Is New York over?

If you find that the city isn't offering what you hoped it would offer, It's time for you to offer what you want.

These boards attract people who are very interested in making scenes happen--for the first time or in revival...sing your life, honey, make it happen. I can objectively testify that there is a MASSIVE hunger for goth and/or industrial celebrations. Even if it's just in your loft or a friends loft, promote it on the Motherboards and you'll develop a crowd that you can then convice to pay $5 cover in a venue that may be hungry for 100 $5 covers.

Even if not, a free and/or invitational loft goth/industrial party you host will make friends and influence people. In New York, dreams don't happen without a little work. Other side, just a little work, and your dreams will happen easier than you'd imagine.

Just a Thought,
Addison

There are problems with NY right now. One of the most glaring is the rising lethargy. Go out and Do it!! get fired up Please. Many of us would go to a good Goth Industrial party. Di and I would. Many of the jewels on the MB's have had long runs. Look at Sweeties Extra Cheese party. Lex does a great one at idewild. Though these are not what you are looking for, they attract a crowd. Start small and build. Do a one-off. Co-operate with others and you can produce a great night.

Hey post an idea here and perhaps someone will team up with you.

Great luck!!

T

deedee,
I'm with these guys. Don't give up yet. The sun WILL come out again (and the drought will be over!) Try something on a small scale like Drama Queen suggested. (By the way... if Ted & Di do come to your party the bar will rule! Two of the most generous people you will ever meet)
Last night I went to Derrick in a Dress' night "Tell Tale" (paid the $5) then went to Mr. Joe's party (paid the $5 VIP price) and had a very satisfying night out. IT CAN BE DONE! Jackie 60 started with about 30 people. We charged everyone $5. They were very happy to pay just to have a place to go. Look at Cheez Whiz... $5 got you some of the best shows in New York. Dry those tears.
But if you find another place to go let me know.

deedee - I moved here for the same reason you did and hey! I was moved to jump in, and help stir the pot myself. Keep going out; your presence is as vital as the ones throwing the party. Come introduce yourself - come out to Homocorps at CBGB's on Dec. 7 for some GREAT alternative music and party people. Check out Vulgaras.

You may want to contact TonyaKnudsen - one of the most energetic and enthusiastic people on the Motherboards (see Artmaker); she's a tigress when it comes to collaboration.

Cheers DeeDee!

There is a very real cycle to nature itself at play currently, things must die for the new to sprout forth. (And death in this town, like everything else is over-kill!) I promise you, 19 year-olds are just as hungry for sonic electronic hardcore penetration now as much as, if not more than, they ever have been.

Mi7 is closed, not due to bad attendance, attendence was growing. It had three other strikes against it's future there: Club management geared towards profit-without need for growth. Competetiveness and vindictiveness between promoters. (The concept of fighting fair in New York needs applauded, while the other needs guidance. Good news, the goth/industrial labels are working hard to improve these matters.) And Vision, specifically with regards to Mi7, the creator has a vision. He's not one to compromise the farm just to earn a buck. Mi7 will most likely fair better in finding a new home one, that can accommodate 19+.

Personally I envision a dynamo party to happen in Greenpoint for several reasons. But we'll see ...

Addition to all this -- guess what, the sound is changing, it's simplifying becoming more melodic, girls are invading the forefronts (even encouraged by the likes of KMFDM) and noize, real noize is clanging on the other end of the spectrum. You are most welcome and encouraged to join in the N|dustrial Novae| topic in ArtMaker. Enthusiam for the subject matter and growing a connected community is esential to a club's survival in these modern times. And small clubs kick ass! DJ Saint Janes did short-lived stellar party sometime back called Rubber Revenge, would pick his brain on how he made that happen.

And Ted is right, if you came to partake and not generate, the city is a little maxed on vampires vs. heros ratio at the moment (no pun intended). But this is the cycle of death is it not? I loved your post and will do everything I can to encourage your interest in the subject (except can't tolerate crying too much over what things are not). Ask and I shall do what I can. Lastly aside from do-ers - supporters are needed, and, lovers. For every doer - one adoring face must exist in the crowd so encouraging the doer is inspired to go the extra mile. Personally, I'm so over excited about the future here I can not and will not contain myself!.

Did you go btw to Mi7? Why? Why not? Be honest. feedback is needed! (you've said so yourself in the premise of this thread) What do you think is cool? Or is it now spelled Kool?

DramaQueen -- Where is your FACE?

And welcome to the Motherboards, officially. I'm glad you lurked a bit before your first post - it was certainly very heartfelt and really touched a nerve.

I was afraid that everyone was going to suggest that you do a party, because I know that isn't the answer for everyone.

Though I only made it to MI7 twice (first under the prodding of our beloved Tonya K. and the second time because I had liked the vibe so much)
I too was upset that it was going. But the truth is that the Pyramid management has been notoriously impossible to collaborate with for many years now, and I was surprised that anything that good was even beginning there at all, especially on a Saturday night. So, this really could have happened five years ago, in the now-golden late nineties, and isnt really as much of a sign of the times as it might look.

Lastly, I'm not 100% sure that you SHOULD stay in New York. As you may know many members of the Mother tribe have now scattered, which is one of the reasons why the Boards have been such a hit. If I was in my early twenties and just coming to New York right now, I'm not sure I would have stayed around. Maybe, but other cities, from New Orleans and Portland to Prague, have looked mighty inviting for years.

I'll sign off now and let others pick up this conversation, and ask you also if we have ever met?

Thank you so much for all your words and hugs. Im glad to have come out from my lurking and read this.

Your right Chi Chi im not a party giver. It takes me months to even say hi to people. No we never met but i was lucky enught to be taken to clickndrag first on new years 1999 and again once or 2x.

Yes TonyaKnudson i did go to MI7 not every week bcause of $ but the opening and one other nite. The main reeson besides $ that i didnt go more is my frinds are 19 and it was 21+.

so again thanks everybody for the hope + love.

Oh, I understand and have nothing to offer in the way of actually finding a permanent balls-out funfest. However, I am finding it fun now to go to random parties, some big, some small, and getting sloshy with strangers (drunk, not slutty). You would be amazed at how entertaining it can be. As you well know, we can only look forward to only a couple of very exciting parties each month, the ones where you actually plan on what to wear, the rest is filler. If you made it to the Halloween bash, you can imagine what kind of staple the regular party had become to all of us (oh, Daddy's DJing and Mommy and Hattie's MCing brought an ache in my heart longing for home...), but, c'est la vie, oui? You know what? It's a whole 'nother scene, and ten years from now, some kid is gonna ask you, "Were you on the Boards when they first came out? I heard it was so VERY cyber-edge. There's nothing like that now; every one of the virtuclubs are forever clogged with bridge and tunnel trash screwing up the vibe with their crappy fibre-optic." Or something like that. Keep on truckin'. And, if you ever wanna go out randomly, email me, that goes for all of you.

Firstly let me say that i do think it IS fab how all the ole Jackie crowd have gathered on these boards.... its a great support group, it's also a wonderful forum for discussion/ideas/politics and general world domination! But this is all virtual and we all could (and can)be anywhere.... that's how i feel about NYC... what Betty says is right about making your own fun... and NYC is still a fab place where you can seek out allot of scenes that just don't exist in Kansas! NYC is also the only place where i can make enough money in an easy way to have a decent standard of living.... but i hate more and more the jingoism of this country which is now just xenophobia and paranoia... plus for "the land of the free" NYC is so conservative... from no dancin in the bars to no gays in the parade... to bans on freedom to travel to Cuba...it grinds me down and makes me want to leave.
I think the Era of Jackie 60 was a wonderful time for NYC... when the meat packin district ws just that. It's long since gone and i think might resurge once we have hit another low (eg another wall st crash or terrorist attack)... but don't hold ya breathe.... Defo go seek out other scenes and places.. lend yourself to other stuff and it is often suprising how much fun u can have (believe me... i went to see a friggin B'way show the other day The Lion King... went kickin and screaming...but came out loving it - much to my chagrin!). I was in London all last wk and believe me there ain't anything happening there...
either... stay in NYC to make the Benjamins..but keep the cash to travel freely! (And buy Betty D a beer!)...I say we ALL move to Chiapas! (* Chiapas ...mexican area controlled by an alternative coalitiion, a no-go area for the Government..anarchist running a socialist state ..which promotes freedom of speech, beliefs and sexuality! Seek it out... I'm ready to move!)

and I grew up here, I was born in the Bronx and pretty much grew up here. I learned that its all about the buzz, if you want something done start it, or encourage others to start it. For a long time I wanted to be involved with some sortave Burlesque group, I wanted to start one, but had no idea how, no w there are a few and I can be alittle choosy. There are many things I wanna start but dont have the head stregth to do it right now. I dont believe that leaving N.Y. is the answer, yes its a tough place to live but if things arent hard they are boring(all puns intended). Like Daddy said Jackie 60 was started with just 30 people. and yes there is alot of the virtual chat and such but when the parties start the fun is rolling the creative juices are flowing and its quite amazing. I have been so inspiried since I started going to the Jackie 60 parties. I couldnt even tell you how intimidated I was at first tho. I was very shy before, but now I live the way I do and go out the way I do and would kill for my own party! Lets rock nyc now!~

And oddly enough, my mailing list is called Amber Ray of light...
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/amberrayoflight
Please join...I always have something going on and I would be happy to talk, one on one, with you about some interesting events...
I know a handful of other things you might like...
I just moved here, not yet a year ago, and have felt the same...Now I am really working hard to get a sense of community by dabbling in many different scenes...
There is hope...I am trying to create it and then what it creates...A MIndBlowing wonderful experience!
Ny is full of nooks and crannies...
Its like a real live "legend of link" video game ...with hidden prizes and enemies to dodge and amazing other worldly creatures to learn from and share with.
I love going out almost every night and searching out all the different scenes and little art openings and parties, you would be amazed to see how much you find in versatility.
The more you give the more you get.
I like to make my own scenes sometimes, too.
So many hearts aching to be set free...I am unlocking them all if I have the power to...I feel this Uncontrolable need to Bring sensationalism to the table!!!
After all, It starts with our senses, we choose our own lives and realities based on our senses.
So lets see some choices going on...
I might be willing to help start up a party...
We may need some more, soon.
But at Any rate, KIT and let me know what you are looking for...
Ciao.

PS
BtW, I love ya ChiChi, But I have to disagree with the New Orleans thing, and anywhere else for that matter...
I lived in NOLA and it wasn't good at all...It's all touristy and a huge splotch of drug addicts and homebodies who aren't really doing anything...
I lived on Bourbon for awhile and I had to leave of Boredom.
It's an extremely transient place, so people with a real mission don't seem to stay very long.
I can't think of any big names coming out of New Orleans, either. (not that it matters too much)
All the cool people I met, left before I did, and the events for our subcultures seemed to be few and far between with a few regular places to choose from that got super boring, super quick...
I think the fact that NY changes so much is part of what makes it so exciting.
And European cities?!
Ah, I love Europe.
Fun to explore, but I am sure they would simmer down too if you were there long enough.
I love NYC, I finally feel like I am at home!
Thanks to Mama ChiChi and Daddy Johnny and all the amazing and beautiful critters in this huge Kingdom of ours.
This type of thread almost brings a tear to my eye.

[This message was edited by Amber Ray on 11-14-02 at 04:21 PM.]

We do live in a dying city.

And we've had to become experts at creating our own fun.

If WE can manage to have fun in Cincinnati, Ohio...



We TOTALLY relate to the making good money to travel comment, and the having one good event to look forward to comment (with the rest being filler) And the trying new things... We have fun doing some of the STUPIDEST things

To either comfort you (hopefully not to bring you more down) the Gothic/Industrial scene is not doing very well in many places in the US, not just NYC. It seems to have become stagnant and when that happens, people lose interest.

We recently both just got raises... making it even less likely that we'll find jobs worth moving away for...

So, we're here for a while, and we're just so sick of the fact that we HAVE to go out of town for a good night out, so we decided to start off with a one-off night at the local Gothic/Industrial club down here:

http://www.warehouse1313vine.com

They've been sparsely populated since our riots last year, and are really excited about it. The owner really values marketing and advertising and knows that if word gets out, the crowd will show.

I'm sure that's the case up there also. There have to be places that are just limping along and want some CPR.

We haven't hosted a night in our hometown for 3 years... We're a bit nervous, we don't know how it's going to go, or if people will even get into it, but what will it hurt to at least give it a chance? The owner is already talking about a regular event...

You may not be a party thrower, but you do know what it takes to create a good night out. You just need to find a partner or two to fill in for the things that you can't/don't like to do. You'd be really surprised about how many things fall into place when there is one person with a vision and other people willing to work to make that vision come to life.

An exciting idea has "legs" it is birthed and takes a few tentative steps, starts walking and then starts running. It just takes someone to give it that first breath of life.

From the looks of it, you've got quite a few people interested already

XXXOOO
Satori

I would share the sentiments of all who posted answers to this interesting topic.

I've said before on these Boards how it bothers me at times that people constantly complain about New York being "dead". There are always things going on here and there still are. These days there are less choices than in the past and you have to look harder, but cool stuff is out there.

I just got back from Amsterdam and Berlin, two cities known for liberal and/or decadent nightlife scenes. Over the past couple of years Berlin in particular has been touted by many here in the U.S. as the "New York City of Europe" and the new epicenter for experimental art and club culture.

It is certainly true that you have much more freedom in those cities in terms of what you can get away with (i.e. public sex, drugs, etc) and New York certainly has lost that aspect of its nightlife. But in terms of performance, creativity and the club productions themselves .... I still think New York is better and overall has more to offer, in spite of Guiliani and everything. (btw - thanks Ted for the compliment on my little monthly party! please come back, next time I'll buy you a drink) And in any case I certainly wouldn't say those cities are BETTER than New York, no way. It was really good to get out of town and get perspective.

Also, as to goth/industrial scene in particular ... isn't there a party called Funhouse on Friday nights at Flamingo East or some other East Village venue? I heard about it a couple of months ago but have not had a chance to make it by .... might be worth checking out.

What you said Lex...

I think historically NY has more staying power than any other city in the world. Even if we're in a "Down" period, keep in mind that NYC is good for at least one legendary club, scene or movement per decade.

Consider the following:
Stonewall
Studio 54
Limelight
Jackie
Save the Robots...

I'm sure the more experienced in our crew could add to this list, but its a start.

It's not only early in the current decade, its pretty early in the century. I think looking back 10 years from now we'll be pretty happy with whats been accomplished.

Just the calm before the storm....

Lex wrote;

"Also, as to goth/industrial scene in particular ... isn't there a party called Funhouse on Friday nights at Flamingo East or some other East Village venue?"

Yes, exactly. Friday nights at Flamingo East. I believe it's at 2nd Ave & 13th St. Ted-n-Di have been known to frequent.

Funhouse on fridays and I love it , such a fun party, its not tired, like the otheer goth parties, not run by Master Steelow

Not really a goth party goer myself, I just had to add my humble opinion here. Whenever I start to grow weary of the choices that are given me in New York, I remember what life was like in Ohio, and suddenly I kiss the earth in gratitude that I live here. I always find more and more great things to go to (so much in fact, that i gave up my day job to produce parties and events)- and find that when I find that something is lacking, I try to fill the gap myself by creating it. Although I agree that this is not a solution for everybody.
I am happy to be a party of these boards, too!

Right now, for example, we have the ElectroClash scene which has strong roots across the river in Williamsburg and is now spreading into a worldwide musical movement. So even now in this supposedly "slow" time, New York is still on the cutting edge of music, fashion and club culture.

It seemed in the past couple of years that the classic big New York club had gone the way of the dinosaur. But last night I went to the opening of the new Limelight, now called Estate. While I wasn't so impressed with the new decor, I think it's great that things are opening again. In the coming months a branch of Crobar (already legendary in Chicago and Miami) is coming here too. Could a new era of big clubs be upon us?