August 97
There's something inherently narcissistic about writing a column. I've been going to parties day in and day out with dismal regularity for most of my life (party trained at two!), so my task here through my mild form of the storytelling ritual is to turn it into something that has value for others - I'm not promising to bend and reshape your worldview.
AlexD propositioned me at the Kind 2 rave August 30th while I was giving out free h2o to those who brought items for the food bank, so I can't progress with chess-like precision sharing the past month's experiences. August 1st. Fleuvog sale and my date with David Tonnesen -Senior Software Engineer (3d/Core) Walt Disney in California. I was in L.A for Siggraph '97, a computer graphics trade show. Some of the parties included: Professional Chapters @ L.A. Zoo, DIGITAL DOMAIN @ Century City Club, with George Clinton (lenticular image on the invite! no photocopying); SONY @ Sony Studios with Presidents of the United States of America and a performance by Cirque du Soliel; DISNEY with special guest Big Bad Vodoo-Daddy; RHYTHM & HUES @ Mayan Night Club; SQUARE USA @ Union Station with Talvin Singh (rippin' cool DJ from England); BOSS STUDIOS @ Fais Do Do; and the Papers and Panels and Kinetix parties. Went to the Dresden, where "Swingers" was filmed and the Electronic Theatre. L.A is the armpit of California, but I got a lenticular nap-sac at a swap meet The Lost World Raptor whose mouth opens and closes which goes with my J-park dino-eye Burger King holographic watch.
Back in YYZ. 2nd ½ August: Party for Laura Kikauka and Gordon Monahan visiting from Germany where Gordon won the Joseph Beuys award @ 50 Wabash mid 80's crowd; Toronto Webgrrls RELEASE 2.0 PARTY @ 401 Richmond - got Digital Economy by Don Tapscot in the raffle (Mark Jones my CyberStage editor won it but he'd already read it!) - went with Tom Wong, Creative Undertaker from Devlin Applied Design, and afterwards to Denis Bradettes's opening @ the Express; Catalyst Fusion Festival: A Liquid Space of Celebration - went with J.P. from Partners Film Co.; DJ's experimental video, Juice bar, Reiki, Zine Production, Hemp Clothing Exhibition, sound-capture, Ripple Tank Holography show, and other ethereal whatnot. @ the Pia Bouman Studios.
"UP YOUR ARTS" @ WEAVE (Think Arts Lounge - Think Network - Think Friendly). August's soiree heard Paul Gerard from Bravo! Talking about Bravo! Facts grants and arts programming; High Street CD launch @ C'est What; art opening at Apothecary, an infra-dig bar/restaurant which opened right across from my office (hurrah!); Ola!'s on the same block, Nina Dove had her birthday party there on the same night we danced to Alvero's sexy latin house; Artists Group party @ The Wellington, lots of dumb-assed models same night; Blackwalk Productions party and KLUBLIFE party - I love ya Koala and your zine too, but Whiskey Saigon was not the appropriate venue.
The best thing about the opening of Sassafraz/Catwalk was the food: five types of caviar and Champagne Grapes the likes of which I've never tasted at a Toronto party - Mick Jagger was there too! Went to Michael Chesney's Low Art Gallery, Flexpo'97, wicked line-up of instant art by "instant artist" Phil Frost (NYC), unique bomber Twist from San Fran, and Tyke with his superdeluxe spraycan stylings; same night Bruno Brown/Eddie Figueroa party. Orange Alert blastoff @ Reverb was not really my pluck but went straight from Queen West Street party and Damzels in this Dress were on the fashion runway at both places. Joined the Ashkenaz Parade, another street spectacle. Graphic Goddess Erella Vent's backyard bash, pot lucked with Fiona Smyth, Craig Daniels, Daniel Lanois' awesome composer ex-Crash Vegas singin sister Jocelyne, Kurt Swinghammer, Ron Sexsmith (you may not know him but he hangs out with Elvis Costello, and Paul Mc Cartney is a fan of his). August 31, missed Dr. Trance's housewarming @ the bona- fide House of Trance (or do they play house at housewarmings!?), and SNEAKERS send-off party @ The Big Bop (Reverb?) with John E, Mitch Winthrop, Project 9, etc. Proceeds to the Miles for Millions North American Run for Multiple Sclerosis. - Moving in the Right Direction!
Free your body and your mind will follow!
