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Junta for
the punters

Three crews join forces for the ultimate
alphanumeric New Year's smorgasbord

by RAF KATIGBAK

History has proven there is strength in numbers. In 1919, following World War I, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Japan combined their powers to form the Council of the League of Nations, promoting international cooperation in an attempt to achieve peace and security. Eighty years later and for the very same reasons, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Martian Manhunter formed the current Justice League of America to combat the threat of Mageddon the Ultimate Weapon of the Old Gods.

Now, under the threat of "yet another average New Year's Eve party," Montreal's own ultimate alliance has been formed. On Dec. 31, local party collectives Kops Crew, Kirk6 and Level 4 Productions will ban together under the rather official-sounding name of l'Association Culturelle du Centreville, to throw the ultimate non-profit NYE brouhaha, 2K4. Boasting over 30 DJs, promoters, musicians and painters in two rooms, this new collective is committed to offering people with different tastes a real choice this NYE. The Mirror recently had a chat with Ira Dubinsky of Kirk6, Roger of Kops Crew and DJ Sarcastic of Level 4, to find out what this rebel alliance is all about.

Mirror: Each of your respective crews have been doing events around town for over three years now. Tell me, what was the primary impetus for you guys to form like Voltron?

DJ Sarcastic: One key mandate of Level 4 is to involve as many crews, perspectives and value systems as possible - especially those that may be under-represented in the commercial media. It only makes sense to work with righteous posses like Kirk6 and Kops Crew.

Ira Dubinsky: Each of our groups has been moving forward in its own independent struggle to get its music heard. One way to make it happen on a larger scale is by putting our heads and resources together.

Roger: And just on a practical level, I think it had to happen, you know, to avoid competition. It's hard to find spaces to do parties like this.

M: Besides having the wicked acronym ACDC, what are the advantages of forming l'Association Culturelle du Centreville?

DJS: With a recognized association, we can get by some of the prejudices that might exist towards a crew that's called Kops or Kirk6 or Level 4, and we can get away from the assumption people have that this is a rave, and that therefore it's sketchy, there will be lots of drugs, and it's illegal. It's really important to get beyond those completely unfounded generalizations.

Mutual consent and monkeyshines

M: What was the first meeting like? Somehow I imagined it being some kind of cross between that Party Monster movie and Michael Jackson's Beat It video.

ID: Well, there were almost 30 people there. People that between them have well over 30 years of experience doing events. Many different opinions and perspectives were discussed.

DJS: We sat there, drank a few beers, and ironed out the details. A couple of people among the crews had never met. They were introduced to each other. Hands were shaken, ideas exchanged. Mutual consent on key issues arose quickly and painlessly. Milton Clark pulled out his laptop and showed us a picture of a monkey.

R: We all got along right away. Everybody pretty much knows each other from being around. It was natural. It's almost been too easy.

M: When I heard about 2K4, some words came to mind, like musical smorgasbord, multimedia extravaganza and alphanumeric. Discuss.

DJS: Well, Aria or Sona for example have used the formula of hip hop in one room and techno or house in the other, but I think our musical perspective is very different. Hopefully we can widen the perspectives of each attendee regarding what they believe they enjoy, and what they are willing to listen to. My belief, obviously, is that techno, hip hop, dancehall and urban culture are not only equally relevant and equally valuable, but have a hell of a lot in common. For example, while an individual might run upstairs to catch Maysr's dancehall set, they'll inevitably be exposed to Abra's ill beatboxing in the process, perhaps thereby enjoying something they never would've been exposed to in the past.

ID: Also, it's unique in that it's not exclusively a music event. There'll be live painting, sculpture installations and a band. It's also a place where young artists and students can share their talents with a broader audience.

With DJ Philgood, Stabba, DJ Mana, Rhythm Mercenaries, Mister Mostest and a whole lot more on Wednesday, Dec. 31, location TBA, $15 in advance, $20 at the door, check www.2K4.ca or call 304-8967 for time, complete lineup and tickets