Festival Issue
The APRIL 2011: Issue 16
YOUR SCENE - YOUR NIT E - YOUR GUIDE S O U T H E R N
C A L I F O R N I A
Table Of Contents YOUR SCENE - YOUR NIT E - YOUR GUIDE
4 The List 6 April DVD’s, Movies & CD’s 8 What’s Hot For April 10 Industry Movers & Shakers 12 Nitelife Around the World 14 The Buzz on Music 16 Nightclub & Bar Show Top Picks 17 Feature Band 18 Kitty’s Guide 19 MyClubScene.com Vixen 20 Festival Guide 22 Ultra Music Festival 2011 Recap 24 5 Bands to check out 26 Bar / Club Directory 28 Happy Hour Guide 29 Festival Frenzy 30 April Events Listing 34 Featured Food 38 Featured Drinks 39 Ask A Bartender 40 Feature Restaurant
MyClubScene.com April 2011 Vixen Sarah McDowd | Photo by Team Strider
42 March in Review: Featured Events 45 Photo Recaps 48 NiteGuide Model Search Vote NOW! 52 Horoscope
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Photos Courtesy of Joe Fury/9Group
Clash Fridays Palms | LAS VEGAS
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THE LIST THE PUBLISHER March was a very busy month for us. We were in Vegas for a week, enjoying the Nightclub & Bar Show as well as our Model Shoot-Out at the Palms Casino. We were also in Miami for a week for the Ultra Music Festival, what an experience! Make sure you check out www. NiteGuideMag.com to see photos of all the chaos. I am excited as we are making NiteGuide more and more interactive. We have implemented ‘ScanLife’ into our publication. This is a way for you to interact with NiteGuide. You can download it for free on your phone and scan items in NiteGuide. It will pull up cool videos on your phone, or photos, flyers, coupons, exclusive offers, etc. We will be expanding to the San Diego market next month with a party at the Hard Rock during Intervention on May 15th. Summer is around the corner and we are already getting geared up for Vegas and preparing to show you where the top events are and what’s going on. You will start to see a lot more food, restaurants and happy hour dishes in upcoming issues. Thanks for reading as always and enjoy!
CONTRIBUTORS
Brian Brown started covering Southern California cultural events in 2005 and has been a fixture on the scene ever since. Originally photographing the House music scene for local night life sites he has since branched out to cover concerts, art events, private parties, red carpets, store openings, music festivals, and in his words “any gathering of exciting people.” Brian’s work has been carried by numerous print and online publications, including Nite Guide Magazine. Brian states that his work “puts the hard work of artists, PR companies, and event planners on record and allows them to showcase the quality events they put on and the satisfaction and joy they bring to their customers and fans.” Currently you can follow Brian on his blog www.TheBeesEye.com where he documents many of his adventures in LA, OC, and San Diego and you can get in touch with him regarding your upcoming event. 4 niteguidemag.com
Justin Stearman Publisher
THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR What an amazing month March was. I got the opportunity to take a little vacation and travel to Sin City for our Palms Takeover Weekend. I have to say, what an amazing event! We brought out 20 models that really put an everlasting memory in my head. What amazing women NiteGuide had the opportunity to work with. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite on our website! I also attended Ultra Music Festival in my home town Miami, Florida. I have attended Ultra a few years in the past, but this year tops them all! The production was amazing and the people I had the opportunity of meeting will be everlasting friendships for a lifetime! Summer is almost here and I am excited!!
Nicole Lloyd Director of Operations
CREDITS Publisher Justin Stearman Justin@NiteGuideMag.com Director of Operations Nicole Lloyd Nicole@NiteGuideMag.com Account Executive Justin Stearman Layout Artist Nicole Lloyd Graphic Designer Tommy Lafleur Cover Photo ©pradofoto.com Photographers Brian Brown Charles Street Chris Day Daniel Yoshinari Dave Orell Felipe Gamboa John Nguyen Matthew Copley Patrick Strube RG Benhard Robert Rodriguez Shannon Nehls Senior Editor Heidi Darby Editors Alysia Batchelder Carlin Nguyen Christian Williams Courtney Seard Daniel Allan Emmanuel Cayanan Enoch Loi Gabby Goodner John Helmrich Jonathan Fossler Kam Kasmaei Kimberly Fisher Rachel Salas Rebecca Schweitzer Interns Becca McConvey Guillermo Luna Nicole Grambo Videographer Daniel Allan Contact info@NiteGuideMag.com For Advertising info email: advertise@niteguidemag.com
www.NiteGuideMag.com
movies COMING OUT IN April
By Daniel Allan
SOURCE CODE Release Date: April 1 Director: Duncan Jones [Moon] Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan Source Code is a government experiment that enables you to cross over into the last eight minutes of another man’s life. Captain Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal - Donnie Darko) is on a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train by entering the body of one of its victims. In order to prevent another attack, he relives the event over and over again searching for clues. While struggling to find and defuse the bomb, he finds and ignites a bond with Christina (Monaghan - Gone Baby Gone) a fellow passenger on the train. When in doubt of saving the lives of millions, Colter is inspired by saving the life of one. NITEGUIDE NOTE: I’d Rather Cross Over into Michelle Monaghan’s Body! Giggity!
YOUR HIGHNESS Release Date: April 8 Director: David Gordon Green [Pineapple Express] Cast: Danny McBride, James Franco, and Natalie Portman Fabious (Franco - 127 Hours) is a brave and handsome knight. His younger brother Thadeous (McBride - Pineapple Express)… not so much. That is until Fabious invites Thadeous on a valiant journey to save his bride-to-be, Belladonna, from the evil wizard, Leezar. Embarking upon his first quest, Thadeous struggles to find his inner hero. With the help of Isabel (Portman - Black Swan), a beautiful, yet elusive warrior, the brothers trek across the badlands, conquering every mythic creature and evil foe in their path. McBride and Franco make a great comedic pair and Portman is icing on the space cake. NITEGUIDE NOTE: Robin Hood Smokes Pineapple Express!
HANNA Release Date: April 8 Director: Joe Wright [Atonement, Pride & Prejudice] Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, and Cate Blanchett There is a rule in Hollywood that you’re not allowed to kill children. Hanna might be the only exception, that is, unless she kills you first. Erik Keller (Bana - Star Trek) was a rogue assassin forced into hiding by the CIA. In his years of solitude he groomed his own daughter to become the perfect assassin, perhaps, for the ultimate revenge. While most girls get a car for their Sweet Sixteen, Hanna (Ronan - The Lovely Bones) receives her first mission. In search of her target, or perhaps her own identity, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe while eluding a ruthless intelligence operative (Blanchett - The Lord of the Rings), or perhaps her own adolescence. NITEGUIDE NOTE: Talk about P.M.S! Sheesh!
SCREAM 4 Release Date: April 15 Director: Wes Craven [A Nightmare on Elm Street] Cast: David Arquette, Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox All of your favorite characters return for a fourth installment of the Ghostface Killer. For the past decade Sidney Prescott (Campbell Wild Things) has been writing a book as part of her road to recovery from the last three box office bombs. On the last stop of her book tour Sidney visits her old stomping grounds in Woodsboro. There she meets up with some familiar faces, like newly weds Sheriff Dewey (Arquette - Never Been Kissed) and Gale (Cox - Friends), some new faces, like Hayden Panettiere and Emma Roberts, and of course Ghostface. I’m going out on a limb with this one, but there might be some hiding in the closet and chase scenes. NITEGUIDE NOTE: What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie? Scream 1? Scream 2?? Scream 3??? Well It Ain’t Gonna Be Scream 4!!!!
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Release Date: April 22 Director: Francis Lawrence [I Am Legend, Constatine] Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz Spectacular. Breathtaking. Beautiful. And I’m not just talking about Reese Witherspoon. Based on the New York Times #1 Best-Seller, Water For Elephants comes alive on the big screen both visually and emotionally. After receiving news of his parent’s death, Jacob Jankowski (Pattinson - Twilight) drops out of Cornell’s veterinary school and joins the second-rate Benzini Brothers Circus as their menagerie. Under the Big Top he meets and falls in love with Marlena (Witherspoon - Legally Blonde). Amid the Great Depression the two find salvation in a unique friendship with the Circus’ great gray hope, Rosie, the elephant.
NITEGUIDE NOTE: Life is the Greatest Show On Earth!
For more movie releases & trailers, Log on to www.trailers.apple.com 6 niteguidemag.com
dvds COMING OUT IN April By Daniel Allan
April 5
- CASINO JACK (Drama) - FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: The Fifth Season (Drama, TV) - I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS (Comedy) - LITTLE FOCKERS (Comedy) - TRON: LEGACY (Comedy)) - ULTIMATE WAVE: TAHITI (Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi) - TRON: THE ORIGINAL CLASSIC (Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi)
April 19
- BAMBI (Diamond Edition) (Animation, Drama, Family) - CAPTAIN PLANET AND THE PLANETEERS: SEASON ONE (Animation, TV) - THE ERNIE KOVAKS COLLECTION (Comedy) - THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR: SEASON SIX (Comedy) - GULLIVER’S TRAVELS (Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy) - THE KINGS SPEECH (Drama) (Academy Award Winner :Best Picture) - RABBIT HOLE (Drama)
April 22
- THE WAY BACK (Drama)
April 8
- THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER (Adventure, Family, Fantasy)
April 12
- COUNTRY SONG (Drama) - HIGHWATER (Drama) - MARWENCOL (Documentary) - MUAY THAI FIGHTER (Action, Drama) - THE THIRD REICH (Documentary, TV) - WHITE MATERIAL (Drama)
April 26
- BLOOD OUT (Action) - DINOSHARK (Sci-Fi) - MONGOLIAN DEATH WORM (Sci-Fi)
April 15
- HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 (Adventure, Fantasy)
For more DVD releases, Log on to www.comingsoon.net
CDS COMING OUT IN April By Daniel Allan
April 5 COLD CAVE – Cherish The Light Years RAY DAVIES – See My Friends HOLY GHOST! – Holy Ghost! THE KILLS – Blood Pressures SCATTERED TREES – Sympathy SHARKS – The Joys Of Living 2009-2010
April 12 CRYSTAL STILTS – In Love With Oblivion FOO FIGHTERS – Wasted Light JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN – The Deep Field ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION – Paper Airplanes LETLIVE – Fake History LOW – C’mon AGNES OBEL – Philharmonics PANDA BEAR – Tomboy EMILIE SIMON – The Big Machine SONNY AND THE SUNSETS – Hit After Hit THURSDAY – No Devolucion VIVIAN GIRLS – Share The Joy
April 19 I’M FROM BARCELONA – Forever Today KIMBERLY CALDWELL – Without Regret FRENCH HORN REBELLION – The Infinite Music of French Horn Rebellion JENNIFEREVER – Silesia NEDRY – Condors WOLFRAM – Wolfram
April 26 ABOUT GROUP – Start & Complete BOOTSY COLLINS – The Funk Capitol of the World BORIS – Attention Please BORIS – Heavy Rocks STEVE EARIE – I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive GIRL NAMES – Dead To Me LIONS!TIGERS!BEARS! – Shallow Waters, Endless Depth JUILAN LYNCH – Terra RACHEL PLATTEN – Be Here POLY STYRENE – Generation Indigo THAO & MIRAH – Thao & Mirah
To find more CD releases, Log onto www.metacritic.com niteguidemag.com 7
W hat ’ s H ot for April By Kimberly Fisher
For The Ladies: Makeup: As the weather heats up, the makeup tones down. Accentuate your favorite features with light, airy neutral soft shades in preparation for spring. Fashion: No need for heavy winter clothes anymore; celebrate spring with bright florals, bold patterns and a flash of color on your shoes.
For The Drinkers: New to the market: cupcake flavored vodka. Satisfy your sweet tooth with this delectible treat from Desiree. Also coming soon: Whipped Cream flavored vodka from White Rock.
For The Foodies: Check out the East coast favorite Fig N’ Olive now open in West Hollywood. The Mediterranean tapas menu features favorites like Zucchini Carpaccio with fresh Lemon Juice, Pine Nut, Parmesan, and Picholine Olive Oil, or a Fig Gorgonzola Tartlet with Melted Gorgonzola, Prosciutto, Fig, Walnut, Arugula, and Tomato.
For The Techie: Hey Apple Fans. Have you seen the iPad 2? The new iPad features improvements across the board from the original iPad: increased processing speed, slimmer design, less weight, cameras and a gyroscope. Cost? The same.
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INDUSTRY MOVERS & SHAKERS Featured Bartender
Elyse Jordan is a bartender over at the best
Asian Bistro. Bloody Mary’s and margaritas
Elyse Jordan
spot for sushi, Ten Asian Bistro in Newport
are her favorite drinks to make...probably be-
By Gabby Goodner
Beach. Drinks are not the only things she’s
cause she loves drinking them!
shaking! You can catch Elyse heading over to the conjoined club, 8Eighty8 to shake her
Elyse began go go dancing about four years
booty all night, as one of the go go danc-
ago and still can’t believe she gets paid to do
ers for the hottest new nightclub in Orange
something she loves. She says people often
County.
ask her why she sometimes dances when the bartending money is better. She answers,
Elyse lives in Huntington Beach, where she’s
“Because my peace of mind and happiness
lived since high school. Prior to that she
out weighs any amount of money.”
Photo by Charles Street
moved around a lot. Huntington Beach High
Featured DJ DJ GOC LAROC By Kimberly Fisher As part of our DJ Interview series, we sat down with Gavin O’Connor aka DJ Goc. He discussed his start as a DJ, the many places he’s been, as well as his hopes for the future.
School was actually the 12th school she at-
When she’s not working at the restaurant
tended. She believes it was this experience
or dancing at the club, Elyse likes to keep
of moving around that has helped her with
things pretty mellow. She enjoys going out
bartending. “It helped me chit chat with a va-
to dinners, bike rides to the beach, cooking,
riety of people and get to know the different
and going to concerts. Friends, music, and
kinds of personalities the world has to offer.”
dancing are what gets her through her day.
A few years ago, Elyse started bartending at
Make sure you join Elyse at the Ten Asian
small events to make some extra cash. Her
Bistro bar for a Happy Hour Cocktail Monday
mom was a bartender for 15 years so she
-Friday 5-7pm, she can serve you up a $5
has some knowledge under her belt. This
beer, glass of wine or sushi roll. Something
side job turned into a full time job. Elyse has
to get you started before you head over to
worked several places including: El Ranchi-
8Eighty8 Nightclub next door and rock the
to, 8Eighty8 Nightclub, Rodrigo’s, and Ten
dance floor.
Where can we find you playing? Since 2004 I’ve been DJ’ing every week, NON-STOP, in Hollywood and that has kept me super busy as a hometown hero. This year it would be fun to tour other Southern Cali cities. I’ve heard of a few new nightclubs that could be fun to rock. In San Diego there’s “FLUXX” and O. C. has “8EIGHTY8.”
Dumb questions people ask? I don’t believe dumb questions exist. On the other hand people always amaze me especially when a person stands still for nearly 20 minutes, staring at me, hoping to make eye contact with me, to eventually ask: “Can you play that song that goes (then they attempt to hum strange, out of key, sounds) la, laaa, laa, la, la, la, laaaaaaaa. Nah, nah, naaaaaaaaah. You have that song, right?!”
Where are some places you have DJ’d? Sky Hotel (Aspen, Colorado), Rain (Las Vegas, Nevada), Tabu (Las Vegas, Nevada), Mokai (Miami, Florida), Trousdale (Hollywood, CA), Roxbury (Hollywood, CA), Avalon (Hollywood, CA), Les Deux (Hollywood, CA), Hyde (Hollywood, CA), The Viper Room (Hollywood, CA), Bardot (Hollywood, CA), Las Palmas (Hollywood, CA), Playhouse (Hollywood, CA) House Of Blues (Hollywood, CA), Xenii (Hollywood, CA), Conga Room (Los Angeles, CA), 90 Grad (Berlin, Germany), COMO CLUB GOLD (Pforzheim, Germany), Club MAO (Shanghai, China), Black Box (Sofia, Bulgaria), Club Hollywood (Milan, Italy), Cuixmala (Careyes, Mexico)
How did you get started? Once I finished high school, I scored a gig working for Irving Azoff (he’s a modern day music biz mogal). I learned a lot working under his wing and have been grateful ever since. To be frank, actually, that’s when my education in music began because I’m just now getting started!
Your favorite DJ? Two to recognize are Roc Raida and A.M.
3 Words that describe you? Party or die!
What would you never spin? Any song recorded by the Jonas Brothers. Best job so far? DJ’ing a wedding reception at night on a private beach with wild animals and Tahitian fire dancers in Careyes, Mexico.
Where will you be in 10 years? Onstage, cold chillin’ in a B-Boy stance, still. What would people never know about you? Most people wouldn’t know that I just started making beats this year. I can’t wait to release my first batch of bangers! If you weren’t a DJ, you would be a... An actor or an underwear model.
www
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Featured GoGo BARTENDER
NGM: What was it like dancing at the Las
onstage dancing?
Vegas Bar and Nightclub Convention for
BR: Oh geez... I’m literally laughing out loud.
By Heidi Darby Story & Photography by Rachel Salas
Monster?
Well I think about the music, I think about
BR: Intense! There were huge names watch-
being tight and strong in my moves. I try
NiteGuide Magazine’s featured go-go danc-
ing! I could actually see Camp Freddy to the
to stay smiling and not lip synch the entire
er is not only a member of breakout electro
right of the stage when we were perform-
time, aaaaand sometimes if I get tired I’ll
group 51 Fifty, but also knows how to keep
ing... Just such a surreal feeling. I’d have to
turn around and do my booty shake and
energy high on the dance floor.
say I felt honored.
think about my grocery list, lol! No, I’m kid-
Brenda Reese Geoffrey Kint
ding... Kind of! NGM: Favorite song to perform to? BR: I’d have to say our Usher, OMG remix.
NGM: Where do you see yourself in 10
As cheesy as it sounds there all my fav.
years?
We do such sick remixes to songs that the
BR: Rich and famous! No I’m kidding. In
beats get me going from start to finish!
all honesty I’d love it if 51 Fifty did take off huge and took the world by storm! That’s
NGM:
When did you get started go-go
definitely a dream I’d love to see fulfilled! But
dancing, and what were your goals?
if the fates don’t see it that way, then I see
BR: I actually started go-go dancing at 16
myself married, kids, doing hair and teach-
in a little bar in Laughlin called “Lightning
ing dance.
Strikes.” My goals for go-going were just to have fun. When I moved to Las Vegas and
NGM: What are your turn ons/turn offs?
started go-going at Wasted Space, the goal
BR: Turn ons? A gentlemen... I love a guy
changed to just wanting some freedom in
who is chivalrous! I like my door opened and
my dancing... Expressing myself.
my chair pulled out things like that. A turn off? Feet! Ohh bad feet make me cringe!
NGM: What’s on your mind when you are
Jacqueline Pascual By Christian Williams
Jacqueline Pascual is a bottle host at Marquee Nightclub, the hottest new nightclub in Las Vegas. Jacqueline shared with NiteGuide how she keeps herself focused, in shape, and centered in one of the wildest cities in the world.
Photography by PRADOFOTO
NGM: How does it feel to be a part of the hottest new night club in Las Vegas? JP: It feels so amazing to be a part of the hottest new night club in Las Vegas. I moved here two and a half years ago to pursue dancing in a show on the strip. With much prayer, hard work, and sweat working at Tao Beach, I feel like I am finally where I want to be. I have a ridiculously fun job with an incredible management team as well as coworkers and a wonderful schedule.
NGM: What are your hobbies, what do you do for fun? JP: I have few things that I am highly passionate about; one being dance.
I also love to learn about health and nutrition, and cook. I am really into the raw food diet. I love to make good healthy food and desserts and share them with people.
ing Him and doing his work. I want to travel the world and do mission work, helping the needy. I want to touch and inspire as many people as I can, to live a fulfilled life through loving the Lord and having good health.
NGM: What brought you to one of the most known cities in the world? JP: I am from Union City, California. It’s located in the Bay Area. After graduating from U.C. Riverside with my B.S. in Business Administration, I moved back home. I had been looking for “business jobs” and my boyfriend at the time asked me, “What are you doing?!” This is not you. I did some serious prayer and within a week or two, we were in Vegas, with not much but each other and a dream. NGM: Where do you see your self in 10 years? JP: Right now I am focused on a couple of things. My goal this year is to buy two pieces of property. One to live in, and one to rent. From there, I want to continue buying more and more property to make passive income through rent. While being single, I want to develop a relationship with the Lord beyond anything I can imagine, while serv-
Photo by Brenton Ho/Powers Imagery
FEATURED Bottle Host
niteguidemag.com 11
NitElife
around the world San Juan, Puerto Rico By Emmanuel Cayanan
I
t has affectionately been called “La Isla del Encanto” (The island of enchantment) and with good reason. Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory with its mix of Spanish, African and Native Taìno heritage, offers a rich blend of flavors that is present in its food, drink, music, and people. It is the island that gave us Bacardi, Captain Morgan, the piña colada, and Jennifer Lopez. So it is no wonder that its capital city of San Juan offers a vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene that has earned its own reputation as the Miami Beach or Las Vegas of the Caribbean. Enjoy luxurious beachfront hotels, casinos, shopping and dining at this popular tourist destination. By day, indulge yourself in the island’s sensational cuisine with chicken bits, roasted pork and plantains on most menus, or spend an afternoon touring and tasting at the Bacardi Rum Factory. Things really begin to heat up in the late evening, so prepare yourself for an unforgettable, lively, and colorful nightlife scene. San Juan is your own combination plate of flavor. A night here will have you convinced that the Boricuas invented partying the way they invented the piña colada.
Club BRAVA is both a lounge and a club setting. It may very well be the hottest spot in San Juan, combining high energy and laid back atmospheres. Located at El San Juan Hotel & Casino, Isla Verde, BRAVA’s main room is always buzzing with activity. In the second-floor ultra lounge, you can sit back and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed atmosphere, where guest DJs set the pace of the room. Bottle service is available in the surrounding VIP booths. Host your own private affair in the Don Q Room. BRAVA is where San Juan’s best-looking locals and out-of-towners head for a superb nightlife experience. Cover charge varies by night, but guests of the hotel get free admission.
Rumba is perhaps the quintessential Puerto Rican hot spot where the island’s pretty young things come to salsa, samba or just plain move their hips to the seductive sounds of Latin-flavored music. Show up past 11 p.m. to be greeted by a diverse crowd and live bands ready to deliver feverish sets of salsa, reggaeton, rock en Español and rumba. You may recognize the venue from the 2004 film, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.
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Club Lazers, at the intersection of Calle Cruz and Fortaleza is a popular spot when the cruise ships port. It is a triple threat with three settings to choose from – a ground floor pub, a second floor club scene where you can move your hips to Latin rock, house, or salsa, and a rooftop terrace overlooking the bay where you can enjoy a cocktail amid illuminating city lights. Enjoy the best in hip hop and R&B on Fridays and the hottest in reggeaton on Saturdays.
El Batey in Old San Juan is for those who prefer the dive bar setting. Decorated with graffiti and with an antiquated wooden bar seemingly on its last leg, El Batey is a popular spot for locals, tourists and cruise ship crew members alike. Down some shots, shoot some pool and surrender your pocket change to the vintage jukebox in the corner. There is something inarguably genuine about this bar. El Batey is Old San Juan.
Tangerine Restaurant at the San Juan Water & Beach Club Hotel is a vibrant and intriguing spot where tropical meets modern chic. Mixing some of the best Mojitos on the island, Tangerine is ideal for a romantic rendezvous with its soft ambient music and sexy lighting. Come for just the cocktail hour or treat yourself to an interesting fusion of cuisine that blends Caribbean, Latin and Asian influences. End your evening on the rooftop lounge, an intimate setting where you can enjoy the fresh air, the cocktails and each other on stylish white leather sofas.
Krash Klub (spelled the “Kardashian” fashion, as you can see) is a gay club in Santurce, just outside of the tourist center of San Juan. It is one of the best places for dancing, offering a wide variety of music throughout the week, from reggeaton and hip hop to house and tribal. Having recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, Krash offers great music, cheap drinks, drag shows, and fun lighting effects.
niteguidemag.com 13
T
he season is upon us! Music festivals are here in full swing and it’s time to rock out, with whatever you want out. Historically, the goal of throwing a festival is to celebrate. To me, we are off to a good start because celebration is truth. Add music to the word festival, and we’ve got a 1-2 combo. On top of that, music festivals have two grandscale things going for them: 1) Festivals are annually the place where it all goes down in music. 2) Festivals are the spot for people like you and me, the misunderstood, avant-garde, or just plain freaky, to cut loose and let the soul breathe! My goal in writing this month-to-month piece is to help lead you to where innovation and change in music will be happening. I want to use my knowledge to hopefully make sure we capture, live and in person, some memorable moments together! Music festivals are without a doubt the single most awesome place to ensure such historic performances will go down: Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock ’69 iconic rendition of the Star Spangled Banner; Nine Inch Nail’s epic 2 hour set at Roskilde ’09; and Daft Punk lighting up Coachella ‘06 which erupted in YouTube madness and solidified their spot as the ruling dance-music duo of the world. Artists, industry, press, and most importantly fans, are swarming these gatherings to catch these great things as they occur. These festivals heartily encourage the wild celebration of not just the man or woman on stage, but the ones in the crowd as well. It’s in these festivals that we experience an atmosphere that invites our inner artist to come out and play; a rare environment, indeed. Sometimes explosive, this phenomenon is where the true magic happens. The dormant beast is allowed to roam freely. This is important, even spiritual, to me. I can be let out of my cage, which is a freedom I constantly seek ways to achieve. Clearly, many share this sentiment. The tattooed, pierced, artsy, bizarre, masochistic, passionate-self is safe and celebrated here. This is our place. No judgments. No suits. The only line you have to stay in is for the port-a-potty, and that line is constantly broken. I think the parting words on Glastonbury Festival’s website tell it all: “whilst at Glastonbury Festival forget all instructions (as long as doing so involves hurting no one) and ENJOY!”
primitive in a perfect way. Animal Collective, Steve Angello, A-Trak, Mumford & Sons, Duck Sauce, of course Kanye West, and endless others will be there raising the bar and blowing our minds. Celebrity, VIP lounges, rented mansions, camping – all there. You can trip out on the latest dub step all weekend or really get into your favorite indie alt-rockers. Nobody cares, except you and your desires. It’s the perfect over-the top So Cal event, blended with a historic art festival that creates a true representation of our culture here. Locally throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall, we have lots to choose from with great performances and chances to let your inner kid loose. Orange County has stepped up the game with gatherings including Pacific Festival, Doheny Blues, and the low-profile Lightning In A Bottle, which is apparently A-MA-ZING. To the North, Long Beach Reggae Festival. EDC moved to Vegas -tear- but that is still close enough for me. San Diego has 91x Fest. LA has the newly arisen behemoth Sunset Strip Music Festival. Sadly, a number of local fests have died recently, including Street Scene in San Diego. I think it’s time for our local investors and music trendsetters to get back on the horse and fight ordinances that work against these festivals and their organizers. We need to breathe (side note, these are great for local economy and the financial return is enormous if done right, ahem). A quick flight away is Bonnaroo in June (Tennessee) with diverse acts like Eminem, Neil Young and Bass Nectar. Can you imagine the mix of fans there?! Lollapalooza is in August in Chicago, Bumbershoot in Seattle in September, both with lineups TBA, but they have a reputation for excellence. And the Big Daddy of them all, spanning 11 days, over 800 music acts, and around 1,000,000 people: Summerfest in Milwaukee (late June / early July) is dubbed as the largest festival in the world, per Guinness Book of World Records. If you have the opportunity to go international, (as always) do it! Glastonbury (U.K.) is highly regarded as one of the best festivals ever. It’s in June w/ Beyonce, Coldplay, U2 and 40 other stages of musical madness. Or if you’re the Burning Man type, and anti-corporate sponsorship, you can hit All Tomorrow’s Parties (yes, named after the Velvet Underground Song).
On that note, I think we should tip the hat to Burning Man, arguably the antithesis to the modern-day music festival. Converging in late August in The Black Rock Desert of Nevada, this unexplainable event has done amazing work to maintain the essence of a festival. It celebrates exactly what it is trying to celebrate. Yes, there’s music there. We don’t know what. That’s one of its many points of strength, its intrinsic nebulosity. But in reference to the notes above, such as freedom of self, immediacy, connection, entertainment, this is where you go. Put it on the bucket list.
By John Helmrich
Coachella. The word has become more than a brand. Coachella is a lifestyle and is internationally setting the bar for festivals. The intimate setting in the desert valley somehow resonates viscerally with our primal beings. It’s
- John Helmrich is the owner of Buz Artist, a Southern California based artist agency. john@thebuzzcompany.com - Twitter me: @johnhelmrich
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As this article prints, we all will just have heard the stories and headlines from WMC/Ultra and SXSW. Let it serve as a fire in the sky for great things to come. For me, it serves as a great motivator to achieve a higher self, and reach the goals I have set, to have the freedom to hop on a plane or buy a weekend-long VIP pass to whatever damn festival I want. To see, to believe, to breathe, to connect. I hope to see you there.
NightClub & Bar Show Review
N
iteGuide Magazine attended the 2011 Nightclub & Bar Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. We wanted to be the first to see try all the new products coming out. Companies traveled from all over the country to display their new up and coming product. We tried them all and have narrowed it down to 12 lucky winners and we highly suggest trying these products!
NutLiquor- Most interesting taste
High Roller Vodka- Most Unique Brand
Devotion Vodka- Best Booth
Orchid Liqueurs- Best Product Line
Agwa- Best presentation
Tres Sietes Tequila- Smoothest Tequila
Red Parrot Bloody Marry- Favorite Drink
Titos Vodka- Smoothest Vodka
Flav- Best Mixer
Vivid Vodka- Sexiest Product
Signature Vodka- Best bottle design
Party Star- Best Party Shot
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FEATURED BAND
By Heidi Darby
D
elta Spirit broke onto the music scene with their successful debut album Ode To Sunshine, and followed up with their critically acclaimed sophomore album, History From Below. What began with selling CD’s out of a trunk, caught fire by word of mouth and gave life to the career of one of the finest bands to come out of Southern California. With a new album in the works, NiteGuide had the chance to catch up with guitarist and lead singer Matthew Vasquez to discuss his late night park habits, how their influences affect their sound, and what it’s like to play a festival.
NGM: Legend has it that you were discovered by members of your band busking on a park bench at 2:00 am. MV: Yes. That is 100% factual. NGM: So busking aside, how did Delta Spirit come to fruition? MV: We were all friends for a long time. We had three independent stories that revolved around the apocalypse of the record industry. We all had contracts, and big record labels. All our friends had big contracts, and big record labels, and huge garuntees. Our future was so bright we had to wear shades. And then it all failed, about the same time, and spun us out in different directions. After that we realized we shouldn’t let an industry person who doesn’t have any job security tell us what kind of music we should make. NGM: You choose pretty remote locations for your recording sessions, correct? MV: We did Ode To Sunshine in a cabin in the mountains for twenty-five hundred bucks and dumpster dived for food. We did this
last one (History From Below) for forty-eight, slept in a farmhouse, and recorded where Tom Waits recorded. We got Bo (Koster) and Carl (Broemel) from My Morning Jacket to work with us. We’re rehearsing in our back house right now for our third full length. I’m not sure how far out we’ll go this time. NGM: You’ve got a certain Americana quality to your voice. Are you a fan of the genre? MV: Yep. I sure am. NGM: Care to elaborate? MV: Kurt Cobain is the reason I began singing. What makes our band ‘our band’ is that everybody has some different influences, and some similar influences. We come at it this way and that, and take the song and do our best to destroy it. Or at least try to. We’re not out to be a purist in music. NGM: You’ve played festivals before, but this is your first gig at Coachella. Does it feel like a homecoming in terms of the festival circuit? MV: Kind of, yeah. We’ve been there a few
times just hanging out. We’re really looking forward to playing. It’s gonna be a good show. NGM: What’s it like playing festivals? MV: You have five minutes to switch over, and you’re playing to twice as many people. It’s like being rushed onto a stage, and it’s really, really hot, and everybody’s dehydrated, and basically drunk. The energy usually translates. Playing a festival is like playing a local show. But there’s just way more pressure. You kind of have this rush like you’re the middle band. It’s good, it’s humbling, it’s challenging. It’s like a rally gig. NGM: So it’s a positive thing? MV: Certainly if you get in the groove with it, it’s really fun. You have more people to deal with, and more people to rile up, and be riled up by. The show tends to be a bit crazier. We’re doing a bunch of festivals this summer, and in between those we’ll be finishing up our next record.
niteguidemag.com 17
Kitty’s Guide:
To Meeting and Mating in the Real World
“An Invitation to a Swingers’ Party”
I
have chosen to be in a non-monogamous relationship. I think monogamy is great, for other people. It’s just not for me. I am involved in the swinger scene in Orange County. And believe it or not, the swinger scene is BIG in Southern California. But, my monogamous (and curious) friends ask me a lot of questions about my experiences and about swinger parties. So, I thought I’d dispel some of the myths about what the swinger lifestyle is, and what it isn’t. First off, the swinger lifestyle is really geared towards couples. There are some single guys and girls who are swingers, but most parties only allow couples and single women. Single men, women and couples can also meet through swingers’ websites. Most couples are “full swap” which means that they have sex with other couples, but some couples are “soft swap” which means that only have intercourse with their partner, but they may play with others or have sex in the same room with others. You are never required to do anything you don’t want to do. Some couples start out “soft swap” and move up to “full swap”. As for the parties, they are not just about people having sex everywhere. In fact, most of the parties I go to are held at local clubs and restaurants. The club is closed to the public and is only open to those in the swinger community who are on the guest list. These types of parties are a great avenue to meeting new people. However, because they are held in public clubs and restaurants, there usually isn’t any sex going on at the party. People at swingers’ parties are very friendly and respectful. No one grabs you without asking or assumes that you will have sex with them. One of the aspects of lifestyle parties that I really enjoy is that you can go up to just about anyone and start up a conversation. I’ve met some great people at swingers’ parties, some of which have become good friends that I hang out with outside of the lifestyle. If you meet someone at a party or club (or on online swingers’ websites) that you like and want to hook up with, you can go to a hotel close by, an after party or someone’s home. In a bar or club, there is typically no nudity allowed, therefore no public sex. At a private home or hotel room, there are no such limitations. Therefore, at an after party it is common to see people having sex all around. This does NOT mean that you are in any way obligated to join in or do anything! There are plenty of people who are voyeuristic and just watch without participating or those who prefer to play in a more private setting. Proper party etiquette is that no one will touch you sexually without talking to you first and asking your permission. There are also mansion and private parties that take place in private homes and therefore follow the same format as an after party. And there are swingers’ clubs that have different rooms to play in and you can meet people and hook up right away, but you must be a member to attend and they cannot serve alcohol (but you can BYOB). Now, even though I am in the lifestyle and it works for me, I do not recommend it for most people. In order to be in the lifestyle you must be able to communicate openly and honestly with your partner and you must be able to participate without jealousy. This is difficult, if not impossible, for most people. To enjoy this type of lifestyle, your relationship must be built on a solid foundation of good communication, honesty, trust and no jealousy issues from either party. Also, don’t go into the swinger scene expecting to have a bunch of FMF threesomes. Single girls are rare in the lifestyle. If you and your partner want to try a threesome with another girl, do that somewhere else. Don’t get me wrong, it does happen in the swinger lifestyle, but if that is all you are looking for, you will be disappointed. If you want more information about the swingers’ lifestyle or for more dating and relationship advice, go to: www.facebook.com/pinkkittystore or write to kittysguide@gmail.com Alysia Batchelder is the owner of Pink Kitty in Irvine, CA
www.pinkkittystore.com and is a sex expert and educator.
Sarah McDowd MYCLUBSCENE.com April 2011 VIXEN
Photo by Keith Mizuno
Photo by Gary Miller
To see more photos of Sarah McDowd log onto MyClubScene.com
Summer Music Festival Guide
W
ithin the last ten years, music festivals have outgrown their underground charm to become a mainstream phenomenon. With a small number dating back to the 70’s, summer festivals now spread like wildfire through the United States. Leading off with a musical mecca in England, NiteGuide has chosen a diverse list of amazing events worth checking out this festival season. By Heidi Darby
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts Somerset County, England The grandaddy fest of them all, Glastonbury thrives in England as the biggest five day music festival in the world. Beginning in 1970 as the Pilton Pop, Folk, and Blues Festival, Glastonbury surged among the hippie era music celebrations such as Isle of Wight and Woodstock. Held on Worthy Farm in mystic Somerset County, the event’s rich history includes an insane amount of mud (and mud covered music lovers), and the growth of attendees from 1,500 in 1970 to 180,000 in 2010. Attracting musicians for forty years, headliners have included David Bowie, The Smiths, Elvis Costello, Pet Shop Boys, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada, and countless others.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival Manchester, Tennessee Hailed as the premier music festival in America, Bonnaroo celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and its evolution into an American institution. Originally founded to showcase the jam-band scene, Bonnaroo takes place on a 500 acre farm in Tennessee. Modeled after mega-fests in Europe, epic moments have occurred on the comically named “Which” and “What” stages, and inside “This” tent and “That” tent. Though the elite headliners are the big draw, it’s the unexpected surprises that make the event truly memorable. In 2006 Stevie Nicks joined Tom Petty onstage for their 1981 hit “Stop Dragging My Heart Around,” with an equally impressive performance in 2007 from Tool playing “Lateralus” with Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello. Inspiring dozens of festivals across the US to follow in it’s path, “The Roo” presents world class headliners every year, and offers its own radio station and daily newspaper.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival New Orleans, Louisiana The true spirit of Jazz Fest began in 1970 when the legendary chance encounter of gospel great Mahilia Jackson and the Eureka Brass Band paraded through the first festival in Beauregard Square. This symbolized not only the union of New Orleans music and heritage, but the soul of the cultural celebration as well. Falling over two weekends, a variety of unofficial shows at smaller venues keep the festivities going for over a week straight, reminiscent of the city’s world famous Mardi Gras. As the attendees grew, so did the spectrum of artists, ranging from early talent like Fats Domino, The Meters, and Miles Davis, to current appearances by Lenny Kravitz, Aretha Franklin, Allman Brothers Band, and Kid Rock. The event moved to the historic Fair Grounds Race Course in 1973, where it continues to this day. 20 niteguidemag.com
2011 Festival Line-up Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Indio, California
Jazz Festival [New Orleans, Louisiana] April 29-May 8
Arguably the most eclectic and unique music festival in America, Coachella continues to pull out seemingly impossible reunions in the desert heat of Indio, California. Notable resurrections include Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Pixies, Rage Against The Machine, My Bloody Valentine, and Portishead. This year the hipster fest will reunite Death From Above 1979, and features acts like Lauryn Hill, The Chemical Brothers, and Mumford and Sons. The event offers onsite camping, and over the years has displayed interaction art like the electrifying Tesla Coil, and features the stunning performance art troupe Lucent Dossier Experience.
Bamboozle [East Rutherford, New Jersey] April 29-May 1 The Big 4 [Indio, California] April 23 Stagecoach [Indio, California] April 30-May 1 Hangout Music Festival [Gulf Shores Alabama] May 20-22 LA Acoustic Music Festival [Santa Monica, California] May 22 Sasquatch [George, Washington] May 27-30 Sacremento Jazz Fest & Jubilee [Sacremento, California] May 27-30 Rocklahoma [Pryor, Oklahoma] May 27-29
Summerfest Milwaukee, Wisconsin Known as the “Big Gig” this eleven day long music festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin earned The Guinness Book of World Records honor for the world’s largest music festival. Acquiring a combined 1,000,000 attendees across eleven days, artists perform on multiple outdoor stages, and the 25,000 person capacity Marcus ampitheatre. Showcasing artists from Nine Inch Nails to Bon Jovi, the festival also hosts comedians including George Carlin, who at the 1972 festivities was arrested for violating obscenity laws. Now that’s a party.
Detroit Electronic Festival [Detroit, Michigan] May 28-30 Wakarusa Mulberry [Mountain-Ozark, Arkansas] June 2-5 Bonnaroo [Manchester, Tennessee] June 9-12 Telluride Bluegrass Festival [Telluride, Colorado] June 16-19 Electric Daisy Carnival [Las Vegas, Nevada] June 24-June 25 Country Stampede [Manhattan, Kansas] June 23-26 Electric Forest [Rothbury, Michigan] June 30-July 3 Summerfest [Milwaukee, Wisconsin] June 30-July 8
Ultra Music Festival Miami, Florida Undeniably the most important electronic music festival in America, Ultra takes place in Miami, Florida and attracts over 75,000 people from around the globe. Taking place in the expansive Bicentennial Park, Ultra traditionally fell during the week of the Winter Music Conference, but this year followed after. Headlining the biggest names in electronica, Ultra also works as a precursor to break new artists. Repeat heavy hitters on the lineup included Carl Cox, Tiesto, Deadmau5, and Armin Van Buuren. Expanding to three days this year, Ultra continued it’s affinity for instrumental music, picking up a handful of bands including Duran Duran, The Disco Biscuits, and The Klaxons to broaden appeal.
Pitchfork Music Festival [Chicago, Illinois] July 15-17 Lollapalooza [Chicago, Illinois] August 5-7 Outside Lands [San Francisco, California] August 12-14 Burning Man [Black Rock City, Nevada] August 29-September 5 Bumbershoot [Seattle, Washington] September 3-5 Austin City Limits [Austin, Texas] September 16-18 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival [San Francisco, California] September 30-Oct 2 Voodoo Festival [New Orleans, Louisiana] October 28-30
Ultra Music Festival 2011 Story by Heidi Darby | Photography by Chris Day
T
he Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida attracted over 150,000 attendees over three days, enlisting the worlds most elite DJ’s to participate in what’s become the most important electronic music festival in America. Spanning March 25-27, Ultra extended 2011‘s festival by one day. The extra day allowed for a more versatile and complete lineup than ever before, and drew electronic music lovers from over 70 countries. NiteGuide gained access to the mega fest this year, where our photographers and company heads were able to witness the festivities first hand. “The weather was perfect, and this really worked as great way for our magazine to branch out. We were able to distribute our magazines onsite, in addition to getting great festival coverage for our SoCal readers. With the amazing music, friendly atmosphere, and beautiful setting, we couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” Nicole Lloyd, NiteGuide creative director, said. The festival was held in Bicentennial Park, and spanned six stages. With tickets completely selling out, the park brimmed with music lovers from every walk of life. From swanky club types to candy ravers, the expanse of electronic beats threaded EDM lovers of all genres together. Not only showcasing the hottest electronic artists, Ultra hosted several alternative rock bands, which added to the allure and appeal of the festival. Friday’s lineup included heavy hitters Tiesto, Carl Cox, and british pop super group Duran Duran. Also enhancing Friday’s bill was Italian godfather of Electro, Benny Benassi, and synth-pop heros Erasure. Saturday’s talent included Canadian progressive champion deadmau5, Afrojack, and SoCal’s own Steve Aoki. Saturday additionally brought Moby, British indie rockers The Klaxons, Empire of The Sun, and Underworld. Sunday brought the appearance of the “A State of Trance 500” stage, headed by Armin Van Buuren, with support from ATB, Cosmic Gate, and Ferry Corsten. Sunday’s impressive lineup continued with Dieselboy, Skrillex, Crystal Castles, DaDa Life, and The Glitch Mob.
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By Emmanuel Cayanan
niteguidemag.com 23
5 Bands You’re Not listening to, but should be!
By Heidi Darby
Middle Class Rut While there’s a good chance you’ve already heard of these guys, it’s my job to make sure. A two piece out of Sacramento, their catchy hooks and stripped down sound make their angsty swagger irresistible. With Zack Lopez on guitar, and Sean Stockham on drums, (the pair share singing privileges) think of them as a suburban garage version of The Black Keys. And that’s a good thing.
Givers Based out of Lafayette, Louisiana this is an indie group with the heart of a jam band. Their penchant for instrument swap ping, and tendency to dip into southern styles of music, make the Givers a band you want to take home. While their quirki ness catches your eye, it’s their edginess that makes them legitimate, relevant, and well worth checking out.
Nico Vega Currently heading into to the studio for their second LP, Nico Vega is another group that’s hardly new to the scene, but shines among bands on the cusp of breaking out. A three piece rock band with lyrics that offer conviction and music that stirs the soul, Nico Vega is not only a band that should be on your iPod, they should be on your live show bucket list.
Empress Hotel A newbie band out of New Orleans, Empress Hotel has a pleasing sound full of tambourines and poppy synth beats. This five piece offers sweet melodies and laid back appeal, that provides a mellow groove. Not many bands create music that makes you want to crack a beer in a field of lilies.
Black Mountain Popular in their native Canada and well traveled in the US, Black Mountain have three LP’s under their belts and create an ethereal rock sound reminiscent of great 60’s psychedelia. Their intoxicating instrumentals and moving vocals lure your at tention and never let go. Well received across the world, and snagging a song on the Spiderman 3 soundtrack, this amazing band has managed to remain under the radar.
BAR/CLUB DIRECTORY
Fluxx | 500 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-232-8100 | www.fluxxsd.com
SAN DIEGO
On Broadway [San Diego]
Onyx Room [San Diego]
Voyeur [San Diego]
LOUNGEsix [San Diego]
Float [San Diego]
8Eighty8 [Newport Beach]
207 5th Ave, CA 92101 619-702-3000 www.hardrockhotelsd.com
4647 MacArthur Blvd, CA 92660
Spin [San Diego]
Galaxy Theatre [Santa Ana]
2028 Hancock, CA 92110
3503 South Harbor Blvd, CA 92704
619-294-9590 www.spinnightclub.com
714-957-0600 www.galaxytheatre.com
Ivy Nightclub [San Diego]
Avec [Huntington Beach]
600 F Street, CA 92101 619-814-2055 www.ivyentertainmentsandiego.com
18582 Beach Blvd, CA 92646 714-475-4660 www.avecnightclub.com
Stingaree [San Diego]
Heat Ultra Lounge [Anaheim]
454 6th Ave, CA 92101 619-544-9500 www.stingsandiego.com
321 W Katella Ave # 214, CA 92802 714-776-4328 www.heatultraloungeo.com
615 Broadway, CA 92101 619-231-0011 www.obec.tv 852 Fifth Ave, CA 92101 619-235-6699 www.onyxroom.com 755 5th Ave, CA 92101 619-756-7678 www.voyeursd.com 616 J Street, CA 92101 619-531-8744 www.jsixrestaurant.com
The Tipsy Crow [San Diego]
770 Fifth Ave, CA 92101 619-338-9300 www.thetipsycrow.com
Confidential [San Diego]
901 4th Ave, CA 92101 619-696-8888 www.confidentialsd.com
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ORANGE COUNTY 949-660-1010 www.8Eighty8.com
Eye Candy Bikini Bar [Costa Mesa]
1562 Newport Blvd, CA 92627 949-548-6984 www.eyecandybikinibar.com
Woody’s Wharf [Newport Beach]
2318 Newport Blvd, CA 92663 949-675-0474 www.woodyswharf.com
195 Bar [Anaheim]
Ember [Anaheim]
Sutra [Costa Mesa] Commonwealth [Newport Beach]
195 W Center Street Promenade, CA 92805 714-999-8699 www.195bar.com 401 N, Anaheim CA 92805 714-991-5101 www.emberofanaheim.com 1807 Harbor Blvd, CA 92627 949-722-7103 www.sutraoc.com 2406 Newport Blvd, CA 92663 949-675-4444 www.commonwealthlounge.com
Marquee Nightclub | 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 | 702-521-4005 | www.marqueelasvegas.com
LOS ANGELES
Voyeur [Santa Monica]
Exchange [Los Angeles]
The Penthouse [Santa Monica]
The Highlands [Hollywood]
LAS VEGAS
Drai’s [Hollywood]
Moon [Las Vegas]
6250 Hollywood Blvd, CA 90028 323-962-1111 www.draislosangeles.com
4321 West Flamingo Road, NV 89103 702-942-6832 www.n9negroup.com
Crimsin [San Pedro]
Rain Nightclub [Las Vegas]
345 W. 6th St, CA 90731 310-833-8818 www.myspace.com/crimsinla
4321 West Flamingo Road, NV 89103 702-942-6832 www.n9negroup.com
Level 3 [Hollywood]
XS [Las Vegas]
6801 Hollywood Blvd #367, CA 90028 323-461-2017 www.level3hollywood.com
3131 Las Vegas Blvd South, NV 89109 702-770-0097 www.xslasvegas.com
Mai Tai Bar [Long Beach]
Haze [Las Vegas]
97 Aquarium Way, CA 90802 562-435-1200 www.maitaibar.com
3730 Las Vegas Blvd South, NV 89103 702-590-8000 www.hazenightclub.com
7969 Santa Monica Blvd, CA 90046 323-654-0208 www.voyeur7969.com 618 S. Spring Street, CA 90014 213-627-8070 www.exchangela.com 1111 2nd Street, CA 90403 310-394-5454 www.thehuntleyhotel.com 6801 Hollywood Blvd #433, CA 90028 323-461-9800 www.thehighlandshollywood.com
H. Wood [Hollywood]
1783 North Orange Drive, CA 90028 323-871-2262 www.thehwood.com
Kress [Hollywood]
6608 Hollywood Blvd, CA 90028 323-785-5000 www.thekress.net
TAO [Las Vegas]
Vanity Nightclub [Las Vegas]
3377 South Las Vegas Blvd, NV 89109 702-492-3960 www.taolasvegas.com 4455 Paradise Rd, NV 89109 702-693-4000 www.hardrockhotel.com
LAX [Las Vegas]
3900 South Las Vegas Blvd, NV 89119 702-492-3960 www.laxthenightclub.com
Pure [Las Vegas]
3570 South Las Vegas Blvd, NV 89109 702-492-3960 www.purethenightclub.com
Jet [Las Vegas] VooDoo Lounge [Las Vegas]
3400 South Las Vegas Blvd, NV 89109 702-693-8300 www.lightgroup.com 3700 W. Flamingo Rd, NV 89103 702-492-3960 www.riolasvegas.com
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HAPPY-HOUR GUIDE ORANGE COUNTY Costa mesa Anchor Bar: 949.574.4995 Wed 7:30pm 1/2 off pizza, $2 drafts, $3 wells Memphis: 714.432.768 Mon-Fri 2:30-6:30pm Late Night Menu: Wed & Thu:10pm-12am Skosh Monahans: 714.751.6428 4-6:30pm Daily 1/2 off Selected Appetizers 25% Off All Bottles of Wine Pint, Pitcher & Drink Discounts
FULLERTON Cantina Lounge: 714.879.8094 Beers: $3.50, Wells: $4.50 Appetizers: $5.00 House Tequila shots: $2.50 Margaritas: $3.00 Bud Drafts: $2.00, Bud Light Drafts: $2.50 Corona’s: $5, Heineken: $2.50 Titan Bombs (Cactus Coolers): $6 Tacos: $1, Wings: $.50 cent
LONG BEACH Cafe Sevilla: 562.495.1111 Daily 4:30-6:30pm in Tapas Bar $4 selected cocktails Buy 1 Barrel of Sangria/Margarita get 1 FREE Platter Mai Tai Bar: 562.435.1200 4–7pm Daily $5 Appetizers Domestic Beer: $2.50 pints / $6 pitcher Import Beer: $3.00 pints / $9 pitcher Well Drinks: $3.00 House Wine: $3.00 Specialty Drinks: $4.00 Late Night Happy Hour Domestic Beer: $2.50 pints / $6 pitcher Import Beer: $3.00 pints / $9 pitcher Well Drinks: $3.00 House Wine: $3.00 Specialty Drinks: $4.00 Panama Joe’s: 562.434.7417 Mon–Fri 3-7pm 2 for 1 Any Drink, Any Size! Tapas starting at $1.25
Commonwealth Lounge: 714.525.8888 (Fullerton) Daily 5pm-7pm 1⁄2 off Appetizers, $3 Draught Beers $4 Wells, $5 Sangria, Martinis & Wines Wed- 5-10pm 1/2 off glass 25% off bottles Thurs- 5-10pm Ladies Night 1⁄2 off apps, $5 Sangria, Martinis, Wine $5 LATE NIGHT MENU Available Slidebar: 714.871.2233 Mon-Fri 3-6pm ½ Price Drinks ½ Price Appetizers
Garden Grove On The Rocks Bar & Grill: 714.896.9000 Mon- Fri 3-7pm $1 off Draft & Bottle Beer, House Wine, Wells $1 off selected appetizers HUNTINGTON Kabuki: 714.898.9239 Mon-Fri 3-6pm 1/2 off Apps., salads, sushi & special rolls $2 draft beer & sake $3.25 house wines $5.50 mojitos Sharkeez: 714.960.5282 Jack/Cptn & Coke: $4 Captain & Coke: $4 Skyy Cocktail: $3.50
Yard House: 562.628.0455 Mon-Fri 3–6pm Sun-Wednesday 10pm - Midnight Domestic Pints: $3.50 Craft/Imports Pints: $4.25 - $4.50 Goblets: $4.75 - $5.00 Well Drinks: $4.25 House Martinis: $6.00 Wine by Glass: $2.00 off Select Half-off Pizzas & Appetizers Paradise Piano Bar & Restaurant: 562.590.8773 Everyday 3–7pm Evo Lounge: 562.438.2026 Mon-Fri 3pm-8pm $1 Tacos $2 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Margaritas $3 Wells 1/2 off Appetizers Sat-Sun 11am-3pm $3 Breakfast Burritos $4 Bloody Mary Pints $3 Mimosas & $20 bottle of Champagne Mimosas Bucket of Beers: $15 Domestic/$20 Import Gallagher’s Pub & Grill: 562.856.8000 Mon-Fri 4-7pm Well Drinks: $3.00 Domestic Beers: $8.00 pitcher / $3.00 pints Import Beers: $10.00 pitcher / $4.00 pints
Skyy Red Bulls: $4 *same for NB location Tuna Town: 714.536.3194 Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sun: 5-7pm 35% off food, drink specials. Drafts & Wells: $2 Sake: $1
NEWPORT BEACH Commonwealth Lounge: 949.675.4444 (Newport) Daily 5pm-7pm 1⁄2 0ff Appetizers, $3 Draught Beers $4 Wells, $5 Sangria, Martinis & Wines Wed- 5-10pm 1/2 off glass 25% off bottles Thurs- 5-10pm Ladies Night 1⁄2 off apps, $5 Sangria, Martinis, Wine $5 LATE NIGHT MENU Available Ten Asian Bistro: 949.660.1010 Mon-Fri 5-7pm $5 Sushi Rolls & Apps $5 Beer & Wine Il Giardino: 949.660.1010 Mon-Fri 5-7pm $5 Italian Apps & Artisan Cheese Platters $5 Martinis, Wine & Beer
KCB Branaghans Irish Pub: 562.434.3600 Mon: All appetizers & house wines ½ off Friday: Pitchers $13.00 Sgt Peppers: 562.499.4600 Wed-Thurs 7pm-8:30pm Sunday 8pm-8:30pm $3 Well Drinks 1/2 off appetizers $4 House Wine 8:30-close Wed: Well Drinks $3 8:30-close Thurs: Select Drafts $3 8:30-close Sun: PBR Tall Can & Whisky $3 Wokcano Restaurant & Lounge: 323.952.1122 3-7pm Daily ½ off Draft Beer ½ off Well Drinks House selection Red or White Wine: $4 Smooth’s Sports Grille: 562.437.7700 Mon-Fri 3:30–6:30pm Drafts: $3.00 Wells: $3.00 Appetizers & Martinis: $5.00 320 Main: 562.799.6246 Tues-Sun 5pm-7pm Well Drinks: $4.00 Select Wine: $4.00 Draft Beer: $4.00 Select Appetizers: $4.00
*Above information is subject to change. Please check website for updated pricing.
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Festival Frenzy: Five Things You’re Guaranteed to See at a Summer Music Festival By Heidi Darby The Naked Guy. For whatever reason, this young lad has partaken in a little too much fun over the weekend, and everyone around him is forced to pay the price. I’ve seen it on both coasts at two different festivals, and both scenarios ended with a young gentlemen in his birthday suit being led away by law enforcement officers. Moral of the story: Stay away from the free koolaid. The extraordinary. When attending a music festival, there’s a good chance you’re going for the all around experience. From a mellow acoustic fest, to a three day rager, little flashes of the amazing and extraordinary are tucked in every corner. A stunning diva on stilts speed walking towards a show he’s unwilling to miss, a beautiful girl decked out in head to toe glitter dancing around in pirouettes, or a a phenomenal breakdancer entertaining a ring of onlookers, are only a handful of examples of what people let out at a music fest. People watching is amazing at these gigantic events, so don’t be afraid to enjoy the view (or be a part of it.)
The ordinary. So when you throw tens of thousands of people together, there’s going to be comedy releif. For instance, you can count on the drunken frat boy (the one who most likely hit the beer bong twice and downed three shots of Jack before 11am) to spend twenty minutes trying to put on his flip flops. You can also count on seeing the person who’s been separated from their group, hopelessly asking people in the parking lot, “have you seen a blue car? I think it’s a honda.” And let’s not forget the crispy red, thoroughly dehydrated music lover, who forgot they came to see music instead of marathon drinking in the middle of the day with no sunscreen. They can be spotted curled up under six inches of shade trying to sleep away their $250 festival ticket. Disclaimer: I may or may not have had loose experiences with all of these scenarios;) A band you’ve never heard of. This may seem a bit obvious, but it’s one of the best parts of experiencing a music festival. Don’t get me wrong, on the path to this greatness, you’re going to come across the greatly weird, but it’s all part of the festival charm. You may have to endure
you’re buddy’s fascination with experimental balloon popping percussionists to find the next phase in alternative music bliss. Being pulled towards a stage on groove alone speaks volumes about a band that hasn’t made it to your iPod yet. The set of a lifetime. Stevie Nicks onstage with Tom Petty? Check. Rage Against The Machine after a seven year hiatus? Handled. Flea performing with Jane’s Addiction? Done. There are people out there who will tell you there are many reasons to despise music festivals. They’re crowded, acts rarely have time to set up and sound check how they’d like to, and they’re often heavily commercialized and over priced. Yet aside from all of this, there’s an oasis in the desert of doubt and haters. There’s that amazing set that can only be realized in front of a sea of people, experiencing a monumental performance together. This holy grail of live shows draws people running across a field at near sprint to catch what’s so obviously exploding at that very moment. The set that’s capable of drawing a roar from tens of thousands of people. The set of a lifetime. And at a festival, you’re going to catch a few.
April 2011 Events Listing:
LOS ANGELES Every Monday [Ecco] Cotton Club Mondays Every Tuesday [Mai Tai Bar] $1 Tacos, $5 Don Julio shots & Steele Rod LIVE Every Wednesday [Mai Tai Bar] Big Fun Wednesdays Every Thursday [Level 3] College Club Night 18+ Every Thursday [Mai Tai Bar] College Night Happy Hour All Night with Valid College ID 21+ April 1, Friday [Mai Tai Bar] Grand Prix Party w/ Tini Grey April 1, Friday [Vanguard] Departure April 1, Friday [Exchange] Andy Caldwell April 1, Friday [My House] Top Guns XXX April 1, Friday [Playhouse] Dirty Sexy House Fridays April 2, Saturday [Palladium] Insomniac Enhanced Concert Series April 2, Saturday [Echoplex] Bootie LA April 2, Saturday [The Blvd] Late Night @ the BLVD April 5, Tuesday [Cinespace] Dim Mak Tuesdays April 8, Friday [Vanguard] Departure w/ Diplo April 5, Friday [Avalon] Control April 7, Thursday [Highlands] Epic April 8, Friday [Music Box] L.A. Beatdown April 8 & 9, Friday & Saturday [Streets of Long Beach] Long Beach Street Course April 8, Friday [Avalon] Chris Lake April 10, Sunday [The Standard] EM Sundays: Back to Basics April 11, Monday [Playhouse] Dave Dresdon April 15, Friday [Avalon] Control w/ Treasure Fingers April 15-17, Friday-Sunday [Long Beach] Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach April 16, Friday [Playhouse] Dirty Sexy House April 19, Tuesday [The Roxy Theatre] Hard Presents: Joy Orbison April 22, Friday [Music Box] Avicii & Glen Morrison April 23, Friday [Avalon] Control w/ Nero April 28, Thursday [Panama Joe’s] College Night w/ student ID April 29, Friday [Rythm Lounge] 2011 DMC West Coast DJ Battle April 29, Friday [Panama Joe’s] Stop Light Party April 29, Friday [ECCO] One Love Fridays Log on to MyClubScene.com now to see more events and get on list! 30 niteguidemag.com
HAPPY-HOUR GUIDE LOS ANGELES Big Wangs: 818.985.2449 (Hollywood) Sat-Sun 10-2pm: $4 Build-your-Bloody Mary Mon: Pizza & Beer combos Tues: $2 frozen Margaritas Wed-Sat: Daily Specials Joseph’s Cafe: 323.462.8697 Wed 3-7pm Specials on cocktails and tapas Geisha House: 323.460.6300 50% off Mondays Formosa Cafe: 323.850.9050 Mon-Fri 4-7pm Discounted Sake, cocktails and small plates Happy Endings: 323.469.7038 Mon-Fri 11-4pm: personal pizza $6 Mon: complimentary protein boost (Chix or Steak) Tues: $7 Wraps Wed: Your choice of sandwich + soda for $9 Thurs: Burgers $10 Magnolia: 323.467.0660 Mon-Fri 4-6pm: drink & appetizer specials
Grub: 323.461.FOOD Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm Special Appetizers just $5
Saddle Ranch: 323.822.3850 Mon-Fri 5-7pm ½ off appetizers & drinks
The Well: 323.467.9355 Everyday 5-9pm Drink specials from $4-$7
The Woods: 323.876.6612 Mon-Fri 8-10pm
Kitchen 24: 323.465.2424 Sun-Thurs until 11pm Fri-Sat until 8pm $3 Beer $5 mix drinks $6 specialty cocktails $5 appetizers
Essex: 323.460.6608 Everyday 4-7pm Sun-Wed 10-2am Mon 4-11pm: 25 cent wings Tues 4-11pm: $2 pizza w/ full price pitcher Wed 4-11pm: $3 Grill cheese Thurs 4-11pm: $5 Mac & Cheese The Abby: 310.289.8410 Mon-Fri 4-7pm $5 drinks and food
Dillions: 323.315.9744 Everyday $3 pints $4 well cocktails $5 22oz beer Yard House (downtown): 213.745.9273 Mon-Fri 10-12am ½ off most appetizers, beers, wines & martinis Lola’s: 323.654.5652 Mon-Fri 5:30-7:30pm $5 martinis & $5.50 appetizers Kung Pao Kitty: 323.465.0110 Mon-Fri 3:30-5:30pm $3 menu (Sake, drinks & apps)
Hamburger Mary’s: 323.654.3800 Mon: ½ off burgers, $5 margaritas & martinis Tues: All you can eat tacos $7.95, $5 margaritas & martinis Sun: $1 mimosas & $3 bloody marys, $5 appetizers 4-6pm Café Was: 323.466.5400 Mon-Fri 11-3pm: Two-Martini special $5, Prix Fixe Lunch special $12 Sat 11am & Sun 10am: Bottomless Champagne, Mimosas, Screwdrivers, or Bloody Mary $15
*Above information is subject to change. Please check website for updated pricing.
NiteGuide Magazine’s April Issue Release Party Saturday April 5th Email vip@niteguidemag.com for FREE guestlist or text ‘Fun’ to 67777
Text ‘MyClubScene’ to 67777 to receive exclusive invites to
April 2011 Events Listing:
ORANGE COUNTY Every Friday [Detroit Bar] Wildboys Every Thursday [Il Giardino] Wine Wednesdays, A Celebration of Italian Fashion & Art Every Thursday [Woody’s Wharf] Action Thursdays Every Thursday [Cherch Lounge] Oasis Thursdays Every Thursday [Ember] 3AM Thursdays 18+ Every Friday [Detroit Bar] Static Friday, Electronic Music Night Every Friday [Sutra] Unrivaled Fridays Every Friday [Avec] Haute Fridays April 1, Friday [8Eighty8] DJ Drew Pierce BDay Bash April 1, Friday [Avec] YG Live! April 2, Saturday [Galaxy Theatre] Y&T April 2, Friday [Avec] DJ Yup April 2, Saturday [Sutra] OC Breast Cancer Fundraiser April 2, Saturday [8Eighty8] Luxe April 3, Sunday [Coachhouse] Club Recess April 3, Sunday [Sutra] Official 13 Bedar After Party April 7, Thursday [Galaxy Theatre] Heavy Dubstrike April 7, Thursday [Sutra] Dj Dan April 8, Friday [Galaxy Theatre] Atomic Punks April 8, Friday [Ember] Super Estrella’s Alexx and DJ Paw; Vida Tinta Live in the Sky Lounge April 8, Friday [Sutra] DJ Melo D April 9, Saturday [Sutra] DJ Echo April 15, Friday [Ember] Super Estrella’s Alexx and DJ Paw April 16, Saturday [Galaxy Theatre] Mushroomhead April 16, Saturday [Sutra] DJ Ever April 16, Satday [Ember] DJ Eddie Boy April 21, Thursday [Sutra] EC Twins April 22, Friday [8Eighty8] MyClubScene.com 2 Year Anniversary Party. Get on the guestlist or enter the gogo contest by emailing vip@myclubscene.com April 23, Saturday [Ember] SKAM Artist DJ Turbulence April 23, Saturday [Oak Canyon Park] 420 Fest April 23, Saturday [Sutra] Mr. white April 28, Saturday [8Eighty8] Luxe April 28-May 5, [Newport Beach] Newport Beach Film Festival April 29, Friday [Heat Ultra Lounge] MyClubScene.com 2 Year Anniversary Party. Get on the guestlist or enter the gogo contest by emailing vip@myclubscene.com April 29, Friday [Galaxy Theatre] Midget Wrestling Log on to MyClubScene.com now to see more events and get on list! 32 niteguidemag.com
our top events each week!
Johnny Vatos By Heidi Darby Johnny Vatos formerly of Oingo Boingo breathes new life into the the music that fueled a new wave movement, with The Johnny Vatos Boingo Dance Party. With a handful of original members, including Sam “Sluggo” Phipps and Carl Graves, original drummer Vatos looks forward to the resurgence of Oingo Boingo music. “The Boingo Dance Party is exciting and fun. I was in a really unique situation playing with Oingo Boingo, because we didn’t tour that much. After we made an album we’d tour for about six weeks, and then we’d stay home for what seemed like a year and half and do another album. All this music is still very, very exciting for me, and I’m glad people like to hear it. That’s why I’m doing this,” Vatos said. Due to the uncommon nature of such a successful band holding back on touring, the Boingo Dance Party offers a second chance to spread the energy of their music and the vibe of their live shows to both original and new fans. No longer with co-founder and former lead vocalist Danny Elfman, the boys have tapped Chris Paul Overall for the lead vocalist position. Vatos and Phipps both participate in side projects, and while featuring mainly Oingo Boingo music, will include a few tunes from their side projects as well. The Boingo Dance party will be playing the Galaxy in May, and at “4th and B” in San Diego during Comicon in July, where the band looks forward to performing music from The NIghtmare Before Christmas, and giving fans a few surprises. After their success in the 80’s, fans can enjoy the music that helped define a decade. “I’m easily bored, that’s why Boingo was so good for me, I was easily bored and Danny just rocked me, and wrote and wrote,” says Vatos. “The current band is also the same way. I’m really good at picking up a musicians temperament. What they bring to the music is really exciting. They’re all Boingo fans, and they give 110%. It’s great.””
NiteGuide’s Featured Food Text ‘food’ to 67777 to receive the exclusive coupon deal of the week!
F
rench food, Mexican food, Italian food, Thai food, Creole food. So many types of food to choose from with so little time to research which restaurants are worthy of spending your hard-earned money on. No need to worry because NiteGuide Magazine has dug up the best dishes in southern California. From hole-in-the-walls to celebrity hang outs, here’s a guide to the most delicious meals under the bright California sky. By Rachel Salas
Chilean Sea Bass Alla Ligure Established in 1926, Bice Ristorante located in the historic Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, provides the freshest local and seasonal ingredients in their fine Italian cuisine. Bice’s remarkable Chilean Sea Bass alla Ligure, Servito con Crema di Sedano Rapa e Pomodori Confit is pan seared and served with French string beans and potatoes, drizzled with pesto, and served with a homemade celery root sauce. Next time you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to indulge in Bice’s modern and chic Italian cuisine. Bice Ristorante [San Diego] 425 Island Drive, 92101 | 619.239.2423 | www.bicesandiego.com
New Zealand Lamb Cutlets Georges Greek Cafe is the leader in authentic Greek cuisine. Proprietors George and Demitri Loizides welcome guests to “A little piece of Greece in Southern California.” Georges Greek Cafe serves exquisite Lamb Chops that are delicious and flavorful. They are New Zealand Lamb cutlets that are marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, oregano and Greek spices. The dish is perfectly paired with long grain rice that is mixed with peas, corn, and lima beans, as well as fresh carrots, broccoli, and green beans. A taste of Greece awaits you. Georges Greek Cafe [Long Beach] To find a location near you visit: www.georgesgreekcafe.com
Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding Bonjor! Comme Ca is West Hollywood’s tastiest French Restaurant. Elegant and modern, this French Brasserie is known for their innovative and delectable desserts. The Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding is a mouthwatering house specialty that will have you coming back for more. It is made of the finest French chocolates and served hot, with homemade vanilla bean ice cream. Grab a tall latte and indulge in delicious French desserts at Comme Ca. Comme Ca [West Hollywood] 8479 Melrose Avenue, 90069 | 323.782.1104 | www.commecarestaurant.com
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Po-tak Royal Thai Cuisine has made a name for itself in southern California with its exotic flavors in Thai cooking. Po-Tak is a Thai soup that combines various types of seafood that are mixed in hot and sour broth, with organic mushrooms and fresh basil.
By Emmanuel Cayanan
A bowl of this delicious soup is perfect as an appetizer or an entree. Experience the tranquil Thai culture and culinary masterpieces at Royal Thai. Royal Thai Cuisine [Southern California] To find a location near you visit: www.royalthaicuisine.com
Savory Beef Short Rib Tamales Red O in Los Angeles is known as more than just the place where Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey had an awkward run-in with their new significant others last year. This high-end Mexican restaurant has received critical acclaim for serving some of the most famous dishes in Hollywood. The Savory Short Rib Tamales are a guest favorite. The tamales are made out of fresh corn husks and stuffed with tender short rib meat, and topped with a smoky chipotle chili sauce. This dish pairs nicely with one of Red O’s specialty margaritas, created by mixologist, Steven Calabro. Red O [Los Angeles] 8155 Melrose Avenue, 90046 | 323.655.5009 | www.redorestaurant.com
Picnic Plate San Juan Capistrano is known for its unique restaurants, shops, and historic tourist attractions. It is the perfect setting for French restaurant L’Hirondelle, which has been in existence for nearly 30 years. L’Hirondelle is quaint and romantic and serves a variety of customized French dishes. The Picnic Plate is a favorite and includes an assortment of fresh fruits, homemade pate, tasty chicken, and a large range of fine cheeses. After taking a tour of the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, walk across the street and treat yourself to L’Hirondelle’s delicious French cuisine. L’Hirondelle Restaurant [San Juan Capistrano] 31631 Camino Capistrano, 92675 | 949.661.0425 | www.lhirondellesjc.com
Photo by Rachel Salas
Pollo Rellano Amber’s Cantina in Laguna Niguel is the neighborhood’s most beloved Mexican restaurant for all sorts of occasions. Families and friends often meet up and enjoy Amber’s freshly-made Mexican cuisine and famous salsa. Pollo Relleno is one of the latest additions to Amber’s traditional menu. This dish is made with a tender chicken breast that is stuffed with Monterey and Cojita cheese. It is topped off with pico de gallo and smothered in a homemade garlic primavera sauce, and served with black beans and Mexican rice. Owner Amber Penrod, can often be seen as an active part in her restaurant. Next time you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to stop in for the best-tasting Mexican food in town. Amber’s Cantina [Laguna Niguel] 31341 Niguel Road #D 92677 | 949.488.2858 | www.amberscantina.com
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FEATURED FOOD Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi It seems like Hawaiian cuisine is impossible to find in southern California. Look no further, for Hapa J’s Restaurant is a rare gem that can be found blocks away from the crisp waves in the small beach town of San Clemente. The Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi is a town-favorite, and is served over a bed of Okinawan sweet potatoes from Hawaii, poached Bok Choy, a vanilla bean-infused beurre blanc sauce, and drizzled with a balsamic reduction herb oil. Hapa J’s’ island-feel settles in as soon as you enter the building, with its lime green walls and exotic flowers encompassing every corner of the tropical restaurant. Photo by Rachel Salas
Hapa J’s [San Clemente] 2016 S. El Camino Real, 92673 | 949.276.6657 | www.hapajs.com
Barbeque Burger The Linkery in San Diego is a trendy and unique restaurant for more than one reason. It is the only restaurant in the area that is “farm-driven,” meaning they get their ingredients from local farmers, and have an ever-changing menu based on what items they receive from their vendors. The Barbeque Burger is a favorite and can often be made, despite the modifications on the menu. They use local pastured chicken, paired with a peach barbecue sauce, served on a Semolina bun, with house-made pickles and coleslaw. The Linkery is a “no tipping” restaurant and 18 percent is already included. if guests would like to show extra gratitude, the money will be put towards their charity of the month. The Linkery [San Diego] 3794 30th St, 92104 | 619.255.8778 | www.thelinkery.com
Tiramisu Cue Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Al Capone. Roman Cucina brings the term “old school Italian” back to its restaurants in Los Angeles and Orange County. With black and white photos of America’s most famous Italian stars lining the walls, the ambiance of this classy restaurant will be sure to ignite hunger for delicious Italian dishes. Like any classic Italian establishment, Roman Cucina offers the most delicious Tiramisu for miles. The traditional dessert is made with coffeesoaked biscuits, layered with mascarpone, flavored with liquor, and sprinkled with cocoa. That’s Amore! Roman Cucina [Laguna Hills] 25214 Cabot Road, 92653 | 949.380.4228 | www.romancucina.com
Crawfish Etouffee New Orleans Creole Café is a charming transplant straight out of Louisiana. Owner Mark Bihm, brings a taste of seasoned recipes from his family in New Orleans dating back to 1750. This adorable abode is located in Historic Old Town San Diego. Crawfish Etouffee is the Café’s bestselling specialty. Etouffee in French means smothered. The dish is made with crawfish and a thick roux that derives from the chef’s family recipe. Crawfish Etouffee includes the holy trinity: bell pepper, celery, and onion, which are sautéed in the roux. It is finished off with three peppers: cayenne ,white pepper and black pepper. New Orleans Creole Café [San Diego] 2476 San Diego Ave 92110 | 619.542.1698 | www.neworleanscreolecafe.com 36 niteguidemag.com
FEATURED DRINKS Georgia Peach Martini Iva Lee’s [San Clemente]
555 North El Camino Real 92672 | 949.361.2855 | www.ivalees.com By Rachel Salas Deep maroon-colored walls, the sound of a vibrant harmonica echoing through the front door, aged wood tables with intricate beaded lamp shades, enhanced by a copper-covered bar top are noticed upon entrance at southern dinner house, Iva lee’s Restaurant in San Clemente. Iva Lee’s knows how to bring the mystic tastes of New Orleans in the form of delicious cocktails. The Georgia Peach Martini is the most popular drink in town, and is made with peach-infused vodka, a splash of wild peach liqueur, and garnished with a ripe Georgia peach. Come on in, have a seat, and sit a spell.
Tahitian Moon
Tantalum Restaurant [Long Beach] 6272 E. Pacific Coast Highway 90803 | 562.431.1414 | www.tantalumrestaurant.com By Rachel Salas Placed strategically on the romantic waterfront, American and Asian-infused restaurant Tantalum in Long Beach is responsible for serving up some of the finest house-made cocktails.
Made with X-Rated passion fruit liqueur, Raspberry Vodka, mixed with pineapple juice, a splash of 7Up, infused with fresh lemon and lime juices, and topped off with pomegranate juice to settle the storm of liquids, the Tahitian Moon is one of the most flavorful and calming drinks at this tranquil restaurant. “Most of our drinks we try to keep that tropical vibe,” Atherton said. “We kind of update it with what is recent and redo our menu all of the time.”
Photo by Rachel Salas
Tantalum’s signature drink called Tahitian Moon, created by bartender Alexis Atherton, embodies the taste of a beautiful beach on a Tahitian island, with fresh orchids, tropical fruits, and exotic scenery.
Cucumber Martini Library Bar [Los Angeles]
630 West 6th Street, Suite 116-A 90071 | 213.614.0053 | www.librarybarla.com By Rachel Salas
Photo by Rachel Salas
The Cucumber Martini from Library Bar in Los Angeles is a crisp and delightful cocktail that is designed to satisfy anyone’s thirst. The refreshing drink is made with Hendricks’s Gin, a variety of fresh herbs, muddled cucumbers, and splashed with Library Bar’s homemade fresh sweet and sour mix.
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“We do make our own sweet and sour from fresh lemon juice and lime juice, which is different from other places. It adds to the quality of the cocktails,“ says bartender Johnny Valenti. “A lot of times people use bottled and pre-made sweet and sours, so it definitely makes a big difference.” Conveniently located in the center of Downtown Los Angeles, many young professionals and even college students flock to this time-warp bar, which looks like a transport from the 1940s. The bar is equipped with a spacious living area, filled with classic novels on a large blue bookshelf, with comfortable couches, and multiple coffee tables filled with specially designed coasters to place the cocktail of your choice on.
ASK A BARTENDER: Step right up, get shot down? AAB comes to your rescue, with five insider tips that will foolproof your bar game. Q: –
A:
Top Five DO’s and DON’Ts for successfully picking up girls at the bar: DON’T: Get too drunk too early. No one is expecting you to discuss the historical significance of the Industrial Revolution at 1am, but being two drinks from blackout before 10pm doesn’t leave much room for a girl to get to know you. Shy guys might feel like booze enhances a timid personality, but beware: slurring and charming are not synonymous. Confident dudes who like to hit the bottle hard aren’t exempt here either. Just because you are telling your jokes louder, doesn’t make them more funny. Or less obnoxious. DON’T: Say, “So what’s your major?” followed immediately with, “Cool, what do you want to do with that?” Sure, you aren’t a serial killer -- and that’s a shining quality -- but you aren’t winning any personality contests with those lines. Ladies are sick of answering that question six times a night. Plus, you have immediately positioned yourself as Joe EveryGuyInTheBar. I’m not saying it can never come up, but opening with that strategy implies minimal effort and brains. Can you be funny without belittling her, or her friends? Try that instead. DO: Dress the part. No need to dust off your tux, but know that a guy who looks like he put some thought into the fact that he’s out in public goes a long way. Like it or not, chicks think of clothing as a statement about who a person is, not just cloth for covering a body. Give the impression you take care of yourself and it can pay off. How? Let’s put it this way: girls have been known to say, “I mean, he wasn’t that cute but he was really well dressed.” DO: Compliment a girl’s hair. Telling a girl she has pretty eyes is overdone. “Nice teeth” is overrated (and even creepy depending on how you say it). Instead, next time you are talking to a girl at the bar, try, “You know, you have really pretty hair.” Don’t touch it (too forward), or ask if it’s real (instant strike out if it’s not), or try to smell it (weirdo!). Just sound genuine and leave it at that. The secret? It works because women spends a lot of time obsessing over their hair, but guys generally don’t notice. If you make a point to do so, you’ll stand out -- in a good way. DON’T: Alienate her friends. Girls at bars are pack animals. They order drinks in groups, go to the bathroom in pairs, and rely on total consensus to decide how the night plays out. Successfully separating one from the pack, even if she’s already into you, will ultimately come down to gaining the approval of her friends. But not just any friend. You’ve got to attain the nod from your mortal enemy – The Mother Hen. Mother Hen is the meanest (sometimes ugliest) friend in the group, disapproving of your advances at every turn. Even if your girl practically loves you, she cannot break Girl Code and leave the pack unless all parties agree it’s okay. The trick to outwitting this gatekeeper? Kill her with kindness. Buy her a drink, and pretend to be interested in whatever she says. No matter what ammo she fires your way, always react politely. Ultimately, she will either give you your golden ticket or, at the very least, make you look like a prince by comparison. Alright, sweet Striking Out, consider yourself armed and ready for battle. Happy hunting and remember – you’re wonderful just the way you are. Just kidding. Only your mom thinks that. So find a girl like her, or one that drinks like you, and you’re in. Good Luck! ;)
Want to ask a bartender? Send your questions to bartender@niteguidemag.com niteguidemag.com 39
FEATURED RESTAURANT
By Rachel Salas
N
ick’s San Clemente is taking the historic beach city by storm.
“I would recommend our Sea Bass entrée. Everyone falls in love with the
Classically defined as “American Comfort food with flair,” this
Sea Bass; you can pair it with a nice buttery Chardonnay and it will be
small town’s most frequented restaurant just celebrated its year
phenomenal,” Cozens said. “It comes with creamy mashed potatoes,
anniversary on January 14.
some fresh spinach that is sautéed with garlic and almonds.”
“We wanted to keep it very coastal. The owner of the company grew up
Success has remained consistent with Nick’s San Clemente location.
here, so it’s kind of bringing it back home to him, and we really thought
“We bring a great value to the guests here at San Clemente and to any of
we’d adapt well in San Clemente,” Nick Cozens, Director of Restaurants,
the patrons that travel in from other distances,“ Cozens said. “We want
said. “Our price points match well with this town and we’re able to bring
this to be an experience for individuals that come in and can enjoy the
a great consistent product at a very affordable price.”
food and a bottle of wine without being overcharged. That means a lot to us and more people in the industry should strive to hit on those levels.”
With the original location in Laguna Beach, third-generation restaurateur, Nick Nickoloff, is in the process of opening a new location for the popular
Nick’s San Clemente [San Clemente]
restaurant. South of Nick’s, a high-end Mexican food concept, will be
213 Avenida Del Mar, 92672
opening in San Clemente in summer 2011.
Reservations: 949.481.2200 www.thenickco.com
The interior of Nick’s is modern and chic with Frank Lloyd-Wright-esque inspired wood designs on the walls. A uniquely customized indoor patio complete with unfinished-granite table tops, allows patrons to comfortably enjoy a delicious meal next to the cozy fireplace, while looking at the scenic view of Del Mar street. It is no wonder that Nick’s is the latest hot spot in town. “We wanted to create an environment that is very comfortable for people and very approachable,” Cozens said. “It’s a destination.” Delicious and affordable, Nick’s caters to appetites of all kinds. From their signature bar snack, Asparagus Fries (fresh spears of asparagus that are breaded in parmesan, deep fried, and served with a side of ranch dipping sauce), to the Blackened Halibut Sandwich, complete with savory tartar sauce and firestick onions, to more sophisticated entrées such as Braised Short Ribs, Center Cut Filet Mignon, and Chilean Sea Bass, guests can partake in quality dining without breaking the bank. Entrees start at $14-$25.
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MARCH IN REVIEW: FEATURED EVENTS Beyond Wonderland
NOS Events Center [San Bernardino] Story by Christian Williams | Photography by Shannon Nehls Spring is finally here, and with a new season upon us, that can only mean one thing: The start of the 2011 Southern California massive season. What better way to welcome the beautiful weather, new life, and longer days back than with Beyond Wonderland, in its second year after taking the place of How Sweet It Is. Along with countless hours of dedication and planning, the unforgettable event took place at the National Orange Show Center in San Bernardino. Insomniac also brought in an impressive amount of talent for this year’s event. You know it’s a good night when the hardest decision you have to make is which stage to post up at, but any of the five stages at this rave-friendly venue was the right choice. Mentioning just a few of the many famous artists, and stages, attendees found themselves partying relentlessly with Donald Glaude and Bad Boy Bill in the Cheshire Woods. They were also taken to another world by Christopher Lawrence and Cosmic Gate at the Madhatter’s Castle, and rocking out to Funkagenda and Kaskade at the Queen’s Domain. For one artist, his work wasn’t done after his set, and we at NiteGuide were blessed with an exclusive interview with Dirty South, one of the hardest working and hottest house DJs on the planet. The electronic music scene wouldn’t be the same without all these great artists. There’s no greater reward to the fans and the event promoters, than putting on a hugely successful night, which Insomniac, all the behind the scenes workers, and most importantly, the thousands of supporters, all contributed to. It’s fair to say there’s no place like SoCal.
WildBoys Residency Detroit Bar [Costa Mesa]
Story by Heidi Darby | Photography by RG Benhard
“The residency was awesome! Party time, breakthrough drinking games, free candy, women’s size 16 underwear thrown at us onstage... I could keep going,” Stallone of Wildboys said. “Our sound is kind of like the day the lord created the heavens. Angels crying, women and children weeping
Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa brimmed with energy on March 21st, where
with joy, the skies become perfectly aligned, and everyone is joyous.”
Wildboys continued their March residency, and openers Big Bad Wolf and
Egos aside, the night was a banging good time.
Electric Valentine rounded out the eclectic bill. The mood of the venue was a bit of a mixed bag, due to the versatility of the evenings lineup. Big Bad Wolf, a five piece out of Orange County, opened the night. One part 90’s rock, one part indie, the boys from BBW kept the crowd swaying and smiling, as they jammed through songs off their selftitled debut EP. Electric Valentine served as the precursor to the nights main event, and nearly stole the show. With their intoxicating beats, and lead singer Lauren Baird’s firey stage presence, Electric Valentine took electro pop in a pleasingly dark and sexy direction. Filled with groove and volatility, their live show ignited Detroit Bar. Closing down the night were headliners The Wildboys. Fresh off an Orange County Music Award nomination for Best Hip Hop, the boys played with a full band and fed off the hometown crowd’s energy. Filled with theatrics and punch lines, the duo jammed onstage, memorably with an old Beastie Boy’s track, and kept the party going.
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Orange County Music Awards City National Grove of Anaheim [Anaheim] Story by Heidi Darby| Photography by RG Benhard
On March 5th, The City National Grove of Anaheim buzzed with amazing local talent, marking the 10th anniversary of The Orange County Music Awards. The event honored established veterans like Thrice and Avenged Sevenfold, in addition to up and coming talent like Best Pop winner Stacy Clark. With twenty-six categories, the awards show recognizes multiple genres of music, from country/Americana to hip hop. The traditional red carpet walkway for the artists was replaced with black carpet, setting the tone for the rock and roll vibe of the evening. The sold out ceremonies offered a perfect platform for artists and fans to mingle in the pre-party entryway, over a drink. Once the official ceremonies kicked off, a variety of live music was showcased, including the breakout performance by Best Acoustic winner, Micah Brown. “My Dad’s been instilling the blues in me since I was a little kid,” Brown said. “He showed me twelve bar blues when I was young. I was always a drummer but when I started picking up the guitar I felt a natural draw towards the folky blues type stuff. I’ve been doing that for a few years and started getting recognition. It’s been nice.” Also performing live were special guests Julian-K and friends, Best Live Band winners The Steelwells, and Best Hip Hop winners I&I. There were also boundary pushing performances by Best Surf winners The Growlers, who came out wearing white masks and lingerie, and a trippy instrumental performance by Best Rock winners Dahga Bloom. Taking home the Best Electronica award were experimental group BLOK, whose performance at last years show received a standing ovation. “We’re so excited to be included and recognized because what we’re doing is so different. It’s really interesting and exciting that everybody’s into it. It’s really rewarding,” Jesse St. John of BLOK said. Other big winners of the night were Avenged Sevenfold, who took home Best Album and Best Metal honors, and Social Distortion, who took home the Best Punk and Impact awards. Lifetime Achievement recipient Stan Freese gave a warm and comical acceptance speech, in which the Walt Disney Talent and Casting Director accepted his award next to the big man himself, Mickey Mouse. “I feel like now I’m officially old. They don’t give this lifetime thing to 30 year olds. No, but really it’s fun. I’m honored. Joe Esclante from The Vandals called me up and said ‘Luke from the OC music awards is gonna call you up for the award.’ I said ‘Are you kidding? Of course!’” Freese said. The awards show enabled the best musicians in Orange County to come together and celebrate one another. Equipped with live performances, accidental F bombs onstage, and a fully stocked bar, the ceremonies paid tribute to the county’s best with all the flair of a rock show.
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MARCH IN REVIEW: FEATURED EVENTS Radius Festival
Air & Space Museum [San Diego] Story by Kam Kasmaei | Photography by Plurlife The Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park, San Diego was altered into a rev-
security which created long lines, the event was up to par with every raver’s standards. The music blasted all night long providing an exciting haven for electronic lovers in the city of San Diego. Artists walked around the crowd after their sets meeting fans and signing autographs. Revelus Team has promised to follow up this year’s event with an even more impressive one next year.
eler’s paradise on March 4th and 5th. The promotions group known as Revelus Events transformed this famous and historic building into an electronica dream venue. Imagine an event with LED video screens blasting lights in your face, giant Iine-array speakers pulsating, and an F-16 in flight beside you. The venue was accentuated by its heated observation decks which revealed the beautiful view of downtown San Diego’s skyline. For those in attendance, Radius Fest was an amazing night. The Revelus Team formerly known as the Reset Events crew, have been actively promoting electronic music for a few years. This March, they combined electronic, techno, dubstep, trance, and house artists to create an unforgettable event. But don’t think of Revelus as just another rogue promotion company. They have “employees and bank account”, according to their website. However, it’s the people that make Revelus special. And the promoters are their people. Their promotion team is the beating heart of the company. With their enthusiasm and excitement, promoters build momentum towards a show, and as a team, create the positive results and final atmosphere of an event. And with every great event, promoters can take pride in the scene they are creating. Artist for the two day event included Avicii, Wippenberg, Marcus Schossow, Mr. Izo, the Glitch Mob, Dastik, Zeds Dead, and Trackonaut. Despite the strict
Sunday School
The Ice Palace [Miami, Fl] Story by Fred Dyoll | Photography by Scott Kowalchyk & Bennett Sell
The most talked about party of The Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, wasn’t your average party. In fact it was much, much more. It was a blowout that kept festival goers raging from sun down to sun up. Sunday School: The Lost Weekend 2011 at the epic Ice Palace venue offered up two rooms of superstar caliber talent on March 25-27, where people were dancing to beats of techno. This 36 hour after party took place on Northwest 14th Street, in Downtown Miami, walking distance from Bicentennial Park where Ultra was being held. Doors opened at 10 pm on Friday for the 21 and over event, and didn’t close until 10 pm Sunday with a recess from 10am-10pm on Saturday. The school bus was parked on the back patio, giving party goers the feel of a real Sunday School event. The party lasted through the night, serving as a precursor to Americas hottest music festival. With this being the most talked about after party during Ultra week. With the crowd rippling in at all hours of the night, by the time the sun came up, the dance floor was packed and not a student standing still. Top djs from all over came in to rock the night away and showed Miami why Sunday School was the place to be.
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Photos Courtesy of MyClubScene.com
drai’s hollywood
PHOTO RECAP
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Galaxy Concert Theatre
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Palms Takeover Weekend Palms Casino [Las Vegas]
Story by Heidi Darby | Photography by Tommy LaFleur NiteGuide Magazine took over the Palms Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, March 11-13, giving partygoers a great time, without the hassle of planning a trip. The weekend started with a party bus pick-up for people who purchased tickets, where the direct route to The Palms began. Drinks flowed as people loosened up and got to know each other on the way to Sin City. The getaway included a two night stay at The Palms, round trip party bus travel, an all access pass to Rain, Ghostbar, and Moon, and entrance to the NiteGuide Palms Takeover exclusive pool party and model search. Friday night club Rain was the destination, and after the cozied (and drink filled) trip, everyone was ready to stretch their legs on the dance floor. After a great night of music and partying, attendees woke up on Saturday ready for more. The NiteGuide Magazine Model Search took place poolside, where the 20 finalists participated in a photo shoot and hung out with guests. Music from DJ’s EFX, Peter G, and Slander filled the air where the models competed for $500 cash, $2,000 in prizes, and the opportunity to become a NiteGuide Vixen. The finalists were pampered and treated to the trip to Vegas, and pending a fan vote determined by NiteGuide readers, one will take home the grand prize package. After the poolside party, NiteGuide escorted their guests to Moon (also located inside Palms) and enjoyed the breathtaking views of the strip while enjoying great music and even better company. The weekend wrapped up with a day of mellow relaxation on Sunday morning, followed by the ride back to Orange County. NiteGuide alleviated party planning stress, last minute problems, and the controversy of who has to drive home, by offering a worry free and pre-planned Vegas getaway. Who could ask for more?
NiteGuide Magazine Model Search Palms Pool [Las Vegas] Story by Heidi Darby
NiteGuide Magazine hosted The Palms Takeover Weekend in Las Vegas from March 11-13, where over 500 model submissions were whittled down to the final 19 beautiful girls below, who participated in a poolside model search. With a spread in NiteGuide Magazine and over $2000 in cash and prizes at stake, make sure to vote for your favorite model! Just text the name of the model you’re voting for to 67777, and bring her one step closer to becoming a NiteGuide Magazine Vixen! Or you can log onto niteguidemag.com and cast your vote.
Alicia Lei
Ally Hayes
Christa Collins
Kina Tavarozi
Kitana Cross
Kristie Wynter
Michelle Yee
Sarrah Franklin
Skyler Haze
Estelita
Jessica Marie
Karly Kim Rice
Marilyn Jeffery
Marissa Harman
Michelle Garcia
Thao N
Tina English
Trish Richardson
A Special Thank you to: Photographers
Ben Taylor - taylorimagela.com | Gabe Zapata | L V Pro Imaging - lvproimaging.photoreflect.com
Hair Stylist Tzigane Osborne Owner: HeadLiners Salon | Kyla Costa | Cynthia Konstantakis Use ScanLife to scan this image and see the behind the scenes video!
Makeup Amanda Martinez | Kyla Costa | Lisa Jackson | www.lisajmakeupartist.com | Tai niteguidemag.com 49
TOP 100 NIGHTCLUB & BAR SHOW PARTY Marquee @ The Cosmopolitan [Las Vegas]
Story by Emmanuel Cayanan | Photography by Al Powers/Marquee On any given Wednesday, Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is closed for the night. But on March 9, 2011, the 62,000-square-foot venue, with its 50-foot tall ceilings and multi-million dollar sound stage, made an exception and hosted the Nightclub & Bar Top 100. The event honored and celebrated the best nightclub and bar operators in the nation. The long list included an abundance of entries from Miami Beach, Hollywood and Las Vegas, which dominated the top 10 with XS Nightclub at poll position, followed by Pure, Haze and LAX rounding out the top five. Also present on the list were Tao and Lavo, both owned by the same owners of Marquee. Honorary guests, which included operators from Pacha NYC, Ivy, Key Club, Heat and Sutra, were presented with congratulatory plaques from Marquee. Doors opened to the public for the after-party at 11:30 p.m., but the house by then was already packed and was crawling with VIPs and industry professionals from the private event. Industry movers and shakers congratulated each other on the dance floor as Sweden-born special guest DJ Avicii spun an incredible set against the backdrop of an impressive and electrifying 40-foot LED screen along with a handful of other talented DJs in rotation at the turntables. One notable personality present at the event was actor and DJ, Danny Masterson who spent the most of the night listening from a VIP table. Red-hot gogo dancers and wall-to-wall club-goers packed every square inch of the massive venue, which has been hailed the hottest new club on the Vegas strip. Marquee, which splashed onto the Vegas nightlife scene on its New Year’s Eve opening this year, has hosted premier music talent from around the world and boasts multiple levels, seven bars, banquette seating, two dance floors and a variety of settings that range from intimate to epic. Attendees were happy to take a little bit of the party outside for a moment to its outdoor area, primarily Marquee’s setting for the dayclub, which features several cabanas and private pools where crowds gathered to sip cocktails into the early morning hours. Adjacent to the Aria Resort & Casino, the patio area gives you a breathtaking view of impressive architecture. This month, highlights on Marquee’s events calendar include the residencies of international DJ Eric Morillo (April 9), mixing sensation Kaskade (April 16), Matt Darey (April 22), Markus Schulz (April 23), and the return of Avicii (April 29). Visit www.marqueelasvegas.com for more information.
Photos Courtesy of MyClubScene.com
Avec
Huntington Beach
PHOTO RECAP
HOROSCOPE
ARIES | MARCH 21- APRIL 19 By courtney seard
Happy Birthday Aries! I hope you’re ready for vast excitement that awaits you in your birth month. You’ll have no problems unleashing your inner flirt, as you’ll be under the spell of the New Moon on the 2nd. Along with “King” Jupiter influence, you’ll be inspired to make all the necessary changes, to accomplish your goals and live your dreams. Don’t be surprised if you’re the center of attention. Your charisma and charm will be in full effect this month, making all your willing prey. This is the start of an adventurous and successful year for you Aries, enjoy and live it to the fullest! Aries Finances: If the clouds haven’t already parted, they will. Seriously it’s about to “Rain Man,” and you’ll be able to splurge on the new handbags, cocktails and dinner, or weekend getaways without guilt, once again. In the upcoming months you’ll see career promotions and generation of sufficient income. Unfortunately this doesn’t mean you can ease the neck breaking pace you’ve been keeping. The good news is, you’ll be rewarded in both opportunity and money. Take the surge of creativity and inspiration this month and apply it to current and new creative projects, the future dividends will be endless. Aries Relationships: You are a magnet, radiating confidence attracting new friends, acquaintances, and love interest. If you’re single you’ll meet a new love interest and begin a playful texting relationship. This won’t be the only prospect in your sights, be kind and don’t play with their hearts. Think of it as good Karma for when you’re ready to settle down. With rising temperatures there will be a rise in your interests in all things new, and because you’re a magnet and a flirt, this could lend to some serious temptation. Think before you act. Are a few seconds of fun worth compromising your current relationships? You’re social life will be blazing. Remember you must nurture the most important relationship of all, YOU. Don’t forget to take care and honor yourself this month. Get plenty of rest, and hydrate (you’ll need it after all that parting)! Remember, this month is all about you! Power Days: 3, 8, 28
Photos Courtesy of Aaron Garcia/9Group
Moon
Palms Las VEgas
Heal Japan
8Eighty8 [Newport Beach] Story by Emmanuel Cayanan | Photography by Charles Street Most of the world watched the live television broadcasts deliver images from halfway around the world of the devastation in Japan. In real time, we saw the first tidal wave hit the eastern coast following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that killed thousands and left just as many homeless or missing. Using industry resources and connections, the staff at “NiteGuide” quickly came together to organize “Heal Japan,” a charity event to benefit the victims of the tragic quake and tsunami. With the help of a handful of sponsors, “NiteGuide,” in a very short amount of lead-time, was able to pull off an incredible event at Club 8Eighty8, which donated its staff, sponsors, food and beverage to the cause. “8Eighty8 participates in as many fundraisers as we can,” said Samantha Heart, Events Coordinator at the Newport Beach venue. “The relief effort for Japan is close to our hearts, as we have many Japanese-American employees whose families were affected by the devastation in that country.” With a $20 suggested donation at the door, guests sipped on complimentary bottles of Asahi Beer, a title sponsor of NiteGuide and many of our events. The presence of its brand at this fundraiser was fitting, and attendees were delighted to show their support by consuming a product of Japan. In addition, guests enjoyed Tres Sietes Tequila and a selection of red and white wine from ONEHOPE WINE, a cause brand that donates half of all profits to charity. The event offered many attractions to attendees, including a raffle, silent auction, an art show display by Hope Guinn and Vegas-style casino tables. “What appealed to me the most was that it was an easy donation,” said Roger Hampton, an event producer in the Orange County/Los Angeles area. This event marked his first donation to relief efforts in Japan. “I think it’s a great price point to reach out to the masses and get more people involved and to give them a chance to feel like they’ve made a difference, even in a small way,” he said. “Every little bit helps.” DJ Drew Pierce provided mix of music that kept traffic moving between the bar and the casino tables. Attendees gathered around black jack and poker tables provided by Full House Casino Events in Laguna Hills, Calif. Other sponsors of the event included Electric Beach Tanning Spa, Fred’s in Huntington Beach, Vitamin Water, Angels Baseball and Olive Garden. The beneficiary of the fundraiser was Direct Relief International and all proceeds will go towards disaster relief efforts in Japan. NiteGuide helped raise almost $500 in just a few hours at the event in order to help those in need in Japan. Thanks again to everyone that came out to support a great cause!
Photos Courtesy of MyClubScene.com
St. Patty’s Day Woody’s Wharf
PHOTO RECAP
PHOTO RECAP 8Eighty8 Newport Beach
Photos Courtesy of MyClubScene.com