Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Everyone was dressed in white

After I turned in the PT Cruiser yesterday, I had an hour to kill so I decided to grab a coffee at the convention center where the annual "Bal en Blanc" was winding down. I could still hear the pounding dance floor(s) beat inside as I watched the party-goers emerge from an all night dance party, likely augmented with favorite pharmaceuticals.

Spouse and I haven't been to a circuit party in a decade, though we did go to an all night club in New York back in 2000. And as I watched the people come out, I saw the "ecstasy gaze" and the "tooth-grinding look", everyone shining from the sheen of sweat that comes from dancing all night. I grinned helplessly at everyone, most younger than I, and felt glad that I hadn't stayed up all night too. I guess those days are behind us. I sure don't miss the week-long recovery.

Circuit party moments I can remember:

* At the Black & Blue party, a man in the middle of the dance floor held a cocktail tray with a dozen different substances for purchase, "Party favors," he cried while snaking through the dancing crowd.

* Witnessing oral sex on the dance floor. Oh and the guy who walked around showing his Prince Albert to everyone.

* The line that worked wonders that one time, "Can I bum a bump off you?"

* At the White Party in Palm Springs, when paramedics came to the hotel to collect an OD victim in a bodybag. (That put a damper on the festivites.)

* The "apex" moment, where the crowd and DJ become one animal, everyone dancing, glowing, the tribal bond inducing communal ecstasy. Of all the nonsense surrounding circuit parties, this is the one genuine payoff. To be a part of that "connected oneness" with other human beings. Though I have little desire to attend another such party, I'm glad to have experienced that.

23 comments:

madamerouge said...

To be a part of that "connected oneness" with other human beings.

Chemically-altered connected oneness. It's still oneness. It just carries a certain cost.

My one circuit party was Black & Blue 1996. Aside from a few drinks, I was not altered. And I went back to the hotel around 2 a.m.

St. Dickeybird said...

I've never been to a circuit party. But I've had similar moments at clubs with the help of Gin.
And, like you, I don't miss those (great as they were).

The Wisdom of Wislon said...

I learnt that I might as well avoid raves if i'm not gonna do the druggie thing and if the beers too expensive as everyone's downing the H2o stuff ;)


whatever floats your boat- keep the memories of the good times flowing!

bardelf said...

I saw an interview with diva Grace Jones, a few years ago, and she was being asked questions about her daze back at Studio 54. At one point, she simply looked at the camera and said, "we did a lot of substances back then; I really don't remember much about those years".

dantallion said...

You describe that 'apex' moment perfectly.

Polt said...

Never been to a circuit party, but I can remember many moments in my younger years spending the better part of an evening dancing at our local gay bar. "Apex" moment could not have been described any better. I miss those moments.

Course, to attempt to do that now would require boatloads of pain killers the next morning for my hangover/back/knees/etc....

HUGS...

Snooze said...

My body takes too long to even recover from wine, but like you, I love seeing youth stumbling out of these parties. Good for them.

dirk.mancuso said...

I've never been to a circuit party or experienced that "apex" moment.

Can I assume it's akin to the buzz I get from a really exciting Thursday night Book Club?

I didn't think so...

Jason said...

I was/am one of the "uncool" gays.
:(

My adventures said...

ditto to that very last sentence... well, except maybe that one in miami... but early, just to see the decorations!!!

Unknown said...

I must be to much of a grandma to go to those parties. First I don't look like I stepped freshly out of a gym and I can't wear white. Biiiig black hem on the dress.
kb

GayProf said...

I also have never attended a circuit party. My imagination suggests that it would be hard to get back in the party mood once the bodybags started appearing.

dpaste said...

One circuit party: 2001 Black Party. No oneness was achieved. I left at 4AM. Just not for me.

Anonymous said...

LOL, You so hit it on the "head" with this statement "I guess those days are behind us. I sure don't miss the week-long recovery".

I remember my first circuit party called "after shock" in San Francisco, what an eye opener but happy I got to experience it.

Patricia said...

damn this pretty much confirms that i'll never come back gay. i just know i couldn't pull it off, young or not.

Wanda said...

So I've always wanted to know the ravers mind. I wish I wasn't such a natural space cadet, cuz drugs look like so much fun before the oral foaming and nausea take over.

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Enemy of the Republic said...

I remember from my bartending days--I went into the bathroom and some girl was giving a guy a blow job. They got so embarrassed. Me, I didn't care at all. I just wanted to pee.

Sunshine said...

We have none of that in Brisbane. We're way way way too tame. I don't really want to participate in those freaky stuff but it'd be interesting to see them in real life.

David said...

Like most here, I've never been to one. And my friends who have basically told me that those parties are boring unless you DO DRUGS.

Plus, of course, I never was one of the genetically perfect (or and A&F model), so that also was a reason not to go.

Anonymous said...

priceless pick up line!

I have never been to a circuit party, but I love the sweat, heat, and human spirit unity of dancing at my local clubs.

A Bear in the Woods said...

I love to dance, but Brie doesn't like clubbing, so we just turn the radio up loud and boogie in the living room.

dawn said...

I'm very boring and have never been to any rave-type things. I'm pretty sure I've driven people home from them though. Maybe I'm exciting by association? Probably not.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love the way you describe the apex moment. It makes me wish I had been there.