Save the Last Dance
Written by Stephen Ceplenski / Steve Weinstein
09/16/2010
Almost exactly 3 years ago Out Magazine published an in-depth article on the future of the Circuit., written by noiZe’s soon-to-be Editor in Chief Steve Weinstein. Coincidentally, barely a year before the article appeared, we had already dropped the word “Circuit” from our name. Not because the Circuit was dead, but because it had evolved into a much bigger and broader phenomenon than just big-room dance weekends. After the Out article, Steve Weinstein became part of noiZe, and now, three years later, that article was prophetic to say the least. Paragraph by paragraph, everything foretold has come true.
A few remaining crazies, and some young kids who don’t know any better, still attach the word “Circuit” to any dance event with a DJ — e.g., “Did you see the circuit DJ Bobby B at the circuit city playing that diva circuit song for all the circuit boys who do everything circuit?”; “We put on some records in the basement, invited a few friends over — it was a real circuit party!” But the fact is that things really have evolved — for the better, and Steve Weinstein and noIZe have proven to have had their finger on the pulse of that evolution.
As for the remaining events that are worthy of being called Circuit parties, well, they haven’t gone away. Nope, if anything, they have become bigger and more focused (if fewer in number). Meanwhile, new events are sprouting up that draw more mixed crowds, and electronica/rave events in several U.S. and European cities have grown to 10 times the size of any Circuit event.
Anyone care to take a gander into the old crystal ball and venture a guess as to what will happen next in this ever-changing scene?
Reader Comments
Pretty amazing. The article hits the nail on the head. But having participated in the circuit for over 10 years since the early days, I would say it is actually dead now.
By Ashlan on 09-29-2010
Reading the article and having been through the ringer and back again in the circuit scene I agree, however I don’t in any sense think it is dead. It has changed, I am 27 and have been into that scene since I was 21, the music, the love, and the feeling on a dance floor when that perfect Deborah Cox moment plays will never die. It will evolve, and it will touch another generation…
By Jorden on 12-25-2010
