I just got back from a walkthrough of the space where the EightyEightDC crew will begin off their giant, weekend-long, big headed monster Forward Festival. Glancing now and then at this site's Events sidebar, you've surely seen any one of their hundred and one monthly parties — Pulse(which celebrated it's 2 year anniversary last month), LODA, X and their ridiculous thursday night residency at Muse in Chinatown. My money says no other crew in the DMV (ugh) promotes and operates events anywhere close to 88's monthly rate; they set up the sound and visual display systems, hire the necessary bodies when it's called for (security, the pole, bar) and consistently sign up awesome Talent. They're no barefoot ghandi mfs giving it away for free and they intend to make money at their events, but not the same way that many bottomfeederline focused promoters would. Like those Hometown Heroes and Upfront Industries parties, crowds at 88 events are low on that riff raff and tend to either be passionate and knowledgeable about the music they come to hear. You're likely to bump into a lot of creative types like musicians and visual designers you'll probably want to bang too. Just sayin. Beats the hell out of getting into a fight at Lucky Bar over who spilled what on who's frathouse slippers. Here's the flyer for the entire festival.
But back to the kickoff party and my preview of the location: the event is called This is how we do and the space is bafuckingnanas. There's a main room that's about 80 by 50 feet where the flavor will lean toward deep and maybe dubby techno what with headliners Pan Pot and Derek Plaslaiko. Blisspop's 930 Club chaosmaster Will Eastman opens. In the second room measuring 20 feet by who knows what, Dan Amatai, formerly of the Beyond wednesday happy hours, and Ryptide will play downtempto and dubsteb, MNMLife's Sanath & Fisher who'll drop techno and Everybody Loves Music's Dimitri Max will house.(Any party thrown by the latter two ought NEVAR be slept on. NEVARRRRRR) Three soundsystems — from 88, Tank and Tiernan of Dive & Lie Wrecked (clever) and this guy and a deeeeeeep, diversified lineup. What.
But even before I saw the space I was feeling giggity about the entire weekend's schedule of live performances, workshops and dj sets. The feeling's actually something between nostalgia and the anticipation of an unknown that's bound to be so so good. Scurry good. Speaking of ... Graham's waking life sometimes = the "Billie Jean" video
Previously in I Heart DC:
- 5/24: DC NEWS YOU CAN (MAYBE) USE...
- 5/23: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
- 5/23: BYT Patio and Outdoor Dining Guide - Spring/Summer 2012
- 5/22: DC NEWS YOU CAN (MAYBE) USE...
- 5/21: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
- 5/21: PHOTOS: Artomatic 2012 Opening
- 5/18: DC NEWS YOU CAN (MAYBE) USE...
- 5/17: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
- 5/16: D.C. NEWS YOU CAN (MAYBE) USE...
- 5/16: Photos: Dance In The Circle @ Dupont Circle
God loves a cheerful giver.
the space looks dope! can't wait for this!
So. Pumped.
I was there when these were taken... it's much doper than it looks even! Sound system cranks, great lighting... and this is only one of 3 large areas in there. Lots of couches when people need a break. A fully stocked bar with a second smaller bar that'll be set up. This will be a legendary event.
I wanted to post this feedback on Dimitri Max's latest release on DC based label Odds&Ends. We'll also be showcasing OAE tracks Fri night as part of the Forward Festival at Loda.
OAED029 – Dimitri Max “Lazy Afternoon” Odds & Ends Music
After a bit of a hiatus Odds & Ends returns with a hot one from new comer and DC/Paris native Dimitri Max. With recent output on labels like deep II disco and a hot party called ELM in DC, Dimitri is on the verge of blowing things up. Do NOT sleep on this guy because he is the crème de la crème of upcoming producers!
Receiving support from DJs: Laurent Garnier, Danny Tenaglia, Dubfire, Josh Wink, Miles Maeda, DJ Misjah, Chris Santiago, Shur-I-Khan, Chris Simmonds, Da Funk, Valentin (Café Del Mar), Ibiza Global Radio, Ibiza Sonica Radio, Fer Ferarri, Demarco Electronic Project, Bluntafari, Mr. Jones, Rob Pearson, DJ Coocer, DJ Martin eNe, Manuel Sahagun, Mark Henning
Feedback:
Laurent Garnier - nice and sweet !! ouuuuuuu this track is a monster LOOOOVE THIS! 5 out of 5
Josh Wink - Jackin US style house with a deep quality! I will be rockin this one... 4 out of 5
Danny Tenaglia – 4 out of 5
Dubfire – 5 out of 5
Shur-I-Khan - Nice funky groove that’s understated to keep it on the right side of cheese. 4 out of 5
Chris Simmonds - bad boy house i'm all over this. cool groove i will be supporting! 5 out of 5
Ibiza Global Radio – 5 out of 5
Rob Pearson - Nice deep house action, cheers!!! 4 out of 5
DJ Coocer - jeah...oldschool house !!! like the old times Wink i love it !!! 5 out of 5
we are so excited about this weekends' festival....
we hope you join us for what promises to be 4 days of pure pleasure!
D00D, the same weekend as SXSW? Really? And the first year I get to go?..............
So ready to blow this MTF out!
Big big up to everyone that's a part of this weekend's throw down.
For full deets, pod casts: www.forwarddc.com
The DC IDM scene hasn't been this hot since the buzzlife days, and it's all thanks to 88!
thanks so much for the kind words Reza.
but its definitely a group effort - without all of our other friends and their badass events, DC wouldn't be so damn hot right now..... its really great to see so many different crews working together to push things FORWARD!
I am very excited about tomorrow! Fitsum you must have gotten there after I left
see you soon. -Dan Am*i*tai
I'm going to dance all over that floor Thurs night! Way to go fellows. Fully stoked.
is that the same place that suspenDC does stuff?
Cant wait for tomorrow... tonight even, just got done with some late night setup for our set.
I'm SOOOO impressed!
yes. yes. yes.
"this guy"
Nice!
ready to get DIRTY???
AWESOME space!! Nice write-up Fitsum.
this aint no warehouse! this is The Crucible sex club!
yeh fuck those people trying to give people shit for free, thats so wack and un-american, its true they're are like poor hippie foreigners, all barefoot and shit. word
wack