When Ice opened last summer, I wasn't its biggest fan. I felt the staff wasn't nice, the music was lousy, and the vibe wasn't there. What a difference a year can make. I've seen Ice step up and become worlds friendlier to locals. Sundays, there's no cover for locals, and on Thursdays, their two-for-one bottle specials and two-shots make for a perfect evening for hardworking Las Vegans. But the most significant show of goodwill toward locals was the recent Ultimate DJ Battle.
Ice took the battle concept to the next level by emulating the successful American Idol formula of taking a group of performers and weeding them out over several weeks. Sixteen jocks were split into two categories: house and hip-hop. By having two sets, it became two contests. I liked the idea so much that I agreed to be a judge. I had a great time, and the real pleasure was seeing some truly great DJs.
Thursday's finals saw hip-hop DJ Do It All vs. Joe D and Steffon vs. Mckenzie in house. Speaking from behind the scenes, I can tell you that the results for both were photo-finish close. But ultimately, based on technical skills, music selection, stage presence and crowd response, Do It All was named hip-hop champ and Steffon crowned victor in the house category.
Another issue that has impressed me is the sheer perseverance of the Ice family to succeed as the only single-standing club in town. Every other major club in the city has the support of a multimillion-dollar, corporate-run resort. Ice, on the other hand, answers to no casino. And, since I hold pretty much nothing but mistrust for the hive-mind of corporate America, I'm a fan of Ice's independence.
Now, the club's profile is about to soar with the debut of the Spike TV reality show, The Club, featuring none other than Paul Oakenfold. I reported on a similar concept set to coincide with the opening of Hard Rock's Body English. Turns out that this is the same project.
"We scored it because of my contacts in the media and working for MTV for the past 10 years," says Marc Jay, Ice's marketing director. "We have spent a lot of our budget marketing the club in LA, which has been very successful, and our reputation has spread. And with Ice being the only club on a Saturday night to play electronic music, this will be the only club that Paul Oakenfold will want to be associated with."
Shooting begins August 5, and The Club debuts October 12. As for this weekend, it's Ice's first anniversary bash with DJs AM and Mark Ronson Friday and DJs Dan and Donald Glaude Saturday. A couple of dynamite parties you'd be a fool to miss!
E-mail Antonio Llapur at
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