Bal Le Duc today. Photo courtesy of Bal Le Duc.
Several years ago, in my adolescence, I liked to dance at a place that unfortunately or fortunately isn't around anymore, the legendary Teatro Carrera.
I liked it because it was half transgressive ⎯ wherever possible⎯ all alcohol was very cheap and those who went were young and daring, which could be translated to an environment that was quite "trashy" or "stale" as we say here in Chile. And there was always great dance music.
When they closed Teatro Carrera, I became an orphan, having no place to dance. So, I experimented a bit with some clubs, but in the end, nothing was like the Carrera. And then, without realizing it, I grew up, and I didn't like to frequent such places, full of young people claiming to be urban vampires with style.
Despite age ⎯this was some ten years ago ⎯ and taste, from time to time, I like to remember those adventures, obviously less showy and MUCH funnier, so I gather a few friends and we choose a place.
The last time, we went to Blondie, and we truly had a great time, because in the end, I keep going for the music. Dancing to Brit-pop and remembering the old nineties hits always sounds good; a couple of girls kissing nearby, even better. And the vampire theme gives me sweet nostalgia.
So I was surprised when today I found out (first) that Bal Le Duc is still around and called the same, because it is another one of those legendary places in Santiago where before (I'm not sure about now) vampires got together to "suck"⎯in Chile, we say "suck" (chupar) for drinking alcohol. Another surprise was finding out that they have a party called "OMFG!" (O My F***ing God), claiming to have the new aesthetic and musical trends.
To give you an idea, Bal Le Duc was like a branch of Blondie, the same style, but much smaller, and the music was characterized by the same style. Of course, this party will have Djs, pop, indie, electronic and rock music. The idea is that each person goes with their most transgressive look for photographs and to win a full color UV tattoo.
I will probably not go with a transgressive look ⎯I'm half nerdy⎯ but it's likely that I'll check it out to see what the "new aesthetic trends" are and to see how Bal Le Duc is today, one of my favorite Santiago dives.
Details:
Bal Le Duc
129 Av. Matta
Metro Irarrázabal
OMFG! Party
21 October
11:30 p.m.
Entrance: $2.000 CLP until 1:30 a.m.
$3.000 CLP general entrance
