Music seen, March 11, in the Old Port
By TODD RICHARD | March 14, 2007
Spring is upon us and with it, a new sense of optimism about nightlife in Portland. As was discovered this past Sunday night, it appears that this optimism hasn’t fully thawed out yet.
Liquid Blue was bumping some music that could be heard from the other end of Fore Street. This gave me hope that where there was music, there would be signs of life. The Phoenix listed DJ Corbin (of WRED), DJ Nocturnal, and DJ 22. The first two turntablists are known to spin harder, more progressive music like hard house and d&b, while this would be my first encounter with 22. Entering the club, I was thankfully not asked for a cover charge. The room was virtually empty with the exception of the staff and DJs. Bubba Sparxxx’s “Miss New Booty” was the soundtrack for this rather odd scene. Where was the house music?
Down the street, Chronic Funk were playing to a small crowd at Lava Lounge. This is where the people were in the Old Port. Aside from frontman Nick Halperin, the band were entirely different from the last time I saw them. The band pushed themselves through a PA system entirely too small, making the sound slightly shrill. While they played tunes that were all too familiar to me (and the rest of the crowd, I’m sure), everyone there was just thankful for someplace to go and something to do on a Sunday night.
On my retreat, feeling rather defeated, a scan of other venues in the Old Port yielded the same findings. Doors closed, lights off, nobody home. Much like Groundhog Day, perhaps it’s time to expect another six weeks of this, at least on Sunday nights.
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, Entertainment, Nightlife, Bubba Sparxxx, Todd Richard, Less
