Departing a bit from my typical Groove Line formula, this issue's column is devoted to a single topic. I strongly believe that excellence associated with dance music should be showcased and highlighted, whether it's here in Chicago or out-of-town. Thus I feel compelled to write about an upcoming event in NYC.

Black Music
Let's face it, most circuit parties and major dance events in the U.S. do very little to push the musical envelope when it comes to the selection of their headlining DJs. This leads to typical DJ line-ups that are more often than not populated by subsets of the same 8-10 DJ names who ultimately deliver competent sets that unfortunately fall within a predictable and often narrow range.

Excepted from the preceding paragraph's narrative, however, is the annual Saint-At-Large (SAL) Black Party in NYC, to be held this year on Saturday, March 29, at Roseland Ballroom. The DJ line-up, which is sure to produce a remarkable and memorable musical journey for the 18-hour event, features headliner superstar DJ/producer Jonathan Peters (NYC) sandwiched by opening DJ Stephan Grondin (Montreal) and closer Joe Gauthreaux, the hottest DJ currently on the circuit scene. Being quite familiar with all three DJs and knowing the meticulous selection process SAL goes through, I was instantly and fantastically impressed with the announcement of this 2008 Black Party line-up.

A rising international star on the dance music scene, Grondin has become one of the most popular DJs in Montreal by spinning a progressive house style at venues such as Club Stereo, by routinely playing a significant role as a Black & Blue DJ, and by producing remixes under the X-Union moniker. I've been dazzled by this Canuck's presentation of seductively sexy & dark beats that are alternately groovy, pulsating, energetic, and hypnotic. It's a style that will serve him well at the heavy, leather-mooded, and fetishtic Black Party.

Voted the #1 DJ in America by DJ Times, Peters is a true NYC DJing pioneer with a two decades long career that includes his legendary 20-hour themed parties amidst a 7-year successful run in the 1990s as a weekly resident DJ at Sound Factory. He's produced chart-topping dance remixes for all of the big named pop divas and is best known as the creative force behind the smash dance hit "All This Time" featuring Sylver. Peters is a transformative nightclub figure who melds 800 pounds of his own state-of-the-art digital technology and equipment with his analog vinyl records in the DJ booth. This allows him to create intricate one-of-a-kind on-the-fly mixes and to bring live musical production aspects to his sets. I truly believe Peters' grand style of DJing makes him a perfect choice as the main Black Party DJ and a suitable match for the collective grand expectations of the thousands who will be in attendance.

Following Peters in the DJ booth on that Sunday morning, the 31-year-old Gauthreaux, a Halsted Street favorite, has been charged with the daunting task of presenting a modern take on the "traditional Saint music" that closes out The Black Party. Drawing on his soulful house music roots as well as his current day mastery of the gay dance music and circuit sound, the New Orleans native is sure to please the die-hard Saint-heads who've come to expect, but aren't necessarily slaves to, a dance music concept (some call it "morning music") that has been developed and popularized over the years by legendary SAL DJs such as Michael Fierman, Warren Gluck, and Robbie Leslie. Also sure to rock the worlds of youthful first-time attendees, I have no doubt that Gauthreaux (whom I must confess is a friend of mine) will wrap up the 29th Black Party on a high note (and beats).

If you want to attend this year's Black Party or find out more info about SAL, check out www.saintatlarge.com.