After some squats and stretches, the Weekly’s nightlife editor Xania Woodman and the Clubinar video team took on the first annual Vegas Music Experience, the Billboard Dance Music Summit and Sanker’s White Party Weekend -- and all at once. Well, as much of it as they could anyway. With over seven full days and nights of parties, afterparties and even after-afterparties, VME set a realistic bar for future events of this kind.
According to N9NE Group corporate director of marketing, Michael Fuller, the Billboard Dance Music Summit, now in its 14th year, was flagging slightly in numbers. A mature-but-worthwhile conference bringing together industry heavyweights and fresh newcomers, Billboard stood to benefit, Fuller explains, from the energy and passion of a new partner. The first-ever VME -- brainchild of Vegas Alliance/Empire Ballroom’s Gino LoPinto -- stood to gain credibility from the venerable music industry source.
Coincidentally, Jeffrey Sanker, creator of the White Party Weekend in Palm Springs, sought to bring his famed gay party and his huge, loyal following to Vegas that same weekend. What followed was a three-pronged assault, stronger together than any one, perhaps, could have been alone. October 4-10, 2007, house music fans found their heaven at nightclubs across the valley, beginning with kick-off parties at Voodoo Lounge, Blush, Empire Ballroom and Seamless.
The Weekly started its own nightclub marathon Saturday night at Empire Ballroom for Sanker’s main event, White Party Las Vegas. The following day, DJs Scotty Boy and Theo (Pacha NYC) were spinning under a warm autumn sun. Later that night at the Playboy Club, fans of Dirty Vegas got to test-ride the venue’s new lounge area and dance floor. Tuesday afternoon, the Billboard summit swung into action in the Palms’ Key West Room with panels such as Voices Carry, featuring the most prominent and promising female vocalist in dance music.
The week wrapped up with a series of closing events and the Weekly was present and partying as Vegas’ own The Crystal Method took to the turntables at Ghostbar for an intimate set. Benny Benassi was holding it down for Ministry of Sound at Body English when we threw in the towel and declared VME a wrap!