DJ Lina Bradford
For 10 years DJ Lina Bradford ruled the deck at Sip n Twirl in Fire Island Pines. Creating the phenomenon called Twirlina Tea. What was a mixture of music, performance art and lovefest was an experience that is irreplaceable. Before that, and now after is a history that is like no other…
Lina Bradford was born and raised in New York City, across the street from famed Carnegie Hall on the Upper West Side. She identified as Trans at a young age and her career in entertainment began at an early age as a dancer. She studied modern ballet, tap and jazz for 11 years and performed in several companies throughout NYC. Those same moves she learned in rehearsals became a part of her signature style when she began her DJ career 18 years ago by performing throughout the gritty East Village scene.
“DJs TPRO, Frankie Knuckles, Carlos Pertrus, Larry Levan, Junior Vasquez and Steve Travolta thought it would be a great idea for me to try my hand at DJing,” she recalls. They hooked Lina up with a guest spot at the now defunct Club Life on Bleeker Street. That first night Lina threw down a tossed salad of hits from Nine Inch Nails to Murk and the crowd went wild. “I played music that spoke to me and hit my soul on every level,” she continues. “It was all very organic and spiritual. I remember after the show, someone in the crowd asking me how I managed to blend such powerful tracks from all different genres and eras. At the time, I didn’t know myself!” But Lina knows now. “The wonderful part about taste is you either have it or you don’t, Sugar,” she laughs “I’m from the school that teaches how every artist has a story to tell,” continues Lina Bradford from her home in New York. “As DJ’s, we’re all on a journey and it’s our job to share it with the crowd from the first song to the last.”
DJ Lina & Frankie Knuckles
Beginnings…
“I came in at the tale end of New York’s golden nightlife years,” she explains. “It was pre-Guilliani, before 9/11. It was a miraculous time and we knew it. What we didn’t know was that it would soon come to an end.”
Girlina performs for the very first time for The House of Venus at DragonFire (MaRS nightclub) in Vancouver Canada circa 1997
WIGSTOCK…
She took part in Wigstock in 1998 & 1999
DJ Lina
began a residence on Fire Island in 2005 as part of the then owner Eric Von Kuersteiner’s era. Creating Lina’s Lounge at the then Pavilion, it became an instant hit.
In 2008 she moved onto the other side of the playing field to PJ McAteer’s Sip n Twirl where “Twirlina” was created just for her. It was here the phenomenon known as Lina went to another level.
Her signature style and music captured the essence and hearts of Fire Island Pines, and she became part of the traditions like Low Tea, and High Tea.
The Pines became part of her story, and she became part of Pines history.
Her looks were a part of every performance…
Accolades soon came rolling in, including DJ of the year and Lifetime Achievement awards at the Glammy and Sage Innovator.
She has evolved and grown, and with that has come the press. DJ Lina is often seen hosting the biggest private parties from NYC to Europe. Even with all her accomplishments, she feels as if she is just beginning to hit her stride. “I’ve never felt more sexy and solidified in my life,” she says. “This is by far the most beautiful spot I’ve been in.”
As she moves onto bigger challenges, we will miss the presence of DJ Lina on Fire Island, but she leaves a legacy of love that she created. I don’t believe she can stay away as we all have experienced. So I hope she will return to give the magic that is Lina. Even for a day…
Lina continues to DJ at many venues and benefits, however she has now reinvented herself as a talk show host on her show “In the Dollhouse.” Cameo spots on The View and “Watch what happens live” with new pals Whoopi Goldberg, Queen Latifa, and Andy Cohen.
Today…
As the world changes so does Lina. Becoming an activist for the Black Transgender community is just one cause she supports. Life with Lina continues…
