Showing posts with label Smartbar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smartbar. Show all posts

Thursday, July 10, 2014

03 Jul 14 - [synthetic]

Ah ...the night is still young.

There’s more fun to be had in this town, blogspot readers.
 
After her rockin’, foot-stompin’ party with The Black Cadillacs, it was time for SouthSide to mellow out (a little) along with others at Smartbar for the latest edition of [synthetic]. Happening in the underbelly of Metro, this dark electronic dance scene featured resident DJs Boy Alberto and Eeks Laroo with special guest DJ appearance by Nocturna’s DJ Scary Lady Sarah until closing.

What is [synthetic]? In a nutshell, blogspot readers, it’s a free convergence of the goth scene merging the best of Nocturna and Machina rolled into one EDM event for those 21 and older. And what better place to celebrate to hold it – Smartbar in which its dark overtones and dim fluorescent lighting simply added to the event’s mystique and atmosphere. When SouthSide arrived, the event was in full swing with DJ Eeks Laroo at the booth spinning a wicked selection of electronic tracks for the gradually gathering of multigenerational dark music lovers. Yet, blogspot readers, this wasn’t all work and no play for this reviewer. She did spend some time on the dance floor with many others throughout the night in between snapping photos, observing and talking to Boy Alberto. Even a busy reviewer needs to have some fun too.

Throughout the bewitching hours of [synthetic], the dance floor was constantly kept alive by those daring enough to show off their best moves. And there’s no need to worry if you have the wrong or don’t have the latest dance steps. SouthSide can attest of seeing one particular guy who has attended other dance events like Nocturna and Machina giving the younger crowd something to strive for when they reach his age. He’s quite of a vigorous dancer, blogspot readers, especially while tearing up the dance floor with his move song after song. Knowing the “right” moves or club steps is not a requirement here. Having a good time and enjoying the company of other like-minded people is strongly encouraged. Just simply allow the electronic rhythms in songs by The Smiths, The Cult and more take control and your body will do the rest ...blindly follow where it takes you on the dance floor amidst the spotty laser light.

While there, it was somewhat funny watching the hipster club scene venture into the dark underbelly of the Smartbar and then quickly leave upon realizing the DJ isn’t spinning something popular. This is not what [synthetic] is all about, blogspot readers. This monthly dance event may not feature Icona Pop or Tiesto in its music rotation but you will hear a mixture of retro and new like The Cure ...Echo and The Bunnymen ...or Depeche Mode (always a popular favorite) or March Violets...as well as local artists like Cyanotic, Gothsicles  and more until closing. Dress code? Ha! You don’t have to impress anyone with your dress. If you want to wear black or look like the adult version of Wednesday Addams, then do so. It’s all about being comfortable in what you want to express about yourself here, blogspot readers. Believe, SouthSide, whatever you wear whether it’s leather and chains to comfy Bermuda shorts and collared shirt, you will certainly fit in with this electronic crowd.
 

Sadly, after a long exhausting day of traveling from Summerfest, it was time for SouthSide to get some rest ...she had another busy holiday night planned for her. But in the meantime, blogspot readers, [synthetic] is a free dance event held every second Thursday unless noted. The next one will be on August 14 th. Hope to see you there...
 

Until next time, support your local scene, SouthSide





Sunday, September 8, 2013

04 Sept 13 - MACHINA

Let's dance, blogspot readers! 

Come to a mid-week dance party with SouthSide ...so put on your favorite shoes and dance the blues away!

Tonight, SouthSide continued her exploration into Chicago's dance scene and this time she's deep inside the underbelly of Metro - Smartbar. This underground venue is where you can go clubbing without leaving the Metro building after seeing a show (but you must be 21 and older). It's a very cool ...dark bar/nightclub that attracts up and coming to industry famous DJs. However tonight, Smarbar serves as the weekly hump day meeting place for MACHINA. A mini version of Nocturna (a 18 and older dance event that happens once a month on Saturday night) yet this event features alternative, industrial, goth, new wave, techno and punk music from 80s and 90s that many (like SouthSide) still enjoy dancing today. However unlike Nocturna,  MACHINA features a different DJ (or two) each week spinning your favorite songs and/or remixes until 4am ...oh before SouthSide forgets - it's FREE to enter. And since this was the first Wednesday of the month, DJ Scary Lady Sarah was at the DJ booth along with her special guests Jim Marcus (of Die Warzau) and Jason Novak (of Acucrack) - both  from bands performing at the upcoming Cold Waves II event at Metro.

When SouthSide arrived, Jim and Jason were already deep within their DJ set spinning exclusive Cold Waves II artist material and Wax Trax tracks as well as new and retro classics until Sarah took over again at midnight. Their two sets featured plenty of hard-hitting techno and bass-line electronic remixes (and more) that kept dancers on the floor demonstrating some of their best moves. And for a mid-week event, there was a good size crowd forming inside Smartbar, blogspot readers, having fun on and off the dance floor. Plus as an added bonus during tonight's MACHINA event, she was also raffling off two pairs of tickets to a lucky winner to attend Cold Waves II. Besides dancing under the dazzling lights, there was showing of random Aeon Flux episodes to help aid in the mood and atmosphere of MACHINA, blogspot readers. Yet, if dancing isn't your ideal fun, be seen at Smartbar! There are plenty of comfy seating along the bar and near the dance floor to do some serious people watching and/or enjoying a bar special with your firends. Some of tonight's MACHINA attendees came fashionably dressed in their "finest" industrial and/or goth attire ...or something in between - originality was the theme that ruled this club scene. You didn't have to dress to impress anyone except your own self, blogspot readers. 

From a selected set list (as requested by MACHINA fans or Sarah), dancers crowded the floor to songs like The Smiths "How Soon Is Now?" to Skinny Puppy "Smothered Love" and Malcolm McLaren "Buffalo Gals". Other featured artists during her sets also included Ministry,  The Clash, Bow Wow Wow, Joy Division, Love and Rockets, Ultravox, Soft Cell and many, many more! With a list like this, DJ Scary Lady Sarah keeps the floor alive and dancing by mixing it up so there's a little something for everyone to enjoy all night long. Despite spending most of her night observing the happening scene around, SouthSide promises that on her next visit to MACHINA she would be hitting the dance floor more and writing notes less, blogspot readers. 

Overall, blogspot readers, MACHINA is a happening scene in which SouthSide highly recommends checking out this Wednesday. It's a cool fix to get away from the mid-week doldrums before the weekend comes. 


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide