all photos: Bradley Portnoy
In an effort to undermine all that is American (namely, Freedom Fries), DJs Shea Van Horn and TMY convened a conclave of French music fanatics on Thursday for the innaugural installment of their new monthly party Maison. Held in the polished basement of Napoleon in Adams Morgan, the party attracted a full-house for champagne cocktails and candellit conversation that kept the place packed until closing.
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 month) there wasn't much on the gay social calendar for individuals seeking to escape the Britney/Madonna/Gaga vortex of venues like Apex and Town. Van Horn changed that dynamic last fall with his new monthly party Mixtape, whose inspiration has since spawned a half-dozen alternative parties around town. Now hosting Maison along with DJ TMY (Tommy Cornelis), Van Horn has again shifted how Washington's gay nightlife looks.
While the crowd at Maison was mostly male, it also welcomed a good number of straight friends to the mix. Indeed, as it doesn't advertise itself as a gay party, Maison seeks to attract a diverse group of attendees (its just that the gays usually know a good thing before their straight friends do). So expect the crowd to be more mixed next time around.
The music played was, well, damn good. While it would be easy to think of a French music set as limiting, DJs Shea Van Horn and TMy managed to play an incredibly diverse set list that blended perfectly from song to song with enough anticipation to keep the crowd sticking around. It is, perhaps, a bit ironic that no one at the party seemed to dance to an amazingly danceable set. Instead, the high-energy of the French dance music played somehow paired perfectly with the subdued decor of the basement lounge. Maison created an environment that easily led to conversation, and to attendees repeatedly rushing the DJ booth to excitedly ask "Wait, what song is that?!"
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.
Maison @ Napoleon
A new, monthly, party held the third Thursday of each month featuring French dance music and lots of champagne cocktails.
The next party is Thursday, November 19.
Free Admission.
For more information, search them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/MAISONDC
God loves a cheerful giver.
Great event...MAISON is a subdued blast! Can't wait for the next one (o;
Merci BYT! Glad you came and enjoyed yourselves. One note: the next MAISON is on Thursday, November 19.
So what this is gay. Sounds interesting enough still. def prochaine fois.
Oh my god, this party was so much fun. It felt so grown-up, but so casual. I showed up in ratty jeans and a t-shirt and I still felt as if I could slip right in. Great crowd, great music and great cocktails!
Thanks guys.
So happy to have finally gotten this off the ground Shea!
All in all, christian louboutin boots as the popular brand, which should be fashional people's best louboutin pumps choice. The increasing demands of fashion shoes let cheap louboutin store becoming more and more hot. People can not ignore the existence of louboutin sale in the world. Owning this brand christian louboutin shoes products has become people's common dream discount christian louboutin shoes.
For fashion people, they are fond of wearing ugg classic boots to highlight their beauty and discount uggs pretty. I have to say that no one can take their discount ugg boots eyes off those people who wear cheap ugg boots when they walk in the street. There have more and more ugg boots clearance people are eager for owning one or more. Then, you can choose our ugg boots australia online shop without any hesitation.
Winter is coming and the annual christian louboutin on sale is coming too. Have you prepare for this grand cheap louboutins festival? Why not to choose christian louboutin shoes as the gift for your girlfriend or wife? Many women cannot resist the beautiful discount christian louboutin shoes. They will feel very happy when they see this special christian louboutin on sale gift which is sent by you. discount louboutin shoes could show your beauty and slim figure instantly.
This elegant and fashionable merchandise of christian louboutin store combines with the Italian draft, modern fashionable discounted louboutin shoes feeling and delicate manufacture. This brand christian louboutin on sale could be thought of as pieces of christian louboutin sneakers fantastic art works worth you to have one or more to follow the fashion discount christian louboutin shoes trend. cheap louboutin shoes with the packaging of shoe box and dust bag.
Choose these stylish discount moncler jackets must be the most wise decision you have made. With unique moncler coats on sale design,this brand discouted moncler vest are welcomed by different people. In order to meet people’s different demands, our moncler doudoune online shop will try our best to provide cheap moncler with the toppest quality to all customers. Welcome moncler boots!
In fashion world, moncler doudoune is synonymous with high fashion and quality. What moncler is the first thing you think of when you hear moncler jackets sale online? I believe most of you are dream to owning one or more this moncler vest brand products. As far as I know, moncler sale products are designed for people who crave for fashion cheap monclers and comfort.
If you are a man who likes to keep the same pace with discount moncler jackets the trend, moncler coats on sale could be your best choice. Many people are crazy about this brand discouted moncler vest jackets. Because they are very gorgeous and moncler doudoune stylish. This winter, with the accompany of cheap moncler, I am sure you will have a happy time. You can not hesitate to buy moncler boots now.
When you put on the stylish cheap ugg boots, you can clearly know it is different from the common winter discount ugg boots. It is breathable, unique and comfortable, the outsole of the uggs boots on sale and will keep your feet comfortable and dry while you are wearing cheap uggs online them walking or running, there are different kinds of the kids ugg boots style in the uggs clearance, you own ugg outlet it.
You will be a happy christian louboutin on sale bridal and you would be more charming when you are walking in these gorgeous discount christian louboutin shoes. This style christian louboutin shoesheels are popular among super stars. Many people have been attracted cheap louboutin shoes by their exquisite and sexy christian louboutin boots design. This time, you can not hesitate to buy our discount louboutin shoes to increase popular index.
Nowadays, simple but noble christian louboutin uk are must-have items in women's life. Many cheap christian louboutin shoes fashional people have said that they can not live without discount christian louboutin shoes. That is because this brand louboutin shoes discount are very fashionable, which will make people become more confident christian louboutin on sale and happy. Now, you can spend a little time to visit our christian louboutin boots website.
The second reason is that moncler jackets combined the fashionable element with classical moncler down coats style, and follow the vogue trend to change. moncler down jackets realize the dream that interpretate movement and elegance perfectly. Wear cheap moncler jackets not only allows you to have a warm winter and can show your discount moncler jacketsbody and make you a good fashion. In the winter, moncler boots on sale is your best choice.
All in all, christian louboutin boots as the popular brand, which should be fashional people's best louboutin pumps choice. The increasing demands of fashion shoes let cheap louboutin store becoming more and more hot. People can not ignore the existence of louboutin sale in the world. Owning this brand christian louboutin shoes products has become people's common dream discount christian louboutin shoes.