Posts Tagged ‘The Cambria’

Missing In Action

Well what a week we have had, as you may have gathered from associated posts, that we involved in a serious road accident, which was followed by considerable complications while under the care of St Thomas’ hospital, leaving us very much missing in action for the whole of the week. However, with our contacts rushing to our aid to report on the highlights of happenings across the scene, plus with plenty of news to share, having now returned to the safety & security of our home from that hell hole of a hospital, we thought we would take a look back over the week that we missed, but this time just concentrating on some of the real highlights, as well as bringing you news of forthcoming events and dates to add to your own dance & social diary.

 

Hustlaball With Harsh

So, let’s crack on a take a look at Thursday (9th June) first, Room Service once again seemingly ruling the roost as they played host to Hustlaball for the first of their pre-parties in advance of the main event on Saturday (11th June) at Fire. And it seemed that everyone was out in force to grab their own piece of porn playfulness, while playing to sexy sounds were new Room Service resident, international playboy D.J. Paul Heron, alongside the fabulous Jim Warboy, the star of Shoreditch, touting his tunes for the first time in the west end & lapping it up. With the likes of Austin Wilde & Ricky Sinz providing the porn candy and Jodie Harsh’s incredible ability to pull in scene faces from far & wide and this was Soho social soiree splendour at its best, to add to the new Room Service pre-party shenanigans at Circa where D.J.s Mikey D & James Pople entertained a considerate crowd.  To keep abreast of the happenings down at Diu, why not take a peek at http://clubroomservice.com & keep your eyes peeled for news of a special Gay Pride party next week (Thurs 30th June).

 

That said David & L.A. Hart’s venture, Gigolo, was also having its say across at Lo-Profile, the cute yet capable Zach Burns once again stealing the show with a superb set, while a little bit of east end energy was provided by Spaniard Borja Pena, who, judging by the crowd’s reaction, will be back to Gigolo for more for sure. Into its fifth week and it seems this Thursday night affair has now firmly established itself on the clubbing calendar and this week (Thurs 25th June) Gigolo brings out some big guns in the form of Nathan Six & Jamie Head, both Lo-Profile favourites to sure to pull in the punters. Check out http://gigolodisco.com for more info.

 

Hustled At Society

Fast forwarding to Friday (10th June) and it seemed that Hustlaball were once again getting in on the act, this time across the other side of Soho at Lo-Profile, promoter Alex Erfan & his team taking over social splendour “Society” and injecting bucket loads of hunk, & funk to proceedings, with more of the pumped up porn stars on show and the superb duo of Steve Pitron & Jamie Head on the decks. Indeed, we could feel the emotion & energy right from our hospital bed as Brazilian Bel was tweeting while Steve played our new anthem “Stronger” to a packed out place, Jamie also having his say in keeping “Society” swinging right through till the 4 a.m. finish. To keep up to date with news on Lo-Profile, not just for “Society” but for their whole weekend of wonderment, check out http://loprofile.com.

 

Other movers & shakers on Friday (10th June) included Ku Bar on Lisle St who held the first of their D.J. Guest slot competition’s, this being the format that found the delectable DouGuim, while down in south London, The Brixton Clubhouse held their first full Friday nighter “Cafe Del Sol” , reporting reasonable numbers through the door, Tonker over in Vauxhall going all “Escort & Porn Star” on us, flying the Hustlaball flag and loving it. Websites to watch for more action in the coming weeks are http://ku-bar.co.ukhttp://thebrixtonclubhouse.com & http://tonker.co.uk.

 

Fabulous At Fire

Onto Saturday and it came as no surprise to see Hustlaball once again stand in the scene spotlight, taking over the whole (and we mean whole) of Fire in Vauxhall, the stage shows being played out in the mirrorarch room, while the likes of Pagano, Guy Scheiman & Chris Bekker entertained the troops in the main room. With both Bear Necessity & Hard On! able to spread into their own spaces & Jodie Harsh looking after the Hustlaball top brass in the VIP lounge, no less than six rooms were well & truly packed all night, the brand having seemingly once again found its feet in London after a chequered couple of years across at The Renaissance Rooms. With pumping porn star action, plenty of play area’s & testosterone in plentiful supply, both head honcho Jeffrey Davids & London promoter Alex Erfan couldn’t have been more pleased with the result, so are already looking forward to Hustlaball London 2012. Check out http://hustlaball.com for upcoming events & news.

 

Elsewhere and Shoreditch saw the return of the magnificent “Meat” at East Bloc, the creation of D.J./Producer duo Tom Stephan & Kris Di Angelis, the boys from Q.X. magazine getting in on the act in room two, while Tom, Kris & James Pople rocked the main room with lector underground house that saw a packed out place dancing till dawn. East Bloc has really established itself as THE alternative hangout in town & with Gutterslut having literally closed its doors on a special birthday bash, check out other happenings at this Shoreditch spot by going to http://eastbloc.co.uk.

 

Beyond On The Radio

Onto Sunday and Beyond didn’t quite seen to sparkle with the Hustlball after effects, the team reporting on a mediocre party that lacked a bit of zing, although they should have been pretty pleased with their first “Beyond On The Radio” show, which went out live on Gaydar Radio from midnight (Sat) until 7 a.m., we tuning into the whole show from our hospital bedside. With sets lifted from the previous week’s party, we enjoyed the likes of Paul Christian, The Sharp Boys, Mikey D &, of course, Steve Pitron, very much transporting us onto the dancefloor and making up for what we had missed. Acting as a brilliant way to warm up for your weekly Beyond fix, why not tune in next weekend by going online at http://gaydarradio.com or by tuning in on your digital radio to DAB frequency 11B.

 

Other Sunday movers & shakers included “The Jonny Woo Show” over in Shoreditch, “Upstairs” at The Cambria down in Kennington and “S.L.A.G.S./Chill-out” across in Vauxhall, the common theme being cabaret with many trading outdoors for in as the weather was more like autumn than summer and washed out any trace of  alfresco activity. With cabaret on a Sunday reporting a resurgence, both The Cambria & The RVT are two great places to pick, detail son both available at http://thecambrialondon.com & http://thervt.org.uk

 

Stripping At The Eagle

Rolling the next three days into one and Monday (13th June) saw the two usual suspects draw the biggest response from revellers, Heaven’s “Popcorn” packing the place with club kids that clearly didn’t need to work the following day, with “Citric” at Ku-Bar proved the perfect Popcorn prequel, the delectable DouGuim back behind the decks & delighting as always. Then on Tuesday (14th June) it was a choice of strip down at Ashley Ryder’s “Strip Academy” at The Eagle in Vauxhall, or lap up some tasty boy candy at Candy Bar in Soho, while on Wednesday (15th June), Ku-Bar rolled out another “Shinky Shonky” shindig for the alternative party heads, “Trannyshack” accommodating the gender benders across at Soho Revue Bar, “Industri” at Barcode Soho continuing amidst all the changes due at this Archer St attraction. More info on events at both Ku-Bar & The Eagle can be found by going to http://ku-bar.co.uk & http://eaglelondon.com.

 

Onyx

Right, onto some news and as we reported in our Best Bites & Short Shouts report just this weekend, Onyx has a new promoter in the form of Verity Mayes, who brings a wealth of talent & experience with her, having worked in Brighton for a number of years under the helm of the city’s big clubbing brand Wild Fruit. Joining The Orange Group a few weeks ago, Verity has quickly established herself within the tight knit team, although in taking over promoting Onyx, we are hoping this backroom girl will become much more of a frontline figure in the coming weeks. With plans to leave the Onyx winning formula intact, but to add her own identity to the brand, watch this space for some exciting developments to come.

 

Deuces

Now to a new(ish) night, also in Vauxhall, although one that pitches itself against the might of both Room Service & Gigolo as it takes place on a Thursday. But that is where the comparison between “Deuces” & its competitor’s ends, as this night is not so much the social soiree sophistication of the other two, but pure & unadulterated music of the house and R&B variety. Now “Deuces” as a brand is established and can already boast a following from many strands of society, from gays, lesbians, straights, students, professionals, black & white, promoter Kartel Brown explaining that “…the concept was always to mix tow different musical scenes together to make one new scene, attracting a very diverse crowd in the process…”. Taking place at Area in Vauxhall each Thursday “Deuces” will be fusing these two musical elements,  Kartel will be ably assisted by resident D.J.’s that include Steve Geller (an interesting inclusion given the history with Area), Marlon Goodas, DMS & NG, while the handpicked “Deuces” dancers will be on hand delight. Having launched last Thursday (16th June), watch this space for more news on this latest mover & shaker.

 

 

Summer Rites

 

Finally to a date for your diary and one well into July but worth noting now, as the sensational of the early noughties returns with a new look & a new identity. “Summer Rites Remixed” will be an outdoor extravaganza not to be missed, although moves from its historical home of Brockwell Park in Brixton, to Shoreditch Park in (yes!) Shoreditch, this “…boutique gay music festival…” making a resplendent return on Sunday 10th July. With brands already signed & sealed including the mighty Salvation, XXL, Popstarz & Gutterslut, local businesses pledging their support and this park party pulling together some of London’s best D.J. talents, along with P.A.’s & plenty more, to re-create the magic of those park Pride parties that we have loved & missed. Now, we are reliably informed that tickets are already selling fast, limited advance £15 ones still available at Prowler in Soho & Expectations on Old St, as well as online at http://summer-rites.com.

 

So to our moment, our track & our tweet of the week, both the moment & the tweet falling by the wayside this time round as we were very much missing in action, meaning it’s just our tack of the week that takes the limelight, although it is a corker and one that filled our ears for much of our stay in hospital hell. “Starry Eyed” has been tipping our scales on the Beyond dancefloor for a far few weeks now and further came to our attention following its inclusion on Steve Pitron’s “Summer 2011 Vol 1” release, but we only last week realised (to our embarrassment) that it was the brilliant remix work of one Danny Verde, so we leave you with the link to this terrific track, http://soundcloud.com/holabstudio/ellie-goulding-starry-eyed-1, which has soared into our top 10 of the year & will hopefully tip your musical scales too.

 

 

Right, that it for another “That Was The Week That Was” report but just before we go, don’t forget, if you want us to shout out for your favourite bar, club or event that rocked & rolled, then drop us a line at matt@discomatt.com or link into us via our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/discomattlondon and watch this space for our next report covering Thursday 16th to Wednesday 22nd June coming up later this week.  (DISCO MATT)

Done & Dusted


Empty Spot

It would be fair to say that for us, as well as a whole host of others, that our favourite outing, Beyond, was always the pot of gold at the end of the clubbing rainbow, or at least the pinnacle of any weekend of activity, this Sunday morning outing having become pretty much an institution for us and recent weeks having seen some of the best times we have had ever. Yet with issues still unresolved, we face our second weekend without this awesome afterhours in our schedule, a situation that makes us very sad indeed, the tears of joy we used to shed from our now absent spot, turned to tears of the other kind. These tears have been further spilled as a result of the messages of support we have received, the questions regarding our absence & the fact that this Sunday (22nd May), is a particularly special Beyond, yet is one that we will miss.

 

However, whilst our weekend may be in tatters, your weekends must go on, so we take a look at life beyond Beyond, picking our Best Bites & Short Shouts across Soho, Vauxhall & elsewhere.

 

Extended Opening

So to Soho first and top of our tree & Best Bite is Profile & Lo-Profile, the cavorting combo that continues to cut an impressive stride of the Soho socialite scene, not least Profile itself which we took big advantage of just last night (Thurs 19th May), sampling some of the delicious new additions to their food menu and taking a spot of supper with a very dear friend. And with this new menu now in full force, there couldn’t be a better place to eat, drink & be merry, the music at the weekends also an amazing attraction, this one looking every bit as good, with Gaydar Radio’s very own Alex Baker on the decks tonight (Fri 20th May), while, on Saturday its favourite Profile resident & cheeky monkey D.J. Craig Daniels tipping your scales with terrific tunes, the boys with the beats kicking off at 8 pm. Each night, Profile open through till 11.30 p.m. Further details of events, food offers & plenty more are a mere click away at http://profilesoho.com.

 

Superb Social Scene Setter

That neatly moves on to Lo-Profile, which was the heavenly host for that Gigolo launch last night, which saw an unprecedented response from you all, the venue absolutely rammo from the off at 10 p.m., sporting the who’s who of the social scene. With the bar staff pushed beyond capacity, yet the atmosphere amazing, they will be back for more this weekend, as new smash “Society” stakes its place in your clubbing calendar tonight with Nick Evans & D’Johnny sorting the sounds, the podiums sure to be filled with those gorge go-go’s we eye popped at a couple of weeks ago, while the whole night is hosted by porn star Jay Roberts (gives you a feel for the action!) Then, after a truly stunning set at Gigolo’s launch party last night, Zach Burns takes charge of the tunes tomorrow night (Sat 21st May) and one which is, for us at least a MUST (shame we can’t be there), followed by international playboy D.J. Paul Heron who is on fantastic form at the mo, so a major draw for sure. With Lo-Profile swinging open its doors at 10 p.m. & running through till 4 a.m., reduced entry offers for Profile customers & concessions available too, it’s definitely THE place to be in Soho, more info out at http://loprofile.com.

 

So to some quick Short Shouts and two that extend out of the weekend really, as it is Tuesday & Thursday we take a look at, three “Soho Society Scene” soiree’s, the first being G&T (Glamour & Trash) that takes place at Diu on Greek St, with hosts Aubrey Dobson of “Salon” fame, THE hostess with the mostest, Minty & D.J. Brent Nicholls, who spins the sounds too. Then on Thursday, it’s the clash of the titans, as new night, Gigolo, goes head-to-head with Room Service, both having been packed out last week, perhaps proving the penchant for these stylish shindigs, Jodie & her lot teaming up with SuperMartXe for their pre-party, while David Hart & co have the dynamic duo of Zach Burns & Brent Nicholls (twice in two days, fab!!!) on their decks. While we can’t yet point you in a website direction for G&T, we can for the other two, more info on both Gigolo & Room Service available at http://gigolodisco.com & http://clubroomservice.com.

 

Now, before we head down to Vauxhall (as many of you do!), just a mention for the latest on Barcode, the news on the ground being that it will remain a bar (yippee), but is likely to also now offer food, open up the front & maybe even have some outside tables (wow). However, plans have been pushed back into June, so in the meantime, its business as usual.

 

Ashley Ryder's 30th Birthday Bash

So to Vauxhall and top of our tree here & Best Bite is for The Eagle (oops what happened to The Orange Group?!?!) who have another corker of a weekend with two of their best joined by a third celebration. So, tonight (Fri 20th May) it’s the turn of Tonker to triumph, promoter & dynamic D.J. Tim Jones being joined on the decks by special guest Paul Coals (he of Salvation fame) this testosterone tipped treat kicking off at an early 8 p.m., & running through till 3 a.m., with the Tonker boys having their own website at http://tonker.co.uk where more details of upcoming events can be obtained.  Then tomorrow (Sat 21st), porn star & playboy Ashley Ryder celebrates his birthday, his 30th no less, this “Monsters Ball/Club Kids” themed party sure to attract a truly eclectic yet gorge mix of scene faces, clubbers, Eagle regulars & artists of all kinds, the whole event getting underway from 9 p.m. & running through till 4 a.m., with drinks offers for early birds & plenty of saucy stage shows throughout. Then, no Sunday would be the same without Horse Meat Disco, as Jim Stanton, James Hillard & the boys host another of their whacky wonderments, James being joined by Luke Howard who both sort the sounds, HMD’s popularity speaking for itself with queues round the corner every week, meaning you need to get there early guys, doors opening at 9 p.m.. More info on all these three vents & others at The Eagle can be found by going to http://eaglelondon.com.

 

So to some short shouts and first for the fetish in you as Hard On! returns tomorrow (Sat 21st May), although at their new venue Factory. Now, if like us you missed the launch last month, hopefully the free coatcheck & shots will come as a nice surprise, while plenty of the usual action will also be on offer, D.J.’s on duty including Brent Nicholls (he gets about!), Zack Hadley & Halo-is, the mezzanine balcony, playroom & more fitting the new style Hard On! like a glove. More info on this event, including membership details & dresscode, can be found at http://hardonclub.co.uk.

 

Then if you fancy a laugh and something really different, then Gay City Rollers is a must on Sunday (22nd May), as promoter Alex Erfan re-unites with Ku-Bar to present this Xanadu style showstopper, when four wheels rather than two feet are the name of the disco dancing game & disco is definitely the word , with D.J.’s The Very Miss Dusty O , DMS Sam & Vicky Vivacious vroom up the room, the fun & frivolity kicking off at host home The Renaissance Rooms from 6 p.m. & running through till 11 p.m.. More info on this and a host of other events promoted by Alex Erfan, can be found at http://alexerfan.com while watch this space for our Extra Bites post on this exceptional event, coming right up.

 

Before we move on, we feel it appropriate to mention that, should you clubs, bars & events want a mention, then make sure you get e-mailing us at matt@discomatt.com with your listings & press releases, or hit our Facebook group & pages with your details at http://facebook.com/discomattlondon, http://facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=96540615424 &/or  http://facebook.com/pages/Disco-Matt/112730602119746) or even send us a tweet at http://twitter.com/discomatt and we will do our best to include you.

 

We also want to mention Beyond (again!) which for a few & in reality many, will be some special this Sunday morning, as the queen of the lighting scene, Smalls, returns to her rightful position in change of the main room effects. So, whilst we won’t be there on our spot, we reckon you should be, this awesome afterhours kicking off at Area in Vauxhall at 6 a.m. & running through until 1 p.m., more info on this prolific party available at http://fireclub.co.uk/gayparties.

 

Saturday S.O.S.

So to our alternatives & Shoreditch is doing it again for us this weekend, as it did last, East Bloc very much the talk of this side of the town and no surprise, as having paid the place a first visit for the mesmeric “Meat” last Saturday (check our bite sized devotion at direct link  http://discomatt.com/web/2011/05/reports-monumental-mash-up-meat-east-bloc-saturday-14th-may-preview-the-review/) its seems that this Saturday should be every bit as good. Why?, well it’s another birthday celebration, but here for Jim Warboy, the Gemini boy inspiring the “Twins” theme of this month’s “SOS” outing and their press release is an absolute corker and very much sets the scene, as they say “…Have you ever wondered what it would be like to shag someone who looked just like you? Or been at a party when some drunk stranger keeps harping on about you being the spitting image of another friend of theirs? Or even woken up the next morning to your latest pick up thinking how come you always go for guys who look and dress like you?…”. And this pretty much sums up what to expect at “SOS”, although with the birthday boy bashing out the beats along with fellow Gemini & Shoreditch son Kris Di Angelis, as well as Tom Davey in the so called “catwalk” room, serving up plenty of electro disco, while in the “backroom” D.J’s Squeaky (of DSS Tutti Frutti fame) & Liz Bisoux select some more soul inspired sounds, while with a “snap catwalk show” matching looks & synchronising styles will be the centrefold double page of action to match the double ended dancing, the added allure of “brotherly love” porn film flicks will definitely seal the deal on this queer London, meets NYC underground, meets Berlin sleaze shindig. “SOS’s” doors open at 10.30 p.m. & the club runs through till 6 a.m. entry just £5 before midnight and more details out at http://sosnow.co.uk, while for info on other East Bloc events, including tonight’s “Disco Fag Bar”, go to http://eastbloc.co.uk.

 

To our Short Shouts and The Dalston Superstore (DSS) are still fighting off their birthday hangover from last weekend, but are back this with a full-on threesome, tonight (Fri 20th May) seeing “Boy Dem” do it, while tomorrow (Sat 21st), it’s the turn of “Body Talk” to treat you to tons of tunes, Sunday at The Superstore in safe hands with “Tutti Frutti”, more info on these & all other delights at DSS available at http://thedalstonsuperstore.com.

 

Then for something delectably different, why not head down to the gastronomic giant of the South East London clubbing scene, as The Cambria in Camberwell hosts another of its Sunday soiree’s “Upstairs”, with the incomparable Mzz Kimberley in charge of proceedings & welcoming show star Ophelia Bitz who takes the spotlight, while the gastro gems come in the form of a smashing Sunday carvery, served from 3 till 5, then meze snacks after the show which kicks off a 5 p.m. More details on the Cambria can be found at http://thecambrialondon.com.

 

So, that’s our Best Bites & Short Shouts recommendations for outings this weekend, but just time to mention two other visits of a different kind, the first being to tip top clubbing website SeenQueen, which is crammed full of features, listings & reports, nit least their “Spring Bank Holiday” guide, all out at http://seenqueen.com/web, while if the summer like sun we are enjoying at the moment isn’t enough for you, then why not top up that tan or indeed get one, by paying a visit to the most friendly tanning shop around, Solarstation owner Hassan’s un-paralleled service truly unbeatable, as are some of the package deals on offer, a look at http://solarstation.co.uk will give you all the dynamic detail you need to make a trip to Archer Street in Soho a must.

 

Right that’s it, leaving us to say; whatever you are up to this weekend have a great one. Sadly, we won’t be out & about meaning you can’t come & say hi as you all do in droves (something we really appreciate), but you can check our Bank Holiday plans at http://discomatt.com/web/2011/05/reports-may-movements-disco-matt-dance-diary-saturday-14th-may/ but in the meantime, make sure you “Go There! Be There! (DISCO MATT)

This Is Disco Matt
Who Is Disco Matt?
Disco Matt is London’s original party boy and independent journalist who previews, reviews & recommends London's best gay clubs, events & businesses, links to & reviews the scene top D.J.’s and generally covers the gay scene including international gay clubs & events.
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