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Get off your butt and do something about it!

There were so many obvious current topics to choose from for this Publisher’s Note, but in the end I chose none of them. And for one simple reason: They were all negative. When drama and destruction become more important than dancing and dreaming, you know you have lost your focus. So, no Michael Jackson obituary, no Disney OMW drama, no Barack birth certificate nonsense. Instead, I want to address the recession—but more specifically coming out of it, and what that means for the Circuit community. Before we get into that, let’s get something out of the way ... Yes, that is me in the new photo. Renowned entertainment industry photographer Gerry Garcia did the shoot, and yes, you can buy the fabulous noiZe tank top pictured—available in several colors!-online at zodiaksportswear.com.  Now, back to our topic. Recessions end when people get out of their ruts and off their butts to start creating better lives for themselves. They do this with good old-fashioned ingenuity and a strong work ethic. It is a lesson that can be applied to us as individuals as well as to the larger party world we enjoy together. No one is going to do things for us. We have to find the courage and strength to change our lives for the better. How do we do that? First, find innovative ways to help yourself and your community, including helping out with the events we love, which do so much good for the causes we care deeply about. If you’re feeling the pinch of this economy in your wallet, you’ll discover that it isn’t as hard as it may seem to have a great time and help a great organization—or two—along the way. Second, look for party values and take advantage of them. Everyone knows those local supermarket coupons for $5 and $10 off on a large purchase. Look for the same kind of “value packages” at festivals and Circuit events. There are some real bargains out there. For example, “Halloween 26” in New Orleans, (which noiZe is proud to sponsor) offers an incredible value: four days of events for under $200. You’ll be able to dine on some of that great Creole cuisine while you’re in the Big Easy with that kind of savings. Third, on the flip side, event organizers, promoters and DJs can do a lot to offer more for less. As I have mentioned previously in this space, you only have to look across the border to Canada or across the pond to Europe in order to see some amazing things taking place that make our good ole’ “Made in the USA” events seem a bit, well, stale at times. We need to get out of the old disco-ball-and-diva mentality and take note of the kinds of events that are consistently drawing 5,000 or 10,000 people in other parts of the world-and at extremely reasonable prices to boot. Promoters, listen up: You can make it up in volume if you do it properly. So here’s the challenge to event promoters: Scrap the old recipes. Take a cue from some of the best dance events in the world. Help make the States a stronghold for party innovation once again. For those of us attending events, we can speak most clearly with our dollars. Support local events that offer value and innovation, as well as a lifeline to community organizations. Stop complaining if you don’t have fun on your nights out; go out and create your own special night at a local nightclub or event space. Look at what Ric Sena has been able to achieve with Alegria in New York City, Rio, and now Fort Lauderdale. There are plenty of role models out there to show us the way out of the darkness and into the strobe light. And remember: If drama and destruction become part of your life, something has gone wrong. Ditch the negativity. Change your party habits. Shake it up so that the music we love becomes a means to not just dance your cares away, but also of allowing your dreams to become a reality for everyone-lousy economy be damned!

In This Issue

City Spotlight: In case you were wondering why Barcelona is a favorite gay destination in Europe, Matt Bell explains the ins and outs of the beautiful Catalonian capital city. Give yourself a week-a few days to see the city and a few days to recover from those long nights. But before that, spend a few minutes reading Matt’s thorough guide.

DJ Spotlight: Most closely associated with the mammoth Black & Blue weekend, Mark Anthony has long been a fixture on the happening Montreal scene. This popular straight DJ loves his beats, but also his divas, which has made him a favorite to spin around the United States as well. Lately, he’s been making his own music with a band and cutting original dance CDs.

Guy Smith Lights Up the Night: We all notice the lights when we’re out dancing, but how many of us stop and consider the maestros behind them? D. Michael Taylor shines a spotlight on Guy Smith, the impresario responsible for lighting some of the biggest and best parties in the world. He even reveals what really happened when the lights went out at that Masterbeat New Year’s bash.

Circuit on Film: With all of their inherent drama, why haven’t more films used Circuit parties as a theme? Steve Weinstein explores the history of dance parties on film, the few movies that deal with gay big-room events, and looks at why there aren’t more of them.

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