FeedFlashdance SF Interview With The RTP Crew
Written by NetBear on May 14, 2009 – 5:27 pm -The hottest 80s dance party of the year is now only days away. Flashdance SF is this Sunday at the legendary Trocadero Transfer, now known as The Glas Kat.
These events are put on by the same guys who bring us the disco magic of Remember The Party. Bearotic grabbed the RTP crew for a few minutes to probe deeper into what makes their events so special.
That’s 8 CDs worth of fabulous 80s fun, mixed to perfection by the equally fabulous DJ Rotten Robbie. Buy your tickets now!
You’re the guys who put on those amazing Remember The Party Trocadero Transfer events, right?
Thanks for the “amazing”! Yep, that’s us.
Where did the idea for Flashdance SF come from?
Well, the Remember The Party Troc events cover the disco era from mid 70s through to early 80s. We knew there was so much cool 80s music that didn’t necessarily fall under the disco category and we’d toyed with the idea of putting on a night dedicated to the 80s Euro pop and new wave sound. We ran the idea past our friend and volunteer Scott C and he squealed, “Like totally! The bears would LOVE an authentic 80s night! We all grew up listening to that music, it’s the soundtrack for our formative years!” And so Flashdance SF was born. Thanks for the boost, Scott!
There are so many 80’s hits… How do you choose the music for the event?
In order to create a truly rad 80s night we had to get just the right DJ. Someone who really knows the music and someone who would be willing to work with us to go through all the 80s hits and pick just the right tracks to create the kind of fun night we had in mind. Who other than DJ Rotten Robbie? Rob is a child of the 80s, he cut his DJ teeth spinning these sounds, plus he’s an awesome DJ with the right positive upbeat energy that fits a party like this. We enjoy working with Rob and reminding ourselves of what great hits were out there back then.
Last year’s Flashdance SF was a big success. How do you follow-up a great event like that.
We’re gonna present more of what worked! The night was all about waving your arms in the air, singing along and grooving to the best of the 80s. As usual we’ll create an atmosphere with fun sparkly lighting run by live operators who know the music all spun by our fave bear DJ!
What kind of a crowd does the event draw?
Of course, ALL are welcome to Flashdance SF but we have to say that the crowd is predominantly bears bears and more bears, bears of all ages, shapes, colors and sizes. There’s nothing more fun than sharing a dance floor with hundreds of sweaty shirtless bears all singing and dancing up a fur storm! You’d never dream that so many big hairy guys could suddenly turn into Cyndi Lauper or Mollie Ringwald, it’s priceless! That’s what you gotta love about us bears, no ‘tude, we’re so comfortable in our own skins that we can be set free and do whatever we please!
Was the Trocadero Transfer in operation during the 80s?
Yes it was. The Troc opened in 1977 at the height of the disco era but it did move with the times and became quite the place to be in the 80s. Check out the 1986 White Party on our website and look at some of those clothes and hairdos. You can just smell the poppers and hear “Don’t you want me baby?!”
Has the club changed since the old days?
There have been some changes at the club. The dance floor is smaller now since the new owners made a larger front area and built in the upstairs balcony as a chill out and eating area. The club still has an atmosphere and presence though that harkens back to those gloriously gay nights of dance fabulosity. I think so many queens have partied there that “the gay” is embedded in the walls. When we put on a dance there and the club is filled with family it just shines that much brighter.
Oh, and the owners have recently moved the DJ booth back into the corner where it was originally located back in the day. This makes our dances feel even more authentic, we’re like, totally stoked!
Will that hypnotic mirror ball cluster be there to dazzle people?
The mirror ball cluster was the signature feature of the Trocadero during its heyday. When we first starting putting on Remember The Party events our highest priority was to get some big glittery orbs back up there. A gay dance event in this space just wouldn’t feel right without them, 70s or 80s, it’s our gay dance heritage!
I see the music from last years Flashdance SF is now available as a free download?
Yes! If you buy an advance ticket online you’ll be sent a one time only download link of 8 CDs worth of totally righteous 80s grooves from the 2008 party, all like radically mixed by and courtesy of DJ Rotten Robbie. Tubular!
Can you give us an idea of the music you’ll be presenting this Sunday?
Ha! Rob was here last night until after midnight, we munched on chips n salsa and other bear snacks while we excitedly discussed what he’s considering playing. We’re not naming specific tunes but we know it’s gonna be off da hook! There’ll be songs you know and love that you never thought you’d get to dance to again in a club.
So like, get in the mood, dude. Fire up your boom box and fish out those 80s mix cassettes your old boyfriends made for you. Preen your mullet, take a deep breath and be ready to be transported to those heady days where girls just wanted to have fun and boys just wanted to Beat It, just Beat It!
Be there or be a totally bogus bear!
Visit Flashdance SF for all the details.
By Nick in Dallas on May 14, 2009 2:34:43 PM | Reply
It’s worth buying a ticket online (even if one does not plan on going) for that download of great music!!