Spring Break
Dance party offers Valentine's Day alternatives for all
CHELSEA COOK
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Out & About
Hallmark beware - a few DJs from the Atlanta party scene have come to change the conventional notions of Valentine's Day. Tonight, they're starting with the 40 Watt.
University alumnus Kellen Crosby ("DJ Kellen John Kid Danger"), senior Sami Promisloff ("DJ Flirtation Device") and Georgia State University sophomore Chris Merkle ("The Midnight Socialite") have put their headphones together to kick off Striped Socks, an avant-garde dance party, to bring what they think is a much-needed medium for Athens partiers.
"(Valentine's Day) is so full of this boyfriend/girlfriend propaganda," Crosby said. "Every other holiday, there are big parties and this is something fun for people to do instead of just sitting around."
Where: The 40 Watt
Cost: $2/ 21+, $4/ under
While Striped Socks is an effort to revolutionize a typical Valentine's evening, it doesn't end after tonight's party.
"Ninety-five percent of a dance party is the people that are there," Crosby said. "My only goal is to get people to freak out, jump around and get happy when I'm picking out what music to play."
The idea behind Striped Socks began when Nick Ledner, a senior majoring in journalism and religion, asked Crosby to DJ at his house parties in Athens. Crosby currently DJs a weekly spot at Lenny's in Atlanta and has been making a name for himself by sharing bills with the likes of the Black Lips, Snowden and the Selmanaires.
"It's just a really cool concept because there are so many different people (who come to the parties)," Ledner said. "And with all three of these DJs - it's going to be a great combination."
Ledner and Crosby agreed that it's the diversity of the party, people and music that makes it so successful.
"It isn't about preppy kids or rock and roll kids. It isn't about black kids or white kids. It isn't about people who wear a certain brand of shoes," Crosby said. "It's about everyone being themselves and dancing."
University alumnus Kellen Crosby ("DJ Kellen John Kid Danger"), senior Sami Promisloff ("DJ Flirtation Device") and Georgia State University sophomore Chris Merkle ("The Midnight Socialite") have put their headphones together to kick off Striped Socks, an avant-garde dance party, to bring what they think is a much-needed medium for Athens partiers.
"(Valentine's Day) is so full of this boyfriend/girlfriend propaganda," Crosby said. "Every other holiday, there are big parties and this is something fun for people to do instead of just sitting around."
STRIPED SOCKS SWEETHEART SOIREE
When: 9 tonightWhere: The 40 Watt
Cost: $2/ 21+, $4/ under
While Striped Socks is an effort to revolutionize a typical Valentine's evening, it doesn't end after tonight's party.
"Ninety-five percent of a dance party is the people that are there," Crosby said. "My only goal is to get people to freak out, jump around and get happy when I'm picking out what music to play."
The idea behind Striped Socks began when Nick Ledner, a senior majoring in journalism and religion, asked Crosby to DJ at his house parties in Athens. Crosby currently DJs a weekly spot at Lenny's in Atlanta and has been making a name for himself by sharing bills with the likes of the Black Lips, Snowden and the Selmanaires.
"It's just a really cool concept because there are so many different people (who come to the parties)," Ledner said. "And with all three of these DJs - it's going to be a great combination."
Ledner and Crosby agreed that it's the diversity of the party, people and music that makes it so successful.
"It isn't about preppy kids or rock and roll kids. It isn't about black kids or white kids. It isn't about people who wear a certain brand of shoes," Crosby said. "It's about everyone being themselves and dancing."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sue
posted 2/20/08 @ 7:17 PM EST
I don't think that Chris is a sophomore at Georgia State - he went to WCSC in CT - unless he's getting another degree.
http://www.wcsu.edu/commencement/graduates/merkle. (Continued…)
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