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Paradise Garage.
As DJ Joey Llanos explained to New Times yesterday: “It was a sanctuary where people of all backgrounds, races, colors, creeds or sexual orientation were accepted on the the dance floor as one. They all came there for one purpose, and that was to hear the greatest sound system in the world at the time, controlled by its resident DJ, Larry Levan.”
This weekend, Llanos and Richard Vasquez will launch The Choice Miami at The Garret at Grand Central to celebrate the enduring legacy of Larry Levan and the NYC dance music scene that started it all.
Ahead of the party, Llanos shared his four picks of timeless Paradise Garage classics you might hear him and Vasquez drop at The Choice.
See also: DJ Joey Llanos on Paradise Garage, The Choice Miami, and “Continuing the Legacy”
D Train’s “Keep On”
“For me, a very inspirational song — and to hear it played by Larry Levan manipulating the Isolator just made the song come alive. The whole room knew the lyrics, and hearing over a thousand people on the dance floor singing the same song was powerful.”
Gwen Guthrie’s “Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent”
“Mixed my Larry Levan. The bass in that song, you felt in your heart pound along with the track! Larry mixed records specifically to be played at the Garage. The building would shake when he played that record. I loved it!”
See also: Downtown Miami’s Five Best Dance Clubs
The Strikers’ “Body Music”
“This song is significant because it takes me back to my early experiences at the Garage, seeing men dancing together for the first time.” [Laughs]
Inner Life feat. Jocelyn Brown’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
“Experiencing being on the dance floor while Larry played this song peaking the room to such a frenzy, it was unbelievable! He would also take over the controls of the lighting board at the flick of a switch, playing the record and working the light show at the same time — amazing! The Garage changed my life and opened my eyes in many ways through music. A blessing!”
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The Choice Miami. With Joey Llanos and Richard Vasquez. Saturday, February 14. The Garret at Grand Central, 697 N. Miami Ave., Miami. The party starts at 11 p.m. and tickets cost $15 to $20 plus fees via residentadvisor.com. All ages. Call 305-377-2277 or visit grandcentralmiami.com.
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