The bill to pay the skills

>> >> The Great Adventure Duck speaks

by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

Mirror: What's with you--are you a duck or a platypus?

The Duck: Don't ruffle my feathers, man. I ain't no marsupial.

M: You've been seen all over town, mascotting for A Great Adventure--posters, flyers, TV spots.

D: Best modelling gig my agent's ever scored for me. Y'know, I started small, working the shooting gallery circuit, moving up to some freelance decoy work. Now everyone wants a piece of this duck.

M: So what's A Great Adventure all about?

D: It's an outdoor electronic music festival, happening right after moving day, with a main stage and four theme areas. The main stage comes care of Coolworld, these guys out in California who put on Cyberfest, the biggest such fest in North America. They hooked up with my client to get some Canadian exposure.

M: Where is it?

D: At the Napierville Dragway, about 20 minutes outta Montreal. It's a raceway, but don't count on any Altamont shenanigans.

M: Who all's gonna be there?

D: Shit, KRS-One, Jungle Brothers, Felix da Housecat, Keoki, Gavin Hardkiss--plus local kids like Elmo and Nic B. It's a 16-hour fest, so they had to pull out the stops.

M: What's up with the theme areas?

D: Let's see--one's the Bombay Records tent, where you can dig the high-end house of Derrick Carter, Roy Davis Jr., Miguel Graca, Diz, Mr. C and more. Dune's got a tent, too, with Goldie and MC Rage, Jumping Jack Frost and label-owners Double A & Twist. That one's the drum & bass area, obviously. There's another tent for Detroit-style techno, with Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, Carl Craig, Stacey Pullen, Frankie Bones and locals like Philgood, Yaz and Urbanauts.

D: What's this about a cinema tent?

C: Yeah, that's like, a chill-out space. Watch some flicks, take it easy. I've been telling 'em to get Howard the Duck, On Golden Pond or maybe The Birds, which is kinda my version of Death Wish, dig? On the other hand, there's gonna be amusement park rides, fireworks and beer 'til 3 a.m.

M: Looking forward to the VIP buffet spread?

D: I was, until someone mentioned canard àl'orange. I'm staying clear of that shit, man. :

A Great Adventure happens Sunday, July 2 at the Napierville Dragway. Tickets $45, info at 230-1800 or www. agreatadventurefest.com