Wednesday, November 30, 2016

This Weekend In Techno Town

FRIDAY DEC 2
Can't get enough Kimball Collins (T), this time in the intimate setting that is Sandwich Bar! With Mathew Scot and Rudiment opening.  Progressive House.
SATURDAY DEC 3
Sandwich Bar is the place to be this weekend and on Saturday night they have DJ Max Alzamora (PE) with Carlos Mendoza opening! Tech House.

Also on Saturday night in Orlando, Gilt Nightclub has SNBRN (USA) for what I believe is a first time. EDM.
Jacksonville's turn for Kimball Collins (T) is this Saturday night at Eclipse Nightclub. With Larry Banks.  Progressive House.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

PI Update: Searching For Christmas

Come cross this bridge one more time with us to beautiful Pleasure Island, searching for signs of Christmas!
The search need not take long as all of the Island's light poles are decorated for the holiday!
You'll get in the spirit of the season even going to piss!
Wreaths adorn the shops along Hill Street.
Poinsettias decorate the Lily Pad at Riverboat Square on the Island.
A few more behind STK's kitchen brighten-up this otherwise boring stretch of walkway.
A Christmas tree decorates the lobby of Morimoto Mannequins.
At Jock Lindsay's Hangar Bar, a few more holiday touches. We've always appreciated that Disney has never downplayed Christmas and has never seemingly worried that it would offend non-Christians.
One surprise this year though; no Christmas tree at the Waterview Stage.
Here's a file photo of last year's tree located there. But don't fret! There is a great Disney-themed Christmas tree tour over in Disney Springs Marketplace this year and on Thursday we'll show it to you!

Monday, November 28, 2016

ADH Update: Music Changes Confirmed

The website Orlando Theme Park News has confirmed something the Blog reported more than a week ago and that has to do with the new music format at Atlantic Dance Hall on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday nights.  The only thing new I noted in their article is that this change supposedly is only for the month of December.  My sources did not say that so we believed it was indefinite. Link to article here.  Begins this Thursday.  Thanks Blog reader DJMadManRay for the information!

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Club Reports: Las Palmas Bar (Varadero, Cuba)

Taking advantage of lifted travel restrictions for Americans and new nonstop airline routes, the Blog traveled to Cuba yesterday to check out local clubs in Varadero.  The beach resort town has long been popular with Europeans & Canadians but until now generally off-limits to us.
Staying at the Melia Varadero, an all-inclusive resort owned by a Spain-based company.
Hanging out at the hotel's Las Palmas Bar, located near the lobby.
The plan was to pregame at the hotel's Tropicana-style show and then venture out to some of the numerous dance clubs that operate in town or at neighboring resorts.  Sadly, the death of Fidel Castro a few hours before my flight departed to Varadero meant the imposition of 9-days of  official mourning across Cuba and all entertainment activities were suspended!  In other words, all the clubs were closed!
However, the hotel bar stayed open and all-inclusive means all-inclusive so bring on the drinks and bring on the refills!
A troupe of human statutes slowly worked their way through the bar.  It was a great first visit to Cuba but a disappointment for my reason for going in the first place.  My plan is to check out Havana clubs in a few months.
And yes, there really are a LOT of these old American cars driving around the streets of Cuba!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Dirty Songs?


^ From the 60's.

^ From the 90's.
International travel day for me today so posting this as filler material. Enjoy!

Friday, November 25, 2016

This Weekend In Techno Town

FRIDAY NOV 25
KMack & Dave London (both USA), together in one night! Tonight at Peek Downtown!  Breaks.
Last Friday of the month means Lost in Trancelation at Bikkuri Lounge, this month with resident DJ's Suzy Solar (USA), Robb Blak & more! Trance.
SATURDAY NOV 26
Late booking so not a lot of PR on this event tomorrow night at Gilt Nightclub. But DJ Shaun Frank (CDN) is in town! Current hit is "Let You Get Away".  EDM.
Renzo Ruiz & Skylar Williams lead the lineup for this event at Vinyl Arts Bar.  House / Deep House.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Concert Report: AAHZ Reunion (The Beacham)

 The leading event on Orlando's annual social calendar is the AAHZ Reunion, a re-creation of the AAHZ club night that used to take place in the late-80's & early-90's right here at The Beacham Theater!
Arrived just before 10:30PM and the club was already packed!
In the booth when I arrived, DJ Andy Hughes (USA).
Going back-to-back in the early time slot with DJ Stylus (USA).
And within 30-minutes you could hardly move about the place!
The early soundtrack of the night, the Breaks that made up so many of the hits of that era!
At 11PM, DJ Scratch-D (USA) of Dynamix II taking over!
And he would continue the Old Skool theme of the night!
The series of more-or-less annual AAHZ Reunions began in November, 2009, just over a year after Pleasure Island closed its clubs.
And during that time when Hip Hop dominated what was being played in Orlando's clubs, AAHZ was the perfect prescription for what ailed me without my Mannequins!
AAHZ brings out the older crowd that used to rave back then; the music and the vibe brings out the nostalgia each time!
And such euphoria!
The Beacham was absolutely jammed!
Shortly after midnight, DJ Icey (USA) taking control!
And he delivered hit after hit from back in the day!
Including a short segment of my favorite Mannequins song, "Everyday".
Crowd bouncing to his set!
Lasers exploding!
View from VIP!
Glow sticks are back!


Spotted in the press box: Amanda
Spotted on the dance floor: DJ Kay Kay & DJ Def Jeff
Spotted by the stage: Kimball's #1 fan Donna with William
Spotted by the entrance: Ashley, CJ & Leah
Spotted on the dance floor: Stacie, Chrissy & Crystal
Spotted on the dance floor: Stacey with friend
Spotted in the lighting tech booth: Former Mannequins DJ Dominick Morrison & crew. Barely over one month until we see him perform at EPCOT: China on NYE!
Spotted on stage: Dance singer Rachel & Planet Hollywood Observatory's Ashleigh.
Spotted on stage: Another Mannequins classic, DJ Dave Cannalte with DJ Jerry "The Reverend" Johnson.
Spotted on stage: Dana with DJ Smilin' Dan
Spotted by the bar: DJ Parry & Renee

 Spotted at the logo store: Tracy Lulu
Spotted on the dance floor: Trish
Spotted on stage: Event official photographer Brian Miller who actually knows how to use a camera! Check his website here for real photos soon.
Spotted by the booth: DJ Icey with Marlon
Spotted in the foyer: DJ Versa-Style (USA) with friend.
Also spotted in the foyer: DJ Geebo with Jen.
Spotted by the stairs: illDJ ChrisB (USA)
Spotted on the dance floor: Lynette & Adam

 Spotted at the barrier: Pamela
Spotted at the barrier: Angela
Spotted in VIP: Christa, East Side Angie & Aubrey
Spotted on stage: DJ AK1200 (USA)
Spotted on the dance floor: Mauricio of the band Prophecy.
Spotted on the dance floor: DJ Sandra Cruz and George
Getting ready for the final set of the night, DJ's Dave Cannalte (USA) & Kimball Collins (USA) better known as AAHZ!
And wavering away from the Breaks that had dominated the night up until now, Kimball went Old School Progressive House on us!
Playing songs that people recognized from the original AAHZ era!
Still based in Thailand, my "one night in Bangkok" tour in 2013 included seeing Kimball at Q-Bar at one of his then-residencies. Link.
Dave & Kimball were taking turns to round out the night.
A night full of musical memories!
As 2:30AM approached, no one was leaving!
A good time was had by all!