The honorary "Barbara Tucker" hardest-working diva award:
Lady Gaga. Seemingly everywhere for two days, the Interscope-signed
electro sweetheart performed at the AX Music Lounge, presented an
award at the IDMAs, did a meet and greet, performed an edgy vocal set
at the Nervous Score party, and then discovered the cure for cancer.
Watch out for "Just Dance" to hit the clubs and "Paparazzi" to be on
movie soundtracks all summer.
Hardest working DJ award:
Deadmau5. Was he at just about every party this year? Not surprising
as he is quickly becoming the next big superstar DJ/producer to bubble
up from the underground, oops, I mean Beatport.
Hardest working human award:
Lainie Copicotto. Yes, David Guetta and Paul Van Dyk cleaned up at
the IDMAs, but if you look behind the scenes, Lainie Copicotto of
Aurelia Entertainment had the posse (Paul Van Dyk, Bob Sinclar, DJ
Rap, and Robbie Rivera) who won just about every award they were up
for. Managing the mega-succesful Juicy Nikki Beach Party and to
navigate the Ultra Music Festival with Paul Van Dyk and a nine-piece
band - all while looking like a gorgeous glamazon - is the reason why
Miss Lainie deserves special recognition.
(Close Second) Cary Vance - His efforts to bring dance music to the next level are just one reason why he is truly Mr. Dance.
The honorary "Roger Sanchez" best-dressed award:
Lauren Hildebrandt. When she walked onto the stage at Twist, the pop
princess looked like the superstar she is quickly becoming. In a
gorgeous outfit that was the perfect mix of youthful sass and playful
zest with perfect hair and beautiful make-up, she sounded as good as
she looked.
Best hair:
N-Euro. The Estonian Europop star must have a Statue of Liberty
fetish to spend the six hours required to style his hair in foot-long
spikes. His debut single, "Love on the Line," is quite sharp as well.
Best fashion trend:
The RockBand. Simple, distinct and edgy with a touch of holistic healing.
(Close second) Those playfully colored Boosted headphones that popped
up during the week. It takes a real man (or a very lovely lady) to
rock sherbert-colored headphones.
Worst fashion trend:
Ed Hardy. Stonebridge said it best: "Ed Hardy is the new Von Dutch."
If you want a tattoo, get a tattoo. Otherwise Ed Hardy is simply the
manifestation of last year's horrible trend - Skulls on everything.
T-shirts, jackets, jeans - bedazzled or embroidered - the ubiquitous
window display in every store on Washington Avenue
Best T-shirt:
"Trance: the other white beat"
(Close second, though starting to get played out) "Minimalist DJs have
small decks."
Beverage of the week:
Yes, everyone drinks way too much at night, but to make up for it
during the day, Glaceau Vitamin Energy Water and Snapple Antioxidant
Water seemed to be the waters of choice. I couldn't walk two steps
without seeing someone drinking either. Walking home from the clubs,
a slice of pizza and a bottle of either Glaceau or Snapple water was
in everyone's hands.
Most useful swag:
The Red Bull survival kit. A little Chinese food takeout container
filled with a mini bottle of Grey Goose (for the night of partying), a
disposable camera (for recording the events of the night), Advil (for
the morning after), and suntan lotion (for laying on the beach to
clean out the system). As someone who does not choose to partake in
alcohol or narcotics, Red Bull is the drink that kept me energized
though the week.
Worst annoyance:
Wristband buildup. By the end of the day, returning to the hotel room,
I had at least six or seven multi-colored wristbands from the various events
of the day. Of course, I can't bring scissors with me on the plane, so
I was thankful to find a multi-functional can in the hotel kitchenette.
