The Vinyl Word's DJ Poll has provoked less controversy than the Kaohsiung mayoral elections, but it is already whipping up excitement across the island. A strong showing for party scene-sters outside of the capital demonstrates that our friends in the south are mobilizing their supporters in the traditional patterns of southern electioneering. Up north, many of the usual suspects have cropped up again, with a few new faces.
No jokers have nominated Chiang Kai-shek or Ma Ying-jeou (who, uncannily, resembles Roxy Music's Bryan Ferry,) which was slightly disappointing, but a sharp eye will be kept on the nominations. Those who are either a) not or no longer based in Taiwan or b) not DJs will be struck off the list. Nominations close today at 3pm and the voting begins tonight at 9pm. Head on over to the Web site at www.taipeitimes.com/poll/dj, choose your three favorite DJs of 2006, and click 'vote.' Last year's overall winner was Victor Cheng, with a staggering 3,168 votes, while foreign favorite was Marcus Aurelius, with a slightly less suspicious 202. As in previous years, the final winner will receive absolutely nothing in the way of prizes, save for the honor and glory associated with romping home in one of the island's most prestigious popularity contests.
CKS Memorial Hall is the spectacular backdrop for tomorrow's Winter Love/I Love Taipei bash featuring seven hours of music and mayhem. The entertainment begins at 3pm, and throughout the day and early evening there'll be mainstream pop fare and then hip-hop from live band Machi and Taiwan's very own DMC champions E-Turn and Noodle. Noodle was also DMC's first female DJ to compete at the world final last year. Later, things go all electronic as Soulutions take to the stage alongside the Loop Residents, and Ferry Corsten playing the last set until they kick everyone out at the shockingly early time of 10 pm. It looks like a fun day out and even better, it's completely free.
Luxy and The Loop are hosting the party and one reason for the free-ness is they are leading by example and encouraging the city's ravers to dig deep for charity. They've teamed up with Yahoo Charities (tw.charity.yahoo.com/) which is a new site (though at the moment only in Chinese). Donations to various good causes can be made through the wizardry of the ATM machine.
Elsewhere, tomorrow sees current Sabbatical resident Rithma heading down to Liquid Lounge in Taichung. Those in the capital who want to continue long after they've been turfed out of CKS can carry on at Luxy's after-party; those that want to continue in the charity spirit can catch Reggae for a Cause at Bliss, with the NT$100 door damage going to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
RSS