by RAF KATIGBAK

After a solid weekend of partying, pride celebration and popcorn munching, I'm just about ready to trade in my days spent watching kung-fu Godzilla sci-fi zombie horror love stories and nights on end at smoky clubs for a little fresh air and greenery. This weekend I'm making a break for the country. As a kid I never knew why people made a big deal out of going camping. At an early age my father taught me the basics of what he called "the simple life": get to the camp site, set up your tent, gather wood, start a fire, gas up the generator, plug in the TV, and you're all ready to go. What could be simpler? Eventually I came to understand that my time outdoors was better spent contemplating the glory of Mother Nature than watching Ed McMahon trying to maintain some semblance of sobriety on Star Search. Maybe it was the poor reception or the fact that too many horror movies as a kid made me paranoid of the bloodthirsty lacrosse-stick wielding psycho my friend invented called "The Mu-Mu" (don't ask), but I never really roughed it as a child.

Now, thanks to Era Project, I'll be able to re-experience nature the way the way my dad meant it to be, with thousands of watts of pumping electricity. The yearly technology-meets-nature party known as Hostyn 2003 goes down this Saturday, August 9 at the picturesque Hostyn children's camp in St-Calixte. Headlining the party will be locals Philgood, Soundshaper, Nivoc, Sarcastic and Milton Clark along with a slew of other 2-step/drum 'n' bass/breaks/house/trance/nature enthusiasts. Since Arrival looks like a no-show this season, this may be your only chance to rock a great multi-room outdoor party. Check www.eraproject.com for more details.

Also on Saturday, one of Montreal's favourite house DJs Mark Farina returns to Aria for what is certainly gonna be a funky-ass set of delectable house. Be there!

But before that, take in some deep house this Friday, August 8 as internationally renowned Brazilian-Electro Fusion DJ LAVA, from Tokyo, Japan, will be at the Salon Daomé for Soulmeka. Joining him that evening will be international world beat/ Afro house artist Jephte Guillaume.

Tonight, Thursday, August 7, join an all-star cast of local DJs and artists as they host the Iguana Project (aka the Mariguana Project) at Club Amnesia. Featuring art exhibitions/presentations/expositions by: Rhys Taylor (of Broken Crew infamy), Sarah Tosques, Russell Tyler, Oliver Twisted, C.Mono, Nic & Yak and music by: naw, Black Market, Melon vs. Poontz and Karl Marx vs. Chilly Willy. Cover is $4 at the door.

Next Wednesday, August 13, Flexout continues its commitment to all things strange and wonderful with a set by local DMC finalist DJ Mana. Those of you who've seen this guy before know that he works the decks like nobody's bidness, so drop on by!

Beware the Mu-mu! Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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