GD05: The Happiest Place On Earth
Earlier this month I made it down to Orlando for Gay Days my fifth time in six years. Un-enthused initially about going, I ended up having a blast of a time as I re-connected with old friends and danced until I could dance no more. While the daily Reunion pool parties and the nightly prime time main events were satisfying to many, it was the after-hours parties that my friends and I focused on. I went to two of these Magic Journey after-hours soirees: Saturday night with DJ Roland Belmares and Sunday night with DJ Manny Lehman. Both DJs were in top form, relentlessly working the dance floor with wave after wave of peak hour anthems and hi-energy tribal drums. Since these were after-hours events, I would have preferred a dose or two of "dark heavy beats" in the mix; however, it's frowned upon these days to play, listen, or dance to this style (in addition to the reported crystal meth addiction epidemic and the downfall of the circuit, "dark heavy beats" will probably soon be linked to the 9/11 terrorist attacks). Despite my politically incorrect musical desires not being satisfied, the Magic Journey parties were the highlights of my GD05 weekend and will probably lead me to be at GD06.Forward Calendar
Weekly Sundays at Crobar may be long gone, but their special events are alive and well. On Pride Sunday, June 26, Hex Hector is the headliner with Teri Bristol also giving us a taste. Then on Market Days Sunday, August 7, the one and only Victor Calderone DJs over on Kingsbury Street for his first Chicago appearance in five years. I, for one, am ecstatic about Calderone, the "King of Tribal", coming to town as he's been #1 on my list of favorite DJs since 1999. Now if we can only find a way to keep the Calderone haters and complainers from getting nto Crobat that night. Tickets for both events can be purchased via crobar.com .
Another titled DJ, Frankie Knuckles, who is known as the Godfather of House Music, will be spinning his annual Independence Day weekend celebration at the House of Blues on Sunday July 3, 2005. If this gathering is half as much fun as Frankie's 50th Birthday Party at Sound-Bar in February, then you'll want to make sure that your 4th of July BBQ is over in time for you to arrive early and make a grand entrance.
For those of you looking to escape Chicago over the 4th of July weekend, take note that Saugatuck will surely be rocking that weekend. DJs Brett Henrichsen (July 2) and David Knapp (July 3) are over at Douglas Dunes while your truly will be commandeering the Michigan night as I DJ The Farm After-Hours party. Info at www.douglasdunes.com/ and www.thefarmparty.com/
Quick Hit Music Reviews
"Don't Cha" The Pussycat Dolls (A&M Records)
Definitely the #1 hit down at Gay Days, this is probably the hottest dance single out at the moment and it lead to Ralphi Rosario getting a Grammy nomination for his fun and energetic Hot Freak Mix. Fellow Chicagoan Kaskade serves up a Club Mix that's perfect for a softer lounge or deep house environment.
"Hollaback Girl" Gwen Stefani (Interscope)
The second hottest single around is Ms. Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" with mixes by Matt Moss and Gomi & Escape rocking dance floors near and far."Nothin More To Say"- Alyson (PM Media)
Clearly a rising talent worth keeping an eye out for, Alyson is now out with her third dance single following two Top 10 Billboard hits. Hex Hector, Eric Kupper, and Norty Cotto all come through with strong mixes for a range of dance floor vibes.
Gay Days Vol. 2 mixed by DJ Randy Bettis (Centaur)
There are two important things to note about the new mixed compilation CD. The first is that this CD really isn't quite representative of the style of music that's heard during Gay Days, at least not at the nighttime parties (and remember I've been there five out of the past six years, so if anyone should know, it's me). This CD is more like the Friday afternoon pool party during Gay Days and definitely not the Colosseum Party or a Magic Journey after-hours. That said, the second and most important thing to know is that this is an excellent CD; in my estimation one of the better ones that Centaur has put out in the past year or so. The mix has a nicely controlled pace that's never over the top or excessive and the tracklisting is an interesting blend of strong "pop-ish" vocals.
DJ Plez is the Music Editor of ChicagoPride.com. He DJs throughout the Midwest and has a residency at PUMP! in Milwaukee, WI.
