Nightlife: Orphanage Valentine Dance

Date: Saturday, 13th February, 2010
Event: Orphange Valentine Dance
Promoter: The Last Tuesday Society
Venue: Stone Horse Paper Cow (128-140 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4HX. 020 7377 9555) 
Who: Angela, Elsie, Hamish, Zara


Hamish and I were photographed by WeKnowWhatYouDidLastNight.com

 

Yo! Remember the 90s Setlist

DJ elsielicious rockin' da haus (photo by Nina H)

So I got to spin at the end of Reel Asian International Film Festival afterparty before the start of Yo! Remember the 90s?. It was a bit of a shame with set cut short (thought I had more time), the ones who bailed and the latecomers (per usual), my early set had to waste lot of good tunes to an empty room. Go figure! I did have a few people coming up to me afterwards and asked if i would go on later on again, had to reply "sorry, I don't think so hun..." they told me I was their favourites and gained a few fans. Oh, and I met a cute guy though...

To the people who bailed and the latecomers, this is what you've missed:

Reel Asian Afterparty / Yo! Remember the 90s: DJ elsielicious Setlist
Date: Saturday 15 November 2008
Venue: Augusta House (152 Augusta Ave)
Set Times: 22:00 - 22:40
Costume: Very Low-cut white t-shirt with harem trousers (Hammerpants), patent black heels, Vanilla Ice-esque quiff/hair with teal eyeliner and neon pink lipstick

• Ini Kamoze - Here Comes the Hotstepper
• Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam
• Sub Sub - Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)
• Deelite - Groove is in the Heart
• Madonna - Vogue
• RuPaul - Supermodel
• Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy
• Ace of Base - The Sign
• Whitney Houston - I'm Every Woman
• Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations
• New Kids On The Block - Step by Step
• N*SYNC - I Want You Back
• Spice Girls - Wannabe
• Britney Spears - ... Baby One More Time

Tonight really proves to me that I can say "fuck you Toronto".
I really have enough here. Get me outta here!!!!

Everyone's a DJ No. 11: DJ elsielicious' Setlist

Thank you everyone who came out tonight, it was great fun, and lots of people double fisted and danced their hearts out (despite my minor threat to those who won't dance). If you missed it, you'll have another chance to catch me DJing next Saturday at "Yo! Remember the 90s?" at Augusta House (152 Augusta - Kensington Market). I'll prolly be doing an early set, so no excuse!!!

Everyone's a DJ No. 11: DJ elsielicious Setlist
Venue: Disgraceland (965 Bloor Street West)
Set times: First call before last call = 1:40 AM - 2:00 AM
Costume: Gold bandeau, with black unitard, catwalkhawk hair

• Friendly Fires - Paris
• The Rapture - House of Jealous Lovers
• Foals - Hummer
• Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor
• Pigbag - Papa's Got a New Pigbag
• Ladyhawke - Paris is Burning
• Toni Basil - Mickey mixed into "That's Not My Name" by The Ting Tings

Thanks for coming out, see you next Saturday!!
xx

Notes From the Underground v9

NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND v9: A selection of Northeast American Videos: Shana Moulton + Paperrad + Hilary Harp and Suzy Silver + Meeken and Negrey + Desiree Holman // World Premier of Henry Fletcher’s Aritst In Residence short film "HoteL" // Performance by Ulysses Castellanos + Henri Faberge and The Adorables
02.22.02.05 @ The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street W. - 416.531.5042)

So much for low profiling, Merckeda rang me last minute and asked me if i wanted to go see Henri's screening.. i couldn't resist and i went. The evening started off a series of short videos from the states: PaperRad, "The Happiest Day" by Hilary Harp & Suzy Silver, but the most rememberable and my favourite series of the nite was by Shana Moulton.

After a long wait, Henri finally arrived in his technicolour striped shirt complimenting by a blue striped tie and white/beige striped socks. He informed us that he's been drinking tequila since 5am that morning and has lost 4 days worth of work, so the screening tonite would have been the first rough cut. "Hotel" is a dectectivesque film set in the 60s, all shot at The Drake Hotel whilst Henri was Artist in Residence for the month of January. Despite that it was only the first rough cut, it was very well shot. I can't wait to see the finished product!

Ulysses Castellanos was an interesting character, a performance artist, also current Artist in Residence. His set had 3 sets of videos of himself around the venue, a bubble machine, a shopping cart like wheel chair, a huge wired heart with balloons. He stood on the chair, told the audience sexual stories and trying to smash the chair and balloons with an axe. Hmmm.. i'm not sure how i felt about that performance...

At around 11:30pm, Henri Faberge & The Adorables hit the stage.. the drunken Henri, the rockin' Gargamel jumping off stage, knocking microphones.. all too drunk, all too fun.. shall repeat again next week as the band practice at the Embassy.

Gig 15: Les Georges Leningrad / Pony Da Look / Aidswolf

Les Georges Leningrad // Pony da Look // Aidswolf
03.16.02.05 @ XPACE (303 Augusta, Toronto)

XPACE is a newishly gallery in Kensington Market ran by the lovely student union of my former school - OCAD. We arrived to the venue shortly after 9pm, there was already a small number of people chilling outside the venue. Doors finally openned at 9:30pm, we entered the tiny but white narrow spacious XPACE, local artzies, hipsters, scenesters began flooding the venue by 10pm. Egad, spotted Hannah Sung interviewing the guy from Les Georges Leningrad for The NewMusic.She is such a scenester!! *roll eyes*

Aidswolf was on first. Bodies agmonst bodies packed circling the little space around the performers. Aidswolf put on an amazing high-energy show that rocked everyone. You can see photos at Kid with Camera's site. (pssh.. i'm in photo 1, teehee). Pony da Look was the next one on.. Oh dear Lord, due to the tall people, i couldn't see their performance at all. i honestly thought it was a man reading off a medieval scripture! Despite overheard a few guys saying the girls in this band supposedly to look really hott, i didn't like their set at all. ARGH! After a long wait, Les Georges Leningrad finally came on, the band all dressed in costumes, it was fantastic! The keyboardist was in a wrestling mask, the singer was in a fantastic halter black with bright coloured polka dots, the drummer had nothing but funfur leopord hot pants with a huge skull belt buckle. I danced through their set.. corner of my eye spotted Chris Murphy from Sloan standing behind me. It was a good nite.

Gig 63: Death from Kathedral

Death From Above 1979 / Controller.Controller / Aids Wolf
04.30.12.04 @ The Kathedral / All Ages

When I arrived at the venue, the queue was already turned onto Bathurst, I said hello to a few of my friends at the intersection then went to the back to find my other friends. There were quite a few number of kids. As we entered the venue, the kids were crowded up by the stage and merch area. First off was Aids Wolf, from Montréal, loud experimental band with high energy and lots of screaming. Second band of the evening was Controller.Controller and they were AWESOME! I danced and danced during their set. The venue started to get packed, by the time DFA came on stage, the dodgy little venue was completely packed, bodies against bodies, the anticipated kids began to rock out and mosh. The bnad mostly played from the new album, but also a few favourites from previous EPs. Sebastien gave a "Billy Talent" speech during the set and told how they enjoyed playing to the younger crowd. During the short encore, Sebastien invited two fans to come on stage to jam with them. Those two had their best time of their lives they said. DFA's sound had rounded out since i've first saw them couple years ago, nevertheless still very rocking live!

Film: It's a Wonderful Life

*** USA. 130 min. BW 1946. Directed by Frank Capra.
Written by: Philip Van Doren Stern & Frances Goodrich.
Cast: James Stewart & Donna Reed.

19:00 @ Bloor Cinema (Free Screening for Members) with Amy.

Yes, another long film but this one is very warmhearted. It's a Dickens-esque story about an guardian angel helping a compassionate but despairingly frustrated George Bailey by showing him what his life would be like if he has never existed. I loved all the women's dresses in the film, there's just something poetic and graceful about women in the late 40's and early 50's. I love the part in the beginning of the film where the kid Georgie bends down in front of the kid Mary Hatch, she whispered into his deaf ear (caused by saving his lil brother Harry from drowning in the icy pond) and said "George Bailey - I'll love you til the day I die."

I might not believe in Santa Claus. However, I definitely believe in Guardian Angels.

Rocking Santa.
Ryan gave me a lift today to work, whilst we were driving on Kingston Road, i spotted this gas station with Full Service at 67.9, we decided to turn around and get gas when we saw this Santa pumping at the station. What so emo about the Santa is that first of all, he's ethnic, he was wearing the Santa suit, but with no Santa hat, he had a goatee and ponytail! ABSOLUTE GOLD!!

Good Times with Good Cake, Good Tunes.
After the film at Bloor Cinema, Amy finally took me to this Korean place she's been raving about for 2 years. I had the Combination Soo Tofu Soup (Beef, Shrimp and Clams). Was tasty, loved their side dishes though the Kim-Chi was WAY to spicy for me! Then we scooted over to Labyrinth for MattBlair's weekly DJing at Vanishing Point. He played the songs i've requested earlier today. Kudos to Matt! Amy bought chamomile tea (ick) and a black forest cake to share. I couldn't believe the prices of the drinks there! $2.50 only with basic mixed drink (gin, vodka, rum, whiskey.. etc) and all domestic beer. Matt spun a good hour of good tunes started with my requested of Doves (There Goes the Fear), then he played Le Tigre (Decepticon), The Streets, Ladytron's Playgirl mixed into West End Boys by Pet Shop Boys, followed by Bizzare Love Triangle to Saint Etienne's Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Charlatans, Stone Roses and too many good tunes. Amy and I wanted to dance. She reckons Matt kicks Blow Up's arses and that he should take over BU once it's close in January (pretty sad). We left 'round 1:10am to realized Amy forgot her umbrella, went back it wasnt' there, she musta left it in the Korean restaurant.

Toronto is an ice rink right now.
Luckily, i caught the last bus. Was home fairly quickly. All pavement and walkways are frozen. I could literally skate home from the bus stop. No kidding. As i went into my building i started talking to the security guard about the "natural ice rink". He informed me that he had complained to the Super about this but the Super didn't gave a toss. So Mr. Security asked if i could filled in a complaint for that matter. (Right up my alley, love sending angry letters!) And then we backstabbed our Super, i inquired about renting out the parking spots, finally got home, couldn't sleep yet excited about sleeping in tomorrow and don't have to work.

Gig: 62. Rainbow Quartz's White Vibration

Rainbow Quartz 1st Annual Festive Special:
The High Dials, Frontier Index, Showroom
05.17.12.04 @ The 360

We went back to Casse-Croûte La Banquise for lunch, i had the Poutine Duleton (ground steak with fried onions) this time and i was over the roof. We left town around 2pm. Just before Kingston we caught in a jam for an hour, didn't get back into town til 8pm! I changed and then headed out to meet Amy to go to The 360 for Rainbow Quartz 1st Annual Festive Special with Showroom, Frontier Index and The High Dials. We arrived at 11:40pm, Frontier Index was on stage, they are not bad, high energy performance, there were a few following singing to the words and dancing, most enjoyable when singer/strummer Corey Herden thanks this person for their wardrobe consulting. High Dials finally on stage after midnite. God so tired! They featured 4-5 new songs which sounded excellent. The highlight was during Morning's White Vibration when Trevor Anderson said "when i come back with my guitar, i want to see some other people dancing up here other than this guy!" and of course, the grand highlight of the night is when Rishi Dihr played the sitar!! Highly enjoyable, and dancable gig. After the show, we talked to Trevor, he liked my shirt, i told him thanks for the shirt really because it was a birthday gift from amy asking her ex-boss, Mila who asked Trevor (also great friends with him) so the story all link back together. We left around 2:35am, I missed the bus at Finch by 2 mins, i had to cab home.. eeek!

Gig: 60 & 61. Take the Long Road & Trip It!

Ottawa (15/23/04 - Captial Music Hall):
We left the city around 3pm, major traffic in Oshawa, got into Ottawa by 8:30pm. We were surprised how cheap Ottawa's parking was! Ottawa was freezing! My toes were frozen from waiting for Meghan outside the venue. After we met up with Meghan, we went to the riverside for Beavertails but unfortunately it was closed!! So we messed around at Sugar Mountain, that's when i realised i've lost my black lightning bolt earring but funny that i totally remembered where i dropped it, it was near 9:50pm, we said our byes and went back to the venue. Found my earring, checked off guestlist and went into the venue..

Projet Orange was already on stage playing the last song. They were good performers (saw them the day before in Toronto, but just the music wasn't my cup of tea.) Venue was quite small and it has a balcony.

At 10:10pm, The Music came on. Ren was on Adam's side, Ei & I went over to Stu's side (coz it was empty), poor stu had to deal the entire nite with half dead monitor, dead mic for the drums during Bleeding from Within, he slammed his bass as he left the stage. Rob sounded better tonite than last nite but the band looked exhausted. We got a chance to catch Phil as we were leaving, we asked if Chris was around because we had gift for him to say thanks for guestlisting us for all the shows. He said he was inside could give the stuff to him and give to Chris but we insisted we'd wait til tomorrow to thank him personally.


Casse-Croûte La Banquise has more poutine options you can ever imagine!

Montréal (16-17/12/04) :
So at 12:15am we left Ottawa to Montréal we go. We arrived at Montéal at 2am. We unloaded our luggage and went to Casse-Croûte La Banquise (994 rue Rachel Est - 514.525.2415) for take-out poutine. Ren and I had the Poutine Dan Dan (Pepperoni, Bacon and Sautéed Onions) and Ei & Amy shared the Poutine Classique. It was a total heart attack but it was soooooo good!

The next day, we slept in and went to Frites Alors! for brunch. After we ordered, Amy and I sneaked out to get a birthday present for my client at the cutest shoppe ever on St-Denis & Duluth, Au Festin de Badette (4085 rue St-Denis - 514.849.0214), handmade chocolates & gifts, great selection of gourmet specialty teas, salt de mer, olive oils and pastas... etc. Amy raves about their Hot Chocolate there, we *HAD* to go back! After we ate, i departed from my mates and head onto Sears Canada (3075 Thimens Boulevard) to meet my client. She gave me a grand tour of the building and we went for a coffee. After that i went back to meet up with the girls, as i got off at Mont-Royal, i went for a bit of shopping on my own and bought 2 tees for $10 at Kokawaii (827 rue Mont-Royal Est - 514.522.6252).


Night street of Mont-Royal with Christmas lights.

Met up with the girls back at the flat and we were still full from brunch so we decided to go back to Au Festin de Badette for Hot Chocolate & Croissant instead. When people say chocolate is better than sex, at this shoppe, it's ture!!!! Their café had variaties of teas and coffee, slushes (there's even a dark chocolate slush!), sorbet and hot chocolate. Highly recommended the chocolat chaud de Badette (with cinnamon, cardomen), there's also one with 70% cocao. Their croissant is out of this world, it's buttery, it's flaky, better than our very own Clafouti!


Our Sweet Indulgence at Au Festin de Badette.

After the sweet indulgence, we headed to the venue Club Soda (1225 St-Laurent - 514.286.1010). As we got off the cab, a sculper approached us, we told him we're going to a different gig, he informed us it was cancelled, we thought he was joking. As we walked to the door, there was a sign posted saying the show has been cancelled and rescheduled for a later date! Gah! Disappointment, we walked on St-Laurent and headed back to the flat, rent a film (The Stepford Wives), bought a PC The Decadent Molten Chocolate Cakes, the best thing EVER! At around Midnite, we ventured out to Schwartz's we each bought a smoke meat sandwich, and we walked around St-Laurent, peaked into Bifteck to see if we see any indie rockstars chilling out, didn't see any. They sent me into Le Pistol to check, didn't see anyone neither but there were many hott guys there! Perfect opportunity to wing each other! But we didn't stay, we headed home and finish our movie & sandwiches and called it a night.