Coming This Week! Choice Wednesdays & Lezbro!

Welcome friends and followers! Wanted to take a minute today to pop onto my blog and post about TWO up and coming gigs I have on the books - and YOU should check them both out! Very exciting stuff!

First up, I am very excited about the chance to drop some of my dopest house jams on the regular at Choice Wednesdays at Havana. Next Wednesday (October 6th) marks the opening night of Choice Wednesdays at the Havana Social Club (1010 E. Pike Street). Choice is a night consisting strictly of House music.



This Wednesday lacing up those dancing shoes for you is resident dj Jeromy Nail, sidekicked by special guests Ramiro (Uniting Souls), Kippy, Sky, and Sean Donoghue-Neider! Catch my maiden voyage into Choice Wednesdays on November 10th. I plan on dropping tons of my "choice" classic house jams, like this:



Taken directly from Nark Magazine:
Choice is about you, it's about me, it's for him and for her, but really it's all about coming together under the best in house music, with no need to break the bank at the door, cover is only costing you One. Dollar.

Don't miss out next Wednesday, it's an amazing lineup for the opening of an amazing night!

Choice Wednesdays will occur every Wednesday at Havana Social Club for one buck at 10pm, on rotation are resident DJ's Jeromy Nail, Gameboy, L.A. Kendall and Chad Neiro, plus special guests from near and far.

(Special note: Choice will be skipping one week (October 13th) for a private party, but will return in full force immediately after, every Wednesday)

Next, I am proud to announce the opening of Lezbro. Second Fridays of every month (starting October 8th), Tony Burns (whom I adore) and I are teaming up to bring you this new happening at The Wildrose! We'll be playing the jams - hip hop, top 40, old school, free style, house, light electro - specifically for your aural pleasure. This night is open to all! Gay, straight, dressed down, gussied up, anything goes on our dancefloor! Cover charge is CHEAP at $3, and there are random drink specials every night, which means you can get in, catch a buzz, and stumble home for under $20 (AFTER TIPPING! You gotta tip your bartenders!). Don't miss our opening night:

Lezbro @ The Wildrose (1021 E. Pike St, Seattle)
LA Kendall & Tony B
9PM - 2AM $3 Cover Drink Specials!!!


There's a rumor I may even be dropping some of this new solo stuff that I've been working on with Sammy LaForge, in advance of it's release on THIS BLOG the following week. But I'll never tell....

XXX


L.A.K.

The Last 10 Days....Everything Is As It Should Be.

Man. It has been a crazy last 10 days! Sometimes life turns you upside down, shakes you real good, then puts ya back down and takes your pulse. Just to make sure that your heart is still beating. From one day to the next, you may think you have it all planned out, that you know exactly what is going to happen, then, BAM! Life does a U-Turn on ya, takes a detour, or just slams on it's brakes. The last week of my life is a perfect example of this.

Let's start with Saturday, September 18th, shall we? Well, as those of you who read my BLOG on the regular know, I was scheduled to play at a fabulous party called "Gaycation" in Portland. It was a WONDERFUL time, best Portland gig trip EVER (though I love my Bad Scene boys, and have had some really close seconds with them!). Lots of family and friends in effect at the party (thanks for coming out peeps - you know who you are)! Mr. Charming and DJ Snowtiger, who throw this particular party, were not only awesome in their DJ sets, but also in their hospitality (Thanks Ladies)! I had THE BEST time dropping 2 45 minute DJ sets, and one 15 minute live P.A. with some of my new solo material (being released SOON right here on this BLOG)! The crowd was so into it! I left that gig high on life! Thanks Portland Queers, Gaycation crew, and all family and friends in attendance! LOVE YOU ALL - and hope to see you again soon! Here's a great pic from Ginger Girl Photography from that night:



The next morning, Sunday, September 19th, we woke up a little rough around the edges. We packed our bags, got back in the car, and started the trek back north. It seemed like the longest drive home from Portland ever. We were exhausted when we got home and after about an hour of staring blankly at the TV, we decided to turn in early. Which, it's a good thing we did, because....

At 5:00AM, Monday September 20th, my mother called. My 90 year old grandmother, had finally passed. This news wasn't exactly shocking. I had been prepared for it. Didn't make it any easier. The next couple days were a haze of phonecalls with family, arranging my schedule so that I could attend the funeral, mulling over memories, and appreciating the here and now that I have in my life.

On Thursday, September 23rd, my little sister and I got in the car and drove down to Tumwater for my grandmother's funeral. We were sad (of course), and nervous. We didn't know what to expect. We have been estranged from most of our extended family for quite some time. I will spare you the details, but like with a lot of families, there had been hurt feelings and such, which had just piled up over time. It had been easier to just not deal with it. Now we were forced to. At least for the day. Would it be civil? Would it be terrible? Would there be violence? What was going to happen?!?!

We arrived at the service and were immediately greeted by family. There were hugs and tears, hand squeezes, sobbing, shared memories, eulogies. It was not at all what we expected. Somehow, the passing of grandma had a very sobbering effect on everyone involved. Instead of polarizing everyone even more, it brought everyone together. I personally was embraced by people I never thought my gay-ass would ever even see again. The whole experience has left me reeling in some respects. It has definitely sparked a change in my attitude toward my extended family, and cemented some things I have already come to know about conflict, and life being too short.

On Friday, September 24th, Sammy LaForge, who is the master producer behind the release of my upcoming E.P., hosted a listening party for a few folks. Special thanks to Sammy LaForge and Drew Rodriguez for organizing the lovely little soiree. Thanks also to my life partner, Amy LaBree Ferrell, as well as: Dustin Curtis, JT O'Neil, Lisa Dank, Tony Burns and DJ Skiddle for attending and offering your unabashed feedback! It was great to share this work with a few people I appreciate and respect, and get some initial reactions - both positive and constructive. This new solo project has been an amazing journey. It marries my experience, influences, humor, politics, etc, etc, etc - basically, everything through my eyes (hence the name of this blog, and my new solo E.P.) - into music and performance. I have really been enjoying this experience, and I hope you will too! Keep your eye on my BLOG for the release in the next few weeks!

Then came this past weekend. Both myself and Amy had blocked out our schedules, and the gingerboy was with his Dad, so we just relaxed. With our crazy lives, these types of weekends are few and far between. We took a lovely walk on the Centennial Trail (Amy brought her camera (click here to see a few photos - the falling leaves reminded me of Grandma), took a lovely drive in the country, enjoyed gigantic bowls of PHO, had a Sally Fields movie marathon, just to name a few of our activies. It was, in a word, perfect. The slowed pace allowed me much needed time to recharge and reflect.

Monday morning now, and the work week has begun. Time to make and return a bunch of booking phonecalls, write some press releases, prepare for a retracking session with Sammy, pick up the gingerboy from school, clean the house, make dinner for the family...and realize that through the highs and the lows, the losses and the gains, the good times and the bad, everything is as it should be. That might sound trite, or it might come off as calous, but I assure you it is neither. I mean that statement in this way...life is too short, enjoy the good times, appreciate your loved ones, don't get caught up in the negative, learn from things, and live LIFE. It's just too short ot squander.

Remember kids, EVERYDAY IS A GIFT!

XXX

L.A.K.

2 Lesbians, An RV, & Bacon....My Friend Amanda.

I absolutely LOVE my friend Amanda. We have known one another for over a decade now, she is about that much older than me too. Amanda is also a friend I met in the nightlife when I was that itty bitty baby dyke, wearing my K.D. Lang T Shirt, listening to Melissa Etheridge. She had been around the block and was a part of Seattle's nightlife past that most of 'the kids' nowadays would never believe happened. She has seen me from my little baby dyke stage, taught me to bartend, counseled me through several TRAGIC relationships (listening to the same story over and over and over and over with patience and sage advice), instrumented one of the best birthday surprises EVER (a ride on 'The Duck'), successfully dealt with the 'Scott Common Sense Challenge' AND Ronald McDonald himself. I could go on forever. We have history and I love that. I consider Amanda one of my most cherished friends. Family, really. There are several moments in my life when I was in a panic, not knowing what to do, and Amanda was the one to save the day. If even to tell me I needed to get control of my damn self!

Why am I chattering on about Amanda? Well, I recieved an e mail from Amanda this week that I want to share bits of. She has the most amazing way of putting things into words. It's incredibly poetic. She once shared one of her sonnets with me, in a quiet moment on Guemes Island. It really touched me and I have never forgotten it.

Before I share my bits though, I must give you a little background. Several years ago Amanda decided to sell her house in Seattle and purchase an RV. Head out for the open road. She had goals (hit up Slab City) and she was armed with tons of facts that included everything from how much gas was going for per gallon all over the country to the probable percentages involved in getting into or maintaining a relationship, as a lesbian, with every year that passed (scarily, the later facts are not very encouraging). Amanda picked a date, and once it came, she hit the road. She's been on the road ever since. Has gone back and forth across the country, west to east, north to south, and back again. She spends a good bulk of time at a Lesbian RV park in Apache Junction, AZ. She now has a companion of several years, who also travels around, living out of her RV. Every now and again, I get an update via e mail. I live for the descriptive nature of her writing. How she can really pull you into her experience. This is the e mail I got a few days ago (edited slightly to protect her privacy)....I hope you enjoy this break as much as I did.


September 16, 2010
Kasota, MN

Greetings from the Midwest where overnight lows have singed deciduous leaf tips – creating not the bright, fiery crimsons of fall yet, but smatterings of burnt orange hints of what is to come. I’m here enjoying the late summer harvest of the heirloom tomatoes I planted in May before I left for Seattle. I’ve been eating at least one BLT a day, every day, since I arrived. Nothing says summer quite like a fat, juicy, homegrown tomato sliced and layered with bacon, lettuce and mayo between two slices of delicious toasted bread. Hot day, BLT, tall glass of iced tea and a big slice of sloppy watermelon, this is heaven.

We’re here loving up the beautiful little granddaughter. She’s got a strong pull on us, but the cooling temps forewarning of sub zero winter have a stronger push on us. So we’ll be heading back to the southwest at the end of next week. We’ll be in Arizona for the month of October. We’re going to the RVW Convention in Mesa the last week of October, and then to Palm Springs for the first 2 weeks of November. In the meantime, we’re enjoying the grandaughter, our BLTs and the bounty of south central Minnesota.

Kasota is a flat, green grass, sky blue, ten-block town nestled in a gentle bend of the Minnesota River. It’s traversed by a rumbling, whistle-blowing train twice daily. If not for the train and the calls of the stellar jays, there might be nothing but long stretches of complete silence throughout the mornings. But evenings are different. Here we have what has become a most unusual sight elsewhere. Children go outside and play here. They ride bikes in the streets, sell lemonade at stands in front of their houses and sometimes get into loud, rowdy fights outside. The whole of it stirs memories of my own childhood and pleasure from the realization that there still are some neighborhoods like this. I didn’t think they existed anymore.

Amanda

Ladie's & Gentlemen.....SAMMY LAFORGE!

I have been really inspired lately. Lots of really good, positive forward movement and change happening in my life, tons of support from family and friends, and awesome, body rockin', soul shakin' music! Enter, Sammy LaForge.

For any of you saying "who?", step on up and take a hit of Sammy LaForge. The high is one you'll be desperate to repeat. Sammy LaForge is the alter ego of one of my newest, most favorite (and MOST TALENTED) friends. For those of you "in the know", I can see you nodding your collective heads in approval in my minds eye. This guy rocks the beats, this guy ignites a dancefloor, this guy is a master producer. In short, this guy is f'in AWESOME! I am incredibly lucky to be working with him on my first solo E.P., which will carry the same name as this blog. 5 new tracks that I am totally digging on, have been having fun praticing, performing and recording. All the music produced by Mr. Sammy LaForge (shoot, he even sings one one of them - he's got an awesome voice too!). I am SO excited about this new material!!! It's material I could perform in a live show, or work into one of my DJ sets. I fully intend to do both! It's eletro and 80's and rock and techno and house and white-girl-rap. It's funny and serious and thoughtful. It's hot. Just like Sammy himself. Mmmmmm Hmmmmmm!

A little background on Sammy LaForge (some of it taken directly from his Facebook Fan Page (click here to "Like" him)...










































“The Premiere DJ to the (Porn) Stars,” retro-lectro DJ Sammy LaForge gets off on making a dance floor move. His live DJ/Dance extravangza, “Sammy LaForge & The Fluffers,” weaves together the hottest in modern Electro House and commercial EDM with psychadelic live performances and an interactive multimedia experience for all of the senses, genetically modified to transport clubgoers in time to the greatest eras of dance music history, all wrapped in a high-tech, ultramodern sound.

Intimately connected to the Dance Music Industry, Sammy has been hard at work behind the scenes for the last five years, producing tracks for the likes of CyberSutra, The Banger Bros, Lisa Dank, L.A. Kendall, and playing featured slots at sold-out events such as San Francisco’s LovEvolution, Seattle’s AMDEF Spring Arts Festival and more. He is currently the Music Director and resident DJ for Chance: Where The Art Of Fashion Innovates.

Though he finds himself currently in Seattle, the California-born DJ Sammy LaForge has been producing dance music for half a decade and rocking party floors up and down the west coast for much longer. Since arriving in Seattle, Sammy LaForge has produced and written songs for the internationally chart-topping EDM group CyberSutra; written remixes that have been added to regular rotation on dance radio station C89.5 for many local talents, including Lisa Dank (Cookies), Luxury A.K. (Tittie Bounce) and Sugar Water Purple (Roxy); and is reopening The Forge, producing original EPs with Seattle legend L.A. Kendall, rising star Lisa Dank and sassy Electro rapper Melakai. He has distributed a dozen original productions which are pulsing their way through Seattle’s clubs and is planning a run of Autumn gigs throughout the city.

In the early ‘80s, LaForge arrived in Northridge, California, determined
to make his ultimate dream come true: to find success in the Adult Film industry. But destiny had another course in mind for Sammy. His passion lay not in the blown-out beds of Northridge, but in the industry parties he fell so in love with, first attending as guest and eventually organizing himself. LaForge came to own two vintage turntables, a gift from porn starlett Nici Sterling, and a pair of solid gold sunglasses from Heff. With these tools, he built his empire and became known as Hollywood’s premiere “industry-party” DJ.

By the late 90s, Sammy’s soirees were the stuff of legend. They attracted the best and brightest of Hollywood’s young trendsetters. Movie stars hobnobbed with fluffers. Gaffers partied with porno stars. But Sammy became restless. He had the women, the men, the drugs and the music, but there was still something else. So, after a brief hiatus, Sammy returned with a vision to share. Through his connections, he landed all of the gear and technology he would need to build what he later named “The Forge,” his elaborate and innovative music production studio.
Sammy had some new ideas. In his mind, music is freedom, and that means that anyone should be free to make music. The Forge welcomed all types in to record and produce albums.

Adult films, of course, produced their soundtracks within its walls. But Sammy expanded. The Forge recorded homeless prostitutes with voices of gold and major label breakout Indie bands in the same day (sometimes in the same session). Film studios used The Forge for post production of their scores. But eventually, it became clear that The Forge was to the Los Angeles music industry what internet pornography had become to the Adult Film industry. The Forge was becoming so popular and its ideas were spreading so fast that the music industry was suffering. Producers and studios throughout the Valley were furious with The Forge. It
wasn’t long until Sammy was forced to pack up and leave.

When asked what the future holds, Sammy smirks and says, “The future holds whatever we put in it, baby. But more important than that, I think it holds more booze. A manhattan, if you’re buying.”

...and that, my friends, is the lore of Sammy LaForge. He's a marvelous man! I cannot wait to share this new music that we are working on together, with you, in just a few, short weeks. It's going to be "Epic" as the kids say these days. There are no words to express how spectacular the experience of working with him has been. I sincerely suggest you catch one of his shows, if you can get a ticket before it's sold out!

In case I haven't satiated your fix for Sammy here, please visit his website: www.sammylaforge.com. There you can find booking contacts, submit fan e mail, and peruse some of his musical catalog. I myself have spent HOURS enjoying it, and I bet you will too!

Don't be the last to the party! Speaking figuratively, there is NO GUESTLIST, and tickets are selling fast!

XXX

L.A.K.

VOTE FOR LISA DANK!

In case y'all haven't heard, my girl Lisa Dank has been nominated to compete in a Battle of the Bands taking place in Iceland this October, and she needs our help!

All you gotta do is click the link, vote for Lisa Dank, and follow the simple instructions....so easy considering that you will be helping her with a shot to rep Seattle Internationally....and what a great freakin person to send, right?!?!?

Here's the link!
http://polls.seattleweekly.com/polls/sew/reverb/

Forward this on to anyone you know that would have the time to help Lisa out! This girl is HOT off her crazy-a$$ Bumbershoot performance and she is on fiyah!!!

XXX

L.A.K.

Scissor Sisters!

I am SO unbelievably excited to see the Scissor Sisters this Wedenesday 9/16 at Showbox SODO. This is going to be ONE seriously amazing show, if their past performances, and their music in general are any indication. Which, trust me, they are.

The Hard Times crew will also be on hand, in full effect, handing out the latest issue of Hard Times (Issue #5). Make sure you hit one of us up for your very own copy. Before the show. After, we'll all probably be gaysted!



XXX

L.A.K.

Where In The World Is L.A. Kendall???

The next couple weekends having me flitting about like a busy bee. Just how I like it!


First up, this coming Friday (09.10.2010), we are releasing Issue #5 of our lovely little Multi-Poly-Omni 'zine, Hard Times Press. It's an exciting issue that you don't want to miss! To grab your copy, head down to LICK at Chop Suey (where, coincidentally, MEN will be performing). We have partnered with LICK to bring you the premiere of Hard Times Press, Issue #5 because they are the epitomy of where we are at with the 'zine...and we love Mathematix, who's one of the purveyors of this fine, long running, Seattle nightlife staple. For more info on this event, click here!

Saturday night (09.11.2010), yes, 9/11, I will be gracing the decks at The Wildrose. Will be my first time back up on Serato, so I am really looking forward to all the jams I will be able to throw out at The 'Rose crew. A big shout out to Casey Sagisi, the newest columnist at Seattle Gay Scene, for this piece he wrote about The Wildrose and my upcoming gig!

Then next weekend gets really wild...

Friday night (09.17.2010), I will be guest DJing the opening portion of Trouble Dicso at Re-bar (1114 Howell St, Seattle). We will also be doing another promo for Hard Times at this event. If you miss LICK!, come get your copy of the new 'zine here! I will also be dropping some sick Disco House for your aural pleasure.


Saturday night (09.18.2010), the caravan heads to Portland for a little GAYCATION! So excited to be playing this party. I met these gals down at The Ace Hotel when we were all down there playing for Dinah Shore and they are TOPS. I hear that they throw a mean party too! Plus, the venue is Holocene, which is totally dope. I have played there on several occasions and always had THE BEST time! I am also super excited because I will be dropping 3 of my new solo tracks amongst my DJ set FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! If you are in Portland, don't miss this. If you are in Seattle, please come. If you can't, go to SHADE instead!

That's it for now folks! Onward and upward!

Right?

XXX

L.A.K.

Liberals, Lesbians & Lunatics...

Hello out there in blogland!

I think this might actually be my first political post on this blog. Fair warning for those that visit my blog who are of a more conservative mindset. I am a screaming liberal with a capitol "L". You may want to forgo this post and read some of my other's if you have a weak stomach for the liberal mindset. Just know, I love you and embrace you for your differences!

First off, I can't believe that I have waited weeks, WEEKS, to write anything about this, but I have just been SO FREAKIN' BUSY! For those of you who are fans of progressive talk radio, and I surely am (one would think I listen to music all the time, but that's not the case!), you may know Stephanie Miller. You may have also seen her in one of her talking heads turns on The Ed Show on MSNBC, or on Larry King on CNN. For those of you who don't, you may want to check out her morning show on AM 1090 from 6am to 9am each morning. I know, some of you darlings don't venture out of your bed before noon - but her podcasts are $4.95 a month if you buy a year in advance. I seriously suggest. Check out all things Stephanie Miller by clicking here.

I have been a HUGE fan of Stephanie Miller since AM 1090 launched here in Seattle five or six years ago. Her morning show is HIGH-larious, full of jokes, and impressions, and interviews with all sorts of significant people, and politics. My mornings seriously are not the same without my dose of Steph! I even worked in the Promotions department at AM 1090 for a time, and had the distinct honor of driving and handling hospitality for her on several of her Seattle appearances. On top of being an amazing talent, she is also the daughter of William E. Miller (now deceased), who was Barry Goldwater's running mate in the 1964 Presidential election. So, she knows politics from a very intimate perspective.

Well, a few weeks back, it was a friday, I remember that. I woke up and turned on the show and she mentioned before one of the breaks that she had a huge announcement coming up later in the show. Well, I had to get my daily workout in early, so I turned off the radio for a spell, and about an hour later, turned it back on. I turned it on in the middle of a conversation, something about her leaving a message on her mother's answering machine that she was going to come out on the show. Wait. Did I hear that right? After listening for about 15 more minutes, it was clear that I had, in fact, heard right. she came out. That day. Live on air. I was stupified. I have been a fan for years, and have spent time with her in person and I never would have guessed. Not that it matters either way.

Her main reason for coming out, was essentially because with the issues that are currently in the news, and being discussed frequently on her show and during her appearances on the cable news shows, she felt she could no longer continue to discuss them freely without being out about her own orientation. Whatever the reason, I completely applaud her. I think it's unbelievably awesome that there's another queer out there in the mainstream, with tons of fans and followers, making it that much more o.k. to be who you are. In this case, a lesbian. GO STEPHANIE!

Coincidently, the very next day after Stephanie made this announcement, she had an appearance in Seattle for AM 1090's annual town hall meeting, which included a smattering of other talkies from AM 1090's lineup. When Stephanie was announced, the place went out of their minds. She had a standing ovation that brought her, and some of the other folks up on stage, to tears. GO SEATTLE.

That's my happy story.

Here's what's annoying me right now....

This business about this pastor, Terry Jones, and this crazy national 'Burn A Quran Day' is driving me f-ing bonkers! I mean, seriously. Dude is mental. In my opinion, Freedom of Speech is important. it's key. It's at the very foundation of what America stands for. However, after being asked by the generals on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, by troops that have served, by The White House, NOT TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT WOULD HARM OUR TROOPS, in my opinion, that is treasonous. It also doesn't seem like the type of thing that a truly religious, person of god, jesus worshipper, would do. It seems like the act of a meglamaniac....or a puppet...

The thing that drives me most crazy, is that I feel like this has Karl Rove written all over it. Or, at the very least, is a scenario that was ripped from the pages of his playbook. It's dirty politics, one more news frenzy, on top of a whole series of stories that have fed a very racist, ignorant, lechorous agenda by the radical right. Arizona's new immigration laws, the crucification of Shirley Sherrod (which was completely unfounded), Charlie Rangle and Maxine Waters being held to the fire (and I believe if people do wrong, they should pay - but there are Republicans who have never even been investigated that are guilty of the same things these two are being accused of), the 'mosque' at ground zero, and now this yahoo? It's all just too much. So obviously aimed at getting people worked up right before the election. I wonder ig anyone will ever remember this in December - or next week for that matter.

The fact that this Quran burning thing is happening on 9/11, is ultimately, completely disgusting. But hey - there are a handful of politicians that are releasing books on 9/11 as well. Why not take one of our darkest moments in recent history and make a mockery of it, or money off of it? We are capitalists, after all.

SICK.

I'll be doing what I do on 9/11. Playing a DJ set. Sharing my skills and music selection with whomever shows up to The Wildrose here in Seattle, having a good time. BUT, I will never forget that morning when my bestgirlfriend Ms. Ginger Vaughn called me and insisted we were under attack. She came and picked me up and brought me home (I had crashed out at a friends house the night before). I remember a day of watching the story unfold - being horrified. Mostly I think of how questions have never been answered. People haven't really been brought to justice. Nothing has really been resolved. The War Machine is making money though, we've devastated another country - and are well on the way to doing the same to our own. There was a commision put together to investigate, but a large portion of their report was redacted, not to mention the fact that the people on the commision had dubious ties to the Bush-Cheney Administration. I could go on and on....but I will spare you.

But hey - let's burn a Quran on 9/11, that'll really show 'em.

GROSS.

Thanks for letting me vent friends! Whew! Now I can get back to work...I have a 'Zine Launch to get ready for!

XXX

L.A.K.

WHAT A WEEKEND....AND A GIFT FOR YOU!!!

Hey folks!

Hope the holiday weekend was a good one for you! I myself feel pretty relaxed after gettin' the gingerboy ready for his first day of school and meeting with DJ Mixxtress for a music exchange (that didn't quite go as planned - rewind!), and bustin' my tail behind the decks on Saturday and Sunday evenings!

Friday evening me and my lady took our kid to VAIN downtown for a cool big boy hair cut (thanks Eli Blu and stylist TT for working that out!). He loved it. I swear he walked in 9 years old, and walked out about 14. Funny how gettin' your hair did can put that certain swagger in your step - even at 9 years old. Right after we were done at VAIN, we cruised over to my good friend Christina's house to do a music exchange. Christina = DJ Mixxtress for those of you not in the know. She is a fierce ass bitch, a good friend, and am amazing woman. My compuer crashed last year and I lost all my music. I recently just purchased a new computer and am getting back on Serato, and she graciously was sharing her library with me so that I can get all caught back up. Unfortunately, I transfered them wrong, so we have to do it all over again, but it's amazing that she's sharing. Can't wait 'til it's done so I can work it out with a catalog of over 33,000 digital files. I've got the itch to mix baby!

Saturday at The Chapel was OFF THE CHAIN. Chapel can sometimes be a wierd venue for me. Saturday night though, it was amazingly fun. Full of crazy people from the PAX convention (complete with robot head helmet), and great friends (thanks to Lauren, Trace, Lucinda, all the HOC boys, Dustin Curtis, Kevin Kauer, Still Drunk Paul, my lovely partner Amy, and of course DJ Riff Raff and her posse). The best part of all was I got to drop an amazing set, all old school disco-vocal-house. It's been a long time and it felt real good. The crowd was loving it too! Made for a fantastic time!

Sunday night was my very good friend Shirlyn Meyer's 40th birthday party on the roof top deck of the HG Lodge. For those of you who don't know Shirlyn, she manages HG Lodge, is one sexy ass bitch (and you would never guess her ass if 40), and one of the most genuine people you could ever meet. We've been friends for over 10 crazy years! I had the honor of dropping a set for her for her birthday. Her party was full of great peeps that I haven't seen in a loooooong time, the drinks were flowing, and there was some rockin' aged cheddar cheese I had to avoid or I would have eaten every last morsel. I had pulled some records that I knew she would enjoy from some shared good times past....it was a magical evening. Me and the Ms. had to cut out right after my set because of work and family obligations, but it was great to be able to contribute and see old friends. The HG Lodge's facelift (from The War Room) is pretty bangin' too. If you haven't been by yet, you really should check it out.

Monday - we woke up sad we were going to miss Lisa Dank and her performance at Bumbershoot - but damn girl - $22 per person is just more than we can handle right now in our crew. I've seen the pictures though, and it looks like she killed it, of course! Congrats girl (and congrats to her band-mates The White Widows as well). Y'all deserve this moment! So, instead of heading back into the city to bumbershoot it up, we headed to pick up the gingerboy from his grammies, bring him home, and prep for his first day of school....in between naps. Hee hee. Hey - I'm an old lady, sometimes this requires a nap! Don't judge me!

I did mention a gift for you in the title of this blog post, and here it is....for you...DJ Mixxtress shared her latest mix with me on Friday when I was at her place. We've been bumpin' it all weekend in the lezbaru and it's amazing! So, for you, click here, download this link and make it your prefunk party mix for fall! Listen carefully for those scratch solo's she busts out....that's all skill and that's all her. GO GIRL!

Until my next post....

XXX

L.A.K.

My Girl TINA T!

For those of you who follow or visit my blog regularly, you will find that I have a passion, or fetish, or obsession, or fixation, whatever you wanna call it, for female DJ's. Maybe this is because I am one, maybe this is because back when I started my journey as a DJ, us gals had to stick together and fight for the gigs and recognition we recieved. We also had to work harder, be better, reach farther. I started one of Seattle's first female DJ collective's, hitgirl!, with my bestgirlfriend, Ginger Vaughn, and as I like to call her, Seattle House music royalty, Julie Herrera. Through hitgirl!, we worked with other female collectives across the country (Superjane - Chicago, Women On Wax - Detroit), bringing their members (Heather, Dayhota, Collette, Lady D, Minx) to Seattle - and our members traveling to their cities to expose club goers to FEMALE DJ's. It was a magical time and I have TONS of great memories and experiences from it.

In my opinion, my favorite female DJ's are those that cross the gender barrier. They are just themselves, doing thier best work, taking it to the next level, because they love it. They are the ones that are equalizing an industry that has long been ruled by males (as most industry's are). Why am I talking about this today? Because I just recieved my Tina T newsletter and while I was perusing it, I was filled with Pride. This girl is a genuinely nice person, she is STOOPID talented, and she works hard. One of my favorites by far. If you've followed the parties that I produce with my business partner and bestboyfriend, David D$ Richey, you may have seen Tina T grace the decks at a Hot Mess or at a Pride event. If you have, I bet you remember dancing your ass off!

Tina T works every angle behind the decks. Seamless mixing, quick chop and screw blends, turntablism, effects. Her music selection always reveals that this chick has a serious knowledge of music - Commercial, Indie, Pop, Rock, Classic party rockers...the crowd always eats it up. The best part is that while you are dancing your ass off, hands in the air, hollering approval at every switch in the mix, barely able to keep up with the awesomeness that she is throwing down, she looks out at the crowd with the sweetest most genuine smile. This girl LOVES what she does. I am proud to work with her and honored to call her a friend.

Check our her latest newsletter by clicking here - subscribe. Check out her website to learn about all the other things Tina T has her hand in. If you get to Vegas, make sure you check her out. Her dates are always listed in her newsletter. Follow this girl! She's one to watch for sure!

XXX

L.A.K.