The 'Alternativah' Alternative
Club Review By: Thistle

How many Goths does it take to have an "Alternativah"?

First of all, what in God's given world is "Alternativah?" The name says it all, really.

Goth is about choices, being different, challenging your senses. "Alternativah" literally means "the alternative to other 'normal' clubs" and that's what makes choosing this venue even more enjoyable. The "Alternativah" cast members (and producers of the club, Gothic Beach Studio) know how to have a wild time. Not only do they think their monthly Goth club, "Eternal", isn't enough for their wreckless drinking habits and loud music addiction, they don't even make an effort to prove it.

I've attended five of the black-clad get-togethers, hosted by "Gothic Beach Studio" and "Alternativah", in the past year. With each event, more attendees show up. And each progressive event is much more fun. Yet, I won't even get started on how long the line to the restroom gets (pick your own bush in the parking lot to hide behind, buddy). Free alcohol, free hotdogs and hamburgers for those of you who get the munchies (no encouragement needed) abound. Some of L.A.'s finest D.J.'s, including "Doomie" of "Dead Last Magazine" and "H-Bomb" of "DasBunker" spin the tunes. Did I mention the free booze yet?

The outdoor events are usually hosted in a small backyard in the South Pasadena area -- guaranteeing that you'll meet every single person there, like it or not. You don't even have to be 18 to attend, so bring the kiddies along with you. And rather than paying those ridiculous prices at other clubs (pointing fingers isn't polite), all "Alternativah" asks is five dollars to help pay for the food you devour.

When I attended the last "Alternativah", "Do You Believe In Angels" by "The Last Dance" bumped up on the sound system. Damn, it was early in the day and I was ready to sway my arms and dance. As daylight dissappeared and darkness hovered over, well, so did the freaks. People showed up, like schools of fish flooding the backyard, who tried to steal my seat when I'd get up to flip my burger. Producers should find a bigger backyard for the next party.

I don't want to forget to mention the live music. Two bands performed at the past Memorial Day weekend gathering. Intoxicatedly enough, I can't recall their names. The performers were an indy band and an industrial band with similar sounds to "Skinny Puppy". There you go. You also get a free live show! After the last band "did their thing", people started to dance and prance around like the little kids they have been and were no longer. I felt as though I was back in the '80's, except NOT! People mingled and I swore boys were looking at girls and girls were looking at boys. You even had your boys looking at boys and girls looking at girls from my distance. The sexual tension was great. I met an eclective, sedutive bunch of partiers from Dana Point to Riverside and even loco-local L.A.

The cops arrived around 1:30 A.M. and some people started to run to their cars like scared chickens. Most attendees walked outside like the wacked-out, don't-give-a-damn zombies that they are normally. It was a major chuckling experience. I had too, too much of....EVERYTHING... at the event, as other's did, too. A couple of nights afterward, I unexpectedly ran into "Spiderella" at a club and she yelled into my ear, "The fact the party was held at a house, cheesy as it sounds, was the reason I had so much fun!"

"Alternativah" is obviously a good experience and a great reason to ditch a ho-hum club. If you go to "Alternativah" alone, you won't leave without meeting someone. If you decide to take your friends, you'll take more friends home than you came with. Make sure to join the Gothic Beach Studio/ "Alternativah" in their next, ever-growing, freaky events. The "happenings" happen for our entertainment and it should be taken full advantage of and supported whole-heartedly. And for our question...

"How many Goths does it take to have an "Alternativah?" The answer: "As many as show up!" See you there!

http://www.alternativah.com