Sunday, June 28, 2009
Last Night That Was Glorious, Wasn't It?
Posted by Christopher Frizzelle on Sun, Jun 28, 2009 at 10:04 AM
That "impromptu" dance party? On the parking lot that used to be Cha Cha/Manray/Kincora? All anyone knew—text messages, word of mouth—was to get there at 11:55 sharp, because it was sure to be shut down by cops within 20 or 30 minutes, and sure enough the cops showed up, shining all kinds of light onto the crowd, but the crowd just waved and shouted and danced harder. The kicked up dust: New Depression-era fog machine. The cops standing outside of their vehicles, their blues and reds flashing: government-provided scenery. The music: Rihanna's "Please Don't Stop the Music," Destiny's Child's "No, No, No," Dolly Parton's "9 to 5"... Which was fine, but seriously: why weren't they playing all Michael Jackson? ("Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" started things off, according to commenters—I didn't make it early enough for that). Made my way to the DJ—hats off to the DJ for sticking his neck out like that and for getting all his gear set up out there—to request some Michael Jackson, and the DJ replied, "No, sorry, this is the last song." And then the cops were upon us.
Photo by Layne Shepherd ("I live across the street and had to check it out"). This post has been updated since it was first published.
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5
Wow, fuck you guys. Thanks for not giving a shit about all the people living within a two block radius of that bad music blasting "impromptu" public disturbance. I'm not even in the closet building to that lot and the music was unbearably loud. You want to have a dance party, that's awesome--but you could have done it without fucking with all the people who had to get up early today. It's not like there aren't three dance clubs within two blocks of that lot.
7
What can I say, MP, if I'd had a shotgun, I would have thrown on a plaid bathrobe and chased those damn kids off.
8
Meh. The only place I miss on that flat of land is The Bus Stop.
And if you were at the new location last night, you would have known that there was a dance party goin' on there too..
And if you were at the new location last night, you would have known that there was a dance party goin' on there too..
10
Sorry connor about the noise, but the entire idea behind the flash-dance was to have a queer dance party that wasn't confined to a 21+ corporate beer slinging dance club. For the <21 and those who can't stomach the shitty corporateness of Pride today, we need our own places to dance and publicly celebrate our awesomeness.
11
You know what I hate? People who live on Capitol Hill when they clearly belong in Magnolia. Or, like, Lynwood or some shit.
STFU kthx.
And, sorry I missed it, sounds amazing.
STFU kthx.
And, sorry I missed it, sounds amazing.
12
hey benj, if you had something to do with the organization would you please get in touch? thanks!
14
@10 I can respect that reasoning. It's a neat idea, but I would have appreciated it if it had been before, you know, I had gone to sleep.
@11 You're a douche. All kinds of people live in the dense area of Capitol Hill, including people who like to be in bed at a reasonable hour.
@11 You're a douche. All kinds of people live in the dense area of Capitol Hill, including people who like to be in bed at a reasonable hour.
15
Chris:
1) It's Rihanna, not Rhianna
2) "Begging the question" means presupposing the conclusion of an argument and surreptitiously using it as a premise. It does not mean "leads one to ask."
Thanks,
The Language Police
1) It's Rihanna, not Rhianna
2) "Begging the question" means presupposing the conclusion of an argument and surreptitiously using it as a premise. It does not mean "leads one to ask."
Thanks,
The Language Police
16
a statement on inymedia from the organizers:
These kids wanted to put the "punk" back in "punctuality" so they promptly began at 11:55pm. The first song was by Michael Jackson, the crowd of for than 250 people went crazy. They were kicking up dust and yelling. They had been enduring a costly, corporate 21+ pride for two whole nights, this was there moment, their time to shine.
Someone climbed to the top of the hill and asked the DJ to stop. "It's midnight motherfuckers! Stonewall was a queer and trans riot and it happened 40 years ago as of right now! Maybe you didn't know Pride is supposed to be celebrating that moment in our history, Budweiser doesn't include that on the banners they have all over the place. Fuck 21+ venues, fuck covers, fuck corporate Pride. This moment is yours, its ours!"
Dolly Parton blasted and everyone cheered. We did it, we really did it.
At the other end of the parking lot two cars had called the cops because of a minor wreck. The cop who was taking that report had been watching the goings-on and called for backup. The parking lot where a queer bar called Pony used to be suddenly got the Swine Flu as more and more cop cars showed up and began shining their lights on the crowd. The queers were not phased, they danced harder, used to the things they value being threatened by the systems that are supposed to protect them.
After five songs and much "you need to leave the parking lot" talk, the cops approached the speaker where the music was coming from. The DJ calmly unplugged his music player and walked away has he had been instructed. One person grabbed the cords connecting the device and disappeared into the crowd. The queer in charge of the power source flew into action and had everything in his bag in a matter of seconds. The kid who needed to take one part of the sound system ran with it clutched to their chest, ridding away in car. All of this took seconds to happen. These well prepared folx had their shit on lock and the cops were too slow to stop them.
The woman in charge of getting the speaker that was providing sound was carrying it away. The cops grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back, she screamed, witnesses saw the cops hand come down hard on the woman's back. Another cop was shaking a man by his jacket screaming, "I've worked for 12 hours and don't have to deal with this shit!". The cops had pushed the large crowd out of the parking lot by now. Cops yelled hilarious things like, "There's still time to drink, go back to the bars!". Some of the crowd had disappeared leaving only 150 people to chant things like, "give us back our speaker!", "up the punks!", "fuck corporate pride", "out of the bars and into the streets".
One man was arrested, a cop claiming he had keyed his car. The man's room mate was with him the entire night, "He was standing with me, he didn't key anything. He was standing there and then he was gone." People quickly formed a group around supporting the man until he got out on bail.
Last nights guerrilla dance party showed two things, that queers now how to throw a fucking party and that we're only allowed to celebrate Pride if a large company profits from our gatherings. But the cops came too late, we had proved to ourselves and others that queers don't need to be backed by a corporate sponsor in order to commemorate the queer and trans folx who came before us and made the shit we do daily possible. The folx at Stonewall would have been proud of us and recognized what we were doing because they did it themselves, last night we made the world we wanted to see.
More...
These kids wanted to put the "punk" back in "punctuality" so they promptly began at 11:55pm. The first song was by Michael Jackson, the crowd of for than 250 people went crazy. They were kicking up dust and yelling. They had been enduring a costly, corporate 21+ pride for two whole nights, this was there moment, their time to shine.
Someone climbed to the top of the hill and asked the DJ to stop. "It's midnight motherfuckers! Stonewall was a queer and trans riot and it happened 40 years ago as of right now! Maybe you didn't know Pride is supposed to be celebrating that moment in our history, Budweiser doesn't include that on the banners they have all over the place. Fuck 21+ venues, fuck covers, fuck corporate Pride. This moment is yours, its ours!"
Dolly Parton blasted and everyone cheered. We did it, we really did it.
At the other end of the parking lot two cars had called the cops because of a minor wreck. The cop who was taking that report had been watching the goings-on and called for backup. The parking lot where a queer bar called Pony used to be suddenly got the Swine Flu as more and more cop cars showed up and began shining their lights on the crowd. The queers were not phased, they danced harder, used to the things they value being threatened by the systems that are supposed to protect them.
After five songs and much "you need to leave the parking lot" talk, the cops approached the speaker where the music was coming from. The DJ calmly unplugged his music player and walked away has he had been instructed. One person grabbed the cords connecting the device and disappeared into the crowd. The queer in charge of the power source flew into action and had everything in his bag in a matter of seconds. The kid who needed to take one part of the sound system ran with it clutched to their chest, ridding away in car. All of this took seconds to happen. These well prepared folx had their shit on lock and the cops were too slow to stop them.
The woman in charge of getting the speaker that was providing sound was carrying it away. The cops grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back, she screamed, witnesses saw the cops hand come down hard on the woman's back. Another cop was shaking a man by his jacket screaming, "I've worked for 12 hours and don't have to deal with this shit!". The cops had pushed the large crowd out of the parking lot by now. Cops yelled hilarious things like, "There's still time to drink, go back to the bars!". Some of the crowd had disappeared leaving only 150 people to chant things like, "give us back our speaker!", "up the punks!", "fuck corporate pride", "out of the bars and into the streets".
One man was arrested, a cop claiming he had keyed his car. The man's room mate was with him the entire night, "He was standing with me, he didn't key anything. He was standing there and then he was gone." People quickly formed a group around supporting the man until he got out on bail.
Last nights guerrilla dance party showed two things, that queers now how to throw a fucking party and that we're only allowed to celebrate Pride if a large company profits from our gatherings. But the cops came too late, we had proved to ourselves and others that queers don't need to be backed by a corporate sponsor in order to commemorate the queer and trans folx who came before us and made the shit we do daily possible. The folx at Stonewall would have been proud of us and recognized what we were doing because they did it themselves, last night we made the world we wanted to see.
17
@14, no conner, V da G is totally right. You should move. Its Pike/Pine on Pride weekend and you're complaining about them pesky kids making noise past your bedtime. Lame.
18
Capitol Hill: It's not just for American Apparel coke-heads anymore!
I love people complaining that a gay pride weekend has become too "corporate". Of course, a gigantic event is going to become corporate. But throwing a stupid dance party in a parking lot? TOTALLY THROWS A WRENCH IN THE WORKS AND CHANGES EVERYTHING, BRAH.
Jesus, maybe there were some halfway decent clubs that *gasp* weren't on Cap Hill that you could have a non-corp, awesome event at? Just a thought.
I love people complaining that a gay pride weekend has become too "corporate". Of course, a gigantic event is going to become corporate. But throwing a stupid dance party in a parking lot? TOTALLY THROWS A WRENCH IN THE WORKS AND CHANGES EVERYTHING, BRAH.
Jesus, maybe there were some halfway decent clubs that *gasp* weren't on Cap Hill that you could have a non-corp, awesome event at? Just a thought.
19
omg, the queerpunx made a statement!!1!
uh, no you didn't. a statement would have been getting the word out to boycott the corporate funded events, essentially making those beer gardens and 21+ events a ghost town. THAT would have been a message to all the corporations that the gay community won't let its celebration be co-opted. it would have driven home the point that they'll make no money off of you and they shouldn't bring back their corporate displays in coming years.
nope, instead you think it's reasonable to piss off neighbors that likely support your gay ass - way to stick it to the man! if you want to have your little party fine, do it, but don't act like it was some high-minded social statement you were making. call it like it was: a selfish, self-centered act of yet another group of ineffectual seattle poseurs.
uh, no you didn't. a statement would have been getting the word out to boycott the corporate funded events, essentially making those beer gardens and 21+ events a ghost town. THAT would have been a message to all the corporations that the gay community won't let its celebration be co-opted. it would have driven home the point that they'll make no money off of you and they shouldn't bring back their corporate displays in coming years.
nope, instead you think it's reasonable to piss off neighbors that likely support your gay ass - way to stick it to the man! if you want to have your little party fine, do it, but don't act like it was some high-minded social statement you were making. call it like it was: a selfish, self-centered act of yet another group of ineffectual seattle poseurs.
20
I don't think that Conner is being unreasonable here. The dance party people knew they were being selfish assholes--they wanted to have fun and they didn't care who they pissed off. I live a block away and if I hadn't been awake and drunk, I would have been mega-pissed and I would have called the cops too.
21
Also @16, "The folx at Stonewall would have been proud of us and recognized what we were doing because they did it themselves, last night we made the world we wanted to see."
Are you fucking kidding me with that bullshit? The "folx" at Stonewall would think you're a bunch of entitled jerks.
Are you fucking kidding me with that bullshit? The "folx" at Stonewall would think you're a bunch of entitled jerks.
23
People who live on Capitol Hill shouldn't have real jobs! If you have a real job where you have to get up at 7 am, then you should just fucking move to Bellevue! Lameo surburban bore! Bet you are not even a fag either!
24
1) moving to a queer neighborhood and complaining about a queer celebration during the "permitted time" given by the city is like an english speaker moving to the international district and complaining about the signs that you can't read.
2) how about a diversity of tactics? actively creating an alternative (an all ages, non-commodified dance party) where people could celebrate pride with everyone welcome to participate seems to me like an awesome way to "issue a statement." taking back what's ours isn't just about dismantling corporate co-optation and power (by boycotting), but also working to create the alternatives that we want to see in conjunction with it.
3) if your biggest critique of the event was to take it to a "different" club, you are totally missing the point of the action. the beer companies promoting pride are usually so immersed in heterosexist advertising and actively participating in anti-gay legislation (http://www.washblade.com/2004/6-25/view/…), that to sell their product under a new "gay friendly" disguise as marketing is an insult. if we leave the corporate world with the responsibility of cultivating our culture by putting tons of money into our festivals and making it back three-fold (sic), we are funding their participation in annihilating our culture.
fuck corporate pride and fuck haters who are participating in gentrification and then complaining when there's backlash (or they are inconvenienced by the marginalized groups they are actively, blindly working to further oppress).
2) how about a diversity of tactics? actively creating an alternative (an all ages, non-commodified dance party) where people could celebrate pride with everyone welcome to participate seems to me like an awesome way to "issue a statement." taking back what's ours isn't just about dismantling corporate co-optation and power (by boycotting), but also working to create the alternatives that we want to see in conjunction with it.
3) if your biggest critique of the event was to take it to a "different" club, you are totally missing the point of the action. the beer companies promoting pride are usually so immersed in heterosexist advertising and actively participating in anti-gay legislation (http://www.washblade.com/2004/6-25/view/…), that to sell their product under a new "gay friendly" disguise as marketing is an insult. if we leave the corporate world with the responsibility of cultivating our culture by putting tons of money into our festivals and making it back three-fold (sic), we are funding their participation in annihilating our culture.
fuck corporate pride and fuck haters who are participating in gentrification and then complaining when there's backlash (or they are inconvenienced by the marginalized groups they are actively, blindly working to further oppress).
25
1) moving to a queer neighborhood and complaining about a queer celebration during the "permitted time" given by the city is like an english speaker moving to the international district and complaining about the signs that you can't read.
2) how about a diversity of tactics? actively creating an alternative (an all ages, non-commodified dance party) where people could celebrate pride with everyone welcome to participate seems to me like an awesome way to "issue a statement." taking back what's ours isn't just about dismantling corporate co-optation and power (by boycotting), but also working to create the alternatives that we want to see in conjunction with it.
3) if your biggest critique of the event was to take it to a "different" club, you are totally missing the point of the action. the beer companies promoting pride are usually so immersed in heterosexist advertising and actively participating in anti-gay legislation (http://www.washblade.com/2004/6-25/view/…), that to sell their product under a new "gay friendly" disguise as marketing is an insult. if we leave the corporate world with the responsibility of cultivating our culture by putting tons of money into our festivals and making it back three-fold (sic), we are funding their participation in annihilating our culture.
fuck corporate pride and fuck haters who are participating in gentrification and then complaining when there's backlash (or they are inconvenienced by the marginalized groups they are actively, blindly working to further oppress).
2) how about a diversity of tactics? actively creating an alternative (an all ages, non-commodified dance party) where people could celebrate pride with everyone welcome to participate seems to me like an awesome way to "issue a statement." taking back what's ours isn't just about dismantling corporate co-optation and power (by boycotting), but also working to create the alternatives that we want to see in conjunction with it.
3) if your biggest critique of the event was to take it to a "different" club, you are totally missing the point of the action. the beer companies promoting pride are usually so immersed in heterosexist advertising and actively participating in anti-gay legislation (http://www.washblade.com/2004/6-25/view/…), that to sell their product under a new "gay friendly" disguise as marketing is an insult. if we leave the corporate world with the responsibility of cultivating our culture by putting tons of money into our festivals and making it back three-fold (sic), we are funding their participation in annihilating our culture.
fuck corporate pride and fuck haters who are participating in gentrification and then complaining when there's backlash (or they are inconvenienced by the marginalized groups they are actively, blindly working to further oppress).
26
@25
"moving to a queer neighborhood and complaining about a queer celebration during the "permitted time" given by the city is like an english speaker moving to the international district and complaining about the signs that you can't read."
Okay, non-homos, looks like it's time to move! This queer neighborhood is only for queers!
Your statement is ridiculous and inflammatory, RF. The noise was the issue, not the gay celebration.
"moving to a queer neighborhood and complaining about a queer celebration during the "permitted time" given by the city is like an english speaker moving to the international district and complaining about the signs that you can't read."
Okay, non-homos, looks like it's time to move! This queer neighborhood is only for queers!
Your statement is ridiculous and inflammatory, RF. The noise was the issue, not the gay celebration.
27
I don't know what you guys are talking about... standing on the fringe of the the dance party I could barely hear their music (and was wishing they could turn it up), but whatever clap trap they were playing at the new yuppie bar Current on the other block I could hear loud and clear.
28
Seriously, if you're complaining about getting the cops called on your dance party, stop being such a whiny fucking baby. This seems pretty simple. Some people wanted to have a loud, outdoor dance party. Some people did not want to be disturbed by the loud, outdoor dance party. The people who wanted the party shut down won. Suck it up, guys. You knew you were creating a huge disturbance and you didn't care. Accept the consequences. Maybe next time, you'll plan things out better and no one will call the cops on you.
29
@27 There must be some acoustic trick with the buildings in that area, Mumbly. I was heading home (I live on the East side of the block) while the party was going on and it seemed, you know, average-to-loud when I was walking along the construction area. I went in through the side entrance of my building and there's a courtyard area and it was like 20 times louder than it was on the street, no joke. My windows face the courtyard and the alley that runs N/S down the block and I could hear the music like I was playing it myself, dials up to 11. My friends and I didn't mind since we were still up and running, but I can see how other people might be pissed. There were people leaning out of windows and shouting to turn it down.
30
ohhh, we walked by just as the cops were escorting everyone off, thanks for the info, we were clueless as to what had gone down which required such copious amounts of pigs
31
The Obviously Morally Superior could care less about everyone else- they have to be against them!!! Because everything ANYONE does is full of political intent!!
Tell me, did Critical Mass ride in the parade today?
Tell me, did Critical Mass ride in the parade today?
32
US: NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL
THEM: BUT WE HAVE WORK IN THE MORNING :(
People who go to bed at reasonable hours are (as usual) on the wrong side of history. Dancers: last night we came ready to party. Next time, come ready to fight.
THEM: BUT WE HAVE WORK IN THE MORNING :(
People who go to bed at reasonable hours are (as usual) on the wrong side of history. Dancers: last night we came ready to party. Next time, come ready to fight.
33
I live in the building next door and I loved it! It was LOUD but seriously, it's Capitol Hill, off of Pine on Pride weekend, what the hell else would it be? It was certainly more fun that the yelling drunks and fights I usually hear.
More dance parties I say!
More dance parties I say!
34
@32
"Next time, come ready to fight."
Yeah, you should definitely fight the police over a fucking dance party, asshole. How is wanting to blast mostly bad music, dance and litter empty water bottles in am empty lot important or political?
"Next time, come ready to fight."
Yeah, you should definitely fight the police over a fucking dance party, asshole. How is wanting to blast mostly bad music, dance and litter empty water bottles in am empty lot important or political?
35
Totally agree with 33. I live in the Portofino across the street and the positive energy and all around good vibe they were giving off was amazing. It was breathtaking when the cops shined the spotlights only to cheers. The Capitol Club is often just as loud as the parking lot dance party. Plus it was only midnight- not all that late- more dance parties for sure! Seattle is cool again. Who really goes to bed at midnight on a Saturday during Pride and expects it to be quiet? NOT ME OR MY ROOMATES!!! PARTY!!! LIVE!!!
37
Whatever, dance party-goers. I called the cops and I'll do it again. You guys being cunts about it only makes me want to shut down more of your parties, so bring it on.
38
@36 So, why exactly do you live around there?
It's like moving to the suburbs and hating children and BBQs
It's like moving to the shore and being annoyed by seagulls
It's like living in georgetown and not being able to sleep through trains running at all hours
It's like living on a farm and freaking out about the smell of manure.
what more can we say?
It's like moving to the suburbs and hating children and BBQs
It's like moving to the shore and being annoyed by seagulls
It's like living in georgetown and not being able to sleep through trains running at all hours
It's like living on a farm and freaking out about the smell of manure.
what more can we say?
39
i like how the fag bars close off the streets for a 'block party' and dont charge a dime, even with BANDS playing - but the fucking money hungry jews at the Stranger charge a shitload for their 'block party' with even worse bands and messes.
40
@38 The point isn't that it was noisy, as it often is around here. The point is that that one party was unreasonably loud. I've lived on the hill for 6 years and this is the first time I've ever felt compelled to call in a complaint.
41
it was Jackson's "Don't Stop" -if memory serves- that started the whole thing off. I had a great time watching from my living room... thanks guys!
42
@andy_squirrel
there are a lot of reasons to live on the hill: proximity to jobs downtown, great restaurants, good bars and a community that respects their neighbors. but your point is that everyone should stfu just because some hipsters want to dance to (wtf?) "9-to-5". sorry, but when i moved to the hill i wasn't told this was a public gay dance party community only; i saw this as a vibrant, accepting neighborhood that respected others. actually, i'm quite sure that this is supposed to be one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the entire city and to have people say; "just get over the noise" seems a lot like something that a right-wing conservative would spew to shut up criticism.
so are you really being so bigoted as to say that there are parts of town that gays only can live (capitol hill)? outside of that there are child rearing, bbq having (straight i assume?) parts of town where gay people (and blacks?) aren't allowed? are you really advocating segregation or are you just shooting off your mouth because you think it's your god-given right to do whatever you want, whenever you want?
there are a lot of reasons to live on the hill: proximity to jobs downtown, great restaurants, good bars and a community that respects their neighbors. but your point is that everyone should stfu just because some hipsters want to dance to (wtf?) "9-to-5". sorry, but when i moved to the hill i wasn't told this was a public gay dance party community only; i saw this as a vibrant, accepting neighborhood that respected others. actually, i'm quite sure that this is supposed to be one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the entire city and to have people say; "just get over the noise" seems a lot like something that a right-wing conservative would spew to shut up criticism.
so are you really being so bigoted as to say that there are parts of town that gays only can live (capitol hill)? outside of that there are child rearing, bbq having (straight i assume?) parts of town where gay people (and blacks?) aren't allowed? are you really advocating segregation or are you just shooting off your mouth because you think it's your god-given right to do whatever you want, whenever you want?
43
anyone have photos or video of the dance party?
maybe you've heard, maybe you haven't, but i run a blog about the lot -- and unused spaces in general -- and i'm trying to collect some more info about the event. i'll go ahead and say that i generally support the dance party but would liked to have seen it happen a bit earlier and to have not resulted in a bunch of a trash on the property...trash that a friend of mine picked up today.
we were responsible for getting the capitol hill garage sale on the lot a few weeks ago -- not that the stranger paid us any attention -- and have plans for setting up a central park there for park(ing) day 2009 on september 18th.
anyway, i started the site as a sort of homebase for people who are interested in making things happen or knowing what's happening there, so any info from organizers or documentation from attendees would be appreciated.
maybe you've heard, maybe you haven't, but i run a blog about the lot -- and unused spaces in general -- and i'm trying to collect some more info about the event. i'll go ahead and say that i generally support the dance party but would liked to have seen it happen a bit earlier and to have not resulted in a bunch of a trash on the property...trash that a friend of mine picked up today.
we were responsible for getting the capitol hill garage sale on the lot a few weeks ago -- not that the stranger paid us any attention -- and have plans for setting up a central park there for park(ing) day 2009 on september 18th.
anyway, i started the site as a sort of homebase for people who are interested in making things happen or knowing what's happening there, so any info from organizers or documentation from attendees would be appreciated.
44
@ 39 ARE YOU SERIOUS? Every bar block party charged cover (except a few today who were "suggested donations" and you really just said "money hungry jews?" Wow. Go back to Nazi Germany please. Thank you and fuck you very much.
45
I SALUTE THE BRAVE SELF-ACTUALIZED QUEERS FAIRIES DYKES TRANSPEOPLE AND OTHERS WHO REJECTED THE BUDWEISER SAVAGE APPROVED FAUX PRIDE AND TOOK IT TO THE STREETS REESTABLISHING SACRED QUEER SPACE ITS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND IF YOU DONT LIKE IT GET OUT HOMOPHOBES
46
Too many comments, I assume someone already pointed this out, but you are completely misusing the phrase "begging the question." Don't you get paid to write?
47
Damn... I live few blocks away and I completely missed this. Oh well.
That being said, I just wanted to weigh in on what others have already said here- as a 8-5 white collar stiff who lives right next to a fire station, police station, and The Cuff, I have to say I'm used to noise while I'm trying to sleep- anyone bitching about noise on the hill (for 20 minutes) is being a bit of a curmudgeon. Get some ear plugs or something if random noise bothers you that much.
On the other hand, to those who have stated that this party was some sort of all-ages, queer-empowering, anti-corporate statement, I find those claims laughable at best. If you really wanted to create a venue for social change, you'd take the time to get a permit and ask for donations to a local gay charity (hey- for the under age fags, why not Lambert House?) Maybe try and raise awareness for gay causes like DADT and DOMA while you're at it.
Of course, doing that would be quite as fun... so all this was, was an act of rebellion that, while no doubt fun, deserved to get shut down. You're lucky the cops weren't bigger dicks about it, actually.
That being said, I just wanted to weigh in on what others have already said here- as a 8-5 white collar stiff who lives right next to a fire station, police station, and The Cuff, I have to say I'm used to noise while I'm trying to sleep- anyone bitching about noise on the hill (for 20 minutes) is being a bit of a curmudgeon. Get some ear plugs or something if random noise bothers you that much.
On the other hand, to those who have stated that this party was some sort of all-ages, queer-empowering, anti-corporate statement, I find those claims laughable at best. If you really wanted to create a venue for social change, you'd take the time to get a permit and ask for donations to a local gay charity (hey- for the under age fags, why not Lambert House?) Maybe try and raise awareness for gay causes like DADT and DOMA while you're at it.
Of course, doing that would be quite as fun... so all this was, was an act of rebellion that, while no doubt fun, deserved to get shut down. You're lucky the cops weren't bigger dicks about it, actually.
48
On June 28th, 1969 at midnight, Police raided Stonewall (a gay bar in New York City) and patrons of the bar actually fought back, perhaps in one of the first documented instances in history where the queer community fought back against government-funded oppression. Fast forward 40 years later - we are in the midst of one of the largest nation-wide conversations regarding queer civil rights, and to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, the theme of our city's pride parade is "Peace, Love, and Equality". Well, at least for those who can afford it. This was the reasoning behind having the dance party at midnight. Maybe some of the people who found the time to Twitter about their annoyance (http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2009/0…, http://peoplesparkinglot.blogspot.com/20… - I find it hysterical that THAT'S the first thing you do when allegedly woken up) could have used that time to learn some history.
I'm very close to the people responsible for what has been dubbed the "Guerrilla Dance Party" and while I understand how frustrating it is to be woken up by loud music in the middle of the night (it's happened to me, believe me, I understand!) I think a lot of people who are calling participants "selfish" or "self-centered" here really need to be looking at the entitlement they are flinging around.
The fact of the matter is, a lot of queer people don't want a neighborhood where no one else is allowed, it's just that for a long time, we haven't been allowed outside of designated spaces. Remember when people used to call areas of Capitol Hill the gay ghetto? Those of you who claim to have lived on the hill for 8 years might. What about the selfishness and entitlement exerted by the huge numbers of rich, (mostly) white, (mostly) straight people who think they have the right to move into any neighborhood they want, tear it down, build it up, and not be active participants in the community at all? What about the fact that the pride parade, and it's festivities have been moved out of our neighborhood (along with most of us, actually) because straight people felt "left-out" and "uncomfortable" when they were held on Capitol Hill? What about the fact that I've been woken up much later, many more times, on NON-WEEKEND NIGHTS because another one of my friends was gay bashed by another entitled, selfish, straight man who wanted to live in the hip part of town, and the cops didn't show up at all?
The bottom line: As someone who was there from the beginning, I'll say that it was a neighbor from the apartments who allowed participants to use power from their building with their blessing. I will also say that I'm saddened by the outcome, because some participants decided to start an un-necessary battle with the police that was nothing short of disheartening. Throughout the 20 minutes we were there, people from all over the place (including Kurrent, and neighboring residents) came to participate and dance. In the true spirit of Peace, Love, and Equality, for one brief moment, there was a sea of all kinds of people from all walks of life dancing and laughing together. Just because the majority of them were punk queer kids doesn't mean others weren't there. It was also patrons from Kurrent who were telling the DJ to keep playing once he'd turned the music off, and egging tha party on. I know, I was standing right there.
Once again, we're sorry we woke you up, annoyed you, or for the "police riot" that ensued afterwords, but for those 15 minutes, I feel like the true spirit of what Pride and the values it claims to express were represented full force in one really awesome event. Sorry if your cushy condo was disrupted for one weekend night. Did you really have to be up that early on a Sunday? A lot of those people who aren't "urban twenty-something professionals" had to be up early the next day for work, not church or whatever, and they were dancing in the street like nothing mattered. Because it didn't.
Oh, and it was Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" that kicked off everything, and "Please Don't Stop The Music" samples that, hence the reason for playing it.
More...
I'm very close to the people responsible for what has been dubbed the "Guerrilla Dance Party" and while I understand how frustrating it is to be woken up by loud music in the middle of the night (it's happened to me, believe me, I understand!) I think a lot of people who are calling participants "selfish" or "self-centered" here really need to be looking at the entitlement they are flinging around.
The fact of the matter is, a lot of queer people don't want a neighborhood where no one else is allowed, it's just that for a long time, we haven't been allowed outside of designated spaces. Remember when people used to call areas of Capitol Hill the gay ghetto? Those of you who claim to have lived on the hill for 8 years might. What about the selfishness and entitlement exerted by the huge numbers of rich, (mostly) white, (mostly) straight people who think they have the right to move into any neighborhood they want, tear it down, build it up, and not be active participants in the community at all? What about the fact that the pride parade, and it's festivities have been moved out of our neighborhood (along with most of us, actually) because straight people felt "left-out" and "uncomfortable" when they were held on Capitol Hill? What about the fact that I've been woken up much later, many more times, on NON-WEEKEND NIGHTS because another one of my friends was gay bashed by another entitled, selfish, straight man who wanted to live in the hip part of town, and the cops didn't show up at all?
The bottom line: As someone who was there from the beginning, I'll say that it was a neighbor from the apartments who allowed participants to use power from their building with their blessing. I will also say that I'm saddened by the outcome, because some participants decided to start an un-necessary battle with the police that was nothing short of disheartening. Throughout the 20 minutes we were there, people from all over the place (including Kurrent, and neighboring residents) came to participate and dance. In the true spirit of Peace, Love, and Equality, for one brief moment, there was a sea of all kinds of people from all walks of life dancing and laughing together. Just because the majority of them were punk queer kids doesn't mean others weren't there. It was also patrons from Kurrent who were telling the DJ to keep playing once he'd turned the music off, and egging tha party on. I know, I was standing right there.
Once again, we're sorry we woke you up, annoyed you, or for the "police riot" that ensued afterwords, but for those 15 minutes, I feel like the true spirit of what Pride and the values it claims to express were represented full force in one really awesome event. Sorry if your cushy condo was disrupted for one weekend night. Did you really have to be up that early on a Sunday? A lot of those people who aren't "urban twenty-something professionals" had to be up early the next day for work, not church or whatever, and they were dancing in the street like nothing mattered. Because it didn't.
Oh, and it was Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" that kicked off everything, and "Please Don't Stop The Music" samples that, hence the reason for playing it.
49
So, what I'm hearing is that if you called the cops b/c you didn't want ridiculously loud music waking you up at night, you're a homophobe. That makes total sense!
50
"What about the selfishness and entitlement exerted by the huge numbers of rich, (mostly) white, (mostly) straight people who think they have the right to move into any neighborhood they want, tear it down, build it up, and not be active participants in the community at all?"
It is called FREEDOM. If you don't like it, move and start a new fagborhood.
It is called FREEDOM. If you don't like it, move and start a new fagborhood.
51
"What about the fact that I've been woken up much later, many more times, on NON-WEEKEND NIGHTS because another one of my friends was gay bashed by another entitled, selfish, straight man who wanted to live in the hip part of town, and the cops didn't show up at all?"
I'm calling bullshit on this obvious lie.
I'm calling bullshit on this obvious lie.
52
I still fail to see how the Twitter-er or any other person who called the cops was being unreasonable. I also think that a little social upheaval during a party weekend should be expected. You wanted to have a loud dance party; they wanted to sleep. Clash of the Titans! That's what's so great about living in the city.
55
Okay, McGee, where do you live? I'm going to have dance party outside your window. Does tonight at midnight work for you? We'll be there until you call the cops. Don't worry, we can last all night, thanks to cocaine and douchebaggery.
56
@15 & 46:
More recently, to beg the question has been used as a synonym for to raise the question, or to indicate that the question really ought to be addressed. For example, "This year's budget deficit is half a trillion dollars. This begs the question: how are we ever going to balance the budget?"
Arguments over whether such usage should be considered incorrect are an example of debate over linguistic prescription and description.
Nobody likes the language police.
More recently, to beg the question has been used as a synonym for to raise the question, or to indicate that the question really ought to be addressed. For example, "This year's budget deficit is half a trillion dollars. This begs the question: how are we ever going to balance the budget?"
Arguments over whether such usage should be considered incorrect are an example of debate over linguistic prescription and description.
Nobody likes the language police.
57
The post has been updated to reflect the Michael Jackson song I must've missed, to add a photo a reader sent, and to take out the misused "beg the question"--yes, I get paid to write, yes, I was hungover, yes, I make stupid errors all the time. Chill out.
58
To folks complaining about the noise: On a weekday 12 is too late, maybe even on normal weekend 12 might be late... But it was Satuday night on Pride weekend in the middle of Capitol Hill. It was one speaker. It lasted for 20 some minutes. I see how it could bother folks and of course you are entitled to call the cops... But I think some of the flames on the organizers are a bit harsh...
I see this dance party as a demonstration of reclaiming of queer space in capital hill. I definitely think that idea is important. And do you think that folks at the dance party are just involved in that sole action? I'm sure they were boycotting pride and going to bend-it and doing other things as well. I see the dance party as just one action against corporate pride, not the one statement against it. Ya they could have got a permit and done it in the park, but I think that is missing the point a bit.
I see this dance party as a demonstration of reclaiming of queer space in capital hill. I definitely think that idea is important. And do you think that folks at the dance party are just involved in that sole action? I'm sure they were boycotting pride and going to bend-it and doing other things as well. I see the dance party as just one action against corporate pride, not the one statement against it. Ya they could have got a permit and done it in the park, but I think that is missing the point a bit.
60
@ 55 I live on Rainier Ave. S. and S. Othello St. Go for it. I'll either join you or sleep right through it.
62
Wah-wah, mommy and daddy wouldn't let me play past my bedtime! No fair!
You're right, the people who called the cops don't belong in your neighborhood because they're ADULTS. They might want to live somewhere not populated by overgrown 7th graders.
You're right, the people who called the cops don't belong in your neighborhood because they're ADULTS. They might want to live somewhere not populated by overgrown 7th graders.
64
have the fucking party in Georgetown.
it's Martial Law down there anyway.
OH WAIT, I FORGOT. NO ONE WHO LIVES IN CAP HILL LEAVES THE HILL.
God forbid this "diverse crew" ever leave their little bubble.
it's Martial Law down there anyway.
OH WAIT, I FORGOT. NO ONE WHO LIVES IN CAP HILL LEAVES THE HILL.
God forbid this "diverse crew" ever leave their little bubble.
65
There's an old saying that's been attributed *at least* to Voltaire, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Ben Franklin: "Your rights end at the tip of my nose."
It was a fun thing, it was a rude and selfish thing. No need to argue folks, it can be both at once. Two sides of the same coin.
To UpTheQueerPunks, RF, Evz, and anyone else who wants to ascribe some MLK-like virtue to this, I call bullshit loud and queer... I mean clear. If this was your big "fuck you" to the beer companies who have realized that gays are a market, then perhaps you should organize your dance party at their offices during business hours; that's the only way they're going to have the slightest fucking idea that maybe 200 people in a city of 600,000 have a problem with their attention to the queer community. This wasn't the fucking Montgomery Bus Boycott, you're not Rosa Parks. This will have no impact whatsoever on the way the rest of the world makes a skanky, greased-up fuckfest out of the anniversary of a botched mafia/cop payoff gone wrong. (Wikipedia it, you might be less enthusiastic about wrapping yourself in the cum-stained flag of the Stonewall Inn.)
Did anyone ever think that perhaps Conner and anyone else who wanted to be asleep at midnight on a Saturday might be doing so for reasons you *would* approve of? Perhaps he wakes up early to work for the Chicken Soup Brigade. Maybe he works at the bakery that supplies the croissants and bagels to your favorite coffee shop. Maybe he was just all tuckered out from his *own* day of Smashing the State and wanted to be well rested to get up early Sunday and protest a Catholic church somewhere. Hey, maybe he was up all night Friday on a meth/poppers/anonymous blowjob bender and was feeling like there were spiders crawling on his face, who fucking knows? If you assume the privilege to vet someone else's life to decide whether you're being an asshole - don't bother, you already are.
Now about all this "if you can't take the Gay Heat, get off of Capitol Hill" horseshit. Is that what you really want, a gay ghetto? Seems like it would be a really easy place for people to go if they had a problem with gays. Police raids, gay bashing, local businesses getting no outside business... yeah, sounds like a great place to live. If you have a problem with (mostly) white, (mostly) straight people, I have some bad news for you: YOU'RE IN SEATTLE. It's mostly white (74%) and mostly straight (87%).
Don't confuse all straight white people's annoyance with racism or homophobia; if someone in Seattle has a problem with you it's probably not because you're a half African American, half Japanese pre-op m-to-f transsexual who identifies lesbian.... it's because, coincidentally, you also happen to be an insufferable fucking douchebag who looks for conflict at every opportunity.
Try to learn some empathy and the world will smile upon you. That's true for straight white people, gay chinese people, latin she-males, everybody.
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It was a fun thing, it was a rude and selfish thing. No need to argue folks, it can be both at once. Two sides of the same coin.
To UpTheQueerPunks, RF, Evz, and anyone else who wants to ascribe some MLK-like virtue to this, I call bullshit loud and queer... I mean clear. If this was your big "fuck you" to the beer companies who have realized that gays are a market, then perhaps you should organize your dance party at their offices during business hours; that's the only way they're going to have the slightest fucking idea that maybe 200 people in a city of 600,000 have a problem with their attention to the queer community. This wasn't the fucking Montgomery Bus Boycott, you're not Rosa Parks. This will have no impact whatsoever on the way the rest of the world makes a skanky, greased-up fuckfest out of the anniversary of a botched mafia/cop payoff gone wrong. (Wikipedia it, you might be less enthusiastic about wrapping yourself in the cum-stained flag of the Stonewall Inn.)
Did anyone ever think that perhaps Conner and anyone else who wanted to be asleep at midnight on a Saturday might be doing so for reasons you *would* approve of? Perhaps he wakes up early to work for the Chicken Soup Brigade. Maybe he works at the bakery that supplies the croissants and bagels to your favorite coffee shop. Maybe he was just all tuckered out from his *own* day of Smashing the State and wanted to be well rested to get up early Sunday and protest a Catholic church somewhere. Hey, maybe he was up all night Friday on a meth/poppers/anonymous blowjob bender and was feeling like there were spiders crawling on his face, who fucking knows? If you assume the privilege to vet someone else's life to decide whether you're being an asshole - don't bother, you already are.
Now about all this "if you can't take the Gay Heat, get off of Capitol Hill" horseshit. Is that what you really want, a gay ghetto? Seems like it would be a really easy place for people to go if they had a problem with gays. Police raids, gay bashing, local businesses getting no outside business... yeah, sounds like a great place to live. If you have a problem with (mostly) white, (mostly) straight people, I have some bad news for you: YOU'RE IN SEATTLE. It's mostly white (74%) and mostly straight (87%).
Don't confuse all straight white people's annoyance with racism or homophobia; if someone in Seattle has a problem with you it's probably not because you're a half African American, half Japanese pre-op m-to-f transsexual who identifies lesbian.... it's because, coincidentally, you also happen to be an insufferable fucking douchebag who looks for conflict at every opportunity.
Try to learn some empathy and the world will smile upon you. That's true for straight white people, gay chinese people, latin she-males, everybody.
66
Congratulations to 65 for the winning the most offensive comment on this blog entry. And that is kind of saying alot...
It is sad to see so much flaming and hatred here... But I guess that is what happens when you have no accountability for what you say in this internet space.
I still think that this queer visibility and reclaiming space is important, especially in the context of what is going on in the capitol hill neighborhood. I agree with the sentiment of post 58 alot...
It is sad to see so much flaming and hatred here... But I guess that is what happens when you have no accountability for what you say in this internet space.
I still think that this queer visibility and reclaiming space is important, especially in the context of what is going on in the capitol hill neighborhood. I agree with the sentiment of post 58 alot...
67
kudos to #65. I totally agree.
Fight for your rights in a way that actually makes a difference to the people you're fighting against. Throwing an impromptu dance party in your own neighborhood does nothing to stick it to "the man"; it just pisses off your neighbors and gives those that are already intolerant to you some fuel for their (misdirected) fire.
This isn't Stonewall, or the Montgomery Bus Boycott, or anything culturally impactful. It's a drunk ass dance party in a parking lot because you were pissed off at Budweiser for charging 5 bucks for a beer. Again, I say to actually step out of your neighborhood, organize an alternative to PRIDE if you're so upset by how it's working out. Find alternative venues that buck off sponsorship. Support those places. God forbid, you have to get off of the Hill to do such things.
Fight for your rights in a way that actually makes a difference to the people you're fighting against. Throwing an impromptu dance party in your own neighborhood does nothing to stick it to "the man"; it just pisses off your neighbors and gives those that are already intolerant to you some fuel for their (misdirected) fire.
This isn't Stonewall, or the Montgomery Bus Boycott, or anything culturally impactful. It's a drunk ass dance party in a parking lot because you were pissed off at Budweiser for charging 5 bucks for a beer. Again, I say to actually step out of your neighborhood, organize an alternative to PRIDE if you're so upset by how it's working out. Find alternative venues that buck off sponsorship. Support those places. God forbid, you have to get off of the Hill to do such things.
68
67, there is an alternative to pride, its called Bend-It festival. I bet some of those folks went to it.
69
@65. WORD.
These self-righteous dipshit "revolutionaries" need a history lesson. Harvey Milk had a fucking job. Guess that makes him "on the wrong side of history" though.
Too bad.
These self-righteous dipshit "revolutionaries" need a history lesson. Harvey Milk had a fucking job. Guess that makes him "on the wrong side of history" though.
Too bad.
70
Really? Dance party as history making? You have to be fucking kidding, right? I mean, how do you take that sort of claim seriously? Do you not see how offensive that is?
71
To #65,
Your blatant blanket statements about identities and communities you obviously have no idea about aside, if you read my whole post you'd see the part where I say that a LOT of folks present that night had to be up early doing those things you mentioned, and had been going strong all day/week and still danced and had fun for a mere 20 minutes, myself included. I was up at 7:30 the next morning, so suck it. I think the real overall theme I'm taking away from all this is people in this city need to lighten the fuck up all around.
Oh, and last night I was walking by Kurrent at 1:00 AM, and they had equally loud (and WAY worse) music blasting with all windows open, and a whole group of drunk screaming people out front, just down the block from RPlace, who'd sub woofers were contributing a decent amount of noise as well.
I think haters are just jealous that they aren't the cool kids in town, or that their friends don't throw parties that are half as fun. While you were griping, I was having the time of my life, so cry me a river. It was one night - deal with it.
Your blatant blanket statements about identities and communities you obviously have no idea about aside, if you read my whole post you'd see the part where I say that a LOT of folks present that night had to be up early doing those things you mentioned, and had been going strong all day/week and still danced and had fun for a mere 20 minutes, myself included. I was up at 7:30 the next morning, so suck it. I think the real overall theme I'm taking away from all this is people in this city need to lighten the fuck up all around.
Oh, and last night I was walking by Kurrent at 1:00 AM, and they had equally loud (and WAY worse) music blasting with all windows open, and a whole group of drunk screaming people out front, just down the block from RPlace, who'd sub woofers were contributing a decent amount of noise as well.
I think haters are just jealous that they aren't the cool kids in town, or that their friends don't throw parties that are half as fun. While you were griping, I was having the time of my life, so cry me a river. It was one night - deal with it.
72
@71 OMG U HATERZ R JUST JELASSS!!!
That's not an argument, that's just another hipster cunt assuming that everyone wants to be just like her/him.
I don't give a shit how loud the music from Kurrent is...I can't hear it from my condo. At all. I mean, not even a bass line or a drunken mob. That bullshit going on in the lot? I could hear that like it was coming from my own stereo. So I gave it 10 minutes and I called the cops. And I'll do it again. You assholes live in the city--not everyone is going to like your super happy funtimes and sometimes, we're going to complain about it. If you don't want neighbors getting pissed off about your dance riot, maybe you should move to Fraternity Row.
I think you're right--people in this city do need to lighten the fuck up. Take your own advice.
That's not an argument, that's just another hipster cunt assuming that everyone wants to be just like her/him.
I don't give a shit how loud the music from Kurrent is...I can't hear it from my condo. At all. I mean, not even a bass line or a drunken mob. That bullshit going on in the lot? I could hear that like it was coming from my own stereo. So I gave it 10 minutes and I called the cops. And I'll do it again. You assholes live in the city--not everyone is going to like your super happy funtimes and sometimes, we're going to complain about it. If you don't want neighbors getting pissed off about your dance riot, maybe you should move to Fraternity Row.
I think you're right--people in this city do need to lighten the fuck up. Take your own advice.
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