Club Reports: Cocktails & Screams, Independent Bar, Zone 333 Street Party

The sign still reads 39 Pine, but this is now the home of the new Halloween-themed Cocktails & Screams.

They apparently don't need a sign because the word was out for "opening night" and the line was at least an hour long to get in!

The entrance is next to what is now called Sound Bar but better known as Backbooth. SPOLIER ALERT: Do not proceed beyond this picture unless you want to see inside!

The large inside of the venue. Let me tell you, it's nothing short of spectacular!

This can be found on the main stage. There was no DJ playing last night, just recorded Classical and Spooky music.

There are various themed sections.

Another one.

Many things glow with black light.

If you've ever been to Haunted Mansion at Disney's Magic Kingdom.....

 We're not going to show you everything but you get the idea!  And this is not just open for Halloween, this will be a year-round venue just as Frosty's Christmastime Lounge has done a couple blocks away.

You know by now if it's at all possible on a Saturday night, I'm going to visit Independent Bar.

Just as it should be on a Saturday night, DJ Indie John (USA) in the perch!

The dance floor was uncharacteristically empty initially.

But once the long line at the door cleared, the place filled-up!

Spotted in VIP: DJ Parry (USA) with Renee from Love & Leather. Guys, the holidays are coming soon and it's not too early to be ordering something now for your sweet babboo! Check out Renee's handmade collections on the link.

Taking over late, the mysterious DJ KC Cuts (USA).

I-Bar Saturday nights have become noticeably less Goth and more Millennials.

But more than any other club in town, it's a mix of everyone. Because everyone loves the 80's!

And it gets crazy in there!

Elixir Bar was home last night the the Zone 333 Street Party!

Arrived fashionably-late for a Techno/Tech House set from either Hector Couto (E) or Stacey Pullen (USA).

Whoever it was was short so he was difficult to see over the equipment.

The grounds were packed!

And then the headliner after 1AM, DJ Erick Morillo (USA).

First time I've ever seen him live!

I'm sure he's played Orlando before but I couldn't find any listings for the past 10 years in the Blog archives.

The event took place not only inside Elixir Bar and on their famous dance patio, but also in the adjacent parking lots.

Where it was absolutely mobbed!

The lasers were flying!

Going "soulful" House on us late.

A long House version of "Heard it Through The Grapevine" sent the crowd into a frenzy!

It was pretty amazing!

And a good time was had by all.

Club Reports: Stonewall, McQueens, MamaJuana

Friday night in the city and wide-awake from jet lag, it was time to get back into the groove. First visit ever to Stonewall, the off-the-beaten-path venue located on Church Street but way over near the Orlando City Lions Exploria Stadium.

The venue contains three areas of music and we found DJ Dave Cannalte (USA) in the booth of the main room.

The music last night was Industrial / Alternative but included a lot of 80's you'd hear at Independent Bar on Saturday nights. The main room reminded me completely of I-Bar.

Out back on the patio we found this interesting DJ booth.

And DJ Tommy Mot (USA).

Tag-teaming with the far-prettier DJ Amaryllis (USA).

The music outside was also Industrial / Alternative. The bar out here was busy.....but the dance floor was not.

Stonewall being in an industrial area of town, the neighbor's trucks were parked nearby.

Upstairs was a third area of music. Whoops, nothing for me here!

Back in the main room, DJ Smilin' Dan (USA) had taken over.

Even the DJ booth reminded me of I-Bar, complete with dangling cords, pipes and dim lighting.

As did the wall of video monitors. Very cool place!

McQueens is located directly above Bullitt Bar, a venue themed after the 1968 film of the same name. It starred actor Steve McQueen.

DJ Heat (USA) was putting out the Hip Hop.

But there weren't a lot of people here to hear it. Maybe they'll discover that House music draws a larger crowd.

The decor here is amazing though, like this wall of skulls.

And I'm pretty sure this is the always-decor, not just for Halloween.

There's even some hoops!

First it was Vinyl Arts Bar, then Vinyl Rum & Tapas Lounge and now MamaJuana.

DJ Marcos Catena (RA/USA) had just taken over from DJ Fobia (USA).

Great House music had a small contingent on the dance floor.

Including Helena & Christa!

The renovations that took place with the name change is the removal of a wall that separated the main room dance floor from the bar area. They now flow into each other.

The new name comes from the strong Dominican liquor Mamajuana, spotted aging in those brown bottles up on the shelf!

DJ Castillo (USA) taking over late.

House music all night long!

And a good time was had by all.

AAHZ Reunion Reminder

Tickets will be going on sale soon for the 2019 edition of the AAHZ Reunion. I've been told about a few of the DJ's playing this year and it's going to be another amazing night!

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday November 27th / Thanksgiving Eve

This Weekend In Techno Town

SATURDAY OCT 5
  Street Party with DJ Erick Morillo (USA) & Stacey Pullen (USA)     Washington St @ Elixir     House

SATURDAY OCT 5
DJ 12th Planet (USA)     Celine     Trap, Dubstep

Trip Report: Crossing The International Date Line

Samoa is an independent country once known as Western Samoa. It is located west of the International Date Line. American Samoa is a territory owned by the United States and it's east of the International Date Line. On the clock, they are thus 24 hours apart from each other. Visiting Apia, the capital of Samoa, I absolutely had to find a way to visit the American island!

And I did thanks to Samoa Airways.

After take-off, flying over beautiful Samoa. It's only a 25 minute flight!

People ask me if you can see the international date line when you cross it. Of course. It's a dashed line made up of clouds. (The equator is actually a solid line.)

I left Samoa on a Wednesday morning.  A half hour later I landed on a Tuesday morning in American Samoa's capital, Pago Pago. (Pronounced Pango Pango)

It's just as lush and beautiful as Samoa.

It's very mountainous and made up of numerous islands.

 Small Catholic church. All the brands are here.

 There's an official and beautiful National Park.

You'll recall the tsunami that inundated Japan several years ago. Although thousands of miles from Japan, the same tsunami hit Samoa and American Samoa as well.

Local buses are just $1 per ride.

Yes, American Samoa is really part of the United States! And I believe it and Jarvis Island are the only parts of the United States that are south of the equator.

Soon it was time to return to Samoa and return to Wednesday. On approach to Apia, Samoa. It was great to visit a small part of America so far from the rest of the country.