30 Sept - 2 Oct 11

Hey, blogspot readers, what a weekend! SouthSide's calendar was packed from Friday to Sunday with events, parties and of course, bands rockin' the stage around town. On Friday (30 Sept), she was at Ultra Lounge for some adult fun during the Taboo Magazine party! Fashionably hip kinsters and voyuers were there to celebrate Mara Mayhem's pictorial debut in the magazine's October issue. It was two floors of music sets by Lolly Gagger and Peter Propaganda (of JILT) and naughty demonstrations and delights with ropes, whipped cream and candles featuring Mara Mayhem and others in the downstairs playroom. Lucky party participants took home a free copy of Taboo (if wanted, personally autographed by Mara herself) and other deliciously fun goodies to spice up the bedroom, blogspot readers.

Saturday (1 Oct) was an action packed day and night for SouthSide, blogspot readers, First it was roasting a pig while browsing the many records (LPs, 45s, CDs and cassettes ...and more) and posters at Schuba's. It was the venues first Pig, Swig and Record Dig event. This free all-ages event allowed music lovers and enthusiasts to snag great finds and deals from local record retailers like Dusty Groove America, Laurie's Planet of Sound, Bloodshot Records and Permanent Records to name a few. Plus inside in the stage area of the venue, Schuba's unloaded its private stock of vintage and limited edition posters for cheap, blogspot readers. SouthSide snagged three for framing to add to her growing poster population. Then it was off to browse art and more during the first day of the 10th Annual Ravenswood Artwalk. This annual tour which has brought awareness of Art and Industry of Ravenswood Corridor since 2001 featured over 15 city blocks of open studios and industry spaces free to the public. Plus there was fun art activities for kids of all ages, panel discussions, book signings and music performances by local bands like I Lost Control and The Shams band.

After a bit of rest and dinner, it was time to start the nightlife portion of SouthSide's Saturday. Now she's at House of Blues to party until dawn upstairs in the famed Foundation Room like a true VIP celebrity during the official Chromeo afterparty! This party, blogspot readers, featured DJ sets by Midnight Conspiracy and the guest of honor, Chromeo (after rockin' two straight sold out nights). This was the hottests party of the season in which the Foundation was packed with wall to wall fashionably dressed clubster crowd who danced and grooved to the best of House/dubstep/electro remixes around. Each of the opening DJ sets kept this constant flow of VIPers in the party mood until it was time greet the coming sunrise. SouthSide highly suggests rockin' your next party with the electro/House sounds and remixes by Midnight Conspiracy. This local duo (despite reports of being kidnapped by the Illumanit) has recently rocked out fests such as this year's Lolla and North Coast ...and soon will be opening for Deadmau5 at Aragon Ballroom (Oct 23). It has been a long time since SouthSide has partied so hard (though that what is she mostly does best every weekend) like this to duo that spun fast-paced remixes and electro beats at blinding speed ...even at after 2a in the morning! They kept the crowd everywhere bumpin' the to sweetly fresh rhythmic beats within an energizing vibe, blogspot readers. This reviewer recommends checking out their remixed version of her friends Gemini Club's Ghost and Innerpartysystem's And Together. Plus to the Chromeo remix of Night by Night and Crystal Castles' Crimewave. Yet, what truly had the room rockin' (in SouthSide's opinion) was Midnight's original mix Discord as well as the At Dawn We Rage remixed version. Heads up, blogspot readers in Florida, Texas and Costa Rica, her new friends will be traveling your way soon and she suggests you party your night away at their upcoming shows. Visit http://www.midnight-conspiracy.com or http://www.myspace.com/midnightconspiracy for more information and music.

Sunday (2 Oct), SouthSide's surprised after getting home at sunrise that she had enough strength to walk around one last time at Ravenswood Artwalk. This time she hung out the the RAW street fair to say "hi" to her friends from CHIRP radio (Congrats to them for achieving their fundraising goal and more) and check out more local artists before heading to Margie's Candies for some delicious ice cream with her daughter. Before leaving she did check out part of Scarlet Monk and Her Orchestra's performance which entertained the audience with haunting yet melodically acoustic music and chanteuse-like vocals. Then next up it was Minneapolis Henrys to rock the stage with their vibrant folk/Americana sound.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide