Erock2000

Now THAT was uncalled for. All Beth said was about Twilo's new magazine--which I'd personally love to see for myself. We could use soemthing like that here in this shot-&-a- Bud Light, meat-&-potatoes, Dockers-&-Old Navy town of ours.... ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

Actually, I can name seven cities for nightcrawling: Chicagoland--the birthplace of House. La-La Land--stars, stars, stars. Metropolitan Toronto--Canada should be proud London UK--where European trends are usually born Ibiza--four months a year, it's insane! MiamiDade--oh, glorious South Beach! Manhattan NYC--of course. Despite, the Mayor's cruel intentions. However, for the shameless promotion part, I will throw in a vote for my home: Cleveland OH USA (http://www.cleveland.citysearch.com). Contrary to popular belief, we actually DO have a few good clubs here: WISH http://www.wishnightclub.com MERCURY LOUNGE http://www.themercurylounge.com FUNKY BUDDHA http://www.funkybuddhabar.com THE HUMIDOR http://www.thehumidor.org EUROPA http://www.europanightclub.com ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

Anyone interested may want to check out a post I made to the Tech & Media board. Let's just say that ABC News just did a nice little hatchet job on Ibiza. ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

YIKES! Was it really that bad? I mean, apart from the shootings at several places and the death at Twilo, that is? ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

OK, Manhattan. You knew someone was goin to ask this sooner or later, so... HOW'D IT GO? Your Millennium Summer, that is? Here in Cleveland OH USA, ours started off wet--Memorial day Weekend was rainy two of the four days (OK, I like to add thet Friday before!). Then we got this new club, NV, which was lousy. It was in the location of another place called Aqua (closed due to drugs in mid-Winter), but it was anything but Aqua-like. The atrocious music, the sick people...it was all too much for me. That's when we got three more clubs. Amsterdam is great, but it's in the Flats East Bank--where 8 million underage teenyboppers and their twentysomething overpaid, underworked, Corona-chugging, wife-beater-clad, overbreeding defiling serfs love to go each year. The other two, Banana Joe's and Earth, opened a month apart--and now could lose their alcohol permits. Why? Why else--serving underage patrons (Ohio's booze laws are TOUGH), of course. It didn't stop "drink-&-drown" from taking on new meaning this year. Three people lost their lives to the Cuyahoga River, two of whom were 20, all of whom had either booze or drugs in their system. The first one's death has resulted in murder charges being filed. Now the City is considering putting up a chain link fence around all the bars & clubs along the River, and boat docking has already been banned after 9PM for the remainder of the season. One of our biggest places, Shooters On The Water (www.shootersflats.com) will close for the Winter to rebuild their decks to get the City and the Coast Guard off their backs. So now as we head into the dormant season, things in the nightcrawling world are in a bit of chaos. While the Flats suffered, the Historic Warehouse District (all the NYC-style places are here!) enjoyed the benefits. Yet for some reason, our stubborn traditions (Bud Light, our sports team apparel, Polo RL shirts & Tommy jeans, for one) have caused us to fall light years behind the Heartland. Other cities like Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Indy, Chicagoland (of course), and even long-desolate Metro Detroit have begun to catch up and pass us. Thankfully, our municipal government doesn't try to shut the scene down like Manhattan--the mayor and council are too busy trying to kill each other first. I pray that things will calm down as the leaves start to turn. That's how my Millennium Summer went. How was yours? ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

I don't know about anywhere else, but the beautiful people of the North Coast are FINALLY tossing them out of the closet and into the thrift stores. I for one never did like them, preferring Dolce & Gabbana, YMLA, BC Ethic, Gianfranco Ferre and Versace Jenas Couture. Only the Bud Light-chugging underage yuppie suburbanites still insist on keeping Doc Martens when they head to The Flats. Maybe that's why "drink & drown" took on new meaning here this year... ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

All of you in Manhattan should be proud! Don't cut down Twilo for doing something to maintain the nightcrawling world--not to mention themselves at the same time. First, Twilo IS a business entity, and they do have the right to place their capital up for offering to the general public if they wish. Since this is a business that normally doesn't operate banker's hours, I think it will be interesting. I understand where some of you are coming from, though. It's as if next we'll see Danny Tenaglia and Jonathan Peters delivering the news on CNN on weekend instead of spinning at their respective clubs, while Razor & Guido create a line of clothing and home items to compete against what I call "the Tommyknocker." I can see it now: R&G Home, R&G Kidswear, etc. (LOL) But the way this little Heartland nightcrawler sees it, turning to the daytimers (as I call those who live in the 9-to-5 world) is the best way for Manhattan to survive the current chaos and ensure its future in the First World of Nightcrawling (together of course withMiamiDade, La-La Land, Chicagoland, Metropolitan Toronto, Ibiza and London UK). Steps like an IPO have to be taken to make sure that the clubs can do what is necessary should the good times we're currently enjoying ever turnbad. I mean, glowsticks, Godiva Martinis, strobe lights, Gianfranco Ferre jeans and VIP cars can only carry a nightclub so far. Especially with a certain nameless anti-nightlife mayor lurking in the wings, just waiting to strike yet again... ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

Hmmm, you have apoint. But I probably should have said as much to begin with. The second one just happened this weekend, but the first guy--who was only 20--did have a blood-alcohol level of 0.02 in his system. Nevertheless, I have seen many people take WAY too much of stuff they know nothing about. According to SPIN Magazine (please correct me if I am wrong), my hometown ranks in the top five of America's e-tard cities. I never saw the issue, but I can only gues what the others were. Not to say that alcohol is any better, but at least I know my limit on that stuff. With everything else, I call it nothing more than Russian Roulette...and too many people are losing. ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

Just reading the titles of some of these posts in Substances scares me. And this past weekend, something happened here in the New American City that, tragically, has become an annual rite of passage. On Saturday night, a 20-year-old Kent State junior lost his life when he acidentally fell into the Cuyahoga River, which winds through The Flats, our City's entertainment district. This was the second such drowning in just over two weeks. Friends Can't Save Man http://www.cleveland.com/news/index.ssf?/news/pd/cc07body.html Fight Ends In Drowning http://www.cleveland.com/news/index.ssf?/news/pd/cc22atti.html WHatever you all are on, please be careful. ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

Hey all... I just learned of the Death at Twilo and the recent Club Shootings (appalled gasp throughout the office). First on behalf of my fellow Clevelanders, I express my condolences to the family & friends of the young man that died that evening. He will be missed. Then I stumbled across these archived headlines from elsewhere... "Toronto City Hall Bans Public Raves" "Miami Beach Afterhours Restrictions Begin Tonight" Watching all of this from the Heartland, I understand the intense emotions that have arisen (yet again) in the nightcrawling world. Twilo's owners must now worry about their very existence again as Mayor Rudolph Giuliani prepares a crackdown against the industry. The lives and livelihoods of tens of thousands are hanging in the balance. If I may, please allow me to relate my City's experience with the industry. I don't know if this will help or not, but I think you all deserve to know what happened in another city. It's a known fact that my hometown of Cleveland OH USA has been through hell and back in her 204 years. To this day, the mere mention of Cleveland still generates a laugh or two. But one thing we have done well is create a nightlife. The area known as The Flats sees over 8.5 million visitors each year, and the Historic Warehouse District next door is fast reaching the one million mark itself. Since I've been a nightcrawler for four years now, I have grown to know many of those directly involed on a first-name basis, along with their families in some cases. But I have also seen what vice does to the industry as well. In February 1998, one of our oldest restaurants, Jim's Steak House, closed its doors after 75 years on the Cuyahoga River. The same month, ads for a place called "Aqua" strted appearing in our alternative weeklies, Scene and the Free Times. In May, I finally met the owner behind it. Her name was Robin Harris, and she has been involved in nightcrawling for 24 of her 42 years alive. Aqua, I learned , would be pattrend after her second home, MiamiDade's Historic South Beach. It would be like nothing the entire State of Ohio had ever seen before. Unlike what we had at the time, it would be VERY upscale. It would be glitzy. It would never allow any Dawg Pound members or those icky Wahooligans (I love my sports teams, but I draw the line at certain times). And so, on Friday 19 June 1998 at 9PM, the doors swung open to reveal a wild, glorious new riverside oasis of music and fun never before seen in a blue-collar, meat & potatoes, shot & beer, jeans & t-shirt Rustbelt city. My hometown, I thought, had finally taken a critical step toward joining the First World of Nightcrawling: MiamiDade, La-La Land, Ibiza, London UK, Metropolitan Toronto, Chicagoland and Manhattan (of course). On more than one occasion, I arrived at 7 or 8 for a private function only to stay the entire night enjoying a Long Island or two and people-watching while pleasure craft jockekeyd for positions. Aqua's opening prompted the rise of the Historic Warehosue District and Gateway as nightcrawling centers, while causing many people to abadnon The Flats as they traded up to the classier clubs. The location (across from the Gateway sports arenas and Tower City Center) made it a perfect respite from the raucous, Tommy-clad, tequilla-soaked Flats and gave the City's carriage trade society reason to enjoy nightlife again. I myself joined many entertainment critics in calling it "the closet existing facility to the spirit of Manhattan's famed Studio 54 minus the vices that killed it." But that comparision proved to be probelmatic and would cement its downfall as well. Aqua brought in many nightcrawlers who hadn't been Downtown since the early to mid 1980s when The Flats was young. These people also brought many illegal habits with them, like cocaine. The newer patrons, intrigued by the location away from prying Police eyes, brought their Ecstasy in turn. For the first summer, they were smart: they did it at hoem BEFORE heading out. But in October 1998, Aqua was named by the Free Times as the third best man-to-man pickup spot. Robin's partner in Aqua, Gary Bauer, went ballistic--revealing more than a few bigoted views in the process. She resigned and fled to MiamiDade on emergency holiday for a month. (NOTE: She currently spins every Thursday & Saturday at a popular club called Groovee in the Historic Warehouse District) With the club now totally under Bauer's ownership, thinsg slowly began to get bad. First and afterhours was started to get through the agonizing Winter season. While a good idea to pay the WInter bills, he kept it going through Summer 1999 as well. Ms. Harris' departure forced a number of staffers to resign in protest, including many of the bouncers. The older, wealthier clientele vanished into the woodwork again as the fast-rising "club drugs" took over the place. I remember getting asked at least 10 times a night if I had any rolls, GHB or special K, and on one occasion I was invited to a cocaine party. Alcohol sales nearly vanished as people appeared later and later (Aqua was open to 5AM). Cleveland EMS paramedics made weekly visits rushing those who had overdosed to nearby hospitals. Fights were becoming common. And as it turned out, the Police had been watching Aqua for quite some time after all. On Thursday 24 February 2000, the Police, the FBI, and the Cuyahoga County Sherriffs raided the 20-month-old nightclub and ordered it shutdown forever as a public nuisance and health/safety hazard. At least ten employees were indicted and charged with conspiracy to sell/distribute narcotics, and Gary Bauer was also charged with aggravated assault (he had beaten up an off-duty Police officer at The Basement, which he also owns). He was also forced to sell the building and its entire inventory and furniture. Since that tragic day, my New American City has continued along. However, things have changed drastically. Although Aqua's drowning was met with sadness by some and joy by others, it is still sorely missed. The "e-tards, g-hards and coke fiends," as they are called, have not gone away, but they have simply found other places to go. No longer do they consume their stash out in the open, as was the case in 1999; rather they do the stuff BEFORE coming out. Alas, I still get asked from time to time if I have anything--which I don't since I nev touch the stuff. My limits are Chocolate Martinis, White Russians, Amaretto Sours and the aforementioned Long Islands. Do I miss that deck? Watching all the beautiful people? The sunsets? The bright lights of my big city? Yes, I do. Aqua was our best chance in decades for us to finally catch up with all of you in NYC. We won't get that chance again. The only good thing is that our Mayor has not tried to actively eradicate one of our City's most important industries--although it does need a good house-cleaning. What you all have to do now is to show City Hall that you ARE a real, viable business, not by whining and moaning every time a new restricion comes up (governments exist to restrict). The Death at Twilo and the Club Shootings underscore that fact. You need to do something--and fast. Unless you want the First World of Nightcrawling to lose its flagship member city. ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

I probably shouldn't say anything since I have yet to hear him spin, but from his CDs that I have, he seems to be holding his own. He did real well remixing some of Whitney Houston's older songs o her Greatest Hits collection. 54? He's really 54 years old? YIKES! Those of us here in Cleveland OH USA can only hope that our current spinsters (Robin Harris, Sleepy C, Robert Sherwood, Mike Filly, Rob Black, Mike Metz, Tigger, Ian Mariano, Orion, Whatever, Mick Boogie, Andromeda & Tigger) can keep going as long as Mr. Vasquez has. ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

Now you've got my attention! Here in the Heartland, I am one of the few men (or just plain few people period) who LOVes and ENJOYS dressing up for nightccrawling. I think it ranks the same as a wedding, a high society gala or a show at Playhouse Square Center (our Great White Way). Few others here see it that way, alas. Thanks to our two dominant sports teams, one looks like a hangnail if not wearing Browns or Indians colors. Not that it's bad, but when I go to one of my clubs, I refuse to wear something that belongs in a trash can. My preferred labels run the full gamut: YMLA, BC Ethic, Pusch, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace Jeans Couture & V2 Versace, BCBG Men, French Connection, and Chaos, a label from Israel that as far as I know is only available here in Cleveland. What do the masses wear to go out? WAY TOO MUCH Tommy, Nautica, Polo, FUBU, Sean John, Ecko, Jnco, and Dockers for my eyes to take. Maybe that's why Neither Macy's nor L&T (hell, we can't even get a Montgomery Ward here!) have come to Ohio yet. Too few of us could ever begin to understand. God, I can hardly wait to get to Manhattan soon for my extended holiday...! ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

I have several key reasons for clubbing alone--and early. Since I live Downtown here, I can start clubbing earlier because I can walk to all of my fave places like Wish, Spy, Groovee, Grid, Amsterdam, NV, and the Mercury Lounge. I am able to start right after work on a Friday (or Thursday on occasion) and just pace myself through the full evening long before all of my other friends have decided what to wear that evening. The way I see it, you want to go early and by yourself because that way you get to know the staff a bit better when there aren't a thousand people trying to get their attention at once. Plus Cleveland OH USA is smaller than Manhattan (pop. 492,000), so Downtown is the center of action--and so many people already know me personally because I am out every Thursday thru Saturday (and Sundays on special occasions and three-day weekends), so I ALWAYS see them anyway. ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

From what I can tell in Cleveland, they are falling out of fashion. For some time, Downtown clubs such as Wish, Metropolis, Aqua (now closed) and Groovee Little Nightclub were all selling glowsticks right & left. I think because they are seen as "drug-related" that theyare rarely, if ever, seen in public anymore. Not that they will ever go away, but I know where to use them--and where not to. ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

OK, I know Cleveland USA is far from being in the same league as nightcrawling's Big Five cities (NYC, London, Chicagoland, MiamiDade & La-La Land), but I'll mention my hometown anyway. Open since Thursday 8 June, NV (1800 Scranton Road, Flats West Bank; 216-685-1572) is the New American City's first true uberclub. Located in a former restaurant called Jim's Steak House, NV now features an expansive deck with plenty of boat docking space and a magnigficnet view of Downtown Cleveland. Open Wednesday thru Saturday, it has a different theme for each night. "SEX" on Thursday features national and international DJs. Fridays are "The Social Lounge" with a downtempo feel to prepare for the weekend, and Saturdays are "The Living Room" with upbeat, stylish music for the club's upscale clientele. Admission is $5 for 21 and better, with proper attire required. Doors open at 9PM. ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

OK, let me introduce myself. E-rock is what my friends call me. Native of Cleveland OH USA. We have had a mini-explosion of clubs (on top of what we have in The Flats already) in the past two or three years, but now I need MORE! I always like to dress up when I go out here (Thurs-Fri-Sat), which means no FUBU, Tommy, Nautica, Polo, Jnco, etc., in favor of BC Ethic, YMLA, Morbid Threads, D&G, V2 Versace, Rampage, French Connection and Gianfranco Ferre--all hard to find in a meat-&-potatoes, jeans-and-t-shirt, shot- and-a-beer city where a geek with square glasses (Drew Carey) is considered a god. Last year, a few of my friends who were preferred patrons of a place called Aqua went on weekend trips to Chicagoland, MiamiDade and Manhattan during the summer. After hearing so much about NYC, I think it's time to ask those of you who live there. Whiat is it like? Are the cover charges & drink prices really as high as they say? Where do the natives really shop--the department stores & fashion houses or the outlets? What are the nights to play and/or to avoid? What does "B&T" mean? Why does the nightcrawling industry hate Mayor Giuliani so much? I know I'm just a lowly Heartlander, but any answers will help. I have a friend in Paramus NJ who wants me out there in July/August this year. Thanks! ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

You tell 'em! Things like that keep happening here in Cleveland USA. In 1998, we got this beautiful place called Aqua. Riverfront setting across from Tower City Center, styled like Groove Jet in MiamiDade's South Beach. It was dress to the nines or go home. Of course naturally everyone starts moaning & groaning (especially guys), but come on! I DON'T want to look like I just body surfed through a trash heap for my clothes. Is it really so bad to just look presentable anymore? ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders

I actually just read about H&M in the Plain Dealer (Cleveland OH's daily) a month ago. While I certainly understand how quickly a New Yorker's taste can change, I myself might like the place because I'm out shopping and nightcrawling three days/nights a week. Here we have either bottom of the barrel (Wal-Mart, Target, Kohl's, Big K, etc) or over-the-top of the line (VERY expensive salons & fashion houses). Something like H&M might work here, especially with our City's main drag Euclid Avenue looking worse than 42nd Street in the `70s. Then again, I'm just a commoner from the Heartland. What do I know? ------------------ Erick Adam "E-rock" Sanders