February 1, 2010
The Best of Nightlife 2009
EDGE READ TIME: 16 MIN.
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.
BEST RECURRING INTERNATIONAL PARTY
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
BEST WEEKLY PARTY
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.
2008 Winner: CLICK - South Beach, FL
2008 Winner: MR. BLACK - New York, NY
BEST NIGHTCLUB
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.
2007 Winner: PACHA - New York, NY
BEST NATIONAL PROMOTER
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.
2008 Winner: CHRIS HARRIS & RAFAEL SANCHEZ - Boston, MA
BEST INTERNATIONAL PROMOTER
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.
BEST NEW SONG
"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."
2008 Winner: "THERE IS ONLY ONE" - Alan T.
BEST INTERNATIONAL DJ/PRODUCER
Hector Fonseca - New York, NY
LEGENDARY NIGHTLIFE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
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
BEST NEW CLUB
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
DJs ON THE EDGE
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.
2008 Winner: KIDD MADONNY - Miami Beach, FL
2007 Winner: DJ PAULO - Los Angeles, CA
INTERNATIONAL DJ ON THE EDGE
DJ Theresa - Bogotá, Columbia
PROMOTER ON THE EDGE
Logan Presents - London, England
BEST EVENT PRODUCTION
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.
2008 Winner: SAINT-AT-LARGE - New York, NY
BEST AFTERHOURS
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.
2008 Winner: EVOLVE - Victor Calderone/Pacha
BEST NEW INNOVATION
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!
2008 Winner: MASTERBEAT
