July 30, 2007
Problem Children
On Thursday morning me and one of my dancers Junior go up to Evanston to give dance workshops to seriously abused and socially problematic kids. Their shit was so bad that DCFS took them away from their families, kept them in this home, and most are on meds with serious violence problems. The lady guiding us showed us her bruises, bite marks and other assorted injuries that I guess came with the job. Me and Junior were a little leery about it, but my friend who brought me in insisted that the kids needed to see a woman who runs her own businesses and can be a postive role model, especially for the girls. Yes guys, the Party Girl actually has her shit together despite the wild nights. So we talked to them about our careers, did a performance, then taught a little class. Thankfully no one lunged at us. They were so sweet, and you could tell were starved for a real family, not an institution. When they walked in you could see such sadness in their eyes. They loved us, and it was cool to see their confidence boost when they actually learned a routine.
Later that night I go to Visionz and Transit, then Friday I go to hear Andy Caldwell and The Sound Republic at Zentra. Ahem, what is all this hoohaa about Andy being so fine and chicks swooning over him? He looked like one of those Wicker Park-shower-every-OTHER-day-slouchy-posture-coffeehouse-boys.
Saturday Sean Smith helps me with editing and mixing down the music for my show (super nice guy), and I make a tepid attempt to drive by Fiesta del Sol at Pilsen but was too overwhelmed by all the families walking around. I go to Grooveparlor's 5 year anniversary party at Tini Martini, then go to Ohm. Oh. My. God. They played everything from non-house to ROCK to COMMERCIAL HIP-HOP to I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK WACK SHIT DIS DJ BE ON. It was beyond terrible. Even the lovely David Risqué (Hi Dave), who can dance to anything and keep it live, was standing by the wall with a startled look on his face. Ohm is all over the place trying out new shit, but for real they gotta calm their asses down and figure out what they want to do. And then stay with it.
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July 24, 2007
BLAH weekend, threats and smiles
me, Luigi, Barney and Dave Sabat at the Silver Room Block Party |
Thursday night I check out the pre-party launch of 3 Degrees' new residency at Transit. The space is gorgeous, and it kinda reminds me of their old Wednesdays at Wet. Friday I go to Zentra to hear Mr. V and Ian Pooley, and Saturday afternoon hang with my friends at the Silver Room Block Party. Me, Dave Sabat and Rawfood Chris stop by the doggie park halfway through, and I was utterly delighted watching so many pitbulls running around head butting and mauling each other. Chris and Sabat got slobbered on pretty bad, and I thought it was pretty funny. Sunday after all day rehearsals I go to my usual Subt (packed and super
fun because it was BT the bouncer's bday) and Betty's.
Bitch: I know what you did and I will have your legs broken. Tall Boy: you only get one (read: UNO) return phone call from me, if you miss the boat don't expect me to call or pick up...You're on the expired friends list and really aren't doing it for me no more. Pornstar/stripper: find someone else to roll with and have a three-way with your wife. Old man: leave me alone already, put on the record of Fantasy Girl and dream on.
Now that I've gotten some of that temporary venom out, let me soften it by saying
a) I really am a nice girl, I'm just verbalizing my mental subtext so it doesn't eat me alive and cause some kind of acid reflux, and
b) I truly am blessed with some of the bestest of friends who always put a smile on my recently sad again face: My brothers from other mothers, my dance familia and my pets.
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July 20, 2007
Plug My Party!
Tuesday Night Social Club |
Tuesday Night Social Club is the usual usual but with the addition of late night cold swims that really shouldn't be. I feel like I'm missing out on summer. I've been to maybe 3 picnics, walked near the lake ONCE and haven't gone to any of those little festival/art fair thingies.
I finally finished the Dennis Ferrer article for the August issue, which by the who is our 2 year anniversary issue. All of you who read this and will be in town, come out to our 2 year anniversary party at Zentra on August 10th. We've got DJ Spinna from NY, Lego and my group the Fivestarboogie dancers will be dancing. It's going to be OFF THE CHAINS! Just email me at czarina@5chicago.com to get you and your friends on the guest list. Or just click on the banner above.
And Chosen Few, you know I love you guys....
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July 17, 2007
She Stays In
Sunday I dance for an exhausting 7 hours nonstop, having to meet up with different dancers and choreographers to work on separate pieces. Later that night I check out a show at Circuit, the venue for my upcoming show. I can barely see straight but I still make it out to the 2 House nights at Subt and Betty's because I'm a sucker for social. Monday night I return to Circuit and bring my lighting guy to check out the layout... I am in heaven because they have so many damn lights to use, 3 giant screens, all kinds of theatrical effects (thanks to all the drag queen shows they have there) that my show is going to look sickening! Rest in Peace the Hothouse, whom I heard shut down its doors on the 15th.
Monday night I do the unthinkable: I rent 2 Blockbuster movies, order takeout, and (gasp) stay in! I stuff my face and watch a movie with my gassy dog Luigi snoring on my leg. Who would have thought this could be so much fun? I love being alone. But then again I miss having a boyfriend. That way along with movie night I have someone to scream at and bang. Is that too much to ask for?
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July 16, 2007
Multi-Clubbing, Dance and Your Reality Check
With friends at Kiva Lounge on Thursdays |
The fierce African dancers at the Sonotheque party |
Sunday: Subt and Betty's (with Sean Smith and Craig Alexander), Tuesday Night Social Club at People and The Note, Wednesday: The Dating Game and The Note, Thursday was the fabulous party at Sonoteque (with DJ Spinna) then Ohm, Friday: Zentra and the Grammaphone 38th Anniversary party at Smart Bar, Saturday: Cz stays in to finish up all her August articles and other random shit.
Dance rehearsals for various gigs have also been eating up my time, which is good because dancing distracts me from the other painful issues in my life. I've been returning less and less phone calls, because people should get the hint. Your attractiveness (as a person/friend/busboy) has an expiration date, and summer speeds up the shelf life. You start to see how people can get really annoying and needy, wanting to do a constant samba around your social orbit, and I'm sorry but can a Queen please get some SPACE. I am not your nanny, your
bended ear, your driver, your ATM machine, your celebrity friend. If I bless you with even a superficial smile, run home and tell your mommy.
Yes I am a bitch because you make me one. :)
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July 11, 2007
The Picnic
me and some of my dance familia with my pretty cake |
view from the DJ booth |
I love my dance family! They all bought me a beautiful cake saying "Congratulations Sister" as well as 2 cards signed by all the dancers and teachers at the studio.
Saturday was the Chosen Few Picnic and it was a great great time. The space was a little more congested, kind of a Jerusalem market feel. The guys guarding the entrance to the DJ/VIP tent did their job to the fullest: they were complete and total assholes. Everyone and their mama was there, the music off the chain, Luigi (my dog) and I got drunk as did everybody else. Barbara Tucker, Jamie Principle, Steve Hurley, Darryl Pandy, Farley and R. Kelly (looking grimey and seedy and yucky) were all there. This is an awesome event that cannot be described, you just have to be there.
Now while I love the Chosen Few, we were none too happy by some of the shit that went down. Hey guys, we helped sponsor you all, gave you free ads, sent out enough eblasts about the change of space... yo... How about a shout out on the mic? Just one? Everybody else got one. And the MC sure spent enough time cursing and yelling about everything else. And I won't talk about the cds and t-shirts bs pulled on 5 Mag. Secondly a lot of folks felt slightly threatened by the money donation spiel. Of course those broke mf's need to give a little loot to help support this very worthwhile event... absolutely! But yeesh, don't SCARE people! And yes, as someone said, this picnic felt like a hip-hop event as opposed to the usual House-love-vibe event.
I know I left pissed.
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July 2, 2007
I'm a US Citizen!!!
me taking my oath... look up ahead at the blonde hair |
Judge and Frankie Knuckles |
The morning of July 3rd I with my brother from another mother Lito, went to the courthouse downtown and with 100 other people all representing 35 different countries got sworn in as official U.S. citizens. I had thought it wouldn't be a big deal, but my doctor brother (who got sworn in last year) said it would be. And he was right: it was a very moving experience, all of us had to stand up in front of the judge and say our oaths, and then we each got a letter from George W. Bush as well as a certificate saying we were now American citizens. I got flowers and balloons from my brother, tons of calls and texts from family and friends, and it was truly a great day. Finally! :)
Later that night I went to a party at Room 43 briefly before heading out to hear Frankie Knuckles at Green Dolphin. He was leaving the next day for Europe, and he rarely plays in Chicago anymore. The party was amazing, so many people came out, most of whom I didn't even recognize... which was a good thing! Most of the heads I know are industry regulars, who wouldn't dream of shelling out any money to get into a club, especially not $20. Fuck that I still would pay.
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July 2, 2007
I'm Baaaack
Ultra Nate and Dajae @ Boom Boom Room |
me and my girlies on a typical Zentra Friday |
I've disappeared temporarily because busy bitch is my first, last and middle name. My upcoming show BADDEST BITCH is in full swing rehearsal/production work mode, the mag stuff, plus maintaining the party girl persona. I swear this has happened to me almost every day in the past 2 weeks:
Cz: I am staying in tonight! Yeah!
good friends: What time are we meeting tonight?
Cz: I'm staying in tonight! Yeah!
random person: Take me out tonight Cz, I haven't been out.
Cz: No. Maybe. Okay!
I'm going out tonight! Yeah!
* New club trick (for me at least)... while DJ is playing I text him a compliment and then (big no-no)... request a song! Yeah! It always works.
By the way, best news of the year: I'M BECOMING A U.S. CITIZEN!!! I am getting sworn in this Tuesday, ironically a day before July 4th. After over 12 years of trying to get my green card (legally) and THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of dollars spent on lawyers, courts and businesses, immigration (after a brief deportation scare a few months ago), has skipped the green card middle-way and granted me FULL CITIZENSHIP!!!
For those of you who don't understand the importance of this, to me it means I can travel back to my homeland and other countries of the world freely without stress and freak-outs. No more hours and days waiting in long bogus immigration lines filling up useless paperwork, worrying whether I'll get a good "Homeland Security" officer, and no more being pulled aside at US airports. That American passport is like gold for those of you who don't know. That's why there's so many fence jumpers.
I think I might go back to India...
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