Under the Stars: Celebrating DJ Stef’s legacy, mourning Pirate Cat’s end

It’s Under The Stars, babe. A quasi-weekly column that presents new music releases, upcoming shows, opinions, and other adjacent items. We keep moving with the changes and thinking outside the margins. Keep. Dancing. Let’s get it! DJ STEF FEST, SAT/16 AT DRAKES DEALERSHIP, OAKLAND DJ culture is such a stronghold in the Bay Area that when a unifying figure slips away, it is that exact culture that ensures their contributions are not in vain. Alain Grissette, also known as DJ Delon, has been a central figure in East Bay DJ culture for almost three decades. He recently informed us at 48hills about a truly worthy event. For those unaware of music venue Drakes Dealership’s history, it began in 2015 with a lineup of DJs that included a local heavyweight within the hip-hop DJ community named Stephanie Ornelas, also known as DJ Stef. She hosted every third Saturday afternoon at Dealership. She built a following of old heads and new enthusiasts who fell in love with her exquisite taste, stylish blends, and extensive knowledge of soul, funk, modern and classic hip-hop, and music in general. DJ Stef played a crucial role in establishing Dealership as a legitimate destination for music lovers...