impur phreakz renaissance

Another round of diverse events filled October 2003, with a bit more artistic leanings.  It started off with a stop by a local gallery in the West Bottoms, for a show featuring art work from several local graffiti artists, and after finishing up there it was back to the loft space in the same area for another "I" rehearsal.  They were quite a collaboration.  I have to wonder what became of these guys. I know the girlfriend of one of them ended up out in California, pursing theater, but that is about it.

The next day I got up early and headed down the street for a little local festival parade that the kids were appearing in, then it was another late night down at Kabal for some Frisky fun with local legend DJ Pat Nice.

Rinse and repeat, for another early morning and a full day out at the Renaissance Festival.  One of the kids was an actor during the season.  It was quite a bit of fun, and we mused over all there was to offer from beginning to end, then down to the Beach Club for a little DJ Battle I found out about at the last minute.  It was really kind of a charade, if I recall correctly.  There was no scoring, just whomever got the loudest cheers.  Seemed a little silly to me, so I vowed to do it up right the next chance I got.

The following weekend I chilled.  Part of that was out at a bonfire somewhere near Leavenworth, but it was chill.  It was a Burning Man Re-Incarnate sort of thing. Djembe Kahn was there for the drum circle, and 666 Records topped off the night some solid PsyTrance.  Meanwhile, Kourtney went a raving somewhere near St Joseph and brought back a collection of photos from what appeared to be a rather interesting experience.

I dropped in Evolution a couple of times, but attendance was relatively flat. The same was true for a new Thursday night at Segafredo with Steve Thorell.  That one showed a little more promise, but then again Davey's was always kind of a hit-and-miss on Monday nights.  They were, and probably still are, a terrible night for events in Kansas City.

Another new weekly popped up mid-Month at Kabal, Ritmo promised to serve up some of the best DnB/Jungle on a regular basis.  There was a good showing of support, but not a lot otherwise.  I am not sure how long that event ran, but I do have a couple of more related sets of photos.

Along with several other artists, my photos made an appearance at a showing at Kabal the next night. It was quite a bit of fun for everyone involved, but a little nervy the way some of the folks were leaning all over everything.  We were supposed to leave stuff up for a week or something like that, but I think most of us removed our stuff after that night.

A huge vaudeville/burlesque style show exploded at The Palladium a few nights later, with all sorts of crazy and bizarre acts.  Fire spinning, glass walking, bug eating, midget wrestling and an array of other presentations kept folks enthralled throughout the night to a diverse mix of local music.  Kourtney was a huge help in covering that event.

Later in the month, I stopped in for a quick birthday wish to DJ AmJanda, while Kourtney bounced out to St Louis for Booty Halloween.  It looked as though she had a blast, and probably more fun than anyone back home.

That same night in Kansas City, I dropped in on a party VJ Ones threw down at that dirty little place on Guinotte.  The music was good, and quite a few came out in support, but poor promotion ensured the night would fall somewhat flat.  We all had a great time though, and it was the perfect warm-up for what was left in the month.

In a more corporate sort of way, Smirnoff thought they might jump in on the scene by hosting a little private at XO Club to celebrate their recent release of flavored Vodka!  There is every flavor imaginable these days, but all those years ago, it was a hot new thing.  Hard to believe, right?  It was an interesting night of performers and artists, and of course Vodka.  Nobody was in any condition to leave that night and lacking Uber, the streets were probably the safest place to be.

The highlight of the month, and the party everyone had been waiting for, landed Halloween night at a relatively new space down in the West Bottoms.  Inhibitions were lost, and musical nirvana attained in the costumed fray that was Phreakz! II.  It was not quite the insane event the original had been, but no less fun.  The sequel is never quite as good as the original anyway.

view more photos from October 2003

Until the next round is ready... keep the fire burning!