DJ EL DOPA // 11:30pm / 1:15pm 
DJ El Dopa’s approach to spinning has always been that of a storyteller. In fact, he sees the art of DJing as a way of telling a story and creating it at the same time. From the moment he plays his first record, a new story begins, and everyone in attendance plays a part. No matter how much preparation goes into it, the story is never fully pre-written. A true DJ needs to be in the moment...to find the right song for each and every moment.

Spinning since 1997, El Dopa's knowledge and variety of musical selections run deep, but his approach goes beyond the music to the people. With a degree in Sociology and emphasis in Ethnomusicology from UC Irvine, his keen understanding of people and the role music plays in our lives gives him a huge advantage in using music to touch, move, and awaken his audience. Sure, in his DJ sets you may hear some familiar sounds, but you’ll also be turned on to something new and captivating. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles to an international family, Dopa is a lover of all kinds of music, but he has a special passion for the unique music of Brazil. It was love at first listen. That was nearly 15 years ago and since then, his voracious appetite for Brazilian music has led him to amass a collection of over 10,000 Brazilian songs gathered from around the world, including Brazil itself, where El Dopa spent a month buying records, collaborating with local musicians, and DJing. He's also licensed songs from one of Brazil's greatest musical ambassadors, Sergio Mendes, as well as up-and-coming Brazilian artists, for national marketing campaigns in the U.S. by Lexus and Scion. 

No matter where he plays, El Dopa loves exposing people to the infectious and inviting music of Brazil and he's begun to tell the fascinating story of Brazil through music, always keeping his ears open for the next chapter.