The Box July 17, 2008

A special party from Void Entertainment Inc, celebrating the sound of Ron Hardy and the Music Box from Chicago.

When house music was just beginning in mid-80's Chicago there were two seminal DJ's who laid the foundations of the sound - Frankie Knuckles (the original resident DJ of The Warehouse, whence comes the name of the music) and Ron Hardy.

While Frankie Knuckles at the Warehouse (and later the Powerplant) had a very smooth style of playing, Hardy was very different. He had less regard for sound quality and would play with a manic energy, mixing everything from classic Philadelphia Disco classics, italo disco imports to new wave, mutant disco and rock tracks, all played very fast.

Midway through the 80's, many Chicago DJs and clubgoers started experimenting with creating their own rhythm tracks. DJs would play these homemade tracks, and (in short) this is how house music was born. Hardy was no exception, often getting the hottest acetates and tapes. A roll-call of major Chicago producers including Marshall Jefferson, Larry Heard, Adonis, Phuture's DJ Pierre and Chip E. all debuted their compositions at The Music Box.

Come to The Shelter on Thursday 17 July to hear a recreation of this sound - disco, italo, new wave, funk and classic early house music.

Hosts: Nat "Pumpmaster" Nalexander, Shanghai "Sureshot" Shultra, Santo "Freakin" Shino and The Aquatic Acid Kid, Zoomin' Fish Zhao

Official Website: http://www.void-shanghai.com