JustCircuit's October conversation with Promoter/Producer's *John Blair* and *Beto Sutter* discovers why after twenty-five years, it is still all new!
AFTER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS, IT IS STILL ALL NEW!
Once in a great while a man comes along with a plan and develops his thoughts into something so real that it is a success. In the 70’s John Blair had a vision for beauty, he created 2 gay gyms in San Francisco, California. That was only the beginning of what was to develop. 25 years later John Blair and Beto Sutter have created a look in the New York nightlife that is rivaled around the world. JustCircuit.com recently had the opportunity to speak with both of these men and see why they have turned NY nightlife into something extraordinary.
A few weeks ago, John and Beto spoke with Victor Mauro and Shane Rogers of JustCircuit and told them why they are so happy that they can deliver a successful idea to those that want it. Back in the 70’s, John created 2 gay gyms in San Francisco prior to his arrival in NY. Once there he opened yet another gym. It was so popular and so ahead of the grand scheme that he through the persuasions of a couple of friends he would start a party in the gym. Developing this was not really a major effort when you take into account what the people want. John told us that he has always listened to what the attendees wanted, greeted everyone, and made every body feel that they are welcome. By doing this he established himself as a man with a mission. Great things through the years came as a result of this.
During these days a friend Named Steve Rubell (Owner of Studio 54) persuaded John to enter into the night club industry and create a event that was amazing to the average club-goer. In speaking with this man he clearly states that his success is a three part process. The first of which is welcoming everyone with a smile and thank you. During this process he listens to your wishes, likes and dislikes. Leaving you with the feeling of hug from a family member to make you thankful you are there. Secondly is to take everything that he and Beto have listened to and put it into fruition. Combining the talents of these two men is nothing to shake a stick at. These men personally take everything the attendees tell them and do it. From lighting to DJ’s to décor and finally even a price the attendees will adore.
John and Beto did say that it was three things made this a success. The last was the staff that works with them. They thank and credit everyone from the door staff, to the lighting man (Mitch Amtrak) the production coordinator (Jason McCarthy) Dj’s so many to mention so forgive us not. Everyone that works for them is given credit in the overall picture. These two men have taken everything and given it notoriety as well as that Midas touch.
You might say that staying on top is hard work, but staying on top of everything you own is even harder. The two are credited with so many positives they are purely the reason for a positive gay community in the NY metro area. The list of businesses are vast and all within a few blocks of each other. First you take the successful gym in CA then move to NY and create a successful gym in NY (American Fitness) then Club going becomes the next positive (Roxy, Palladium, Tunnel, Club USA) achievement add in a prominent nightlife magazine (NEXT-SOLD) a magnificent Restaurant (JB’s SOLD), then a bar (XL) you took over a fabulous space (The Limelight) and branded it all your own. Making it into a hotspot again for revelers ever where to see. The Re-creation became Avalon. Now as we are told John Blair has taken over the reins of managing Spirit. Many might know this formally as Sound Factory or evcn Twilo.
These men have been so ahead of there time in everything that they do it is almost old hat when the rest of the club community jumps on board and starts doing the same thing. Lets go back and try to remember all the accomplishments we can to spell out how wonderful they have been to the nightlife. In the 80’s when talent in the DJ booth was almost unrecognized the Talents of Manny Lehman were found. John tell us he was his first resident DJ, spinning at Roxy which had a gay skate that was produced by the duo as well. Now Manny is resident ar ROXY once again Spinning there once a month. Back in 1992 John and Beto had Kristine W perform on the Gay Pride Float during the parade. Now in 2005 every one wants Kristine or even just a performer. Lets go with the Performers now Take the talents of Cher, Bette Middler, Kelly Osbourne and now you can even say Madonna twice, John and Beto have secured Madonna yet again to add to the success of their Circuit-like Venue produced on a weekly scale. Not many Promoters can say that they have worked with these talents, but these men can.
Now lets look at the ongoing future for these men
ROXY a thriving club with a future almost as bright as it’s past. Who knows what’s in store for this venue, but one thing is for certain “it is here to stay for a while. Owner Gen DiNino does not plan on going any where for a while” JustCircuit was told by ROXY’s Publicist Len Evans.
XL another amazing space created by the duo, this Club/Lounge/Bar evolves as the night goes from after work to prime time to even late night. The space was choosen and the people brought in to transform this empty space into what it is now is are of celebrity status in there realms. At least once a year the club is featured in a movie a television show (Sex and the City, CSI…) The club was produced to be a complete turn key operation. The manager can literally come in and turn a switch and everything happens.
Who knows what’s in store for these men but when you take their talents and their pasts you never know what can happen. With a future as bright as the past almost anything can happen, Personally we can hope for a major success. These men have given so much to the community in the way of happy positives that you will look forward to attending something that they create.
JC: What do you feel has driven your success for the ROXY?
JB: it is a three part process, Hands on, Listening to what people have to say and having good people to work with. “You are only as good as the people you work with”
BS: Listening to the club goers, talking with them so you do not lose touch and paying attention
JC: Is it much more work then just being there?
JB: every night we are there to talk to the people and hear their likes and dislikes we then take all that information and place it into the database. We take all the names and information provided place that into the system and we are then able to let them know based on what we have been told of up coming events and so on.
BS: it is much more then a single nights operation producing this takes weeks to do. From getting the DJ’s Lined up, then the shows if that is being done, then the décor, the staff has to be taking care of, the dancers, the whole night takes time to produce.
JC: Of all the staff that works for you can you single out anyone in particular?
JB & BS: No everyone that works for us from the door, the lighting, the music the performers the bartenders, managers, dancers and so on are all what make everything great.
JC: Why did you open XL?
JB: Beto loves his toys, everything in there is high tech and we can see and control everything from where ever we are. We wanted a evolving space for the night. We even have the ability to record live there
BS: it gives something different to the community, instead of that large venue space. We can do anything there. It is not your typical space for shows.
JC: What performers/artists have you had at XL?
JB: Cyndi Lauper, Jason Walker, and many others.
JC: When do you have time to relax?
JB: We can relax when we go home to our home in outside of the city.
BS: when we ride our motorcycles we relax the motorcycles allow for salvation
