Deep Dish: Sept 18, 2014

Tapette 4th Year Anniversary Party
Sat, Sept 6 @ HenHouse
Remember summer? Neither do I, but it’s done. Or as the French say fini. Do you remember your first real love? I bet you do. Ten years ago, I met an enchanting French lad while he was studying English in Toronto. Tonight we meet up again for the first time in eight years; coincidentally (and appropriately) we make a night of it at Tapette’s Fourth Year Anniversary Party, Xtra’s DJ Phil V’s French dance music monthly. Though Francois claims to still not understand a word of what French-Canadians are saying (“That’s not French”), he is fully enjoying the show put on by lady bear extraordinaire Fay Slift, who tonight looks like a plus-sized version of Strawberry Shortcake.
(I don’t think they have such bearded beauties in the south of France.) Miss Shortcake, by the way, has been six years old for 37 years now. If only we were still the same age as when we first met. It’s midnight, and The Henhouse is packed tighter than, yeah, a henhouse. It’s also so hot we’re sizzling like BBQ chickens as we squawk with friends and peck our way around the dancefloor. Perhaps everyone is here, like Xtra’s David Walberg, for a chance to snag a limited edition Tapette tank top. Or maybe it’s to win a pair of tickets to Yelle, the electro French band, whose
“A Cause De Garçon” video helped propel the jump-style dance movement to new heights. But as Shazad, the “go-go guy of all parties,”
entertains in itty-bitty shorts and Phil decides to DJ shirtless, we regulate ourselves to the funky chicken, the chicken dance and, my personal creation, the rooster cock rock. Very Tapette.

Prism’s Work It Weekend
Sat, Aug 30 @ Sky Bar/The Phoenix
Remember summer? Neither do I, but it’s over. Or as the party boys say, “ovah. “ Do you remember your first T-dance? Many won’t. But that’s the risk/joy of attending most Prism events — this time it’s just during the day. Its over-the-top action always sucks you in, and by the time it spits you out, you’re stumbling down an alley trying to figure out how to get home. With the sun peeking out, we make our way up to The Guvernment Nightclub’s rooftop Sky Bar. Attendance is a must as the club is slated for demolition next year to make way for condos. As Montreal’s sexy Alain Jackinsky assumes control of the DJ booth, party overlord Gairy Brown assumes control of the upper deck. Sofonda prepares to assume control of the stage with a show of tight choreography, airy attitude and fantastic outfits. Prism’s Work It PitBull party takes place just hours later, and The Phoenix is packed tighter than a stable of broncos. DJ Deko-ze (whose real middle name is actually DeCourcey) is spinning only in small, crotch-hugging shorts. “I hate working in sweaty clothes,” he says. “Plus, I don’t mind acting as a catalyst to encourage others to get rid of their tops.” These two parties are part of the four-party, Labour Day long weekend event that Gairy hopes to continue. It’s a new holiday tradition, like watching fireworks on Victoria Day, eating turkey on Thanksgiving or opening presents on Christmas. Here, however, the fireworks take place on the dancefloor between men with dynamite down their pants; thick, meaty sausages are gobbled up instead of turkey; and the packages unwrapped tonight don’t need Energizer batteries. Work it.