<ϑ><ϑ> eyelid movies

I’d already bought my ticket to the Anon Salon Sea of Dreams New Year’s bash when I got lassoed into “Vasty Rumpus”, the near-legendary off-Broadway jazz burlesque troupe billed to perform on the Cabaret stage just before midnight. Actually, they weren’t billed to perform there (yet), since the band didn’t even exist until early December… but a few rehearsals, a booking connection, and a promo video featuring leggy dancers (most of them old friends of mine – y’know, from my off-Broadway days) landed us the slot.

Here we are stumbling through Duke Ellington’s Night Train, though I suspect like most of the audience you won’t be too hung up on any missed key changes.

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And another quick clip here during Canteloupe Island:

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One problem I’ve always had with NYE music-centric parties or shows is that the band or artist isn’t usually your main reason for being there – you’re there to let loose with friends and random revelers, so it’s a drag to get stuck at a one-flavor gig where everybody’s focus is always on the stage. I love the setup at the Concourse Exhibition Center because it disperses the entertainment through a multi-chambered labyrinth that’s perfect for hopping between sights, sounds, and scenes. The atmosphere and attitude were en fuego – playa-inspired costumes, decorations, art displays, and crowd spirit brought on some warmly-welcomed black rock nostalgia pangs.

But the night was originally, and principally, about throwing down to some sick beats with UK breaks pioneer Adam Freeland, along with local hero and Opulent Temple founder Syd Gris and UK’s Bassbin Twins. The live music element of the event, having originally drawn many of us there the previous year for String Cheese Incident, was a sideshow for me this year – Brasilian Girls are about as broody as they are dancey, and I wasn’t there to brood… though Kinky was an upbeat surprise. The DJ room – incidentally, the largest room this year, a change from last year – was thumping and kept our posse well-absorbed well past midnight into 2008.