New York & The Dance Music Hall of Fame

[coach]

Finally got back from New York and the DMHOF induction ceremony and I have to say I was very unimpressed. This was my first trip to the big apple and my expectations were pretty high. Seems like most of it is actually hype.

I expected massive gleaming glass and steel skyscrapers, but really most of them are dull stone, which looks like it has never been cleaned. It is the second nastiest city I've ever been to. I don't think it's been washed in 200 years.

And city that never sleeps? Puhleeze! We went to Times Square, the place that I would expect not to sleep the most, at 1am on Monday night and it was all closed up. I'd say that we sleep a lot less, per capita, then that place does.

I really expected the people of NY, being that they live in what is supposed to be the greatest city on earth, to have some sort of different air about them. I was very surprised to find that they were just people, like any people. Same as are in Dallas or Boise or Kansas. If anything, they seemed to have sort of a beat-down manner about them. I think it is all the depressing gray and brown that the city is made of. And the soot black on all the buildings.

Despite that, the induction ceremony was very fun. We were there with Henry Stone, one of the great innovators in the early days of disco and the even earlier days of the Miami music scene. Lots of dance music luminaries there. I think this is such an important step forward in bringing more legitimacy to dance music. Of course, like everything in this business, it seems like they just didn’t have the budget that they needed. It was a nice event, but it should have been so much larger. For more info on them, check their website at www.dmhof.com. Pictures from the ceremony are here.

I’m very glad that I went, but I sure am glad to be back in paradise.

[bcnjunkie]

well for starters NYC isn't what it used to be... it has become one big commercial depot. Even the coolest areas like lower east side, SoHo or Tribeca have lost their umph !. With the ever increasing prices, trendy shops and restaurants can't afford to be there anymore. It's become very commercial (whether it be high end or middle class commercial). To catch a feel of the Manhattan of the not-so-distant pass you have to go to Brooklyn. Still Manhattan is Manhattan, surely you can appreciate the American Baroque architecture, the fine examples of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and the overall dutch influence. The fact that some of NYC's gleaming high rises were started to be built 100 years ago, when most of Europe was still clinging to a roccoco past. The ant farm traffic in the city (both pedestrian and vehicular). It's majestic grand proportions that have inspired mythical cities of superheroes. The serenity of central park in the midlle of the city chaos. The ingenous use of Space to recyle interiors for the changing needs of societies. The multiple facets of NYC entertainment (Ballet, Theater, Opera, Broadway shows, off-broadway shows, Orchestra (of every style classic, contemporary, visionary). Not to mention the vast array of ethnic restaurants that are truly ethnic. The feeling you get strolling through the financial district (there's only two cities I have visited where I felt that sort of ... you know it's a city where big powerful decisions are made... feeling... NYC and London) with it's sleek super-stretch limousines parading down Wall Street, Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue. Surely you can't deny that Manhattans' museum can rival some of the best in the world. I invite you to take a view, when the sun is beginning to set, from the observation deck at the Empire State Building.... take a look to the north to city within the city of midtown withn it's million twinkling lights in the sky and world wide logos representing some of the most powerful companies in the globe. Look farther down and catch a glimpse of uptown with it's illuminated grand roof top gardens. Face south and catch the city within the city of downtown, ahead of it's time when it was built, a masterpiece of vision also with it's twinkling lights in the sky. In the distance catch a glimpse of the majestic statue of liberty adorning the sky line. Look below you to the city minisculed at your feet and realize that you are standing atop the most important symbol of american fortitude and perseverance. When the sun is finally down take a look at the micro-cosmos of twinkling lights formed around you that seem to have no end, all floating in the sky, and tell me again that Manhattan is not majestic.

[web_norah]

a couple of things:


If you wanted to see Times Square "action", everyone here in NYC knows that it isnt the place to go at 1 am. people do sleep here because they work so assuming that NY never sleeps is a bit outdated, if you ask me. i dont know if you ever hear of people talking about Rudolf Giuliani and what happened to nightlife and crime after he left office. i suggest you read up on it. if you wanted to see "action", noone goes uptown...thats where other neighborhoods come into play. and trust me it is loud, i live in the West Village and you practically have to sleep with earplugs around this area.

everyone is aware of the fact that things have changed and what NYC once was -it isnt anymore. STILL this is one of the greatest places to be, there is a buzz and a livelihood, you'll never find anywhere else....you just have to know where to find it and ask locals, not tourists. did you venture into the West Village? or the East Village? there are great places to eat and drink in both neighborhoods. there are countless options of wonderful new and modern buildings to see in the Upper East Side in the daytime and also even in parts of the Lower East Side.

and lastly, i find it odd that you didnt enjoy the Dance Music Hall of Fame ceremony. i heard very good things about this event from DJs that attended and felt it was a long overdue type of event...yesterday, i attended a daytime panel at the Billboard Music Conference, where G Moroder, F Knuckles and Tom Moulton spoke about the beginning of disco music, the 12" and how this shaped house music - - and i am still in awe from the time i spent there (so much that i want to write a separate piece about this!). Jellybean Benitez, Danny Tenaglia and several other djs were there and we all were ecstatic about the moment of meeting and seeing these men, all of whom are such masters of music and production of records.....

[coach]

Yeah, next time I need to get a local to show me around! Mostly I was just surprised at how unkempt the city was. It seems like the "heyday" is gone for most cities. I suppose I was still dazzled from the hype of back in the day. And, like many great places, it is probably better to live in than to visit.

As far as the ceremony goes, I enjoyed it a lot. As I said, I think it is an extremely important development in dance music's development. I was just disappointed at the sloppiness with which it was run. But, I know it will get better. I think it is also too bad that it did not get more support from the industry. They did have a full room, with some very big names, but as important an event as this is, everyone should have gone.

[web_norah]

Originally Posted by coach

Yeah, next time I need to get a local to show me around! Mostly I was just surprised at how unkempt the city was. It seems like the "heyday" is gone for most cities. I suppose I was still dazzled from the hype of back in the day. And, like many great places, it is probably better to live in than to visit.

As far as the ceremony goes, I enjoyed it a lot. As I said, I think it is an extremely important development in dance music's development. I was just disappointed at the sloppiness with which it was run. But, I know it will get better. I think it is also too bad that it did not get more support from the industry. They did have a full room, with some very big names, but as important an event as this is, everyone should have gone.

even in situations and events like this one.....marketing and promotions are a huge part of the success and attendance....also, this week alone had three major events in dance music, the Grammy party at Crobar (well promoted and attended), the Billboard conference, and this Dance Hall of Fame.

never travel with expectations. you'll be happily surprised

[bcnjunkie]

well, imagine if he saw Manhattan in the late 80's early 90's (meat packing district wasn't the glam restaurants and lounges of now ;D )

[coach]

Originally Posted by web_norah

even in situations and events like this one.....marketing and promotions are a huge part of the success and attendance....also, this week alone had three major events in dance music, the Grammy party at Crobar (well promoted and attended), the Billboard conference, and this Dance Hall of Fame.

never travel with expectations. you'll be happily surprised

Hee-hee, you made an ironic funny!