Three years ago the organization Moonlight held its second annual rave on Nawan Beach in Kenting. It was one of the island's best parties, spoiled only by the fact that a South African drowned in the early morning and there were drug busts and lurid headlines in the papers the next day.
Ever since, it seems, bad weather and drug raids have buffeted Spring break parties. Wind blew down Moonlight's tents the next year, and rain poured on Kenting's Freedom Parade last year. There were also more than 30 arrests over the long weekend.
Hopefully the sun will shine this year and the police will chill out. Moonlight's "Spring Gathering" has harnessed the talents of Taipei's Loop and Citrus DJs, along with top-20 international DJ Marco V, plus Brian Mcguire from LA. In all there will be 35 playas plying the decks and 11 VJs on two stages, with six parties over three evenings, beginning tonight.
PHOTO: JULES QUARTLY, TAIPEI TIMES
All the big names will be turning up, said Moonlight organizer Jason Lee, who was speaking from Kenting on Wednesday night.
"The weather down here is good, better than Taipei. It should be a good party for us this year because we've got all the government licenses and a big-name sponsor, plus improved safety. So, there shouldn't be any trouble," Lee said.
"Of course, to take drugs is dangerous because it's illegal; it doesn't matter where you are. We've taken all reasonable precautions so it should go really well and I just hope people bring their party spirit."
Check out www.moonlight-production.com.tw for further details.
DJ @llen is behind two of the other big happenings at Kenting this year, with E Samba (一三八戶外派對) at Dreamland, tonight and tomorrow, from 9pm to sunrise. We are promised "bootylicious tunes," which according to @llen "means good tunes, good music, funky, with latin and afrobeats. No trance or cheeky progressive music."
Nina, Dark Gravity and Maxxx will be the supporting cast, as Zeon, Danjah and MC Davi put on the only drum 'n' bass set of the weekend that we have heard of. There's a bar and barbecue, entrance is NT$500.
"E Samba is more of a DIY party than a mega-corporate party so I hope people can come along and enjoy the best vibes, with the cheapest drinks in town, guaranteed," @llen said, adding the event was weather-proof and not going to be busted.
"The restaurant is licensed for dancing, so the police can come in but they can't raid it. Also, though the party is outside, there's plenty of cover and a restaurant."
@llen is also behind Kenting Freedom Parade, a heavily amplified truck that will pass through the town center from around 3pm to 9pm, with five or six DJs playing hour-long sets. For further information go to www.la-groove.com.
That man @llen -- he's everywhere -- will also be dipping his toes in at Spring Paradise (萬人朝聖), the Baishawan Beach party on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There will be a shuttle bus from Kenting and more of a hip-hop flava, with MC Hot Dog and DJs Noodle, E-Turn, Vinny,
@pple, Dragon, Gravity, Dark, Pluto, Monk, Roufy, Petty and more.
There will be other locally-run events in Kenting, at various bars, mountain and beach locations, so keep your ears to the ground and make sure you have some accommodation, in case it rains.
Also, don't take cold medicine or smoke herbal cigarettes at parties where there will be plainclothes police, who might think you are taking something else, especially if it's your habit to make lines from powdered flu remedies.
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