Birth: A Celebration of Life

"Birth.A celebration of life" was an urbane holiday resort. It had the sensibility of the being an event displaced by its surroundings: the city loomed around this "enclave" of ivy-covered lattices and vinyl spinning turntables. Existential Sounds' party at Il Pirata (2007 16th St.) was a grand example of escapism. Just like Madonna suggests in her song "Holiday", it was a perfect Sunday to take out of life and celebrate: the sun was shining, good music was playing, and the vibe of the event was positive. As one approached the bar, the beats aroused the promises of Mai Tai's and Suntan lotion. In the end, the event did not produce the sunburns or sand logged shoes but tired legs and a heavy sigh of cool relief.

With the sun shining, the bar "Il Pirata" was an urban bungalow. It was a place to escape the ritual of the day. As one approached, a hanging neon palm tree and Christmas tree lights greeted the reveler. The bar was laden with neon signs and paraphernalia from the years. There were plenty of seats at and around the bar; the place had a good feeling about it. To the right of the bar was the dance floor: it was spacious and lined with pictures. The paintings were bright and psychedelic: there was a pink jellyfish. From the "main bar/dance-floor" there was a passage leading to the patio. This acted as a bridge between the inside and outside of this urban bungalow. Within the patio, one was surrounded by vast undergrowth of vegetation ivy. The tables were all pool sets that were better placed in a resort rather than a bar. Tasty Middle Eastern treats and vegetarian sushi (Annon) were served on the patio. It was a postmodern luau. Because of the sun, the music, the people, and the food, a community was established; thus people let down their guard to soak in the moment. The true distinction of the bar was its separation from the outside world. At one point I noticed a neighbor looking down and into the patio of the bar: it was the distance and alienation that acted as an act of transformation from urban watering hole to "seaside-resort".

The music enhanced the final transformation into the urban hideaway. There were two dance floors that catered to the different environments: the "outside DJs" catered to the sunshine with some down-tempo music; the "inside DJs" embraced the warm inner sound of the bar with some aggressively funky house. Outside, the afternoon kicked it off with Michael Tello. After, Girl Friday took the decks and continued the playful tone of the day. Finally as the sun finally fell behind Potrero Hill, J'bird eased everyone on to the dance floor. Inside, Jason Henry had the difficult task of setting the tone for the day: he mixed a nice variety of music from funk to techno; it was the type of music that urged you on and into twilight. Following, Dj Orlando took the decks and the atmosphere broke into an eruption of sounds. At one point he brought Santana into the mix. At this point, it was difficult not to be on the dance-floor with John Howard's groovy house mix. The night flowed on well with Three and Markie.

Existential Sounds' put on a great party. For a few hours I had departed from the urban reality of San Francisco into the chic watering hole of the Island Saint Francisco in the middle of the seven seas. "Birth.a Celebration of Life" was an ideal way to spend a Sunday. Moreover if they put on another event, I would recommend you pack your dancin' shoes and head towards the departure gate for a brief sojourn: it was a nice break from the world. So, (Sing with me:) "just one day out of life, it was so nice, holiday, celebrate!"

UPCOMING EVENT BY EXISTENTIAL SOUNDS:

DUALITY @ THE BAND SHELL

Aug.28, 1999. Female and male DJs team up for a Benefit for Breast Cancer.

Line Up: Miss E and Push

Girl Friday and John Howard

Charlotte the Baroness and Moses

Tracy and Michael Tello

FabuLizz and Spencer Kinsy.

DJ Jason Henry's Pix:

Craig Smith "Deep in the Disco EP"(indemand records)

Groove Culture "A Different Story"( International House Records) Solid Gold Playaz "Pimp Ride"(Solid Gold Records)

Midnight Creeperz "Ride On"(Ascension Music)

Rick Garcia "Jazz and Funk Ensemble"(International House Records)

For info on further events with Jason Henry and the other members of the Uniting Souls crew: www.unitingsouls.com/ 415 826 5976

DJ Girl Friday's Pix:

Illusions of Grandeur (Hardkiss)

"Disco Babes from Outer Space" (Subliminal) Plastic City anything by Todd Terry

Prog City

Black Science Orchestra- New Jersey Deep

Check out: Club Ecco (San Jose): www.clubecco.com: Aug.22, 1999

DJ Orlando's Pix:

Sebata- Prayer

Delirium- Silence Salt Tank-

Finished Symphony

Jam and Spoon- Superfly

Jason Nielsen

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