After a quick stop at the hotel to avoid the rain, I decided to have a nice relaxing dinner with friends before going out. I met up with Dewight Barkeley, manager Cecilia Pearson and her friend. We hit a nice restaurant on Espaniola Way where so many funny things happened. First, I rarely drink - maybe 4 times per year. We started the meal with mojitos and I don't know what happened but it HIT ME. Wow, I was having difficulty standing up.
Now here's where the fun starts. The hostess had a, well, distinctively loud voice. To the point where we kept cracking jokes about it. In my drunken stupor I realized that my list was gone. Backstory, the list is my bible for the week. In preparing for WMC, I schedule, RSVP and plan the major places I want to hit each day. This is sorted in an excel spread sheet and I carry the printout to take notes and make sure I get where I want to be. Certain radio mixshow guys make fun of me each year for this.
Well, I looked down and flipped out when I realize it was gone. Cecilia came to my rescue and went back to the bar and asked if anyone had seen the list. No response. She says it in Spanish and 10 people start digging through the trash where the list is found. Cecilia returned the paper and I was completely relieved. Note to self, switch to digital and enter appointments/schedule in the sidekick. The loud hostess came up and said "Yeah I saw the list and it looked important." Then why did you throw it away? We all had a good laugh at this and many other retorts.
We decided that Saturday night would be European night and we started at Blue for the Kinky Malinki party. We entered at the exact right time as Stonebridge had started playing his set. He was on. On fire. On point. On whatever it took - but he had the whole room dancing. He played this really fierce techy mix of Robyn S "Show Me Love" that I must track down. Erire came on stage and sang the international club smash "SOS." Note to club, if you are going to have a live performer make sure the wireless microphone works in all direction and invest in a spotlight. Other than that, Erire was spot on and FIERCE!
Next up was a trek down to Hotel Victor for the Fierce Angel party. Mark Doyle was spinning a fun set and I ran into several friends in the crowd - Michael Moog and Peyton come to mind. This was the second time during the week that I enjoyed a good dance - this time in the outdoor air enjoying the pleasant breeze and a gorgeous view of the ocean. Moments like that make all the work worth it.
Seemingly out of nowhere, I look up and see the always gorgeous Kristine W arrive. I brought her up to meet Mark Doyle who was gobsmacked - could there be a fiercer angel. As much as I love the music Kristine has released in the US, it would be awesome to see her return to her European roots and do some tracks with guys from across the pond.
Due to noise issues, the party moved inside with Eric Kupper spinning and a very sexy Bonnie Bailey performing a fun set.
A quick cabride later and we were at Cameo (fka Crobar) for the F**k Me I'm Famous party. The door was a mobscene and getting in was a little drama. The guy with the list was concerned that my plus one was male. Whether this was concern over the female to male ratio or homophobia, I am not sure but after flashing credentials a third time and another look at his list - we were eventually let in.
Karma was on our side and we arrived at the perfect time. The rooms was packed and David Guetta was electric. He was working the decks - using repeats and loops - banging out the music. Hearing him work a new mix of Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" made me realize why he is such a superstar. Chris Willis appeared and sang "Love Don't Let Me Go" to a crowd that was singing back just as loudly. Insanely amazing party.
A few blocks up we ran into Mansion for Tiesto. Just like last year's extravaganze, Tiesto was playing to the crowd and the room was packed. I was a bit tired so we didn't stay long but the music was incredible and if I could have gotten the fourth Red Bull to kick in, I would have definitely stayed later.
Leaving the club, I ran into BT and witnessed him do an amazingly good deed. He found a driver's license on the ground (it was flipped over - only showing the magnetic strip.) He reached into the gunky street water - picked up the license and called the owner to retrieve the license. Most other people would have walked away, but he cared enough to help the poor guy out. I can imagine being on the other side of the call - freaked out after losing my license in Miami and getting a call from BT, "Hey, I got your license."
Song picks:
Chocolate Puma "Another Day"
Bonny Bailey "Kingdom of Pretty" (Bassmonkeys Remix)
Robin S "Show Me Love" (new tech mix)
Cosmic Gate "Analog Geel"
Stonebridge featuring Erire "SOS"
S.Angello, S.Ingrosso, Axwell & Laidback Luke "Get Dumb"
