of costumed revelers.
Kalendr knows what it takes to ignite a triumphant, off-the-hook Halloween party.
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After all, the Michigan native and rising Chicago EDM star heated up several thousand costumed revelers at last year’s giant Halloween on Ionia street bash, and he’s back again this weekend to headline the 2014 edition of the wild outdoor affair.
“The key to a successful party for me: engage, connect and inspire people,” says Kalendr, who concedes he might “get dirtier” and “more Halloween-oriented” for his late-night set on Saturday.
“It really comes down to reading the crowd correctly. You know when you really have a crowd. It just really clicks. It’s a cakewalk from there.”
Actually, in this case, maybe a zombie walk.
Upwards of 7,000 zombies, ghouls, witches, mummies and super heroes will pack Ionia Avenue between Weston and Oakes streets for the second annual, EDM-driven Halloween on Ionia hosted by BarFly Ventures.
The action kicks off at 3 p.m. and continues until midnight, with headlining sets by Detroit’s Golf Clap at 9 p.m. and Kalendr at 10:30 p.m. The 21-and-older event features a costume contest with $5,000 in cash prizes; contestants can register inside the gates upon arrival with partygoers casting their votes for their favorite costume. The event also includes heated tents, a RedBull silent disco with SuperDre and other DJs, food and beer. Tickets are $10 in advance, online here, or $15 at the gate. Get more details at halloweenonionia.com.
Kalendr, aka Jason Callender, who grew up in Novi, graduated from Michigan State University and moved to Chicago in 2005, has raced up the ranks on the Windy City’s club scene to become “a household name,” according to the DJoyBeat.com website.
Over the past year alone, in addition to Chicago residencies at Spybar, Studio Paris and Castle, he’s released an original tune “We Unite,” collaborated with EC Twins on “Set the World on Fire” (featuring KoKo Laroo), released “Together” with Sydney Blu, done a remix with Digital Lab for Style of Eye’s “The Game,” and played high-profile gigs in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
BUILDING AN AUDIENCE IN CHICAGO’S CLUB SCENE
“Chicago’s music scene has been very important for my development overall. As a DJ, it has taught me etiquette, programming, diversity, crowd control and how to headline, open and close” says Kalendr. “As an artist, it has taught me to be consistent, persistent and patient. The club scene here is very vibrant and the people are pretty educated when it comes to music.”
Kalendr describes his style as “groovy, progressive, big room house,” though he also performs with DJ Inphinity under the alias Shytone to further explore and develop underground house music. And he loves making eye contact with fans, because focusing on the crowd is key to a successful night.
“I love the best of both worlds, above and below, and I do whatever I can to bring them together,” says Kalendr, who cites Bad Boy Bill, Mark Knight and Starkillers as influences among many others.
Kalendr has risen up the ranks by working incessantly, playing sets at clubs four to seven nights a week, sometimes twice a night. During the day, he’s “in the studio, making music.”
As of late, he’s eased up on the night-time DJing just a bit so he can devote more time to working with major artists and traveling for music projects. “I’m non-stop,” he says.
Growing up in the Detroit area, Kalendr didn’t start DJing until he got to college, first hopping on the mic during a friend’s DJ set. But when he mixed vinyl for the first time, even his friend was surprised and impressed by his innate ability.
“It just sort of evolved. … I’ve always had an interest in music. My parents had a lot to do with that,” he insists, noting he was intrigued by Chicago house music back in high school, as well as the Detroit techno scene.
“My Michigan upbringing shaped me as an individual, but Chicago shaped me into an artist and DJ. Together, they made me humble, thankful, creative and diverse.”
Copyright 2014, Spins on Music LLC