| Bits & Pieces - A hearty welcome to Boystown's newest nightspot: Scarlet. Occupying the former Gentry on Halsted space at 3320 N. Halsted, the venue will feature DJs on the weekend (Thursday - Saturday ) with the likes of Carla Starla, AJ Dubbz, and DJ Jim. They say that Fridays are the new Saturdays. (kinda like how 40 is the new 30 when it come to age.) With DJs Freddie Bain, Chris Eterno, and Oskar all holding Friday night residencies at Cocktail, Spin, and Minibar, respectively, and Hydrate regularly featuring big-name national spinmeisters, the adage seems to have merit, at least in Boystown. Jeez, is DJ Laura B really spinning six nights a week at Hydrate and Hunters? Wondering what's up for New Year's Eve and whether there will be any big gay events or parties in Chicago? Well, there is no early vibe on local happenings but for the adventurous, Masterbeat parties in Miami and Los Angles as well as Alegria and Saint-At-Large events in New York City and Rio de Janeiro are getting massive global buzz. Not enough space here to give you more details, so let your internet browser take you to where you need to go. |
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Beyond
Vegas - A White
Thanksgiving? - Love At
Christmas -- |
In case you've been living
under a rock lately, the one and only Celine Dion has recently
released a brand new album, and the 16-track long-player is an
impressive accomplishment indeed. TAKING CHANCES
(Columbia Records) is Madame Dion's first new full-length studio
effort in four years and comes as she's finishing up a hugely
successful 5-year run of her Las Vegas show, "A New Day."
My initial reaction to the album and the first single "Taking
Chances" was a bit lukewarm, especially after Dion's less
than stellar vocal performance during her recent appearance on
Oprah. However, after repeated listenings to the CD it has grown
on me and I find myself far too often humming the melody of the
title track. Other favorites of mine on the CD include "New
Dawn," "Fade Away," and "That's Just The
Woman In Me." While I understand the Las Vegas stint was
great for Dion and her family, it's nice to have her back on
the global scene with this new album and an upcoming concert
tour. 
place in Miami. Given
the pathetic lack of Chicago marketing for what is considered
a global event, Windy City party boiz can be excused for not
knowing that the White Party even still exists. However, thanks
to the folks at Centaur Music the feel good music often associated
with this "crown jewel of HIV/AIDS fundraisers" is
now available as a continuous dance mix on CD as well as in digital
format on iTunes. PARTY GROOVE: WHITE PARTY 8
has been mixed in tandem by DJs Warren Gluck and Wendy Hunt,
who present a harmonious compilation of 12 uplifting and energetic
tracks that one would expect to hear mostly at a T-Dance or pool
party. Stand-out tracks include the DJ Escape and Dom Capello
Remix of "Lift Your Voice" by Georgie Porgie as well
as chart-toppers by Rachel Panay, Stonebridge, and Jason Antone.
If you're looking for a new holiday CD
to add to your collection and to use as a soundtrack for your
December house party then be sure to check out Darlene Love's
IT'S CHRISTMAS, OF COURSE (Sony BMG). Currently
starring in "Hairspray" on Broadway, the talented Love
presents 12 holiday classic tunes from the likes of James Brown,
The Pretenders, Tom Petty, and John Lennon. The CD is sure to
put you in the Christmas spirit and put a smile on even Scrooge's
face.