Stephan Grondin @ MJS - Friction (Los Angeles)

Once again, if you find yourself in the LA area this weekend, do not forget to check Montreal best export of the moment - he should be gracing the decks at the Friction party this coming Saturday.

DJ Theresa @ Parking

It looks like we are going to have a super happy evening at Parking this coming Saturday.

Piknic Électronik - New Policy for the Summer 2010

This is one of the most talk about subjects in the Montreal music scene at this time, and sorry for the non French speaking people, but the Piknic Electronik has not issued the English version of this press release.

The Press release below informs that you will no longer be allowed to bring alcohol at the Piknic, it will still be sold on site, and you can start thinking how this is going to affect the pockets of some Piknickers.

To tell you the truth I'm surprised the city of Montreal had allowed this to go for so long, but with all the glory the Piknic has achieved, it has also grabbed the attention of the gods, and it looks like if this new policy were not put in place, something more drastic could had happened to this delicious Sunday activity in our city of Montreal.

The Piknic has gone mainstream, and with an increase in attendance, it brings more issues the organizers must deal with, and I know the majority of people will dislike this policy, but better one inconvenience than losing the activity. There is already a group created in facebook (CONTRE LA NOUVELLE POLITIQUE D'ALCOOL DU PICNIK ELECTRONIK) that is trying to make a difference, but in this battle I believe the organizers had no choice but to follow some higher up recommendations, or face the music afterwards.

Phrase plate de la semaine

«Toute bonne chose a une fin!»


Nouvelle politique concernant l'alcool

AVIS AUX LECTEURS: Cœurs sensibles s’abstenir !

La popularité de notre événement ne fait plus de doute, comme en font foi les 3000 à 5000 personnes qui se rassemblent tous les dimanches sous le Calder pour apprécier la crème de la musique électronique montréalaise et internationale.

Réunir autant de gens comporte ses aléas et a des répercussions que toute organisation professionnelle se doit de considérer dans le déroulement sécuritaire de ses opérations.

Au fil des ans, nous vous avons ponctuellement mis en garde lorsqu’il y avait une recrudescence de comportements qui dépassaient les limites de l'acceptable. Hélas, force est de constater que ce n’est jamais suffisant et qu’il faut recommencer année après année.

Les conclusions que nous avons tirées de la saison 2009 du Piknic Électronik militent en faveur d’une révision de notre politique quant à la tolérance d’alcool provenant de l’extérieur du site. Et c’est précisément dans cet esprit que nous avons dû trancher cette année et mettre fin à une tradition du Piknic Électronik.

Personne n'aime devoir agir en préfet de discipline, mais quand le comportement excessif de certains, si minoritaires soient-ils, vient à gâcher le plaisir des autres et quand ces excès peuvent éventuellement mener à tout ce qui est contraire à la philosophie du Piknic, nous devons agir de façon responsable.

Par conséquent, il ne sera désormais plus permis d’apporter sur le site du Piknic de l’alcool provenant de l’extérieur.

Conscient que cette nouvelle politique fera des vagues et que certains nous prêteront des visées mercantiles, le constat demeure le même : il nous faut agir. Nous ne pouvons pas nous permettre d'attendre que l’irréparable se produise pour ensuite nous dire que nous aurions pu l’éviter.

Voilà pourquoi nous privilégions cette action préventive : pour consolider les assises de l’événement, pour assurer le confort et la sécurité du public, et pour conserver nos bonnes relations avec les autorités.

Nous sommes sûrs que les fidèles – que cette décision risque de décevoir – sauront malgré tout comprendre notre position et la réflexion qui a mené à cette décision.

Comme le dit le vieil adage: mieux vaut prévenir que guérir! Imaginez un été sans Piknic…

Vos dévoués organisateurs

Yosemite National Park

My brother is trying to convince me to go down in June, never been but heard many good things about this National Park.

Stephan Grondin @ Parking - April 24, 2010

Just a quick note to share with you how amazing Stephan Grondin was at Parking last night. It was absolutely madness on the dance floor, people were smiling, dancing, just happy to be there, and Stephan Grondin delivered one incredible set, flawless in all aspects. House music lovers are lucky to have someone like Grondin bringing his talent to the dance floor.

WORK NYC Pride 2010

If wasn't because I have tickets for the Cirque du Soleil (Totem) on exactly the same day, you would for sure see me in NYC for this party.

DJ LINE-UP:

Marco Da Silva
Ana Paula
Peter Rauhofer
Stephan Grondin

Black & Blue 2010 - 20 Anniversary Edition

Ladies and gentlemen, 2010 is the 20th anniversary of this massive party that only had 800 people in its first edition. If you are into numerology, then start checking the date when the main event will occur: 10-10-10 (October 10, 2010).

Unlike previous years, the 20th anniversary edition will have 2 rooms, one for the house music lovers, and another for the trance lovers. It was only a matter of time until this split was required for this massive, and personally I believe it was the natural and logical thing to do, specially since we have seen the musical direction taken by the main event in the last 2 years.

Said it before and repeating it once more, the Bal en Blanc is becoming gayer while the Black & Blue is becoming straighter. Nothing wrong in attracting the straight crowd, the only thing the Black & Blue must do is not to loose its appeal with the gay population.



In order to have 2 successful rooms, the BBCM will have to bring the big guns for both house and trance lovers, because if the musical talent is not calibrated correctly, we might have just one room left in the future again, and the trance lovers might have to add another massive to their annual calendar.

If you have never been to the Black & Blue main event, the 10-10-10 edition might just be the one you don't want to miss.

Parking, Unity and Stereo

Matinée Group is hosting a Circuit Festival (Barcelona) related party at Unity, it feels like this group is everywhere eh?



Grondin is back to Parking, and remember, next weekend he will be spinning in Los Angeles, so if you read about him, haven't seen him and live in the LA area, check him out.



Finally, Danny Torrence is back with an extended set at Stereo, don't know if I'll be able to go, but I'll try my best, it has been a long time since I seen him spinning.

Stereo - May 2010

Loved the fact XL is back.

Barcelona - Circuit Festival - July 31 to August 8, 2010

Glee - Madonna - Like a Prayer

Unfortunately the clip from the show was found by their creators and it was taken down, so now you are only going to be able to hear the song.

Alain Jackinsky - Podcast 10 - April 2010

Alain just released a new podcast, and I've noticed he has been very busy in the studio, good for him and great for us - Download Podcast.

Jackinsky, and don't worry you are not the only one having problems in pronouncing his last name, also released a new production called KINGS OF LEON - USE SOMEBODY (kalus vs jackinsky rework), fresh from the oven.

I have seen Alain spinning numerous times, and he could become Montreal next big export if you asked me. Catch up with Jackinsky next at DicoBlast in Mexico City on April 20.

Carlo Lio & Dubfire @ Stereo - April 16, 2010

I remember once, after a long night of dancing at Stereo, me and my friends were the last people on the dance floor, and I remember calling Victor Calderone's name and telling him "Victor, I want to have your children". I said that because Victor had just give me the most amazing party ever, he looked at me and laughed.

Today ladies and gentlemen, Victor's children have new brothers and sister, thanks to Carlo Lio and Dubfire.

This was the first time experiencing the work of Carlo Lio and he did not disappoint, he was actually impeccable and perfect for the job of warming up the crowd for Dubfire. I was seriously hoping he wasn't going to be like Mr. Sharam, and thankfully I got a lighter version of Dubfire. He played gradually hard and intense house techno music, touching everything with some minimal here and some darkness there, and most importantly, he was dropping the music exactly when it had to be done. Carlo, you just won a new fan in Montreal, and I will see you next time you return to this city, actually you deserve to be the main attraction next time.

Being a Friday night, it was expected to have a more straighter crowd, and I was actually surprised to see the influx of the gay crowd later in the evening. The people were beautiful and friendly, and yes, we are still getting some kamikazes when they decide to walk thru the middle of the dance floor thinking they own the place, but there is hope.

Dubfire took over around 4:00am and I liked it. I believe the last time I saw him was at the Bal en Blanc (can't remember which year), and he has changed since them. I was amazed by the way Dubfire controlled the crowd, moving them up and down at his will - obviously you will always find someone that do not like the music, but looking around the consensus I must say was the same, a positive experience with a master of the music.

If you like Victor Calderone, D-Formation, Vibe and others similar djs, then you would love Dubfire, it is as one friend told me, "Dubfire is like Victor Calderone in steroid". Simply loved the techno minimal house experience of the night, the music sometimes I felt it was too loud, and for a while the dance floor was shaking with the base "blasting" from those big boxes, but to experience Dubfire touching the Stereo monster sound system was something memorable. Many times it felt as if Dubfire was creating new music on the spot.

Stereo, there is one thing that is beginning to bug me, people smoking on the dance floor - it would be nice if security were to start asking politely for them to move to the smoking section.

Very happy to have gone to this party, and by 8:30am my body told me it was time to go home. The party ended at 10:00am and my friends that stayed behind told me Dubfire got better and better - I can only imagine.

Water Park Day - Barcelona

Feeling like going on a road trio to Spain this Summer?

"Dolphins Are Just Gay Sharks"

Thanks to Glee I believe from now on the expression "you are such a Dolphin" will take on a totally different meaning...hum, did this expression exist at all?

Thank You from the Bal en Blanc

and here is a thank you from the organizers of the Bal en Blanc 16:

Record heat: Montreal’s White Party Week finished the Easter weekend on a high note! Montreal danced like never before at the 16th White Party Week

Stimulated by the heat and the sunshine that gave us summertime in April, Montrealers and tourists celebrated the 16th edition of White Party Week with unprecedented enthusiasm. From the evening that launched the official CD on Thursday, April 1, with Yinon Yahel to the after-party Monday night with Victor Calderone, the ambiance was first-class, just as it was the night of Bal en Blanc itself, which featured unparalleled intensity. Over 15,000 people attended the great electronic dance music party, presented once again to a full house on Easter Sunday at Palais des congrès.

A wild ride for the Bal

The atmosphere was quite simply electrifying in the House room, where headliners David Guetta, LMFAO, Kaskade, Ana Paula and David Morales were a smash, as were Etienne Ozborne and Cesar “Bass” Romero in the role of curtain raisers. The vibes were every bit as excellent in the Tech room, where Ferry Corsten and Markus Schulz, visibly in top form, unleashed their unstoppable rhythms in the spectacular visual environment created by the Godskitchen Boombox. Sander Van Doorn, Sied Van Riel, the blistering Infected Mushroom and the duo Wizz/Insomnia were also instrumental in the success of this component, as prized as ever by its fans.

No incident left a blemish on the 15 hours of festivities, which unfolded in the most positive party spirit. The absence of Kryoman, “The Robot” (he missed his flight), who was supposed to perform during David Guetta’s set, proved to be the sole hitch of any consequence at this 16th edition. White Party Week once again distinguished itself as a key event on Montreal’s annual agenda, drawing many visitors from outside the city and in the process generating its share of economic benefits. The biggest indoor event of its kind in North America, the Bal is contributing more and more to the celebrity of the metropolis beyond our borders.

Highly valued connected events

Despite the fact that the Tiësto evening at Time Supper Club was interrupted by the authorities for reasons of overcapacity, related events were still a big hit. Montreal clubs Red Lite, Unity, Circus, Stereo and Parking all helped boost the party spirit with a popular lineup of international DJs. Quebec City, Ottawa and Saguenay were also well served, with a number of high-level evenings presented in March and early April.

Thank you!

The organizers of Montreal’s White Party Week, Playground Productions, wish to thank all the participants who contributed to making this 16th edition such a success. Thanks also to all our sponsors and partners for their essential and very much appreciated support. And it’s a date for the 17th edition of White Party Week, which will be held from Thursday, April 21, to Monday, April 25, 2011. Until then, lace up your shoes for the 4th edition of the Sensation event, taking place next September during the long Labor Day weekend.

They Are Back

Pablo Ceballos @ Bain Douches

Look who's returning to Montreal



Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 10:00pm till 3:00am
390 St-Jacques West, Montreal, QC

Parking, Bal en Blanc, Tracy Young and Victor Calderone

April 3 to April 5, 2010

Saturday night and Tracy Young looked very relaxed and feeling at home at Parking, big smile, enjoying her Corona with lime, and you could see how ready she was to be part of the Easter weekend in Montreal, a perfect woman for the job.In the past I have talked about the fact the majority of DJ’s are men, and it is always refreshing when you see a female DJ doing well in this business. Even better when you see new faces showing up all over the place. I just saw a flyer for another female DJ that shall be rocking Parking, and I hear of another one in Sao Paulo as well - the one that kind of took the place of DJ Ana Paula once she decided to leave her residence at The Week International. I just hope all these successful women become an inspiration for a legion of new female DJ’s, and I’m sure Tracy Young has been an inspiration to many people out there already. It would be interesting to see if the Bal en Blanc could find a female DJ to break the dominance of the “hombres” in the Trance room (*** edit: my apologies but I forgot about DJ Insomnia which has already played at the Bal en Blanc).

Tracy Young brought her usual happy tribal tunes to the dance floor, and the boys loved it, actually the place loved it because there was such a party feeling, and it was impossible not to feel intoxicated by the vibe and the music. Got to see many people I haven’t seen in a long time, and it was nice to catch up with them. Tracy was a perfect pick to host the party on Saturday night at Parking.

Sunday night came and I had already decided not to attend the Bal en Blanc main event, the idea was if I had energy and will, I would go to Stereo to see the commercial madness that Erick Morillo was expected to bring to the temple of house music. At the end I stayed home watching Spartacus, great series by the way.

Monday afternoon and the reports were already coming in about the Bal en Blanc. Overall everyone was happy with the party, no major problem occurred, unless you read a Montreal newspaper where they were talking about how one person had been arrested due to drug possession, but nowhere I read the fact this amazing event had brought thousand of people, from so many different cities, together in a peaceful night of dancing. Nowhere I read about the positive economical spin off caused by the Bal en Blanc. It was actually funny to read comments left by readers of the newspaper, on how scandalous were the customs wore by some of the party goers, and I thought the Victorian era had ended long time ago.

Several people told me how incredible David Morales had been in the House room, some newcomers had fallen in love with Ana Paula, and some were surprised by David Guetta. In the Trance room I heard good things about Sander and Markus. If I’m still in Montreal next year, I promise to give you my actual review of the party boys and girls.
Parking on a Monday night and somehow I did not feel guilt about going to a party, actually it felt good even if I had to work next day at 7:00am. I thought Victor Calderone was supposed to start spinning at 7:00pm and that’s when I arrived, but he started an hour or so later.

There were two types of people at Parking, the ones coming from a major night of dancing, and the ones well rested like myself, and on top of that you add the music by Victor Calderone and you have a nice recovery party. Victor Calderone should be declared the official DJ of the recovery party of any massive event in Montreal, nobody better than him to squeeze the final energy left in your body to get you dancing.

Victor brought the techno-house power to the dance floor and it was fantastic. Only stayed until 11:00pm so not sure if he decided to bring out the tribal army or not, and regardless if he did or not, I enjoyed the final party of the Bal en Blanc event in Montreal. You are going to laugh but this was the first time I noticed those lasers at Parking, and next day I actually worked from home instead of going to the office.

Dubfire @ Stereo

yes ladies and gentlemen, this is my next night out at the temple

Bal en Blanc 16 - Montreal 2010 - Videos

some of the videos have already started to show up on youtube, and I actually listened this morning to the live broadcast from the Trance Room, and one thing is to listen the music and another is to be part of this massive. Yes, as you can tell I decided not to go to Stereo last night, but be assure I shall be at Parking tonight for Victor Calderone.

Bal en Blanc 16 - Broadcast Live (Trance Room)

Just because you are not going it doesn't mean you cannot hear what's going on at the convention center - live feed from the Trance Room thanks to AH.FM

Bal en Blanc Live Broadcast

AH.FM being official radio partner of Bal en Blanc will broadcast this live event worldwide.

All Times are EST (Canada) - April 4, 2010

Wizz & Insomnia: 9pm - 12am (CET: 03.00 - 06.00) (3 hours)
Infected Mushroom: 12am - 1:30am (CET: 06.00 - 07.30) (WILL NOT BE AIRED)
Sander van Doorn: 1:30am - 4am (CET: 07.30 - 10.00) (2.5 hours)
Ferry Corsten: 4am - 7am (CET: 10.00 - 13.00) (3hours)
Markus Schulz: 7am - 10am (CET: 13.00 - 16.00) (3hours)
Sied van Riel: 10am - 12pm(CET: 16.00 - 18.00) (2hours)

Ned Shepard & Sander Kleinenberg @ Stereo - April 2, 2010

Glad my work week was over because I couldn’t take one more day of craziness, so you must understand I was ready for some major dancing, specially when we are talking about Bal en Blanc long weekend in Montreal.

Decided to arrive early - 2:00am - and although Sander was scheduled to begin spinning at around 5:00am I kind of wanted to feel some Nep Shepard.

Stereo was expectably more straight, there was even someone that told me he was surprised to see me in a not so gay event, well you know, it happens, specially since I recall the first time I saw Sander Kleinenberg at Stereo. Remember so well been involved by this incredible vibe and music, amazing when peak time arrived and I felt I was part of something big, I did not stop smiling and perhaps what made that occasion special was the fact I had no expectations, like when I visited Los Angeles for the first time - loved them both by the way.

Nep Shepard did his job in warming up the crowd, but with nothing memorable - the music was housy and jazzy, and in my view it could had been better.

3:00am and place was already busy, and security, I know you guys are trying your best in all, but let someone in with glow sticks? I believed there was an unwritten rule to not display those “things” at the Temple, but okay I won’t give you a hard time because a minor distraction.

Due to the fact my only working watch find itself in a draw in Chino Hills (California), my chronology might be a bit off, I believe it was around 4:00am when Sander took over the decks and then … nothing.

Seriously, we already had a warm up set, and if this is what he was trying to do, the only thing he accomplished was to bore me to death, and I almost left when I started to hear a song about a lady bug. Sander started with house music, the hyphen-less type, and unfortunately it was not happening for me, some call it music with soul, I personally just wanted some stronger music at this point. I know how my energy might influence others on the dance floor, and this is why I decided to move to the mezzanine and stayed there watching the crowd. Probably this went on for 2 hours and when I was ready to leave this is when Mr. I-have-the-whole-evening-structured-in-a-super-tight-way started to play the real thing, at least for me.

Sander started to drop some incredible sexy dark tunes, and this got me dancing and sweating in no time, my smile returned, my body felt energized, and you could see how the crowd reacted, so much you couldn’t see one person seating in those mini stages spread out in the dance floor. This is what I had come to see and feel for the night, and Sander almost lost me, and too bad for the people that didn’t have as much patience as myself, because they left without experiencing the other side of Sander. The music was like a bridge between house and trance, and very tight production, just the sound that once in a while was a little bit too laud.

Sander calls his tour “This is”, and I must say I was ready to say “this is it”, and I’m glad I waited because those 2 hours or so of good music that I experienced saved the night for me. I will not say this was an incredible evening, perhaps because I was expecting great music from the beginning, and I won’t excuse myself for expecting the best from top DJ’s, but I won’t say this was a bad party either - this is why “this is” a mix review for Sander.

I had a great time dancing with some people I haven’t seen in ages, and with all those new friends as well - left around 8:00am, and remember this is my personal view of the night.

Do you feel like singing?

Not sure about you, but part of me is telling me to run from these guys, and another is telling me to sing along with them.

DJ Andre Garça - "City of Endless Summers"

DJ Andre Garça (Rio) is sharing another set with us - perfect for a Summer type of day we are having in Montreal today.

Patius on facebook

Yes boys and girls, Patius has finally decided to create a page on facebook

Happy Easter 2010

Can you believe we are in April already? Easter in Montreal means one thing for many people, beside the religious experience of course, it means Bal en Blanc weekend, and everything begins today.




The Bal en Blanc organizers have been busy, and they have scheduled parties in the main clubs of the city. You can always visit their site for more info, and here you will find the ones I think would be interesting to attend, and some might not be organized by the Bal en Blanc at all.




Personally, sorry if you are expecting to read a review, but for the first time in years, I won't be attending the Bal en Blanc main event. nevertheless, I shall be at Stereo on Friday for Sander Kleinenberg, I'm probably checking out Tracy at Parking on Saturday night, have not decided if I'm doing Erick Morillo at Stereo on Sunday, and I'm almost sure I shall be at Parking for Victor Calderone on Monday night.




The weather is going to be absolute beautiful in Montreal, and you should enjoy it as much as you can. Partying or not partying, there is something for everyone, welcome if you are a visitor to the city, and be nice if you are a local, and dress in white if you are going to the main event, and Happy Easter.