Minitek Update: Resident Advisor Interviews The Promoters

Ok, this may very well be the last Minitek update. We don't want this to go on too long, but we want to make sure that Resident Advisor - a website we value and whose podcasts we go gaga for - are represented here. Shortly after the statement issued by the Minitek/Minimoo promoters on the Mblog, which was posted here yesterday, RA had an exclusive interview with Jenny Tan to follow up.

Will there be another Minitek?

Yes, absolutely.


Read more: Resident Advisor: Minitek Organizers Speak Out

Minitek Update: Minitek Promoters Speak

Yep, we're still having Minitek updates. Looking back on previous posts, the coverage is really one big clusterfuck. A lot of the reporting doesn't say much because it was hard to make much of it, but I feel Jenny Tan - 1/2 of the creative foundation of Minimoo, which spawned Minitek - worded herself with a fierce confidence that a female promoter needs to have in today's climate.

By "it," I mean the 1,000+ word statement on the Minitek blog today, which outlines the many problems the festival faced this past weekend in New York City.

The core is here: "[the penn plaza pavillion hotel] had misrepresented their certificate of occupancy (the official document that restricts the amount of people the venue can legally hold). there was no reason to believe that the 38.000sf venue couldn’t hold the people that had paid for weekend passes at the very least. once the police showed up, the manager of the venue was forced to show the “real” certificate of occupancy and as it turned out, the venue didn’t even have one! the one that was eventually shown to the police was from 1963 and claimed an occupancy of only 208 people, but it was long void as the venue had changed their use a few times since the permit was issued more than 40 years ago."

We want to see Minitek happen next year (this includes YOU) and I think giving the promoters a fair chance is worthwhile. If Minitek 2009 aims, fires, and blows its target to pieces, the 2008 series of events will probably go down in history in a much more positive light...it's really not the mistakes you make, but the things you do to rectify them, and if there's anything worth saying about minimal techno promoters in America, well, it is a labor of love.

Full Statement: Apologies Owed...

Trouble & Bass <3's Coralcola

Our friends over at Trouble & Bass have been holding a remix contest for the release of Little Jinder's "Polyhedron" EP on their label. Recently, the match came to a close and our friend Coralcola made it as a runner up! While his remix will not be featured on the release, it's currently available for download on the Trouble & Bass blog. This was an excellent idea, and we're wondering if we should try and do the same. Congratulations to all that won, and will appear on the EP, as well!

Contest: Little Jinder remix winners
Site: Trouble & Bass
MySpace: Coralcola

Minitek Mini-Update: What are others saying now?

Two Minitek Crowds: Saturday Night vs. Friday Night


photos by luciditywaves and Burak Arikan


I H8 Minimoo
"Learn to crawl before you try to walk!...this is a massive FAIL."

Rhythmism
"While we do love Studio B and their much improved sound system, the approximate 600 capacity space is going to be completely overrun and unable to accommodate all ticketholders."

Resident Advisor forums
"Minimoo has not apologized or posted any new information on their website, and that screams of 'we shit the bed on this and don't know what to do, but at least we have your asshole's money!' It's not very fucking hard to figure out the firecode-reason given for police presence-of a venue you're considering for an event."

Minitek Update: Saturday Night Success

photo by Eddie Birk

For some of us, last night made up for being left out of the Penn Plaza Pavillion on Friday, and the late start to Saturday's events. Minitek by Night was rescheduled at Studio B, and arriving around midnight, there wasn't much chaos on the outside. At one point, the pre-bought ticket holders and guestlist folk were pushed aside, allowing only cash up-front paying customers to enter quickly. No one knew where the order had come from, but it almost seemed like it was an independent decision by the venue and its bouncers. This is highly unlikely, but considering how it was put together at the time, you could simply say "Yes, I'll pay $40," move up front and through the entrance, and then head right instead of left (cash window) to the will call table. For the next hour, things were difficult to decipher as everyone seemed to be settling in.


Magda at Studio B

2am, the music stopped for about two minutes. Some of us quickly debated leaving, and that's exactly when Magda came on deck. The immediate feedback was an explosive frenzy. Around 4am, Format:B quickly moved into their set, taking the night all the way to its 6am end as the sun started rising. It was during these four hours that the magic of Minitek happened, and sharing the dance floor with Mark Ingram and Patrick Barry, it's safe to say that we never left the dance floor. To what it seems, Pan-Pot never made it on, but they were standing in the booth behind Format:B. Unless the party restarted after the music shut down, the applaud ceased, and the house lights went on, we definitely missed it.


End of the night applause!

The night, in our eyes, turned into a success. Up in the lounge area, people were friendly and interactive, and many felt that everyone was there with a desire to see Minitek take over the night. Now 8pm on Sunday, Audion should be taking the stage at this very moment, and being the one act left that was high on the list, it's sad to say that I've already clocked out for this weekend. Presumably, those who attended and those who organized Minitek have much to think about and take home. All we can hope is that they decide to set this up again next year, and take it above and beyond its launch. Many kudos to those that invested so much time and money into making this happen!

Back to the office...

*9.25.08 11pm Note: Turns out the post-Magda set was Pan-Pot, and Format:B were moved to Club Europa. Apparently the night was split in two between Studio B and Club Europa. Excellent. If that is true, considering Studio B was the only advertised venue...well, that is just shite.

Festival Site: Minitek

Minitek Mini-Update: Magda!

Magda @ DC10 July 2007

This just in, for anyone watching the Btown blog for their information - Magda canceled her 10pm slot at the Minitek by Day event and is rescheduled for Studio B tonight!

MySpace: Magda

What time, I am unsure, but this is great news.

Keep in mind that over 3,000+ tickets were sold, and the capacity of Studio B is 500...I certainly will.

Cheers,
Vicki

Minitek Update: Mid-Fest Odds & Ends

Minitek Day @ Coney Island . Saturday, 2:30pm

Stopping by Minitek Day on Coney Island, the entry into the area was slow, but the bouncers were much friendlier than last night. Understandable, as no one seemed to have any authority breathing down their necks. I have to admit, being under the impression that much of the staff is being outsourced, everyone I've approached with a question - whether or not they could provide and answer - has been very courteous.

The music was great, and for those that wanted to catch Derek Plaslaiko's set, he was on and off - rotating with the other DJs. While there, I caught up with a local Bostonian about Rebel's post-Pavillion shutdown. Apparently Marco Carola and Paco Osuna - who were slated for the last two slots on last night's bill - showed up at Rebel and went head for head from, roughly, 4am and 8am. "Those two...together...it's the best booking out there," he said.


photo by Chris Carella

Tonight's festivities have been rumored to be moved to Rebel, and then Webster Hall, but as of now there's a confirmed establishment for Minitek Night to Studio B. An excellent choice! Minitek's intentions will most likely be a solid reality tonight. After a food coma following by a nap and strong cup of Greek coffee, it's time to head off the island (Long Island, that is), and head back to the madness. See you there!


MySpace: Marco Carola
MySpace: Paco Osuna
Festival Site: Minitek