You can hear it if you listen closely--a pulsating beat through the dark and narrow, rigid alley ways of Richmond, Virginia. As the sun dwindles, the manifestation begins. The sound of deep thumping fills the angsty core with an uncontrollable urge to suit up for the sole purpose of ripping it all off later. The dirty city nightlife is not for the faint of heart, as so they say.
The weekend is a myth, a legendary firebird in which we ride upon its wings and call ourselves weekend warriors. Our villain, “The Giant Richmond Dance Party Squid”, towers over the night skyline with tentacles stretching all over the Fan and down to the depths of Shockoe bottom. It feeds on the so called, “21+”. The only way to defeat this overgrown mollusk is by all out dancing: Dancing, boogieing, grooving, rocking out, and twerking, and twerking and twerking and twerking. Ask yourself; Am I twerking hard or hardly twerking?
As folklore has it, the wicked James River emits toxic gases on Thursday evenings, transforming aimless young adults into rampant, thirsty zombies. Thus, preparation has commenced and for those who dare to dance, a vital guide to combat the infamous, weekend beast known as “THE RICHMOND DANCE PARTY”. Consider yourselves fortunate and take this as your trusted nightlife Necronomicon.
Beard, A Queer Dance Party
WHEN: Friday 2/8, 10:00 PM
WHERE:Strange Matter, 929 W. Grace St.
BEARD is back by popular demand and this time, they’re getting hairy at Strange Matter. DJ’s Mike Albrecht and Hairdresser On Fire will standing atop a boulder, harnessing the power of the moon and spinning vinyls for queers, friends of queers, bearded folks, werewolves, and of course, queerwolves. Genres include indie, electro, punk, rock, disco, house, pop, trash, and much more. Bonus: there will be a photobooth set up to take pictures of your beautiful faces (beards provided by request). This is a benefit for Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project--bring cash for donations!
Bump in the Night
WHEN: Saturday 2/9, 10:30 PM
WHERE:Balliceaux, 203 N. Lombardy St.
The intrepid trio of DJ Mixie, Sister Goldengaze, and Area Woman (who you may remember from our interview in RVA #11) are creeping out of the darkness and into your bodies with another Bump in the Night dance party. The variety ranges from disco, soul, and funk to reggae, gospel, and psych (psychedelic or psychopathic?). Come out and show off your best dance moves--don’t be left alone in the dark for this one.
The Funky Situation
WHEN: Wednesday 2/13, 10:00 PM
WHERE:Emilio’s Downtown, 1847 W. Broad St.
DJ BOB and Sean Lovelace love rocking the dance floor on hump-days, and if it’s the second Wednesday of the month, then you know it’s a funky situation. This month, it's Valentine’s Day Eve, and they’re bringing a box of funky assorted dance tunes to keep the lovers (and soon to be lovers) dancing straight into Valentine’s Day.
Meltdown Dance Party
WHEN: Friday 2/15, 10:30 PM
WHERE:Cous Cous, 900 W. Franklin St.
It’s gonna be an F-ing mess as Cous Cous gets melted down by DJ’s Anna Wittel, Aaron Johnson, and Aaric Van Ficken. They’re spinning all your favorite messy genres including rock, garage, punk, psych, and of course, etc. Leave your “braaaiiinsss” at the door and come let loose for some ol’ wild and crazy dancin’. The only question is, who’s going to clean all of it up?
Soulpower
WHEN: Saturday 2/16
WHERE:Balliceaux, 203 N. Lombardy St.
Soulpower is undeniably the most popular #rare soul and funk dance party in the entire dirty city. It comes to us every third Saturday of the month with unheard records from the 60’s and 70’s. Mr. Felty and DJ Pari eat up living souls and regurgitate them out on the dance floor with double the funk and triple the spunk than they had before. You don’t want to miss this edition of Soulpower featuring records never before played.