I took my grandma to DJ Mag at Sagamore’s Defected pool party during Miami Music Week, and it turned out to be an unforgettable dance event.
DJ Mag at the Sagamore made a spectacular comeback to Miami Music Week from Wednesday, March 26 to Sunday, March 30. Each day was filled with performances curated by renowned tastemakers and record labels: DJ Mag Presents, Defected, Knee Deep In Sound, Danny Tenaglia, and Glitterbox. This pool party series delivered top-notch beats to house music enthusiasts throughout the week, featuring sets from The Martinez Brothers, Max Dean, TSHA, Dennis Ferrer, Armand Van Helden, DJ Holographic, HoneyLuv, and many more.
As Miami Music Week was in full swing, we woke up on Thursday to sunny skies and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean from Miami Beach. Our plan was to enjoy brunch with my grandmother and then head to the Defected pool party at the Sagamore Hotel. Initially, Grandma wasn’t supposed to join us at the pool party, but the perfect weather and our happiness from brunch beignets changed our minds, especially with the heavy traffic heading north.
“Hey, Grandma, why don’t you join us at the pool party at the Sagamore? It’ll be a blast, just house music and dancing,” I suggested.
It was a genuine offer, though I wasn’t sure if she’d be interested. Grandma Enid, a child of the ’60s, knew about rock ‘n roll but hadn’t yet ventured into the realm of electronic dance music.
“That sounds like fun! I’m in!” Grandma Enid replied enthusiastically.
I believed this was one of the most iconic ways for her to experience house music: at one of the premier dance parties in the world.
My friends, husband, and I were thrilled, and the day just got brighter. The event was nearly sold out, so I quickly grabbed a ticket and sent her the QR code. We returned to the hotel for a quick pre-game, dropped off Grandma’s car, and made our way to the pool party!
The warm, humid South Florida air was perfect as we approached the red velvet ropes at the entrance of the Sagamore’s lobby. We joined the short line outside, and I couldn’t help but grin at my grandma and friends, my blue sunglasses reflecting my excitement. It felt great to be back. There’s something enchanting about being in Miami with the sole purpose of enjoying life. Skipping DJ Mag at The Sagamore pool party during Miami Music Week would be a missed opportunity.
We stepped inside and wandered through the sleek, echo-filled lobby, which also served as an art gallery, making it easy to lose ourselves in vibrant colors and shapes amid the polished marble. It was pure Miami luxury. A sign on one wall read, “Another Day In Paradise.” Indeed!
Floral shirts, swirling patterns, vibrant Art Deco colors, and lush palm trees adorned the space. The gentle glow from the Caribbean sun enveloped us as the bass echoed toward us when the door opened to the party. It truly felt like our own secret paradise. Once we reached the entrance, Grandma and the rest of us received our wristbands.
It felt like a beautiful, full-circle moment. I brought Grandma Enid to her first rave at the place where I discovered my love for house music.
I’ve traveled a long way from sneaking into clubs in high school, sipping Straw-Ber-Ritas, and searching for… something. Back then, dancing to Top 40 hits in Providence, Rhode Island, and doing jello shots was my form of rebellion. Now, a decade later, I’m still dancing—not in rebellion, but in celebration of life. What began as an escape has transformed into an embrace. I hugged my grandma and expressed how happy I was to dance with her. You’re never too old to rave, just like Thor mentioned at Skyline Los Angeles earlier this year.
I pointed out to Grandma Enid the diverse ages of the dancers at the party. She proudly retorted, “But not as old as me!” I smiled because it was likely true—I’d bet she was the oldest one there. A fellow partygoer even requested a photo with her, and Grandma happily obliged. “Am I going to be a meme?” she joked.
Dennis Ferrer and TSHA set the stage on fire, just as expected. Their set was filled with irresistible grooves as they effortlessly exchanged sonic ideas. Armand Van Helden, the legendary half of Duck Sauce, took us deeper into party mode with an electrifying performance that blended classics with fresh club hits like “Party All The Time.”
I was thrilled, bouncing around as I reminded my not-yet-raver friend about the original Eddie Murphy track I had shown them earlier in the week on YouTube, saying, “This will definitely be played at the pool parties.” It was an obvious choice, but it was fun being in on the earworms that echo through the club scene.
On Friday, during Hot Since 82‘s Knee Deep In Sound label takeover, I chatted with a Miami local while waiting in line for the restroom. We shared a light-hearted complaint about the seemingly endless bathroom line and how they could have used a few more port-a-potty stalls. Yet, no one was too upset as the line swayed along, filled with people dancing to the infectious beats, lasers spinning around, and the fresh ocean breeze adding to the carefree atmosphere.
He mentioned he had to be quite selective about the events he attended during music week due to the overwhelming number of parties. Still, he returned to the Sagamore every year for its amazing vibes and lineup.
Thursday night wrapped up with my feet in the pool, soaking in the collective house-head euphoria as Eats Everything played back-to-back with Sam Divine. My friend Kyle encouraged me to hop onto one of the pool floats, so I grabbed a big red balloon animal and sent it soaring into the night. I thought to myself, channeling Kurt Vonnegut’s Uncle Alex, “If this isn’t nice, what is?” The music continued to flow, and I wished the night would never end.
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