Last weekend hordes of revelers jetted in from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Hong Kong to party their socks off, and Taiwan didn't disappoint. Taipei Gay Pride Festival culminated in three days of parties; the LoveBall at Champagne 3 on Friday, BeachBall at Howard Plaza Beach Resort on Saturday and ChillBall at The Face on Sunday, and that was just the official festival parties. In between, there was a bash at AXD and a foam swimming pool do in north Taipei.
The LoveBall was crammed with fresh-faced party-goers, and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation running high for the 72-hour hedonistic marathon. The bash was tame compared to what followed. The BeachBall saw some of the world's tiniest swimming trunks on display and, according to reliable sources, things got extremely steamy on the dancefloor. The Face at 3am on Monday was humming to Stone's deep, deep beats; most people had their tops off and a solitary lady was getting down to it on the dancefloor. It was Texound all over again, only better organized and with a more cosmopolitan clientele.
The national media ran stories about some of the parties, but in a sensitive tone. Taipei became, for one weekend, Asia's answer to Mykonos, one of Europe's premier gay-friendly party destinations.
Fireflies added their usual magic to the annual Hoping for Hoping peace festival last weekend in Longtan, Taoyuan County (
Funk from Milk, ska from Sound Clashes, reggae from Hulihutu and eclectic improv from Native Space were among the sounds. In total, 25 bands played in the natural amphitheater of Kunlun Herb Gardens, to over 500 people.
There was a heady smell, not just from the herbs being passed around, but also from the excellent foodstalls. Over the two nights and three days of the festival there was plenty to do, with free art, drumming, massages, alternative media work shops, fire dances and healing, with the Way of Grace Foundation.
Party people joined hands for Saturday's peace circle and the setting and atmosphere was a sweet change from having to watch your favorite local band in some dingy hole in the city. All profits from the event (which was financed by voluntary contributions of NT$500) will be given to charity.
Organizer Scott Cook said around NT$100,000 was raised for charities. "We're really excited about the new CD set, which includes a disc of live tracks recorded at last year's fest. It's full of great music and memories for those who were there."
It costs NT$300 and can be ordered online from www.hopingforhoping.com or www.peaceforpeace.com.
The organizers of this year's DMC Taiwan Championship have announced the panel of judges that will decide who will represent Taiwan at the world final in September.
Turbulence, 21, last year's US DMC team champion comes from LA and began his turntablist career at the tender age of 13, and has since accrued a handful of titles and now teaches at the Scratch Academy that was founded by Jam Master Jay from Run-DMC.
Phonics, Turbulence's US team champion partner will also sit on the panel along with Mykal from Taiwan.
Mykal has a long spinmeister resume that includes gigs at the nation's top clubs; he is currently resident at Party Room.
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