By John Hobbs

There’s never a dull moment with this wild bunch. They are the event promoters, nightclub owners and all-around party animals who blaze fearlessly into the night, bringing kick-ass parties to many of Los Angeles’ hottest nightspots. Their collective roster of events includes weekly club nights, epic dance parties and gay ski weekends, but it doesn’t stop there—this year promises some particularly innovative offerings including a zero-gravity dance party and a weekly competition for Botox treatments. Before you head out into the night to find some trouble, find out what’s on tap for 2007 with IN Los Angeles’ A-Z guide to the city’s top party people.

Jamie Awad

Events: Club Papi, The Factory

www.clubpapi.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

I got a call one day from a guy who wanted to open a Latino club in San Francisco. He had gotten my name from some friends who thought that I would be a good fit with what he wanted to do. I worked for him for almost two years before I decided to start Club Papi on my own.

What are you best known for in the community?

I am best known for throwing some kick-ass Latin parties all across the country and for creating the Latino stage concept at Gay Pride that has become a huge phenomenon.

What do you have coming up this year?

We are in the process of preparing for the 10-year anniversary of the Latin stages at both Long Beach and San Francisco Prides, as well as planning a three-day Cinco De Mayo weekend celebration in Tijuana and San Diego. We are also going to be doing a few more tours with some big Latino artists across the country.

What are your goals for 2007?

My big goal for 2007 is to prove that our move from Circus Disco to The Factory was a wise one. Club Papi is all about the young, hip, cute boys that enjoy our parties, and our goal of maintaining that environment is [top] priority.

Rohan Bisset

Events: The Music Box, Henry Fonda Theater

www.rohanbisset.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

I was working as the host at Benevento restaurant, fresh off the plane from Australia. The owners, who once [owned] the famous Roxbury night club on Sunset, asked me to help them open a WeHo restaurant. I told them I didn’t really want to be in the restaurant business, but [asked them to] let me throw a party.

What are you best known for in the community?

Many Lehman and I used to do a huge event at the Park Plaza called Hooker and then Marco Roy and I did Spin [at what is] now Avalon. It was L.A.’s first club to open at 3 a.m. People told me I was crazy and no one would come out that late, but they came [by] the thousands for a few years.

What do you have coming up this year?

A zero gravity dance party

What are your goals for 2007?

I would love to get people back downtown; there are so many great spaces. The club scene has become so corporate. I miss the the underground days of the ‘90s—no contracts, no insurance, no promoters’ licenses, no permits.

John Brady

Events: L.A. Gay Pride,Avalon Hollywood; Fourth of July, Avalon; Labor Day, Avalon; New Year’s Eve, Avalon

www.johnbradypresents.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

By accident—no, really, there is some truth to the story. When I moved to L.A. in 2003, the first place I looked at was a duplex in Hollywood. I took it on the spot, not knowing that the person living below me was Steve Adeleman, managing partner of the Avalon. He owned a nightclub; I wanted to throw a party.

What are you best known for in the community?

I would say production values and attention to detail are something we get high marks for. I am probably also known for my temper on the day of a show as well as stupid mental blocks that get in the way of remembering some of my closest friends’ names when under the gun.

What do you have coming up this year?

We just finished One Night Only with Robbie Leslie and Michael Fierman and that has made my year. Based on the response, I would keep my eye out for a non-holiday classic disco event in the future. Other confirmed events are Tuesday, July 3, at Avalon Hollywood and Labor Day Sunday will see the return of Sweat!

What are your goals for 2007?

I am looking to diversify my events with some mainstream/mixed events as well as more partnerships with various promoters around town. I am also very excited about Burn Lounge (an Internet download service) and the potential [it] could have for the gay music industry.

Tattoo Chris

Events: Screw, Eagle L.A.; Skin, MJ’s; Ruff Trade, Faultline

www.tattoochris.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

I was a go-go dancer in the ‘90s, working for James Stone at Sin-a-Matic. He asked me to do a party with him [called] Sex Ball. [Afterward], we did Kinky Trade at the Palace in Hollywood, which was the most successful party that Trade ever did in Los Angeles. That's where I met Anthony Lopez and continued to build.

What are you best known for in the community?

Being the purveyors of perversion—[with] the sluttiest go-go boys and my notorious warehouse parties

What do you have coming up this year?

[We have] the L.A. Leather Weekend March 30-April 1, Hard Tribe Warehouse Party on March 30, Streetfest Leather Street Fair April 1, the Meat Factory IV dungeon party during Sunset Junction weekend and the Tom of Finland Black Ball, also during Sunset Junction.

What are your goals for 2007?

To continue advancing events that are not the typical scene. There are tons of parties that are not circuit-type events that are great, but get little exposure.

Dan De León & Alexander Catala

Events: Lattitude, Avalon Hollywood: Evolve, Avalon

www.lattitudeevents.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

When [we first] met, we realized we shared a passion for a cutting-edge dance experience that really had no exposure in Los Angeles. The Lattitude concept was born from a shared vision to deliver a truly world-class dance experience to the West Coast.

What are you best known for in the community?

Innovation, creativity and vision.

What do you have coming up this year?

We will be producing about four events at Avalon Hollywood this year, featuring superstar DJs we have worked with before, as well as some new, big names you will love.

What are your goals for 2007?

To continue to grow awareness of our vision for dance culture through combining big-name talents and performers in dynamic new ways.

Mario Diaz

Events: Big Fat Dick, Fubar; Hot Dog, Club 7969

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

Well, it all started in Seattle when I was a high school senior. I remember being bored with my options of nightclubs and parties. So I decided to throw my own party [called] Mario's Beer Bath. I made a shit load of cash that night. It was shocking to me how much money I could make just throwing a party. I was hooked. I can't stop, I need help.

What are you best known for in the community?

My dark and sleazy go-go dance parties and of course my famous $5 hand jobs.

What do you have coming up this year?

Well, I'm in a band with Jackie Beat called Dirty Sanchez and we're doing gigs, making some new music and videos this year. Plus my parties seem to just keep going and going. I’m kinda looking forward to doing something new some time soon.

What are your goals for 2007?

I'm just trying to have as much fun as I can with as little effort possible. Look—it's not brain surgery. You gays want to get drunk and laid so I'm just trying to facilitate a place for your needs, a place with some good music, some hot go-go boys and a little style. You're welcome.

Paul E.

Events: GAMeBOI, Rage

www.gameboila.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

I started a weekly club for the 18-and-over [crowd] in Orange County called Varsity, and subsequently moved it to Axis (now The Factory) in West Hollywood, and then to Rage, which lasted nine wonderful years. After a year as a consultant for Clear Channel Communications, I returned to Rage and now promote a weekly club called GAMeBOI, which just celebrated four years.

What are you best known

for in the community? A club promoter to most of the younger guys, and HiNRG DJ PAUL E to those over 35 .

What do you have

coming up this year? Just continuing on with GAMeBOI Fridays at Rage.

What are your goals

for 2007? We always strive to satisfy our consumer first and foremost, so to endure—longevity with quality.

Brett Henrichsen

Events: New Year’s Eve, The Mayan Theatre

www.masterbeat.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

My first events were held at Probe in 1997 and 1998. The Masterbeat parties became legendary with lines that wrapped around the block. The party outgrew Probe and was moved to Jeffrey Sanker’s immensely popular Orbit at Circus Disco. After the success of Masterbeat, Jeffrey and I went on to co-produce Masterbeat Millennium New Year’s in Palm Springs in 1999 and then in Los Angeles in 2003.

What are you best known for in the community?

Bringing hard to find and unreleased dance music to the gay community with the Masterbeat dance compilation series in a time before the Internet, when dance music was hard to find.

What do you have coming up this year?

Exciting changes with Masterbeat and more fun events in Los Angeles and around the country!

What are your goals for 2007?

I’m already planning New Year’s Eve 2008!

Ray Rhodes

Events: TigerHeat, Hollywood Arena; Physical, here lounge

How did you first get started as a party promoter

I first got into the club world as a DJ through my radio work on KBIG 104.3 FM and, once I started DJing in the clubs, I made a gradual process from strictly DJing events to producing and DJing my own events.

What are you best known for in the community?

I am best known in the community for TigerHeat and The Lounge, [which] I help promote/produce weekly as well as DJ for. And, on a broader level, I am known over Southern California for my radio shows on KBIG on Friday and Saturday nights.

What do you have coming up this year?

One of this year's highlights will definitely be this spring. I am very excited to be helping to produce a massive 18-and-over TigerHeat event with my partners, Howie T. and Jason Lavitt in conjunction with Jeffrey Sanker at this year's White Party Palm Springs. Stay tuned for more details shortly!

What are your goals for 2007?

I hope to continue to broaden and expand on what I have already done, to try to explore even more territory in the community and to promote different types of events. We recently started the club night, Physical , [which] is one of my favorite new nights [because] it is so different from anything else I have ever done before.

Tyler Robuck

Events: i candy lounge

www.icandylounge.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

I’m not a promoter, but an owner—so I deal with a lot of promoters. We brought Tom Whitman in for our Friday nights and he has really brought a great vibe in for us and has an amazing following.

What are you best known for in the community

i candy, is best known for [bringing in] a cute, fun, upscale crowd.

What do you have coming up this year?

We want to keep all of our nights fresh, and I think that—combined with our promoters—we are doing a great job of that.

What are your goals for 2007?

My goal is to keep i candy predominantly gay on the weekends, then reach out to other communities for parties during the week.

Jeffrey Sanker

Events: The White Party, Palm Springs; Raw; Privilege Sundays; Sundays at Area

www.jeffreysanker.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

I started in New York City at Studio 54.

What are you best known for in the community?

The White Party Palm Springs

What do you have coming up this year?

The opening of Murano Ristorante & Bar in West Hollywood and The White Party [in] Las Vegas Oct. 5-7.

What are your goals for 2007?

To focus on continuing to help keep the L.A. nightlife fresh and interesting—using venues like Privilege and Area for a change of scenery and continuing to use the gay club venues like The Factory and Arena to introduce a few new up and coming DJs.

Alwin Sumirat

Events: Circus Disco

www.circusdisco.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

I began working for Circus Disco when I was 14 as a parking attendant. That’s when I first started handing out fliers for Circus. I really enjoyed working with the public, and I got laid a lot, so that’s when I decided being a promoter was cool.

What are you best known for in the community?

I’ve promoted over 1,000 events. My budgets went from a few dollars to well over $100,000, from impersonators to the real stars. Now every major Latino star wants to perform at Circus. Gloria Trevi, Alejandra Guzman, Pilar Montenegro and Marisela are just a few of the major acts I’ve promoted.

What do you have coming up this year?

I am currently promoting Amanda Miguel and Paquita Del Barrio.

What are your goals for 2007?

Over the last 25 years, my promotions have attracted over 20 million customers, making me the number one promoter for gay Latino events in America. My goal is to remain number 1 for the next 25 years.

Paul V.

Events: Dragstrip 66, Ex_Plxl Bootie L.A., The Echo; Miss Kitty's Erotic Diskoteque, Dragonfly

www.thesmashmix.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

I started off as a club DJ back in Boston, and it wasn't until I came to L.A. in 1988 that I realized that, if I wanted to spin the kind of music I love and get the kind of crowd support I needed, I'd have to create my own club events.

What are you best known for in the community?

I hope I'm known as someone with awesome taste in music, who's totally hands-on and who really loves to champion and support something alternative, unique and extra eclectic for the gay community.

What do you have coming up this year?

The big news for me this year is my new Saturday night radio show on Indie 103.1 FM. Every week from 12-3 a.m., I'll get to drop all the hottest underground electro, discopunk and indie rock remixes that I play so much in the clubs, but don't really get heard on the radio. This is a dream come true for me.

What are your goals for 2007?

2007 is going to be the year that Dragstrip 66 sees its true rebirth and relaunch. We'll finally be in our new permanent home in the brand new Ex_Plx space at The Echo. After 14 years of doing the club, it's still very exciting and humbling to feel such strong support and love from our dedicated patrons.

Wes

Events: Drag Idol, Oasis Nightclub; Dance Idol, Oasis; Meatlocker, Oasis; Madonna Birthday Bash, Oasis

www.djwes.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

In 1989, [I was] working for Stuart Anderson’s Black Angus. The Angus was looking for DJs who could be entertainers. I loved the attention and was a natural. I started in the gay scene in 1997 as a go-go dancer and then DJ at Dragville at the Love Lounge in West Hollywood (now Ultra Suede). My first promotion was at Ozz in Buena Park called Fluffer which was a flop and, at the same time, Dragalicious at Ripples in Long Beach, which was a hit.

What are you best known for in the community?

Producing drag shows.

What do you have coming up this year?

I'm gearing up for a special Carnival [featuring] circuit diva, Flava, on Saturday, March 28. In April, I'm starting Pumped on Saturday nights, [which] will feature a weekly $500 giveaway with a local Inland Empire plastic surgeon. That's enough [money] to get pumped with a little Botox. In August, I’ll throw my annual Madonna Birthday Bash.

What are your goals for 2007?

To give people great diversity in music and environment. A fabulous venue where boys and girls can have a fabulous time under one roof!

Tom Whitman

Events: Smack, O-Bar; Drunk and Horny, i candy; Popular, here lounge; SIZE/Player, here lounge; Elevation: Mammoth Gay Ski Weekend; Wonderland, Paramount backlot

www.tomwhitmanpresents.com

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

Before I started doing events, I was a producer for nine years, mostly with MTV. I was throwing a fundraising party for a short film, which I directed and produced, at Felt (the space O-Bar occupies now). The general manager, Linda Fusco, loved the crowd of cute, gay industry boys that came, and she approached me to produce a weekly event at Felt. I said no, and she pursued me for almost a year.

What are you best known for in the community?

I have some lewd answers for that, but I’ll keep them to myself. I hope that I’m known as someone who takes his role in the community really seriously, a guy who throws knock-down, drag-out parties, and then uses his promotional muscle to raise a lot of money to help other people. If I didn’t do that, then the success that comes would feel hollow.

What do you have coming up this year?

Beside my four regular weekly promotions, I have Elevation 2007, which is one of my favorite events. In the summer, [I have] my big L.A. Gay Pride event, Wonderland. In terms of upcoming charity stuff, I have the third annual West Hollywood Bartender Auction, the APLA Summer Party and the AIDS Walk. Besides that, I have an [upcoming] announcement about a new organization I’m starting called the Gang of 100.

What are your goals for 2007?

It’s kind of abstract, but honestly, my goals are to keep producing events that I am proud of. As long as I keep doing that, everything else will come.

John Wojas

Events: Resolution, The Mayan Theatre

How did you first get started as a party promoter?

I did my first party eight years ago at House of Blues L.A. as a Gay Pride closing party. The doors opened at 8 p.m. and the party was over by 11 p.m. I sold eight tickets and lost $6,000. I was in and out of the party promotion business in one night.

What are you best known for in the community?

My charming personality and quiet disposition

What do you have coming up this year?

My next party, [Resolution], is Memorial Day at the Mayan Theater with DJ Abel.

What are your goals for 2007?

To regain the personal energy and enthusiasm I had when I first started doing my parties eight years ago. Also to experiment with new ideas and concepts to keep my parties fresh and different.