urbanSTL

marc buxton wrote:1. Hip Hip (or it's "culture") is not the problem. Joe Edwards has been presenting "The Science", one of STL's longest running and most respected Hip Hop nights in his U-City venues for a long time. Without problems.



2. Now, I have to tell ya about the best fight I ever witnessed on Wash. Ave. Summer of 1991. 1227 was in it's heyday, and right across the street was Twist, a predominantly gay dance club. Tuesday night at Twist was a black gay night... more descriptively, a fierce group of mostly drag queens dancin' to some Chicago house music. I worked Tuesday nights at Twist, and it was a great, fun night. However, the queens would get tanked up, and every single week...Black Cat Fights!!! These fights would usually spill out into the street and by the end of it there would be sequins, blood and boa feathers laying in the old Wash. Ave. sidewalk cracks and gutters. After the first couple of weeks, we quickly eliminated all the glass in the joint. See, these crazy beotches didn't have guns, but would bust a beer bottle and try to cut each wild, wild west style! 1227 was usually dark on Tuesdays, but on this particular night, they had a live Industrial show and it was packed. As fate would have it, the 1227 show was letting out at just the same time the weekly "Twist Capades" blew through the front doors and out onto the street. What ensued just nuts... black queens being restrained by 1227's skinhead doormen... Goth kids getting their hair pulled by 6-foot tall men in 4-inch heels. And the verbal volleys were absolutely hilarious. Luckily, outside of a few bumps and bruises, everyone was OK, but man, that's what I would call an urban culture clash! I can't imagine what today's residents would think!!!

innov8ion wrote:Oy vey, this is a delicate topic. Dress codes seem to work fairly well in limiting violence in clubs. Dress codes also serve to cater to a targeted clientele in upscale lounges and fine dining establishments. FB is more of a casual environment with a chill, diverse, indie vibe and less propensity for violence.



I think the answer rests with moderation due to the casual atmosphere but St. Louisan's actions will end up dictating the necessity for stricter measures. Vigilance by bouncers and other staff in heading off potential conflict is ideal as well.



But really, the NYE "event" was limited to fisticuffs and likely more of an anomaly than anything. It's possible people are giving it an abundance of attention because we all want this place to kick ass for years to come.



Interesting article for your perusal: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=403524

innov8ion wrote:The women in Prague are soooo beautiful! When listening to a live performance of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons", try to do so in a church in which the room temperature is higher than it is outside. Don't tell anyone, but I think I like Budweiser better than Budweiser. Jazz on the Charles Bridge in Praha? How sublime.

innov8ion wrote:Another enjoyable evening among friends here last night. My throat was still suffering a bit so Seth made me a wonderful hot whiskey w/ lemon and honey. Later on, a switcheroo to tea w/ lemon and honey. But oops, the tea ended up being from an employee's personal stash. So after that, a hot chocolate instead!



Rory and Vance say I still own the high score at Flamingo so far with a 255. However I must admit being a bit intoxicated at the time, to say the least. I tell you, there is much to be said for muscle memory and focus. Well, that and the pink, 14 pound house ball that is my mainstay.



I performed a show and tell from the European trip, sharing a small stash off Belgian chocolates and showing Rory my KGB emblazoned flask (empty!) from Prague. While in Prague, I neglected to sample absinthe in their own unique style (or in any style, for that matter.) Another "gift" from the trip seems to be waking up around 4ish in the mornings. Damn off-kilter circadian rhythms! It is time you start bringing some harmony w/ GMT-6 once again.



Other random observations from the trip. Wear comfortable shoes. The iPod Touch makes for an incredibly useful travel gadget while exploring with its email, browser and wifi connectivity as well as ability to store itineraries as photos and listen to music. Service is far better in countries where the tip is not automatically included with the price of the meal. If you'd like to go #1 or #2, you had best bring some Euros! Ordering up a paper cone stuffed w/ fries and topped w/ dollops of mayonnaise is awful fun. Sample lots of cheese. My, I love Belgian beer! Leffe and Duvel, thank you (and I can enjoy you here at Tigin!) Belgian waffles, yum. Architecture is well discussed there and I enjoyed observing how they integrated the new with old. Even learning a few words of the local language can make those you deal with feel special. My first soccer (football) match in Europe! Go Club Brugges... When I asked Tim to translate one of the chants, he was reticent to repeat it but I implored. Although not overly aggregious, I was disappointed to find it anti-semitic in nature. In conversation, many locals asked where I was from and when informed of the STL, most nodded their heads in both awareness and approval. They aren't fans of Morgan Quitno either, apparently. The women in Prague are soooo beautiful! When listening to a live performance of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons", try to do so in a church in which the room temperature is higher than it is outside. Don't tell anyone, but I think I like Budweiser better than Budweiser. Jazz on the Charles Bridge in Praha? How sublime.



Sorry for the rambling. Oh how I love the Pelican!