Girl About Town 12/11

December 12, 2007 2:31 PM
by jipsy [email]

Hey people...

When Mel Cheren passed away on Friday, December 7, 2007, I personally didn’t know the man, but I knew him well enough to say I am thankful for everything he did and everything he shared.

Mel Cheren

My memories of Mel are only felt through the music and naturally the memories of the legendary Paradise Garage. I was way too young to go in, but honey, I almost made it one night. An older friend had a membership card (and still does) and I tagged along as the ‘fruit fly’ in training with my young gay. As we rolled up, I clearly was out of my element, knowing I was too young to go in, my gay and I decided to just stand across the street and watch.

But my friend didn’t leave me out in the cold. Every so often he’d throw a tape cassette my way with the latest tracks that Larry Levan had chosen that week for the dance floors. It was Larry – the God of the dance floor, the one who could make you move with one track, the one who created tracks like “Is It All Over My Face” and “Heart Beat”. Man, those tapes were GOLD and I wore them out on my walkman on my way to the city dancing with my friends on the trains, streets and corners.

Larry Levan

That whole Paradise Garage groove set the standard for clubs today. Yeah, Studio 54 had guests picked from behind the velvet rope with their fabulous moon, top A list celebrities, the best disco and your token disco kids, but Paradise was an experience. From the moment you walked in, the handpicked resident DJ Larry Levan moved the crowd with different selections every week. Not only was the music selected by him, but he also made sure the speakers were top notch.

So when you are at Space, Cameo, Mansion, Pawn Shop and even at the kid on the block, Stereo opening this week, thank the crew at Paradise Garage. They focused on the dancing, they were the first to put the DJ at the center of attention and they made sure you knew it was about the music.

So to you Mel Cheren – thanks for brining soul to the dance floor. Your legacy continues as we strap on our sneakers, get on the dance floor and dance all night.

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New in my MP3 player

Raw Silk – Do It To The Music (West End Records) 1982

Weekly Picks

Wednesday – There are those of you who like to just unwind with a glass of wine with your friends during the mid week – or as we all call it, The Hump and a fab Happy Hour has just hit my inbox. It's at the new restaurant Il Gabbiano which overlooks Biscayne Bay and nothing beats a nice cocktail with a view. Il Gabbiano is a fine Italian Cuisine set at 335 S. Biscayne Blvd. Happy Hour is from 4 pm to 7 pm with drink specials available at $7.

Friday – Happy Birthday CoolJunkie! This site right here started with a trio of party people who wanted to bring the Miami nightlife together. There have been promoters and flyer whores now turned club owners, kids begging to get into clubs like Church who are now night life tyrants, and writers who have turned gone onto great columns in national publications all have gone through CoolJunkie.com one way or another. And obviously we couldn’t have done it without you our loyal readers. Come celebrate at Pawn Shop for our 7th year anniversary with Ritchie Hawtin. Get tickets at wanttickets.com

Sunday – Do you know Cleaveland Jones? You should. Hiss music writing, mix mash Djing and good times behind the booth, is something to keep your eye one. Catch his style at Uva 69’s (6900 Biscayne Blvd.) Anniversary Party from 7 pm to 9 pm. Hey, no cover and I am sure there will be cocktails or at least drink specials. Set in the trendy Upper East Side, the place packs the ‘almost famous’ crowd.

Pictures from West End Records(site)