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Clubland Is Out of Ideas
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BxgrlJeri
08/15/09

In reply to Clubland Is Out of Ideas
I remember going to a club as an under aged "kid today" in the mid-80s. No one asked for ID. It was several stories and had lots of disco balls. Someone told me it was the Roxy but maybe it wasn't. (I don't know my iconic clubs)

They "closed" GCT back then at some early hour (big bad 80s). I missed the last train and wound up at a gay after hours party doing a Janis Joplin imitation and being adored until they figured out that I was all of 16 and then some scary-looking drag queen with money for a cab sent me home to the Bronx.

If you can bring back that atmosphere, then bring back the clubs. Otherwise pass.
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SeaBassTian
08/14/09

In reply to Clubland Is Out of Ideas
"I can’t imagine anyone else getting a liquor license. The rent is around 60,000 a month and there are lots of debts, construction and soundproofing issues." That sounds like a solid business plan in a downsize economy. I actually worked for this club many years ago but even I have trouble conjuring up much enthusiasm for a Roxy revival. I don't know why they insist on resurrecting this relic. As soon as the novelty wore off, I suspect the place would slide back into obscurity. Unless they brought in a new team of promoters with fresh ideas and a rabid following. And I am sorry, but John Blair parties are for only fun for tweaked out circuit queens. I can't even imagine attending one of his events without heavy stimulants. Good luck, DeNino!
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AtomicBalm
08/14/09

In reply to Clubland Is Out of Ideas
Is the party throwing John Blair the same guy that is a brilliant violinist, martial arts visionary, and if I remember correctly, photographer? I caught his performance in maybe 1973 at the then Philharmonic Hall and he stunned the crowd with his musical talent, then left them stupefied as he launched into a dazzling presentation of KungFu, and this was Y E A R S ahead of the curve. Just curious....!
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Solomon Grundy
08/14/09

@AtomicBalm: Ich don't think so.
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jaxdesert
08/14/09

In reply to Clubland Is Out of Ideas
I can't believe you have enough material to write a small treatise on nightclubs. I am in Florida and the only two nightclubs I can think of are the Leopard Lounge, a gymnasium-size 80s looking (not retro--for real) place in a strip mall and Club Christopher which looks kind of like a car wash covered in drywall and adorned with cherubs but not in a good way. In a strip mall parking lot.
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SixThirty
08/14/09

In reply to Clubland Is Out of Ideas
Seriously, the kids today (yeah, I said "kids today") wouldn't know how to throw a good party if their lives depended on it. I wouldn't trust the current generation of promoters, raised on Mr. Black, Splash, The Ritz and Offer Nissim, who missed out on Twilo, Roxy, Sound Factory and the like, to throw a fucking bris, much less depend on them for innovative nightlife. I'd welcome the chance for John Blair to attempt to reinvigorate the scene.
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Nic Fit
08/15/09

@SixThirty: People have been saying this for decades. I remember when Twilo was seen as a boring, mainstream version of Sound Factory for a new, uncool generation.
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SixThirty
08/15/09

@Nic Fit: True, but at least the people throwing the parties at Twilo had witnessed Sound Factory and had an idea of what things *could*, much less *should* be like. Half the promoters working today (and the kids going to their parties) never made it to Roxy, much less Twilo or Sound Factory. Their idea of what is "Great" pales in comparison, and, consequently, they're aiming pretty low.
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Aatom
08/14/09

In reply to Clubland Is Out of Ideas
No joke about the stupid door at Mr. Black. She gave me grief about the list that I was definitely on for about 5 minutes before I just walked past her and paid the sad cover charge. It's a $10 cover for a medium-sized hipster club, why do you even have a list? Pathetic. Take your insane attitude to someone who cares.
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Solomon Grundy
08/14/09

@Aatom: Wow, why endure more than 30 seconds of door bitch shadiness? Either pay the cover or go somewhere else.
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Aatom
08/14/09

@Solomon Grundy: It probably seemed longer since I was pretty stoned at the time, it probably was closer to 30 seconds. I do remember turning to my friends and saying something like "what's happening, why are we talking to her?" and then walking inside.
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Solomon Grundy
08/14/09

In reply to Clubland Is Out of Ideas
Wait, didn't mr. Black only open two years ago? Unless you're a five-year-old or a goldfish, two years is hardly an infinity. It doesn't even yet have that whiff of desperation and opportunism that permeated, say, Misshapes after year two of chasing the dream.

Now, John Blairs party at Roxy, that was going on for more like 20 years. What's next, retro Disco 2000? I guess their rationale would be that nothing came in to take its place, which is true. New York does need a gay superclub like the Roxy. It's New York.

What makes me happy is that unlike when I was a wee bairn arriving in the big bad City, now in addition to the mainstream clubs there's Metropolitan and Judy and Ginger's and a million little alternatives.
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