WMC 2012: Electronic Dance Music Is So Gay
Louie Vega, Frankie Knuckles, Heavy Grinder, Gabriel and Dresden, Black Coffee, Sander Kleinenberg, Miguel Migs - the list of outstanding DJs at this year’s Winter Music Conference goes on and on, not to mention the legion of up-and-coming DJs whose names will be legend in years to come.
On Friday, March 16, Beachmonkey and I will be in SOBE for the Winter Music Conference. As is the case with WMC, there are hundreds of events from which to choose, so we have to be realistic about what we can actually do in the space of 10 days.
WMC has a clear LGBT-friendly policy. Some regular events are, in fact, Gay-oriented such as the Keep On Dancin’ Party sponsored by GMHC and pretty much every event at Twist and Score nightclubs. Two other events listed in the WMC lineup are specifically Gay-oriented: Latin Dance Music Showcase at Score and the second annual JustCircuit Awards at Chalk Lounge. I would also imagine that parties with all-women DJs would be at the very least Gay-supportive. I attended one such event last year in a boutique hotel, and at one point the dance floor held almost as many same-sex couples as man-woman couples.
Besides Twist and Score there is the Shelborne Hotel. A representative contacted me about the parties held at the Shelborne, which is right on the beach in SOBE. He assured me that the many events held on the hotel’s pool deck and its indoor club Shine enthusiastically welcome Gay people. "I want to mention that all our parties are absolutely Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and drag friendly," he said.
I love this statement. Not only are we welcome, our drag kings and queens can strut their stuff as well! If I was not so ugly as a girl, I’d be tempted to break out some heels, put on face and werq the Shelborne.
WMC Highlights
Some of the parties that particularly excite me are the following:
Batida! on Friday, March 16 - this is a Brazilian event, and I’m all about that.
Black Coffee’s party on Sunday, March 18 - Black Coffee is a superstar DJ from South Africa. I went to his party last year and it was my favorite event of WMC 2012.
3 Kings of House pool party on Monday, March 19 - Little Louie Vega, David Morales, and Tony Humphries, perfect for a deep-house SOBE pool party.
Latin Dance Music Showcase on Tuesday, March 20 - it is Miami after all.
Let The Singer Be Heard on Wednesday, March 21 - live singers backed by talented DJs. Listen to the women and men who give the vocals to some of our favorite house anthems.
Keep On Dancin’, Wednesday March 21 - WMC’s annual Garage party and AIDS fundraiser.
Girls Gone Vinyl on Thursday, March 22 - we all know that EDM DJs are predominantly male, so women have to try harder to make it. That means any party with an all-female lineup will be ridiculously good.
IDMA, Thursday March 22 - last year’s International Dance Music Awards were classy and fast-paced. Held in the massive Beachplex set up right on the sand (a new innovation!), this year’s should be even better.
Salted Music on Friday, March 23 - Miguel Migs, Lisa Shaw, got to be there.
Pacha Ibiza pool party on Saturday, March 24 - Pacha doe a pool party right, and it’s at the Shelborne Hotel; a winning combination. And Sunday at the Shelborne: Sander Kleinenberg and Friends Closing Party.
Our Tentative Itinerary:
Friday, March 16
Gabriel and Dresden at Shine in the Shelborne
Batida! at Sushi Samba
Saturday March 17
Def Mix w/Bang and Room 26 Pool Party at Shelborne
Sunday March 18
DJ Black Coffee Soulistic Music Pool Party at National
AddictedToRadio.com at Maxine’s in the Catalina
Fusicology After Party for Black Coffee at the Red Room in Shore Club
Monday March 19
The 3 Kings of House Pool Party at National
Ocha Records Rooftop Session at Clevelander
WMC Spin-Off (Beat Matching) at Beachplex
WMC Convention at Beachplex
Tuesday March 20
WMC Spin-Off (Scratching) at Beachplex
WMC at Crescendo Piano Bar
Latin Dance Music Showcase at Score
Women Man the Decks-Fierce Femininity at Kung Fu Bar in Catalina
Wednesday March 21
Beat Chemistry Booms Day Social at Divine Hookah Lounge
And Let the Singer Be Heard at Ocean’s 10
A Change of Pace at Beach Plaza Hotel
Silence of the DJs at SPF4 Deck in Clevelander
Priti Soul Celebration at Segafredo l’Originale
Keep On Dancin’ Garage Party at Score
Funkbox NYC at 1020 Lounge in Clevelander
Senses at Well Lounge
Thursday March 22
World Town at Clevelander
Girls Gone Vinyl at Chesterfield
27th Annual IDMA Beachplex
Pop.Synth.Sex.Beat. at Well Lounge
Friday March 23
Afrique Electrique at Maxine’s in Catalina
Viva Music Pool Party at Shelborne
Chicago Connection at Leon
Kicks, Hats n’ Claps at Leon
Salted Music at Cafeina Wynwood
Saturday March 24
High on Soul 5 Magazine at Chesterfield
Pacha Ibiza Pool Party at Shelborne
South African Miami Invasion at Oceans 10
Imbizo at Dorchester
Sunday March 25
JustCircuit Awards at Chalk Lounge
Sander Kleinenberg and Friends Closing Party at Shine in Shelborne
