Matt Harvat's Blog

8.8.2011

The pinnacle of Chicago's summer gay party weekend has finally arrived. Market Days, the 6 block long street fair held in boystown on Halsted street explodes this weekend for two days of dancing in the streets and partying all night long. With an estimated 150,000 people attending each year, there is no shortage of hot and sexy men and women to admire, DJ's pumping out hot beats into the streets, endless food options, charity games of 'TWISTER' with porn stars and every imaginable sexually charged promotional stunt a bar can come up with to draw people in. Musical gests include Lisa Lisa and The Cult Jam, Darren Criss, Expose` and Gloria Gaynor to name a few.

This year, for the first time since 2003, we are producing a Saturday night REVOLUTION party to coincide with Market Days. 'Wild West Revolution' hits Chicago with DJ's Joe Gauthreux and Roland Belmares spinning up a rodeo storm. Our friends have said for a few years now that since the street fair closes down around 10pm, the people need a late night party, so here we go! We're using sexy go-go boys from all over the country to whip up a hot set of 'Cowboys and Indians' live visuals from the stage. We've built a Wild West set and are even trying to get 80's superstars Tiffany and Debbie Gibson to hang out with us. I mean come on, there will be a captive audience of 800 gay men that would lose their minds if these icons walked out on stage!? Stay and feel the love, ladies. Please?

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.

8.2.2011

Starry, starry night. A very hot and humid Wednesday night in Chicago was never more sexy and full of energy than last week when Out Magazine, Stoli and Sidetrack Video Bar hosted the swanky Nighthawks party. I am humbled and honored to have been chosen by Out to represent this great city, plus the generosity shown to the guests by Stoli and Sidetrack was truly amazing. Over 300 people showed up to enjoy the full range of Stoli products, including Sidetracks world-famous frozen Stoli Pink Lemonade. We arranged for four of Chicago's hottest models to show off their' um... best features in an informal fashion show showcasing RUFSKIN brand underwear, which was graciously organized and provided by Cram Fashion. The custom music video playlist covered everything from Adele to 30 Seconds To Mars to Pitbull to Whitney to Goldfrapp to Nikki Minaj. Plus, there was a stunning performance by Chicago's gorgeous Aurora Sexton giving J-Lo a run for her money 'On The Floor' (complete with standard-issue diva wind machine). All in all, it was a wild and provocative cocktail party for the record books.

The night wouldn't have been a success without the hard work of Out, Stoli, the Nighthawk team, and, of course, everyone here in Chicago that supports these insane parties we come up with. Without the generosity and time commitment of so many people, there would not be Circuit MOM Productions. I thank all of you, and congratulate you on keeping Chicago's nightlife alive and as exciting as ever. Now, on to the next event!

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.

7.27.2011

THANK YOU OUT.com, Stoli, CRAM Fashion, Sidetrack Chicago, my models, the gorgeous Aurora Sexton and the greatest guests in the world for making the Chicago NIGHTHAWKS Party the best night of the summer! 'I am so honored to be a part of this city and community and am very grateful for the opportunity to represent Chicago on OUT.com.

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.

7.26.2011

How amazing! Stoli, OUT Magazine and Sidetrack Video Bar are joining forces to throw Chicago peeps a sexy summer party on Wednesday, July 27!

Since I'm the first scheduled Nighthawk party of the five cities featured this summer, the pressure is on for me to set the bar high... with music, visuals and a hot crowd. The good news is that's not a problem in the greatest city in the world.

I look forward to celebrating summer Chicago style with my friends as we take over Sidetrack for a Wednesday night throwdown and live it up NIGHTHAWK style. The Stoli will flow, the diva videos will glow and there will be plenty of sexy surprises to keep this soiree glamorously stylish!

All those in the know will be front and center for one spectacular party. Put on your party best and get ready dance, drink and mingle with the hottest crowd in boystown. Chicago rocks!

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.

7.17.2011

rev'o'lu'tion \ˌre-və-ˈl'-shən\
a : a sudden, radical, or complete change (in Chicago's dance party nightlife). This coming Saturday is for the hardcore dance music people when my crew presents REVOLUTION -- The British Invasion.

I am very proud to have one of London's most successful DJs making his Chicago debut with our party. Remixer/Producer Lee Dagger, one half of the wildly successful UK production team called BIMBO JONES (made up of Dagger and multi-instrumentalist Marc JB) is bringing his stellar DJ skills and euro-styled sets to Chicago on July 23. Not only am I nervous as hell to be the opening DJ, but I'm coming back an hour or so into his set and performing in a production number as CircuitMOM in and around his raised DJ booth from the stage. This event is an attempt to have people branch out of their normal scene and experience how our foreign counterparts format their musical story for a dance floor. There is a wildly different vibe and presentation when you hit the dance floor with DJ Paulo or Tony Moran, or when you dive into the euro beats of say, Paul Van Dyk or Lee Dagger. I think everyone should step out of his or her routine and experience something new. This coming Saturday, I am completely changing my DJ style under the guidance of Lee Dagger himself and it is very humbling to have a man who has sixty-four #1 Billboard Club hits under his belt as a mentor. Between him, DJ Paulo and my hero Tony Moran, I look forward to sharing my funky new layer for this event.

Often times, club goers can be creatures of habit, heading to their safe place week after week. One major challenge promoters have is to safeguard the events people already love, but also try to create, invent and offer new events to broaden your audience and keep your city on top of it's game. It's tricky. It's stressful. It's very gratifying when it works and heartbreaking when it doesn't. Lately my mission is to tap into the twentysomethings that don't read the gay papers. Their whole social existence is Facebook, Twitter and text-based. I have learned a lot from this generation on what they like, dislike and expect. As I continually try broadening my audience, I'm not blind to the fact that I have been blessed with hardcore followers and supporters for most of my 15-year career. Without this group, who help promote, pass out flyers, invite their lists, build sets, go-go, and take pictures, there would not be a CircuitMOM Productions. It takes an army to get people off their iPhones and various (ahem) websites and on the dance floor. See you on the dance floor this Saturday, Chicago!

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.

7.4.2011

Stars and stripes abound in Chicago for the July 4th holiday. The best way to experience the fireworks is booking a lakefront cruise, grabbing the hottest sailor you can find (and a bottle of booze), and then head out with 100 of your closest friends on a chartered luxury liner.

I never plan any club events on Independence Day because of the mass exodus to Saugatuck, Michigan, for the debauchery and chaos of the Dunes Resort. Porn stars, DJs, pool parties, drinks, dancing, Speedos and sunburned boys overflow at this lakeside resort every year for a sexy holiday weekend.

The 4th of July is my chance to regroup and recharge from the insanity that is Gay Pride. I tend to hide out at home, unplug my phone and eat non-stop for three days. This year, I did grab some friends and head out to Six Flags Great America for some rollercoaster madness.

With our prepaid parking and 'flash passes' (shorted waits for rides -- so worth it), we hit the park and had a solid eight hours of twists, flips and turns. The day was a much-needed escape before heading into the high intensity of the second half of Chicago's summer fun. Two more Revolution parties, Market Days Boystown street festival, the Softball Gay World Series opening and closing ceremonies, and, of course, my Stoli/OUT magazine Nighthawks party, to name but a few. As Karen Carpenter once sang, 'We've only just begun.'

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.

6.28.2011

Chicago Pride drama!

Imagine working for weeks on your pride parade float only to find out vandals had broken into the warehouse and slashed the tires of 51 floats, plus used sledgehammers to damage the metal rims on other floats. It was one of those moments of disbelief that there is still so much ignorance in the world. This is not mere coincidence or a random act. The Gay Pride parade is the largest in the Midwest and had an estimated attendance of over 500,000 people. Chances are, these spineless vandals knew exactly what they were doing and to whom.

I have to give a major shout out to the straight owner of the float company, Associated Attractions, Inc. Chuck Huser went above and beyond to get as many floats repaired in time for the parade to start on time. How he managed to find 100+ tires, new rims and the jacks, tools and compressors is beyond me.

Fast forward: our float takes off over the hill to be greeted by the most intense crowds I've witnessed in my 22 years participating in the Pride parade. Entire parking lots were packed, buildings were bursting at the seams and rooftops and balconies were overflowing with cheering reverlers. Even on the 'straight' end of the parade route, where it usually thins out a bit, the sidewalks, restaurants and intersections were off the hook. Sunshine and 78 degree weather had something to do with it, but the insanity was like no other year.

The best sight: protesters protesting the anti-gay protesters.

All in all, the parade was a success and all three of my floats made it through in one piece. Thank you to everyone that helped build the floats up again. Gay people will not be held back. The haters can slash away at our tires, but we'll be right behind them with glitter and glue guns to build it back up -- stronger, louder and better than before. No one rains on our parade.

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.

6.20.2011

Chicago, like most cities that used to have a myriad of events every month, has been very quiet the last few years in terms of the larger gay dance parties and club nights, so I was a little concerned I wouldn't live up to the hype of the other Nighthawks on OUT.com in terms of hot, sexy club events and massive dance parties.

In the last couple of years, I think the majority of promoters have adopted the same downsized mentality for events, whether in their frequency or actual size in venues and budgets shooting for smaller, concentrated crowds. Proud to have been a resident DJ for Out Magazine's Chicago events the past few years (usually held in super sexy straight clubs), they stoked my desire to revive the large dance party because the Out parties had so much passion and energy.

Couple that with a reoccurring role as opening DJ for a few Live Nation concert acts (Pet Shop Boys, B-52's, plus more coming in 2011), I felt the energy in Chicago was ready to hit the large-scale party again. My promotions and events are far different from the other Nighthawks since I am not specifically in the clubs as much, but that is all going to change this year with pride.

I'm launching a dance party, REVOLUTION, starting with Gay Pride Friday, June 24, 2011. The REVOLUTION series will see the combined forces of Masterbeat DJ Brett Henrichsen and Circuit MOM for Pride, plus DJ's Cody Domino, Joe Gauthreaux, Roland Belmares and the Chicago premiere appearance of UK Sensation Lee Daggar of BIMBO JONES in the coming months. We're also working on another massive Chicago debut for the fall.

We're offering an amazing space with great talents for affordable prices so everyone can join in the dance floor love. I have an amazing army helping me with all of this and am honored and grateful for the opportunity to showcase some amazing parties this summer in Chicago! Visit www.circuitmom.com for more details and get on the dancefloor!

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.

6.13.2011

Straights, Governors, Civil Unions and Sea Life!

Last weekend, after four months of preparation, we finally opened the gala party doors to 'Sea Jelly Soiree'. It was uite the massive undertaking to cocktail, feed, dance and entertain 850 of Chicago's social leaders, including Governor Pat Quinn, who signed Illinois Civil Union bill into law last month and hosted a mass civil union ceremony in our Millennium Park on a gorgeous day a few days ago.

Our friendly (and genuinely conversational) governor has to be one of the most approachable politicians I've ever encountered. I was standing in an Argo Tea downtown recently and he walked up, ordered his medium Earl Grey latte and just... hung out. I introduced myself and reminded him we had dinner together two months prior at the Equality Illinois gala, and he complimented me on what a great night it was for the LGBT community and Illinois.

Fast forward four months: I'm standing among 800 people at the gala making sure my actors are, well'acting, and here walks up the governor, without fanfare and all but unnoticed by the jam-packed crowd. He walks past the other guests and comes over to my production manager Bill Stadt (whom the governor also knows) and me, and hangs out with us. We talk about civil unions and how he's so proud of our community.

It was amazing to have his time that night, considering that the mostly straight audience basically runs this city. My team's first time co-producing this gala was an awesome experience. I think our vision on how to shake things up and do a fresh take on a standard black-tie event went well. Imagine: custom, seven-foot tall jelly costumes on the dancers, that lifted off during the production number and rose to the ceiling... a custom-built LED wall as our stage backdrop, 10-foot sea dragon stilt walkers, and sexy go-go boys and girls dancing... It made for a wild and colorful eight-hour party. I hope they ask us back next year.

Lather, rinse and get ready for Pride'I hope to sleep in July. Life is great.

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.

6.8.2011

Summer has arrived in Chicago! The lakefront is full of sexy volleyball players and runners, outdoor seating at restaurants is at a premium and the bars and clubs are bursting with the finest in the Midwest. Since Memorial Day is such a massive party weekend here, this past week was all about wrapping up details from having 15,000 leather enthusiasts in town, then regrouping and planning for the flood of Chicago street festivals and gay pride. My team and I are working diligently on REVOLUTION, our new series of large-scale dance parties kicking off Gay Pride Friday, June 24. DJ Brett Henrichsen is coming to town and Circuit MOM hits the stage with a massive show. Also, we are designing and producing 3 corporate parade floats for the Pride parade two days later, so Home Depot is our second home the next couple weeks. My promoter life is very 'hands on' because I like to stay involved with my clients on a personal level. Between DJing, producing, designing, building and executing the ideas, you can always find me in the middle of every project. If you have never been to Chicago, summer is intense with energy and endless opportunities to have parties and events that take you on a wild ride. What are you waiting for? Get over here, already!

LOOKING AHEAD:
Auditioning stilt walkers, computer generating a rainstorm for a custom built LED wall, accepting a delivery of costuming boxes from Disney World large enough to hold 6 washing machines and 10 rolls of white gaffers tape in my shoulder bag. Yep, must me a new week at my house. 'The Sea Jelly Soiree' will be hopping this Saturday, June 11, 2011 and my team was chosen over three other event companies to produce the live visuals, costuming and dance party portion for the 950 + guests representing the best of Chicago's elite social scene. This mostly straight gala, in it's sixteenth year, is the toughest ticket in town to score, so the pressure is on us to make the event memorable with our installations, production numbers and high tech light show. 'The Sea Jelly Soiree' will have the most amazing views of the city skyline and a custom built white party tent for a dance party like no other. We've commissioned a custom designed 8' by 24' LED wall for our stage backdrop and designed 7' tall jelly fish costumes for our dancers which will magically lift off during the production number to become the floating decorations for the dance party. It all works in my head and on paper, lets hope technical rehearsals go well and we actually pull it off during the show!

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.

6.3.2011

The wild Memorial Day weather in Chicago that usually surrounds the International Mister Leather convention, contest and leather market (and the dance parties I produce) did not disappoint. The rain on Saturday night and most of the day Sunday kept people inside the sold-out host hotel. But around 4pm Sunday, five hours before doors opened at our famed 'Victory Party,' the sun came out and the city's energy became infectious. Leather DJ's Neill MacLeod (Toronto) and Gary Iriza (San Diego, also Mr. IML 2008) played an amazing set of house, tribal, bass and drum with sexy vocals woven throughout. Two of the best words a promoter may ever here is 'at capacity' and the IML crowd did not disappoint!

After unleashing a dozen go-go boys and tons of Patron upon the crowd, we packed it up nine hours later and headed to set up for Monday's 34th Annual Black And Blue Ball, featuring rising local DJ Ron Geronimo and insanely talented house DJ Ted Eiel. When you have events back to back for basically the same audience, the challenge is to create a completely different energy both nights. Partnering with two vastly different venues is key, but the four wildly dedicated and talented DJ's worked their magic to present their own musical styles that worked the crowds on, off, around and OUT. The men showed up over 1,500 strong on Monday and had to be pushed out the front door at the end. I am honored to have produced these parties for eleven years and look forward to many more with IML!

DJ Matthew Harvat's Top 10 Classic Songs that never leave his DJ bag

10. 'Breathe' -- Faith Hill (Hex Hector Remix-Reconstructed by DJ Pete Crow)
9. 'Pool Party' -- DJ Will Beats (Patrick Sandim Tribal Mix)
8. 'No More Drama' -- Mary J. Blige (ThunderPuss Mix reconstructed by DJ Billy Steele)
7. 'I Learned From The Best' -- Whitney Houston (Pete Crow's Mega Anthem Hex Hector redeux)
6. 'I Wish I Didn't Miss You '08' -- Angie Stone ( Offer Nissim Big Bass Dub by DJ Pete Crow)
5. 'Find Another Woman '05' -- Reina (Tony Moran's Private mix, per my request)
4. 'Music Is The Answer' -- Celeda (Danny Tenaglia's Private Mix)
3. 'And I Am Telling You' -- Jennifer Holliday VS Massive Attack Mashup
2. 'The Promise' -- Tony Moran (14 mixes)
1. 'Show Me Heaven' -- Chimira (White Label Mix)

For more info on Matthew Harvat's parties, visit his official website.