Girl About Town 2/19

February 19, 2008 9:32 PM
by chipi [email]

I'll start this week's column with a mini tirade against one of those under-persecuted evils in society: the chain restaurant. This is brought on due to an unfortunate decision on my part to stray from my typically strict anti-franchise dining code of conduct. My dalliance ultimately cost me my Friday night as I awoke from my evening disco nap and rather than perking up with a spring in my step, I was drenched in sweat, nauseous and burning up. Rather than attempt an outing, I missed out on both Sam Friends' Sweat Records in-store and another fun filled CoolJunkie family outing at Parkwest.

Despite the shaky start, I did however make up for lost time on Saturday night. I spent the day with a friend, shopping and clowning and didn't even bother to catch some Z's before heading to the all-night fiasco the bold call home: Saturday nights at Space.

Boris was in the main room, working the decks in his usual crowd pleasing fashion. While I'll confess I'm typically not a fan, there's a certain sense of self-satisfaction that comes with being able to identify most of the songs in a set. There's something to be said for that level of comfort that exists in a crowd when it's apparent that everyone can anticipate the next build up and brace for the trickle of the lights and the burst of the smog machines.

Janice was all too prepared for it and I watched as she turned and faced the spout before a cloud of freezing cold air wrapped around her, she shrieked and leapt in the air repeatedly, all the while with a smile pressed from ear to ear. That child-like fascination and rapture is the spirit of Space. I think that we at times forget that essential part of the experience. It's about expressing yourself and feeling true joy, forgetting reality from sundown to sun-up.

Desyn Masiello certainly fed into the ambiance and while his set included some spectacular highlights (like a spin of his exclusive remix of "Tainted Love"), I'd like to save my critiques of this Brit for a set that came later in my weekend.

Eventually, I was able to pull away from the Terrace. After attempting to restart my internal clock with a quick nap in the early morning hours, the Red Bull in my system would not let up. I gave in to the taurine and forced a friend out of hiding for a Sunday expedition to the Grove Arts Festival.

My complaint list for this event is long. First I'd like to send a quick Thank You card to Mother Nature for causing the downpour to begin quite literally within the first three minutes of my search for parking. After finding a space about 8 blocks away from the arts festival, the rain had still not let up. My good sport of a companion, the ever-chivalrous Andrew Markham, decided to join me at one of my old haunts, Barracuda, for a few drinks and some french fries while we waited out the storm.

Barracuda is a local hang out, welcoming enough to the college crowd but also hosting some of the more popular local notables which frequent its pool and beer pong tables all week long. Considering the weather, the place was rather full on a Sunday afternoon though most of those in attendance were probably just trying to avoid the rain.

The festival itself seemed pleasant enough, although it was my first experience having to pay to get in. Perhaps this practice was adopted in my two year absence from the city? Does anyone else think this is ludicrous? Am I whining too much? I think not.

It feels like I was falling asleep everywhere this weekend. After a brief encounter with the festival I catnapped at Andrew's before dashing to Cameo for Sander K. To think I almost missed a surprise opening set by Desyn Masiello. The boy from the other side of the pond worked his magic and had the crowd moving by the time Sander took the reigns.

I was surprised by the Dutchman's style and performance. Some of my Junkie colleagues and I were expecting cheesy funk video graphics and a track selection that was nothing to write home about. It turns out that Sander Kleinenberg is a bad-ass. The video's looping on Cameo's enormous projection monitors were subtle, abstract and thoughtful. The lighting engineer really deserves a medal, he and Sander were truly on the same page. As the mirror ball lowered towards the center of the dance floor, the crowd thrillingly responded over and over again to the blasts of candy colored lights and the thump of Sander's hard-edged sound.

After a while of sitting in the VIP, waiting for my second wind, I realized it wasn't coming. By the time Gina and Maribel walked by, handing out wristbands for the Monday morning after hours industry party I had convinced myself a quick nap would solve all my woes and I would be at Parkwests' front doors without issue.

This, of course, did not turn out to be the case. I was unfortunately sucked into a black hole of deep sleep and sadly came out of my cocoon too late in the day for President's Day beach adventures. Then again, I had to catch up for the rest of the week, right?

Weekly Picks

Wednesday 2.20 - The 90's Love Me! @ The White Room
This bi-weekly party has been picking up steam and it's no wonder, what with Dj's Tom Laroc and Craze handling the decks all night. It's a quick change of pace from the typical indie pop rock or 80s dance tunes usually dropped on theme nights.

Thursday 2.21 - Runway Thursdays @ Mansion (Ginuwine Live)
Look, I have no defense for myself. I'm a sucker for R&B. Ginuwine will be live at Mansion on Thursday and Bikini Village will be there showcasing their Swimwear. Bikini Fashion Show...live sex music...don't judge me.

Friday 2.22 - Suenalo Sound System live @ Circa 28
After my phenomenal experience with the Pumps! chicas last week I'm going to have to plug Fridays at Circa as a staple hang out. It's a fun indie bar and seems to have been injected with new life recently. Suenalo should bring some flavor to the place and the loyal crowd always helps to fill the dance floor.

Saturday 2.23 - The South Beach Food and Wine Festival
I hope you bought your tickets early. It's been almost impossible to crack in on this festival and with events strewn up and down the beach, from The Forge to Ocean Drive, you won't be able to avoid the temptation. The fest lasts Wednesday through Sunday, but you'll find me at the Convention Center for the Gekkeikan Sake Seminar on Saturday and if I make it out alive, the Paris Theater for the Belvedere After Party.

Sunday 2.24 - Oscar Night @ the Hotel Victor Boy on Boy Pick of the Week
You'll be needing a ticket and a killer outfit for this jam. Hosted by the fabulous Elaine Lancaster, it's the only Oscar party in town officially recognized by the Academy. In other words the boys will be out in droves and the bills you're shelling out not only cover dinner, drinks and a program, but also go toward one of those infamous gift bags.

For Girl on Girl Calamity - 2.19 Spiderpussy @ PS-14
Featuring live art by ms. Eve Interrupted herself, Lissette Barros as VOM will be creating vinyl masterpieces at PS-14 this Tuesday night. The ladies are sure to be there in full effect, and I'll be in attendance, camera in tow.

For Live Music Junkies 2.21 Party like it's the End of the World @ Churchill's
Junc-Op's is throwing it's co-release party this Thursday at the Church and will be featuring the sounds of Afrobeta, Ramburglar, Kentsoundz, Optokinetic Reflex and DJ Stravinsky. Guests are advised to dress as if it's the year 2013 and be sure to pick up the new joint while you're there.

I can't stop spinning...

In my iPod: The Wombats - Kill the Director. This Liverpool trio suffers from some obvious references ranging from The Cure and Depeche Mode to more modern musical relatives like Bloc Party. The lyrical intelligence is something to respect, it's clever in it's subtlety and will instantly get stuck in your head for days on end. Personally, they had me at "I've met someone that makes me feel seasick".

If you're on that local tip: Emily Westman - Casual Waltz. Westman's sound is unique in our neck of the woods and a cross of all things wonderful about piano pop rock. She shares a sense of clever composition and cheeky songwriting with Kate Nash, (although Westman's arrangements are probably beyond the latters scope of capability) and the lyrical prowess of Spektor circa Soviet Kitsch with a dash of pop-y zest.

On Celluloid:
This week your Junkie homework is to watch any of films nominated for Best Picture that you haven't caught already. For those of you not in the know that includes Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood and also La Vie en Rose, I'm Not There, and Persepolis, which were unfortunately left out.

I need your encouragement to keep me from giving in to sleep. Let me know what's hot this week, send me your tips and anecdotes on how to stay hype for the nightlife (minus the obvious (and highly illegal) suggestions).

peace love and music,

chipi

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