september 2005 editor note

by
It always seems like I just got back from some place when I sit down and finally write this. Tonight, it was The Grand Emporium, for the Steve and Bill show. Those guys are definitely doin what it takes to keep House alive in this town and "spread the word". Everywhere they play it always seems to be a more and more diverse crowd.

Rehab Sundays are probably my favorite though. This past week was the finals for the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Bikini Contest. That's where this month's photo is from. I can't really remember who took the photo, but I'm pictured here, with the winner. She's definitely got the Hawaiian Tropic look and I think she should go a long way in the various stages they have with that contest. It was really good to see Reveal Magazine step up and bring this event back into focus after it nearly crashed and burned.

That Sunday night was actually the first night of the phocas Beach Club DJ Battle also. Over four weeks, every Sunday we'll have different contestants battling for spots at various clubs around town. If you get a chance, come on down and see some of the new talent in town. You'll be very surprised. DJ Fool, from Lincoln, NE really gave Mr_Nuro a run for his money this week. Brent seized the day though and will be going up against the winner's of each of the next three week's in the finals which will be September 25th. That night, the DJs will be battling over an opening spot for a major u:Move headliner at Kabal, to be announced.

We also hosted an event, in what we would like to see become a series of events, "phocas presents...". The idea is to showcase a particular up-n-coming DJ that we have found along the way that is making great strides in their own hometown and bring them to Kansas City. Trevor Matthews, from St Louis was the first. He brought us a taste of St Louis House... to a packed house. That's right, we had to close the doors again. I'm sorry to those that might have missed out.

Before that though, we kicked August off at my place with the 4th Annual BBQ Beatz session, a mixer / soiree of sorts of all of our staff, as well as various promoters, producers, musicians, friends and family. This was probably the best one yet, though every one of them has been a blast, in it's own weird sort of way. We had a few cocktails, listened to some fine tunes by The Heavy Lounge, played some volleyball for a minute and ate a buttload of food. Later in the evening, before it was all over, my good friends from 3rd Degree Burn gave us a bit of performance. Everyone loved it and I think some of the little kids that were there are still talking about it.

True Tuesdays is back in action again after we reorganized it a little bit. DJ True is still hosting the night, but we are going more for a lounge feel with the music. Mike is doing the best he can to search for and bring in talent from all over the city to play our little Lounge. Miss Michaela from Chicago even stopped in a gave us a good little dosing of House with some Old Skool classics.

It has been a really busy month. I haven't been able to write alot of the stories that I wanted to, but it has been a really well rounded month. A few of those stories need a little more work anyway.

OH! I almost forgot, the cover this month was a photo taken by one of our newest contributing writers, Chris Milbourn, at an event he attended this month in Cincinnati, called Scribble Jam. Check out the accompanying article in this month's issue. It sounds like he had a pretty great time.

See Ya on Dance Floor

~phocas~

Comments

Post a Comment

popular now

q104 country christmas

by
Image
Jackson Dean is one of our more favorite rising stars just now and this was a rare opportunity to catch him outside of the glitz and glam of an arena show.  Indeed, we had been trying to catch up with him, in just this type of format, for more than a year.  Each attempt was thwarted for one reason or another and we had kind of given up hope.  Then comes Q104 (KBEQ-FM) with their annual Christmas show featuring none other than this elusive musician. Hosted by PBR Big Sky at the Power & Light District, with proceeds going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, this proved the perfect opportunity to catch his act, up close and personal, and unplugged.  This is the true test of the talent of any musician, to get up on stage with nothing more than their voice, instrument and stage lighting. Jackson Dean did not disappoint either. A country musician who is not entirely country, he is rhythm and blues, and a little...
read more »

weston wassailing

by
Image
  A random encounter with wassailers in Weston found them shuffling along peddling their vocal wares on the opening day of festivities at Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard .  They had chosen the perfect day, with a bright shining sun and temperatures lurking about 0ºC, though seemed a bit confused about their role. This gang of carolers were attempting to apply house wassailing to the setting.  As this was an orchard, wassailing etiquette dictates they wander about reciting their incantations and singing to the trees of the fields in an effort to promote a good harvest for the coming year.   Shoppers appeared undeterred, mostly ignoring the misguided cretins.  They were entirely too obsessed with the small row of merchant tents where freezing sellers made every effort to hoard what little warmth they could.  In the big house, aka barn, others huddled around the cider tanks, with offered a variety of food, libations, and a more infused sort o...
read more »

a kc rep carol

by
Image
An evening with the  Kansas City Repertory  interpretation of the Charles Dickens tale, "A Christmas Carol," turned out an excellent performance in this 43rd rendition the classic.  A diverse representation of performers stood for nary a slip in their execution.  The narrator stumbled a couple of times but recovered so quick, it was hard to accept that it had really occurred. When you have that many lines, it is hard not to miss one here and there though. Early in the opening acts of the show, a phone voiced its annoying melody.  However, nobody on stage missed a beat, or even blinked, as the device quickly silenced.  Technology is hard for some, I suppose.   It was not for the production though! A revolving set appeared well manicured and suitable for every angle of the production, and actors flowed seamlessly across and between scenes.   Extending into the audience as well, extras sometime enhanced the lighting and sound, prior to thei...
read more »

celebration of the dead in 2024

by
Image
A forecast of little more than continuing rain did not deter our trek over to Central Avenue in Kansas City, KS for the annual Dia de Muertos celebration.  The memories of last year commanded a follow-up on this cultural festivity in the hometown. The afternoon had been relatively rain-free with the sun peeking through from time to time. Arriving around 4:30 pm, we almost immediately wished that we had come sooner.  Within an hour of arrival, heavy rain sent folks scurrying for cover. We were fortunate enough to have stopped about that time to enjoy a little delicious local flavor, under a canopy, and from the very same folks as in the year before.   In spite of uncooperative weather, a general air of warmth and amiability filled the streets of Central Avenue, overcome only by opportunities to enjoy music, dancing in the streets, and some of the most delicious food and treats to be found anywhere. The lineup proved every bit as enjoyable as the y...
read more »

contrasting garden glow

by
Image
This date after Thanksgiving our crew remained a bit more local, visiting the  Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens .  The experience is quite a contrast with the effort last year in St Louis.   Many of the displays stand out nicely, as do a few very intentional arrangements in random locations.  They are well-placed for interaction and photographs. However, sidewalks lined with lighting stretch in random directions without any sort of guidance, seemingly without intent or construct.   The paths occasionally intersect, sometimes through tunnels of light, which is the highest level of interactivity.  Treats are available for purchase at multiple locations, but only one contains enough warmth to encourage folks to linger any length of time. Other fires pale in comparison, making the only other temperature refuge beyond the main building, Santa's workshop.  He was very busy there, enjoying the company and a photo shoot among the y...
read more »

hot import nights 2005

by
Image
Hot Import Nights - At the Heart of the Car Culture LifeStyle ~ by Cristina Wilson & Brendan Flynn  ~ photos courtesty of hotimportnights.com There's are those who follow the trends and then there are those who inspire trends. Since 1998, Hot Import Nights has been the place where the pioneers of today’s car culture have gathered to inspire, create, innovate, explore and push the envelope on custom car design. For nearly a decade HIN has brought you inside, underneath and around the car culture lifestyle. Never before have we witnessed the scene as alive and thriving as it is today. So, for 2005 we’ve upped the ante. Now, with XM Satellite Radio as our title sponsor, we are breaking all records. Our twenty-two stop global tour kicked off in Los Angeles in March breaking all previous records for attendance, number of cars displayed, variety of live musical acts, number of exhibitors and sponsors as well as number of model and celebrity appearances. With only five shows ...
read more »