Have you seen Enter the Void? It's probably the head-trippiest movie on Netflix. And while most people react with an "ohmahgawd wut?," Miami hip-hop booker, DJ, and nightlife host Sean Bang was inspired to throw a monthly party.
The film revolves around kids in Japan who get themselves into a lot of trouble after some conversations at a Tokyo nightclub called The Void. After watching this flick, Bang decided to capture that conversational vibe in a unique nightlife setting, so he started The Void at Wynwood's LMNT.
He says it's about bringing good music and people together to bridge the cultural gap. At least it's not as scary as the movie.
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"I've had everything from porn stars to A&Rs at the Void," Bang says. "It's to get people together who usually wouldn't be in the same room at the same time. We play the music that they want to hear, and we turn the gallery into a club."
Bang has been putting parties together in the Miami scene for a few years. He DJs with local rapper Robb Bank$, and most recently, he's helped book all the hip hop shows for DOPE Ent. He's got a big presence in that scene, and it would be easy for Bang and his partner Ashley Venom to throw a bunch of his rapper friends on a stage, but they won't. They'd rather have those same people turn up as guests and enjoy themselves so they can get to know other people in the scene with great ideas, whoever they may be.
"We like to give people a chance to come out and actually get in tune with each other, not feel like they're lost in the crowd of movers and shakers," he says. "You may find people who are already at a higher level at what they do, and then people who are just getting started, and they get to network. I'm really big on networking."
Whether it's bringing the art crowd to the musicians, the hipsters to the rappers, or the shut-ins to the spotlight, Void hopes to be a breeding ground for ideas, conversations, and integration. Bang books a variety of DJs and producers to provide the sonic backdrop, at once so people can see something new, but also to draw out the varying crowds associated with different sounds.
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"These kind of people tap into different networks, they're going to bring out their crowd," he says. "You're going to see people who usually hang out on South Beach or who would never leave the studio coming out to the Void."
Because the night is run like a social service, it's easy to get into. It's free for those 21 and older with RSVP, and if you don't get on the list in time, the $10 at the door comes with a free drink ticket.
"We're really throwing it for the culture, and we're looking out for the scene," he says. "We want everybody to have a good time. They're getting a show for either free or next to nothing, and these are a lot of people already going places with what they do that usually only play festivals."
It's only been a few months, but it's gaining a reputation and has expanded to include all the appropriate diversions, from DJs and bands to food trucks. Bang won't stop until he sees the "literally the whole city" coming to represent.
"This is something monthly. This is something that's going to grow," he says. "It's only getting bigger and better."
Crossfade's Top Blogs
The Void. Celebrating Sean Bang's birthday. With Dope by Accident, Austin Paul, Kazoots, Sean Bang, Marilyn Rondon AKA Totally Stoked on You, Nuri, Nick Leon, DJ Young Cee, DJ Thirst Mgurst, and Maclean. Friday, October 24. LMNT, 59 NW 36th St., Miami. Cover costs $15 for those under 21. Admission is free for 21 and up with RSVP via [email protected], or $10 at the door. Call 305-572-9550 or visit lmntartsmiami.com.
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