Issue 53 - noiZe Magazine

Transcription

TM
The Premier Guide to
Dance Events Worldwide
8
From the Publisher
10
RuPaul Kicks 'Booty
by D. Michael Taylor and Jeffery Taylor
18
Got Time to Waste? Do Cardio!
by Joshua Carter
24
Ultra Naté - Free Spirit
by Jeffery Taylor
Starrbooty
Ë 10
32
DJ Spotlight: Tracy Young
36
City Spotlight: Miami / Fort Lauderdale
46
Promoter Spotlight: Hilton Wolman
52
Jason Walker Flexes
by D. Michael Taylor
56
Shooting StarZ: Santiago Infantino
Holding Out For A Hero
60
The Dish On My Life
Sizzling Spotlight!
by DJ Connie Casserole
64
Music Reviews by Jamie Nicholes
66
Zingles by Jamie Nicholes
70
Summer Photo Album
82
Ë 36
Book Excerpt
Drop...Dead: The DJ Murders
by Tonne Serah
86
Fall Event Schedule
Free Spirit
Ë 24
2
3
Artistic Direction: Jean-Pierre Pérusse
Main event Sunday October 7
Center field of the Montreal Olympic Stadium
“POWER-TRIP” is the theme selected for the 2007 edition. The Stadium will be
transformed into an enormous energy power plant with sets, performances and costumes.
The Black&Blue Festival:
The world’s largest gay benefit party week!
50 events and socio-cultural activities including :
Jock Ball Thursday October 4, Leather Ball Friday October 5
Military Ball Saturday October 6 :
Recovery Party Monday October 8
Festival dj’s : Craig Mitchell, David Knapp, Tracy Young, Charles Poulin, Manny Lehman,
Mark Anthony, Mistress Barbara and many more!
Passes and tickets on sale now!
www.bbcm.org
information@bbcm.org • 514-875-7026
all proceeds to
Governments
Major
Grand
www.klublife.com
www.aircanada.com
www.noizemag.com
Tourisme Montréal
www.aumag.org
www.molsondry.com
www.fugues.com
www.zoommedia.com
Associate
Second
Simple
WANT TO BE A BLACK&BLUE PARTNER? VISIT WWW.BBCM.ORG
Bad Boy Club and Black & Blue are registered trademarks of the BBCM Foundation, Montreal, Canada.
Patron
Journal Ici, Montreal Mirror,
Cuir Mont-Royal, Wega Video
FROM THE PUBLISHER
We’re Looking for a Few Good Guys
You know that cute guy that you’ve seen out at the local club every month?
The one that you caught sight of at NYC Pride or Gay Days in Orlando? You
know the one, with the mischievous smile, a sparkly attitude, the great dancer.
Whenever he’s on the floor, you see faces around him light up and greet him
with a smile and a big hug?
noiZe wants this guy.
noiZe magazine would like to harness the power of the guys who make
our parties memorable by announcing an international search for a select
group of “noiZe boyz.” We’re looking for guys across the USA and Canada
to complement our existing noiZe boy representation in several major
cities. To introduce the concept, we’ve put a noiZe boy on the cover and
a few throughout the magazine. Following are some of our ideas about the
characteristics and qualities of a fabulous noiZe boy; think about whether
they fit you or your friends, and look for instructions in this issue to put in your
application!
A noiZe boy can have many different qualities, but here are some of our
favorites:
μSparkly
He is cheerful, happy-go-lucky, bright-eyed and smiling. He has oodles of
friends and acquaintances to hang with, and never fails to introduce the
group from Atlanta to the gaggle from Los Angeles.
μResponsible
He’s no prude, but this boy knows that to have real fun you have to respect
some limits. He takes responsibility for his actions and encourages his
friends to do the same. He’s the guy who comes back with six bottles of
water for the group to rehydrate with instead of just one for him. He is in
touch with his sexuality, but knows that hot fantasies are not always the
safest realities. He knows that being positive or negative isn't the point, but
protecting each other from harm is the only way to play.
μConfident
Never arrogant, but always on top of his game, this boy knows how to party
with real style. He knows where the best events are at all times (because
you know he reads partyfinder.com), and how to let loose but always stay
sane enough to have a witty conversation. He’s self-assured and sexy from
the inside out.
μBalanced in mind, body, and spirit
He keeps himself in good shape and usually knows where the best yoga
classes can be found. He shuns needless drama, and knows how to listen
to a friend who needs to be heard. He has that mysterious mingling of
qualities that all work together to make him more than just a pretty face.
8
Our guy doesn’t just show up at the best
parties, he makes the best of them. He
knows how important a “homebase” is on
the dance floor, where his friends can wind
their way back so no one gets lost during
the night. He enjoys exploring the venue
and mingling with guys outside of his group.
Even when he is alone, he attracts fun and
friendly people eventually. He loves music
and knows who his favorite DJs are, lives for
the shows and the crowd, but knows when
the party is over and how to make a graceful
exit. He understand that moderation in all
things is the only way to continue to enjoy
the rush of this exciting lifestyle for a long
time to come. A noiZe boy represents the
best in all of us, and encourages greatness by
focusing on our core gifts and skills.
Our goal is to find some noiZe boys wherever
they may be, and encourage them to spread
this message. We will begin selecting
candidates in the weeks and months to
come who will receive some exposure in the
pages of noiZe in addition to the perks and
responsibilities that come with the title.
Look for further information in this issue that
details how to apply to be a noiZe boy. If
the name of someone popped into your
head as you were reading all of this, hand
them a copy of noiZe and ask them to put in
their application. And we know there’s been
some serious girl power lately at our favorite
events, so we’d love to consider a noiZe girl
as well.
In addition to introducing you to our noiZe
boy concept, this fall issue is chock-full of
hot content. We’re so excited to bring you
an intimate discussion with RuPaul. She’s
back in a big way with a new movie and
wisdom to spare. We also talk to one of our
all-time favorite DJs, Tracy Young. She’s been
showing us her girl power for a long time,
and we couldn’t be happier for her immense
success. Our South Florida spotlight comes
just in time to make those plans for winter,
and we also check in with the amazing
Jason Walker, who just dropped his eagerly
anticipated second album. And as always,
check out the great photos from summer
events across the country.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and
each other. In the end, we’re all superheroes,
in so many unique and wonderful ways.
Stephen Ceplenski
Publisher
9
Publisher
Stephen Ceplenski
stephen@noizemag.com
Associate Publisher
Advertising Sales
Gary Steinberg
818-769-9390
gary@noizemag.com
Editor in Chief
Jeffery Taylor
jefferytaylor@noizemag.com
Senior Editor
D. Michael Taylor
dmichaeltaylor@noizemag.com
Art Director
Anke Mackenthun
Calendar Editor
William Swadley
Cover Artwork
TheArtofIceman.com
All noiZe boy artwork by Iceman
Music Editor
Jamie Nicholes
Event Photos
Johnny Chisholm
Moody Mustafa
Joe Pessa
David Schwep
Tom Whitman Presents
Writers and Contributors
Joshua Carter
DJ Connie Casserole
Tonne Serah
Founder
Steve Kammon
Florida Office
1337 SW 18th Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
954-636-8647 (voice)
West Coast Office
11333 Moorpark St, #386
Studio City, CA 91602
818-769-9390 (voice)
818-232-7047 (fax)
E-mail:
information@noizemag.com
Website: www.noizemag.com
www.partyfinder.com
Subscribe: www.noizemag.com/subscribe
noiZe Magazine is ©Copyright 2007
of Circuit Noize Magazine, LLC. All
rights reserved. Contents may not be
reproduced without permission from the
publisher. Publication of name or photo
of any person or organization in noiZe is
not to be construed as any indication of
the sexual orientation of that person or
organization.
Published in February, May, August and
November
10
by D. Michael Taylor and Jeffery Taylor
With a career now spanning three decades, it’s hard not to stand in awe of a
drag queen that has broken through every glass ceiling there is for performers of
her nature. When “Supermodel” came out in 1992, RuPaul had already spent a
decade fine-tuning his stagecraft and was ready to conquer the world.
RuPaul Andre Charles was born in
San Diego, where he fell in love
with The Supremes and adored his
mother, who knew her baby would
grow up to be a star one day. Ru
knew he was different from an
early age, and still cherishes the
oddballs, freaks, and visionaries
who inspire him to never take this
life too seriously. Forging a stage
identity for himself in Atlanta then
conquering the lower Manhattan
nightlife scene, RuPaul has seen
his share of hard times, but only
seems the wiser and more joyous
for it. His infectious laugh and
personality won the hearts of even
the most ignorant Americans at a
time when gay people needed it
most. Proving that a successful girl
can be as mainstream as she wants
to be and still never lose her edge,
RuPaul has been a musician, a radio
personality, a TV host, a movie
star, and a spokesmodel. His work
with M•A•C Cosmetics earned the
fledgling makeup company millions
of dollars for their AIDS fund, and
his image is now one of the most
recognized in the world.
After so much success, RuPaul
realized in 2001 that it was time
to focus on his own life and his
family, so he retreated to a quieter
life in California to take stock of
everything and reconnect with
his roots. Now – tanned, rested,
and ready to conquer even more
of the world – he has made and
released a riotous romp of a movie
based on a series of shorter films
he made in the 80s that poked fun
at the blaxploitation films of the 70s.
Starrbooty, directed by Mike Ruiz, is a
rollercoaster of raunchy good fun that
doesn’t let up for one minute. Shown
in a series of film festivals around the
country to sold-out audiences, the DVD
will be released in October, at which
point you need to sashay over to your
computer and order it. With an original
soundtrack by Ru himself and a cast
of downtown characters that bring the
edge back to New York for eighty-five
minutes, this is a side of RuPaul that
Middle America might not recognize.
But those of us in the know will see that
it’s clear that this supermodel still works
it like no other bitch on earth.
With your new movie, Starrbooty, you
return to the spotlight after taking a bit
of a hiatus. Can you tell us a little about
what prompted the break?
I took a hiatus from the brass ring thing
and getting caught up in the things that
ultimately don't bring all that much joy –
joy being probably the most important
thing in your life. Pain has its place, too.
I guess you can't really feel joy unless
you've had pain.
I knew it was time for me to focus on an
emotional, personal life. I hadn't really
done much of that because I've always
been career-oriented, always been
chasing the brass ring, and that has
its place. I wouldn't change anything.
Well, I probably would have been more
sexually promiscuous if I was to do
anything over again. I never really was…
11
I mean, I’ve had my drunken nights
like everybody else but… I think
that’s the only thing I would change.
For the most part, it’s been fun. I’ve
had a great journey and I try to life
my life, even every second of the
day, as if it were my last and as if
it were a movie. I’ve always said to
myself, even as a kid, “Ru, if this
were a TV movie of the week, make
sure you make your character an
important character – a character
that is fearless and takes chances
and isn’t ruled by fear.”
How does it feel to know that
you’re an inspiration to some
people?
Honestly, being an inspiration is
my greatest achievement, if I can
be that to people. When I was a
kid and I was inspired by people, it
got me through some of the darker
nights of the soul. I feel like now I
can inspire a whole new generation,
if they’re willing. I mean, gay people
are so conservative right now in
history. But if people are willing to
see my movie and really get it, I
think it will inspire people because
it says basically don’t take yourself
too seriously and that this life is to
be enjoyed and to be laughed at
and to have some fun with.
we’re making fun of ourselves and
everybody’s aware of what’s happening.
How similar is this movie to the original
Starrbooty you made in 1986?
It has the same elements. Starrbooty is
really a spoof on self-righteousness. The
blaxploitation characters in the early 70s
were all very self-righteous. They were
righting the wrongs of society, almost
like vigilantes. So Starrbooty has always
been a spoof on that.
What made you remake this movie
now?
Because ownership in show business
is really doable today because of the
internet and because of the avenues
of distribution. I’ve done a lot in my
career where I don’t own the masters
You were obviously having the best
time of your life doing this movie.
This movie cracks me the fuck up. It
makes me laugh. It’s funny. Farting
and burping and throwing up and
whores – that shit makes me laugh.
I love making fun… I don’t want to
hurt anyone’s feelings. I don’t like
shows like Punk’d where people are
being made fun of without them
knowing about it. In our movie,
12
of the things that I’ve done. I’ve
written the songs, but I don’t own
the masters; paid for the stuff, but
I don’t own it. For me to play the
game today, I gotta own it – with
my music or my movies or whatever
I do. I want it to be part of my
intellectual properties – where you
own things that will work for you
and get you money for the rest of
your life rather than selling it off
and never seeing a dime again.
Is there a soundtrack for the
movie?
Yes. I wrote all the songs for the
soundtrack and it will be part of
the deluxe edition of the DVD. It’ll
be out on iTunes and CD Baby
electronically. Right now, the MP3’s
are available on my website.
Everything’s digital right now. It’s
so much easier.
That’s another reason I wanted to
do the movie now. I can own it and
I don’t have to go through some
distributor who has a warehouse
that can store all this stuff. It can be
streamed via the internet and make
money that way.
It puts a lot more control in the
artist’s hands.
Yeah. Of course, you still have to
get publicity and get people to
know about it.
It’s kind of disappointing… the
young gay kids today, I wish they
were shaking it up a little bit more.
But, you know, the truth is, when
I was coming up, I thought what
made me unique was the fact that I
was gay. But that wasn’t true, I later
found out. It was just that I have
been someone who thinks outside
the box. I always have. Growing up, I
never gravitated towards gay, per se. I
gravitated towards bohemian.
That’s an interesting insight, that
what made you different was not your
sexuality, but just who you were.
I just see a myriad of colors in the
rainbow. I’m sure other people can see
that; a lot of people don’t want to see
the other colors in the rainbow because
it would force them to rethink and
restructure their belief system. There
are conservative gay people and there
are gay people who are way out there
and do see outside the box and aren’t
afraid of new ideas. I wish the younger
gay people were out there pushing the
envelope more and really fighting for
new views, new opinions.
You seem comfortable with who you
really are. So many people are afraid to
be their true selves sometimes. How do
you deal with those fears?
13
I’ve become more and more
comfortable as time goes on. I
remember when I was making the
early Starrbooty movies, I knew
that if I was embarrassed by it,
then it was the right thing to do –
something that my parents would
feel uncomfortable with, I knew that
I was heading in the right direction.
Even today, I wake up and think,
“Am I going to be comfortable
in my own skin? How am I going
to maneuver in this life and feel
confident and remember who I
really am?” Who I really am is an
extension of the power that created
this universe. Now don’t get me on
this philosophical stuff…
Remembering who I really am
and staying interested in being
on this planet are the two biggest
challenges I’ll have on any given
day. Remembering who I really am –
which is an extension of the power
that created this universe – and
staying interested in this life – in
show business, in being creative, in
going outside the house, or shaving
or whatever… staying interested –
those are the two biggest things.
What’s in the near future for you?
Right now, I’m touring doing my
nightclub act, which is a lot of the
songs from the Starrbooty movie,
and doing publicity for Starrbooty
so that when it comes out on DVD
in October, people will know about
it and want to buy it.
me acting in it. And maybe another
Starrbooty movie.
I really do need to write another book
that takes up where my other one [Lettin’
It All Hang Out] left off.
One of the quotes in your bio on rupaul.
com that really stands out is, “Change is
a given that I’ve learned to welcome.”
Well, live long enough and you have to
come to terms with it. A lot of times it’s a
welcome thing. You know, relationships
never, ever end. The form they’re in
changes, and you have to accept that.
Even if someone is no longer on this
planet, you still have a relationship with
them and it’s forever.
Some people will be in your life forever
and ever and you think, “Wow, how did
that happen?” And then some people
who you thought would be forever,
you know, physically, you never see
them anymore. It’s made me really pay
attention to who’s there at that moment
and to really see them and feel them.
Because you never know… you never
know.
You are a philosopher.
Aren’t we all really philosophers? I mean,
if you pay attention… it’s so poetic, this
whole yin/yang journey.
Visit rupaul.com to read Ru’s fascinating
bio, download tracks from the new
Starrbooty album, or buy your very own
RuPaul Doll TM.
I will probably write another
screenplay that I want to shop
around, and see if I could get
someone to make it – perhaps
something that’s with me in it, or
perhaps not. I have a few ideas
that I want to do that don’t include
14
Tom Weise and
present
BERLIN 2007
KitKatClub
OCTOBER 19th
Köpenicker Strasse 76
10179 Berlin-Mitte
Start 22pm
MC
Peter Paige
(known from Queer as Folk)
Tickets
Pre-sale 18 €/
VIP Pre-sale 120 €
Box office 25 €/
DJs
Jack Chang
(London)
Micky Friedmann
VIP Box office 130 €
(Berlin)
inclusive 2 € Benefit
Dealer
(Belgium)
online by
www.hustlaball.com
Dominox
(Berlin)
DramaNui
(Berlin, Afterhour)
RedTomcat
(Berlin, Afterhour)
Tickets online by
www.hustlaball.com
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GOT TIME TO WASTE?
DO CARDIO!
by Joshua Carter
Information rules the world. The more information you have, the better off
you are. But we run into problems when the variety of information we get
conflicts. This comes up time and time again in the health and fitness game. High
carb/low carb, high reps/low reps, yes cardio/no cardio. And it goes on and on. In
this article I will be telling you why standard cardio is a lousy fat loss tool – and
why I am right and everyone else is wrong (unless they agree with me).
To be clear, I am only talking about steady state cardio in regards to its benefits
as a fat loss tool – nothing else. Cardio does have its place, but not as a primary
fat loss tool. I am not a fan of “steady state” cardio. Steady state cardio can be
defined as regular old walking on a treadmill (or whatever) at a relatively steady
pace for a period of time – say 30 to 45 minutes. I have always hated it, but now I
have scientific proof to validate my hatred – which is always a bonus.
What we have discovered is that while steady state cardio promised us
accelerated fat loss, it never really delivered. In fact in some cases it made people
fatter.
WHY WE WISH IT WORKED
What we were told is that standard cardio burns more fat while exercising. Plus,
it’s easy. Even better. Slow steady cardio will melt the fat right off! Hey, great!
You mean to tell me to get lean all I have to do is walk on the treadmill for 45
minutes? That’s a piece of cake! Not so fast, Sparky.
What actually happens in traditional cardio is that calories are expended during
the activity, but not after (more on that later). In fact, it does burn a greater
percentage of calories from fat during that activity. Yippee. But if you were to
work out more intensely for the same amount of time the percentage of total
calories burned from fat would be less, but the total number of calories that were
from fat would be greater. Confused? Here is a completely hypothetical example
to illustrate the point (I made up the numbers):
Low Intensity 30 Minutes Cardio
High Intensity 30 Minutes Cardio
Total Cals Used = 450
%Cals from Fat 80%
%Cals from Fat 60%
18
First off, of course, exercising
harder for 30 minutes will simply
require more calories – that is a
no-brainer. I mean, really, it makes
perfect sense that working harder
e x p e n d s m o re c a l o r i e s t h a n
working less hard. But when we
look at the numbers, we see that
even though the percentage of fat
used in the low intensity exercise
was higher, the higher intensity
exercise had a greater total number
of fat calories used. This tells us
that low intensity cardio offers no
real benefit (in regards to fat loss)
over a higher intensity activity. Plus,
as it turns out, it is not nearly as
important how many calories you
burn during the activity or even
where they come from, but what
happens after that matters most. In
the exercise world, almost without
fail, harder is simply better and will
always yield better results.
WHY STEADY STATE
CARDIO ACTUALLY SUCKS
(as a primary fat loss tool)
There are two major reasons why
I believe standard cardio is a big
loser for fat loss.
REASON 1
The first is (lack of) EPOC. EPOC
stands for Excess Post-exercise
Oxygen Consumption. Basically
what EPOC does is tell us how long
it takes the body to return to its
pre-exercise metabolic rate. So,
after a bout of intense exercising,
your body will continue to burn
extra calories for a certain period of
time. From a fat loss perspective,
the longer the EPOC, the
better. Some activities, like weight
training, have an EPOC of 30+
hours. The EPOC for steady state
cardio is approximately zero. Yes sir,
give or take when you step off that
treadmill or bike, you are done burning
calories – done.
You should think of exercising like
investing your money. Let’s say you have
a pile of money (you do right?) You are
far better off investing it in a high-yield
account than you are burying it beneath
the doghouse out back. You want a
return on your investment, right? The
same is true for exercise. If you are going
to spend the time, get a high return on
your investment, and that means a high
EPOC. You want to continue to burn
extra calories for as long as you can
post-exercise. There are simply better
choices than boring cardio.
REASON 2
The second reason cardio blows for
fat loss is the adaptation factor. Your
body is wonderful at adapting to various
stresses. In general, that is a great thing
– it has allowed us to survive and thrive
for hundreds of thousands of years as
our world has changed. From a fat loss
perspective, it is a giant pain in the
ass. Our bodies adapt to certain exercise
quite rapidly, and that can bring fat loss
to a halt.
19
As your body becomes accustomed
to the activity, it becomes more
efficient at doing it. With cardio
that means that while walking on
the treadmill for thirty minutes once
burned 500 calories, three weeks
later it only burns 300 calories. So,
for the same amount of work, you
are now burning 200 less calories
per session. Sound good? I didn’t
think so.
REAL WORLD EXAMPLE
This has been proven in multiple
studies but my favorite example
is a client that came to see me a
few months back. I’m not making
this up; this is an absolutely true
story. She was a woman in her 50s
who had 30-40 pounds of fat to
lose. She began to walk around her
neighborhood to lose weight. At
first it worked great, but then the
weight loss stalled. So she walked
more. Then it stalled again, so
she walked more. I asked her how
much she was currently walking
per day. She said three hours per
day. I kid you not. Three hours per
day. My jaw hit the floor. Can you
imagine working out three hours a
day and seeing no results for your
efforts? I have clients who barely do
three hours per week and have fat
falling off them.
Here’s what happened: her body
adapted and there was zero
EPOC. So, first off, the very second
she was done walking she was also
done burning calories. There was
no carryover to the rest of the day,
thus no metabolic increase.
Then, as she continued to walk day
in and day out, her body figured
out what was going on and made
the appropriate adaptations. Initially
that meant weight loss. But that
did not last long. So she had to walk
more and more for the fat loss to
continue. Eventually her body became
very good at using fat for fuel – she was
an efficient fat-burning machine. While
this might sound cool, it is most
decidedly not cool. We want our cars to
be efficient at using fuel – the less gas
we use the better. But since the goal is
fat loss, we want our bodies to use as
much fat for fuel as possible – we want
our bodies to be fat INefficient. Her
body was using less fat per unit of time
while working out. Not only that, it
taught her body to use less fat during
the rest of the day, too. The end result
was stalled weight loss. The only method
she knew to re-start the weight loss was
walking more. But to what end?
There you have it, in a nutshell, the
reason why my training facilities do not
use steady state cardio as a primary fat
loss tool. It does have its place in certain
fitness programs. But if your main goal
is fat loss, steady state cardio should be
very low on your to-do list.
For more free fat loss programs, e-books,
fitness consultations, and other free
fitness tips, please visit CarterFitness.com
20
24
by Jeffery Taylor
“It’s loosely based on vibe. It’s
loosely based on love. It’s loosely
based on you and me,” Ultra Naté
tells us over dreamy, hypnotic strings
on the opening track of her new
album, Grime, Silk, and Thunder.
“This is not a story… this is not a
journey,” she continues. However,
the journey of Ultra Naté ,who has
been a force on the house music
scene for almost two decades, is
the real story. “I happened along
at the very moment when house
music was about to come out from
the underground and hit the main
streets. It was perfect timing,” she
tells noiZe. Perfect indeed.
That serendipity in clubland history
would lead to a string of dance hits
including “It’s Over Now,” “Found
A Cure,” “Feel Love,” and “Joy” as
well as "If You Could Read My Mind"
with Amber and Jocelyn Enriquez as
Stars on 54 in 1998. This Baltimore
native has helped to define the
sound of house and dance music
and has penned such classics as
“Free” with its empowering lyrics
“You’ve got to live your life / Do what
you want to do”.
The release of Grime, Silk, and
Thunder, Naté’s first album since
Stranger Than Fiction in 2002, is
a cohesive collection that blends
various musical styles and
producers under the expert sonic
handlings of StoneBridge who
mixed the fourteen tracks and produced
one himself (“Freak On”). “Different
dance floors,” Ultra explains. “That was
the intent – for there to be something
for you to play if you’re in a lounge
setting, an underground house setting, a
progressive club setting...”
Naté’s remake of “Automatic,” made
famous by the Pointer Sisters, is
gaining its own popularity throughout
the YouTube community with well over
100,000 views and growing. The video,
conceived and directed by makeup
maestro Karl Giant, is a mesmerizing
juxtaposition of riveting images that
takes the viewer on a twisted mental
trip.
noiZe caught up with Ultra shortly after
she returned from New York City where
she performed at the Pier Dance and
participated in the Gay Pride Parade.
Often traveling to perform for her fans
around the world, Ultra was getting
ready to leave for a gig in Berlin the
next day. She spoke to noiZe about her
album, her video, and her spirit.
How long have you been working on
Grime, Silk, and Thunder?
I’ve been working on Grime pretty
much since 2003, once I decided to
leave Strictly Rhythm after they did the
partnership deal with Warner Brothers.
I didn’t really want to be a part of that
situation. I had a feeling it wasn’t going
25
to be a good marriage. I started
my career on Warner Brothers
years ago, so I kind of knew what
the writing on the wall would be
ultimately. So I had asked for release
and pretty much started writing
the record without a record deal in
place with the intent of starting my
own label and eventually partnering
with a bigger label for its release,
which is what I’ve done now – the
record is on my own label, Blufire, in
partnership with Tommy Boy.
So you started out with Warner
Brothers?
Yes, back in 1989 when I released
my first single “It’s Over Now”.
The album Blue Notes in the
Basement and the second album,
One Woman’s Insanity, were both
on Warner - the first album was on
Warner UK and the second album
came out on Warner US. Then I
signed with Strictly Rhythm in '96
and released the first single “Free”
and then the albums Situation
Critical and Stranger Than Fiction.
You were recently celebrated in
NYC at Kino 51/Arena where New
York’s fiercest served tribute to
some of your biggest hits. How
did it feel to have all those people
paying homage to you?
You know, it was very surreal and
it was an extreme honor. It’s really
strange because, when you’re in the
process of doing it, you don’t realize
how long it’s been and how much
of an impact you have had on a
genre by releasing so much material
over the years. People have their
breakout favorites from back in the
day and current records and things
like that. To have it all wrapped up
and be honored by the New York
underground cool kids was really,
really sweet. I wanted to just burst out
into tears, but I had to keep it together
because everybody was looking at me.
(laughs) Definitely one of those moments
you remember, “OK, this is why I do this,”
because it really is a lot of fun when it all
comes together.
How did you get into this business?
Have you always been a performer?
I got into the music business by
accident, actually. I planned on going
into medicine – that was my ultimate
destination. I fell in love with the music
situation by going to the clubs once I
graduated from high school and going to
a club here in Baltimore where I’m from
called O’Dells and fell in love with the
whole underground club culture. They
were playing a mixture of danceable
R&B, which was all dance music was
in the clubs at that time, and then the
early beginnings of house music that
was coming out of Chicago. There was
that mixture happening with disco and
danceable R&B and this underground
really stripped-down edgier sound called
“house.” That pretty much started the
whole thing. I met DJs and other people
that were in that lifestyle and became
friends.
I sang for years in my church choir but
I didn’t think that it would be something
that would ever turn into a career. It was
really the Basement Boys who found out
that I sang a little bit and asked me to
come down to the studio and audition.
I came down and auditioned with about
five or six other vocalists and whatever it
was about my particular style cut through
to them and we just started working on
stuff at that point. I wrote what ended up
being my first single – a song called “It’s
Over Now” – and the rest is history.
You just performed “Free” in New
York during Gay Pride at the Pier
Dance. How does it feel to see a whole
26
crowd of people singing along
with you?
few that represent my genre effectively
as a true artist.
It’s always amazing, every single
time. “Free” is ten years old this
year and I’ve sang it a gazillion
times and I’ll sing it a gazillion times
more before it’s all over with and
done, if I’m blessed to. It’s always
just as powerful and intense to
see a sea of people singing your
song and being affected like that.
It still resonates with a lot of people
around the globe.
Do you write your own material?
It’s a wonderful thing to have
some classic tracks under your
belt. That’s what sustains you as
an artist, especially in the dance
music genre where there’s not a lot
of standout artists that people can
associate a name and a face and a
sound and the whole persona with.
I feel very grateful to be one of the
Yo u w o r k e d o n t h e v i d e o f o r
“Automatic” [which can be seen on
ultranate.com] with Karl Giant. Who
came up with the concept for the
video?
I’ve written about 98% of every record
you’ve ever heard from me. I think the
only records in my repertoire that I didn’t
write are “If You Could Read My Mind”
which was written by Gordon Lightfoot,
obviously, way back in the day; there’s
a cover on one of my earlier albums of
a Boy George song; and “Automatic” [on
Grime, Silk, and Thunder] now.
It was all Karl’s baby. Karl and I met on
the set of the “Love’s the Only Drug”
video shoot. He was the makeup artist
27
and we instantly fell in love with
each another. He had some ideas
for what he wanted to do in a photo
shoot with me. He came up with
all of these really cool concepts
and shot these pictures. All of the
costuming that he came up with for
the photo shoot was an extension of
what he ultimately wanted to do as a
video. So he kind of had it all worked
out, this whole masterminded plan,
well in advance.
We worked for months before we
actually shot the video to get perfect
fittings done so that the costumes
would look flawless on camera. The
whole treatment and storyline and
everything was worked out so that
we could bang out this really great
shoot in twelve hours and make it no
stress for anybody. It was awesome
because all of the elements came
together so well the actual day of
the shoot.
There is a lot of interesting
imagery throughout the video –
for instance, the doll is a little
crazy. What are some of the
messages behind the images?
The doll is definitely crazy. That
was its intent. The storyline of
the video is: the guys are on their
laptops in this cybersex kind of
world and controlling my image and
changing my image into all of these
stereotypical personalities. In the
end, it starts to grow and get more
and more electric and crazy. Then
towards the end, there’s a bit of a
sick twist in that the doll, who is the
quintessential controlled element
that people would project their
image of what’s perfection or beauty
or sexuality, is actually the one that’s
controlling the whole operation.
Another song on your new album is a
remake of your first single, “It’s Over
Now,” produced by Quentin Harris.
How did you select Quentin?
I’ve always loved Quentin’s style.
Everything that he puts out I really
love, and he’s also a really awesome
musician, which people are not aware
of at the moment. So when it came time
to figure out who I wanted to do this
remake of “It’s Over Now” for the album,
it was really a no-brainer. He has that
melancholy, very bluesy kind of style.
So I knew he would be the perfect one
to give this song the right treatment for
this album: to make it sound current for
today’s dance floor but also to stay true
to the original vibe and feel of the original
record.
What other producers worked on
Grime with you?
Craig C did a remake of “Scandal” which
was also another standout. I redid it and
put it on this album because a lot of
28
my early fans have always stayed
in touch with me and let me know
that those were two of their favorite
songs from that album and they
could never find them anymore. I
wanted them to get an opportunity
to have those songs again and
also to introduce them to my newer
fans who have come along since
the release of records like “Free,”
“Found A Cure,” “If You Could Read
My Mind” - the pop hits.
Well that certainly describes you…
She did that by letting me do my own
thing as a kid. She was a free spirit
herself and she allowed me to be a free
spirit and do what I wanted to do as a
kid and be experimental and try different
things. When I decided to change my
plans from continuing in the medical
profession to pursue a career in music,
she didn’t blink twice about it.
And we can thank her forever for that!
I worked with another hometown
boy, DJ Pope from Baltimore, and
partnered up with Eric Kupper from
New York to do “Love’s The Only
Drug” which ended up being the
first single off the album because it
has that cool, sublime, old school
throwback to the Giorgio Moroder/
Grace Jones kind of era. Very slinky
and sexy, edgier vibe – one of my
favorite tracks on the album as well
because it’s not like your typical,
straight-up, hands-in-the-air kind
of dance record. It’s definitely got
more of a mood and personality or
character.
I found it a great opportunity to work
with some local hometown people
but also work with people outside of
the situation so it’s everyone from
people from Baltimore to New York
to Australia to the U.K. that are part
of the production and writing on this
album.
And Ultra Naté really is your
name? It sounds like a stage
name. You were meant to be a
star!
You can pick up your copy of Grime,
Silk, and Thunder at a Virgin or Best Buy
near you or purchase it electronically
from iTunes. Check out myspace.com/
ultranatemusic for more information on
Ultra.
So they tell me! (laughs)
My mother’s only intent was just
coming up with something fun
and interesting and different and
dynamic.
29
DJ
SPOTLIGHT
32
Although this big break put Tracy on
the radar, it is Tracy’s skill and talent
that have made her one of the most
successful female DJs/producers/
remixers in history. She has made a
name for herself alongside the heavy
hitters of house, tribal, and dance
music and has headlined almost every
major Circuit event and played at
many of the hottest clubs in North
America. She travels internationally to
spin her magic in such destinations as
London, Rome, Paris, Morocco, and
Kuala Lumpur.
Tracy Young loves what she does.
It’s obvious when you see her in the
DJ booth of any party she plays.
Dancing around, twirling knobs,
smiling that big beautiful smile of
hers and waving to boys on the
dance floor, she definitely has a lot
of fun at work. “I think being up
there playing music should be an
enjoyment for me as well as the
crowd,” she says. Well, the crowd is
certainly having a gay ol’ time.
Tracy Young began spinning her
own unique blend of hip-hop, funk,
and old school in Washington, D.C.
before moving to Miami in 1998.
It was here she had the fateful
encounter that changed her life
forever and has become almost gay
folklore. Tracy had been hired by
Ingrid Casares of Liquid fame to
play at her Millennium Eve Party
in South Beach. Madonna, one of
Ingrid’s best friends, attended the
party and loved what she heard.
She asked Tracy to remix the first
single and title track off her new
album Music. Tracy was excited for
the opportunity and delivered what
was later to be described as “an
emotional masterpiece” by Billboard
Magazine.
33
Stateside, the boys of Fire Island
recently celebrated their freedom
to her explosive beats over
July 4 th weekend. Following her
success at last year’s Pines Party,
Tracy was asked to return to the
gay oasis to helm the turntables at
the 13 th Annual IndepenDANCE,
which was held at Reflections and
whose proceeds benefit GMHC,
Brent Varner Project, and Pines Care
Center. Guy Smith lit the bevy of
beautiful boys with a breathtaking
sunset as the backdrop.
At one point in the evening, Tracy
played her Flying Monkeys remix
of “Defying Gravity” from the
Broadway musical Wicked. Idina
Menzel, who played the greenskinned witch on the Great White
Way, performed Tracy’s version of
the song in New York City on Gay
Pride Sunday. “She mentioned
my name at the Pier Dance and I
almost fell over,” Tracy remarked.
Apparently, even a superstar DJ can
be starstruck.
A bit surprising considering that,
in addition to Madonna, Young
has produced tracks for such
heavyweights as Stevie Nicks, Pet
Shop Boys, Cyndi Lauper, Christina
Aguilera, Gloria Estefan, P!nk, and
Shakira. She has also played private
events for the likes of Diddy, Lenny
Kravitz, Ricky Martin, and Cher. Even
Paris Hilton has been photographed
shaking her moneymaker to Tracy’s
rhythms.
In 2002, Tracy released Tracy
Young Remixes Living Theater in
association with Kunduru Music,
infusing eleven chill-out tracks
with her fierce beats and unique
musicality. A slight departure from
the club-inspired productions Tracy
is so well known for, this album
captivates the listener as she
seamlessly weaves her personality
and style through each of the
songs.
34
The secret of her success seems to
be working for her as her calendar
fills with gigs and her discography
continues to grow. Although the
landscape of dance culture seems
to be morphing, Tracy’s view on the
Circuit and the future of large-scale
dance events is decidedly optimistic.
Noticing the shift from the larger
events to smaller, loungier parties,
Tracy feels the scene is going through
a growth period. “It is changing,” she
remarks. “I think that, like anything, it
will go through its transition and then
it will come back.”
Young’s latest album, Danceculture
2, is currently out on her label,
Ferosh Records, and Danceculture
3 is already in the works.
Collaborating with Ceevox on
a track for the new compilation,
Tracy will also be working with her
on a full-length album. Their first
original production “Believe In We”
appeared on Unreleased Vol. 1
sharing the spotlight with “Ferosh,”
a track that marries Tracy’s signature
sound with the unmistakable voice
of Miami legend Alan T.
Still loving the place she calls home,
Tracy is excited about her monthly
residency at Score on Lincoln Road.
Newly-renovated with an expanded
dance floor and upgraded sound
system, this survivor of Miami
nightlife is packing them in with top
DJs like Tracy, Joe Gauthreaux, and
Miami favorite Abel. In addition,
Tracy makes it up to New York City
to spin at Splash once a month. The
boys can also look forward to her
“Genesis” party, which unfailingly
packs them in every New Year’s
Day. The popular party returns this
year to The Cameo, former home of
Crobar, in South Beach.
Whatever happens, Tracy Young
is certain to remain one of the top
contenders in clubland and beyond,
continuing to pack dance floors
with her titillating productions and
scintillating remixes. Tracy Young
loves what she does. And so do we.
Maybe there is something to this
“like attracts like” stuff after all.
As if she’s not busy enough, this
self-described workaholic is also
designing a clothing line based on
club culture called Ferosh Wear.
Studded with rhinestones, these
higher-end shirts will be geared
toward the gay market. “I think that
what I try to do is have my hands
in a lot of different projects. I don’t
think if you’re a DJ nowadays, you
can just count on that being your
main source of work. I think that
you have to do other things and
continue to grow creatively.”
You can learn more about Tracy on
her website djtracyyoung.com, buy
her newest releases on ferosh.com,
and find out about her upcoming
clothing line on feroshwear.com.
35
5
South Florida has been a gay travel mecca for decades. Miami, an oasis
of European design and jet-setting sophistication, and Fort Lauderdale, a
bustling residential homo haven, are still the ultimate queer sister cities.
Whether it’s White Party, Winter Party, or just the need to escape from
the ordinary, South Florida still brings the heat.
36
MIAMI
WHERE TO STAY
Famed for sleek Art Deco refinement
and decadent sophistication,
Miami’s hotel scene is unrivaled for
its sheer spectacle.
The Setai
2001 Collins Avenue, Miami, FL
(305) 520-6000
setai.com
Hotel Victor
1144 Ocean Drive,
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 428-1234
hotelvictorsouthbeach.com
Shore Club
1901 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 695-3100
shoreclub.com
The Tides
1220 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 604-5070
tidessouthbeach.com
The Sagamore
1671 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 535-8088
sagamorehotel.com
Delano Hotel
1685 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 672-2000
delano-hotel.com
Mandarin Oriental
500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, FL
(305) 913-8288
mandarinoriental.com/miami
37
WHERE TO EAT
For those heading to Score later, this
Thai/sushi joint serves up reasonably
priced dishes in a laid-back outdoor
atmosphere. See and be seen on
Lincoln Road while nibbling on your
maguro.
11th Street Diner
1065 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 534-6373
This 24-hour diner staple continues
to feed the fabulous masses with
great fried chicken, perky coffee, and
sass to spare.
Front Porch Cafe
1418 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
(305) 531-8300
China Grill
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 534-2211
This is the place to be for Sunday
brunch with soothing ocean breezes
and the best service. Grab a
breakfast burrito on Ocean Drive to
cure your hangover in style.
Ultra-hip décor brings this New York
franchise to life for the tropical set,
with dramatic lighting that offsets
the chic Asian cuisine and sets the
mood for celebrity sighting.
Lime
1439 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL
(305) 532-5463
limefreshmexicangrill.com
Michy's
6927 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL
(305) 759-2001
Convenient, creative fresh-Mex
at affordable prices. Hip without
the attitude in a cute, laid-back
atmosphere.
Don’t let the neighborhood fool you,
this gem will thrill even the model set
with their half portions, impeccable
service, and rich Mediterranean
food.
Soyka
5582 NE 4th Court, Miami, FL
(305) 759-3117
soykacafe.com
World Resources
719 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
(305) 535-8987
S o u t h B e a c h ’s m o s t b e l o v e d
restaurateur Mark Soyka serves
up continental cuisine and creates
38
the sophisticated design elements
and flawlessly fruity cocktails in a
neon-lit lounge that evokes the best
that Miami has to offer.
another classic Miami eatery for
those in the know.
Aniamo
5600 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL
(305) 762-5751
andiamopizza.com
Karu Restaurant & Y Ultralounge
71 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL
(305) 403-7850
karu-y.com
No one goes to Miami for the pizza,
but Andiamo delights with classic
New York style brick oven pizza
served on light crispy crusts and the
freshest sauce.
Karu means “eating” in aborigine,
but this dual-concept 25,000 square
foot space is anything but simple.
Dine on exquisite alta cocina cuisine
at Karu, then lounge in ultra-style at
Y, where the ceilings and walls drip
with art and color.
WHERE TO DRINK
Twist
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 538-9478
twistsobe.com
WHERE TO DANCE
Score
727 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
(305) 535-1111
scorebar.net
Pick up a local trick at this infamous
watering hole while groping your
way through the sweaty dance floor
upstairs. Enjoy any one of the many
indoor/outdoor areas that provide a
different scene for every queen.
Surviving many generations of
nightlife while always retaining
its classic local charm, the newly
renovated Score is ready to take
its place as one of the best dance
venues in South Beach. A-list DJs like
Tracy Young turn it out on their new
sound system, and the expanded
dance floor gives the boys room to
work it.
Halo
1625 Michigan Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 534-8181
haloloungemiami.com
This sleek sister to the wildly popular
bar in DC promises to deliver all of
39
Space
34 NE 11th Street, Miami, FL
(305) 375-0001
clubspace.com
(305) 893-6211
mocanomi.org/warehouse.htm
This Design District extension of
the Museum of Contemporary Art
in North Miami is the perfect way to
spend an afternoon downtown.
This DJ haven is home to most of
the heavyweights that make Winter
M u s i c C o n f e re n c e a m u s t f o r
the international dance set. This
downtown Miami warehouse space
packs in a mixed crowd of beautiful
people from every sect of nightlife.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road,
Coral Gables, FL
(305) 667-1651
fairchildgarden.org
Click @ Dek23
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 674-1176
dek23.com
Get your bloom on in this lush
tropical preserve.
Biltmore Hotel
1200 Anastasia Avenue
Coral Gables, FL
(305) 445-1926
biltmorehotel.com
This new kid on the block hosted by
Elaine Lancaster is packing them in on
Sunday nights with the expert sounds
of T-Pro, Bill Kelly, and Kidd Madonny.
Sunday brunch reaches its natural
zenith here with sumptuous seafood,
breakfast classics and French
champagne, of course. Live music
and the Biltmore’s fabled dramatic
atmosphere make this an experience
not to be missed.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
The Standard
40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
(305) 673-1717
standardhotel.com
Haulover Beach
10800 Collins Avenue
Bal Habour, FL
The spa’s the thing at this decadent
escape from the hustle-bustle. Spend
all day pampering yourself before
grabbing a bite to eat at the Lido
Restaurant.
This beautiful clothing-optional
beach just north of Bal Harbour is
a great place to get rid of your tan
lines.
MOCA at Goldman Warehouse
404 NW 26th Street, Miami, FL
40
FORT
LAUDERDALE
WHERE TO DANCE
Coliseum
2520 S. Miami Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 832-0100
coliseumnightclub.com
operated sports bar has all of the
big screen action the gay sports
enthusiast needs to get excited
about sticks and balls.
Big props go to Coliseum for
maintaining the only all-gay
nightclub in South Florida. A
fun, frisky crowd makes this
unpretentious space the place to
be on a Saturday night.
Scandals
3073 NE 6th Avenue
Wilton Manors, FL
(954) 567-2432
scandalsfla.com
WHERE TO DRINK
Get your Brokeback fix at this
country-western joint and dig
your spurs into their pool tables,
hoedowns, and a big ol’ patio.
Georgie’s Alibi
2266 Wilton Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 565-2526
georgiesalibi.com
Ramrod
1508 NE 4th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 763-8219
ramrodbar.com
Everybody knows your name at
this gay version of Cheers, nestled
near the Gay-Mart in the gayest
strip mall in America. Enjoy their
infamous Long Island Iced Teas on
the patio, before making a lot of
new friends whose names you may
or may not remember.
They don’t call it Fort Leatherdale
for nothing at this classic Levi/
Leather/Uniform bar. Meet Mr.
Ramrod 2006 and say hello to the
caged hunk in the leather hood, or
become one yourself!
Sidelines Sports Bar
2031 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, FL
(954) 563-8001
sidelinessports.com
Rosie’s Bar and Grill
2449 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manor, FL
(954) 563-0123
rosiesbarandgrill.com
Like to pat guys on the ass after
the game? This gay owned and
41
Formerly Hamburger Mary’s, this
Lauderdale joint got a facelift but still
serves great burgers and cocktails to
the local boys.
WHERE TO STAY
The Grand Resort & Spa
539 North Birch Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 630-3000
grandresort.net
The Dunes Guest House
2835 Terramar Street,
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 568-6161
dunesguesthouse.com
This upscale gay resort with easy
access to the beach offers gay
couples great atmosphere and topnotch service.
A quaint and charming option near
the beach for a great value.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Pineapple Point
315 NE 16th Terrace
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 527-0094
pineapplepoint.com
Las Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL
lasolasboulevard.com
This street offers something for
everybody in the heart of Fort
Lauderdale. Boutiques, restaurants,
a farmer’s market, and sidewalk
cafes line the charming walk along
this bustling thoroughfare.
This Victoria Park guesthouse offers
award-winning service and a lush,
luxurious landscape within walking
distance to Las Olas Boulevard.
Villa Venice
2900 Terramar Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 564-7855
villavenice.com
The Club
110 NW 5th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 525-3344
theclubs.com/ftlauderdale
Enjoy the clothing-optional waterfallfed pool or the twenty-man Roman
spa at this lovely guesthouse.
No visit to Fort Lauderdale is
complete without a trip to this luxe
42
so grab a pager and have a drink at
Rosie’s or Georgie’s before enjoying
a wide selection of Thai or Japanese
dishes.
Carlos & Pepe’s
1302 SE 17th Street,
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 467-7192
bathhouse. Grab a white towel at
the door and enjoy the wide range
of amenities such as the outdoor
pool, jacuzzi, steam room, fullservice gym, or spend some time
with a new friend in any of the
private rooms.
Make a run for the border and
don’t forget your green card while
enjoying muy delicioso Mexican
food such as the amazing tuna dip
and the sour cream chicken nachos.
Tequila Sunrise Mexican Cafe
4711 North Dixie Highway
Oakland Park, FL
(954) 938-4473
tequilasunrise.us
Bal Harbour Shops
Bal Harbour, FL
balharbourshops.com
The best upscale luxury shopping
in South Florida, Bal Harbour’s
shopping district is perfectly
situated between Miami and Fort
Lauderdale. Prada, Gucci, Cartier,
Marc Jacobs, D&G, and Louis
Vuitton, just to name a few. Bring
your black card.
If the wait is too long at Carlos &
Pepe’s, head over to Tequila Sunrise
and enjoy their large selection of
margaritas before digging into the
fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine.
Mango’s Restaurant and Lounge
904 East Las Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 523-5001
mangosonlasolas.com
WHERE TO EAT
Galanga Thai Kitchen & Sushi
2389 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, FL
(954) 202-0000
A popular choice while shopping
on Las Olas, enjoy live music and
a dolphin sandwich (the fish, not
Flipper) on the well-positioned
outdoor patio.
Galanga is known for having some
of the best food in this gayborhood,
43
EVENTS
WINTER PARTY
winterparty.org
Presented by the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force in late February,
this weeklong festival culminates
in The Beach Party, and raises
money and awareness for the LGBT
community of South Florida. Pool
parties and cultural events abound
for gays of all ages.
WHITE PARTY
whiteparty.org
The crown jewel of the Circuit and
of White Party Week, this event
was started by Frank Wager and a
group of organizers in 1985 to raise
much-needed money to combat
the growing AIDS crisis. Hosted in
late November at Vizcaya, a 16th
century Italian Renaissance-style
villa, this sumptuous setting is the
perfect backdrop for a sea of boys
wearing white and partying for their
community.
WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE
wmcon.com
Now in its third decade, this
internationally-known music festival
brings in top DJ talent from over
60 countries and across the musical
spectrum. Occurring in March
right after Winter Party, Miami is
flooded for a week with events that
draw both gay and straight dance
aficionados from all over the world.
WHERE TO CLICK
For just about everything
and anything hip, happening
and hot in South Florida:
www.jumponmarkslist.com.
Photos Courtesy of www.moodypics.com
44
Promoter
Spotlight
Hilton
Wolman
How did you get your start
promoting?
As Advertising and Promotions
Manager for a major European
car manufacturer, I had been
responsible for new model
launches to dealers, the press, and
the public. We would constantly try
to come up with spectacular ideas
that would blow the attendees
away, be it by taking over a
conference center, hotel or resort,
or even chartering an entire ship.
That experience served me well
when I moved to South Florida
and got involved in producing and
promoting parties.
What are some of the highlights of
your career?
Working with Abel every Saturday
night at Salvation and watching him
become one of the most beloved
Circuit DJs; witnessing the meteoric
rise to fame of other wonderful
DJs that I worked with like
Manny Lehman and Tony Moran;
producing over a dozen parties
for White Party and Winter Party;
and accidentally pioneering the
party when the laws in
daytime Sunday p
forced the after-hours clubs
South Beach force
to close at 9 a.m. Church (at Salvation)
on Sunday morning became incredibly
successful, as did the Monday morning
parties we added to the major party
weekends. After Salvation I produced
Orbit at Space and was also involved
with events at Crobar and Coliseum; and
while Twilo Miami has come and gone,
we certainly had some amazing nights
there.
Salvation in Miami was one of the
most legendary clubs in history and
you were intimately involved during its
heyday. What are some of your favorite
memories? Can you tell us a little about
your annual “Salvation Reunion Party”?
Saturday nights at Salvation ran so
smoothly that I was able to spend most
of the night on the dance floor, meeting
people and having a great time. I think
that part of my success as a promoter
stems from the fact that I was out there in
the middle of it all, and I could see what
worked and what didn’t. I remember
when we were the first club in Miami to
do liquid nitrogen blasts, hand out icelollies, or have Power lowered from the
ceiling to perform a show. People would
46
6
come back each and every week
to see what we did at midnight to
open the main room. It wasn’t easy
coming up with something different
fifty-two weeks a year!
I made so many lasting friendships
at Salvation. It was on the dance
floor there that I met my good
friends and the promoters I most
admire, Ric Sena and Mark Baker.
I also got to work with so many
talents – performers like Power,
Kitty Meow, Circuit Mom, and RKM
as well as numerous DJs who have
gone on to become good friends
rather than just business associates.
The Salvation Reunion Party began
at one of my birthday parties and
it has become an annual event.
Abel always spins and Power always
performs. It’s a great mix of the old
and the new, where Abel hauls out
the classic hits from the Salvation
days, but mixes them in with current
favorites so that it doesn’t feel like
a night stuck in the past. But it is a
party that usually brings out many
people who don’t go to parties any
more. Next year we are also hoping
to take it to a few cities outside
the South Florida area. I think
that people will really enjoy the
experience, especially those who
actually attended a Salvation event.
In addition to Salvation, Miami has
been home to such mega clubs as
1235, Liquid, Crobar, and the list goes
on. However, the landscape of South
Florida nightlife has changed as all
of these clubs, as well as the newlyincarnated Twilo in Miami, have closed.
What insight can you give us as to the
changes happening in South Florida?
A few years ago Miami could support
three megaclubs being open on three
consecutive nights – Level on Friday,
Salvation on Saturday, and Crobar on
Sunday. But the trend has been to
the smaller venues, with lounge type
atmospheres. Score on Lincoln Road is
always busy and the newly opened Halo
is another example of the more intimate
venues that have become popular. For
a while, many of us blamed the internet
and the hookup sites for the decline in
attendance at the large clubs. You no
longer needed to go out to a club to
meet someone – you could go online
and “order in”. Miami Beach also saw a
decline in the gay population as people
moved away because the nightlife was
no longer the draw it once was. And
the gay tourist doesn’t travel down as
often because these days many of the
DJs that once only spun in Miami, New
York, or LA can be found at the local bar
or club.
47
7
But the pendulum seems to be
swinging back. People seem to
miss the social aspects of a night
out dancing, and most of the local
clubs are reporting an increase in
attendance. I also think that with
the closure of Twilo many people
in South Florida realized that if they
didn’t support their local venues on
a regular basis, they stood a chance
of losing their “playground”.
Tell us about your monthly parties
you’re throwing at Coliseum in
Fort Lauderdale with Gary Santis.
The scene in South Florida has
definitely moved from Miami to
Fort Lauderdale. Gary already had a
successful Saturday night party, but he
invited me to collaborate with him on a
new monthly event that would hopefully
add something exciting to the formula.
By combining forces we’ve managed
to boost attendance figures – and
production values – to levels that hadn’t
been achieved locally in several years.
But we are not giving up on Miami. I’m
still working on several exciting projects
in the Miami area, just not on a weekly
basis.
Last January, you presented “Freedom
- The Official Sail-Away Party for the
Largest Gay Cruise in History” before
the Atlantis cruise. Can you tell us
48
about that as well as what you have
planned for the upcoming Atlantis
cruise next January?
Actually we began doing the Atlantis
Sail-Away party back at Salvation,
but as the ships have grown bigger
and bigger each year, so has the
size of the party. Two years ago for
the Navigator cruise we had Manny,
Tony, and Abel all spinning on one
night, and for Freedom, Warren
Gluck teamed up with Abel. In 2008
and the Liberty cruise, I am hoping
to expand the concept from simply
a dance party to a night that offers
all sorts of possibilities because of
the spectacular new $25 million
venue that we will be using. Not
only is there an amazing indoor
and outdoor space for the dance
party, but we also have adjoining
restaurants and bars that will
allow those patrons who are not
interested in the dancing to still
participate in the night. Kind of like
what happens onboard the ship,
where you can choose from a piano
bar, restaurant, or the main dance
event – something for all tastes.
major events each year. The successful
promoters are the ones who don’t cut
back on their production values because
there might be a decline in attendance.
They just adapt accordingly. Gay
nightlife will continue. I remember being
warned that, with greater mainstream
acceptance, the younger generation
would be more inclined to party with
their straight friends at straight(er)
venues. My son, who is also gay and
in his early twenties, did that for a
while, but these days he and his friends
are supporting the local gay bars and
clubs on a regular basis. Promoters are
reaching out to the younger crowd by
incorporating different styles of music,
different entertainment, and different
pricing strategies. I think it is working
and I’m thrilled to see that with each
party I do, there are more and more
people I don’t recognize! Or is that
just a sign that at my age the memory
begins to fade?
What do you think the future holds
for gay nightlife in general?
People are not traveling to as
many parties as they once did.
But they are still traveling – doing
the cruises and picking one or two
49
9
Jason Walker Flexes
To the unsuspecting listener, a
Jason Walker track can be a surreal
experience. There is no way a
voice that big, that…soulful could
possibly come out of a skinny white
boy from Pittsburgh, right? But like
the title track of his new album
proclaims: he’s gay, he’s straight,
he’s black, and he’s white. Raised
on a steady diet of legendary soul
and R&B divas, Walker’s
voice is a rare marvel
that is tempting to
shrug off as a gimmick.
But closer listening
reveals a vocal quality
that is uniquely his
own. He has no desire
to be anything but
himself on stage. And he’s well on
his way to proving to the world
that it should be taking this major
talent pretty seriously. Signed on
the Junior Vasquez label JVM with
a three album contract that opened
with This Is My Life, his second
release, Flexible, hits stores and
iTunes in August.
Jason Walker has had a charmed
career. Soon after moving to New
York from Pittsburgh in 1998, his
unique talent got him recognized
rather quickly after a recording of a
track called “My Life” made its way
to Junior’s ear
ears, and the rest is clubland
history. He has no formal vocal training,
but Jason has been preparing for this
role all his life, singing from an early
age anywhere he could find a mic – at
church, in school productions, and at
every talent show he could find. The
audience keeps getting bigger and
bigger, but he’s taking it all in stride and
continues to just sing his heart out.
Flexible is a remarkable
sophomore effort, more of
an album than a collection of
singles, with a healthy crosssection of musical styles
written and produced by
major talents like Vasquez,
Quentin Harris, and “Kiss
The Rain” platinum recording artist Billie
Myers. Standout tracks include covers
of “Can’t Stop” and “This Time Baby”
as well as original material like “Take
Me Back” and Chico’s epic remix of
“Believe” that finishes the album.
About this second album, Walker told
noiZe, “We wanted to do something
a little different. Some songs are very
reminiscent of the first one; we didn’t
want to totally depart from that style
of dance music, but we also wanted
to go a few other places, and I think
we succeeded with that.” The range of
52
styles swings from
dance to soul and
R&B, and works to
create a cohesive
a l b u m . “ I d o n ’t
consider myself
to be just a dance
artist; I’m a singer,”
Jason states. “I
love dance music.
I never want to
stop singing dance
music. But I also
want to sing some
other things. We
wanted to go a little
bit…how do I say
it? We wanted to
show how flexible I
was! I’m really happy with it.”
Asked about the material on this
album, Walker told us that it was a
very collaborative experience this
time around. “Because This Is My
Life took so long to come out, they
had a pretty strict timeline to go by
and I didn’t get to write as much as
I wanted to. But I will say that the
songs that are on there really do
reflect what was going on with me.
‘Foolish Lover’ is one of my favorite
song
songs on the record. It came at
a really good time because I was
oing th
going
through an awful breakup.”
eaking up is never easy, but it can
Breaking
often lea
lead to some great music.
Pro
uctio for
orr Walker’s
W
Walker’s
Wa
’s th
rd JVM
M
Production
third
a
m is du
art some
time later
album
due to star
start
sometime
his fall, after
err which
whic his options
opttions are
this
flexible. He loves working with Quentin
Harris. “I would love to do a full-length
with Quentin; he’s amazing to work with
in the studio. To vibe off of each other
is really great. He gets in the zone; I get
in the zone. I would also really like to
work with Monique Bingham.” Bingham
is a vocal powerhouse who worked
with Harris most recently on the track
“Bluntly Speaking” on Colton Ford’s
album Tug Of War.
igh now, Jason is focused on this
Right
lb
album’s
release and the first single,
“I Can’
ff My Mind,”
,” w
Can’t Get You Off
with
a vi
video d
t, who
w
directed by Karl Giant,
ecently m
iss deb
but wit
he
e
recently
made his
debut
with the
a m a z i n g v i d e o f o r U l t r a N a t é ’s
“Automa
Autom ticc. The
T
here s certainly
ta
ainly m
mo
re to
“Automatic.”
There’s
more
come
ome ffro
from
m this
th
this energetic
energe talent
alent
n who
wh
w
ho will
wi
w
contin
e to
to flex his vocal
v al mu
usclless for
uscle
forr an
continue
muscles
ever-growing
wing audienc
audience.
53
SANTIAGO INFANTINO
HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
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But occasionally, you meet someone that defies
those stereotypes, finding a voice for his work
with a swagger and confidence that translates
into something quite moving.
Santiago Infantino is such an artist. With no
formal training, he has transformed himself
into a visual artist that defies boundaries
and expectations. A self-portraitist of the
modern condition, his images leap into your
consciousness with both power and grace. He
explores the classic duality of good and evil,
with a playful nod to the subtleties that lie in
between and the contradictions inherent within
our cultures and ourselves.
Born in Argentina, Santiago grew up surrounded
by the Catholic religious iconography that
informs everyday life in South America. In 2000,
Santiago’s restless soul took him to Miami,
where he signed up for some English courses
and started his journey in America. “I couldn’t
make a sentence; you start from zero,” he told
us. A New York vacation two years later turned
into permanent residence, and he soon found
himself quickly learning the language of urban
life.
There was always a creative spark in Santiago. As
a little boy, he was constantly drawing, studying
the iconic images of Marilyn Monroe that hung
in his bedroom and obsessing over Madonna
and her dramatic artistic transformations.
Later, he loved to take photographs, make
illustrations and alter his own clothing. “I just
felt the need to explore everything. Expressing
56
57
my individuality – you feel like you have
something to offer. I feel fascinated
about transforming myself, like
Madonna, David Bowie, and Kate Bush.
They are heroes.”
Once in New York, Santiago began to
feel restless again, and he wanted to
reinvent himself as an artist in order to
both survive and stay sane. “Everything
was messed up; it wasn’t easy for me
– I never had a career, I’m in a foreign
country, I can’t study, what can I do?
You get to a point where you go crazy.
You feel like you have something that
you want to express. In the beginning
it wasn’t that good. It’s not easy.” He
began to combine and manipulate
images – of himself, his heroes, and the
conflict that he saw in both. Like many
artists before him, the city itself fed
his creative impulse. “I was in a great
city – New York. It’s inspiring. I think
New York is like the end of the world
– apocalyptic.” This sense of grandeur
and melancholy informs his work, like
the jarring juxtaposition of his own face
with that of Marilyn Monroe’s hair.
His most complex piece is probably
“Viral City”, an ominous urban vision
worthy of the city he calls home.
Santiago gets visibly excited when
discussing the symbolism of it. “Viral
City – that’s amazing! I love it. It’s
inspired by War of the Worlds. AIDS
has touched us all. We all have friends
58
or know somebody, and we all
know what they go through, and I
wanted to do something about it.”
What he did was create a powerful
collage of post-AIDS symbolism
that draws you into a universe that
is immediately recognizable and
alien at the same time. Santi, always
present in his own work, appears as
the hero, floating on an image of his
own penis, which also appears as
the enemy attacking the cityscape.
“Giant machines attacking the city.
Very phallic, but I don’t see them
as penises. In New York, people are
just so crazy about sex. To be in the
viral city, it’s really intense.” All of
us are both hero and villain in the
dramatic sexual landscape of urban
gay life, he seems to be saying.
“My work references classical
mythology as well as religious
iconography. I am influenced
by dynamic images of popular
culture.” To see these images
a s n o t h i n g m o re t h a n s e l f aggrandizing self-portraits misses
the point entirely. There is a form of
brutal self-examination here, where
heroism and villainy play off of one
another in the vivid self-contained
universe of Santiago’s imagination.
His official bio boldly declares,
“I have always desired to create
the ultimate superhero, one able
to combat the superficiality and
spiritual bankruptcy that permeates
society today.” But one is struck
not only by this sense of purpose,
but also by the unfailingly human
expression he gives his heroes. In
the fragile balance struck between
Santiago the hero and Santiago the
artist lies the true beauty of being
human.
Santiago Infantino’s work can
currently be seen on exhibit at the
Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual & Transgender
Community Center in New York
City until August 17th, or online at
santiagotheartist.com.
59
My love of nightclubs and house
music began back in 1986 in New
York City going to clubs such as
Pyramid, Tunnel, Mars, Limelight,
Save the Robots, and Sound
Factory. I grew up twelve miles
outside of NYC in a town called
Clifton, New Jersey. I started
taking an interest in music at the
age of thirteen. I would DJ for
my nephew’s birthday parties
and school dances using 45’s and
cassette tapes. When I started to
go out and hear DJs, that’s when
I knew for sure I wanted to work
in the nightclub scene. At the age
of eighteen, a good friend gave
me two cheap-ass turntables and
a mixer (but honey, they were
like gold to me) and I tried to mix
records, but for the life of me I
could not learn how to mix. So I
put the turntables in the back of
the closet and decided to go to
Parsons School of Design after
graduation instead. But I always
had those turntables in the back of
my mind.
When I was twenty-four, I decided
to pack it all up and head down
to another one of my favorite club
spots – Miami Beach. That’s when
the real fun started. I was young,
free, and single. Then I met my
partner David, and we’ve been
together to this day (God bless
him). I got a job working at the
Regis hair salon in Fort Lauderdale,
and also as a barback at Club
Electra. My passion to be in the
nightclub business started to grow.
I saw Kitty Meow, Damian Dee
Vine, Maddy Maddness, Sunny
Dee, Velveeta Deluxe, and a few
other drag queens that completely
blew me away. I fell in love with
their style and knew for sure that
if I did drag that would be the kind I
wanted to do.
While working at Regis, I met India
Brooks who became my drag mama
later down the road. When I saw her,
I thought she was the most beautiful
tranny I had ever seen, and we clicked.
I remember when the salon closed, we
put the music up and did runway up and
down the salon. She said to me that I
should do drag. I had done a few shows
at a club in New Jersey called Feathers,
so I told her that I would get done up
and head on down to South Beach
with her. One night she had a show at
Amnesia nightclub and I took her up on
it. She had to do my makeup because I
had no clue how to do it myself. That is
when Connie Casserole was born.
I went crazy trying to come up with a
name until I remembered the movie
Boys In The Band. I heard that name
and thought it was catchy, and since I
was always a little husky it would suit me
perfectly. I remember driving with her
to Amnesia; it was an amazing space.
It was an open-air club and when you
were inside the space you could dance
underneath the stars. I met all the drag
queens that I would see in the fag rags
and in pictures around town. To me,
they were stars.
I tried to get bookings and break into
the club scene in Miami Beach, which
was very hard. It took months, and then
finally I got my big-ass foot in the door
(have you ever tried finding women’s
shoes in a size 14?) I started working
for Cafe Torino, sharing the stage with
Kitty Meow, Adora, Paloma, India
Brooks, Sexcilla Taffy, Violetta, Marvela,
and hearing the sounds of DJ Bugie
60
playing his cunty beats and bitch
tracks. That’s when I started getting
noticed. The promoter of Amnesia
was in the crowd one night and
asked me if I wanted to host the
club on Sunday nights, and honey
I jumped at that offer. I started
hosting at Hombre as well, which
was packed to the gills with boys.
I loved it. I started doing shows
and waiting tables in drag at Lucky
Cheng’s. But after a while, work
became harder for me to get, so I
was taking any little job just trying
to keep my face out there.
I took a job as a cigarette girl at
Liquid and Salvation on Saturday
and Sunday nights, as well as doing
the door at Warsaw Ballroom on
Wednesday nights. I heard Abel
at Salvation and he blew my mind
away with his music. I pestered
them every week to get a spot
working there. Then one day they
called me and asked if I would work
the door. I almost passed out. Part
of my dream was finally coming
true. Salvation – what can I say?
Those that were there remember
the fun we had; Kitty and Power
doing shows, turning it out
week after week.
get out of drag and go to Pump to hear
Eddie X. On any given night, the place
was packed, the walls were sweating,
the music was throbbing, and the K
and E were turning it. (Did I mention
I was getting into drugs?) Staying up
all night, partying all afternoon, going
home to shower and get into drag for
Amnesia’s T-dance, then going to Liquid
to hear JoJo Odyssey turn it out, and
leaving there to go to Pump to hear Kio
Kio. Victor Calderone started playing
at Liquid, and let me tell you, he was
amazing. Life in South Beach was just
party after party – there was Level (the
old 1235 and Glam Slam space), Crobar
(the old Cameo space), Twist, and Score
(the old Kremlin space). I worked my
three nights a week and had seven
nights to party and live it up.
My dream was still to become a DJ,
though. At the time, my partner David
and a very good friend of mine named
Taylor (the manager of Warsaw) kept
pushing me to follow my
dream and try my
hand at DJing.
Another friend
of mine made
Then came the party favors.
Working the door I was like a
kid in a candy store. I would
come home from work
at 5:30 or 6:00 in the
morning just to
6
61
it possible by buying turntables for
me. I started practicing, but not as
much as I should have. Too busy
dipping my hands into my purse,
if you know what I mean! I finally
got the opportunity to showcase
myself at Twist one Valentine’s Day.
I started playing there occasionally
on Mondays as a guest DJ and then
a spot opened up on Wednesday
nights that they offered to me. A
few months later, Score asked me
if I wanted to do their Thursday
nights.
Finally I got my chance to spin at
Salvation, the mother of all clubs. I
was honored and scared shitless at
the same time. But I did it – I made
it through the night. I was on top
of the world, and I thought I was
unstoppable. But then Tina came
into my life. She kept me up, going
from party to party, after-hours to
after-hours, house party to house
party. I had dabbled a few times
before that, but I never thought she
was going to do what she did to
me. The more I played with her, the
more things started to go downhill.
A big downward spiral. Oh, she
lifted me up, but honey where she
dropped me I didn’t really like.
Little by little, I started to lose
everything. Jobs wouldn’t come so
easy anymore, and then I started to
lose the jobs I did have in Miami. I
would still get gigs here and there
out of town, but that put me into a
deep depression because I loved
Miami. Then I turned to food and
Tina at the same time. What’s funny
is that I had never seen anyone
gain weight on the bitch, but with
my luck I did. It became out of
control. I just didn’t care anymore. I
had become everything that I didn’t
want to be – a fat, bitter queen.
The more angry and negative I
became, the more the world fell
apart around me. I was losing
everything that I had worked so
hard to gain until one day I had no
jobs and couldn’t find work to save
my life. The more this happened
the higher and fatter I got.
Then one day I heard from my aunt in
New Jersey that my uncle had passed
on. I went there to spend time with
her, and the trip made me realize that I
needed to go back to Miami, pack up
my stuff, my partner, my dog and cat
(my children), and move back to New
York to regroup. I needed to get clean
and find myself. When I moved back it
was very hard; I was still in a very bad
place. When I did go out I was tempted
to use again, and I fell off that wagon
many times. My partner finally said that
if I didn’t stop using, he was going to
go back to Florida, and honestly I think
that would have put me over the edge.
I needed to make a very important
decision with my life – keep using, or
be single and God knows what, maybe
even dead.
So I had to pick up the broken pieces
of my life and try to make the best
of it. I got a job at a pharmacy doing
the accounting. I was so bitter, but I
knew I needed to change my life and I
promised myself I would do it one step
at a time. First the drugs, and then my
weight. I have been back in New York
City for two and a half years now, and
I’m finally getting my life back on track.
I have been clean for over two years and
have lost 110 pounds. I’ve started going
to clubs again doing what I love to do –
living life and loving music.
I had some amazing times in Miami
Beach. I met so many wonderful people;
it was like we were a family. Yeah, we had
our share of fighting and drama, but we
were always there for one another and
watched each others’ backs. But in the
end, after Tina showed up I saw a lot of
shit go down. People changed, including
myself, and I went down a road that I
didn’t really intend on traveling. But hey,
shit happens and people make mistakes.
No one is perfect, and I can tell you that
I learned from my bad choices and it
makes you become a better person. All
in all, I got some really funny stories to
tell from all the madness. Keep it real
and stay true to yourself.
Love, Peace, and Tribal Music
62
Wanted:
boyz!
Seeking fun, energetic guys from all over the world to
represent the noiZe lifestyle. Do you love to go out and
have a good time? We’re looking for guys who know where
the best parties are, who to bring with
them, and when the party’s over. A
boy who celebrates his sexuality,
explores his world
w i t h
enthusiasm, and
lives
life to the fullest.
Perks include
being the first
in town to
receive noiZe,
admission to
selected events,
and worldwide
exposure within
these pages.
sharing
Duties include
copies with friends and taking
pictures of cute boys at fierce
parties. Outstanding noiZe boyz may
be rewarded with prize giveaways.
If you think you have what it takes,
let us know! To apply, send an
email with a picture attached to
noizeboy@noizemag.com and tell
us why you should be a noiZe boy.
All types of guys are encouraged
to apply!
Celebrate.
Explore. Live.
66
MUSIC REVIEWS
byy Jamie Nicholes
oles
WARM UP
The World As I See It
Dennis Ferrer
King Street Sounds
Screw drugs. Ditch the fake sexy attitude. The
mothership has landed. It’s time to get real. This is
purist house.
Dennis Ferrer presents house music as an underground
culture separate from the rules and conventions of
the rest of the world, where a 4/4 beat is as commonplace as the soil beneath
your feet and organic instrumentation and African percussion intertwine to
create fertile landscapes on the polished dance floor. The atmospheres span
from aggressive to dreamy, feeding intentions of mandated salvation, deflated
romance, starry-eyed love, and the belief that “one man can change the world.”
Aside from Mia Tuttavilla on “Touched The Sky,” all vocals throughout are
refreshingly male including Tyrone Ellis, K.T. Brooks, Selan, and Danil Wright on
the disc’s initial single “Church Lady.”
Ferrer’s distinctive tracks have been included in innumerable compilations framing
disparate genres ranging from big-room tribal to sunny, sandy Ibiza anthems,
and has contributed remixes for names like Blaze, Fish Go Deep, Copyright, and
Junior Jack.
HANDS UP
Forever Tel Aviv
Offer Nissim
IMP Records
Here and now, I am nominating Offer Nissim’s Forever
Tel Aviv for Best Compilation Ever. Ever. Offer Nissim
is one of the most visionary DJ/producers to come
along in the last decade. Combining Middle Eastern
musical influences and an intense flare for editing
and manipulating vocals, Nissim’s sound envelopes
listeners in a reality as separate and extreme as what
Junior Vasquez first presented to clubgoers in the
1980s. Nissim strives far beyond playing music you
can dance to and produces such a concentrated
alternate sonic atmosphere that sitting and listening
almost seems more appropriate.
This two-disc set was released only in Israel but special arrangements have
allowed a limited number to be imported into America and made available to
select retailers. The set combines Nissim’s own tracks and remixes with works by
a number of others, and includes private Offer Nissim remixes of Beyoncé’s “One
Night Only” and “Déjà Vu,” Kristine W’s “Be Alright,” Donna Summer’s “Power of
Love,” Christina Aguilera’s “Hurt,” and Angie Stone’s “Wish I Didn’t Miss You.”
64
4
Open Your Box
STAY UP
Ono
Astralwerks
This album frames such a unique phenomena. Not
since Everything But The Girl post-“Missing” has
an artist with this level of integrity embraced such
a dramatic makeover of their sound. Starting with
“Yang Yang” back in October of 2002, Ono publicly
dove into the world of club music and Circuit parties
with remixes by Peter Rauhofer and Orange Factory.
A string of singles followed employing the skills
of John Creamer & Stephane K, Pet Shop Boys,
Danny Tenaglia, Felix Da Housecat, Rui Da Silva,
Basement Jaxx, Murk, Dave Audé, Ralphi Rosario,
Superchumbo, and The Passengerz, among others. The product is the most
after-hours appropriate material ever – Yoko blaring her crazy-ass sentiments,
sounds, and imagery, mostly without musical conventions, over productions by
the best of the best.
All that experimentation has been collected onto this single disc containing
thirteen tracks, mostly edited but not brutalized, of the best of the lot, including
the formerly vinyl-only tracks “Kiss Kiss Kiss” (Superchumbo Remix), “Hell In
Paradise” (Peter Rauhofer Remix), and the Orange Factory mix of the title track.
Other highlights include the Basement Jaxx mix of pro-same-sex relationship
anthem “Everyman… Everywoman…,” the Pet Shop Boys’ eerie remake of
“Walking On Thin Ice,” and Bimbo Jones’s smooth interpretation of the jittery
love song “You’re The One.”
Out Of The Woods
LEGS UP
Tracey Thorn
Virgin Records
Out Of The Woods began as Tracey’s autobiography
of her life in bands and essentially who she was prior
to motherhood. While researching for the book she
was reminded, “You still are this person.” Tracey
abandoned the book and set out to reclaim herself
and she began writing and collaborating and Out Of
The Woods developed into the intricate composition
that it is.
The lineage of Out Of The Woods is more direct to
her last solo recording, 1982’s A Distant Shore, than it
is to EBTG’s final 1999 album Temperamental. The emphasis of the songwriting is
the delicate, pensive contents of Tracey’s head, mulling over details and analyzing
events, instead of the more conventional, pop-formatted structure of EBTG hits.
The only direct link to EBTG is the now organic relationship between Tracey’s
voice and electronic production, provided on Woods through collaborations with
renowned electronica producers Ewan Pearson, Tom Gandey (Cagedbaby), Martin
Wheeler (Vector Lovers), and Alex Santos.
Thematically, Tracey dissects marriage, her role as mother, creeping depression,
gay teens being bullied at school, and innocent burgeoning sexuality. One of
the album’s only two true dance tracks, “Grand Canyon,” can be interpreted as
one of the most affirming gay “home in clubland” anthems ever, employing the
incredible hook “Everybody loves you here.”
65
65
by Jamie Nicholes
Starting Rock feat. Diva Avari:
Don’t Go
Locktown feat. Alexandra Prince:
Alive
This is like diva to the diva power.
Covers are usually a mixed bag
– sometimes they’re amazing,
presenting an entirely new take
on an old favorite; other times
butchering something otherwise
cherished. Starting Rock’s version of
Yazoo’s “Don’t Go” isn’t particularly
unique to the original, it’s practically
indistinguishable, but the attentiongrabbing power of this track is the
vocals and where they’re coming
from. Diva Avari is a timeless gay
diva – a large, black woman with
an enormous voice and an obvious
appreciation for camp appeal and
the ability to laugh at herself. The
video (included) says it all.
In the same “sun and fun” style that
has made Hed Kandi and Fierce Angel
such successes, Locktown creates this
energetic Ibiza-flavored track, with
English/Portuguese lyrics by Alexandra
Prince, that makes you feel, well… alive.
On the original mix, the beat builds for
thirty seconds, falls out, and Alexandra
commands, “Drop it!” The beat
continues, taunt guitars surround the
bass, a circling Portuguese hook fades
in followed by low strings and violins,
the beat falls out again, and Alexandra
seizes her chance and owns the
breakdown. Shining horns fade in, live
percussion punctuates, and Alexandra
orders, “Don’t waste your time / Please
come back in my life / Ai papi give us
another try”. Um, yeah, good stuff. Run,
don’t walk, for this one.
66
Offer Nissim feat. Maya:
For Your Love
Tony Moran feat. Kristine W:
Walk Away
Offer Nissim still seems to be the
Nicole Kidman of house music, and
has yet to do a truly bad anything
thus. “For Your Love” covers all the
same territory his and Maya’s other
singles do – longing, heartbreak,
obsessive loving, desperation –
and does so with all the beauty
o f O ff e r ’s s i g n a t u re d e n s e ,
atmospheric sound. The lyrics
are kept to a minimum, but used
constantly as a repeating pattern:
“For your love, I would do anything
/ Closer to my heart / All over, but
never apart / I lost you, will I ever
have you back / I loved you, will I
ever you again”. As for the remixes,
these suffer (as they always do)
from the non-problematic condition
of Offer’s original mix being just too
good to allow for any competitive
reinterpretation. None are bad by
any means, but none seem to dress
and accessorize Maya’s pipes with
quite the same effectiveness as
their native presentation. Where
snaps are warranted is the range
of remixers and styles that were
applied to this track, with special
attention to the totally unexpected
(and most successful of the bunch)
sweeping trance mix by Manolo
& Gold. The remaining mixes go
in several different directions, but
are far more stripped and simple
than Manolo & Gold’s and the
original and thus leave Maya’s
vocals sounding somewhat naked
and unsupported. “For Your Love,”
while not breaking any new ground
thematically for Offer & Maya, is by
far one of the best big room house
tracks to come along in a while and
is certain to be a constant attendee
at any dance event for the entire
summer of 2007.
The rumor surrounding this one is that it
was conceived and written for Whitney
Houston’s crack ass, but in execution
was instead given to the lovely Kristine
W. And she nails it. Hard. Kristine’s been
doing anthems for years, but somehow
this one really seems to stretch her vocal
ability in a new direction and she does
an amazing job of filling out that space.
Tony’s production is nothing unique,
but it of course works just as well as it
always does to bring the dance floor to
life and compliments lasers, spot, and
strobe lights peerlessly. “Walk Away”
is a standard “fuck you die” breakup
anthem. But since the gays tend to
do this more than anyone else on the
planet, and we’re always looking for a
new way to glamorize that behavior, this
song fits just right. Try it on.
Idina Menzel:
Defying Gravity
If there’s been a true gay anthem in the
last five years, it’s this. Idina Menzel,
the original Elphaba from the London
and Broadway casts of Wicked, as well
as Maurine from the Broadway and film
versions of Rent, re-records this pop
version of the Wicked theme “Defying
67
Gravity” and releases it as a remix
EP with reinterpretations by Tracy
Young, Eddie Baez, Hani, Josh
Harris, Funky Junction, and Anthony
Reale. This disc is so gay it actually
“came out” of the jewel case on
its own. And what could be more
accessible to a gay audience than
a power vocalist like Idina belting
lyrics equating negative public
opinion, limiting expectations, and
internalized fears to “gravity,” and
encouraging all those in earshot to
defy it? And she even performed
this at White Party 2007 in Palm
Springs. From this moment forward,
no Pride compilation could ever be
complete without this track. Lap it
up.
Tracy and Ralphi opt for extended 11+
minute durations, building and breaking
the track repeatedly throughout,
creating dual ear masturbation aids that
work the crowd into a frenzy every time.
Reprise, if you’re reading this, just give
‘em what they want. And stand back,
cuz they’re gonna come running.
Liquid Sunshine:
He’d Never
Stevie Nicks:
Stand Back (remixes)
Don’t freak out yet, this one is still
promo-only and low-quality digital
on iTunes, but a full single release
is in negotiations, so we may get
to see the glittering light of day
off its reflective CD surface. Seems
Stevie got a taste of something she
liked recording the remix version of
“Dreams” with Deep Dish. Created
to promote the release of Stevie’s
new Crystal Visions “best of”
album, this re-sung and properly
remixed version of “Stand Back”
got a huge response following
its premiere at White Party and
had everyone in scramble trying
to figure out when and where this
would be dropped. Official promos
began circulating shortly thereafter
with mixes by Tracy Young, Ralphi
Rosario, and Morgan Page, but
additional mixes floating around the
internet also included rubs by Hani
and Dave Audé. And the product
is nothing short of amazing. Both
Liquid Sunshine, a new project powered
by Ian J. Nieman (half of the Widelife
team) and fronted a yet-to-be-named
vocalist, releases its first single “He’d
Never” that’s got everyone asking “Who
is this???” Think Tamia’s “Stranger In My
House” meets Widelife’s “I Don’t Want
U”. The song structure is very similar to
“I Don’t Want U”: one extended verse
and a chorus, repeated. The lyrics are
cleverly written from the perspective
of the vocalist’s moment of realization
of her man’s infidelity, telling the story
of a conversation she has with a friend
when she realizes that the man her
friend is gushing over is in fact her own.
Ian J. Nieman’s mixes are big-room,
tech-house anthems, formatted in radio
edit, full-length, and extremely vocal
dub versions and are by far the best of
the mixes. Hani contributes edit, full,
and dub versions of his interpretation
of the track, but they sound ultimately
lackluster in comparison. At present
time this is a digital-only single.
68
Samantha James:
Rise
Ultra Naté:
Automatic
“Rise” is one of my few private
pleasures whose ultimate potential
was realized by the world and
elevated to the level of clout
it deserved. “Rise” began the
summer season as Track 1 on
Hed Kandi’s Beach House 2006,
a gorgeous standout amidst the
other genre pieces included on
the sunny compilation that had
me forever starting the disc over
before its completion. Every mix
I made for the next few months
obligatorily contained “Rise” and it
officially became one of my “little
discoveries” no one else knew
about and had me feeling like I’d
happened upon a diamond mine in
my backyard. Months later, an Eric
Kupper remix of the track appeared
on a Tokyo Disco compilation and
I felt like a deep secret had been
exposed – someone else actually
felt as attached to the track as I did,
enough so to amplify via remix and
further circulate it. A two-part digital
single soon followed, the Billboard
Dance chart had it sitting proudly
at #1, and Samantha James’s
full-length album is soon to be
released. See, sometimes dreams
do come true, even the ones you’ve
never even voiced. And I’m sure
Samantha’s thrilled, too.
“Automatic” is the little Billboard #1
that wasn’t. Ultra’s cover of the Pointer
Sisters’ original hits like an 18-wheeler
through a concrete wall. It quickly
climbed to the top of the Dance Chart,
was promoted by multiple nightclub
performances and an S&M-themed,
homoerotic “laptop jack-off” video that
has Ultra wearing a bullwhip ponytail and
is completed with a living blow-up doll,
but remained commercially unavailable
as a single. Even though the track was
present on the Grime, Silk, and Thunder
full-length, clubgoers were clawing at
the DJ booth for the remixes they were
hearing out and had to settle for the
crappy quality iTunes digital release.
Now via special arrangement with
Tommy Boy Records, PerfectBeat.com
is exclusively carrying the limited edition
CD-pressing of the 11-track Automatic
EP, including the extended original,
nine extended remixes, and the reggaeflavored radio mix. Stock is finite, so
jump on this one.
69
Summer
Photo
Album
Check out noiZe's Online Photo Gallery
www.noizemag.com
Send any photo as a free postcard to your friends.
Photo: David Schwep
Event: Wonderland - LA Pride
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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7
0
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Johnny Chisholm's
Colosseum Party
Gay Days @ Disney
Orlando, FL
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73
74
IndepenDANCE
Fire Island
NY
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76
77
Wonderland
LA Pride
78
Colossus
San Francisco
Pride
79
80
Prism
Toronto Pride
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Book Excerpt
DROP… DEAD:
THE DJ MURDERS
In this clever and witty whodunit, Tonne Serah takes
us on an exciting romp through the clubs and Circuit
parties of San Francisco and all the way to Manila and
back. Through the eyes of his adorable and charming
Filipino-American protagonist, Joey De Vera, we get
a unique glimpse into this crazy world of “sex, drugs,
designer jeans, and all-night dancing.” When not one but two DJs drop dead
at his feet on the dance floor of Klub Galaxy, San Francisco’s biggest queer
nightclub, Joey gets caught up in his own investigation to uncover the killers.
Inspired by Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City, Serah originally wrote Drop
... Dead one episode at a time, sending each installment out to an email list.
Although names (as well as song titles and lyrics) have been changed to protect
the innocent (or not-so-innocent), Serah says he based most of the story on real
people, places, and events — except for the murders, of course. And while Drop
... Dead pokes fun at Circuit boys and their foibles, it also makes some serious
points about the craziness of the war on drugs, the lessons of the AIDS epidemic,
and why we need harm reduction to promote health and safety at our parties and
clubs.
That’s how it came to pass that at 3:16 a.m., Joey was dancing by
himself.
Then it happened. Just like he dreamed it would.
Out of the mists appeared a truly fabu white boy with blond hair
and a big white smile. Joey smiled back. Without a word their hips
came together and started writhing in perfect time to the beats of
“Beautiful Stranger.”
Was this perfect or what? Then the white boy leaned over and said
the most awesome thing in Joey’s ear.
–Don’t you hate this mix?
–I know, it just doesn’t go anywhere.
–Exactly.
Little did the white boy know, but he had just completed Episode
1 of Joey’s personal version of “Survivor”: critical knowledge of
Madonna’s remixes.
I looked into your heart / And my world came crumbling down.
Joey looked into his eyes. His heart skipped a beat. They were blue.
Not too blue, as in “Helliou I have blue eyes, I’m king of the white
boyz.” But dusty blue. Like the sky in LA. Like those faded denim
jeans by G-star.
82
You might be bad for me / I have a yen for danger.
Madonna was so awesome.
What was he wearing, by the way?
Faded Levi’s denims and pair of well-worn Nikes. Like he didn’t
care. But he did care. Joey could tell.
So far so good. But could he survive Episode 2 and the live worms?
–So what’s your name?
–Michael.
Oh my gawd! Joey tried to act cool – but this was sooo awesome since
Michael was his favorite name. He decided to skip the next three
tests and go right on to Episode 6: The First Kiss.
As his tongue went spelunking in Michael’s mouth, Joey lost track
of time… “Michael’s mouth”… Just those words made him feel gooey
inside.
Finally they pulled apart with a distinct sucking sound and gazed
into each other’s eyes.
–Want some g?
–Sure!
–It’s in the water bottle.
Joey was so distracted he almost stuck the bottle in his nose and
tried to take a bump.
–So where’s your boyfriend?
This was the standard opening line in any negotiation for dance
floor intimacy at the Galaxy, a.k.a., the Palace of Adultery.
–We broke up. Yours?
Joey answered with another
tongue swirling kiss.
–So… do you
Filipinos?
date
a
lot
of
–Filipino? Gee, I thought you
were… Italian.
Ca-ching!
queen.
He’s
not
a
rice
Well I’m sure you can see
where this is going. The g
kicked in and our boyz had
their hands down each others’
pants lickity-split. Joey’s usual standards called for a discrete
trip to the car at this point, but it was too damn cold outside
and he was hard right now. So after exchanging the requisite number
83
of niceties – “You’re
cute,” “I like your
chest,” “Live here?”
etc., etc. – Joey
decided to let Michael
do something he never
let anybody do before.
Actually,
it
was
already happening.
Michael was on his
knees and his tongue
was working its way
past Joey’s zipper,
through the fly of his
DKNY boxer briefs and
toward his hard dick.
It seemed like the perfect moment. His friends were gone. The coast
was clear. Joey rolled his eyes upward like white boyz do in Falcon
videos.
Meanwhile, up in the dj booth twenty feet above the dance floor,
a hand flipped a switch on a board filled with switches, and the
spinning lantern began its nightly descent.
Joey could tell something was wrong right away. The lantern was
spinning slower than usual, and it was lopsided. Already, its garish
rainbow beams were blinding everyone on the dance floor. But Joey,
standing directly beneath it, was immune from its baleful rays. And
that’s why he saw something no one else could see.
A body was flopped over the contraption, with the head hanging over
the side, facing Joey upside down.
Or was it another one of the klub’s goofy stage shows? Just three
weeks ago they had acrobats swinging from the rafters in a cheesy
imitation of Cirque du Soleil.
Joey gasped. The body was dj Raven Hartless. Only it wasn’t a body,
not yet, cause the mouth was still moving, like he was trying to say
something, but the music was drowning him out.
Or was he just clenching his jaws ‘cause he was rolling?
Joey couldn’t quite figure it out. It looked like he was saying, “No…
just say no,” over and over.
Finally, Hartless rolled off the lantern and thumped onto the dance
floor, his swollen face resting on Joey’s Sketchers. His mouth wasn’t
moving anymore and his eyes were stuck open.
Joey groaned. Were dead people always this creepy?
Tonne Serah was co-founder of www.partysafe.org and the Queer Klub and Circuit
Party Outreach Project, a collaboration of DanceSafe and the Sisters of Perpetual
Indulgence. In 2002, he was named Saint Vera Severa in recognition of his efforts
to promote harm reduction in the party scene. He lives to dance in San Francisco.
84
45
FALL
EVENTS
2007
86
FALL EVENTS 2007
www.partyfinder.com
FIRE ISLAND
BLACK OUT
August 11, 2007
Fire Island Cherry Grove, NY
Since its inception in 2002, Fire Island Black Out (FIBO) has stayed true to its
mission: to encourage same gender loving (SGL) men and women of all colors
to converge on Cherry Grove (a section of Fire Island…gay-friendly, though
predominantly white, beach located off the Long Island shore) for a day in the
sun. The day begins (as all days should in paradise) at the beach. Have a picnic,
stroll, play sports, sweat and cool down in the crystal clear waters until the sun
sinks west and the FIBO Bump begins and continues on until 2am with New
York’s hottest DJs.
Info:
www.fireislandblackout.com
August 17-19, 2007
Fire Island Pines, NY
ASCENSION
Ascension RETURNS! This daytime
d
beach party is the newest happening on
Fire Island. Sun-drenched sa
sand, a cool ocean breeze, and scintillating music
will lift your
y
spirits.
p
(And tho
those gorgeous boys should lift other parts as well.)
Events include a VIP Cocktail Party, the Aqua pool party and a Saturday night
reception
p
celebration,, all fea
featuring world-renowned DJs and entertainers. The
main event is held on Sundayy amidst the stunning backdrop of one of the most
beautiful residential beach p
pro
properties in the world. A large dance floor, complete
create
on the sands of this world-famous destination.
with luxury
luxury cabanas,
cabana , is created
cre
Proceeds from Ascension ben
benefit the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and
The Fire Island Pines Foundati
Foundation.
Info:
www.ascensionparty.com
www.ascensionparty
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S
N
DREAM
August 17-19, 2007
Houston, Texas
Bel Ami superstar Lukas Ridgeston makes a rare appearance in the U.S.A. at
South Beach, located in the heart of Houston's Montrose area. This state-of-theart, premier club featuring a laser light system is unparalleled in the Southwest.
And just when you think it’s too hot to sway to one more beat, the liquid ice
jets will cool you and keep you charged for the long, hot (and I mean hot) night
ahead with the boyz of Houston.
Info:
www.southbeachthenightclub.com
LEATHER BALL WEEKEND
August 17-19, 2007
Toronto, Canada
If the smell of sweat and rawhide turn you on, then Toronto’s Leather Ball
Weekend is for you. Awarded the “Best Men’s Event of the Year” by Xtra!
magazine readers several times, Leather Ball XIII promises to be no exception.
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FALL EVENTS 2007
www.partyfinder.com
DJ Patrick Guay will keep your pulse racing and your riding crop busy. Leather
Ball dress code is strictly enforced, so listen up, boys: thong-chaps and black
studded dog collar, uh, yeah; white tank top, blue jeans and hurraches, not so
much. While in Toronto, be sure to check out world-famous Woody’s. Can you
say “friendly boys?” Yum.
Info:
www.mrlt.com | www.woodystoronto.com
ATLANTIS CRUISE
BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS
August 25 - Sept 2, 2007
Spain, Italy & Greek Isles
If you’ve never been on a gay cruise before, just think of it as a small floating city
that stops occasionally in exotic ports, whose residents are all like-minded souls,
ready to take full advantage of all the relaxing amenities of a luxury liner. It’ll be
one hot summer in 2007 with Atlantis’s newest and boldest all-gay Mediterranean
Cruise yet. From exciting Barcelona, Atlantis will explore more of Spain than ever,
including stunning Valencia and a full overnight in legendary Ibiza. Discover the
best of Italy with full days in Florence and Rome before heading east to the sunny
Greek isles. Seven spectacular adventures in eight unforgettable nights await you
on the most advanced ship sailing Europe.
Info:
www.atlantisevents.com
SOUTHERN DECADENCE
August 29 - Sept 3, 2007
New Orleans, Louisiana
When you think you're an experienced, well-traveled partier, with all your hardearned, world-weary ways and think you've seen it all, along comes Southern
Decadence to show you that you haven't even been looking at the right map.
Southern Decadence started thirty-five years ago as a simple going-away party.
As is so often the case with these things, the actual facts surrounding the party's
inception seem dubious. One can be reasonably certain of at least one thing
– one lovely autumn morning, in or around 1972, something happened, and
mayhem ensued. This occasion is now observed annually with more mayhem, a
parade, costumes, noisemakers, drinking, dancing, and the namesake decadence
in abundance everywhere (and right out in broad daylight!) One of the largest
annual celebrations in New Orleans, it has become known as the "Gay Mardi
Gras." People begin to arrive on the Wednesday before Labor Day, and generally
don't even think about stopping or going home until the following Tuesday.
Southern Decadence is now one of the largest free street parties you can attend,
and really is something you have to see to believe. Come see and be seen in
the wildest, most decadent costumes on Decadence Sunday. New Orleans hot
spot Oz has a great balcony above Bourbon St. for overseeing the street-level
festivities below and welcomes top Circuit DJs, and the Bourbon Pub Parade is
equally well-equipped to keep the party going into the wee hours.
Info:
www.southerndecadence.net | www.ozneworleans.com
For recent changes or updates to this schedule, please visit us online at:
www.partyfinder.com
Search 100’s of events by city, state, date or DJ.
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LABOR DAY LA
August 31 – September 3, 2007
Los Angeles, California
The seasons don't really change in California, which is why you don't see the
LA boys getting all wistful this time of year. Instead, the party continues on as if
summer never ended. The Labor Day LA foundation hosts a Saturday night Gala
at Vibiana, a former Catholic cathedral turned party venue. This event is followed
by an after-party hosted by Tom Whitman. This year, LDLA will be honoring
Outfest, Roberta Bennett, Roy Eddelman and David Wexler. Grant beneficiaries
are Trevor Project and Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing.
Info:
www.myspace.com/labordayla
San Francisco, California
LABOR DAY SF
Not in the mood for lots of hot, sweaty boys-who-should-be-models wandering
the clubs in the hot summer winds of SoCal? Then come to The City for Labor
Day weekend, you won’t see any of that here! Honestly, San Francisco in
September is as close to summer weather as this bayside gold rush town ever
gets, so it’s worth a seasonal excursion if you’ve never been.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
LABOR DAY P-TOWN
Provincetown can’t help but be one of the cool gay spots on the map. Whether
you’re seeking a relaxing holiday at the beach, or a wild night of partying, P-town
has something to offer. Check out The Boat Slip for T, or after T at Pied. The
Crown and Anchor brings in some cool DJs during the holiday weekends. If you
haven’t experienced four-wheeling over the sand dunes at sunset, you haven’t
lived. I still don’t quite get all the boyz gathering at the pizza parlor every night
when the clubs close, but sometimes you just have to “…when in Rome…”
Info:
www.onlyatthecrown.com
New York, New York
LABOR DAY NYC
What are you doing here?! Everyone’s in LA, San Fran, and P-town, you silly boy!
New York is just unbearable this time of year!! Oh, I see, you forgot to book your
ticket, all the hotels are full, and you have to work. Not to worry, there’s plenty to
do after the sun goes down even if you don’t feel any cooler (you’re in NYC, how
could you not be cool?) The clubs will be steamy and the leftover boys dreamy,
so make the most of it in old New York. Me? I’ll be on Fire Island, dahling. Be
sure to include in your weekend a visit to our friends at G Lounge.
Info:
www.glounge.com
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September 2, 2007
Washington, D.C.
CALOR LABOR DAY
Ever since the boys of Calor started doin’ their thing, our great capital has
seemed just a bit less dull and way more colorful. With many fabulous D.C.
events behind them now, the Calor boys promise this year’s Labor Day party to
exceed all expectations. Join DJ Chad Jack at Club Five for the best.
Info:
www.experiencecalor.com
ATLANTIS CRUISE
BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS
September 2-11, 2007
Athens to Venice
Forget to disembark? No problem. Make it a back-to-back cruise and head east,
way east, to Istanbul, Venice, and ports in between. Atlantis’s newest all-gay
cruise takes you to the best of the Greek Isles, Turkey, and the Adriatic in nine
extravagant days of fun. From the beaches of Mykonos to the ruins of Ephesus,
Atlantis has never created a cruise this diverse. Exotic destinations and plenty of
time to explore them define this uniquely sophisticated custom itinerary. It’s the
best way to experience places you’ve only dreamed of, on the perfect ship for an
all-gay cruise.
Info:
September 7-9, 2007
New York, New York
HUSTLABALL
Hustlaball returns to its New York origins for the first time in five years. Fetish
Night begins the fun at Eagle on Friday, and the “ooh ahs” continue with Porn
Night at Element. The main event on Sunday is at Club Rebel. DJs include
DeMarko!, Chi Chi LaRue, Andrew Mendez, Man Parrish, and Steve Travolta.
The MC is Shequida, and the show time will be spectacular and edgy as usual
with sixty porn stars from around the world including strippers, dancers, escorts,
body workers, and singers. Not to mention a special surprise guest from the
City of Angels. The Hustlaball has changed the playing field for event parties,
attracting hot crowds in record numbers. Their cast of characters and performers
include unbelievable fetish acts, club-transforming installations, and cutting-edge
lighting, music, and all around atmosphere. This year’s event benefits Sylvia’s
Place, an emergency night shelter for self-identified gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgendered, transsexual, and questioning youth.
Info:
www.hustlaball.com
September 29, 2007
MAGNITUDE
San Francisco leathers up for the annual Folsom Street Fair, and Magnitude is
the place to get it all started. As the “official dance event of Folsom Street Fair,”
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this annual sell-out party – “a dungeon on the dance floor” – will get your juices
flowing. You’ll feel right at home in your boots and cutout chaps (additional
apparel optional). And, oh yes, the DungeonBeds Lounge will be in full, decadent
swing as will the men from Hot House. World-class London/Sydney DJ Paul
Goodyear will give his soul once again.
Info:
www.folsomstreetevents.org/magnitude
September 29, 2007
Sydney, Australia
SLEAZE PARTY
First of all, remember that, in Australia, the end of summer for us is the end of
spring for them! That’s right! October is the beginning of the summer season in
Sydney! So if you’re just not ready for summer to end right when your abs count
six and you’ve got the whole Mystic Tan schedule thing nailed, it doesn’t have
to. Go do summer Down Under! Everybody knows about Sydney Mardi Gras, but
the truly discriminating party boy ready to play with his kinky side heads to Sleaze
every year. Since first appearing in 1982, it's one of the longest-running events in
the world. The October long weekend is an awesome time to get together with
friends and celebrate the start of the summer party season at Sleaze. Sleaze is
the major fundraiser for the Mardi Gras Season. A successful Sleaze enables the
Sydney community to celebrate the Festival, Launch, Fair Day, the Parade, and
the Party. If you are looking for a gargantuan dance party that attracts hedonistic
and broadminded folks from around the globe, then this is your party. With the
accent on fun, this is the place to be for thousands of muscle daddies, club kids,
slave boys, fierce fashionistas, and an international assortment of hunks. Expect
spectacularly themed stage shows, lots of dragged-up eye candy, and lavish
attire as well as the best dance music that the Sydney gay scene has to offer.
Info:
www.mardigras.org.au
September 30, 2007
FOLSOM STREET FAIR
Folsom=Freedom. It's a city where "formal dress" on an invitation usually means:
"Don't chicken out and wear Levi's underneath. Buttless chaps are that way
for a reason!" No surprise, then, that San Francisco pulls together the hottest
leather festival anywhere, as nearly half a million woofy leathermen and their fans
descend on this city, all looking to scratch that one particular itch. The Folsom
Street Fair takes place during San Francisco's Leather Pride Week, eight days of
leather at the end of September. This is a week’s worth of intense activity with the
Folsom Street Fair being the crowning finale to a festive time! Many bars, clubs,
and organizations have parties and events all during Leather Pride Week. More
than 400,000 people attend this major leather event from all over the world every
year. We hope to see the fairgrounds filled with people in their most outrageous
leather/rubber/fetish attire enjoying the world’s largest and best loved Leather
fair. The Folsom Street Fair is located in San Francisco's South of Market district
on Folsom Street between 7th and 12th Streets. Donations at the gates and
proceeds from beverage purchases benefit local charities. Don’t miss the Real
Bad benefit celebrating its 19th anniversary. Real Bad XIX starts Sunday night and
grinds on into the night and features star DJ Cary Stringfellow.
Info:
www.folsomstreetevents.org | www.realbad.org
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BLACK & BLUE FESTIVAL
October 3-9, 2007
Montreal, Canada
Power-trip is the 17th annual Black & Blue Festival presented by les Bad Boys of
Montreal. The Black & Blue Festival is one of the best and biggest events of its
type on the planet, and it has gained a solid reputation worldwide. In 2006, it was
voted the “Best International Festival” by the PINK TV AWARDS from France. A
whole week of activities ranging from art exhibits, movie screenings, and athletic
events, to the famous dance parties all contribute to the festival’s reputation. And
it’s all crowned by the magnificent main event, the Black & Blue Party on Sunday
the 7th, which will transform Montreal’s Olympic stadium into an enormous
electric power plant. Other world-class events of the festival include the Leather
Ball, Military Ball, and the ever-popular Recovery Party on Monday night. Worldrenowned DJs will keep things pumping (keep visiting the BBCM website for DJ
updates).
Info:
www.bbcm.org
October 5-8, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
WHITE PARTY VEGAS
Jeffrey Sanker asks that you “prepare yourself for an incredible weekend of
the most unbelievable parties ever seen,” and if you’ve ever been to a party
presented by this master of the revels, you know he ain’t kiddin’, sweetheart.
It’s Columbus Day weekend so it’s an extra long one, so to speak, and you’ll
need every minute of it. The all-new Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino in the city
where-it-all-stays is the place. Try to keep up: Friday is Basic Training at Krave
Nightclub with none other than the hardest working DJ on the Circuit, Manny
Lehman. Next, on Saturday, it’s the White Party at Empire Ballroom with master
DJ Abel. Sunday, be at the Splash T-Dance with MasterBeat DJ Brett Henrichsen.
Did I hear something about “hot boys in board shorts?” There will be more, oh
yes, there will be more, details of which can be found at Jeffrey’s website as the
event draws nearer.
Info:
www.jeffreysankerpresents.com
CALOR COLUMBUS DAY
October 7, 2007
Washington, D.C.
Where better to celebrate the dubious reputation of that famous Italian explorer
than the nation’s capital? I know, no one really cares about Columbus anymore
but that extra day off between Labor Day and Thanksgiving still excites the school
child in all of us. Join DJ Richie Santana at Club Five for a long night of music and
dance you won’t soon forget no matter how you feel about the old conqueror.
Info:
www.experiencecalor.com
For recent changes or updates to this schedule, please visit us online at:
www.partyfinder.com
Search 100’s of events by city, state, date or DJ.
92
FALL EVENTS 2007
www.partyfinder.com
ATLANTIS CRUISE
RADIANCE OF THE SEAS
October 13-21, 2007
Mexican Celebration Cruise
Close your eyes and imagine yourself on the floor of your favorite club with a
couple thousand friends. Now imagine that the walls and ceiling have vanished,
you’re in the middle of the ocean under a brilliant canopy of stars, all while
making your way to Mexico's best beaches. Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Mazatlan,
Ixtapa, Zihuatenheo, and a few other places you’ll find challenging to pronounce.
There's plenty of time to truly experience every port, and three days at sea to
enjoy all that one of the finest ships on the sea has to offer.
Info:
October 19, 2007
Berlin, Germany
HUSTLABALL
You want it loud? You want it big, boy? Yes? The 5th European Hustlaball is back
with the Kit Kat Club. You ain’t seen big and loud until you’ve experienced it
German-style. DJs include Jack Chang, Dealer, Dominox, Micky Friedmann, Red
Tomcat and others.
Info:
www.hustlaball.com
October 28, 2007
New York, New York
ALEGRIA HALLOWEEN
Alegria comes back full force after a short hiatus during the renovation of
Mansion (formerly Studio Mezmor, formerly Crobar). Most of the buff boys of
Alegria won't be dressed up for this gay holiday – they'll be sporting those
fabulous physiques that they work so hard on. Come join the grand celebration
with tricks (and treats) aplenty. DJ Abel spins and Ric Sena creates the mood. Our
buddies at G Lounge work it out for Halloween. Check their site for updates.
Info:
www.alegriaevents.com | www.glounge.com
October 31, 2007
New Orleans, Louisiana
HALLOWEEN
New Orleans is the gay destination for Halloween, especially if you like a costume
ball. There are four days of benefit events that provide funding for Lazarus House,
a residential facility for men and women living with HIV. Saturday's costume ball
is like no other – Unleash the Animal Inside – explore your wild side while you
dance to the sounds of DJ Tony Moran. Gangs of friends dress in group themes
with each group getting their moment in the spotlight on stage. A lot of these
boys go all out. Both Oz and the Bourbon Pub Parade have non-stop parties
planned with outstanding DJ talent, hot and bad stripper boys, and a crowd that
likes to get rowdy.
Info:
www.halloweenneworleans.com
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October 31, 2007
Los Angeles, California
HALLOWEEN LA
Though some are nostalgic for the anarchy days of untamed, gay Halloween
before the City of West Hollywood co-opted the decadence, wiped-off some
of the grime, and put some serious dough into it, there’s a lot to be said for the
over-the-top street festival that closes famous Santa Monica Boulevard for a mile
or so to accommodate several stages, thousands of Halloween revelers, and the
best costume parade (still!) anywhere on the planet.
Info:
www.weho.org
October 31, 2007
HALLOWEEN SF
Attracting unbelievable crowds who come to watch the glitz and glamour, this
event is San Francisco’s drag extravaganza. It has taken place in the Castro for
many years but has moved to the Civic Center to accommodate the incredible
crowds. Street closure every October 31st, and generally a big bash the weekend
before.
November 3-4, 2007
Palm Springs, California
PALM SPRINGS PRIDE
Initially batted around over drinks among members of the women’s community
at the Desert Palms Inn, Palm Springs Pride today is one of the two or three
largest events each year in the Valley with attendance in excess of 30,000 to
40,000, drawing not only from the Valley, but from regions well beyond. As the
event grew beyond the women’s community, the picnic grew ever larger and
more festive and moved from venue to venue until one day it was not only a
festival but a Pride Parade as well. Sprung from those humble beginnings with
the cooperation of city officials, it has become the exciting event we know
today featuring an art show, two dance floors (disco and western), main stage
entertainment, sixteen food vendors, and more.
Info:
www.pspride.org
November 20-25, 2007
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
LATIN FEVER
Tell grandma you’ve got a fever and skip the turkey this year. Head to sunny
Puerto Vallarta for Thanksgiving weekend where Will Gorges presents six boypacked parties in celebration of Latin Fever’s 10th anniversary. Featuring DJs
Ramses, Marko, Cary Stringfellow, Oscar Velasquez and others. Host hotels
include Torre del Oro, Hotel Tropicana, and Blue Chairs. This unique party south
of the border is so special that those who come once always come back for more.
Thanksgiving will never be the same! (Sorry, granny!)
Info:
www.willgorges.com
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WHITE PARTY WEEK
Miami, Florida
Since the beginning of time, Florida is where chilly New Yorkers have been going
to thaw out. So it’s no surprise that, after some queen walking down 8th Avenue
was heard exclaiming into her phone, “...freezing my Armani-laced tits off!” one
of the most venerable events on the Circuit was born in Miami Beach. This is
the 23rd Anniversary of Miami’s own White Party Week. An all-star roster of DJs
beckons you to a long weekend of parties in the city’s famous nightclubs and,
perhaps most importantly, the spectacular white sandy beach. The White Party
at Villa Vizcaya is the event that makes this weekend over-the-top special. At
Villa Vizcaya the crowd is as much a part of the show as anything else, with 3000
beautiful people in white, many of them in costumes you simply won’t believe.
With dancing under the stars, a food court of delicacies from some of Miami’s
hottest restaurants, and ten acres of the most breathtaking renaissance gardens
in the country, this is not your typical party. White Party Week is what other
parties would look like if you wrapped them in mink, served champagne, and
invited Madonna. And it’s all for a good cause, too – the whole week benefits
Care Resource, Florida’s one source for HIV/AIDS services.
Info:
www.whiteparty.org
Toronto, Canada
MR. LEATHERMAN
Mr. Leatherman Toronto (MLT) hosts one of North America’s largest and most
acclaimed leather celebrations. Four days of official events, including meet-andgreets, dinners, brunches, leather market, Bootblack Toronto Contest, and much
more climax at the Mr. Leatherman Toronto Competition and Victory Ball on
Saturday night. If the hunks competing for the coveted title of Mr. Leatherman
Toronto don’t get your attention, try the daddies, muscle boys, titleholders, and
beautiful leather folk in attendance from all over the world.
Info:
www.mrlt.com
NEW YEAR'S EVE
LA/Miami
Sydney/New York/London
MASTERBEAT 2008
One World, One Night, One Beat: New Year’s Eve goes global with the world’s
largest simultaneous New Year’s celebration, as Masterbeat kicks off 2008 with
events in Los Angeles and Miami along with 25 other cities across the globe,
from Sydney to New York and London. Superstar DJs Abel, Manny Lehman,
Brett Henrichsen and Ralphi Rosario will be spinning in the two main cities during
the weekend.
Info:
www.masterbeat2008.com | www.circuiticket.com
95
Boyz
The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362
admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn't mean that God doesn't
love heterosexuals. It's jjust that they
y need more supervision.
p
-Lynn Lavner
Indianapolis, Indiana
67
Are You Ready for Rio?
We Are.
All-Gay Rio Carnival Cruise
February 3-15, 2008 | Celebrity Infinity
The Greatest Show on Earth. And Sea.
Three Nights Docked For Carnival. Nine Nights Sailing to Buenos Aires.
Atlantis’ most exciting gay cruise of the year is the perfect way to experience the most spectacular city
and event in the world. Starting in Rio for three full nights at the finale of Carnival, followed by a cruise to
the best of South America. All of this onboard the super premium Celebrity Infinity, voted one of the top
three ships in the world by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler in 2007.
Unforgettable cultures, amazing beaches, superb entertainment,
and spectacular parties. Plus the greatest show on earth. And all
for less than visiting Carnival on your own!
For information about this or our other unique all-gay cruise and
resort vacations see your travel agent, visit our website, or call us
today at 800-6-ATLANTIS.
CST# 2033720-40
atlantisevents.com

Issue 53 - noiZe Magazine

Transcription

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