Review: Equinox with DJ Brian Gorr at Baltic Room
The sun didn’t shine for some of the crowd at Equinox on Saturday March 20, 2010. It became clear from the very beginning of the night that DJ Brian Gorr has outgrown the Baltic Room. Before 11pm my wait in line was close to 45 minutes to get into the event. At one point, just as I got to the front of the line, the staff completely shut down entry because they felt it may be over capacity.
Of course, once I got into the club the only space that really felt crowded was the space right in front of the bar but as the night went on, the dance floor and balcony got more and more crowded which one expects at a Brian Gorr event. The vibe itself was too dark and the lights were pathetic compared to his impressive Rewind Party in December. At his last event an awesome lighting display was donated for the event.
But yes, the problem is mostly my expectations. I am expecting a big budget $50 circuit event in a smallish club for just a $7 cover. But the Baltic Room space just lacks so much. The small dance floor is not even visible from most parts of the club. There also seems to be a lack of a place to stand and pose and be seen. But the bartenders were friendly and the drinks were richly mixed and most were reasonably priced including even a $2 beer special.
The bouncers were always respectiveful yet I have long believed that the club’s heavy staffing is probably better suited for a straight hip hop event. But this seems to be a common thing now in a new era of clubs wanting to be responsible and keep control of their crowds.
Two doors over, the former Miss Gay Seattle Teriyaki Temple, was putting on a fabulous and free birthday party with over 150 of her closest friends. At the 1213 Pine Lounge she had Go-Go dancers and food catered from Bambuza Vietnamese Bistro and was collecting donations for GLSEN, the gay student network. And DJ Brian Gorr’s music was even piped into the event. After spending a little bit of time in the dark pit like atmosphere at Equninox we headed back over to Teriyaki Temple’s Birthday Party, which was also being managed by the Baltic Room, where the vibe felt fresh and real. Everyone at the birthday party was friendly and was in good spirits at her party.
We listened to DJ Brian Gorr for quite some time and we all agreed that he has some of the best mixing of any DJ you will ever hear in Seattle and hints of performing at the same level as some of the national circuit DJ names. I mentioned similar feelings a couple of years ago about DJ Seth Cooper from Austin, Texas and less than a year later that DJ went on to be voted “Best Up and Coming DJ” in the nation by Just Circuit magazine. There are big opportunities for Brian Gorr and hopefully he expands his tremendous talent out to other bigger venues.
I sympathize with everything you said, which is why I was not at the Baltic Room on Saturday. That venue just doesn't do it for me. The lighting is especially pathetic, and the dance floor is too small.
However, even though he chose the venue, the situation isn't really Brian's fault. Venues cost money. Lighting costs money. And Seattle boys are notoriously cheap. I personally know some of the promoters in town, and generally they lose money or barely break even on events, because if they charge enough to cover their costs (venue, lighting, especially lasers), people won't show up. Instead they'll go to Neighbours or the Cuff for the cheaper cover. Brian is not a professional promoter, and I'm guessing he can't really take the financial risk of renting a venue like Neumos. He just wants to get out and spin and give people a good time, so he does that where it makes financial sense.
The promoters aren't doing this to get rich, but because they want to put on a good time for their friends and the party boys. If people would be willing to pony up for the better venues, we could have bigger and more exciting events in Seattle.