Two parties enter the mix downtown

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Eclectic, mixed-genre DJ action will be on tap at Studio 1 tonight and tomorrow with New York-based and local turntablists at work. Advertiser library photo At Studio 1 Alien IQ: Freeform Experience 2003 9 p.m. today $10 550-8700 Club "1" 9 p.m. Saturday $10 550-8700 Both events at Studio 1, 1 N. King St. (corner of Nu'uanu Avenue and N. King Street)

Going Freeform

Tonight's first of two July Freeform Experience 2003 events hosted by Alien IQ will feature an evening of DJ performance, abstract media, and interactive video mixing and scratching.

Guest "VJs" Bruno Levy and Willie Mack, of New York-based interactive media collective Squaresquare, are masters of the emerging technique of live interactive video mixing and scratching to recorded beats. The technology involves the live mixing of digital video, animation and graphics to a musical beat in order to create a combined visual and aural experience. Levy and Mack's live performance should be something to see.

Scheduled for eclectic mixed-genre turns at the tables (hip-hop, new school breaks, old school, jump up, jungle, ragga, liquid funk, deep house, etc.) are New York-based guest DJ Sarah Walker and local turntablists including Sisters in Sound, Kavet the Catalyst, Kelvin-Zero, Seeko and Steddie. Abstract work from Mindset Galleries artists will also be on display.

A second, completely new, Freeform Experience happens July 25.

Club '1' tomorrow

Talking to Pussycat Projects' Flash Hansen about tomorrow night's Club "1" party reminded me of a classic quote long credited to '80s philosopher of the funk Morris Day: "This dance ain't for everybody ... just the sexy people."

Yes, there will be a dress code for "1" that promoters Hansen, Split 101's Russ Inouye and Stone Groove Family's G-dog and Sub-Zero, for your convenience, have broken down to three simple words: Step it up! But more important, I thought, was a musical soundscape for Saturday's debut and each subsequent "1" outing that rewards those of us who choose to abide by the code.

"We'll be goin' back to a lot of stuff that a slightly older crowd would be into ... what they grew up with or what they like to listen to at home," said Hansen. "Nobody goes home and puts 50 Cent on their CD player. At least no one I know that has any sort of musical sensibilities. You get enough of that in the clubs and on the radio."

So count on DJs G-dog, Sub-Zero and Mark Chittom to hew close to the classic soulfulness of artists like Sade and Al Green, as well as some seasoned R&B, disco and long-unheard '70s, '80s and '90s cuts. (Beastie Boys, anyone?) A live performance by Mike Times Trio promises soul, funk and '70s jams.

With Studio 1 serving as "1's" home base, mixed-media displays by local artists will be an important element of each week's proceedings.

The goal for "1's" promoters was to create a weekly party with the same "must-attend" aesthetics and accoutrements of monthlies they enjoyed.

"We want to try and stand out and offer something a little more unique with a little bit more flavor than the average party," said Hansen. "We'll certainly welcome everybody, but we know it's not gonna be everyone's cup of tea. And that's cool with us."