Boomboxes, ADIDAS Shelltoes, Kangos, Graffiti, DJ Battles, House parties, KTU, KISS FM, WBLS...These are the elements that defined the New York and New Jersey urban dance scene back in the 80's and my hometown of Paterson, NJ particularly. Unlike the genre-fied club culture of today, it was commonplace back in the 80's to hear rap, hip-hop, freestyle, house, disco all in one night at any of our infamous NY/NY night clubs. Examples were Roseland with Baby J & Funhouse with Jelly Bean in NY, and Passions with Jose "Animal" Diaz & Foxes with J.I. Starr in Jersey. Back in 2004 I had the privilege of DJing one Paterson's famous son's birthday party, Brother PACE, and decided to take my P-Town crowd back to Oldschool Paterson in 80's by way of this mix. This is a tribute to all of my Paterson NJ Oldschool club heads. Enjoys the beats. Podcast cover art courtesy of one of Paterson's finest...Aldo "Zar" Sanchez.

DJHolidayNYC's P-Town Oldschool Tribute Mix (The PACE Party) April 2004

Play: Somewhere Between Mars and Venus Written, Performed, and Directed by Otto Sanchez. Dates: Weds Jan 18, 2023 7PM • Sat Jan 21 3PM and 7PM • Sun Jan 22 3PM and 7PM at The Tank Theater 312 W 36th St NYC Tix: (212) 563-6269

“Hell hath no fury for a drag queen scorned.”
Sylvia Rivera, the “Rosa Parks” of the transgender movement

“You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers.”    —Exodus 22:20

I wrote “Somewhere Between Mars and Venus” because those ostracized and marginalized have a place in my heart. The play examines the division and polarization coming out of our beliefs and predisposition on so-called “taboo” issues (whatever “taboo” means). It explores human relationships in a much-needed fluid world of boys and girls, the hardship of gender alliance, and the sexuality of love. 

In 2015, the terrifying homophobia that existed in my childhood resurfaced. Growing up in New York City during the inequities of the 1980s materialized. I have been a stranger in this city living on the outside looking in. 

In 1982, I remembered my first Susanne Bartsch party. She was New York City’s party promoter patron saint. Her parties became my escape. These unique soirées that went into the wee hours of the morning was a needed outlet to disengage with the everyday. Susanne would let anyone in that tolerated individuals of any kind. She accepted genders, cultures, and races across the spectrum. As a teen, I got to experience my first drag show, an all gender bathroom, and people from all walks of life. Eleven years later, in 1991, “Paris is Burning,” hit the screen and I went to see it. The documentary hit home for me. Fast forward to 2015, I realized the film shaped me into the person I am today. 

In theater, “safe” narratives continue to get made. These stories never change. They become predictable and quite mundane. I chose not to go that way. “Somewhere Between Mars and Venus” isn’t meant to be “safe”. The questions I grapple with today are evident in the play. Anyone willing to walk in other people’s shoes may discover we’re all the same.

Somewhere Between Mars and Venus

The Mexican - Latin Freestyle - NYC, 1990s

Celebrating the NY Pride March on  2015 - Historic. Memorable. Love is just love. No adjectives necessary.

NY Pride - 2015

MIX DEDICATED TO ROLL-A-PALACE IN SHEEPSHEAD BAY BROOKLYN. ALL THE MUSIC THAT WE USED TO LISTEN TO WHILE ROLLER SKATING.

DISCO CLUB MIX (ROLL-A-PALACE)

Disco, Funk, Classics.  I curated and mixed this for the Sunday Sauce Facebook Show with Sallyboy Curto on 1/28/2018.

Enjoy the mix!

NY Pride - 2015

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