SWITCH HEADLINES SMART BAR NEW YEAR’S EVE 2007

After a year of extraordinary events from Smart Bar in celebration of Metro/Smart Bar’s 25th anniversary, Smart Bar ends the year with another very special event. As part of Smart Bar’s 25th anniversary celebrations, Switch will ring in 2008 for Smart Bar patrons on December 31, 2007. When the clock strikes midnight, you’ll want to be there!

From his incendiary DJ sets across the globe to his remixes and productions, Dave, aka Switch and also known as Solid Groove, has created his own type of innovative jacking house that draws from all the best bits of electronic music. Most recently, Switch played to enthralled crowds at Metro this past fall, and those that were there know why Switch has been called one of the hottest DJs in 2007… and why he’s the perfect choice to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Smart Bar.

A producer, remixer, and DJ, Switch has produced for artists including M.I.A., remixed tracks from P Diddy, Nine Inch Nails, Basement Jaxx, Lily Allen, X-Press 2 and Bugz in the Attic, an continues to work on his own Switch and Solid Groove album projects. His Dubsided label continues to flourish, releasing his own music as well as that from house music’s brightest young stars. He maintains a regular residency in his home country at legendary U.K. club Fabric, but travels the world regularly in search of exciting new music.

Closing out the night after Switch is Justin Long, a longtime resident of Smart Bar and one of Chicago’s house music pioneers. From his beginnings at age fifteen with Chicago pioneers like Derreick Carter and Traxx, to his founding of Q101’s Sonic Boom mix show, to his tours across the world, Justin Long is one of the strongest ambassadors of the Chicago house sound. He also works in the studio with Dan X as No Assembly Firm, where they have completed original and remix work for labels such as Classic, Music For Freaks, and Greens Keepers Music. Justin runs his own record label, Dotbleep, which is also the name of his monthly residency at Smart Bar. In the next year, Justin will be heard on the XM radio show Dotbleep.

Justin Long’s sometime collaborator Santiago will also spin, opening up the night with James Amato. Santiago is a Chicagoan who began DJing at the young age of 20 and has risen to become Zentra Nightclub’s house resident for the past five years. From the smooth melodic deep end to harder techie-r sides of house; Santiago touches both ends of the House spectrum in his sets. His energetic persona exemplifies his love for the music and the scene. As a producer, Santiago has had a strong collaboration with Tim Bush as Santiago & Bushido and have released music and remixes for labels and artists including No Assembly Firm, CPEN, DJ Heather and Johnny Fiasco.

Starting off the night with Santiago is Smart Bar’s own James Amato. James balances the roles of DJ, promoter and producer with a grassroots approach to music. With history promoting and spinning at Milwaukee’s Pure Nightclub as well as Mantra Lounge, plus experience running the Neighborhood House Watch and Potty Mouth Music labels, James has become a powerhouse of the electronic music scene. James’ balance of bass, bump and organic rhythms create peak-hour tracks that fill dance floors. Currently the music director for Smart Bar, James will start New Year’s Eve night off right!

Smart Bar celebrates 25 years of an ongoing commitment to the most exciting dance music with cutting edge DJs Switch, Justin Long, Santiago and James Amato on Monday, December 31, 2007. The show starts at 9pm and is 21 & over.

General admission tickets are $30 in advance and $35 day of show.

Additionally, limited VIP tickets are available.

Reserve VIP tickets are $80 each person and include admission for one person, reserved VIP section seating, coat check, four drink tickets, a Switch CD and a free pass for a future Smart Bar show.

Platinum VIP packages are $500 for a party of four and include admission for four people, reserved table and seating for four directly next to the DJ booth, one bottle of Moet White Star, coat check, four drink tickets each person, four Switch CDs and four free passes for a future Smart Bar show.

Tickets are on sale this Saturday, October 27 at noon.

Switch photos and other media available at –
http://www.windishagency.com/artists/switch

For media access, interviews, or other info, please contact Jenny Lizak.

Monday, December 31:
In Smart Bar…
New Years Eve 2007 with…
SWITCH * JUSTIN LONG * SANTIAGO * JAMES AMATO
$30 advance, $35 day of show, $80 Reserved VIP, $500 VIP Platinum package / 21 & Over / Doors: 9PM / Show: 9PM

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:
All TicketMaster locations
Charge by phone: 312.559.1212
Internet sales www.ticketmaster.com
The Metro Box Office in the Official Metro Store (no service fee)

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Smart Bar is Chicago’s independent nightclub, celebrating over 25 years of showcasing new and exciting dance music and the most cutting edge DJ’s from around the globe. Smart Bar is located in the lower level of Metro, Chicago’s premier independent music venue. From July 2007 through July 2008, Metro/Smart Bar is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a variety of special events. Join the celebration at www.metrochicago.com/25.