Monday, August 5, 2019

PI Update: The Clubs!

At Pleasure Island, it was all about the clubs! August, 2008 photo now 11 years ago. No mention of Rock'n'Roll Beach Club on the sign since it had closed earlier in the year. The other names though shall remain immortal!
Mannequins Dance Palace
Motion
Soundstage Club
Comedy Warehouse
Adventurers Club
8TRAX

Sunday, August 4, 2019

Club Reports: The Robinson, Treehouse, Celine

Having visited The Robinson twice before but on Friday nights and hearing that the DJ plays on Saturday nights, I returned to check it out.
But the booth was empty yet again! What I learned is they have a DJ playing real 70's Disco on the last Saturday of the month.  Damn, I'm in Las Vegas that night in August, Sydney that night in September, at Amway Center for The Chainsmokers (USA) that night in October and at The World's Largest Disco in Buffalo that night in November!  OK, I'll be back in December, lol.
There are two main rooms in The Robinson and their decorated brick exterior walls and real wood floors were brought in from old construction in Jacksonville.
I asked the manager why they don't have DJ's more often and the answer was that they don't want to be a club. Nonetheless, he tells the Blog that it gets really crowded when they have a DJ so maybe they'll add more DJ nights! Yes, please.
Spotted in VIP: Darrell with his wife and Christa.
They have some really interesting decorations spread throughout the venue.
Including this genuine non-working Southern Bell payphone.
Overdue for a visit to Treehouse.
First you climb the stairs and go up into the tree.
No DJ here, just prerecorded music which last night was early 00's Dance.
Of course the main attraction at Treehouse is grabbing a drink or shot and then chilling picnic-style on the grass floor!
Always a great vibe in here; everyone is happy!
Two nights in a row at Celine!
Two nights in a row for an opening set from Sheen Boogie (USA).
But while I was impressed with his House set Friday night opening for Dash Berlin (NL), last night was a lot of Trap and Dubstep.
Didn't matter though; everyone here for the headliner!
DJ Robbie Rivera (USA)
Not as crowded as Friday night but hardly empty either.
A fine-looking crowd at that!
But the entire night was disorganized with the club advertising Robbie Rivera "on the rooftop" so a lot of people hung-out up there waiting, not knowing that he began playing downstairs.
But as always, he played a great House set including some (what I would call) Tropical House.
Spotted on the dance floor: Erick getting tag-teamed by Donna & Christa. Life is good.
Spotted on stage: Robbie Rivera's manager Raphael & DJ Leony (USA). Thanks, guys!
First time seeing Robbie Rivera playing in Orlando since 2015 at Gilt. Link.
My favorite song of his remains the Trancy "Girlfriend (Remix)".
With Firestone still closed, Celine has become downtown's largest venue for electronic dance music. Dusky (GB) plays here next Friday night and later in August we'll see Amine Edge & Dance (F) on stage here.
Near the end of the night and the dance floor was finally packed!
A good time was had by all.

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Concert Report: Dash Berlin (Celine)

Celine was the place to be last night as it often is!
DJ Danny Drexx (USA) opened and was impressive with a set that spanned House, Deep House, EDM and some Trance.
The early dance floor was just beginning to show some signs of life.
Typically a DJ duo when I've seen Sheen Boogie (USA) in the past, there was only one DJ last night.
And most Sheen Boogie sets I've seen in the past were heavy on the Hip Hop but his set last night was mostly House and was impressive!
And while he played, the dance floor got completely full!
Everybody here for Dash Berlin (NL)!
He was still operating last night under his own name Jeffrey Sutorius. He was originally part of a DJ/Producer trio called Dash Berlin but had a falling out last summer and left the group to operate under his own name. Last month he rejoined Dash Berlin and the other two departed so now the Dash Berlin name is his to use again.
He was really animated all night!
Packed to the rafters!
Trance is huge in Orlando!
Handing out "Vote For Dash Berlin" cards for the Top 100 DJ's poll at DJMag. Link.
When your name is "Dash", you can wear a "Dot" t-shirt!
Playing a lot of Vocal Trance!
Including a number of his own hits!
Going "Armin" on us!
There's going to be an all-Trance Dreamstate stage at EDC-Orlando in November because we just can't get enough Trance around here!
Confetti explosion!!
A good time was had by all!

Thursday, August 1, 2019

DS Update: Magic Mike Returning To HOB

Reprising his Sunday night role at House of Blues in Disney Springs, DJ Magic Mike (USA) returns on Labor Day weekend with a concert on Sunday, September 1st.  The music is the same as you used to experience back in the day at the former Service Industry Nights, but the difference is that this is a paid admission event ($12) and service industry employees no longer get in for free. But it still gets packed like his last show at HOB on Memorial Day weekend as shown here.
Tickets are available at the House of Blues box office in advance or on the night of the show.