The best parties happening around the city this week: Bangs & Blush's Beatlemania dance party, The Boat's Chronologic, Pastel Supernova's Love Letters, the effing Super Bowl, and more.
Friday: The Motionball Gala, in support of the Special Olympics With DJ Kissette and Skratch Bastid. The Carlu, 444 Yonge Street. #DTN Tickets $150, available here . 9:00 p.m.
I’ve been to a Motionball or two, once when it was all the way up at the Eglinton Grand. So the fact that this year’s installment is at The Carlu should be an easier sell. Although the organizers call this thing a “gala,” it’s geared toward the young professional set and, therefore, isn’t all swanky or stuffy. More… sexy and sweaty? Girls look their best, guys are dressed in suits that were probably once reserved for their high school athletic banquet. That’s the vibe—and I’m not trying to be pejorative about it. (No black tie awkwardness or Oscar de la Renta gowns at this one. If you’re under 35, you’ll thank yourself later.) Yes, the $150 price tag goes to a good cause, and I’m giving a thumbs-up to the organizers for resisting the urge to brand this as “exclusive.” What’s included: open bar, an underwear fashion show, tunes courtesy DJ Skratch Bastid, a ridiculously opulent dessert buffet (the event staple), and a hair and makeup touch-up station—but please, just use the restroom for that. Here’s a favourite Skratch mix:
Friday: Bangs & Blush present: Beatlemania! The Piston, 937 Bloor Street West. #BCT $5 at the door. 10 p.m.
If galas aren’t exactly your thing, or within your price range, head a few yards north to The Piston for Beatlemania, the latest jam from Bangs & Blush, the pair of girl DJs that always turn the party into a “hot mess.” Never been to one? Missing out major. The ‘60s allusions are obvious, and expected, so dress your retro-est and YouTube some dance moves for a little something extra. Luckily for you, or the people you go out with, they aren’t playing the mop tops exclusively, rather in pockets between legit rock ‘n’ roll (um, Stones), garage and soul tunes. I’m not a big Beatles fan, but I am fond of this one track: “All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to be free.” Incidentally, this is probably the group’s last great song before becoming disjointed and disillusioned by reality.
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Saturday: Chronologic at The Boat With DJs Louis Calabro & Matt Cully. The Boat, 158 Augusta Avenue. #KNM 10:30 p.m.
I’m “Facebook friends” with DJ Louis Calabro, and he usually spams the hell out of me with his invites. Kidding. When a friend asks me where to dance, I suggest one of Calabro’s Chronologic parties, a “dance party through the ages” where he plays “pop and antipop” classics from every era starting from 1890. The feedback: stellar. It’s a nostalgia trip that’s more “ahh!” than “ugh.” Verdict? “It’s like you’re cruising down a musical highway with the best road mix ever.” Another word of advice: go early. The Boat will fill up, set sail, and leave your ass on the street. More testimonials here . And now, some French anti-pop:
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Sunday: It’s the effing Super Bowl. Crawford, 718 College St. #COL Free. Kickoff just after 6 p.m.
I went to Crawford a few Sundays ago, and it was totally dead. But this weekend is your perfect opportunity to check out the place with a splash of life and MDM…oops, I mean Madonna. They’re hosting a Super Bowl party—like every other bar with a television—and I’m betting the party will spill over into the night like a freshly-pumped keg. They have a crazy six-foot HD projector screen, surround sound, free munchies, cheap snacks, drink specials. Ladies, brace yourself for the mancave. Madonna, M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj headline halftime. Speaking of, here’s an oldie:
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Wednesday & Thursday: Pastel Supernova’s Love Letters Various performers. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street West. #DNW Tickets start at $25. 7 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show.
This event is almost a week away, but I didn’t want to miss the chance to either promo it without giving you ample chance to secure tickets. Choreographer Pastel Supernova, a former Nelly Furtado dancer and past member of now-dismantled Fritz Helder & The Phantoms (Fritz is now a member of local-gone-global electro band Azari & III), brings you an hour-long interactive performance featuring ten dancers caught in the age-old story of love, sex and glamour—all inspired by ’40s old Hollywood (ie, pre-Fame Monster ). While you spend the night at the sleepless speakeasy, there’s also an option for a three-course dinner service. Find out more here and watch the teaser below.
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