In DC terms, it's pretty much an amalgamation of Capitol Hill and Adams Morgan, only less ethnic, with heavy leather & bear influences. Before I got here I was told I totally fit into the WeHo scene, since being here people have said that I am not quite WeHo enough and have more of a Silverlake edge. I'm a tad confused by all this labeling, so for the moment I go along with whatever they say. It's quite possibly an Abbey vs. Faultine thing, so until I've been to the latter, my verdict is still out.
Back to this weekend and Sunset Junction, the annual Silverlake street festival. It's your typical booze, food and local vendors lining the streets with throngs of people in various states of undress and/or drunkenness. Three music stages with bands I'd never heard of (though apparently some were big names), and a selection of fairground rides dating back to, and actually made in, the 70s.
We went earlyish Saturday afternoon, meeting up with fellow ex-DC soul, Mikey (we'd both lived there for 12 years, only met once - which I don't remember - and knew NO ONE in common), and a couple of his friends, Chad and Philip (hysterical, knew bunches of people in DC, after a few beers he seemed vaguely familiar, maybe I too had met him cracked out at Nation?).
We wondered the streets, slurping frozen margaritas dosed with extra shots that the chick behind the counter handed us in syringes (for a bigger tip). We checked out Rough Trade (with it's leather strap-ons, mesh shirts and forceps). We ate chicken-on-a-stick and hot dogs. Pointed out hot boys with their shirts off (I really must get a digital camera). Had a tipple at some straight bar (which the gays slowly took over as the afternoon progressed). Rode some rides (Philip hated me for a moment or two, I forgave him, it did feel like we gonna die). One of the carnies was probably the dirtiest man alive, the other a terrorist who banned Chad and Philip from The Hustler because they were bopping in places they shouldn't bop. We all jigged to some DJ, ate at some Mexican place, and then called it a night (yes, bloody work again at 8am Sunday morning).
It was probably the best time I've ever had at one of these festival things... must have been the company!
4 comments:
You should try MJ's in Silverlake - a perfect marriage of the two areas. From briefly meeting you and actually more from reading your blog it seems like you would enjoy Saturday nights there. We convinced Mark to meet us for their Tuesday night "Rim Job" a few weeks back and he seemed to enjoy himself. Perhaps a large group outing is in order.
That sounds like a great time - don't don't think we'd see anything like that back in DC. Y'all need to come up to Folsom Street fair next month, Matt!
Being the Phillip in question who almost died at the hands of an evil carnie ride person right along with you- I think that was a true moment of terror meets joy...and having been seen by the masses go-go dancing on yet another ride that has broken down where do we go from here??... I had a blast with you and your BF.
Matt- i think its cool that you are here to bridge the weho-silverlake gap- we have been searching for such a conduit. regarding that Nation 'crack'- you looked familiar too... Smallest of worlds isn't it?
Ummm wait, is this a ex-DC Mikey presently living in Long Beach? If so (aaaaaaaaaaaahem - clears throat) I think you know someone in common no?
If a different Mikey carry on chap ;-)
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