Hot pink

Cougars take note. Young dykes are out in full force lately, stylishly streaming into the Elmo to shake it at the soon to be infamous Juicy parties.

Juicy is the monthly event many dykes have been circling on their calendars for about five months now. Some of the past nights have included visual art, live bands and incredibly hot break-dancers who motivate you for the main event – the dancing. Juicy is all about undeniably danceable beats brought on by fresh new DJs – Kirsten Iverson, Violca Yrykuish, Holly Skinner and Sue Seto, collectively known as Hot Pink Productions.

Seto says one can expect, “anything from old school, ’80s, hip-hop, electro, disco, house to funk,” explaining that the Juicy girls aim to please. “We have four rotating DJs so we each get two half-hour sets. So if you don’t like one set, well then don’t worry… it’s only a half hour.” Luckily there are no worries when Seto starts spinning.

She may still be a relatively new presence behind the decks, but her involvement in queer women’s events dates back to those classic mid ’90s She bar days – but it was primarily a sewing needle she used to move the crowd. Seto is a fashion designer whose fashions spiced up queer events. The transition from sewing needle to record needle was unplanned. “It was never my intention to become a DJ. I just loved sharing my music with people. I had this habit of cornering my friends in my bedroom and making them listen to all my favourite songs. Now I get to do that to 300 strangers and there is still enough room to dance.”

If you were one of those hot tattooed dykes that used to steam up the little Kei bar at Queen and Shaw you will have some idea of what Seto spins and how it motivates many to get up and make a dancefloor (even in that narrow little space). Her sets at Juicy are slightly different; she tends to play more house music, electronic and some old school, favouring artists like Lazy Dog, Gus Gus, Tiga and Cassius.

Her secret weapon to lure more reluctant dancers? “Sophie Ellis Bextor’s ‘Murder On the Dance Floor.’ No one knows her but they all love her.”

Seto’s genuine and unpretentious passion for music is refreshing, so is the mixed sea of unfamiliar young hipsters grooving to her sets.

* Sue Seto also spins at the Sat, Nov 15 Savour Party at Andy Poolhall.

JUICY.

$7. 10pm-3am.

Sat, Nov 22.

El Mocambo.

494 Spadina Ave.

(416)968-2001