EVENT PREVIEW: Your Windsor Guide to MOVEMENT

This weekend, electronic music fans from around the world will converge on the Detroit-Windsor area for Movement 2009, a continuation of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF) that began in 2000.

Showcasing many of the world's top electronic artists, from world-class DJ's to innovative electronic ground breakers, it not only showcased the world's elite performers in the electronic genre, but re-affirmed the rich history that the area has had in the creation of some of it's initial pioneers, such as Carl Craig, Derrick May, and Windsor's own Richie Hawtin (aka Plastikman).

Featuring such recognizable names as Bad Boy Bill, Benny Benassi, Carl Cox, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, RJD2 and the legendary Afrika Bambaata, this year's festival - taking place once again at Hart Plaza from Saturday May 23rd to Monday May 25th - will once again have a Windsor flair, as two of our own are doing sets during the festival. DJ Heidi (or Heidi Vanden Amstel for many of the original Loop goers will remember her from) will be bringing her bag of tricks from across the Big Pond for a set at the Beatport Stage on Saturday from 4pm to 5:30pm and the ever innovative Kero opening up on the Red Bull Music Academy Stage on Monday (starting up the show for Afrika Bambaata) from 2pm to 3:30pm.

But for those who can't make it over for all (or any) of the dates but still want to take part in the festivities, here's a little guide to what's going on in Windsor for the weekend in celebration of this year's Movement festival.

FRIDAY MAY 22nd

Listen to DJ Heidi on BBC Radio 1's "In New DJ's We Trust" Program
Windsor's own globe trotting DJ sensation Heidi (pictured left)is also a co-host on BBC Radio 1's underground electronic program, "In New DJ's We Trust". She's co-hosting the show which you can hear on-line from 2am until 4am on BBC's website here. Remember, this is 2am on Friday (so technically you'll be listening when you get home from the bars on Thursday night!). If the live time is off your radar, you can listen whenever you like anytime after off the website.

CJAM 91.5 FM Official Movement Simulcast Party & Movement Radio Weekend
CJAM 91.5 FM, Windsor's only campus and community radio station, is doing something special for Movement this year. Starting at midnight each night over the weekend, until noon the following day, CJAM will be doing special electronic programming to keep you going until the next Movement (although that last sentence kind of makes CJAM seem like a musical laxative). On Friday May 22nd, they're hosting a special Movement party at Dean Martini's (63 Pitt St. East, Second Floor), that will be simulcast on CJAM 91.5 FM and hosted by CJAM's own resident electronic guru, Josh Bryant, from 10pm until 2am. Featured on the bill include local DJ's VEX, FURS, Adam Francesconi (from CJAM's Rhythm Gallery) and subMENTAL (from CJAM's Braille Radio program). This event is open to anyone 19 and older and there is no cover for this special CJAM sponsored dance party.

Move: Pre-Movement Party at The Boom Boom Room
The Boom Boom Room (315 Ouellette Ave.) has arguably been Windsor's electronic mecca for years now, enticing some of the world's best DJ's to mark down Windsor as a viable stop on their world tours. It's no wonder they'd be jumping in on the Movement excitement this weekend, although it's a bittersweet party. Featuring local DJ's Ian Hind and Waseem (pictured left) (in sadly, his final Windsor gig as he prepares to leave for Vancouver for Film School at the end of the month), the Boom Boom Room always knows how to throw a party and with these two manning the decks, it should be jumping for sure.

SATURDAY MAY 23rd

Kero at DEMF After Party in Detroit
If you won't be able to check out Kero (pictured below) for his Monday slot at the Red Bull Music Academy Stage, but you're over at Movement on Saturday, you can still catch up with him at one of the Official Movement After Parties. Kero will be joining the Friendy Intergration party at Blondies (2281 West Fort St., Detroit, MI) featuring CLP (Chris Deluca vs. Phono), James Ruskin and others (including Windsor's Ian Hind). Starts around 10pm and will undoubtedly go to the wee hours of the morning. You know, those nights where you realize the sun has been up for hours, and you're still a bit intoxicated ordering an Egg McMuffin. Tickets are $20 at the door and it's open to anyone over 18. For more details, check this out.

SUNDAY MAY 24th

subMENTAL at Kill Your TV II Movement After Party in Detroit
subMENTAL is the DJ alias for Angela Desjardins (pictured left), the host of CJAM's Braille Radio, and she's one of over 40 DJ's spinning at this massive after party on Sunday in D-town. Featuring such stars as Joey Beltram, Ben Sims, Aux 88, Evol Intent and Reade Truth (amongst a whack load of others) at the City Club Complex (400 Bagley St., Detroit, MI). They're opening up all four clubs for this event - City Club, Leland Ballroom, The Labyrinth and Studio 54) and it ends at 10am on Monday. Yes, another blurry eyed morning of hallucinations and fast food breakfast burritos. subMENTAL is spinning in Studio 54 on Sunday and the event will also feature visual projections by Kero. You can check out the complete list of DJ's here.

There will probably be more events going on as well but these are ones of special interest for those of you who will be getting their electro-dance groove on this weekend, likely calling in sick (or drugged) on Monday (and most likely Tuesday and parts of Wednesday as well). Electric boogaloo, my babies!