The Best of Parties 2007
2007 was marked by record-setting numbers at parties across the globe. Event producers raised the bar to the next level, with incredible energy, innovative DJ line-ups, and spectacular production. As a result, many events, such as WhiteParty, returned to their esteemed status as the Crown Jewel of parties, drawing exceptional turnout.
Our staff has come together to bring you the Best of Parties 2007. While so many factors have been taken into consideration, we paid special attention to production (lighting, decorations, venue selection, sound systems), turnout (size, quality, energy), and the DJs. Every detail counts.
So here it is: EDGE’s awards to the best of the best. Book your travel early, as we have no doubt that each of these parties will be even HOTTER come 2008!
Black and Blue Main Event, Montreal,Canada
7 October 2007
With Jean-Pierre Perusse at the helm for his third consecutive (and final) year as artistic director of Black and Blue, Main Event this year was the artistic equivalent of a hat trick: the third sequential exemplary production from the BBCM team. This year’s theme, POWER TRIP, could not have been more appropriate-for the entire night-long event was a testament to the power of our community-deejays, producers, lighting people, performing artists, volunteers, and participants-all working and partying at the peak of their powers to produce an event both inspirational and provocative. Black and Blue Main Event is truly the benchmark by which all other circuit productions must be measured.
www.bbcm.org
XXXtreme Alegria 7, Studio Mezmor, NYC
25 March 2007
With Ric Sena at the peak of his game, this year’s version of Alegria Xtreme during Black Party weekend brought back the sinfully delicious flesh and decadence of New York’s Times Square before Disney moved in-when the marquees used to flash: SEX SHOWS, ALL NIGHT LONG! That’s how it was: a boiler room on full blast. HOT! HOT! HOT!
www.alegriaevents.com
The 23rd Annual White Party 2007, CareResource, Miami and Miami Beach
21-26 November 2007
With a surfeit of sunshine and an abundance of boyz making the trek from more inclement climes (and perhaps most importantly, shared commitment from promoters and non-profit beneficiaries), the 23rd Annual White Party proved that when the circuit community pools its assets, brilliance is the result. This year, The Crown Jewel of the Circuit re-earned her sobriquet.
www.whiteparty.org
World Beyond Borders, WinterParty, 12th Street Beach, Miami Beach
DJs Brett Henrichsen and Tony Moran
4 March 2007
Ever since the Task Force took the helm three years ago, Winter Party has been amped up to a national event, with national media attention and corporate sponsorships-and more people than ever packed onto Gay Beach the first Sunday in March. With two-thirds of the net proceeds plowed back to local service organizations through a grant-making process administered by the Dade Community Foundation, it’s a win-win situation for the LGBT community-at all levels. That’s why Winter Party is always so much more than "just another day at the beach."
www.winterparty.com
Let The Sun Shine In, Winter Party, Surfcomber Hotel, Miami Beach
DJ Wayne G and DJ Luke Johnstone
3 March 2007
Because it was all about the sun-sunbursts and sun scrims and sunglasses, and a tweaked Mister Sun leering above the pool-thanks to the deliciously warped artistic vision of RKM. Amidst the Surfcomber’s splendid setting on the billion-dollar sandbar, DJs Wayne G. and Luke Johnstone, tag teaming at the turntables in complementary camaraderie, created a cruise ship run aground (for anyone suffering from cruise deprivation) and made the boyz scream and shout all afternoon long.
www.winterparty.com
Parking, Montreal, Canada
Thanks to the skillful management of a team of professionals who believe in serving their clientele with respect, Parking has risen to the top tier of clubs in a city abundant with nightlife options. From the outside, the club looks understated-but inside, there’s no question that Parking has the vibe, a consequence of all the good karma from years of support from both locals and visitors. Parking is a dancer’s paradise, a haven of house, a music lover’s dream. Park it here, party people!
www.parkingbar.com
Rapido, Amsterdam
It’s Alegria meets the party capital of the world. Indeed, Amsterdam plays host to this semi-annual all-day/all-night party event featuring gorgeous men, dazzling lights, and phenomenal production. Next Queens Day weekend, Rapido is the place to be.
www.clubrapido.com
DJ Joe Caro
While there are legends sprinkled throughout our circuit family, there are some whose lights shine brighter during a particular year-and this year, those laser lights belonged to Joe Caro. Fierceness personified, with a heart of gold, the man rarely missed a party-and then saw fit to recreate his own aural homages with his podcasts, which he shared freely with any and all who visit his website. The man loves his music-and never says die, perhaps best exemplified by that apocryphal story of him and Abel remaining at the club, long after everyone else had left, Abel in the booth and Joe Caro on the floor-and neither of them willing to quit first.
www.joecaro.com
MedEvent
Our own Circuit Red Cross, they’re at every party in their signature red-and-white shirts. Without this dedicated group of health professional volunteers, who knows where we’d be during times of need? Keeping us from harm-and sometimes saving our asses-MedEvent deserves our support for working to insure that we keep partying safely.
Arabian Nights,One Mighty Weekend,Orlando,FL
Many laud Johnny Chisholm’s One Mighty Weekend as the best weekend to find the HOTTEST men. With Typhoon Lagoon and One Might Party at Disney Studios, it’s hard to pick a favorite. Nevertheless, Chisholm delivers the ultimate after-hours event in the classic Arabian Nights venue with one of the most incredible lighting displays complemented only be the legendary DJ Abel... No wonder this is the only party of the weekend that promises to sell out.
www.onemightyweekend.com
White Party Palm Springs,Palm Springs,CA
In April, more than 20,000 descend upon Palm Springs and it’s pure magic! The lights, the boys, the firework show magnificently coordinated to the music -- event producer Jeffrey Sanker has been raising the bar each year for over a decade -- and we can’t stop but ask for more! 2008 teases us as "Three Days and Four Nights of the Best Parties on the Planet" -- letting it all hang out with a totally new sexy Underwear Party -- and the Extreme T Dance -- an over-the-top event taking the action farther than its ever been before... Not to be missed!
www.jeffreysanker.com
Zoo Party,San Diego,CA
There are many phenomenal daytime parties, but none capture the magic of Pride like Bill Hardt Presents -- which converts the San Diego Pride into the ultimate party venue. Where else can you be under the stars in the nation’s largest zoo beside nature’s true creatures? The lighting, the magic, the phenomenal performances, the incredible energy -- explain why the event is sold out each and every year.
--
Photography courtesy of Mark Thompson, Robert Doyle, and Jesse Kreitzman.
