Enter the spin zone … DJs feel the beat
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Around the corner at Fortunato’s, ThesisPromotions takes over the Italian eatery for Chic Thursdays. The promoters are three former UMass Lowell students who are looking to revitalize the scene in the city through networking social events.
“What we’re trying to do is create a sense of nightlife for professionals ages 25 to 40 — the bracket is missing in our area,” explained Bobby Tugbiyele, the founder of the company.
Tugbiyele, along with his partner Sophan Sok, and graphic designer Castro-Yves Arboit, are throwing bi-monthly parties with DJs spinning R&B, hip-hop and a little Spanish music. Their goal is to create an atmosphere like Whiskey Park, a swanky lounge in Boston where young professionals mingle.
“Our challenge is to break the mindset that you have to go to Boston and there isn’t a progressive social scene in downtown Lowell when there is,” he said.
Downtown isn’t the only territory looking to put the life back into nightlife. Reflections in Chelmsford, went through far too many seasons of hosting the Battle of the Bands in its rather large barroom. Owner Dave Cunha just had enough of the grinding power chords, so he hired DJ Don to spin for the crowd Thursdays through Saturdays in order to liven things up.
Since the end of January, the change of pace has brought scores of people through the doors. With no cover, a good-sized dance floor and prompt bartenders, the hidden club is a destination for those looking to sweat it out without a 30-minute drive home.
The Brewery Exchange, which straddles the UMass Lowell campus and downtown Lowell, has been drawing a significant contingent of nightlifers for a while now. On some nights, the line can be long and discouraging, but even in the most frigid temperatures you can find 20-somethings in hot pants and open toes.
On Friday and Saturday nights, local DJs Terry Moran and Eddie Ed rotate gigs. Both play Top 40 mashed up with hip-hop and dance that speak to young clubbers.
Moran, a well known DJ who has played gigs in Las Vegas, thinks that Lowell needs a nightclub that plays all the styles of music, from rap to reggae to Top 40 to hip-hop.
“That’s what they’re doing out in Vegas. They play a Journey beat to Gwen Stefani lyrics; that’s exactly what I do,” Moran says. “There needs to be a diversification of music.”
Although the Brewery is popular and brings in noticeable head count, other venues are still struggling to get their names out there. Both Cardoso and Tugbiyele hope they will be able to offer some other options than what is already out there.
“We are not changing the reality, but we are setting the tone,” said Tugbiyele.