Market Days Redux
I know by the time you read this, the 2008 edition of Market Days will have been three weeks in your rearview mirror, but I got a few things to say. (And since this is my column, I get to say them!

This is proving to be the summer of DJ Alyson Calagna. In addition to a One Mighty Weekend headlining slot during Gays Days in Orlando and delivering what I, and many others, consider the best continuous mixed CD of the summer, she then comes to Market Days and plays a terrific set of music at Hydrate on Sunday night.

There is nothing worse than leaving Market Days, trying to get home via CTA, at the same time a Cubs game ends. OMG! It happened to me on BOTH days! Let's hope next year the Cubs will be out of town.

During the "Meat Market" party at Circuit, Junior Vasquez tried to mix the old school house classic "Can You Party" by Royal House into the modern tech house track "Be" by Steve Angello & Laidback Luke. Wow! (And that's not a good "Wow!") The shirtless and shirted talent at "Meat Market"? Wow! (And that would be a very good "Wow!")

Without a doubt, the two biggest songs of the weekend were "When I Grow Up" by Pussycat Dolls and "I Kissed A Girl" by Katy Perry. Both are infectiously fun and come in some many remixed versions there's bound to be one to please even the pickiest danced music aficionado.

The "Space Disco" party at Crobar was just tremendous! In addition to the handsome crowd and the spectacular laser light effects, DJ Ralphi Rosario's set was an inspired presentation of sexy rhythms and beats, all dark and hard like, and far from being confused with a tea dance. It was so nice to have a DJ be unapologetic in his approach, not trying to be all things to all people. This was a great end to the weekend.

Other than my CTA nightmares, most all other aspects of my Market Days experience were quite pleasant. The weather was great, the crowds were neither too drunk nor too obnoxious, and the eye candy was FANTASTIC! Finally, a big thanks to all of you who came by to see and hear me spin at the ChicagoPride.com booth. DJ Phil DaBeatz and I had a pretty good groove going throughout the weekend. I hope you enjoyed it.

What's Old Is New Again
The legendary Cevin Fisher is back with updated versions of his 1998 classic dance track "You Got Me Burnin' Up" with Loleatta Holloway on vocals. The Prok & Fitch Remix will please those interested in an electro-tech treatment while the Rail Rincon Remix has a pitch perfect summer terrace house groove. Remember the theme song from the movie "Fame." Well DJ/remixer/producer Bill Bennett has enlisted Suzanne Palmer for a remake that has recently been tearing up dance floors. There are several different remixes by the likes of Twisted Dee, DJ Ranny, Bryan Reyes, and DJ Luis ErRe.

Destined?
There are two dance singles out right now by artists associated with Destiny's Child. First up is Moto Blanco and Karmatronic remixes of "We Break The Dawn" by Michelle Williams, who is probably the least known of the Destiny's Child trio. Possessing a similar feel and formula that has propelled successive Rihanna tracks to the top of the dance charts, "We Break The Dawn" is a solid effort that should help get Williams' solo career headed a positive direction. Next on tap is "I Decided" by Solange Knowles, a back-up dancer with Destiny's Child and Beyonce's sister. A trained dancer, Solange is proving to be an adequate singer with this track that comes in dance versions by Mr. Mig, Freemasons, Moto Blanco, and Lost Daze.