Best Party (Open to the Public):
AM/Made/Pacha at Karu & Y. When I saw the lineup that was going to be
at this amazing venue, I knew this was going to be the best party of
the week. Walking up to the venue, we knew it was going to be an
incredible night -- The lines ran smoothly and efficiently. The door
people were AGGRESSIVELY COURTEOUS and RESPECTFUL. The security staff
was FRIENDLY and GRACIOUS. It's amazing that the management was able to
hire and train a staff that was of the same caliber of the beautiful
superclub. We gushed over how amazing Karu & Y was last year and,
suffice it to say, it's even better when you are bouncing between
three rooms to catch hour-long sets from no one but the best DJs. The
vibe was off the charts as ATB, Benny Benassi, DJ Dan & Uberzone,
Angello & Ingrosso, Second Sun, Marco V, (the list goes on) played
incredible sets. Without a doubt, one of the best nights I have ever
spent inside a club.
Best Party (VIP/Industry only):
Tommy Boy Sunset Sessions at the Hotel Victor. The rooftop deck was
the perfect venue for the finest of international house music. With
sets by Ultra Nate, Bimbo Jones, Bob Sinclar, Danny Tenaglia, and
Louie Vega, the vibe was joyous and up the entire night. It was one
of the nights where I looked around and it seemed like everyone I
wanted to party with was in one place and having a good time. No
drama, no egos, no attitude - people partying and having a good time -
what house music is all about.
Best Club:
Karu & Y Ultra Lounge. Second year in a row, hands down. Everyone
who went to this luxurious superclub came away saying that it was the
finest venue they had been in all week.
Worst Club:
Suite. Second year in a row, again for an incompetent and rude door
staff. The girl with the list said, "This is the line for cheapskates
who don't want to pay." Wow, what a really nice way to refer to the
VIP/Press people. We went for the X-Mix party and walked away when we
heard that, no big loss from what we heard later.
Best Integrity:
Joe Berinato/King Street. The 15th Anniversary King Street party was
originally scheduled to be on the Sony Rooftop. Walking down Lincoln,
we ran into a group of people who directed us to Yuca because the
party had been moved. King Street moved their party because of the
substandard soundsystem, among other issues. That Joe B had the balls
to do this proves their respect for the integrity of house music. You
simply don't ask the legendary Frankie Knuckles to spin on a crap
system - no matter how good the view. Mona and Felix of 3 Degrees spun
a great set (which had the crowd going wild), followed by the live
vocal talents of Monique Bingham and Joi Cardwell. Fierce and diva are
words so often overused, especially when you have to describe such
soul-stirring performers. None of this would have gone off as well,
if Joe had not stood up and moved his party to a better venue.
