DJ Cindel celebrates Hydrate residency with his parents; returns for Market Days

DJ Cindel returns to Chicago for Northalsted Market Days following a July gig at Hydrate Nightclub with his two biggest fans cheering him on all night: his parents.

Hector and Carmen Coss – who live in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, the city where Cindel was born – were in Chicago last month visiting Hector’s sister, so naturally they had to watch Cindel spin at Hydrate.

And they stayed all night.

“They have seen me play at Palace in Miami a few times as well as events in Puerto Rico.  This was, however, their first time at Hydrate, which is one of my longest club residencies and of course it’s home for me,” Cindel said. “It’s always nerve-wracking to play in front of them, especially in front of my dad who is a musician. He is a professional pianist with over 30 years in the music industry, and he has played for many well-known music bands. It also is very rewarding and humbling to have them witness what I love to do. Their support and validation is the only thing that matters to me and I can’t be more grateful to have their blessing.

“They (had) a great time and were able to meet many of my friends who were there as well.”

Cindel’s set included a remix by Olga Tanon, who happens to be one of  his mom’s favorite merengue artists from Puerto Rico.

“It meant the world to have them there dancing to my music and having a good time. I look forward to having them hear me in many other places,” said Cindel, 37, who lives in Atlanta.

Cindel has been DJing since 2006 and has several residencies across North America, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Puerto Vallarta and Toronto. He moved to Chicago at age 19 and left for Atlanta in 2021. His DJ career started at the now-closed Spin Nightclub in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, spinning there one Saturday of the month.

Cindel returns to Chicago on Sunday night, August 13 for Wreck’d, a party from CircuitMOM Productions at the Aragon Ballroom, starting at 9 p.m.

“I have been lucky to be part of Market Days since 2014 and every year I look forward to making new memories and seeing so many friends from all over the world,” Cindel said. “This year is no exception; I am very excited because I will be playing the closing event which I know will be amazing.”

Cindel said his favorite Market Days memory was simply his first time playing on the Hydrate Stage, with a sea of humanity dancing to his beats.

“The fact that many travel to Chicago for the same reason, to have a good time with friends, dance and be free is what makes (Market Days) special to me,” Cindel said. 

Related: 2023 Market Days calendar

Cindel later this year will be spinning at the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco, Montreal Pride, Brawny Bear weekend in Puerto Vallarta and others. He also hosts his own monthly event in Atlanta, House by Definition, with renowned DJs joining him for a variety of house music.

Follow Cindel on Instagram. Listen to Cindel on SoundCloud. 

Related: Meet the DJs bringing the music to Market Days Weekend

Chicago's LGBTQ calendar is on GoPride.com