With three dance floors, a chill-out room called "Idle Conversation," a "nostalgic bar" called "Yunost'" and two international electronic acts, CASA promises to be a feast for the eyes and ears and fast food for the liver and lungs -- it gets very smoky in there. The party coincides with the 10th anniversary of Afisha magazine, and the party is a "present from us to them for their birthday," said organizer Filipp Mironov.
Upon entry to Arma '09, a huge brick warehouse formerly known as Gaz Gallery, partygoers will cross paths with Moscow DJ crew Flammable Beats. These four DJs spin a variety of hip-hop and funk records with an arsenal of turntable skills, and they'll be playing records throughout the party along with DJ Sandra, who will occupy one of the three dance floors.
The main stage will host French electronic musician Joakim Bouaziz and his live band, known as Joakim and The Disco. Appropriately enough for such a varied evening of music, Bouaziz has a mixed musical background; he studied fortepiano at the National Conservatory of Versailles, where he rubbed elbows with the founders of famous French electro acts Daft Punk and Air. His first album, "Joakim Lone Octet," was released 10 years ago and incorporates jazz, turntablism, indie-rock and dance music. His most recent solo outing, 2007's "Monsters and Silly Songs," sticks to a style closer to the slick, synth-drenched pop that has become so popular in France. The Optimo Espacio DJ team from Glasgow will follow Bouaziz. The pair, JD Twitch and JG Wilkes, coined the phrase "Kill All DJs" in 1998 that has since permeated DJ culture all over the world. They found fame as house DJs at their own club in Glasgow, where they play every genre under the sun in an effort to transcend the term "eclectic." Much in demand, the pair has played in North America, Europe and Australia since the beginning of the year.
"[We] didn't want to create one-genre events," said Mironov, explaining that CASA wanted a festival atmosphere where "listeners can make choices and artists, genres and parties don't all happen in the same space." By the look of things, they should succeed on Saturday.
CASA kicks off at 11 p.m., Sat. April 4. Arma '09 is located at 5 Nizhny Susalny Pereulok, Bldg. 3A. Metro Kurskaya. Entry is 500 rubles. www.lookatme.ru/cities/moscow/events/61721 for more information.
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