Photo: SERIAL SEAN

Ok,
so did anyone else notice Elevate on their opening night (2010.03.24)? Nobody could say that promoters Joseph Patrick & Sofonda didn’t do their jobs that night. Anyone and everyone was either inside or lining up down the sidewalk (read: down the entire block) in hopes of getting into the place to be witness to their huge Pride Toronto announcement and to see the event headliners, Girlicious, perform.

Luckily, I was inside well ahead of time – in the afternoon – talking to both Sofonda and Elevate’s security to ensure my admittance that evening to snag an exclusive set of photographs for my ‘Unhinged & Raw’ readers here on GGT 2.0.

Personally, I’m not even really a fan of Girlicious, but I am a huge supporter of the business community here in the Church/Wellesley Business District & of Pride Toronto, so my attendance was warranted – plus I am now able to add another ‘celebrity’ name to my photography call card. These were all more than enough reasons to make me attend a performance that I wouldn’t normally enjoy.

Before Girlicious` performance of way too much hair-flipping and I-want-to-ride-you-like-a-stripper-pole booty shaking for a crowd comprised of gay men, Sofonda & Joseph Patrick announced their 2010 Pride events of which they’ve dubbed ‘Epic Weekend.’

Photo: SERIAL SEAN

Saturday July 3^rd sees The Beach Ball on Toronto Island’s Hanlan’s Point, which is famously known as Toronto’s hottest nude cruising ground. Headlining this event will be Girlicious who reportedly will be bringing their full production set-up (which wasn’t present at Elevate’s opening) with the supporting DJ line-up to still be announced. With hot weather, hot bodies, and a specially licensed event on a nude beach you can be sure this is going to be a sizzling event.

The following day will be The Splash Bash in Toronto’s Dundas Square – an outdoor water and foam party in the centre of the city with music by DJ Brett Henrichsen and The Freemasons with supporting performances by Sofonda and a ‘surprise superstar performer.’ Also a licensed event, this will be sure to cool down all those hot sweaty bodies on Pride Sunday.

Photo: SERIAL SEAN

After Girlicious` performance the girls were quickly whisked to Elevate’s upstairs where they continued to interact with their fans and event attendees in very friendly fashion. Definitely a good public relations move for their upcoming Toronto Pride performance.

The question that still remains to be answered is if Elevate’s grand opening turnout will continue to come back in support of the establishment.

So let’s get our readers involved – being the newest dance bar to hit the village in a long time, do you think that Elevate has staying power or do you think that it will close it’s doors like other establishment’s before it?

SERIAL SEAN
xo

SERIAL SEAN is a Toronto based entertainment entrepreneur that specializes in publicity, event planning, public relations, journalism, photography/videography and is the creative director behind his Performance DJ shows. Contact him through his website http://serialsean.com.

My Valentine’s sucked! That’s right my man didn’t get me anything! But than again many straight guys just don’t get Valentine’s Day. All I wanted was a card, a box of chocolates, or flowers. Even a “Happy Valentine’s Day” would’ve have sufficed.

To be honest who am I kidding I didn’t come home till 3:30pm on the 14^th after my events I had to host at, and chillin with my friends. So, in his defense I may not have gotten me anything either.

What didn’t suck were the Valentine events. The Scenester Showdown at The Barn on the 12^th was great! Jamal had the DJ booth set up on the dancefloor on the main floor of the venue which makes for far better interaction with the DJ.

I’ve seen one laptop set up during a set, maybe two while the next DJ is setting up, but never three alongside two CDJs, seriously! That’s a mad set up. Word on the dancefloor was that DJTK was the Showdown hands down!

And let me mention the sweet gift bag for the winner, Johnny T. He sure got a lot of goodies to make his Valentine’s complete alone or with that special someone courtesy of Stag Shop.

CiRCA’s “Love, Sex & Magic” was also great. Damn! My Scenester Radio producer and BFF gave me chocolates and even CiRCA brought tasty chocolate, strawberry treats to our table.

Joe Ghost who opened for Behrouz and Addy totally got me; his beats were bumpy and awesome. Yet I didn’t get a chance to see him. Hence the Ghost maybe?

All was good till the fire alarm went off. That’s right around 3am just as we were headed to the DJ booth area to get our dance on, the music shut off and firemen came in. Yes some were hot (no pun intended), but since it would be a bit for them to sort this fire thing out in a venue the size of CiRCA we decided to call it a night and head back to the studio.

My Valentine’s had no spark, and ended in a false alarm. Good times!

Now that it’s over I move into March hoping for warmer weather and some crazy parties upon us. I’ll be a host at Deko-ze’s birthday at Footwork on March 5^th with Adam K and Mark Falco also on the bill.

March 6^th is DJ Bliss’s “Elevate 1-year Anniversary” at LOL Lounge with Addy, DJ Saeed, Matt Gracie and more…

Let’s not forget infamous JaXx HouZe 9 – The Enchanted Tribal Platoon will detonate April 2010. Talk about sexy men in army fatigues gyrating to tribal house. Yummy!

For guestlist for any of these events please email [email protected]

See you on the dancefloor!