The Gay Grasp

Locations

 
Gays want to dance again; at least you’d think that when talking with Ricardo Torres Ortiz, a.k.a. DJ Ricardo, about his new party, Tight, held at the newly opened Chelsea clubland hot spot Amnesia (where Sol use to be). We chatted with Ricardo, who helped start Kurfew events at Tunnel back in 1997 and more recently mixed and produced Out Anthems 1–4, about his exciting new party and why he thinks it’s worth trekking out in the cold for.

(DJ Ricardo)
 
What does Tight mean?
Tight has numerous meanings and connotations. It’s the perfect combination that is created when you mix a potpourri of people together with well-mixed music, top-rated DJs, a spectacular venue, a quality sound system and fun club personalities—all tightly blended together with some sexiness sprinkled in to create the ultimate vibe.
 
Tell us about the venue, Amnesia.
Amnesia Nightclub in West Chelsea offers a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. Aside from the cutting-edge DJs mixing the latest beats, Amnesia offers aerialists, dancers and live performances. [It is] improving upon the former Ruby Falls and Sol space. The placement of the bar, for example, on the side of the club as opposed to the center. Also new is the upper-balcony VIP table service seating.
But will Amnesia be a gay club?
Sunday is the only night they have a gay party.
 
How did you pick Amnesia for this party?
Chris Ryan and I were taken aback by the size and the beauty of the space. Its dance floor is one of the biggest in New York; it’s bigger than nearby Pacha!
 
What can people expect to happen at Tight?
We want to bring a musically oriented night back to the gay scene. New York nightlife [used to be] defined by its music-oriented gay events, where straight boys used to sneak in just to hear the music! Somehow that has changed. I feel like now gay boys sneak into straight nights just to hear top-rated DJs.
 
What talent will Tight feature?
You won’t hear the same DJs that get booked over and over again playing the same five songs you hear every night at other parties. Sammy Jo and Alex Lauterstein will be playing quite regularly. We plan on bringing in some big talent like Fischerspooner and Shiny Toy Guns.
 
Why are you doing a preview?
We wanted to start with a bang, then wait a little time just to recharge and decide how we want to shape the night musically and creatively. We also wanted some time to garner a bigger buzz and then come [back] roaring in February.
 
What crowd will Tight attract?
Muscle meets club kids meets bears meets straights and queens and voguers and throw in some business people and maybe golfers and Republicans just to make it fun. Okay, maybe not Republicans.
 

Anything else we should know about Tight?
The party is produced by Chris Ryan and DJ Ricardo. We have taken our years of experience to create a combination of music, people and entertainment tightly wound together for the ultimate Sunday night extravaganza.
 
Get wound up at Tight on January 17 and every Sunday starting February 7 at Amnesia (609 W 29 St, 212-643-6464). Visit AmnesiaNYC.com, ChrisRyanNYC.com/Tight for more info.