The Scenestress
It’s Monday morning — okay it’s 1 p.m. — and I’m staring bleary-eyed at a computer screen, trying to frame and recall the weekend that was. I definitely remember asking you all in my column last week to vote online and decide what event I would attend. So many things were going on it was simply impossible for me to decide. On Friday when the voting closed, I was looking at a three-way tie: Big Blu House, S/ART/Q and The Punk Party all received an approximately equal number of votes (and Saturday’s Chillounge trailed close behind).
What’s a Scenestress to do but saddle up and hit them all; starting with the CL sponsored S/ART/Q opening at G.WIZ. The group transformed the top floor of the science museum into high-end art show representing 14 local contemporary artists and their “process.” Giving the visitor a look inside the artist’s world, the guys (and girl) display everything from sketches and materials samples to actual easels and living room furniture . The reception has great turnout and I particularly enjoy fingering the mountain of foam sheets artist Nathan Skiles constructs his sculptures from (photo at right by Daniel Perales — Process is open at G.WIZ through April 25 if you didn’t make it this weekend).
Flipping the art script and jaunting across town, I’m excited to see hip-hop group Big Blu House in Gulf Gate. Pastimes Pub is always a great venue for a live show and I have a feeling the Haus will live up to the hype. Their smooth and sincere jams make the masses move and J-Blu on the mic spits with precision and power. I’m also happy to see my girl Carrie, who used to bartend at Cabana, now slinging at Pastimes, and because I always drink PBR in Gulf Gate, order a cold one from the hot mama while I enjoy the show.
Break for a few hours of rest, work, and then more parties: 
On Saturday, as I’m heading over to The Punk Party, I figure I might as well pop into Chillounge — along with the rest of Sarasota. I’m arriving somewhat late, around 9 p.m., and Palm Ave. is swarming with people laughing and drinking on either side of the velvet VIP ropes. I quickly slip past them to get a better view of the crowd and see the Brazilian samba parade snake by in a blur of banging drums, sparkly sequins, and shiny asses. The fancy cabanas and outdoor couches are all full of older folks puffing cigars and I’m quickly bored by the scene (Chillounge night will roll into Orlando this Saturday if you missed it). How ’bout some punk rock!
Like I said, Palm Ave. was crowded, which may explain why the Punk Party is not. A few dozen people in faux-punk attire mill about the parking lot of Rosemary District tech company/party space the HuB until the punk fashion show starts up. Event organizer Patricia Dore trots down the runway first and her day job as a personal trainer is more than evident — girl’s got a bangin’ bod. More girls follow in Rockabilly-chic partyware designed by local label Punk Rock Betty and we all hoot and holler, especially when to-be-betrothed model couple Arnas Gineitas and Holly Katie Kirby suck some face during their finale walk.
Then there’s a late-night after hours around the corner in a warehouse on 10th and Orange with DJs Ansidis and Sinna-G putting on an awesome audio-visual show. At approximately 3:06 a.m., I jump up and down to the Lil’ Jon/Pitbull collabo “Krazy“ with some of my favorite friends and am happy to conclude that it’s been a great, albeit busy weekend. What’s everybody doin’ this week?
Seriously, click below to comment about your weekend hotspot. I hope to see you there!
And don’t forget to facebook me. xo!
-The Scenestress
