Hamilton, Ohio – DJ Arie - one of Cincinnati’s hottest DJs - headlines Home Spun at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 28, part of the Fitton Center’s Showstoppers Series!
However, the 7:30 start time is a bit of a misnomer. Music plays as soon as guests enter the Fitton Center and the sounds won’t be limited to the theater. Tunes pump out into the lobby and foyer starting at 7. Guests can take a seat, but also are invited to be up dancing, moving and enjoying the surrounding artwork.
Home Spun is a departure from the traditional two-act theatrical performances the Fitton Center often presents. More than a mere radio disc jockey playing records, DJ Arie – whose real name is Arielle Betts - is the thread weaving between music, dance, spoken word and visual art in a unique and immersive house-party style.
She will lay down the beats and pump up the crowd as artists from The Backwall in Columbus, Cincinnati-based crews, acclaimed poet Hanif Adurraqib and dancers from Transit Arts entertain.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” Betts said. “I set the tone, but I love collaborating with different artists and art forms.”
A singer and song writer in her own right, Betts stepped into the DJ world professionally five years ago as a way to promote her own music. One paid gig – her first was a Sweet 16 birthday party – led to another. And another. And another as she built both a following and a sold side hustle that keeps her busy spinning all over the region.
A graduate of Withrow High School in Cincinnati and Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio - with a degree in business marketing – by day Betts serves as a transition coordinator at the University of Cincinnati College of Business, where she supports students coming to main campus from community colleges.
DJ Arie has played for artistic crowds – she’s done parties at venues like the Cincinnati Art Museum – but Home Spun is a bit of departure for her, too.
“It’s a different opportunity because I get to be part of a bigger show than just playing music to get people dancing,” she said. “It’s expanding my repertoire. I’m looking forward to engaging, interacting.”
That’s where her deep music library of 28,000-plus songs comes in handy. And to a lesser degree, the scratching, layering of effects, bending tempos and blending tracks that separate the mere record players from the DJs. Arie said her show is less about electronic wizardry and more about hitting the audience right between the ears.
“Technical skills are not as important as feeling the music,” she said. “I always prepare for sure, but I also go with the flow. Reading the room is very important. You have to be in touch with your audience.”
Home Spun plays in conjunction with the gallery opening celebration for the Home Free/Being Good exhibitions preceding the performance from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibitions are on view through January 5, 2024. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
Tickets to Home Spun cost $35 for Fitton Center members, $43 for non-members and are available online right here, by phone at 513-863-8873, ext. 110, or in person at the Fitton Center box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.
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