“Spin, Spin Sugar” Brooklyn Hosts Ascension ‘06 Old Domino Sugar Factory May 18, 2006 Written by Bob Bland Photographed by Linus Gelber

First, a few words to the caffeine-guzzling promoters: This party was NOT meant for a weeknight! And yet there we were, on the roof of Brooklyn Sugar in Williamsburg at the best Red Bull-sponsored event of the year. A former raver myself, I was drawn to the festivities of Ascension ’06. The party’s move from the West Coast (there are also parties in San Francisco and Los Angeles) to the East Coast was the best move the promoters have made since Ascension’s inception six years ago. Red Bull sponsorship and top shelf liquor ensured the cultural mayhem would rage long into the night. And with three floors of music, performance, art and fashion, even the most attention-deficit hipster felt engaged.

Martial Arts Dancer on Rooftop

Dancer

The roof was “the” stage for the night, with snake-charming belly dancers, gravity-defying dance and vaudevillian burlesque. Ascension performers were as varied as they were talented; they had attitude to boot. The highlights were the hot chicas of the B-Girl Fight Club; they combined beats, video and break-dance in the competition to prove that girls have the moves to dominate the dance floor.

Rooftop Bar

Interactive art installations included the Octamasher, a musical creation of New York-based electronic artist Moldover that allows wanna-be DJ’s the opportunity to mash-up and remake songs on a series of eight specialized keyboards.

Rooftop Belly Dancer

The night would not have been complete without a fashion show hidden in bubble-like modules on the roof. But it was the music, ranging from old school drum ‘n bass to hip- hop that kept the seemingly endless crowd moving. Thirteen DJ’s were featured; they played sets until 3:00 AM. If you missed the fun this year, check out www.redbullascension.com for details from this year’s event, and to get all the latest info for Ascension ’07.

Williamsburg Bridge

Green Girl	Malcolm the Molecule of Groovehoops