OSCAR G
March is upon us, and for electronic music fans in Miami, this month beats out Christmas for the most wonderful time of the year. Because not only does March conclude with the largest dance music festival in the country, but each day leading up to Ultra is also equally rage-worthy.
Miami boasts top electronic acts year-round, but we’re calling the official march madness commencement March 16th - the Winter Music Conference Opening Day.
March 16th offers events for everyone, from pool parties to all-night concerts, you will not want to waste one precious moment of these 24 blissful hours.
Although Rob Fernandez may not yet be a household name, it's almost guaranteed that every DJ, producer, club owner, and club goer in New York City does. For the past two decades, Fernandez has been working his way up the nightlife networking ladder to become one of the biggest nightlife industry professionals in the city, helping to bring dance music to new levels with every event he touches. Rob Promotions, his company, is synonymous with NYC dance music mecca Pacha NYC, Dance.Here.Now and Asseteria. Not only does Rob have his fingers in most NYC noteworthy events, but most weekly parties including consistent impressive line-ups at Dance.Here.Now Thursday's hosted at Meatpacking District venue Cielo Club.
Face it, all good things things come to an end eventually. We won't get all existential on you, so let's put it in language most revelant to your current lifestyle: Gone are the good ol' days of goons pumping juice in the Tiana Beach parking lot.
Over the last four years, residents of the multi-milion dollar vacation homes lining Dune Road have obstinately (and rightly so) argued from the end of the infamous Neptunes Beach Club, that little shanty of a party place that, once, long ago, hosted headliners who's crowds really brought the alphabet to the party. Recently, increased police presence, random searchs and that damn scary German Shepherd (let's call him Hans) at the door clearly, and we repeat clearly, steered you away from any wrong doing.
It's about that time. Time to put away the mid-day margaritas and get back on tracks. And yes, that's plural, because we know you've plotted out more than one pathway of meyhem to your ultimate goal: gluttony.
So reserve the booze for tomorrow evening at Cielo, when Chus and Ceballos appear to release their new CD Back to Tracks, Vol 2. (Joonbug brought you the news of the release last month, but after all that noontime Patron, we know you've long since forgotten). Prepare for a night of bucolic cowbells, and delicious vocals, as well as that Madrid-tribal sound signature to the duo. All, of course, under Cielo's famous disco ball.
Remember your 20th birthday? Pony rides. Pin the tail on the donkey. You even were the one who broke the piñata
In case you're a little hazy on what exactly happened when you celebrated two decades of life, these childhood activities were at the heart of Nervous Records turned 20 last Thursday at Cielo.
Hey, it's always been about play.
Last Thursdays' celebration witnessed classic house beats mixed with modern rhythms by DJs Tovar, Pierre, CJ Mackintosh, and Kenny Dope. Everyone was in an elated mood, dancing madly under Cielo's disco ball and stimulating strobe lights. Unfortunately, there was no jumping out of a cake, but instead, Sandy B made a special guest appearance to sing her 1993 off the label, "Feel like Singing'." Oscar G and Ralph Falcon, fellow label stars, were also in attendance. Anthony Lamont was there as well (since when he is not ubiquitous) on the microphone, and the Pacha NYC dancers reigned supreme on the speakers in their pink Nervous tee shirts and booty shorts.
Yes, we swear there was no pin the tail on the donkey.
Your favorite cookie. Your yin yang tattoo. Your Dalmatian.
The co-mingling of Black and White, Good and Evil aptly parallels your weekend party adventure: utter hedonism balanced out by some spirituality. (We didn’t see you at Mass Sunday...)
And we know why. This weekend’s Black & White Festival, held at Governor’s Island sold out both days, providing partiers with a packed dance floor and promoters with smiling pockets.
Last year, New York promoters jumped on the European platform with attempts to bring their festival brands overseas. There were two installments of Matinée, the notorious Saturday party at Ibiza’s Amnesia; however only flying in one or two DJs from the group and none of the dancers did little to replicate the Spanish troupe’s insane pyrotechnics and naked burlesque. Last year also witnessed New York’s first Black & White, a brand which pawns off of Amsterdam’s Sensation Black and White. Historically, the “Black” day hosted gabber, hard style, hardcore, and techno, featuring artists such as Chris Liebing, Lady Dana and Mauro Picotto; while the “White” gave soaring solace with trance, and in later years, house artists.
Black & White Festival
Saturday July 16th & Sunday July 17th
Governor’s Island
Governor’s Island is easily becoming one of New York’s go-to hot spots for outdoor music festivals. The 176-acre island is fully equipped with its own man made beach, along with some electric, color-changing palm trees. The massive outdoor space welcomed the Black & White Festival last year for its debut event which showcases local New York dance music artists and DJs, with a few appearances from non-NYC mega artists. This year, the two day event scheduled for Saturday July 16th and Sunday July 17th allows local talent to perform for thousands attending the event.
You know the feeling. You’ve just left the club and the sun’s blaring down on you. You’re happy you forgot your watch and remembered your sunglasses. You’re not sure what you want to do first: eat or sleep, or attempt both at the same time. What happened last night? (Or, rather, this morning?) Vague memories shaped by strobe lights and smoke give an answer: you were a slave to the dark beat.
It’s finally arrived. House Music. What constitutes “house” is an argument as tiresome as Monday morning. But the bottom line is the genre’s borderlines have becoming increasingly blurry. With pop artists like LMFAO and The Black Eyed Peas venturing into the electronic sphere, and DJs like David Guetta “selling out,” house music has officially become mainstream. Littered with hip hop, banal vocals, and abrasive electro bits that attempt to harmonize the various musical styles together (but really just reminds those who used to stay at SoundFactory until 2 pm that they’re too old for the club).
Below are the top 5 upcoming house (broadly categorized) DJs to hit America:
Winter Music Conference brings some of the biggest pool parties of the year. This year, Nervous Records presents “Made in Miami” pool party at the Shelborne Beach Resort. Come celebrate Jonathan Cowan’s birthday bash from 12:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 11. Things are going to heat up, and not just because of the sun, with the return of Miami’s “Murk”: OSCAR G, RALPH FALCON, PATRICK M, BEHROUZ, LAZARO, CASANOVA, RONY SEKALY, JON COWAN, EDGAR V, STRYKE, DANNY DAZE. Cabanas are strongly recommended for the craziest pool party of the year! Purchase tickets at www.wantickets.com or pay $40 at the door. Ages 21+ with valid ID.
Shelborne Beach Resort
1801 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
For reservations contact MIAMI@JOONBUG.COM
 |
 |
 |
 |
