The Best of Nightlife 2009
Drum roll, please-and a trumpet fanfare as well-for 2009 was a trying year all around, but in spite of economic adversity and bureaucratic hassles that would test the mettle of even the most diehard promoters, producers, deejays, and revelers, the nightlife world still managed to show the diurnal world that creativity and magic flourish when the sun goes down. And now, without further ado, the 2009 BEST OF EDGE: NIGHTLIFE Awards-in which all that is good about the nightlife industry is duly commended and celebrated.
Rapido - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Reestablishing Amsterdam as the gay capital of Europe, Rapido took nightlife to the next level. With spectacular lighting, cutting-edge performances, and dance marathons that often surpassed the 12-hour mark, there was no stopping promoter Edgar Bonte. With as many as ten annual events, Rapido brings Europe’s sexiest crowd to a wonderland of fun, adventure, and fresh themes. If it’s true that a picture is worth a thousand words, then check out the videos: http://www.clubrapido.com/videos.php
Club 57 - New York, NY
Just when it seemed Saturday night in Gotham had devolved into Facebook and Manhunt, along came Club 57 to re-invent the classic Saturday night gay party that New Yorkers have long considered their weekly right. Thanks to the savvy vision of promoters Brandon Voss and Tony Fornabaio, on September 19, rising from the ashes of the le Bar Bat, the club Providence metamorphosed into the playground Club 57, with an opening night that brought DJ/producer Mike Cruz and DJ Lina, performances by Inaya Day and Lea Lorien, and Richie Rich as host-and a line that nearly circled the block. With three floors and a rotating roster of international DJs including Tony Moran, Hector Fonseca, Phil Romano, Escape, and Eddie Elias, Club 57 has quickly filled the void left by the long-running Roxy-while proving that Hell’s Kitchen is hotter than ever on a Saturday night.
www.fveventsny.com
2008 Winner: CLICK - South Beach, FL
2008 Winner: MR. BLACK - New York, NY
Stereo - Montreal, Canada
After a devastating fire in July 2008, Montreal’s Stereo is back and better than ever. One of clubland’s legendary hotspots, Stereo has reopened its doors to recreate an experience like no other in the world. Consider these facts: an elevated dance floor, to cushion the feet and legs; 190,000 watts of flawless analog sound; a new stage for live bands; and a totally "green" philosophy, whereby recycling is emphasized. Keeping true to its m.o. of being a club for the people, regardless of color, age, or sex, and serving music with no boundaries, Stereo introduced its new Saturday concept: no advance advertising about the night’s line-up-only the assurance of classic, quality music played by a surprise superstar guest artist. The ultimate deejay’s playground, Stereo has returned in stereophonic sound.
www.stereo-nightclub.com
2007 Winner: PACHA - New York, NY
Josh Wood- New York, NY
He’s the man who brought Kylie Minogue to the US-and the man who got Lady Gaga on-board for the March on Washington. The same man who brought John Waters and Alan Cumming and Pet Shop Boys and Sandra Bernhard to New York audiences. Oh-and also he produced the Pines Party on Fire Island Pines, as well as weekly revels such as Rooftop, 747, 10 Oak, Garden of Ono, Chelsea Hotel, and Super Snaxx-as well as the New Year’s Eve bacchanal The Black and White Ball at the Chelsea Art Museum, starring Deborah Cox. Not bad, Josh. What do you do for an encore? 2010 awaits you.
www.joshwoodproductions.com
2008 Winner: CHRIS HARRIS & RAFAEL SANCHEZ - Boston, MA
Lorenzo Walk - Paris, France
In 2009, Lorenzo Walk gave us even more reason to love Paris. His legendary monthly party, SCREAM, founded by David Guetta in 1996, continues to deliver some of the hottest talent, including appearances by superstar DJ talent such as Hector Fonseca, Danny Verde, and Victor Calderone-while resident DJ Ben Mason pushes the party into ever-higher realms. As promoter, Walk was responsible for Lady Gaga’s first European stage appearance-and continually shapes the evolution of European nightlife.
www.screamparis.com
"Bad Romance," Lady Gaga
If for no other reason than the ubiquitous usage of the phrases "rah-rah ah-ah-ah...I want your love (love, love, love, I want your love)" by approximately 250 million Facebook junkies-but also because Lady Gaga penned a tune with universal appeal in its timeless dissection of an ugly romance and the psychopathic addiction we’ve all fallen prey to in wanting what’s bad for us. Who couldn’t relate to this song-and who could keep from chanting its mind-numbing hook? Furthermore, parodies of the insanely creative video are rife on the web. In short, "Bad Romance" is a song that touches everyone with its "lover’s revenge."
www.ladygaga.com
2008 Winner: "THERE IS ONLY ONE" - Alan T.
Hector Fonseca - New York, NY
A self made DJ/Producer/Artist, Hector Fonseca is considered the "total package" and true talent who is constantly evolving. During a time when almost everyone seems to be a dj, Fonseca stands out not so much for his looks but for his talent in the studio and powerful yet cutting edge DJ sets. With handsome latin looks to boot, he traded the catwalk as a fashion model for the studio & deejay booth 8 years ago and never looked back. While at Star 69 Records, Fonseca created his signature "electribal" sound, a sexy and chic mash-up of electro, vocal, and tribal that has resulted in remix hits for artists such as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Kanye West, and Shakira. Well-known for his highly-regarded 2009 original track, "Get On Top," Fonseca also burned up the floor with his remixes of Chelley "Took The Night," Lady Gaga "Pokerface" and "Bad Romance", as well as his remix of Kanye West "Love Lockdown" and Laroux’s "Bulletproof". Fonseca broke out this year, headlining parties around the world, such as White Party Palm Springs, Amore in Rome, Maxima in Rio, Scream in Paris, and Prism Pride in Toronto. Fonseca’s current residencies include Parking in Montreal, Score in Miami, and Reflex in Los Angeles. And there’s no stopping this superstar in 2010 as this young talent is set to headline the biggest parties such as Black Party, Winter Party and Disney’s Arabian Nights!
www.hectorfonseca.com
Watch Hector Fonseca’s Music Video of Chelley ’Took The Night’
2007 Winner: MARK ANTHONY - Montreal, Canada
Flava - Los Angeles, CA
Sometimes known as Mark Martinez, the performance artist Flava played the legendary Sylvester in the film MILK in 2008-a kind of cherry atop his circuit career which has included his headlining performances at nearly every circuit event-and always in jaw-dropping ensembles, with flawless terpsichorean technique. For ten years a Chippendales dancer, as well as a choreographer who’s worked with Janet Jackson and Prince, Flava’s upcoming projects include vocal tracks with Jeanie Tracy and DJ/producer Manny Lehman.
www.tangobluesentertainment.com/flava
2008 Winner: KEVIN AVIANCE - New York, NY
2007 Winner: ALAN T - Miami, FL
2007 Winner: CHYNA GIRL - Miami Beach, Fl
Club 57 - New York, NY
What was once the somewhat moribund le Bar Bat rose like the phoenix to become Club 57 @ Providence on Saturday nights, thereby injecting gay Manhattan with a massive infusion of youth, glamour, and fun. The club’s bones were always good-three levels, soaring ceilings, mezzanines-but it took promoters Brandon Voss and Tony Fornabaio to sweep out the bat vibes and create a gay playground that bursts with sexual energy every Saturday night.
www.fveventsny.com
2008 Winner: LIV - Miami Beach, FL
The Perry Twins, Los Angeles, CA
With roots in the Northeast, the Perry Twins (Derek and Doug) paid their dues with a radio mix show and a dance troupe, both called "Dance Planet" before relocating to Los Angeles to work in film and television. As remix artists and producers, the Twins have collaborated with dance music stars such as Kristine W., Jeanie Tracy, Ari Gold, Debby Holiday, and Niki Haris, whose "Bad, Bad Boy" is the follow-up to the Twins’ chart-topping debut single "Activate My Body." Recipients of the WeHo Award for Outstanding DJ, the Perry Twins have spun at CLICK in Miami, the Roxy in Boston, the Abbey in LA, Krave in Las Vegas, Fresh in San Francisco, as well as such events as White Party Palm Springs, San Diego Pride, West Hollywood’s Halloween, Ascension/Fire Island Pines, and their upcoming gig at Winter Party Festival’s much-celebrated Pool Party.
www.perrytwinsmusic.com
2008 Winner: KIDD MADONNY - Miami Beach, FL
2007 Winner: DJ PAULO - Los Angeles, CA
DJ Theresa - Bogotá, Columbia
From the country that brought the world Shakira and Erick Morillo, Colombia’s DJ Theresa is the perfect amalgamation of the two superstars - a talented musician and a dangerously energetic DJ. Having played alongside top talent ranging from Macy Gray and Ivano Bellini, to Roger Sanchez and The Scumfrog, DJ Theresa has a following that grows by the minute. Now partnered with international superstar Hector Fonseca, 2010 promises to be a breakout year for the duo, as they headline some of the largest, most high-profile events, including Gay Disney Arabian Nights and Sao Paulo Pride. "I will do anything to make you move...anything," says DJ Theresa, recently named "Best Female DJ of 2009". As a neophyte producer, Theresa has already gained the attention of dance music’s finest. Her remix of progressive house maestro Stan Kolev’s ’I Know’ recently hit #1 on UK label Global Underground in 2009. Also topping the charts is Theresa’s remix of Holmes Ives classic house anthem ’Boom’ featuring vocals from La Bouche’s Lane McRay. Keep your eyes out... Theresa is taking the electronic music scene by storm!
www.djtheresa.com
Watch Theresa Live Video
2007 Winner: MARK ANTHONY - Montreal, Canada
Logan Presents - London, England
With a massive infusion of spectacular production values and performance art (in this, the year of performance artist Lady Gaga) Logan Presents reignited the fire that has, for years, kept London one of the hottest party destinations. Bringing extravagant stage shows and stellar technical prowess, and partnering with the biggest names in European nightlife such as Madrid and Ibiza’s super-party SuperMartXe (pronounced "super-mar-shay"), as well as continuing his partnership with Matinee, Logan Presents events are one of the European scene’s hottest tickets, drawing some of the sexiest crowds to parties that are nothing less than theatrical performance pieces with themes such as THRILLER, KAOS CITY, and GOLD. Book your flights now!
www.loganpresents.com
Watch 1st Anniversary Video
2008 Winner: EDISON FARROW - Miami Beach, FL
Wonderland Gay Pride - Los Angeles, CA
The circuit has no shortage of spectacular party settings-and yet there are few who would argue that one of the most splendid nighttime playgrounds is an actual outdoor soundstage at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. Every year for Wonderland, Tom Whitman creates a nocturnal festival, complete with Ferris wheel, lasers, and lights-as well as wall-climbers and acrobats in a dizzying display of gravity-defying aeronautics. This is the party at which Lady Gaga performed-a year in advance of her own star shooting across the galaxy. Wonderland is no misnomer; Wonderland is that childhood realm made manifest.
www.tomwhitmanpresents.com
2008 Winner: SAINT-AT-LARGE - New York, NY
Reflex & Atlas - Los Angeles, CA
This ain’t your mother’s after-hours. With monthly themed events such as "Lord of the Drums" and "Heroes and Villains," and set designs that completely transform the Factory and Ultra Suede, as well as all-night-long entertainment from the likes of Flava, Shokra, and Adam Killian, Evenstar Presents: Reflex and Atlas have given Los Angeles the after-hours it has long deserved, an after-hours formula that keeps the boys returning for the transcendent visions of promoter Michael Brown. With deejays such as Alexander, Hector Fonseca, Paulo, Joe Gauthreaux, and Kimberly S., amongst others, Evenstar Presents reminds everyone that there’s more than one city that never sleeps.
www.evenstarpresents.com
2008 Winner: EVOLVE - Victor Calderone/Pacha
GRINDR
While the iPhone redefined what a cell phone can do, Grindr revolutionized the entire concept of online cruising. By utilizing the iPhone’s GPS location services, Grindr provides a way to chat and exchange photos with a potential date-but even more importantly, Grindr shows you which boys are closest to you. Ever wish that you could automatically determine which boys in a crowd were gay-and interested in you? Grindr takes you there. While this incredibly popular iPhone App has been featured in mainstream news, the bigger news is how many hook-ups Grindr has fostered at bars, clubs, and dance events. Finding a date or a trick has never been so easy. Happy hunting!
www.grindr.com
2008 Winner: MASTERBEAT
