Disco Capitale | Igniting a Disco Inferno
The 1st Edition of the Disco Capitale is a celebration of Disco in all its glory! Brought to you by XP_MTL, the organizers of the Festival Mode & Design in partnership with the Association des Marchands de la rue Crescent, they are known for energizing downtown with their unique events.
Beginning September 13, International and local stars will share the stage delivering a funky tribute to all things disco. Highlights will include waacking and voguing performances by Waackeisha, a Vancouver street dancer who has performed during Paris Fashion Week, with La Roux and for the late Karl Lagerfeld.
A live art performance will also be presented by the artist Gene Pendon, co-founder of the art collective HVW8 known for his incredible fresco of Leonard Cohen downtown.
The festival will feature performances by international headliners like YUNG BAE (L.A.), Jellybean Benitez (L.A.), DJ Meme (Rio de Janeiro), WF Rani “g” (Phoenix, AR), Dj Shortkut (San Francisco, CA), DJ Tony Okungbowa (L.A.) and Dessy Di Lauro (L.A.).
Rounding out the bill is an impressive array of local talent like Robert Robert, Jojoflores, Fabrikate, Freddie James, KALLITECHNIS, Shaharah, Wayne Tennant, Walla P, FrankySelector, Dylon, DJ Dave Allison, Trevor Walker, Kris Guilty, Geraldine Hunt, Ivana Santilli and the house band Fredy V. & The Foundation.
From this fantastic roster of talent, here are my recommendations.
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINERS :
Jellybean Benitez is a disco legend, having DJ’d at Studio 54 and Paradise Garage. He produced mega hits like “Holiday” by Madonna and “Love Will Save The Day” by Whitney Houston. He is a prolific remixer having let his magic touch to Michael Jackson, Sting, The Pointer Sister, Hall & Oates, Fleetwood Mac and countless others.
DJ Shortkut was a founding member of the legendary turntablist collective Invisibl Skratch Piklz : a super group of scratch DJs that conquered the planet by demolishing the competition at international scratch battle tournaments. Over the years the collective featured DJ’s like Mix Master Mike, Flare, Qbert and Montreal’s own A-Trak. His sets are always something special and seeing what he creates with disco is not to be missed!
DJ Memê is Brazil’s biggest house DJ who began his career at the tender age of 11. His impressive remixing credits include The Bee Gees, New Order, the Pet Shop Boys, and Gloria Estefan. His big break came in 1996 when his remix of Shakira’s “Estoy Aquí” propelled them both to international stardom. He went on to remix hits by Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Dido, Ricky Martin, Des’ree and the anthem “The Ones You Love” by Frankie Knuckles & The Shapeshifters. Over the years his productions have sold over 7 million records.
Tony Okungbowa was the resident DJ on the Ellen DeGeneres show, He was the DJ for the 2004 Grammy Awards. As an actor, he had roles in X-Files, NYPD Blue Law & Order, NCIS, etc.
Disco Capitale LOCAL HEADLINERS :
If you love disco music, you owe it to yourself to check out local DJ Dave Allison. who for years has been releasing quality Disco, Nu Disco and Disco House on his labels Kinjo Music and Editorial Recordings.
Jojo Flores is one of Montreal’s most in-demand international DJ’s. For over 25 years he has been rocking dance floors across Europe, the Americas and Asia with his blend of Deep House, Garage, Soul and Disco. With his label Gotsoul Records he has released many 12″ vinyls by artists like Osunlade. Kerry Chandler etc.
If you love disco music, you owe it to yourself to check out Dave Allison. whose has been releasing quality Disco, Nu Disco and Disco House on his labels Kinjo Music and Editorial Recordings.
Fredy V is a featured member of the Kalmunity Collective and the Boogie Wonder Band. He worked on a Grammy-nominated album with Snarky Puppy and with UK neo-soul artist Omar Lyle Fook.
Trevor Walker is a DJ, producer and remixer from Ottawa. Since 1988 he has been working his magic with his blend of Afro, Latin, Jazz, Reggae, Disco, Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, House and Broken Beats.
All those funky disco dancing will get you hungry, nothing better than to satisfy your appetite at Restaurant Josephine.
