PLAY – Dirty Alley
Posted 27-Jul-2010 to ReviewsRating – 4.5 out of 5 bottles of water!
Review by Ray Chalom
Editorial comment by Jim Hauck
Save the Best for Last!
Being the closer is never easy. There is a lot of pressure to come in and top (no pun intended) everything that came before you. On big weekends like Dore that is a tall order given the sheer number of parties that take place, not to mention the fair which is usually sensory overload. Historically speaking PLAY has consistently been one of the best parties produced in San Francisco. The sheer attention to detail rivals REAL BAD and shames all other parties produced in San Francisco.
As usual, when you walked into DNA Lounge there was a team of people to greet you, put a little gift around your neck and direct you to coat check. There was signage everywhere with small reminders about the Do’s and Don’ts of parties and of course the buffet stocked with complimentary fruit and candy. Still a brilliant added extra every party should have.
More importantly who doesn’t love a packed club full of hot smiling faces bouncing to a well laid out journey of beats. The club was packed full of a mix of familiar faces and new faces alike who were happy to be there and put a cap onto their perfect party weekend.
DJ Joe Gauthreaux laid down a great set of hard hitting beats that seamlessly flowed from one song to the next which kept feet moving and the dance floor packed. His set was so well put together once I got onto the dance floor I didn’t leave for the rest of the night. For someone with lower-back problems, that says a lot! With that said, I do tend to prefer more vocals at my t-dances but I got over it pretty quickly, smiled and just followed the journey.
Lighting was typical DNA which is good, a few lasers and minimal seizure inducing strobe lights. The room was kept dark and up-lit with black lights which showed off the great decorations. Only at a party like PLAY can you dance under clotheslines of jockstraps.
My sole complaint was the volume of the music. It was so loud even if you leaned into someone and screamed into their ear there was no chance of them hearing you. I suppose the one positive note was chatting was kept to a minimum and we were all forced to use our bodies to communicate. Some better than others though all seemed to be effective communicators.
Editors Comments (by Jim Hauck):
I was also in attendance at this party, and agree it is one of the best parties for the Up Your Alley weekend festivities. A perfect end to a long and fun weekend that is slowly rivaling the older days of Folsom Street Fair weekend.
Additionally, while I generally agree with Ray and his review, and the music was appropriate for Up Your Alley weekend (harder, heavier, more sexually driven), I feel that the Past Curfew/PLAY T-Dance franchise, is known for a bit lighter, more fun and uplifting parties, even on the Up Your Alley weekend. I look forward to the PLAY Up Your Alley weekend edition as a way to feel a chance to have some fun after what is a very kinky, sexy and driven weekend. I like to work my way to the more tribal aspects of the music and the darker mixes, and was not that enthusiastic with a couple songs like Peyton’s “UR The Best Thing” be delivered in such a dark heavy level before the sun had even gone down outside.
All that aside, it was a fun party and I will say that you can certainly count on the PLAY T-Dance for a good time, good crowd and lot’s of fun! Congratulations on another well executed event.
Tags: Joe Gautheraux, PLAY