Four years ago, I stood on the sidewalk with my husband and one of my dearest friends in single-digit temperatures for more than 11 hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of our newly elected president during his inauguration parade. It was the sort of day that the phrase “once-in-a-lifetime experience” was made for. The feeling in the air was truly electrifying. Everybody was laughing and smiling and happily talking to complete strangers about everything and nothing. Everyone was in a great mood!
Everyone was also at extreme risk of losing a toe or two to frostbite. We waited hours for his motorcade to arrive, and then spent more than four hours fighting the crowds on the streets and in the Metro to get back to where we were staying. All this time, temperatures ranged from single digits to the mid-20s.
It was an amazing experience and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything in the world. I am so excited now to be able to watch this president take the oath for his second term. I am even more excited to be watching it on television this time around — wrapped in a Snuggie with a cat snoozing on my lap, just as the good Lord intended.
’90s Dance Party
Do you miss*NSYNC and the Spice Girls? Still find yourself singing classics from Mariah, Janet and Kylie in the shower? Then set up a reminder for the ’90s Dance Party 10 p.m.-3:30 a.m. Jan. 18 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.
DJ Deejay will take you back to the golden days of watching TRL after school, borrowing the keys to the car and getting busted for breaking your curfew. Ah, sweet memories … For more information, check out www.djdeejay.org or www.famelust.com.
Hydrate
Imagine this: stripping down to your Speedo, board shorts or bikini and running around a water park like you’re a teenager again — only it’s the middle of winter and you have a drink in your hand!
If that sounds like a blast, then grab your friends and head on over to South Jersey for Hydrate, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Jan. 19 at the H2O Beach Club in Sahara Sam’s Oasis, 535 N. Route 73 in West Berlin.
Hydrate is an indoor pool party for grownups, with a beer and vodka bar, water slides, lazy river, pool and hot tubs. If you feel your nightlife is in a rut and you’re looking for something completely different to do, then this is exactly what the doctor ordered. Cover is only $20 and you must be 21 to enter. For more information, check out www.twistedlife.com.
Ladies 2000 King Day Party
It’s time for the annual Ladies 2000 MLK Day party from 3-9 p.m. Jan. 20 at Top Dog, 2310 Route 70/Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, N.J. Be sure to get there when the doors open for the famous $1 “You Call It” power hour from 3-4 p.m., when well drinks and domestic beers are only a buck.
Then, after enjoying the complimentary hot dinner buffet, dance your ass off to the music of DJ Steve Singer or cheer on your favorite team in the playoffs on their giant big-screen TVs. Since it’s the suburbs, you know what that means — free parking! And hell, you can even swing by Wegman’s on your way home if you need to stock up your pantry. If Monday’s a holiday for you, then you’ve got no excuse! For more info, check out www.ladies2000.com.
Pajama Party
Don’t miss what promises to be the first annual Seductive Saturdays Pajama Party at 10 p.m. Jan. 26 at ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. They’ll have great music, hot dancers, contests, prizes, drink specials from 9-11 p.m. and, if you wear your PJs, you won’t have to pay the $5 cover! For more info, check out www.icandynightclub.com.
SuperStar
Be there at 9 p.m. Jan. 26 for SuperStar at the new Devotion Nightclub, 417 N. Eighth St. SuperStar is not only kicking off a new monthly party on the last Saturday of every month, but it’s also serving as the grand opening of Devotion, which is the newly rechristened and totally renovated Shampoo.
There will be so much going on that night, your head might literally spin right off your shoulders and splatter onto the floor. There will be three superstar DJs on hand, each with his own unique style: Joe Gauthreaux, Tall Matt and Nigel Richards. The event will also feature a fashion show and pop-up shop sponsored by the one and only 611 Records. But the highlight of the night will be the amazing Neon Hitch performing her recent number-one dance hits “Gold” and “Love U Betta” (well, that’s the version they play on the radio, but I’m guessing she’ll use the original “F-U” lyrics).
If that’s not enough, there will also be an open bar from 9-10 p.m. and the doors will stay open until 3 a.m. Spring for VIP tickets and you get all that plus a champagne meet-n-greet with Neon herself! Ticket prices start at $20 and max out at $55.
SuperStar promises to be the beginning of something great, both for the new space at Devotion and for Philly nightlife in general because it’s presented by Noel Zayas and Bruce Yelk — and we all know those boys know how to throw a damn good party! For more information and to purchase advance tickets, head on over to www.superstarphilly.com or www.nightlifegay.com.
Questions, comments, promises you don’t intend to keep? Contact Jim at [email protected] or follow him on Facebook for links to back articles and totally bitchin’ old music videos!