Last night the Leschi came alive for a very special occasion. It was Mel Sky's 30th birthday party. She began this delicious decade of her life with a Magical Boat Ride. The MV Kirkland, an historic 110' wooden ferry boat built in 1924 waited at the Leschi Dock at 9pm for the special guests to arrive. I was on the decks as the dock pulled quietly away. The vessel turned, faced the full moon and glided slowly along the banks of Lake Washington.
The boat ride was breathtaking, complete with two sets of turntables, two full bars and food aplenty. The lively ship was an eloquent escort, pointing out the backsides of buildings & whistling under bridges as we drifted past. Mel completely outdid herself (which is no small feat!). And to compliment her compassionate care for her friends-turned-family, everyone contributed their personal best, be it equipment setup, formulating food, loading & unloading, a cake constructed with plane & parachute or quieting the brigade later on the way to the Lounge.
The highlight of the night for me was when the music was lowered and the crowd gathered around 30 candles to sing to our sister her birthday wishes. The applause that rang after, the hoots, hollers and whistles, was finally the shining moment that Mel deserves. The vivacious cheers were for more than just throwing an amazing party that night. And for far more than throwing two long years of parties that create the legacy of the Leschi Lounge. The applause that rang through the cabin was evidence of our gratitude and love for our very special friend, Mel Sky.
To end the first portion of the journey, and introduce the next destination, was a salute to the element that fuels the Leo - Fire. Donia Love lit her poi on the Leschi dock and danced a slyly seductive performance beside pulsating beats. As she twirled in tune, she tickled our fancies, a passionate ballet with the kiss of burlesque. Her movements accentuated the beauty of her being, a true master of her Art. Before the balls dimmed, she handed the set over to Be Pink Love, who had only the night before lit her first poi aflame. Be lifted the light to inspirit her body, swirl and swoosh, synchronous with the music, her muse. As the flames reduced to their inevitable end, she swirled, then, the smoke trails that followed, forming perfect circles to each of her sides. She slammed the last poi into the ground as applause ensued, which lit the ball on fire again. Proof that energy, when fueled, will transfer but never end.
The rest of the night commenced as usual in the cozy rooms of the Leschi Lounge, a house that has its own agenda. A night of intimate conversations and intense realizations, a groove that gives to each and all a warm hug. Everyone filtered out in ones and twos as the night mingled with morning, feeling fulfilled to have once again been home.
And so another night is set in history. A promoter's right of passage, an Art form that acquires little notice but is possibly the most complex of all. The materialization of an event that progresses so smoothly the patrons know nothing of the mechanics moving beneath. Like a mix, the blending of elements, each one melts naturally into the next. What pleasures the promoter is the smile, a symbol of gratitude that lets them know something special moved inside you, enlivened by the platform that they create.
View Photos from Mel's Magical Boat Ride
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Sally Speaks
I sent an email to Sally J. Clark, Seattle Council-person working on legislation for the city's proposed Nightlife Ordinance. I received a polite, generic response, thanking me for my time. I was also automatically signed up to receive her monthly newsletter. Without my consent. But I read it anyway. Here's what she has to say about this issue that hits to close to home. Scroll to the bottom for other articles regarding nightlife ordinance status.
Quote Sally -
"Neighborhoods & Nightlife
Regrettably, the shooting of a young woman on Western Ave. in Belltown near closing time on July 2 focused attention on the bad things that can come along with Seattle’s great nightlife. We want a nightlife that’s exciting, creative, sustainable, and safe - that’s part of being an attractive place to live, and we must do what we can to support that part of our city.
Almost all bars, dance clubs and live music spots in Seattle run good businesses and their staff are skilled at throwing a party six nights a week (or more) without anyone getting hurt. Almost all. The problem is that every year there seem to be one or two clubs (out of hundreds in Seattle) that either cannot control violence in their establishments or, some critics would say, welcome violent people into their clubs. Police reports show that over the last three years many clubs have at least one fight or assault reported inside. While this is not good, it is hard to blame a club for some jerk’s random bad behavior. Unfortunately, each year one or two clubs in town build a track record of multiple incidents of fighting, assaults, brandishing of weapons and even shootings. Three years ago it was Mr. Lucky’s. In 2005 it was Larry’s and then the Mantra Lounge last year.
The need for dealing effectively with chronic problem establishments is the reason why I support a limited license for larger clubs. It would give the City a tool to force bad actors to clean up their acts or lose their license. The Mayor has a similar proposal that addresses violence, but I think it reaches too far. A club should only lose its license if it allowes multiple acts of violence inside the club within a specified period of time.
If the Council can't embrace a limited nightlife license, then my job is to put together the most effective alternative package possible. I think we have a very good package taking shape, one that will sharpen enforcement tools around noise and serious nuisances, commit more people to enforcement, and bring together bar owners and neighbors to advise the city on an ongoing basis.
Noise – We’ve heard loud and clear in every meeting that noise from clubs is a huge issue for neighborhoods. The goal of addressing club noise should be to help get the business into compliance and solve the problem, not to shut anyone down. That’s why I’m introducing legislation that would penalize clubs for excessive noise after the club has had an opportunity to meet the new noise standards. The City will use a noise meter to determine if clubs are generating more noise than allowed. If so, the club will get one warning. The next incident will cost them $1,000, which could go toward soundproofing. Then all future noise violations would carry a $2,000 ticket each. The idea is to send a clear message that clubs must be responsible for their noise.
Nuisance – Under the proposal we’re considering legal action could be brought against a club for repeated occupancy violations. The overall goal is to help a club run a safe, successful business. Legal action is a last resort after repeated attempts to work with a club.
Enforcement – I support having City staff working at night to enforce the noise code and monitor for other possible infractions. Currently, at night police officers are on the hook for noise calls regarding businesses. This system doesn’t work because officers are – and should be – busy with higher priority calls for help. Sharing noise code enforcement with a civilian team means someone is actually available to respond to a noise complaint and police officers can stay focused on 911 calls.
Nightlife Advisory Board - This board -- made up of citizens, representatives from the music industry and other related experts -- could provide the City with recommendations about how to resolve disputes between clubs and neighbors, support the nightclub industry and curb violence.
Council has worked on this issue for close to five months. My hope is that a package of legislation can be created and reviewed at the next meeting of the Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee on July 27, 9:30 a.m. We’ll also have a time for public comment at that meeting, in City Hall Council Chambers."
Sally's Web Site:
http://www.seattle.gov/council/clark/
Seattle Nightlife and Music Association:
http://seattlenma.org/
The Stranger's Take:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=237676
Quote Sally -
"Neighborhoods & Nightlife
Regrettably, the shooting of a young woman on Western Ave. in Belltown near closing time on July 2 focused attention on the bad things that can come along with Seattle’s great nightlife. We want a nightlife that’s exciting, creative, sustainable, and safe - that’s part of being an attractive place to live, and we must do what we can to support that part of our city.
Almost all bars, dance clubs and live music spots in Seattle run good businesses and their staff are skilled at throwing a party six nights a week (or more) without anyone getting hurt. Almost all. The problem is that every year there seem to be one or two clubs (out of hundreds in Seattle) that either cannot control violence in their establishments or, some critics would say, welcome violent people into their clubs. Police reports show that over the last three years many clubs have at least one fight or assault reported inside. While this is not good, it is hard to blame a club for some jerk’s random bad behavior. Unfortunately, each year one or two clubs in town build a track record of multiple incidents of fighting, assaults, brandishing of weapons and even shootings. Three years ago it was Mr. Lucky’s. In 2005 it was Larry’s and then the Mantra Lounge last year.
The need for dealing effectively with chronic problem establishments is the reason why I support a limited license for larger clubs. It would give the City a tool to force bad actors to clean up their acts or lose their license. The Mayor has a similar proposal that addresses violence, but I think it reaches too far. A club should only lose its license if it allowes multiple acts of violence inside the club within a specified period of time.
If the Council can't embrace a limited nightlife license, then my job is to put together the most effective alternative package possible. I think we have a very good package taking shape, one that will sharpen enforcement tools around noise and serious nuisances, commit more people to enforcement, and bring together bar owners and neighbors to advise the city on an ongoing basis.
Noise – We’ve heard loud and clear in every meeting that noise from clubs is a huge issue for neighborhoods. The goal of addressing club noise should be to help get the business into compliance and solve the problem, not to shut anyone down. That’s why I’m introducing legislation that would penalize clubs for excessive noise after the club has had an opportunity to meet the new noise standards. The City will use a noise meter to determine if clubs are generating more noise than allowed. If so, the club will get one warning. The next incident will cost them $1,000, which could go toward soundproofing. Then all future noise violations would carry a $2,000 ticket each. The idea is to send a clear message that clubs must be responsible for their noise.
Nuisance – Under the proposal we’re considering legal action could be brought against a club for repeated occupancy violations. The overall goal is to help a club run a safe, successful business. Legal action is a last resort after repeated attempts to work with a club.
Enforcement – I support having City staff working at night to enforce the noise code and monitor for other possible infractions. Currently, at night police officers are on the hook for noise calls regarding businesses. This system doesn’t work because officers are – and should be – busy with higher priority calls for help. Sharing noise code enforcement with a civilian team means someone is actually available to respond to a noise complaint and police officers can stay focused on 911 calls.
Nightlife Advisory Board - This board -- made up of citizens, representatives from the music industry and other related experts -- could provide the City with recommendations about how to resolve disputes between clubs and neighbors, support the nightclub industry and curb violence.
Council has worked on this issue for close to five months. My hope is that a package of legislation can be created and reviewed at the next meeting of the Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee on July 27, 9:30 a.m. We’ll also have a time for public comment at that meeting, in City Hall Council Chambers."
Sally's Web Site:
http://www.seattle.gov/council/clark/
Seattle Nightlife and Music Association:
http://seattlenma.org/
The Stranger's Take:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=237676
Friday, July 20, 2007
This Weekend
Fri Jul 20
PreFunk: DjJoy,Vudu,Trevor,Jules V,Love Virus @ Waids
Place2Be: Miguel Migs & Lisa Shaw @ Neumos
Afterhours: Go to bed. Tomorrow is a big night!
Sat Jul 21
Places2Be:
Local Heros GlampFest 2007 with Adlib, Recess, Menami, Levi Clark, Deafchild, Gel Sol, William Mempa, and More!
or
USC 10-year Anniversary @ Qwest Field Events Center
with Paul Van Dyke, Rabbit in the Moon, Steve Porter, DJ Taj, Jacob London, Bassnectar and More
Sun Jul 22
Sol Revival @ ToST
PreFunk: DjJoy,Vudu,Trevor,Jules V,Love Virus @ Waids
Place2Be: Miguel Migs & Lisa Shaw @ Neumos
Afterhours: Go to bed. Tomorrow is a big night!
Sat Jul 21
Places2Be:
Local Heros GlampFest 2007 with Adlib, Recess, Menami, Levi Clark, Deafchild, Gel Sol, William Mempa, and More!
or
USC 10-year Anniversary @ Qwest Field Events Center
with Paul Van Dyke, Rabbit in the Moon, Steve Porter, DJ Taj, Jacob London, Bassnectar and More
Sun Jul 22
Sol Revival @ ToST
Friday, July 13, 2007
Broken Spy Tost
This weekend is a BLOWOUT!
Fri July 13
PreFunk: Jacob London @ SeeSound (Free b4 10pm)
PlaceToBe: Max Graham @ Heavens ($10 b4 11pm)
Afterhours: Broken Disco (Get there before 2!)
Sat Jul 14
PreFunk: Shameless pres.. Forward @ SeeSoundLounge
AllNightParty: Spy Vs Spy (new location)
Sun Jul 15
Chillin: DJ Manos ~ Sol Revival @ Tost
Fri July 13
PreFunk: Jacob London @ SeeSound (Free b4 10pm)
PlaceToBe: Max Graham @ Heavens ($10 b4 11pm)
Afterhours: Broken Disco (Get there before 2!)
Sat Jul 14
PreFunk: Shameless pres.. Forward @ SeeSoundLounge
AllNightParty: Spy Vs Spy (new location)
Sun Jul 15
Chillin: DJ Manos ~ Sol Revival @ Tost
Monday, July 09, 2007
Dow for Now
The Seattle Nightlife and Music Association supports re-election of Dow Constantine for Seattle's King County Council. Tuesday night, you can go to Moe's and chat with him yourself or just order a beer from him. He'll be a guest bartender at Moe's for happy hour, 4:30 - 6:30.
Council member Dow Constantine
Tuesday, July 10th
4:30 - 6:30
@ Moe's
1425 10th Ave in Capital Hill
from SeattleNMA:
'He is unequaled as a pro-music, pro-nightlife leader for our region. Dow has consistently helped the music community in this town. As a legislator in Olympia, he sought to eliminate nonsensical limits on all-ages shows. As a County Councilmember he aided VERA Project and worked with [SeattleNMA] against draconian city nightlife restrictions. As a patron he never complains about the cover charge or price of beer.'
Donations are accepted at the door.
More info about Dow Constantine.
Council member Dow Constantine
Tuesday, July 10th
4:30 - 6:30
@ Moe's
1425 10th Ave in Capital Hill
from SeattleNMA:
'He is unequaled as a pro-music, pro-nightlife leader for our region. Dow has consistently helped the music community in this town. As a legislator in Olympia, he sought to eliminate nonsensical limits on all-ages shows. As a County Councilmember he aided VERA Project and worked with [SeattleNMA] against draconian city nightlife restrictions. As a patron he never complains about the cover charge or price of beer.'
Donations are accepted at the door.
More info about Dow Constantine.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Special Innerflight weekend
Sat Jun 9
PreFunk: Happy Hour @ Crimson 8-9pm
Place2Be: Innerflight Presents Tyler Lewis for their last night @ Tost
Sun Jun 10
Chillin: Sound Without Walls 2 @ Magnuson Park Yoga 1pm Music at 2pm
PreFunk: Happy Hour @ Crimson 8-9pm
Place2Be: Innerflight Presents Tyler Lewis for their last night @ Tost
Sun Jun 10
Chillin: Sound Without Walls 2 @ Magnuson Park Yoga 1pm Music at 2pm
Quality Weekend Ahead
Sat Jun 9
PreFunk: Happy Hour @ Crimson 8-9pm
Place2Be: Innerflight Presents Tyler Lewis @ Tost
Sun Jun 10
Chillin: Sound Without Walls 2 @ Magnuson Park
PreFunk: Happy Hour @ Crimson 8-9pm
Place2Be: Innerflight Presents Tyler Lewis @ Tost
Sun Jun 10
Chillin: Sound Without Walls 2 @ Magnuson Park
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Paradigm in Toyland
Now that I have ended the month of June 2007, I can officially put into effect the paradigm shift that I realized back in May. This is the move from DJ to producer. Though its not so much a move, but the addition of a layer. Or, as I'm finding, multiple layers, coming from above, below, beside and, well, directly at me.
The first change is to cut down my DJ appearances as much as possible. So far that is 1-2 a month (not including Oseao). This allows me more time to learn whatever it is I need to learn to make my own music. And let me tell you, there are A LOT of moving parts. More that I ever imagined. But hey, if it was easy, I would have already mastered it, right? And then what would I do? (Considering the complexity of this, the next step feels like quantum physics.)
The second change comes from a live project that I've been involved with, otherwise known as an 'electronic band'. Live Sessions, I've been calling them. These consist of myself on decks, Mel Sky on Keyboards, Sklobot on Sax, Bass & effects, Jay Ray on Synth, Drum Machine & effects & Aaron also on Bass. Fun right? True until I realized that as a DJ with 1 CD-J and 1 Vinyl turntable my options are very limited. Its like I'm holding two markers, one in each hand. I can change the colors, maybe the thickness of the stroke. But in the end, I'm still only holding two markers. So I bought a new drawing kit. Which is more like a multi-level Art Supply Warehouse. A kingdom of markers, paint brushes, colored pencils, crayons, airbrush, acrylics, oil, pastels, clay, pottery, even the sexy nude model if I want... Ableton Live software and a laptop to boot. This is the shit. Now I don't have just 1 loop on CD and 1 loop on Vinyl. Now I have a million bazillion loops, vocals, instruments & effects to play simultaneously. Well, once I learn how to use the thing. I feel like I was just handed the keys to an F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Pilot, a Blue Angels helmet and instructions -- 'Here you are, now go fly!' Uh, ok. How?
The third layer is the MIDI Controller Keyboard that I bought down in Portland, which has since been more like our favorite toy, Woody, who was all but forgotten after the addition of the flashy Buzz Lightyear to the family. But every time I fire up Reason, I fish they keyboard out of the bottom of the box too. They go hand in hand, er key in key, and knob in knob, and slider in button, and button in key, and slider in modulator and transpose in octave and ctrl assign data1 to store recall... Ugh! Figuring out how to map the sounds I want to the knobs I want to control them is yet another learning curve. Slowly but surely, its happening. I can connect 1-A and 2-B. But I still have to figure out how to connect R## = Combine##(V - C(I), K - I). What the Bleep, Right?
In the midst of all these new fun toys, I realize that I can construct my Legos to be the highest most complex structures that I want, but without a proper base, they just won't hold. I want them to look good! Er, sound good. No, sound fantastic. Enter the bottom layer, the basis of all music (well, the basis above the math part). Music Theory 101 (Thank you, Seattle Central!). I'm finally learning what 4/4 really means. And major minor, scale, clefs, compound meter, grand staff, accidentals, intervals, double flat, middle C ... I could list them all, but I should be really doing my homework right now.
And now that its the age of technology, with each of these layers comes new software to learn, new terms to learn, new interfaces to connect, new websites to bookmark, new magazines to subscribe. Wikipedia is my very very very best friend.
Oh yeah, and it might be helpful to actually learn to play the piano. There's a bunch of notes swimming around in my head. I'd like to actually know what they are.
I got a long way to go.
Quantum Physics, here I come!
The first change is to cut down my DJ appearances as much as possible. So far that is 1-2 a month (not including Oseao). This allows me more time to learn whatever it is I need to learn to make my own music. And let me tell you, there are A LOT of moving parts. More that I ever imagined. But hey, if it was easy, I would have already mastered it, right? And then what would I do? (Considering the complexity of this, the next step feels like quantum physics.)
The second change comes from a live project that I've been involved with, otherwise known as an 'electronic band'. Live Sessions, I've been calling them. These consist of myself on decks, Mel Sky on Keyboards, Sklobot on Sax, Bass & effects, Jay Ray on Synth, Drum Machine & effects & Aaron also on Bass. Fun right? True until I realized that as a DJ with 1 CD-J and 1 Vinyl turntable my options are very limited. Its like I'm holding two markers, one in each hand. I can change the colors, maybe the thickness of the stroke. But in the end, I'm still only holding two markers. So I bought a new drawing kit. Which is more like a multi-level Art Supply Warehouse. A kingdom of markers, paint brushes, colored pencils, crayons, airbrush, acrylics, oil, pastels, clay, pottery, even the sexy nude model if I want... Ableton Live software and a laptop to boot. This is the shit. Now I don't have just 1 loop on CD and 1 loop on Vinyl. Now I have a million bazillion loops, vocals, instruments & effects to play simultaneously. Well, once I learn how to use the thing. I feel like I was just handed the keys to an F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Pilot, a Blue Angels helmet and instructions -- 'Here you are, now go fly!' Uh, ok. How?
The third layer is the MIDI Controller Keyboard that I bought down in Portland, which has since been more like our favorite toy, Woody, who was all but forgotten after the addition of the flashy Buzz Lightyear to the family. But every time I fire up Reason, I fish they keyboard out of the bottom of the box too. They go hand in hand, er key in key, and knob in knob, and slider in button, and button in key, and slider in modulator and transpose in octave and ctrl assign data1 to store recall... Ugh! Figuring out how to map the sounds I want to the knobs I want to control them is yet another learning curve. Slowly but surely, its happening. I can connect 1-A and 2-B. But I still have to figure out how to connect R## = Combine##(V - C(I), K - I). What the Bleep, Right?
In the midst of all these new fun toys, I realize that I can construct my Legos to be the highest most complex structures that I want, but without a proper base, they just won't hold. I want them to look good! Er, sound good. No, sound fantastic. Enter the bottom layer, the basis of all music (well, the basis above the math part). Music Theory 101 (Thank you, Seattle Central!). I'm finally learning what 4/4 really means. And major minor, scale, clefs, compound meter, grand staff, accidentals, intervals, double flat, middle C ... I could list them all, but I should be really doing my homework right now.
And now that its the age of technology, with each of these layers comes new software to learn, new terms to learn, new interfaces to connect, new websites to bookmark, new magazines to subscribe. Wikipedia is my very very very best friend.
Oh yeah, and it might be helpful to actually learn to play the piano. There's a bunch of notes swimming around in my head. I'd like to actually know what they are.
I got a long way to go.
Quantum Physics, here I come!
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