After Macleod's I headed up the block to World Grotto, and that was a whole other experience. See for yourself: www.worldgrotto.com
The concept is a little forced, but the energy was undeniable. World Grotto is a middle-Eastern themed nightclub, marketplace and gallery. On the first level it's a gallery with exhibits and downstairs is a spacious club with a dance floor, stage, bar, lounge and huge VIP lounge. I say the concept is forced because the downstairs is made of faux rocks to give you the feeling that you're in a cave. The furniture is cushioned benches covered in exotic fabrics and pillows. Still, it's something different and I like different.
While I wasn't feeling the whole incense-burning, fountain nightclub theme, I loved DJ Slink. Just when I was ready to leave he put on an electronica-backed mix of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" followed by Ol' Dirty Bastard's "Got Your Money" then Gorillaz's "Dare" followed by the Police's "Message In a Bottle."
No one in Charlotte spins like that. No one.
I would love to have Slink spin in Charlotte, but we'd need to transport the World Grotto partiers to Charlotte. They are what made World Grotto so eclectic. I saw spiked hair, peasant skirts, baggy cargo shorts and studded belts. A break from the khaki and button down or strapless and spandex uniform of Charlotte nightlife.
There were breakdancers, twirly-whirly jam-band girls and rising video vixen. Men and women danced together or by themselves, but they danced. The floor stayed busy, but if a particular song came on, someone would ultimately step into a clear area and groove. For example, a strutted onto the floor, spun around on his back a couple of times, two-stepped, spun some and then walked off the floor, like what!
Do you think a place like World Grotto would make it in Charlotte or is the city way too stiff? We have several colleges here but don't have that eclectic energy in our nightlife. College nights in Charlotte are meat-market, drunk fests. And most of the times, it's older men trying to pick up college-aged girls.
Friday, June 23, 2006
My kind of place
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4 comments:
great blog about charlotte night life.
-MrAfternoon.
As a 31-year old Charlotte native currentlly living in Rhode Island, I appreciate the perspective that this blog lends to a city that I know better as an adolescent in the late 80s and early 90s than as a young Black professional. So I am not going to waste time to enabling and judging Mr. Van Lieu and his ranting because he is certainly entitled to them. I want to affirm that I am one many people who I presume enjoy the fresh perspective on and a nostalgic connection to a city I still call home. Thank you Tonya and keep up the good work.
Not that I am sticking up for anyone but I really don't want to read the nightlife of costa rica in the Charlotte observer...I like your blogs overall but a little turned off by reading about DC, Maryland and Costa rica...stick to Charlotte nightlife please.
Information of happening places in other areas of our world is a positive thing for anyone to read about. Those kind of 'only tell us about Charlotte/where I live' attitudes not only help perpetuate ignorance and blandness but ring of xenophobia. We cannot afford those attitudes in today's world. I for one would never want to isolate myself from knowledge of all things non-Charlotte. BORING. And yes, I'm delighted to finally be moving from here after 9 long years!
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