The Get Down launches new gay party Peer Pressure
Baltimore's gay scene is as famously anorexic as some of its twinks. As far as dance clubs go, there's only Club Hippo and Grand Central.
At these venues, the music doesn't stray far from Lady Gaga or Katy Perry, and the favorite past-time is not dancing, but blocking people on Grindr.
It's a complaint heard so often, many young, local LGBTQ just commute to Washington on Saturday nights for proper venues, like Cobalt or Town (Danceboutique).
Among those bored are a former Sonar promoter and rapper Rye Rye's former DJ. On Wednesday, they launched a party at Fells Point' The Get Down to fill the void. Midnight Sun was there.
When I walked in, Kyle Holtgren, aka DJ Aisle_K, was playing Bob Sinclair's "World, Hold On." Not a good sign. If I'd wanted to hear hackneyed house, I would have stayed in Miami.
But when Steve Lemmerman, nee DJ Lemz, got behind the tiny booth, the music improved dramatically. I can't recall the last time I heard Roisin Murphy at a club; maybe when she played Mansion in New York a couple of CMJs ago. Lemmerman played Crookers' relentless "Royal T," where she's featured.
Naturally, he also played new M.I.A., but unlike her recent set at Virgin Mobile FreeFest, it wasn't a mess. "XXXO" sounded as good as it does on the album. I didn't stay past one, but if he remixed "Teqkilla" later, the ensuing hoedown would have been worth the price of a Yuengling alone.
Lemmerman says that while he'll play top 40, he wants to spin less commercial stuff, like Boys Noize and local DJ Blaqstarr. That would be a change from the venues around now.
Dustin Sugar-Moore, Peer Pressure's promoter, is right when he says they stick to the usual anthems. There are a few parties that play subgenre music, like No Rule at Metro Gallery and Deep in the Game, which is now actually held at Hippo, but they are typically mixed crowds. (Sonar's popular Taxlo returns next month.)
Moore says that while Peer Pressure welcomes allies, it's the first party catering specifically to young gay Baltimoreans. On Wednesday, I didn't see a huge turn out from this group - there were more girls in Uggs than gays.
But it's early.
The other often-heard complaint about Baltimore's gay scene is that it skews older. Moore says he started the party partially to avoid getting hit on when he goes out, but he could have used that crowd Wednesday.
Young and senior gays stay far away from each other enough as it is; it would be smarter to appeal to both age groups, and just strive to improve what's booming from the stereos. On that front, Peer Pressure is a start.
The next party will be November 10. There is no cover.
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
I understand now! I'm slow.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 15, 2010 12:21 PM
As a relative outsider to this community, I believe I learned more about the inner workings of Baltimore's LGBTQ scene and the idiosyncrasies of said group than almost any article I've read in the Sun in many a year. Kudos.
Posted by: GMan | October 15, 2010 12:23 PM
OMG. I just had to block you on Grindr. As if...
Posted by: The Baltimore Chop | October 15, 2010 2:49 PM
Maza - Loud and Proud!
Glad you are open Erik!
Posted by: Roge | October 15, 2010 3:16 PM
I was there! I had a great time at this party. Aisle-K was great! He played a lot more than just Sinclair. That Gaga mashup with Time After Time was killer. Also he played some other mashup of Madonna and the Clash. loved it! And the XXXO remix he played at the end blew my mind a little bit. I danced my ass off. I'll definitely be back in Nov!
Posted by: GVS | October 15, 2010 3:26 PM
Yeah...aisle k played that XXXO remix, not Lemz. s*** was HOT! He and Lemz both tore it up!
Posted by: Tim | October 15, 2010 5:25 PM
You leave early then write a review based on that? How professional. Also, there was only one girl that I saw in Uggs. I was there, it was awesome, and it was also the most people I've ever seen in that place on a weeknight. No one cares about the return of Taxlo. Last time I went to that s**tty party was on a Friday night with a whole 12 people there. How did you get this job again?
Posted by: TandB | October 15, 2010 10:11 PM