GIANT, a nightclub chain based in Los Angeles, is about to throw its epic New Year's Eve party, entitled GIANT Maximus, for the third time, with Moby, Paul Oakenfold, Dirty South and Benny Benassi set to headline.
Giant Maximus 2008/2009, in keeping with the omitted but implied "Circus" in its title, will not only feature some of electronica's best acts on three stages (actually three heated big tops) and a "Monster Midway Club" at its Downtown LA site, but also an entire amusement park (complete with ferris wheel), ongoing acrobatics shows and other interactive delights during its operation.
On March 27th and 28th, Miami will host the 11th installment of the Ultra Music Festival. Held once again in Bicentennial Park the festival is featured as part of the final two days of Miami's 5-day Winter Music Conference, which includes events extending far beyond entertainment. In past years, Ultra has been based almost entirely around electronic music such as trance, techno, house, and D&B. This year, however, the festival seems to be branching out into the new wave and alternative rock genres. Read more »
As the bus I took to the 10th annual Power To The Peaceful Festival rolled toward the western end of San Francisco's Haight Street (where it famously crosses Ashbury Street), the plain white stucco front of the apartment buildings on either sides of the street were transformed into three-dimensional facades coated in zebra stripes and rainbows. I stepped off the bus to grab a large latté, and some free wi-fi, in a coffee shop named Coffee To The People. As I sipped my cup and reviewed the acts for Michael Franti's impending celebration of pacificism to the extreme, I looked around the inside of the café and saw a collage of bumper stickers covering the walls, featuring quotes by everyone from Abbie Hoffman to Aung San Suu Kyi. Read more »
