Art Shirts + French Invasion + Pop Off

It’s quite a busy Thursday in our not-so-sleepy li’l town. First up, everyone’s favorite large-headed artist (as so lovingly coined by this interview on SmileForCamera.com), Andrew Spear, is teaming up with everyone’s favorite make-your-own-super-awesome-tshirt company, Mother Falcon. From 6 PM – 9 PM tonight, the store will be holding a jump off party featuring Spear’s artwork on limited edition t-shirts. I bought a daft punk shirt last weekend and I <3 it!!! If you can’t make it tonight, be sure to stop by the store before April 15th to grab a Spear shirt. Hell, just go to the store, period! They can make any image into a rad shirt for you!!! I can’t believe no one has done this yet.



Also tonight, we have a French invasion in J.E.S.U.S. land. Institubes labelites Bobmo, Orgasmic, Das Glow will be gracing the stage of Club Icon, along with the regular cast of characters assembled by Pauly Crush. Is it just me or does this lineup keep changing? I thought I saw Curses’ name on here this past week... maybe he’s too busy being Drop the Lime these days. And whatever happened to the real meat and potatoes of the crew: Surkin and Para One? My guess is the lack of bodies the last time they played might have something to do with it.



Last but not least we have the Pop Off crew over at The Social. What to expect: dope ass music, hipsters with angled haircuts and extremely overpriced drinks. Luckily, there are 2 for 1 wells all night... too bad you’ll pay $8 for one. (To be fair, Club Icon’s drinks are even worse. I think we dropped $50 on 3 drinks last week. They might have been doubles, but still!!!)



Happy Thursday!

The Second Coming

Pauly Crush and his crew have been trying for awhile to resurrect the once-lively Thursday night party and it looks like they may have finally succeeded. Tonight is the grand debut of J.E.S.U.S., the new weekly party that will replace the old Saturday Thursday at Firestone. Headlining this evening are Kid Sister and Flosstradamus – I guess the kids aren’t sick of them yet. The big question: can they turn the hip-hop haven of whack-attack Club ICON into the banging electro trash scene they crave? God only knows.

Sign up for the guestlist and get in free before 11.



Upcoming up @ J.E.S.U.S.
March 5th - Diplo
March 12th - Klever and A.C. Slater
March - Tba (They’re French)
March 26th - Calvin Harris and Gizmos
April 30 - Steve Aoki

Switch It Up

Let’s go back in time for a moment. The date is March 28, 2008 and it’s a million and one degrees. I’m sweating my face off while hanging out poolside at the Southseas Hotel in Miami Beach. This is my ninth straight year of attending the Winter Music Conference and I still haven’t learned my lesson: I’m not dressed properly for the scorching heat and am getting trashed on mojitos way too early in the day. My friends and I are at the Windish Agency day party, eagerly awaiting the major headliner of the moment: SWITCH. As the day goes on, more drinks are consumed, Groucho Marx novelty glasses provide much amusement and we dance to Drop the Lime and DJ Medhi. Somewhere in my drunken haze, I ask Mike Feinberg what time Switch is playing.

"He’s not."

Another WMC lesson not learned: sometimes the headliners bail. Had I been less drunk, I might remember why. His agency canceled, he’s double booked, he missed his flight -- it’s all coming to mind. (Although, I could be confusing the latter with Bloody Beetroots, who also missed their Rockbar gig.) The news is quite a blow, considering we’re specifically at this party to see him. The next morning at breakfast I beg Feinberg to bring Switch to the artist formerly known as the Saturday/Thursday party at Firestone. He tells me it’s already in the works.

Fast forward a few months: Saturday/Thursday is dead, leaving few options to host this big-name producer slash DJ from the UK. There aren’t many Orlando venues that can deliver a paying crowd without promoters losing their ass. Not to mention Orlando might not be the number one destination for a man of such accomplishment: he’s behind the music of M.I.A and Santogold (to name a few) and the founder of Dubsided Records, not to mention XLR8R’s Artist of the Year of 2007.

But Mike Feinberg and Pauly Crush are smart. Knowing Switch may not be overly eager to stop in the Sunshine State, they have set up a mini-tour to make it worth his while. So now it’s all up to YOU. In the name of all that’s good and holy, you MUST support their efforts!!! There are three options to catch the man in action and it is your duty as a club-going Floridian to be at one or all of them.

Thursday, December 11th in Orlando
Catch him at Icon with Pauly Crush, Mot, Andrew Spear and Queso
***Spend $30 at Covert or Beta and get a free ticket!***



Friday, December 12th in Ybor City
He’ll be at Pulp with Pauly Crush, Justin Scott and Estrange



Saturday, September 13th in Miami
Playing at the Heathrow Lounge with Pauly Crush, Jessica Who?, Keen One and Damaged Goods



And just for good measure, here are some of my favorite Switch remixes.

P Diddy Ft Christina Aguilera - Tell Me (Switch Remix).mp3

Freeform Five - No More Conversations (Switch Remix).mp3

CSS - Music Is My Hot Hot Sex (Switch Feat. Mapei Remix).mp3

The Futureheads - Worry About It Later (Switch Remix).mp3

Please do whatever it takes to get to one of these shows. Sell a kidney if you have to. Yes, he's just that good.

This week....Get Ready

We begin to prepare ourselves for the upcoming week. Since i know that most of you don't know the first thing about time management, I decided to give you an early heads up of this week's amazing events.

First of all, here is your list of things to remember:

• Many people love to conserve gas, so call out of work a few days this week so you can get yourself around to all the cool shit going on.
• get plenty of sleep, take naps frequently throughout the day, sneak a snore in your office bathroom, learn to sleep with your eyes open
• start a multi-vitamin regimen. Believe me, you'll need it.

This week, ladies and gentlemen, get ready.

Tonight, Monday November 3:

Pauly Crush has a big heart, really he does. He acts all tough and cool and whatnot, but hes really just a nice guy. And he's proving it tonight, cuz All profits go to the Orlando's Creative School for Children. This is a great time for you to get sloshed for a good cause, so prepare yourself for an other wise frugal and take a few extra dollars with you for the benefit of some kids, yeah?

Get in FREE before 11 by signing up on the CRUSH Guest List before 8pm every Monday. Free Beer and cheap shot specials all night!

Wednesday, November 5thTotally Michael and MC Chris tear it up at The Social, along with Whole Wheat Bread. Doors at 8:00PM, $12.00, All Ages. If youre like me and can't really stand MC Chris, shut up, buy some earplugs and drink heavily. Totally Michael is totally Worth it.

Tickets available at the Social Box Office, the door, and Ticketmaster locations.

I should have an interview with him, so check back for more info on that. Attend the show, rock out, go home and get some sleep (Thursday would be one of those opportune days to call out of work - tell them the you're having manic depressive episodes and you think its because of the election, then sleep all day.


Thursday, November 6th

Remember being 15 and thinking you were the coolest shit in the world cuz you knew the words to peaches? yeah, relive your golden adolescence tonight at the House of Blues with the freaking Presidents of the United States of America and appropriately celebrate the conclusion of the most fucked up election ever (regardless of who wins)

tickets will run you $18.50 - $53.00 and doors are at 7:00pm. All Ages welcome, check the website for info on where to buy tickets.

Friday, November 7th
Now, all that sleeping and not driving yourself to work pays off. Because Friday, you should drive your happy ass over to my hometown to hang out with the I Heart Comix crew at the Vagabond. Franki will once again roll through town with Toxie and Clayton in tow pretty much guaranteeing a night of debauchery for the rest of us.

Remember last time they were around? You do, vaguely. Maybe you shouldn't get so trashed at parties. Or maybe you should since it makes for entertainment for the rest of us.

See past Franki and Toxie galleries Here, Here and Here.

Saturday, November 8th

I strongly advise you sleep till at least 3 or 4 pm, eat a good nutritious meal (La Caretta and Taco bell are NOT considered nutritious) like around 5:50 and then get ready to head to Heathrow at 10 for MotherFucking Crookers.

Hosted by Bronques (yeah, that last night's party dude) and featuring our very own Pauly Crush, its bound to be a freaking fiasco, since a good chunk of O-town seems to be making the trip. Look for a write-up from Smile Contributor Vegas coming soon!

As always, KColl and I will be out and about, and for updates, interviews and whatever the hell else i feel like posting, you can always go check Smile For Camera! And come back later for updates on more Orlando Events from Becky, who I'm sure will give you passwords and info on all the fun nights for you local minded individuals.

So for now, let us share a moment of silent reflection, while we prepare ourselves for a fun fun intensive week!

S.O.S.: Orlando's Bail Out Plan

Save Our Scene, Save Our Sound, whatever it stands for, it means the same thing...more fun times, more great dancing and more great music!

"Over the last few months the dance music scene that seemed to be so vibrant has begun to wane" says Republic Pro's Paul. So, in order to continue to bring great DJs and acts to Orlando, Smile For Camera and some other dudes you know is proud to present the first of two events in the S.O.S. concert series!

Hot Pink Delorean (Boston) will be kicking off the movement, tonight at Suite B. Last time they were here, it was a blast. See previous galleries and see the fun everyone had!

SOS Orlando will not be a new weekly night at any one particular club or even on a particular day of the week. What it will be is a chance to grab touring DJs and bring them to Florida when they otherwise wouldn’t be able to. Orlando has now become THE pivitol city in Florida in which a lot of touring DJs base their schedule on. SOS plans to keep bringing the national DJs through Orlando and Florida.

Suite B, the venue these first two events will take place at, has recently upgraded a ton of stuff. The sound system is better, the A/C is better, and most importantly, the drink special are insane!

Check this out!

10pm-11pm 2 for 1 Beer and Wine
11pm-12am 2 for 1 Bombs (Anything)
12am-1am 2 for 1 Mixed Drinks
1am-2am 2 for 1 Hard Shots
2am-3am 2 for 1 Pick You Up off the Floors (no its not a shot, it means you will be so passed out it will require two people to drag you out!)

So. In summary. Come out tonight, like you used to, to Suite B. Party like you used to.

And no, this isn't one more last carnival, just a chance to keep things moving on.

Oh, and FYI, Kcoll has moved (virtually - that is)and joined forces with Myself and others around to continue to remind you of what it was you did that friday night. So, For more information, photo galleries and write-ups check out the new Smile for Camera.

Get Mental + Footloose + Pulp

It seems like we may have escaped the wrath of little Miss Hanna, but now it appears that her little buddies are bubbling to life in our mighty oceanic neighbor. Hopefully, they'll stay away till Monday, at least. Alright so I'm going to do this a little differently, because to be perfectly honest, I get to be unbiased this weekend because:

1. I love Pauly, Andrew and Mot, and have too many friends moonlighting as Backbooth employees
   
2. I have surrendered my weekend plans to my friend Katie, because It's her birthday and she gets to pick where we go (except Sunday, cuz its too hot for Islands of Adventure)

So without Further Ado, Here are your Friday Options for you:


Wanna Stay Local? Here are two Options for ya.

Get Mental @ Sky 60
Always a good time to be had under the stars at Sky 60. Plus this week, you get to watch Don't Sleep's very own Miss Becky behind the turntables, and, If you're really lucky, you get to watch me harass her with pictures, and cat calls as she does it.

The password is "Rock you like a hurricane" and Andrew ensures me that he will remain sober enough to play a full set this time, and not be at the airport or somewhere else, or sweating in a cabana wearing a headdress and a goofy smile. Katie and I will be there in full celebration mode. Photos by KColl as usual.

Location:
54 North Orange Ave. Orlando, FL
The rooftop of The Social/BBQ.
GOOGLE MAP

Drink Specials:
8pm - 11pm: Half Off Cocktails
11pm - 1am: $3 Beers and $3 "Three Olive Vodka" Drinks

Details:
$5 or Free w/ Password
Doors @ 10 / 21+ ONLY

Footloose @ Backbooth
Footloose used to be on wednesdays. Then it got cancelled because backbooth was having a hard time booking actual shows and concerts since the night starts at midnight and its hard to get everyone done and out by then.

Now footloose has moved to Friday. It took me a minute, but here is the updated Flyer, at least, for the new friday night.Still the best of 80's Dance music, that drink specials include a free keg of Miller High Life, and cheap drinks.

Location:
Backbooth on
37. West Pine Street
GOOGLE MAP

Drink Specials:
See above, otherwise, your guess is as good as mine

Details:
Doors are at 10pm, 18 and up $4, 21 and up Free
There may still be a guest list involved, but I don't know where it is

Wanna Get Out of Town? Drive to Tampa for Pulp.

Pauly Crush and le Friends are once again hosting/welcoming/chaperoning Designer Drugs at Club Czar. The event is doubling as a video shoot for Yo Majesty's single Club Action. Dress the part, bring your friends, enjoy the open bar and free beer, and have a blast. Resident DJs will be performing as well.

The weekend will present more goodies I'm sure, but for now, my boss is glaring at me like i drowned his kittens for doing nothing but blog posts all morning.

Toodles.

Crush Celebrates 4 Years of Partying.

(click for full size flyer)

Every Monday night, there is a group of die-hard, ready-for-the-party kind of kids that gather at backbooth for One of Orlando's longest running weeklies, CRUSH. Its surprising that in a town occupied primarily by transients and tourists, a party like crush would've managed to survive. But perhaps the best summation of its success comes from the man behind it all, Pauly Crush:

CRUSH is special. It's a Monday night in a city whose nightlife is as fickle as its weather. How has it lasted? Why are we still here? It's because of you. It's because the people that come to CRUSH love what we do and they guide us towards becoming better DJs, more informed musicians, and unintrusive marketers. It's because our friends and fans work as hard as we do to make sure every night goes off. It's because our party is not a business. It's a party.

Now, "1,040 Hours of Partying, 2,088 Tracks First Heard at Crush, and 208 Free Kegs Later,
(but still the same F*ckin President)" Crush celebrates its 4th anniversary, which is one hell of a feat.

So come out and celebrate with Pauly, Miss Fit, Justin Scott and E.Strange and all the regulars, the occasional visitors and the new faces, as they welcome the fifth year of the party's existence. Join us in pretending that It's Friday, drinking way too much for a Monday, and waking up on Tuesday feeling like hell. I'll be there, and here's a visual clue to help you find me:Doors open at 10pm but get on the Guest List and get in Free before 11. 18+ welcome. $3 After Midnight. Photos by Kcoll and Kapoow

Lol'n through Monday

I would like to start off with a huge, tremendous, COLOSSAL, MASSIVE, HUMONGOUS (look, I can use a thesaurus!!!) THANK YOU to everyone who came out to Sky60 on Saturday night!!!!!!!!!!! Muchas, muchas gracias!!!!!!

If you missed seeing Nate Day this past weekend, I have good news and bad news. First, the bad: holy bejesus, did you miss an awesome party. If there had been a roof on the club, he would have torn it off.

Now for the good news: you have one more chance to catch him before he rides off into the LA sunset. He'll be playing again tonight at Crush, along with residents Pauly Crush, Justin Scott, Miss Fit, Ge30n, and Koolbreeze.

Even more good news: you can get in for free before 11 by signing up for the Crush guest list.

America's Favorite Mexican Holiday!!!

My liver needs a break... it really does. Unfortunately, it's going to have to hang in there a little longer because America's Favorite Mexican Holiday is upon us.



I would suggest starting off your evening at Crooked Bayou for their annual Cinco de Bayou fiesta. I'll be DJing from 6 - 10 PM and the Casa Noble tequila ladies will be pouring samples. Sorry liver.



Drum 'n bass kids should stick around for Torque, Orlando's longest running DNB night, with DJs Dyer and LT Smash.



Over at Crush, the electro kids will be losing their minds for D.I.M. Get in free before 11 by signing up on the Crush Guestlist.



Here is D.I.M. showing his skills with The Presets and (half of the Presets) K.I.M:

The Presets - My People (D.I.M. remix).mp3
Kim - Fistogram (D.I.M. remix).mp3



And, finally, if you feel like taking a road trip to Tampa, you can catch hip-hop mega-stars Kanye West, N.E.R.D., Rhianna and Lupe Fiasco at the Ford Amphitheater. I used to be a huge Kanye hater, but eventually I realized how dope he is. His ego is ginourmous, but at least he can back up all the shit he talks. Should be a sick show.

Here are two of my favorite Kanye songs, even though one is being totally played out at the moment.

Kanye West - Through The Wire.mp3
Kanye West - Flashing Lights.mp3

Earth, Wind and Fire Still Rules + Glitter and Gold Launch Party

Whatever joke I was trying to make about Earth, Wind and Fire in my previous post (i.e. they're past their prime, will only play the hits, not quite the show it used to be, etc.) was completely, utterly, totally and absolutely WRONG!!! Thank goodness. They may have bad hair but MY GOD, they are entitled to rock whatever hairstyle they want while we humbly bow at their feet.



The three original members of EWF are still on point: Philip Bailey's voice is ridiculously amazing, Verdine White can thump a bass like nobody's business and Ralph Johnson is a mean percussionist. The musicians they found to fill in the gaps also didn't disappoint and the show included a few jam sessions where they proved they could funk out just as well as the originals. In addition to the hits, they touched on a good portion of their catalog that I wasn't expecting to hear: among the songs were Serpentine Fire, Brazilian Rhyme, Kalimba Story, Mighty, Mighty and On Your Face.

It was definitely worth the overpriced admission fee and fighting the crowds to see them.



Tonight head down to BackBooth where the fabulous ladies of Glitter and Gold, a super dope music blog, will be hosting their launch party. Tunes will be provided by Pauly Crush, Miss Fit, Justin Scott, Ge30n and Koolbreeze. Get in free before 11 by signing up for the Crush guest list.

Pauly Crush VS. Firestone

It appears that the folks at Firestone got into a little tiff with Pauly Crush this past week and things don't look promising for Saturday Thursday. In addition to PC, everyone who used to be on the roster has officially severed ties with the night -- Miss Fit, Justin Scott, Kittybat, Diddles, and Y-Not -- all gone. Taking their place are a bunch of kids I have never heard of -- DJ Marcos, South Rakkas Crew***, DJ Deville and DJ Elementz -- and Firestone seems desperate to keep the crowd coming by lifting the cover and offering free drinks until 1 AM. It's rumored that Pauly will be starting a new night at a different venue to compete with ST but I guess we will have to wait and see. His crew is definitely loyal to him and there's no doubt that he helped make the night what it is (was) today. It will be interesting to see what happens with ST going forward, but there's a good chance it will fizzle out before too long.



***EDIT: Ummm... the South Rakkas Crew??? Ummmm.... they're like, freaking everywhere now... Urb Next 100??? They are all up in the scene, way more than li'l ol' me. So, I was super mega wrong on that one -- I can admit it. Still haven't heard of the other guys, though. Hopefully I won't have to follow up with another edit, eh??? :)