LA & NYC + NYE = FUN
Written by Steve Weinstein
01/09/2012
Both coasts are basking in the afterglow of a long weekend. In Miami, there was Tracy Young’s annual Genesis extravaganza. In L.A., there was Masterbeat at the Mayan on Friday, Dec. 30; Palladium New Year’s Eve; First Dance at Arena with Paulo New Year’s Day; and ending with Sunday night at Avalon. Meanwhile, in New York, Alegria on Dec. 30 once again showed how it’s done; Pacha put on what had to be the biggest New Year’s Eve dance party in the country at a Hudson River Pier New Year’s Day; and Matinee finished the weekend in typically festive fashion at District 36.
Los Angeles:
Pei Chang, in his typically thorough fashion, gave me a rundown of the events on the Left Coast. Verdict? Total fun. The “End of the World” party, held in the appropriate venue, the Mayan, heralded the advent of 2012, which some New Age-y archaeology buffs are claiming is the ancient Mayan end-time. Ana Paula, the superstar Brazilian DJ, missed her flight, but Tony Moran more than made up for it with his signature mix of heavy but lyrical beats. He was followed by DJ promoter/producer Brett Henrichsen’s set. All of it was lit by the best lighting designer on the dance scene today, New Yorker Guy Smith, who produced an LED spectacular behind the stage.
The DJ duo Rosabel featured one DJ who hightailed it from NYC’s Alegria to travel west for Palladium’s party New Year’s Eve. Pei marveled at the newly renovated Palladium, which took the trouble to add extra bathrooms. He especially liked the wood dance floors — “shiny, new, and give just enough while dancing.” Ralphi Rosario and Abel spotted each other in the DJ booth with seamless transitions back and forth. The video for the New Year countdown was perfectly synched to the music.
For those who couldn’t get enough, DJ Paulo took his music mix (full disclosure: He’s been one of my favorites DJs ever since his last Black Party set) to Arena. The schedule in LA was intense, with the last party coming Sunday night at Avalon, courtesy once again of Brett Henrichsen. This was billed as “closing party” — a capstone to the kind of full-on party weekend we don’t see enough of anymore.
New York:
Once again, Ric Sena showed how it’s done, and the boys responded with the happiest, hottest, hippest crowd imaginable. The stage was a giant “2012” scaffolding, scaled by construction workers who were the stuff of fantasy. Abel got to take the crowd on a true journey. At the very comfortable Best Buy (terrible name but great venue), right in the heart of Times Square — THE true center of the world New Year’s Eve — this was a terrific way to celebrate a night early.
New Year’s Eve day was dominated by Pacha’s presentation of Boris and Victor Calderone at a space on the Hudson River that normally hosts trade shows. The size of a very large airplane hangar, the dance floor went on and on. The crowd was a mix of hot gay boys and even hotter straight boys. No kidding: Every bodybuilder from the Tri-State area was here with his girlfriend, showing off — and did we appreciate it! Some complained about the bathrooms, but, hey, a Porta-Potty is what it is. I especially liked the food kiosks just outside in the smoking area. Who doesn’t need a chorizo or grilled-cheese sandwich during 12 hours of dancing? Of note: the gogo stud who not only had the chiseled muscle body but could do handstands and back flips.
That night, Matinee, the signature party from Ibiza that has taken Manhattan Island, once again brought its tropical beats to the jewel box of a nightclub, District 36. The best sound system in town once again showed off, with amazingly dressed gogo boys (and girls). Matinee began only a few hours after Victor’s party and ended after dawn on Monday, Jan. 2.
Both cities showed that it’s still possible to party like it’s 1999, or 1979, or 1989 ... anyway, like the Good Old Days when the party never seemed to end. Totally hardcore — and I love it!
Reader Comments
As a reveler from the East Coast, I must say that I’m am thrilled to have attended both the Apocalypse and Matinee, which combined, provided one of the best New Years Day of Dancing I can remember in some time!! Well done to both, and a special shout for Jake Resnicow and Patrick Crough and the rest of the Matinee Magical team for a room full of good energy and Great Music, to bring the weekend down to the last dance on Monday Morning!!! Happy Dancin New Year Everyone!!
By Peter Sean Brown on 01-10-2012
