BrightestYoungThings: Preview: Maison @ Donovan House

Maison is on the move to a new location this Friday. The monthly French music night started by DJs Shea Van Horn and TMY (Tommy Cornelis) had quickly attracted a loyal following at its former Adams Morgan enclave since its inception this past October. Now, with summer settling onto Washington, the duo is moving their event to a new perch on top of the Donovan House Hotel on Thomas Circle.

Maison is a welcome injection into D.C.’s nightlife. A year ago, the alternative nightlife scene for Washington’s gay community was scant. Apart from the dirty-rock party Taint (which held its final party at the DC9 this spring) there wasn’t much on the gay social calendar for individuals seeking to escape the vortex of traditional venues like Apex and Town (which both DJs play). Van Horn changed that static dynamic late in 2008 with his new monthly party Mixtape, whose inspiration has since spawned a half-dozen alternative parties around town. Hosting Maison, Van Horn and TMY continue to shift how Washington’s gay nightlife looks.

The concept is simple. All music played is either French, French-produced or Francophone. Yet, Van Horn and TMY continue to playfully stretch the boundaries of "French" music to include anything remotely related to the French community. "Well, this artist's husband is French," one of the DJs playfully teased at a recent Maison event.

*MAISON is This Friday evening at the Donovan House Hotel rooftop pool.*

Maison is like throwing a crowd from a dirty rock-and-roll bar into a sophisticated dinner party…and seeing the whole thing work. The party gives off a sophisticated, yet subversive, feeling – like slipping a full-sleeve tattoo into the silky arm of a tailored tuxedo. That contradiction makes it perfect for a date, for catching up with friends, or for simply flirting with strangers.

The party attracts a crowd mostly mixed of gay men and straight women. However, straight men, by no means, would feel out of place at this event. In fact, with such a comfortable atmosphere, attendees in recent months have brought more and more of their straight friends along for the ride.

The organizers hope guests will feel free to dance on the rooftop deck, or flirtingly linger by its pool with a cocktail in hand. Maison seems the perfect monthly event to catch up with your friends before hitting other venues, or ending up in the French kiss of a stranger with Maison as your final destination this Friday night.