Club Reports: Giraffe Disco, Red Lion Inn, Kam's, T-Bird (Champaign - Urbana)

During my trip to Chicago last week I was able to drive south two hours to my former college town of Champaign- Urbana, home to the University of Illinois.  The U of I, as it's called, has been in the news a lot lately and not in a good way.  The Chancellor recently resigned, the head football coach was just fired and worst of all, the school was named the Number One Party school in the nation by the Princeton Review!  Well, I guess that part isn't bad news!

My junior year I lived with three other room mates on the 15th floor of the Century 21 building in Champaign, previously the Champaign Hilton and currently the Tower At Third.

It was quite nice having a observation bar up on the 21st floor and down here in the lobby, the Giraffe Disco.

Across the street there were Hard Rock bands at the Red Lion Inn.

A few blocks away, frat bar Kam's was always jammed and today remains an institution!

A short walk across campus into Urbana was T-Birds, home to glasses of Olympia Beer for 30-cents!  I looked at flyers that were posted around the twin cities and could only find one EDM event.  So while it's always nostalgic to visit, I'm glad I don't live here!

Concert Report: DJ Markus Schulz (Gilt Nightclub)

Saturday night + Gilt Nightclub = FUN!  Great to be back in Orlando after a chilly visit to Chicago!

Arrived around 11PM to find DJ Luccio (USA) in the booth!

The club was already jammed as the Miami-based DJ delivered House that turned into Trance as the hour passed midnight!

Promptly at 12:30AM, turning the controls over to the headliner!

DJ Markus Schulz (D).

First time I'd ever seen him in a club setting; it's only been at festivals up until now!

And you can't get any closer to the DJ's than at Gilt!

Dance floor got absolutely packed!

And the crowd was LOUD!

Not sure if that happened.

While there was some House in there early on, his set was mostly Trance!

"Orlando Trance Family, are you with me?" he would yell!

And they were!  The look of Trance.

Markus squared!

Playing a segment of Major Lazer/DJ Snake hit "Lean On"!

Packed to the rafters!

Stepping out at the end of his 2 hour set to mingle with his fans!

A good time was had by all!

DTD Update: Showing You Around

Earlier this week the Blog provided you with exclusive SkyCam photos of the former club buildings on Pleasure Island and then we showed you the spectacular current status of the springs of Disney Springs. Today we continue to show you around so you can see some of the other activity not already covered. This is mainly a view of the almost-finished renovation project at Paradiso 37.

SkyCam view looking down on Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar and the new Downtown Disney Water Taxi stop for The Landing.  Both are supposed to open next month.

Looking down on The Hub and the front yard of Jock Lindsey's.

 There is no truth to the rumor that this airplane part came from a Boeing 777.

The Pleasure Island pedestrian bypass is closed to the public but still provides vendor access to Paradiso 37.  The section from here back to it's former connection to the Island at the water taxi pier has been dismantled and we expect this section to be dismantled eventually as well.

Some type of restaurant operated by the folks at Raglan Road is slated for this plot of land but still no activity.

Shopping mall building out in the Town Center section of Disney Springs.

It's adjacent this massive shopping structure.

Shopping area across the No. 2 Bridge.

Far off section of the new shopping district along with the rapidly rising East Garage (Lime Garage).

And more new shopping is wedged in between T-REX Cafe and World of Disney in the area where McDonald's used to stand.  Hope you're having a great weekend!

Concert Report: DJ Shaun Frank (The Mid Chicago)

The Mid in Chicago is one of the many clubs here that is home to EDM.

Arrived around 11PM and found local DJ duo Redux in the booth doing genuine House music!

Lots of people milling about but only a handful would practice their moves.

Plus this guy doing the Robot.

At midnight another local DJ duo, Groove Animal.

And their mix of House and Deep House would finally get the floor populated!

And with the dance floor now active, it would stay that way.

Promptly at 1:30AM, headliner DJ Shaun Frank (CDN) took over.

And it's like people came out of the woodwork to crowd the floor!

His set included House, Deep House and commercial House/Dance.

Shaun Frank is based in Toronto.

Excited to be playing his current hit with DJ Oliver Heldens (NL), "Shades of Grey" ft. Delaney Jane!

Lots of energy in the room!

You can never go wrong with Go Go girls!

Encouraging the Chicago crowd to get loud!

A good time was had by all!