...if you are in montreal this weekend...

UPDATE: my source was not a good one, Ana Paula missed her plane to Montreal and Stéphan Grondin took her place at Parking on Saturday night. Checking right now if it is true she might be spinning at Parking on Sunday night.

Unfortunately I will be on a plane while this Brazilian power house will be making Parking move with her contagious energy. My understanding is that she is already in Montreal, and by the way, she rocked the Pool party at The Week International for Gay Pride Sampa Edition.

Tonight I am checking out this place called Edge in São Paulo, then I might ended up checking 269.

Next week this blog will go back to its normal activities.

What's going on?

I'm sure there are many interesting things happening wherever you are, and because I'll be super busy in the next couple of days, here is my compact posting for the week. Cherry, Parking, Unity, Stereo, Circus, Sky, Piknic, Beach Club and many other venues/locations will be waiting for you with their events - you just need to go out.

Danny Torrence @ Unity - May 17, 2008

The happiest place on earth is not Disneyland, it used to be but now it is when Danny Torrence is spinning at the Unity Club. Danny is good anywhere he goes, but at Unity you get to see the happy part of him. Great mix of vocals with great house music, even minimal was delivered with vocals.



Maybe Danny was felling a bit dark at the beginning, but quickly he moved into the happy territories. I just love how he play great music, even my friends mentioned that they couldn't leave the dance floor because the music was so good.

The Week International - São Paulo - Gay Pride 2008

The Week International have a full schedule for the boys and girls during Gay Pride in São Paulo. Their parties begin on Wednesday, May 21, and will last until Sunday, May 25. Several national and international DJs are in the list, including DJ Paulo, Isaac Escalante (Mexico), Chris Cox, Offer Nissim, Peter Rauhofer, Ana Paula and others.

Other clubs are also importing international talent, including the beautiful Hector Fonseca and Hex Hector, and if I'm not mistaken Brett Henrichsen will also be in town, not sure if working or just relaxing.

Rock in Rio - Madrid and Lisbon Edition

In January 1985, everything you talked about in Brazil was Rock in Rio, a festival in Rio de Janeiro that lasted for 10 days, which attracted 1.3 million people to the city created specially for this event. I was a kid at the time but I do recall watching some of the performances on TV.


Rock in Rio advertisement in 1984

Rock in Rio was repeated in 1991, then again in 2001, by 2004 they took the event to Lisbon, they loved it so much that returned to Lisbon in 2006. I guess Madrid got jealous and in 2008, both Lisbon and Madrid will be hosting this party.

On June 27 and 27, and July 4, 5 and 6, top performers from the world will be recreating this incredible event that started in Rio 23 years ago. If you are in Madrid this Summer, make sure to check out this party.


Queen performing in 1985

In case you cannot make it to Madrid, Lisbon is hosting the Rock in Rio event on May 30 and 31, and June 1, 5 and 6. I'm just wondering when is the next Rock in Rio in Brazil?

The Most Underrated Club in Montreal

picture by club zone

The third floor at the Sky Complex must be the most underrated club in Montreal. I do recall when the Sky was the place of choice when going out on Friday night, but somehow after the super expensive renovations occurred people started to go out somewhere else (Parking - we are talking years ago).

Then a while ago I start going out again on Friday night to Parking, which was supposed to be "the" place to go out, just to find out Parking on Friday night was no longer the place to be. Even the cover charge was dropped in order to attract "the" clientele - not even mentioning the top quality DJs - probably Parking should start thinking in allowing women on Friday as well, which I think is an overdue issue. Saturday night is the strong gay night at Parking, along with the Unity club, which cater to a younger crowd compared to Parking.

If neither Parking or Unity are the ones with "the" crowd on Friday night, have you checked the Sky? The crowd is like a mix of Unity and Parking, and obviously the second floor is always packed, but the third floor is what caught my attention.

Eddy Jasmin, a former Stereo resident, is in charge of the X-STATIC Friday's, and it had been a while since I heard this guy spinning. If you had the chance to see Eddy at Stereo (haven't seen at Circus yet), so imagine a night like that but with today's music, this is how I felt last night. Although the music was good, most of the crowd was hanging out on the second floor, and this is why I say the third floor at the Sky complex is the most underrated club in Montreal today.

Great sound system, good light show, high ceilings and a good dj, I think it deserve more people on the dance floor.

Techno @ Circus Afterhours (Gallery)

Circus is creating a new monthly evening at their Gallery room called Techno/Logic, and techno will be the music of choice. I hope this will end the complains by those people asking for more techno in the city. In second thought, maybe they just like to complain, and probably the reason they don't go out anymore is because they like to stay home? If one day I decide that I enjoy more staying home instead of going out, I promise I won't use the excuse "there is no good house music out there".

Talking about that, last night I ended up going to Parking for their Overdose night, and the German, based out of Madrid, Ascii Disko was in charge of the night. Very interesting fusion of electro, techno, vocals and dark industrial sounds, and as the music gradually changed so did the crowd. I have to say I'm glad I decided to go out last night.

Bravo California

May 15, 2008 - The California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage Thursday, saying sexual orientation, like race or gender, "does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights."

Grand Prix du Canada 2008 - Montréal

30 years of Formula 1 in Montreal - 1978 to 2008 - expect several parties around the city, and I will update you with more info once I return from São Paulo.

Destination Unknown: Cappadocia,Turkey

Mutek Festival - May 28 to June 1, 2008

The 9th edition of the electronic and digital creativity festival, Mutek, is back and as usual, different venues will be used to showcase nearly 100 performers, panelist and workshops, being the Mutek/Piknic at the Parc Jean-Drapeau my favourite one. Check their site for more information.

Tribe Hyperclub - Danny Torrence

Danny is back from Boston - I wonder how it went - and if you are not working on Friday, why not check out Torrence at Tribe on Thursday night?

By the way, someone was telling me Tribe, Cherry and another club in the neighbourhood, are attracting some not too desirable people to the area, which is causing some friction between the local residents and the party goers, or should I say those waiting for the party goers to arrive? Anyway, if this is happening, I would hope the clubs look into the matter before the city of Montreal does it for them.

By the way, in case you cannot make it to Tribe, and you still want to dance to the tunes of Torrence, he is also spinning at the Unity Club on Saturday night.

BBCM - Fresh Party @ Parking

It was supposed to be Peter Rauhofer spinning on Sunday night, along Patrick Dream and Stéphan Grondin, but his spot has been replaced by Manny Lehman. Now that Peter is off for the weekend, I wonder if he is taking off earlier to São Paulo to enjoy Pride?

deadmau5 at stereo

love the red mouse logo, and he always wear it everywhere he goes, the one below is at Coachella, now is he going to wear the same at Stereo?

very cute mouse, don't you love it?



"WTF - Chicken"

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet World Tour 2008

and back to Madonna, some of the World Tour dates have been released, and she is coming back to Montreal again.

Oct 03, 2008 East Rutherford NJ US Izod Arena
Oct 06, 2008 New York City NY US Madison Square Garden
Oct 07, 2008 New York City NY US Madison Square Garden
Oct 15, 2008 Boston MA US TD Bank North Garden
Oct 18, 2008 Toronto ON CA Air Canada Center
Oct 22, 2008 Montreal QC CA Bell Centre
Oct 26, 2008 Chicago IL US United Center
Oct 30, 2008 Vancouver BC CA BC Place Stadium
Nov 01, 2008 Oakland CA US Oracle Arena
Nov 04, 2008 San Diego CA US Petco Park
Nov 06, 2008 Los Angeles CA US Dodger Stadium
Nov 08, 2008 Las Vegas NV US MGM Grand
Nov 11, 2008 Denver CO US Pepsi Center
Nov 16, 2008 Houston TX US Minute Maid Park
Nov 19, 2008 Philadelphia PA US Wachovia Center
Nov 22, 2008 Atlantic City NJ US Boardwalk Hall
Nov 24, 2008 Atlanta GA US Philips Arena
Nov 26, 2008 Miami FL US Dolphins Stadium

Levitate with Stéphan Grondin

Don't know what's going on, but I would highly recommend Stéphan Grondin at Stereo this coming Saturday. Enjoy the ride with one of the best DJ from Montréal in one of the best clubs in the city. This is the only Levitate scheduled date for the Spring/Summer 2008.

Madonna - Hard Candy

I promised to tell you if I liked or not Madonna's new album, and the short answer is no. Unlike previous releases, I think I might have to listen this one a couple of times in order to let it grow on me.

"Miles Away" is probably the only song that captured my attention after hearing it only one time. I love Madonna, but maybe this time I don't think I'll be driving all the way to Boston to see her show. Check with me again later on, I might change my mind about it.

Danny Torrence & Victor Calderone @ Stereo - May 3, 2008

I was scared in writing this review, because I believe there are no words to fully describe the incredible voyage hosted by Victor Calderone in his Evolve night at Stereo. Therefore I have decided to write a simple and compact review.

It has been a while since Caldeore graced the docks at Stereo, if I’m not mistaken last time was back in October last year. He has made to Montreal twice after but not to Stereo. Many people felt in love with him at the Bal en Blanc, and many had no idea he has switched his style to a more dark techy sound, from the delicious hard tribal he used to play before.

As soon as I arrived, got to talk a bit with Danny Torrence, which was not feeling well at all. Kudos for him for coming and playing his warm up set. Because of that the usual passing of the torch that occurs at 5:00am happened way before that, and Danny played a house techy set, staying away from the vocals and happy tunes.

There were a lot of newcomers to the temple, including some of my friends, nevertheless the energy was a typical Evolve night at Stereo: inclusive, vibrant and sexy.

One thing to note is how happy Calderone looked, I’m guessing he was really looking forward returning to his favourite place on earth, and even though NYC is his home and New Yorkers claim him as his own jewel, we all know Montreal has a bit to do with what Victor is today. Have you ever been at one of his famous Black & Blue recovery parties?

Techy hard tunes during the first part of the night, and this is where you saw people either falling in love with his new style (for those that hadn’t seen him since October’07) or finding it a bit too dark to follow - personally I find the his new combination of house, techno and minimal very appetizing. He did the usual song destruction and reconstruction, adding some faster tunes along the way, and almost no vocal were used during the first part of his set.

Around 10:00am, or perhaps even before, Victor decided to change gears and took us back in time and forward into madness. Vocals were heard from the speakers, happier anthems creating this calming and soft effect, just to be lifted with the old tribal signature I know so well from him. It was crazy seen the dance floor behave like it did - it was a total tribal madness, and too bad for those that wanted to see this part of Victor but didn’t have the energy to stay for it. I thought it was genius the way he did it, and more, did you see the big smile in his face while he was spinning?

Everyone that came from Parking were talking how good Joe Hickerson had been, and I’m glad he had still energy to keep partying because he danced almost until the end at Stereo. Didn’t get to dance to his tunes, and I just hope his talent is as good as his looks.

Victor did an encore by the end, and by noon everything was part of Stereo history, there were still lots of people on the dance floor, which kept Stereo Bar open for a couple of more hours - good job by Malick.

Mariah Carey - We Belong Together (Rauhofer Miracle mix 08)

...if you are in montréal this weekend...

don't know what to do?

there are so many things to do, great parties to go, all you have to do is go out and about and enjoy the company of your friends, and the new ones you might end up making

Menno is at RedLite, Victor at his real house, and Frankie at Parking, where will you be this weekend?

The Week - São Paulo

If you are looking for information on how to buy tickets from abroad, for The Week International parties in São Paulo, you basically have 3 options:

1) if you have friends in São Paulo ask them to buy a ticket for you
2) find someone that speaks Portuguese and spend around 15 minutes on an international phone call to "Ingresso Rapido" at +55-11-4003-1212
3) once you arrive to São Paulo, run to a point of sale and hope there are still tickets left

If you tried to purchase the ticket using the advertised website www.ingressorapido.com.br, you will quickly find out you are only able to register if you have a Brazilian address. I tried to contact "The Week" regarding this issue, but unfortunately got no response from them. Therefore I called "Ingresso Rapido" and they told you could buy the tickets via telephone, just make sure your credit card company does not block the purchase coming from Brazil.

Due to the fact The Week International is becoming a very well known place around the world, they should start thinking about all those "organized" foreigners coming to party at their backyard. Keep you posted about the party on May 24 (R$ 80.00), if I have time I will post the review shortly after, otherwise until I return to Montreal.

Madonna Live @ Roseland Ballroom - New York City - April 30, 2008

if you missed the concert because no tickets or because you were not in NYC like me, then check this out.

I haven't watched the whole thing yet, and once I do I'll let you know what I think of her new music.



UPDATE: love the song Miles Away :-) and more below