Witch-About-Town

Thank You Everybody!

2011-11-20T14:28:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful feedback we are getting from our productions ABSOLUTION, ATLANTIS and INCANTATION:

"my god, thanks for everything! I am so appreciative for the opportunity and I am really overwhelmed with joy to be able to be part of a production with some great beings and under such great guidance as you and Jason. You guys blow me away with what you deal with continuously on these show nights. You guys get infinite gratitude and respect from me. A sincere cheers! You two are my fav goth couple. :) "

This is only one of the many, many sincere compliments and thanks we have been receiving on a regular basis for providing NYC with regularly scheduled Goth/Industrial shows and parties.

Recently I calculated that at around 78 productions per year, Jason and I spend 1/5th of our year either getting ready for productions, traveling to productions, spinning/performing at/directing productions, and returning home from productions. Whew! Practice makes perfect:)

I have more requests than my poor Facebook page can handle. The limit is 5,000 so my personal page has no spots left. Please join my Facebook Fan Page instead to keep up with all the new developments.

We've got tons of great stuff coming up, just check our site at absolutionnyc.com. I also wanted to let you know that our New Years Eve party will be particularly great this year, so be on the lookout for the flyer for New Years when it comes out soon.

It hasn't been easy, but it sure has been educational and sometimes fun, profound and awesome! Thanks for joining us on this path to spearhead the making of the Goth/Industrial scene in NYC once again a relevant and recognized movement as it is in most other large cities in the USA! Sweeping problems, would-be politicians(trolls under bridges;) and naysayers from our path like so many flies, we adhere to the words of Goethe:

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!”
― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Bushwick Hipster Animal Torture Farm

2011-09-11T23:10:00.000-07:00

I was cheered to see a Community Garden open up on Broadway in Bushwick, close to my house. Bushwick is almost totally devoid of greenery and parks, so this was a very welcome addition. I was also happy to see that there were some chickens and ducks in the garden. I adore birds and I love to spend time feeding them, playing with them and watching them. Two days ago I insisted on bringing Jason to the Community Garden.

Unfortunately, we realized that there were also roosters in the garden with the hens and ducks. In a small garden, they had included 4 or 5 roosters! This is terrible because, as Everybody Knows, Roosters fight one another when in close proximity. Sickeningly, we began to realize that some of the chickens were being plucked and bullied by the Alpha rooster to the point where we couldn't tell if they were chickens or roosters. One poor bird had it's neck feathers plucked out so that it looked like a turkey. Another had patches of feathers pulled out of his back and was walking around with his head down, and hiding behind a bush 90% of the time to prevent further attacks. But the saddest sight of all was a chicken who had been so badly plucked and pecked that it's poor back was a mass of raw sores. The poor bird approached us, but it was too close to a group of hens belonging to the Alpha rooster because the garden was so small. We watched, horrified, as he(she?) was chased into a corner by the huge Alpha rooster, who then stood on his back and dug his sharp claws into his back, aggravating his sores, and pecked him even more. I wanted to rip the chicken wire open and take him home with me!

I was horrified further to see the caretakers casually walk in amongst the birds and walk to the garden in back of the chicken coops. One man stood two feet from the injured, bleeding bird and did not try to help him, acted as though he could not see his suffering and pain.

This is a typical Hipster thing to do- an idealistic plan, not thought out, that leads to suffering and pain like the idiotic bike lanes that caused young, not very smart students to get hit by cars.

Can anybody open their heart and home to a chicken or rooster or two or three who need a home? If I can get someone to say they'll foster them or give them a forever home, I might be able to rescue them from this life of misery that is so sadly on display in my neighborhood.

Here are some pics I took with my iPhone:

Community Garden Of Pain And Torture:

This poor rooster? chicken? had a plucked neck and looked like a Turkey.

This unfortunate bird was plucked on his back and spent 90% of the time hiding behind a bush, while the other chickens, ducks and roosters wandered freely.

This bird broke my heart. I didn't even know if it was a rooster or a hen because his comb had been mutilated and all his back feathers plucked out. His back had many red and pink sores. I wanted to take him away immediately! While we were there, he was attacked again in front of us. Won't someone help save him? Contact me at djxtine@absolutionnyc.com if you have a place for him to be fostered or live forever safely.

This bird was attacked again while we were there, we had to watch as a larger rooster stood on his(her?) back and dug his claws into his injured and bleeding back and brutally pecked him. This was not a lovely day in the garden, how could they let this go on? It's unconscionable.

Hall of Shame: This guy stands there laughing with his friends two feet away from the bleeding, injured and plucked chicken. He does not even try to separate him from the constant attacks or give any attention to his wounds. Whoever you are, guy-do you want this on your conscience? SHAME on you!

This is a link to the Bushwick City Farm. Their web address is bushwickcityfarm@gmail.com. Write to them and let them know that we don't appreciate ignorance that leads to animal cruelty in Brooklyn. Their website boasts some hipster jargon: "THE FARMS CREATE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE ACTIVE MODELS OF RESPONSIBLE FOOD PRODUCTION." We see how "responsible" you really are with the vulnerable animals in your care. The site sports pictures of happy, healthy chickens and roosters, but the real thing is a horror show.

****UPDATE****** Monday, Sept. 12*******

Ok, I was contacted by a woman who says that she is one of the people who run the Bushwick City Farm. She said that the roosters and chickens come from hatcheries where they are kept in deplorable conditions and this is where the majority of the plucking happens, so that when they get to the Bushwick City Farm they already look like that, and they then heal when they are there.

However, it still did not make me reassured they are ok, because birds have a pecking order and peck and abuse the weakest, sickest birds. Putting a weak, sick bird in a crowded situation with huge, healthy and aggressive roosters and chickens is pretty cruel. They will be plucked, pecked and chased. Even if the original damage did not happen at Bushwick City Farm, under these conditions it will certainly continue if the bird is seen to be at the bottom of the pecking order. Wouldn't you want to put the weakest, sickest and most injured birds in a seperate pen in order to protect them from this tendency of birds to target the sick and weak for abuse?

She then told me that the rooster standing on the hurt chicken's back and holding it's head down was mating- this is how they mate, it was not an attack. However, the chicken tried hard to get away and seemed terrified and in agony when the claws of the larger rooster dug into her back covered with sores and plucked of feathers and her head was held down by his sharp beak. Wouldn't you then want to put her somewhere the rooster couldn't get her until she healed, knowing her condition? Is it humane to let this go on?

Most cruel of all, the woman then told me that even though "it was sweet" that I found a home for the hurt birds, they had planned a slaughter for the birds and were going to give the meat away to the community. Ok, I get it. It's a farm, and they want to raise the meat. Even so, I feel so sad for the hurt chicken's life- plucked, pecked and abused your whole life, then slaughtered even though someone cared enough to try to give them a chance at a good rest of their lives. You'd think someone might say "hey, let's give this one a break. Why not." I guess not.

So even though I was given an explanation, I still feel that this is a torturous place for these poor birds to end up, and it's wrong to have any of the chickens or roosters living in fear and pain constantly, even if they will be slaughtered soon. I also feel that it's heartless to disregard the lives of the weakest ones and not let them go to what could have been a loving home. Putting them on display like this will naturally lead to feelings of emotional attachment to specific birds- after all, this isn't a farm and we are not farming folk, and we do not casually disregard live animals personalities or pain just because they are earmarked to become food later on.

A good article on chicken behavior and chickenspecking one another to death.

How my 10X Great Grandfather spent another Revolution

2011-08-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

We are deep in the midst of the formulation of a new generation of Nightlife. Although this Empire exists only in the minds and hearts of it's patrons, it is no less real to some than a vast country, and worth sacrificing for. My Great Grandfather 10 times removed, Timothy Johnes D.D. was a Pastor in Morristown, NJ during the War of Independence. George Washington was part of his congregation and even used his home as a headquarters during the War.

"Sunday was the great day of the week.. Good Pastor

Johnes, of the First Presbyterian Church, could see his

congregation coming through the forest from the neigh-

boring farms, not riding in wagons, but (if the distance

was too great to walk) on horseback, the wife behind her

husband on the pillion, while the children managed to

cling on them as best they could. The women were

clothed in homespun, from the fruits of that industry

which has given the name of " spinster " to the unmar-

ried daughters of the family, showing their constant oc-

cupation. In the winter they brought their footstoves,

filled with live coals, to put under their feet during ser-

vice, while the men disdained such an approach to ef-

feminacy. If there was an evening service each family

brought one or two candles, and persons sat holding

them during the meeting; for even candlesticks on the

walls and pillars were not then provided. But though

the men could bravely sit with cold feet in the winter,

they did not hesitate to take off their coats in the heat of

summer, and if sleep seemed likely to overpower them

they would stand up and thus remain until the inclination

to drowsiness had passed. The men sat together upon

one side of the house, and the women and children upon

the other side, separated from each other by the broad

aisle. The young people occupied the galleries, the

young men and boys upon one side of the church, the young

ladies and girls upon the other. This necessitated the

appointment of certain men of grave and staid aspect to

sit m the galleries to preserve order."

They did not have easy lives AT ALL- they were building a country. They suffered from heat, cold and overwork, just as Jason and I are suffering now in our apt in Bushwick. Think about how they felt as they sat in church with only a lighted candle for heat. There was no guarantee that the War would be won, and nobody had enough food or provisions, not even George Washington:

"There was some-

times scarcity at the headquarters as well as in the camp,

as the following anecdote will show: '' We have nothing

but the rations to cook, sir," said Mrs. Thompson, a very

worthy Irishwoman, and housekeeper, to General Wash-

ington. " Well, Mrs. Thompson, you must cook the ra-

tions, for I have not a farthing to give you." " If you

please, sir, let one of the gentlemen give me an order for

six bushels of salt." "Six bushels of salt; for what?"

" To preserve the fresh beef, sir." One of the aids gave

the order, and next day his excellency's table was amply

provided. Mrs. Thompson was sent for, and told she had

done very wrong to expend her own money, for it was

not known when she could be repaid. " I owe you,"

said his excellency, " too much already to permit the

debt being increased, and our situation is not such as to

induce very sanguine hope." " Dear sir," said the good

old lady, " it is always darkest just before daylight, and

I hope your excellency will forgive me for bartering salt

for the other necessaries now on the table." Salt was

eight dollars a bushel and could always be exchanged

with the country people for articles of provision."

The Church had to be used as a makeshift hospital, so they gathered for worship services in an orchard in the back yard of the church:

"As the army left here in May 1777 we may infer from

this last minute that the church was retained as a hospital

for those incapacited by sickness from the severities of

active warfare. If this be so the pastor and people were

obliged for a year and a half to worship, as we know

they did a part of the time, in the open air."

My Great X10 Grandfather realized that differences between factions did not matter in the eyes of his God, and therefore allowed people of all creeds to his services, famously stating "All who love the Lord are Welcome", just as Jason has welcomed all representatives of the various groups of the Goth/Industrial scene to parttake in ABSOLUTION.

"It is not to be wondered at that under all these depress-

ing circumstances the troubled heart of Washington

turned for support and comfort to the God of all strength,

to the God of nations and of battles. We are not sur-

prised, therefore, that as the time of the communion

drew near, which was then observed semi-annually,

Washington sought good Pastor Johnes, and inquired

of him if membership with the Presbyterian church was

required "as a term of admission to the ordinance."

The doctor's reply was, "Ours is npt the Presbyterian

table, but the Lord's table, and we hence give the Lord's

invitation to all his followers, of whatever name." This

pleased and satisfied the general, and on the coming Sab-

bath, in the cold air, he was present with the congrega-

tion assembled in the orchard in the rear of the parson-

age, the house now occupied by Mrs. Eugene Ayers, on

Morris street; and in the natural basin still found there

he sat down at the table of the Lord, and in the remem-

brance of redeeming love obtained no doubt relief from

the scenes that appalled and the cares that oppressed him.

The common opinion is that the Lord's Supper was ad-

ministered in the church. This is so stated in Sparks's

life of Washington and by other writers, but the true

version is as already given. The church was occupied

by invalid troops till the close of the year 1777, if not till

some time in 1778, as the records of the trustees show.

This was the only time after his entrance upon his public

career that Washington is certainly known to have par-

taken of the Lord's Supper.

(For the proof of this interesting historical incidenl

the reader is referred to The Record ior ]m\t a.x\A Kn-

gust 1880.)

Washington was a frequent attendant upon these open-

air meetings. On one of these occasions, according to

an account handed down by Doctor Johnes, Washington

was sitting in his camp chair, brought in for the occasion.

During the service a woman came into the congregation

with a child in her arms; Washington arose from his

chair and gave it to the woman with the child. "

Times of building(or in this case, rebuilding) are accompanied by great hardship, and this time period is no exception. I sometimes think the forefathers and foremothers had an easier time, for they had a great tabula rasa(empty slate) on which to write, while we must write over the grooves of the past.

Taken from History of Morris County, New Jersey http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924028828386/cu31924028828386_djvu.txt

Silly Hipsters, Cities are for Cars!(at least NYC!)

2011-08-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

Something I was posting about on my Facebook page last year frequently was the futility and assinine over idealism and unrealistic quality of putting bike lanes all over Manhattan and it's boroughs. Although I am quite Green and believe in conserving Mother Earth(as a Pagan, that's very important to me), I am also very realistic and know that Manhattan and it's boroughs were NOT designed with bikes in mind.

Many years ago when I first moved here, I decided to get more exercise by riding a bike. It took me exactly 15 minutes of bike riding in the East Village to discover why this was impractical and dangerous. The streets are narrow and filled with drivers of unknown origin from various countries where there exists narry a street sign or driving rule. Manhattan is a place where frenzied business and commerce take place all day every day, and due to nightlife the traffic at night is even more congested sometimes than during the day. Nobody has time for you or your bike. It's just a simple fact of life in Manhattan and the boroughs.

I was shocked when I drove to Manhattan one day and saw that there were new bike lanes all over Brooklyn and the East Village. I remember thinking about how this would lead to bikers being hit by cars and even joked about it. What really made me mad, however, was the smug, anti-car attitude of the hipster bike riding class. It was as though they thought they could convert the whole city to being green and riding bikes by hating cars, and trying to act shitty to people who owned cars. That attitude is not going to get far at all because the people who own cars in Manhattan, Brooklyn, etc mostly own them because they OWN A BUSINESS. It's not because they just "feel like taking a ride". Hipsters will never be able to stop people from car ownership in NYC for that reason. To me such short sightedness was too stupid for words. And not only that, people would be mowed down in great numbers because of the bike lanes.

I wonder if the person or group responsible for pushing through the ridiculous bike lanes is going to reimburse the pain, suffering and lost time from work of the silly kids who took a chance and used the bike lanes and were hit, like this one:

HELL ON WHEELS

The article is peppered with statements like "James Paz remembers something inhuman slamming into his bike". No Shit, Sherlock. That would be a car. Or how about a classic "...when that four wheeled monster bulldozed her body." Four wheeled monster. Wow. The attempt to get people to hate cars sounds pretty ridiculous. Nobody is going to believe cars are "inhuman", "four wheeled monsters", etc. Especially if they need them to get to and from work.

Then, the article tries to punish "cops who don't try to find hit and run drivers who hit people in the bike lanes". Well it doesn't take a genius to figure out that cops along with everybody else think the bike lane idea is ridiculous for Manhattan. The only people who don't? Hipsters who are mainly college students, who mostly don't work or own a business yet!!!

Pushing the bike lanes has cut down on the amount of people who can drive and park in the areas where they were put, hurting business and the economy there further(If customers can't park, they won't go.)It is out of the question for most people to ride in a New York winter with snow and ice all over the place. And it is downright dangerous. Bike couriers are a bold breed of human, sleek with very quick reflexes and top of the line bikes. A dumb kid from Iowa on a gearless bike? That's a sitting duck, hit and run fodder. You might as well put a target on your back.

So you move to Manhattan from wherever. You think everybody should go Green, give up their cars and buy a bike. You decide to "set the example" for the rest of the oil wasting, atmosphere polluting anachronists you live in NYC with(99.999% of people, in other words EVERYBODY ELSE EXCEPT YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS.) You get your gearless bike to fit in with your hipster friends, get on it, and hit the road. You ignore the speeding cars, reckless drivers and narrow streets ALL AROUND YOU, because YOU ARE ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE GREEN MOVEMENT AND YOU ARE GOING TO CLEAN UP NYC AND SHOW EVERYBODY ELSE HOW IT'S DONE. After all, they JUST put in bike lanes, so it's safe, right? Suddenly, a car turns you and your bike into roadkill. As they're peeling you up off the road with a spatula, you start blaming EVERYBODY ELSE- right? It's the COP'S fault. It's the DRIVER'S fault. No, dumbass- it's YOUR FAULT. Everybody Knows that Manhattan is no place to ride a bike, unless you are close to Olympic status with a racing bike. It's not changing for you or anybody.

2011-08-12T00:42:00.001-07:00

So I'm testing my blog right now to see if I can post from my iPhone. That will make this blog much more interactive.

Spring!

2011-05-02T00:47:00.000-07:00

Spring is finally here, and I am grateful that here in NYC we are getting a real spring this time instead of slamming from really cold to really hot like some years.

ABSOLUTION's dance party, ATLANTIS, has been rolling right along and to our delight we meet new and interesting people every week along with our regulars. We have a really wonderful cast of characters there who's company I greatly enjoy. Our special events like the upcoming PALE QUEEN'S BALL are exciting and fun. And we do a Saturday from time to time like our INCANTATION party. I will also be DJing at QXT's DJ DIVA WEEKEND on Saturday May 14, 2011. Good times.

We've been enjoying some great places to eat for a special occasion treat like the much beloved ZUM SCHNEIDER, HEIDELBERG which has even better and more authentic German food, and a great Belgian Beer Bar called VOL DE NUIT. We also like RADEGAST HALL in Williamsburg, on nights where there is no ompa-ompa band playing, lol!

I have decided to get into a business that I have long patronized, an online pagan oriented products store. I am always looking for oils, candles, new decks of Tarot and other cards, blank books and so forth. I know of so many good ones by now that I decided to start sharing them with all of you. So therefore keep your eyes open in the future for THE WHITE RAVEN, a new place to go shopping for pagan stuff you enjoy- or just ogle it online, lol:) It's not ready yet, but check back. THE WHITE RAVEN is coming!

Thanks so much, dear readers, for keeping life in the community of NYC. Bands, parties, stores, restaurants or just hanging out- let's keep our community a great place to be!

Happy and Productive

2011-02-20T12:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while since I wrote a new blog. I've been obsessed with our new ABSOLUTIONNYC SITE and haven't been paying attention to the blog. I kind of miss the simplicity of this little blog after operating a site like the one we have now.

I don't want to disappoint you gossip hounds, but there really isn't anything new to report other than our parties are going well, are a lot of fun and are a joy to put on. Thank you everyone! Keep an eye open for ABSOLUTION PRODUCTION'S Goth/Industrial themed shows and parties at many venues and nights of the week in 2011 as we expand our number of productions and the quality of the acts we are booking.

It has been challenging but wonderful running a full scale production company once again. In the past year my partner and I updated our list of patrons, learned the "lay of the land" of available venues again(it changes each year in a living, changing city like Manhattan) and learned which bands and acts were ready and available now. There was a lot of "dead wood" to clear away, and chaff to separate from good grain. We also had to do a fair bit of educating people about the basics once again. Thankfully, that period is over- the foundation of the NYC Goth/Industrial nightlife scene is to the point in development that your free lessons are over. From now on you may inquire on the tab above labeled BOOKING XTINE about my Consultancy Fee if you want more info, LOL! (that was a joke, for you humorously impaired out there). There are some(I can think of one in particular) who is willing to offer advice, who has "come about" during a vaccuum - for those who take such advice, caveat emptor, and Good Luck.

Thank you to the many wonderful patrons who have been coming out weekly. There may be a Recession on, but nobody told them, lol! I see so many faces returning again and again, and new people who crop up after finding us on the Web or through our ads. I think they are seeking our party for relief FROM the Recession, which is how it is supposed to be. A Time that is not a Time, a Place that is not a Place, a Day that is not a Day.

I like it when people say "I met my boyfriend/girlfriend at your party!" or "I had the best conversation there the other night" or even "did you see what that guy/girl did?" That is the whole purpose behind it all IMO. Weaving the fabric of community and reality. That, and watching the crowd move like a many-headed and -limbed beast to the music, feeling the air get hot from all the dancing, and swirling fog like London pea-soup:). It's Magic.

-Xtine

ABSOLUTION accomplishments 2010

2010-12-31T14:55:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of the distinctions ABSOLUTION has garnered in 2010. We hit the ground running last New Years, as it marked the beginning of our weekly contract on Fridays with club UC87 to produce one Gothic/Industrial themed party per week, and sometimes two in the case of a Sunday holiday party such as Halloween.

1) We produced over 52 parties at UC87(not including other venues)

2) We had about 30 bands play throughout the year, being the only Goth/Industrial themed night in the NYC area and it's boroughs that featured at least one band per week.

3) We featured a roster of 50+ DJs who all came to promote their own party productions with guest appearances

4) We designed a website(coming soon!) that is an online library and repository of information about previous Goth/Industrial events in NYC, restoring the rich history of this scene to the people who created it and took part in it and those who wish to find out about the history of this scene, dating as far back as 1996.

This major effort revitalized the Goth/Industrial scene in NYC and drew attention to it from other music fans and producers. It provided a welcome influx of interest about this subject and gave music and fashion fans the option of attending and celebrating this scene on a weekly weekend basis. Unwilling to allow a great tradition to fall into disrepair and unafraid of naysayers, we will continue on our path into 2011! There are many options open to us now and there are many other works in progress, so stay tuned for more news. It's a good time to be a Goth/Industrial fan, DJ or musician in NYC;)

From a Distance- Moving into 2011!

2010-12-22T22:46:00.000-08:00

What a wild year we've had! We have accomplished many goals that were previously being said to be impossible(although we knew from many years experience that they were not, in fact, impossible at all), such as creating a weekly Goth/Industrial club event. We've had some ups and downs, and incredible progress. Galvanizing the Goth/Industrial scene into action has been a great pleasure to me. Even on the worst days when you have seen me with a stressed out look on my face, hair askew and not in the best outfit(or, can I even say it? Sneakers!:/), it has been an honor, a pleasure, and so inspiring to bring such a beautiful art form back to the City of New York on a weekly, weekend basis.

What we have done has made things easier for all producers and patrons of Goth/Industrial music events by increasing the frequency of the events in NYC and therefore the interest and fan base. By "defending the borders" and highlighting the differences between what we like and what other music and fashion fans like, we made it so that people were aware of these differences and could therefore make a conscious choice to be in our category- and "represent" as the case may be, LOL!

I want to dedicate this song to those who felt unnecessarily threatened last year by our progress(there are always a couple of those). We knew and were prepared for this by our years of experience, but that never makes this process any easier emotionally. We want those people to know that they are in our hearts, and a candle is always burning in the window to light their way back to us, a drink always poured and set for them at the table. We care for them more than they know.

"From a distance, you look like my friend... "

Oceania is at war with Eurasia....

2010-11-14T19:30:00.000-08:00

Rune meditation for today: OTHALA, or

HOMELAND- where or what is your spiritual Home?

When your Home is in your heart, you are always there.  You can create a Home around you...

I've always liked this song by Midnight Oil, Dead Heart. It speaks about the Homeland, and how it can never truly be stolen.

On Being a Goth/Industrial DJ in NYC

2010-11-12T14:56:00.000-08:00

A DJs career is dependent upon one thing: time. DJs, to show their worth, must be able to spin a full club event alone 10pm-4am(6 hours). A 30 minute set is approximately 6 songs- a 45 minute set, 9. It takes almost no skill to select 6 or 9 songs to play back to back. A true DJ takes the crowd through fast periods, slow periods, and creates a story or a music landscape in the mind- an adventure into music.   A short jaunt is just a cameo, it's a favor done by the promoter to allow the DJ to make a cameo appearance to build up their name.

It is not normal to have a club event with more than one or at the most two DJs. This style of club event was brought about by DJ JASON, who decided to make a super party that was made up completely of cameos by other star DJs. He didn't intend for everybody to copy this style, not realizing that people would eventually think that shamelessly ripping off other people's club event styles was OK.

What happens when every event has four or more DJs on it?

1) the deterioration of DJing as a skill. If nobody knows how to spin a club event from start to finish, it is not as much of a skill as it used to be and hardly a skill at all. For who can't string 6-9 songs together?

2) the cheapening of the image of all DJs. If nobody can tell a real DJ from one who has only spun at most for an hour, the DJs with no skills get the same promo as the real DJs. It turns it from being a skill into just a promotion bubble, on the level of the Kardashians.

3) The end of DJing as a career- if no DJ can play a full night, obviously they aren't going to get paid much or anything for playing. Therefore touring is certainly not worthwhile, nor is learning a skill they are never going to get to use. Anyone who wants to spin a full night had better also develop the skill of Promoting so they can book themselves for a full night or else they will never be heard on that level. With this double workload, will anyone without a huge head start ever pursue this art?

For most promoters to book 4 or more DJs is actually anti to the Goth/Industrial scene's music being studied in depth by specialists because it makes it not worthwhile, while at the same time creating a glut of "faux" DJs who have very little skills- who have been billed on lots of flyers but spun a quarter or less of the hours a real DJ has spun. This horde of "faux" DJs also does not understand the true role of the DJ in club events- a DJ MUST support the club event they have chosen, or which has given them a chance to build a name. They cannot go from club event to club event on the same night, but must help build up the same club event of their choice in order to build a name. Promoters think they have found a treasure when they rip off the structure of ABSOLUTION in having multiple DJs, but in reality they are helping keep the Goth/Industrial scene at a minimal level by replicating this style. It's not meant for everyone, only ABSOLUTION who has done it for 12 years!

I'm sure it must be confusing for would-be DJs to be given a 30minute- 1 hour sets at EVERY EVENT- that's not supposed to happen.   I'm happy that I did not develop during this time period.

Aesop's "The Donkey and the Lap Dog"

2010-11-05T02:40:00.000-07:00

It's my opinion that everyone growing up should be given a copy of Aesop's Fables. They come to us from the mid 6th Century BC and are attributed to the wise slave Aesop, but over the centuries have probably been worked on and embellished by any number of people. The wisdom in these stories holds true to the modern day, and can be seen anywhere there are people, low to high.

Today, let's consider a story by the name of "The Donkey and the Lap Dog".

T

HERE was once a man who had a Donkey and a little pet Dog. The Donkey worked all day in the fields and slept in the barn at night. But the Lap Dog frisked about and played, jumping in his master's lap whenever he pleased, feeding from his hand, and sleeping by his bed at night.
The Donkey grumbled a great deal at this. "How hard I work!" said he, "and I never get any pay but blows and hard words. Why should I not be petted like that wretched little Dog? It may be partly my own fault. Perhaps if I played with my master as he does, I too might be treated like him."
So the Donkey pushed his way into the house, and jumped up on his master's knee, putting his forefeet on his shoulders and giving a loud bray.
The master, almost deafened by the noise and in danger from the great clumsy creature called out, "Help! help!" and the servants, running in, drove the Donkey out of doors with sticks and stones."

Do YOU know any Donkeys?

ABSOLUTION tonight- DJ JASON'S BIRTHDAY and PIKER RYAN!!

2010-10-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

Tonight is a very special ABSOLUTION honoring the birthday of DJ JASON! He is the one and only person in NYC who values the Goth/Industrial scene enough to devote his energy to doing a Weekly Party for all of us. He deals with bands, artists, performers and photographers on a weekly basis- things that others had considered "too much trouble", in order to keep NYC's tradition of a lively, intelligent and interactive nightlife alive! In addition we will have classic NYC band PIKER RYAN(music in the style of Nick Cave) flying in from Oslo, Norway to do a reunion! 87 Ludlow St corner of Ludlow and Delancy www.absolutionnyc.com

Things that Everybody Knows about Nightclubs in NYC!

2010-10-13T22:21:00.000-07:00

Since restarting my nightclub project, I have often been surprised when people have asked me questions that in the past Everybody Knew. I decided to make a page about what Everyone Knows, as a refresher or maybe a tutorial for people who have entered the world of NYC's nightlife in the past three years when there was a lack of professionally executed nightclub events.

Q: When do you start?

A: Most nightclub events in NYC begin at 10pm and end at 4am. Occasionally you may see an event that opens a bit early like at 9pm, but that could be because they are on an off night like a Sunday or an early weekday like Monday-Wednesday. But normal club hours are 10pm-4am.

Q: What do you spin?

A: If the theme of the party is Goth and Industrial, I will play what is customarily played at Gothic and Industrial nightclubs- Goth, Industrial, Synthpop, 80s New Wave and New Romantic, and Underground Cult Classics. I would never spin another type of music if this is the theme of the party. Everyone Knows that the music always matches the theme of the party.

Q: Can you play my favorite Hip-Hop song?

A: No. That's not what kind of DJ I am. I don't even have Hip-Hop in my collection, nor do I know the most popular Hip-Hop songs right now, nor do I want to know them. As a matter of fact, I deliberately shelter myself from that kind of knowledge because to me it's gauche. So PLEASE- Everybody Knows that a Goth/Industrial DJ does not have the slightest idea what you mean when you ask for a Hip Hop song or any other song outside their genre.

Q: Blah Blah Blah, Blah Blah Blah Blah(while I'm spinning).

A: Everybody Knows that you can't ask a DJ questions or start talking at them while they are spinning. Most DJ booths or platforms are elevated, to prevent this sort of thing which can cause the club to suffer if the DJ gets distracted. For DJs who are unlucky enough to be spinning at crowd level, don't come up and start a big conversation while they are spinning- even if there is nobody dancing or there is nobody in the room at that particular moment. Saying Hi is ok but that's about it. DJs need to be ready to catch people's attention when they do walk into the room. If you are standing there yacking, it will be that much harder to build the room up. Talking to a performing DJ- Don't Do It.

I'm sure there is more but that is all for now. I will probably add more things onto this particular blog as they come up.

CLICK N DRAG For The Discerning Underground Party Patron in NYC...

2010-10-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

MOTHER, a Nightclub created by CHI CHI VALENTI,raised the bar for all underground nightclubs in NYC, challenging producers to see that nightclub production could actually be an art form.

My first real impression of New York Nightclubs was received when I was randomly hired as a "method go-go" artist at this club. I had been to NYC nightclubs before and liked them but was not overly impressed. MOTHER and CLICK N DRAG were totally different.

The doorperson was in actuality KITTY BOOTS, a lauded fashion designer who doubled as wardrobe mistress for the dancers. The basement of MOTHER was stuffed with her creations, and before the event she would go in and pick out something for the dancers to wear. Because MOTHER was my first experience with working for an NYC nightclub, I thought it was normal for nightclub performers to have not only a large dressing room but a large stock of costumes and someone to make them look fabulous! Little did I know that this is far from the case with MOST other clubs, LOL.

The video displays(yes, they had someone to just do video displays) were done by noted visual artist ROB ROTH. And the staff in the club were all hand picked as a casting director would choose in addition to being able to do their jobs. Needless to say, when you combine these elements it makes for a Party on a very high level, far higher than most other nightclub productions. It was like being part of a play or performance art piece rather than a club night. This production was actually run WEEKLY, for four years. So anyone who is operating under the misconception that nightclub parties are "too hard to do on a weekly basis"...how about a party that needs new visual displays, costumes, dancers and performers EACH WEEK? And this was done with aplomb.

There was a strict dress code for this party- NO blue jeans, NO white button down shirts, NO baesball caps WHATSOEVER. I remember going there with a CBGBs employee and even having HIM turned away because he was wearing blue jeans. Someone not well versed in how to run a nightclub would probably think this was not the best business policy. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Because of the dress code, people went out of their way to dress up for this party, and come out to this party, knowing that there wouldn't be any disagreeable people there. People worked for hours and hours on costumes for this party. The dress code stimulated business not only at the club but for related businesses like costume shops, underground fashion designers, etc, and made NYC a much more fun and fashionable place. It became a haven for artists, photographers and other "artsy" types.

So tonight is the night- I'll see you all at CLICK N DRAG!

Ellicott City, Maryland

2010-09-24T02:25:00.000-07:00

I have a favorite place to stop every time I visit my parents in Virginia- Ellicott City, Maryland. I discovered it in 1994, right after college at University of Maryland. Or rather, it was discovered for me by a guy I was dating at the time. He thought I would like it because it had a lot of quirky, artsy, Witchy type stores there.

He brought me there and I certainly DID enjoy it, although at the time it was just simply because I could have a good time browsing the stores. Now, 16 years later, I returned there with Jason. He immediately was impressed by some of the stonework in the buildings, and how some of the buildings were built right out of the living rock. That coupled with the rather esoteric flavor of the place lead me to think "Masons!" which was shortly confirmed when we came upon this sign:

Chartered in 1843? That's a very established Lodge indeed. Here are some more pics of the stone houses and street:

We continued to explore, and visited a number of lovely places like a Victorian Tea Room called TEA ON THE TIBER. Even the East Village of NYC can't boast a true Victorian Tea Room. When I returned home I looked up Tea on the Tiber and I was shocked to find that there are a number of Tea Rooms around the country, and not only that, there are tearoom review sites like this one: TEAGUIDE.NET. I hadn't realized that Tea Rooms were making a comeback. I adore tea so this is a good find in my opinion.

I then got curious about the name of the place- Tea on the Tiber? I looked up Ellicott City's Wikipedia article, and found that, like Rome, Ellicott City is reputed to be built on seven hills, and the river that flows there is named the Tiber just as Rome's river is named Tiber. The builders of this city had Rome in mind for sure (and possibly Rome's Pagan beliefs as well? Hmmm...).

There are other facts about Ellicott City in the article, such as it is reputed to be one of the most haunted small towns on the East Coast. It was also home to The Enchanted Forest, a fairytale-themed amusement park that closed in the early 90s. In addition, it is listed as one of the most affluent communities in America, and since 2005 has been ranked 4 times as "one of the best places to live in America" by Money and CNNMoney.com. So strange with it's esoteric themes and wealth! It's definitely a place I love to return to again and again on my way up and down the East Coast. I invariably find something I'd love to take home.

Here are some pictures from a store in Ellicott City I always make a stop at, THE FORGET ME NOT FACTORY. The website doesn't really do the place justice, because it's an ancient stone house with three levels that is simply STUFFED with anything and everything you could ever hope to look at or want if you are into anything even vaguely esoteric, faerie, witchy, alternative or mysticaly minded. When I say stuffed, I mean really covered- every surface, walls, floor, ceiling, etc is just loaded with things. It would take more than a day to examine it all- I often don't buy anything because I'm feeling overwhelmed in there. You may see Jason in some of these pics, much to his chagrin:):).

And of course, when we left, Jason who is ALWAYS on the job made sure to leave some of our flyers in their flyer basket. Jason never forgets this all-important task, even though I sometimes do. Thanks, Jason!

XTINE and MICHAEL STRANGER and FRACTIONAL perform @ COURT OF LAZARUS Sunday Sept. 19!

2010-09-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

THE COURT OF LAZARUS, NYCs Original Salon Noire, will feature a performance by Myself(Xtine) and MICHAEL STRANGER Sunday Sept. 19th(tomorrow!). Three Vingettes from Phantom of the Opera will be performed:

Why Have You Brought Me Here

Raoul I've Been There

Reprise

There has been one previous performance at ABSOLUTION on July 16th, 2010. Here are some stills from that performance taken from the video:

In addition, COURT OF LAZARUS will also be featuring Belgian IDM and Electronica band FRACTIONAL.

Blood from Fractional Blood on Vimeo.

This will be an unforgettable Court of Lazarus, which will be held at, interestingly enough, MADAME X. Doors at 8pm.

THANK YOU!!!

2010-09-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

I wanted to issue a collective Thank You to the wonderful and thoughtful people who brought me Gifts last night at my Birthday Party @ ABSOLUTION, and the wonderful people who showed up to say Happy Birthday. Thank you so much! I had the best time ever!

The amazing Neo-Medieval Gothic band KARPATHOS played upstairs, and we were treated to Bellydancing, Drumming and Bagpiping- Everyone went crazy during the Bagpipe Solo! That was very impressive! I wish I hadn't been in the middle of Birthday Drinking so that I would have had the presence of mind to take a few pics:P. KARPATHOS played today at the NY Renn Faire in Tuxedo, where they have regular bookings.

Here is a photo of some of the things I received last night....Hugs and Kisses to you all!

Another Turn of the Wheel

2010-09-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

Sept. 15th will mark another Birthday for me on the calendar. This past year has shown a lot of manifestation of ideas that were started for me in 1997. Creating a Nightclub, Music and DJing, Singing and Performing...it has has come to fruition in this past Year. This was also my first year with my wonderful partner Jason. The years just get sweeter and sweeter as they come and go. Did I say it was easy? No, No, No. Some days I have felt like I can barely go on. However, now more than ever before, I am working my Will. I think that young people who fear their middle years should take heart- there is nothing to fear and everything to gain!

I have a unique horoscope:

As you can see I've got some major planets like the Sun, Mercury and Mars in the Eighth House which, with it's Pluto and Scorpio associations is the House of Sex, Death and Regenration. In the rest of the chart, I've got some other major planets which are Venus, Jupiter and Neptune in Scorpio. At this rate, I should be an honorary Scorpio even though my Sun sign is Virgo.

Any Astrologers, Pychics, Tarot readers, etc. who would like to give me the gift of a reading of the coming year for my Birthday, please feel free! I love Astrology almost as much as I love Divination.

I will be celebrating my Birthday this year at ABSOLUTION, I'd love to see you all there! Here is the invite:

The Hippopotamus

2010-09-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

An aquaintence gave me a book of T.S. Eliot's poetry for my birthday recently. I like some of the poems very much, and I think this may be my favorite:

THE HIPPOPOTAMUS
by: T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)

HE broad-backed hippopotamus
Rests on his belly in the mud;
Although he seems so firm to us
He is merely flesh and blood.

Flesh-and-blood is weak and frail,
Susceptible to nervous shock;
While the True Church can never fail
For it is based upon a rock.

The hippo's feeble steps may err
In compassing material ends,
While the True Church need never stir
To gather in its dividends.

The 'potamus can never reach
The mango on the mango-tree;
But fruits of pomegranate and peach
Refresh the Church from over sea.

At mating time the hippo's voice
Betrays inflexions hoarse and odd,
But every week we hear rejoice
The Church, at being one with God.

The hippopotamus's day
Is passed in sleep; at night he hunts;
God works in a mysterious way--
The Church can sleep and feed at once.

I saw the 'potamus take wing
Ascending from the damp savannas,
And quiring angels round him sing
The praise of God, in loud hosannas.

Blood of the Lamb shall wash him clean
And him shall heavenly arms enfold,
Among the saints he shall be seen
Performing on a harp of gold.

He shall be washed as white as snow,
By all the martyr'd virgins kist,
While the True Church remains below
Wrapt in the old miasmal mist.

Shoot with Natasha Gornik

2010-09-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

Photographer NATASHA GORNIK did a shoot with Jason and I last week. We loved the results so much that we decided to use one of the shots on the main flyer for ABSOLUTION.