Fresh Pride 2010
Posted 1-Jul-2010 to ReviewsRating: 4.5 out of 5 bottles of water
by Leif Wauters
Fresh is a long-running tradition for a huge swath of clubbers, and being situated so close to the Civic Center, it’s an easy spot to spin out the final afternoon of San Francisco Pride weekend. I’ve been to many a Fresh, but never during Pride weekend dreading how jammed I’ve heard it can be. This year, however, I had to make an effort because one of my favorite British superstar DJ/producers was expected to deliver an utter cheese-fest I simply couldn’t miss.
Wayne G amazes me. A frighteningly prolific producer, his juicy, uplifting tracks have been passing through the ears of ecstatic dancers for almost 15 years. He’s thick as thieves with many of my favorite maestros, Andy Almighty and Paul Goodyear to name couple, and I can always trust him to deliver happiness. My friends and I entered Ruby Skye when the doors opened and Wayne was already serving up the promised platter of cheesy tracks that had all my crackers gone within the first hour. Honestly, we were there to soak up the last drops of Pride (Sanctuary wouldn’t be on our menu) and his music was soaking us with joy.
When not bouncing, smiling or singing along, we were entranced by an addition to the Fresh family that kicked the experience into orbit. Off his gorgeous showing the night before at The Disco, Kyle Garner of Laseronics was enjoying his first run at the ornate and epic space. Having torched the air of countless clubs, ships and halls (just within the gay world), his fingers of light were the tools of a puppeteer in partnership in Wayne, manipulating the crowd of men into a frenzy.
But what was really amazing is that the frenetic masses never made it into the club. In their wisdom, Fresh producers Janine and Mike tamed the flow into the party, never letting it get as packed as I’ve seen it on even non-holiday weekends. Of course I heard later the line outside was a sight to behold, but those of us inside were blessed by their temperance. That, along with a very eager security team, were the probable factors behind so few medical incidents this year. Or maybe people have FINALLY gotten the message that overuse is tearing apart our club scene. Who knows for sure. Fact is that there was flow throughout the club, especially upstairs where it was easy to stretch out when taking in the vibrant view.
I don’t drink from the Fresh tap often, but man I’m so happy I could chug the nectar of the 2010 Pride edition. Thank you Wayne, Kyle and the producers for steadfastly believing in our community and the symbiotic need between us. Beyond the paycheck at the end, you give so much to bring joy into our lives. I hope you feel it back a thousand-fold.
