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by Jake Resnicow
EDGE Parties Contributor (NYC)
Monday Jan 15, 2007
2006 was a very good year for the circuit. There were thousands of extraordinary events and hundreds of party weekends across the globe from Thailand to Canada. Gay men all over the world are uniting under the disco ball in record numbers.
Our staff has come together to bring you the top ten events of 2006. While so many factors have been taken into consideration, we paid special attention to production (lighting, decorations, venue selection, sound systems), turnout (size, quality, energy), and the DJs. Every detail counts.
Without flawless execution of these three categories, many excellent events failed to make the cut. For example, DJs Peter Rauhofer and Offer Nissim delivered a near-flawless set on NYE at Area 51/Miami, but turnout was low. Meanwhile, at Twilo on New Years Eve, Tony Moran and Abel turned it out for well over a thousand revelers. And it says a great deal about the high standard of circuit events in 2006 that neither of these made EDGEs Best of 2006.
All in all, the best circuit events require no enhancers. As Victor Calderone tells EDGE, "Music is your drug." After careful review and debate, here are EDGEs Best of 2006:
 Main Event, Supersonic, Black and Blue Festival, Montreal, Canada
Already the winner of Best International Festival by PINK TV, BBCMs Black and Blue Main Event was every bit as super as the theme Supersonic would suggest. With a superlative set design evoking a futuristic inter-galactic airport, and fittingly evocative sets from Chus & Ceballos, Mark Anthony, and others, Main Event thrilled more than 8,000 revelers for nearly twelve hours. A party that attracts people from all over the globe, Main Event shines as a template for interracial tolerance, cooperation and community.
 Schwarzwald BlackParty, SaintAtLarge, Roseland, New York
Because even when people might have a problem with the music, theres nothing quite like the sheer excessive hedonism and extremism of the Saint At Larges annual bacchanal. Sui generis, without a doubt, and even when its not your first time, there are things you see and people you run into, which you havent seen before, or in years. A brilliant way to continue the legacy of what is, arguably, the most seminal gay club in the history of gay America"and this years set design insured that even those who were not members of the original club, the original Fillmore East, on Second Avenue, would get a taste of how it once had been"and for one night at least, still was. DJs Peter Rauhofer and Offer Nissim shined in one of the years best events.
 WinterParty, Sunday night, Crobar, SouthBeach, Miami
Because for the first time in years, there was no competing party and the boys have only one choice on the Sunday night of WinterParty weekend, and even though theyve been partying all day long on the beach to Phil B., they pour into Crobar -- and its just like the old days, when Crobar first hit town, and DJ Victor Calderone claimed it as his own -- and in the middle of that old Art Deco theatre, the crowd is filled with newbies and first-timers as well as ones who remember, and the mix is intoxicating, and Victor knows as much -- and lets us all have it. A party like its meant to be.
 Montreal Pride Weekend, Twist Encore, Stereo Nightclub, Montreal
Stereo Nightclub is indisputably one of the worlds best after-hours venues; with acoustic perfection, old-school analog sound, and strategically-placed shock absorbers, it is lauded as the best sound system in the world. This venue draws warm, knowledgable, no-attitude crowds -- reminiscent of days of New Yorks Tunnel, Palladium, and Twilo. Indeed, major international DJs often compete for holding the longest set and keeping the crowd pumping through the following afternoon.
This night was no different. Stephan Grondin, one of Montreals best-kept secrets, kept the club throbbing. As Victor Calderone took over decks, he played to a packed club through 4:00 p.m. the following day: "The whole place is inspiring. The people are ready to hear new music, be taken on a journey, and we really vibe off each other. They pull me, make me dig deeper... Its just totally inspiring. This place and the people are magical."
 The 20th Heritage of Pride Pier Dance, New York City
Because it was all about the girls: DJ Susan Morabito and J.Lo -- both of whom were on and wildly supported by their boyz, and because it was a beautiful day on the water, and the fireworks were splendid, and it was New York in City where it all started in 1969.
 Aquarium, JV's Annual Birthday Extravaganza, Pacha, New York
There is no question that legendary DJ Junior Vasquez still has it. Hes been at the forefront of the dance music scene for over 20 years, and still leaves music aficionados in awe. His annual birthday party undoubtedly will be remembered as one of the best musical nights of the year. When hes on, the crowds on -- and thats how it was. JV delivered a 12-hour set, boasting innovation, unpredictability, and ferocious tribal beats before a throbbing crowd of 3000.
Pacha brings a unique blend of glamour, decadence, and Ibizan-style to New York. The multilevel space is in a class of its own -- boldly irreverent and eternally chic. Throw in fierce cryogenics and outrageous, over-the-top decor by Rafi Mercado, and this event makes a sure entry to EDGEs Best of 2006.
 Genesis III, New Year's Day Crobar Miami
Because it was New Years Day, the start of a newer, better year, and in spite of a brilliantly sunny morning, the boyz crowded into a pitch-black Crobar -- and danced to DJ Tracy Young -- an uplifting set of promise, and Maya made a stage-frightened appearance, singing songs which captured the year and heralded her continued dominance of the dance charts. Without question, Mike Mazers PM Parties consistently delivers the nations best event productions.
 Zoo Party, San Diego Pride, S.D. Zoo
There are a great many T-dances, but few exude the romance and awe of Powerhouse Productions Zoo Party. The decorations and ambiance proved unparalleled. The high $100 price per ticket is every bit worth it -- the event yet again completely sold out in advance (which of course opened the door to our beloved circuit-ticket scalpers). DJ Tony Moran and DJ Phil B delivered a magical set that may very well make the Zoo Party the best T-Dance of 2006.
 XTreme Clubbing: B&B Weekend, Le Parking Nightclub, Montreal
Club Parking has history -- sex and music in its bones. For years, local favorite DJ Mark Anthony ran the fabled after-hours from the downstairs booth; he explains, "Montreal has a history of fierce dance floors." And this party over Black and Blue Weekend at Parking was an example. DJ Junior Vasquez brought that New York intensity and mixed it with Montreal cool. The event result was an easy entry into the Best of 2006.
 Twilo Opening Party, Miami, FL
Marking the dawn of a new era, the legendary nightclub Twilo opened its doors in Miami for the first time -- reviving the energy and notoriety of its New York days. The party attracted more than two-thousand club-enthusiasts from around the globe -- dancing to the throbbing music of DJ Abel up through the next morning. Plus, the venue unveiled their state-of-the-art Phazon sound system and the most advanced lighting technology. Now, just six months later, Twilo is nationally-recognized as one of the East Coasts most ultimate after-hour venues.
 One Mighty Weekend: Beach Ball, Typhoon Lagoon, Orlando, FL
If anyone tells you that the circuit is dying, just visit Orlando for One Mighty Weekend/Gay Disney. Again and again, Johnny Chisholm continues to prove again and again the magic of a circuit event. Typhoon Lagoon hosts what may very well be the best Friday night party of the year. The rides, the shirtless boys, the phenomenal lighting, DJ Kimberly S, the lazy river -- its a fantasy-come-true and remains one of the most-talked-about circuit events of the year. |
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