The first is the annuanl international electronica festival “Good Music I Dance.” What is to be the kick off to a week of various electronica events,  Saturday, September 4th is the big party featuring DJ acts from around the world, and it is free, yes FREE. After topping 5,000 guests last year, GMID this year is expecting to have 7,000 party goers. Don’t miss the mob of non-stop dancing in a truly awesome venue – the palacio de exposiciones! Go to www.medellinstyle.com for info or go to Horeb Lounge in Barrio Colombia to get your tickets. Below is a video clip from last years GMID event.

Second, if huge crowds are not your thing but you still want crazy electronic mayhem, the check out El Deck where DJ duo Makintouch will be in town playing from Bogota. Tickets here are limited, because el Deck fills up fast. Here is a video we made of their last trip to Medellin; el Deck is located in Parque Lleras. Special note to Makintouch: if you insist on making your flyers in English, please have them proofread first (see flyer below).

After months of hype, Friday night arrived and by 10pm a wall of police officers had closed the event down. Meanwhile, other officers herded 600 people off the property and into the rain. Their reason – 4ojos did not have a permit for selling tickets, nor did they have a permit to sell alcohol. The exodus of people were pushed out into the rain, washing away the hopes and aspirations of the night, as well as the one-night-only gallery of underground artwork. Even as the mass of people were leaving, taxi after taxi kept dumping more people into the crowd. With the gates closed for good, people began questioning  if their tickets would be refunded. Over the next few weeks organizers sent out  emails with plans to reschedule the event, but after a few failed attempts the only display of the mansion was a weekend afternoon get-together where only a small handful gathered. Above is a video courtesy of “Karma Films Medellin” who documented the days leading up to the original event.

The inability to assure artists the exposure they deserved has damaged the reputation of the 4ojos crew, not to mention the monster let-down they presented to hundreds of Colombian party goers. We hope that it is is not the end for 4ojos, however if they do attempt to make the 6th instalment of their art project it will require rebuilding trust with both the artist community and Medellin’s party culture.

Addendum

Much of the bottled-up energy for the 4ojos party its chance to be released a few weeks ago at an event by the Estereopsis and Medetrash crew (above). While not the full eruption of mad-crazy party mayhem everyone was hoping for, this was a banging event nonetheless for Medellin, Colombia.

A video by Tomas Uribe, photos by Giovanna Molina.

The new September/October issue is finished, hard copies will hit stores Friday, September 3rd. For a list of places to get the magazine click here.

Prime Cuts Radio with Robin and Jeff. Broadcast from the University of Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia. Tune in to 101.9 FM every Saturday night at 9 PM to listen live or visit us here for the recorded version!

Juan Atkins – Friday September 10th @ Hotel Ambassador (CRA 50 #54-50)
From now until the 9th tickets are 15.000 (or 20.000 the night of the event).
Buy tickets at Fábula DeliBar (Parque del Poblado) or Panic Funstyle Clothes in Laureles (cr.37 # 10 – 24)

We there really is no Lady of Amaga-Ga, but after a recent visit we couldn’t help but note the similarity of this pueblo’s name and that of the global icon Lady Gaga. However, Amaga’ is is a pueblo not far from Medellin, say about 45 minutes, that is pretty old and about as far as you could get from modern Lady Gaga fashion and glam. The pueblo has some incredible hiking trails to explore and local photographer Michael Thompson who runs the Lighten Up and Shoot project recently checked out the mining town. Along the trip he passed stunning waterfalls and an old wooden bridge in the middle of nowhere. Yes, it is a home video made for friends and family, but it serves as great look into a local pueblo that attracts Medellin’s extreme sports enthusiasts.

Special thanks to Michael Thompson at Lighten Up and Shoot for the video.

1. The 3rd annunal Hip Hop Femenina Conference. Female Hip Hop artists from all across the country (and a whole lot from Medellin) will descend upon the Centro de Desarollo Moravia. From 6pm till 10 there will be workshops and a whole lot of  hip hop. The center in barrio Moravia is located closest to the “Universidad” metro stop.

2. Visiting from New York and Argentina are two stunning dance troops performing at the Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe (Sera Solstice and Iman Najla respectively). The event is titled “Oriental Fusion” and starts at 8pm. Call first to reserve tickets. 239-7500.

3. Local band La 45, a glammy rock band will be playing there good-bye concert as they have packed their bags and are headed for Argentina in search of stardom. Concert is at 10pm in Buckel Bar. (CRA 41 #9 -22).

4. Visiting from Argentia is DJ LaLann, bringing with him his deliciously smooth house grooves. He’ll be playing in B Lounge late. Come ready to dance and come dressed to impress. B Lounge is located at CRA 36 # 10-38 next to Crepes & Wafles.

That’s just a slice of what came our way for this Friday the 20th, 2010 here in Medellin, Colombia! Get out, have some fun, and enjoy the magic of the city.