BrightestYoungThings: Preview: Pop Goes the World!

The outside world may incorrectly envision Washington's international set centering on embassy parties and Georgetown cocktail circles. Because of that, a group of young locals is setting off to reshake DC from such a static conception. Veterans of the local DJ and dance scene, Aaron Riggins, Wesley Della Volla, and Anthony Murphy have come together to collaborate on Pop Goes the World, a new international pop-dance night which draws on influences from underground parties in Berlin; K-Pop karaoke lounges of Seoul; and from the rough, under-class, gay dancehalls of south Bogotá and Medellín.

Why be boring?
(All Photos: Denis Largeron)

On the eve of their third installment, the monthly Pop Goes the World has mostly relied on word-of-mouth buzz to build an attendance that has been packing the dancefloor of the Green Lantern south of Thomas Circle. Apart from good music, the trio has also used playful performances and tongue-in-cheek gimmicks to draw a diverse crowd (a previous month allowed free entry to anyone with a Brazilian passport, another offered free drinks tickets to Colombians and Germans, and there is talk of future go-go dancers in lederhosen and Mexican wrestling masks). "We're extremely lucky to have such a high concentration of foreigners in our city," says Riggins, noting that the crowd is composed of both American and foreign attendees. "This is an opportunity for all of us to share our different experiences."

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Check out Pop Goes the World this Friday, February 17
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court NW - In the alley off 14th Street/Thomas Circle)
$5 - 10:00pm
MORE: Click here for more information
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As Far Away from a Static Embassy Cocktail Function as You can Possibly Be,
the Organizers are Ready to to "Pop" Open the DC International Party Scene

Where did the idea for Pop Goes the World come from?

Aaron: Several years ago I was at a party in Berlin where one floor was unapologetically playing the top global pop hits, and the other floor was blaring more alternative global dance music. I thought something similar would translate well in DC, a city with a curious and well-traveled community. Pop Goes the World is an amalgam of not just music but experiences at great parties from Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Kuala Lumpur, Mexico City, Bogota and many more. I hope to see it continuously evolve and pull from my experiences in each of these destinations.

Anthony: After SIREN (the popular party that Riggins and Murphy collaborated on with DJ MAJR), I really wanted to continue throwing parties. I called Aaron and after a good month of bothering him we finally sat down. Wes was also at that meeting and out came "Pop Goes the World". I think we all come from very different areas of music and background that when it comes to throwing an international dance party you really need a lot of diversity.

Will there be American tracks as well?

Aaron: Absolutely. While the aim is to highlight international pop and dance music, many of the tracks topping global charts are English-language from the US. Our set lists are not exclusively foreign tracks, but we are actively making them globally-diverse. No country is off limits.

Anthony: Go to any Top 40 list around the world and there will be American tracks.

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Downloadable Previews
Zowie (New Zealand): Smash It
Nicola Roberts (UK): Disco, Blisters, and a Comedown
AVAN LAVA (US): It's Never Over
2NE1 (Korea): I Am the Best (내가 제일 잘 나가)
Boss In Drama (Brazil): Disco Karma
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With embassies, the World Bank, the IMF, and NGOs, what is the rest of the country missing about living in a city with so many foreign guys?

Aaron: Everything! We are extremely lucky to have such a high concentration of foreigners in our city. It means more opportunity for us to share our different experiences. This is what Pop Goes The World is all about.

The Organizers as a KGB Officer, a Harajuku Girl, and a Georgian Shepherd
КГБ офицер, 原宿ガール, ქართველები მწყემსი

Any surprises?

Wesley: Glitter! No, seriously, there will be glitter. Also, when was the last time you saw someone dancing on a bar in fishnet stockings while pouring Bailey's all over themselves? We'll have a lot of fun surprises.

Fuck/Marry/Kill: Ryan Goslling (Canadian), François Sagat (French/Turkish/Slovak), Hugh Jackman (Australian)

Aaron: EASY. Fuck François Sagat, he’s obviously very skilled at what he does. Marry Hugh Jackman, he’s sexy and seems loyal. Kill Ryan Gosling. Being another young lean blond, he’s way too much competition and needs to go.

Wesley: Can't bring myself to kill Hugh or Ryan. Hugh would be more fun to have around, Ryan is too aloof. So, marry Hugh and kill Sagat.