CATASTROPHIC FAILURE!

The B-Roll

This column is intended as a place to voice observations.  Consider it constructive criticism.  Cat fights aren’t good for anyone and lord knows the poor animals end up very hurt and distraught by the time the cat fight is over.  That being said, onto the business of observation. 

 

When throwing a show at a nightclub, there are a myriad of problems that can and do go wrong.  Most of these things occur behind the scenes, so consider this your peek behind one of the many privies behind the velvet rope.  There’s anything from wardrobe malfunction, to bad audio, equipment and format incompatibilities, lighting and electrical failures, and on the occasion, catastrophic failure.  All this to ensure the entertainment of our patrons as they blissfully sip their drink of the moment and go about the primal ritual of modern day courtship (don’t lie).

I’ve worked behind the scenes in town for about six years at this point, and grew up a fly on the wall in many a night club back home in the MIA.  In my 12 or so years working in this business I’ve noticed onethat about every decade or so, the crowd changes.  Sometimes mildly, other times drastically.  I come from a time called the gay 90’s.  In those days…everyone hung out with everyone.  There were only two groups…the cool kids, and everybody else.  All the music went Untz!, Untz!, Untz!, and the lines went around the block and on a mirror in the V.I.P. bathroom.  The DJ and staff were revered and respected.  People were engaged, making up anything they could to get in to the clubs.  All people seemed more united and copacetic.

These days, when I look around, something I notice is people on cell phones on the dance floor.  Why?  Are you not that good a dancer or do you just enjoy being the visible douchebag on the phone for everyone to see.  Something else I notice is people texting while shows are going on.  Can’t it wait?  You had forever on Facebook  & Adam to get your trade, Rx, whatever.  You can’t watch the show and text at the same time.  Entertainment requires an investment in your attention.  It’s also extremely rude to the performer and defeats the purpose entirely.  Please wait until the performance is over before you voice criticism.  It allows the performer to give the full performance and the person next to you who may be enjoying it to continue to do so without your input.

Those of us in the business of nightclubbing and entertainment go through a lot to entertain you.  If you’re a person new to the scene, you’re basically a guest in the house of gaydom.  It’s our “church” that’s been going on for many decades.  You wouldn’t get up from the pew and start critiquing the minister on his sermon.

Attitude is everything.  A good attitude and respect for those around you and behind the scenes ensures that everyone, including you, has a good time.  See you at the club. “Untz!, Untz!, Untz!”…

Mike Bitar