december 2005 editor note

by

Again, the cover this month is a graphic that Chrissy whipped up for me, based on the name of the headliner for our 4th Anniversary Event that will be held at Kabal Restaurant & Nightclub on December 10th, 2005.
I am definitely looking forward to that every bit as much as I was for PHALLOUT, where Brent Crampton grabbed this shot of me with Lady Espina. Down from Iowa City, she did a great job opening up for internationally known talent, Adam Jay! It was good to hear some real Techno boomin' through speakers once again in Kansas City.

The photos this month saw us headed in a new direction at Balanca's. DJ True decided to pursue other goals and we took the month to form what is now called PHATuesdays, still at Balanca's, still on Tuesdays. We are hosting open decks there until Midnight. After that, our latest discovery, fresh in KC from Lincoln and fresh off a great set at PHALLOUT, DJ Fool takes the decks for a couple hours with a bit of a different style of House than he usually plays. Closing out the night, DJ O.E. (also known as Joe... the other camera guy, spins up some retro that keeps me wondering, "Now where did he get his hands on that!" Come down and check out it some time. It's really chill little night with good friends, good music, cheap drinks and it's not in the same old place.

Micro came to town at the first of the month as well. Opening for him, as part of the prize package for winning the phocas DJ Battle, was local House legend, Tony Markham. He definitely warmed it up right for those that came out.

We made a few detours to various points as well. I went off on a tangent and checked out the Atmosphere show in Lawrence. Though it probably would have passed under my radar, I was glad it didn't. It was really good... and a really Sold Out show! SvS took a detour up to Canada to play the MadBar in Toronto for Leaden Beatz vol 10 and brought some pix from that and SenseOne chimed in with Crush from Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, on the home front, the boys at DeepFix Records hooked up the passing through DJs, Jeff Bloom and Trevor Matthews, giving up residencies for the night to allow them to make a special appearance at Frisky! As well, they jumped on an opportunity to bring Diz in on a Saturday night to serve up a good solid does of House on wax to a nearly packed house.

Jack & Jill started their new residency at Jilly's on Broadway and it's looking good for them, though Propaganda is still in effect on the first of the month. Jimmy van M popped in to Kabal for a special night of fun on Thanksgiving and that very next Saturday, we landed on Voodoo at Harrah's and followed it up with a dose of Richard Vission at Kabal in an overflowing room!

It was definitely good to have finally been able to arrange a time to visit Voodoo. I thought that the venue was beautiful and the staff to be fairly friendly, despite rumors I had hear to the contrary. Unfortunately, I did find that the rumor of fluctuating drink prices was somewhat accurate. It is really unfortunate that a couple of the bartenders could not seem to remember the price of a drink. As well, the gymnastics... get rid of 'em. It's cute and it's interesting until it's 3 deep at the bar. At that pint, it's just annoying, especially if the person isn't very good at their juggling act.

In addition I was really sad to hear that the one night we choose to go and check out Voodoo, turned out to be the final night of them bringing in world-class electronic dance music talent. Apparently, they are shifting their direction and moving to more mainstream musical interests. It would be a waste if this truly was the end of being able to see world-renowned DJs in such a world-class room.

Closing out the month, I do still have a couple of sets of photos on hold that I will be putting up in the next day or two. Our new contributor, Jen Runnels did the photo work at the recent performance of Infusion, just last night and Senseone just sent me some photos from the Polychromatic Techno Party 7.0 in Philadelphia.
It really has been a fun month for all of here at phocas.net and we're gonna have some more fun, especially on December 10, 2005! Even though I knew they were beat from all the work they did on PHALLOUT, I told my whole staff that I still needed one more thing from them. I needed them to come out to the anniversary party and do just that, Party. I want them phocas on that and nothing else. I hope you will too, so come out and party with us, because it's going to be one fun night!

Finally, I would like to extend a very special thanks to the following people's contributions to PHALLOUT: Jason the Benefactor; the Knights of Pythias for allowing us to mess up their place for the night; Chrissy for a bomb-ass flyer and taking the role of art director, running with it and seeing it through to the very end; Justin and David's perseverance through scissors and spray paint and all the logistics involved in putting the puzzle together, Jon... The Security Guy... all 4 or 5 of them (how did that happen?!?); Kate, for jumpin in where we needed her; Shaun for creeping me out with the gas mask and black commando suit; Nate for Oompa Loompas!; The Decontamination Unit & Restricted Area Personnel; Ashley & Kristin for helping to expand some minds with their relentless flyering; Joe & Ho for makin it GLO; bPositive & Brent for coming all the way out for little ole' me; 3rd Degree Burn for spinnin some stix (wish we coulda had fire in there); Arrythmia (i probably spelled it wrong again) for making that last run for me; Da Pizza Place for the last minute munchies; Larry Miller & The Guys from Audio House Sound for most excellent sound & lights; Mark Jones for coming in to work sick as dog anyway and then tearing up the check; Solaris for the Tennis Ball Theory; Shadowrunner for running in the shadow of his need for sleep, Stephanie for the "woah" look that was plastered on her face all night and Sherri sittin in a window most of the night and putting up with it all, before... during... and after. Last but not least, thanks to everyone that contributed something to making this a truly special event, the the talent and everyone that came out and had good time! Keep your eyes peeled, you know we can't help but do it again!
Until then...
I will see you on the Dance Floor!
(especially December 10th)
~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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

miss hawaiian tropic international model search 2003 kc week 5

by
Image
Entering Week 5 of the contest, competition was getting tight as more and more desired to make name for themselves and their bodies.  This was the last round before the finals, when the winners of this and the last four would be brought back in front of Shotgun Jackson for a final decision.  Of course, after there was the usual drunken debauchery and dancing to beats provided by Bill Pile and Steve Thorell.   view more photos from this event
read more »