This week, May 10 2008
Midnight's always a little bit like Las Vegas--with great shows, music, drinks, complimentary food options, and a weekly drawing that gives everyone who enters a chance to go home a winner. This Saturday is a perfect example. We've booked not one but two exotic bellydancing acts (Serpens, Shaell) that we know you won't be able to resist. Combine them with a CD release party for The Birthday Massacre, three hot DJs (Phae, DuJour, Gleek), two impressive vendors (radio-active-music.com, Maile Man), and all the usual extras, all for just a $5.00 cover, and we bet you can't find any better deal--especially given our admission and drink discounts-- in D.C. for sure!BELLYDANCERS!
Our headline act this Saturday is Serpens; and, as some of you may already suspect given the name, they not only perform the ancient Eastern art but do so accompanied by live snakes!
Serpens is a relatively new group, but both of its members have studied bellydancing for many years. Urvashi is well known in Washington bellydancing circles, currently a leader of the troupe Gypsy Hips. Farasha, a licensed veterinary technician by day, also performs with the group Rhythm and Cues. Dancing together with their pair of boas, they'll leave you amazed and begging for more.
Opening for Serpens will be Shaell, a Midnight regular much admired in the local gothic scene for her dance floor moves and stylish dress.
Serpens will be filming this appearance, and you can take pictures as well. However, in order to guarantee the safety of the snakes (and our attendees), and to keep The Meeting Place's insurers happy, we've imposed a strict "no interaction" policy. Only Serpens members and their assistants will be able to hold or touch the snakes, and close- up shots will be prohibited. Bring your zoon lens.
This is going to be a "don't miss" show for sure!
IN THE DJ BOOTH
Three of our request-friendly residents will be spinning both before and after the dancers, up until 2:45 a.m.:
* Phae -- She effortlessly mixes your dance floor requests into sets full of favorite synthpop and German hits.
* DuJour -- Originally a Midnight trainee, her expert mixes of EBM, industrial, goth and electro always pack the floor.
* Gleek -- A former resident at the '80s Night at The Blue Iguana, his synthpop/industrial/'80s new wave sets will get you dancing for sure.
CD PROMO FOR THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE
Thanks to our friends at Metropolis Records, we're hosting a CD release party for "Looking Glass," the latest EP from The Birthday Massacre (www.myspace.com/thebirthdaymassacre), a Toronto-based synth/rock band originally formed under the name Imagica in 1999. Over the years they've acquired a remarkable international following-- no surprise, we're sure, if you've been lucky enough to catch them live at parties such as Ascension.
We'll be playing tracks from the disc, and we'll have giveaways-- including a stack of posters and, in the drawing, some CDs--for you as well.
Our VC, Sasha, advises that she's booked two noteworthy vendors for us this weekend:
* Radio-active-music.com, run by Midnight's talented Associate Promoter, Laura Hofford, will be offering inexpensive CDs from some of the many bands, both foreign and domestic, it helps to promote.
* Maile Man (www.maileman.com) sells some really excellent chain mail jewelry and accessories--including necklaces, chokers, bracelets, bellydancing gear, rings, keychains, and much more.
* Due to a communications problem (urgh!) we accidentally omitted mention in the mailing of a third top-notch vendor we've got booked for this Saturday, No Human Intentions (http://stores.ebay.com/NO-HUMAN- INTENTIONS). If you shop with Dementia Clothing, you may already have seen some of their wares. NHI promises to bring us some impressive "uv reactive syringe jewelry, cyber goggles, masks, steampunk jewelry" and their own design of garter wallets.
At some point when you're not on the floor, ogling the bellydancers and their snakes, or enjoying The Meeting Place's May drink specials, be sure to stop by NHI's tables and welcome this first-time Midnight vendor on board!
Bring a few extra bucks and be sure to check out the bargains at their displays.
MAY DRINK DEALS
The Meeting Place always offers us a variety of specials, and this Saturday is no exception. From 9:00 to 10:00 p.m., most alcoholic beverages qualify for their two-for-one sales deal. Between 10:00 p.m. and last call, you can purchase a Bud or Bud Light draft for $3.00 plus tax, or any "rail drink" (think generic requests like gin & tonic, as opposed to brand ones such as Captain & Coke) for a flat $4.00. Double-check with your bartender if you're in any doubt as to what's included.
They're not part of the two-for-one (sorry!), but we definitely recommend TMP's infamous "black death shooters" ($2.00 each) and beer pitcher deals.
Please be sure to drink responsibly, designate a driver, or both.
THE WEEKLY DRAWING
Don't forget, if you arrive before the witching hour, to fill out one of the drawing slips on our literature table and place it in the adjacent cauldron. If you do, you're eligible to win CDs from The Birthday Massacre, Obscenity Trial, Angels on Acid, Conscious Structure, or Strangeland Records (their "Goth/Industrial 2007" compilation). Thanks to SLR (www.strangelandrecords.com) for its contribution!
FREE CAKE, FULL MENU
We're back in full b'day party mode again this Saturday, celebrating those of Kevin, who's been hanging around The Meeting Place (with Barbara) since Catacomb days, and Nakani, one of our very professional security staff. There'll be free cake in their honor after the bellydancers retire from the floor. Best wishes also to Ilker, DJs Neska and Skunque, Cris, Woogy, and Frenchie, some of whom may be able to join us.
Sugar fiends will love the tray of free candy we set out at opening on a table near the entrance to the Back Hall area (where we run a year-round secure bag and coat check).
Craving an actual meal? From 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., The Meeting Place serves its full menu, with lots of delicious options for virtually any diet. Check with your bartender.
GET IN FREE OR CHEAP
Sure, we've got two fabulous bellydancing acts booked for May 10, but our cover for the evening will be the same $5.00 as always. Feeling the economic pinch? You can get in this Saturday for even less if:
* you're one of our first dozen guests in line when we open at 9:00 p.m., in which case your admission is free
* you present a current H.S. or college ID (faculty, student, staff-- must be 18) at our cash table, which saves you $2.00
Don't forget that, unlike far too many local clubs these days, we're still proudly 18+ and don't have one of those snooty dress codes. We realize that, especially in this tough economy, not everyone can afford expensive PVC, corsets, etc. Dress up if you can and want to, of course, but we want everyone to come out and enjoy the party. It's the people, not their garb, that have helped make Midnight such a fun and successful night for five and a half years.
Bellydancers! Snakes! Great DJs and vendors! Cake and other free stuff! A chance to hear tracks from TBM's new CD! Marvelous drink deals! $5.00 cover! (Sorry, Yahoo is having a sale on exclamation points this week.) You get the idea. Saturday's coming, and Midnight is definitely the place to be.
-- Scott & the Midnight crew
MIDNIGHT SHORTS
* POLICY ON I.D.s -- Sixx, our security chief, has asked me to remind you that in order to attend Midnight you MUST have a current, valid ID with you. No exceptions, sorry, for ANYONE.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, May 7 -- Cabal at The Depot (1728 North Charles Street, Baltimore), with Medic and guests (www.myspace.com/medixcabal)
Wednesday, May 7 -- Finnish symphonic metal stars Apocalyptica perform live at the 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW, Washington) [930.com]
Thursday, May 8 -- Exposure at Club LIV (2001 11th Street NW, upstairs, Washington); with guest DJ Steve EP (FYM Productions); 18+ (www.exposure-dc.com)
Friday, May 9 -- '80s Night at The Depot (1728 North Charles Street, Baltimore); 21+, no cover
* Friday, May 9 -- Ascension at Club Orpheus (1003 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore), with DJs Lady Kele-De and Liebchen (www.marylandascension.com)
Friday, May 9 -- Bound remains closed, but it REOPENS May 30 at the Red Lounge (2013 14th Street NW, 2nd floor, Washington), 21+ (www.bound.org)
** Saturday, May 10 -- MIDNIGHT, with bellydancing performances by Serpens and Shaell; DJs Phae, DuJour, and Gleek; CD release party for The Birthday Massacre's "Looking Glass"; vending by radio-active- music.com and Maile Man; free cake & more!
Thursday, May 15 -- Serj Tankian (of System of a Down) performs live at the 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW, Washington) [930.com]
** Saturday, May 17 -- MIDNIGHT, with DJs Liebchen, Vlad, and (all the way from Britain!) Rex; vending by Silver Dragon Studio; free cake; more TBA!
Sunday, May 18 -- 1st edition of Goth Night at Piratz Tavern (8402 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD) [www.piratztavern.com]
This week, May 3, 2008 - The Opposite Sex LIVE! This week, May 17, 2008
