| Danger zone by RAF KATIGBAK Manny Ward is back. And the house world has Montreal to thank for it. A born ’n’ raised New Yorkah, in the late ’80s Ward cut his teeth DJing for the assorted flyboys and wingmen at the Air Force base where he operated as a mechanic. In 1990 he left the Air Force and took some time to get reconnected to the New York house music scene, opening up for legendary DJs David Morales, Shep Pettibone and Frankie Knuckles, opening spots that promptly blew him up faster than a Russian MIG in U.S. airspace. At the height of his career in the mid-’90s, after playing enviable gigs at clubs like 20/20, Renegade, Highway and Roxy, Manny disappeared, retreating from the house music forefront and keeping a very low profile. That is, until he came to Stereo. On an invite from David Morales, Manny came to Montreal and immediately fell in love with the club and Montrealers’ “passion for music.” Bitten by the house music bug once again, Ward reinstated his place at the head of the NYC scene, rockin’ the decks alongside the likes of Angel Moraes, Lord G and Danny Tenaglia. If you want raw, in-your-face mixes slamming today’s hottest house hits with house classics, then look no further, Manny Ward is your man. Check him out at Stereo on Saturday, July 27. If you’ve been bitten by the house bug and can’t wait till Saturday, on Friday, June 26, join Bombay Records as they launch their latest compilation, Bombay Two: Montreal Live at Exit (3553 St-Laurent). Mixed by label founders Patrick Dream and Nav Bhinder, this CD showcases the best in Bombay talent, including Roy Davis Jr., Miguel Graça and Chris Brann. Patrick and Nav will be on hand all night, dropping deep, summery, tropical house music for the peeps. Represent! Check out the latest flyer for Aria’s Saturday night and you won’t find a big-name international DJ’s ugly mug staring at you with that smug, “Oh yeah, that’s right, I’m gonna rock you!” kinda look. Nor will you find a local DJ’s name taking up the majority of the glossy leaflet. In fact, Saturday night at Aria isn’t even about DJs at all, no sir. On July 27, Aria belongs to one of the unsung heroes of the clubbing experience—the coatcheck girl. Just kidding, I’m talking of course about the VJ. Now, I ain’t talking about no MuchMusic Master-T type shit here. I’m talking about the visual crews that bring that extrasensory explosion to our clubbing experience. The night will feature a VJ battle on six screens, featuring the visual talents of Yan Breuleux, Ian Cameron, Pillow and M. St-Arnaud, with audio accompaniment by residents Nic B and Maüs. Be there. : Top five
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