Power Surge 3 Promo Video
I recently came across the promo video for my AZ gig last month on youtube. I think I’m probably posting this for myself more than anything. Apparently the tube also has a bunch of videos people shot that night. Good times.
Mike in Phoenix January 30th
So I’ve talked about Phoenix, AZ in the past. Typically it’s because of a gig, or the live podcasts came from that gig. I’ve got some promoter friends out that on occasion, fly me out there and give me the pleasure of playing for there totally awesome crowd. So on January 30th I am headed out there once again. It’s going to be cool. They’ve got a healthy and lively rave scene out there and the last time I was out there it was spectacular. While this may seem like a late announcement, it’s actually been up on the events page for some time now, but I know that many of you don’t check it. If you are going to be in the Phoenix area, drop me a line and I’ll get you to the show.
The Final Gig
Just in case you’ve missed my previous blog, here is the story. I was offered a good job down south, and I’m going to be moving to Port St. Lucie, Florida. I’ve been laying low for the past month, making plans and preparing for the move, but I wanted to make sure I did one final gig before I leave. A few weeks ago Randy called and we decided to join forces for what will most likely be my final gig in New England.
I’m still going to be in CT for a little while, probably at least a month or two until I can sell my house. I don’t, however have any other gigs planned, and wouldn’t take any unless it was something I couldn’t pass up. So this is it… my final gig in my home state, and fittingly its only a half mile away from where it all began. Over the years you guys have been great and supported me tremendously. Now, I’m asking for you all to come out one final and dance, enjoy yourselves, and have fun with me.
Saturday, September 12th Randy Boyer and Mike Charles team up one final time at Room 960.
Mike Charles 10 to 12
Randy Boyer 12 to 2
This really doesn’t need much of a description. Over the past few years our parties at Hartford’s elite nightclub have always brought the best house and trance to the best crowd in New England. Its only 10 dollars for anyone on the reduced entry list. To get on the list, simply email me back at mikecharles@gmail.com with your name.
Room 960 is located at 960 Main St. in Hartford, CT. Inside the G. Fox building.
So not everybody on my list lives in the Northeast, heck some don’t even live in the US, but I’ve got you covered there too. If you can make it to the final gig you can still hear me play that same night on BUZZ, Kiss 95.7 FM’s electronic music show. The show runs from 12 to 4am on Saturday night / Sunday morning and I will be doing a guest mix for the show at 1am. Tune you radio to 95.7 if you are in the Hartford area, or listen from anywhere in the world by going to www.kiss957.com.
I hope to see you Saturday night.
-Mike
Selective Saturdays
As promised, here is the info on the new gig I’ve been working on for the summer. Starting this Saturday, June 6th I will be playing twice a month at the new Windsor’s Lounge @ the Bradley Hotel in Windsor Locks. The Club, which is 10 min north of Hartford, has been remodeled from the ground up and I’ve been brought in to complete the experience at the new elite club in the area. I want everyone to come and check out my new digs, so I’ve worked with the management to secure a bunch of promotions to sweeten the deal:
No Cover Charge – Free entry for everyone!
Half Price on All Top Shelf Liquor.
Half Price on All Bottle Services.
$89 Dollar Hotel Room for Everyone who comes – No having driving home!
VIP packages available including bottle and a hotel room.
A Large, Safe, Free parking lot.
383 South Center St.
Windsor Locks, CT
… and just in case that isn’t enough, I’m bring Kyle Rayner, winner of this year’s Connecticut DJ competition, with me to open up the decks.
The First Dubstep Outing
So last night was Dance Till Dawn 8. The annual party/rave/whatever at the University of Rhode Island. I was booked to play Dubstep which is, as many of you know, quite far from the norm for me. I practiced a lot for this gig because I’d never played dub out before and I wanted to make sure I nailed it. In practice sessions I had a real rough time, because dudstep has some pretty unique patterns and the tracks are generally much shorter than those of other genres of dance music. I even forced my wife to come into the music room twice and listen while I spun sets and tell me how it sounded. The morning of the gig I play a good set and felt decent about the coming night. I figured it would either go great or be a total wreck, but I typically have a way of pulling through in a clutch. When it came time to take the stage, I nailed it, and got some really great feedback from people after the set. All in all, i feel pretty good about how it went, and can now breathe a sigh of relief.
April Gigs…
Discretion @ The Hotel
Over the last few years I’ve been slowly building momentum, buying time, and preparing for the right opportunities when they decided to present themselves. Now I think I may have finally found the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. So starting Saturday, March 21st I’m moving my “Discretion” night to Club Windsor’s [formally Club 91] which is ten minutes from Hartford and attached to a very nice hotel.
I want you all to know I have heard your gripes about clubland, and they have not fallen on deaf ears. You don’t like expensive covers, and drink prices that cost just as much. You don’t want to deal with dress codes. Your tired of paying to park and still having to worry about your car. You miss the old days and the community we once had. Now with Discretion we’re going to take things in a new direction and I think you’ll like what I’ve secured for us:
Old Article, Great Gig
Thanks to google alerts I spotted this article about a party I played at last march. The night before the gigs, the show’s promoter took me out for a drink and while we were at the bar he grabbed a Phoenix newspaper and showed me the article. It was good hype and turned out to be an awesome show. You can hear my set from that evening in episodes 15 & 16 of the DanceCast.
I’ve Never Missed a Gig
A few weeks ago [01/10/09] I had a gig at Room 960 opening for Randy Boyer. Starting 2 or 3 days before, the local weatherman were predicting a bad storm with snow followed by freezing rain. The forecasters in New England are typically spotty at best, but have been dead on almost all winter thus far, so I believed them. By 1pm the snow was coming down, and at 2pm I had called Daddy Charles to inform him that I was coming to his house to trade my rear wheel drive Cadillac CTS for his 4×4 Blazer. He initially said no, trying to talk me out of going, but after I informed him that even if I had to take my Harley up to Hartford I was going, he agreed. My wife made similar attempts to dissuade me, but I told her I’ve never missed a gig in my life, and I didn’t plan to start now.
I usually like to get to the club around 8:30, set up my gear, and run a sound check before we open. It never take me more than 45 min to get to Hartford, but a left a few minutes early [7:30] expecting delays. The snow got worse as I headed north, and when coupled with snow plows and insane CT drivers, my time doubled to 1 ½ hours. I made it just in time to plug in and play at 9pm, rock the decks for 2 hours, and have a good time.
So I had to go against my better judgment, and take my life into my own hands… Hey at least I didn’t miss the gig. My perfect streak still stands!
This one went out to the mailing list yesterday, but if you are in the area, you may be interested.
Saturday, January 24th will be the first installment of what I hope will be many. I’ve gotten together with some of my closest allies to put together a new concept in partying I think you’ll be interested in, its called Discretion.
So what the big deal? Well for starters, its Free. Also, this is an invitation only event and the invite list is limited to 50 people. The venue and pertinent info will only be disclosed to you once your RSVP has been accepted. Public info after the jump