The Juice Box

A Summer Double Header

Posted on August 4th, 2008 by Jim.
Categories: Event Reviews.

The San Francisco Bay Area has a way of throwing some of the best events one, right after the other, after the other, etc. You get my drift.

So these past couple weeks were two of summer’s highlights in San Francisco – The Up Your Alley (Dore Alley) Street Fair and the Lazy Bear Weekend up at the Russian River.

Dore Alley is often like the local leather street fair in San Francisco. It is the place a lot of locals go because it is small (well smaller than Folsom Street Fair) and still seems to embody a more fun and interesting crowd. The weekend has been steadily growing, from just a Sunday street fair to now a whole weekend full of activities. This year Dore had two prominent dance parties to attend – Saturday night the Bay of Pigs party run by the FSE team held at York Studios and PLAY by the Past Curfew Team (of which I am a member) at the DNA Lounge. Both parties had a unique and different feel with similar crowds.

The Bay of Pigs party was something that I wanted to check out because of the use of this new space, York Studios, which is just that, a studio. They get two big boxes, with open ceilings and can make it into what they want. The BOP team did a great job of creating a mood and decorating for a darker sexier energy. Lighting seems to be a challenge in this space, but I think they did a pretty good job given the limitations of build and strike times. The main dance room was large, with a great sound system that felt like it would vibrate the building off the foundation. The blue and red lighting used to highlight the duct work gave it a fun warehouse industrial vibe (man I wish there were more warehouse parties). The simulated torch lamps on top of the speakers gave a bit of a tribal feel as well. The back room was darker, using more blue light, with several small stages for performances. There was also a maze in the space to create some interest. I did not get to spend as much time as I hoped at this party due to two reasons. First, I volunteered to work coat check, and that was my highlight of the night. I had a blast. Helping everyone get into the proper aesthetic for the night and seeing some cool, interesting and very provocative outfits. After my shift was up at coat check I headed out to meet friends on the dance floor and starting getting into the party. Sadly, and reason two for not spending time, after one hour of audio assault by the music of DJ Paulo, I cashed it in, grabbed my coat and went home. Overall, BOP gets good marks for space, environment and the team that pulled off the party, but low marks for the DJ. I will give this party another shot if it happens next year.

The other party, PLAY, on Sunday, was the gem of the weekend. And while it may seem that I am tooting my own horn here because I am on the Past Curfew Production Team, the reviews from others coming in would strongly back my stand. DNA lounge is a great little club on 11^th Street, South of Market, between Folsom and Harrison. We have been throwing PLAY T-Dances there since an unfortunate shooting one weekend at 1015 forced us to make a last minute change. I used to also attend great little dance parties there called Thump, by the Thump Radio group (man I miss those). We have a great formula to make this space work – everyone is greeted, everyone is welcomed, and fun is encouraged. I was in charge of decorating this party which was themed for gear (in line with Dore Alley Weekend) and the Temple of Love. I created a large wall decoration with a giant red heart and colored silk flowing from it with an altar like space below it and hung up 6 simulated torch lamps to give the temple feel. The overall aesthetic worked. Our DJ selection for this party was Lydia Prim from New Orleans/Ft. Lauderdale. The last time I heard Lydia was at Montage in San Diego during their Pride weekend festivities. She has a great knack for mixing quickly and reading her crowd. The set in San Diego was so good that I was thrilled when we picked her to come to SF for PLAY. She did not disappoint anyone with her high energy music that kept everyone on the floor from about 6:15 until nearly 11:30. The crowd was having fun, the space was hot and exciting, and music just moved you. This was clearly one of the best parties I have worked on.

So, forward another week to the Russian River and we head off to Lazy Bear. This is another one of those fun events to go to. My friends and I had actually cancelled going this year, but at the last minute, for some reason, I called and secured a room that could sleep three and we were all in for the event. Sadly, I was not able to enjoy the events as much as I had hoped to, after getting a bad chill on Saturday when exiting the pool at Fern Grove, I ended up coming down with a fever and chills. But from what I have heard, the entire event was fun. The pool parties I did get too were a blast, including spending the day on Friday at the Woods and just chatting with all kinds of new and nice people. Saturday we roamed between West Sonoma, and Triple R parties and got to see lots of old friends and make some new ones too. Additionally, due to the fire dangers this year, the traditional bon fires located across the river were cancelled and a new event was held at the private estate that host the big Sunday event. These folks have a great space and getting to chill out near the pool, drink beer, and chat (in a hushed manner) made it a rather fun place to hang out. The crew of the Lazy Bear Weekend and Harry really did a great job of pulling of another fun weekend.

Up next, another club weekend in London during August and then September the Folsom Street Fair and the Real Bad XX party (of which I am a sponsor and assistant in production). Until then, be well, and save me a dance.

0 comments.