assignment #1 - revised final version

8/13/2019 Assignment #1 - Revised Final Version

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Andy Dittrich

ENGL-1102

December 11th, 2013

Assignment #1: Figured World Observation

The Zip Spark & Haze of the Existential Twilight Shangri-La, Or What You Will

a.k.aNightclubbing

[Deluxe Remix Edition]

Im a bit detached from my generation. One of the things I dont really understand is the

popularity of the dance/house music clubs that seem to be all the rage among my fellowwhippersnappers today along with the aforementioned style of music that has also risen to

popularity. Therefore, the figured world I will be observing will be the Phoenix nightclub of

Charlotte. I chose to observe Phoenix because it is fairly popular with the college level

youngsters like me because of their 18 and up events and low cover charge ($10). I would like to

interact with the various club goers to ask about why they go to these kinds of places (is it for

hanging out with friends, enjoying the music, cynicism, etc.). I would also like to talk with one

of said clubs DJs and ask about the music they play and create(?). Being from a music

background myself, Im curious how dance music(or subjectively; laptop muzak) is made and

why people like it (really). It seems that the rules and convention are fairly minimal at these

places. I guess they dont want anyone getting too blitzed and bladdered or let any shenanigansget too whack. Activity-wise, it would seem that dancing is where its at. Im not really what else

people do. The about video on their website didnt really improve my understanding. It mostly

featured clips of people hanging out with friends, dancing, dancing, and more dancing in the

crowded dance floor dazed by flashing strobe and spot lights flashing like some combination of

lava lamp Cirrus clouds, an incidental tornado of fire flies on Red Bull, and a lightningbolts

cough.


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Some Terms:

AFigured Worldis basically the scene that is being observed. It is the stage where actors and

artifacts interact and, in return, is defined by these cultural interactions. In the case of Phoenix, it

is the figured world where the clubbers interact with each other and enjoy the music and scene

there together even. While they are drawn to Phoenix for this desirable experience, they also

define Phoenixs environment as apopular club where these kinds of people go (for better or

worse).

TheActors of a Figured World are the people that interact within it. They affect their figured

world and are also shaped by it. They are the characters that set the scene. In Phoenixs casethere are a lot of them. They are the clubgoers here for the music, the friend cliques here to see

each other and be seen (not sure which is the priority), the singles here to maybe find that

someone, the partyers here to be seen partying, and everyone between and beyond or too drunk

to find a category for the time being. This is the diverse (used with some hesitation here)

audience that defines Phoenix and its reputation as a partying, happening shindig. The various

groups of people here interact in various ways too. TheseDiscourse Communitiesare usually

compartmentalized into various cliques and friend groups, usually the same as when they

arrived. Sometimes it seems like theres a lot of mini-parties of around 6-8 or so rather than one

giant club party.

In addition to actors,Artifactsalso have strong influence on their figured world. They are the

objects and concepts that help define the Figured World. In Phoenixs case, due it is more open

dance environment, there arent many physical objects that everyone interacts with but the party

environment concept that Phoenix creates strongly defines it and the actors that come. Lets call

it Oppenheimers Theory of YOLO Gravity. If there is a party, partyers will find it. At a given

stage in party development, they may also become intoxicatedthough that theory is still being

lab tested.


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Observations

Observation #1: Cameo Thursday

Thursday September 5th9:30-9:45 PM

The first event I am looking into at Phoenix is their Cameo Thursdays which, in their words, is

Charlotteslargest weekly three level 18 and upparty (How many more are there?). I had to

find out that the doors open at 10 PMbecause their website doesnt mention any times. They do

however note in terms of attire, they say Club casual attire is acceptable. Cameo is nothing

without cool people and we want you to be comfortable yet looking like you belongin the hottest

party in the Carolinas! Im not really sure what that means. Im just going to wear my maroon

jeans and a gray Bob Dylan shirt. Its thatHighway 61 Revisited-era one of him in the studio. Its

made out of cotton so its soft but I dont like how the sleeves tend to slip up on my arms. Why is

it so hard to find a cool shirt with sleeves that fit comfortably? It shouldnt feel like I have to buy

the XL one and remove the sleeves and replace them with sleeves from the XXL one. The XLone is already a little big on me and the sleeves on the XXL ones arent actually longer theyre

just wider! Im not the only one that thinks this doesnt make sense right? I guess that its not

that major of an issue because I still wear and like the shirt, its just a bit irritating sometimes.

Theresalso a $10 cover charge for entering. So it goes.

9:30 PM: I got here a half-hour early at the recommendation of not having to wait in line to get

in. The horizon has long past absorbed the sun and its officially night time. The club is situated

cozily between North College and slightly down East 6thStreet. Its a modest looking brick

building on approach, almost on the corner if it wasnt for Cosmos Caf that it shares its

brickwork with. As you walk up to the club, noted by the small round Phoenix sign with the

eponymous mythological bird insignia, you notice it has its own little alley way that reveals the

three levels of the building connected by fire escape chic stairways. Towards the end of the little

alley is the door for the bar, but thats two years away being observable.

9:45 PM: Theres a minor line built waiting to get in. Seems like a good time to do some

observations. Dress wise, most of the guys are in either Button down shirts of single shade or

plaid variety or the Nike-style T shirts with irrelevant sport-swagger quotes on them. My favorite

was Bring It On because I couldnt figure what it was supposed to imply. The least favorite

was Know You Want It!, because I could. The girls are manly dressed in casual skirt-or-

pants+ top Forever 21 catalogue fashion. I asked a guy who was with a few other friends about

how often they went here and he told me that this is how they celebrate their weekend early. The

girl next to him added that Phoenix was the best place to be on a Thursday night in the QC

[Sounds cooler than Charlotte I guess?]. When I asked why, she told me that it was because

everybody goes here to party. When I asked her why everyone comes here she told me it was

because everybody knows that everybody goes here. I accepted the headway I had made,

thanked them, and moved on.


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As the doors open I begin to get a good idea of how incredibly loud the music in there is. I think

Im going to go over thatCVS a few blocks away and get some earplugs before I go in there. Im

not blowing my hearing on this.

10:03 PM: This is a really nice CVS. Its fairly quiet in here and has that nice chain budget MD

convenience store scent.

Observation #2: Cameo Thursday, Part II

Thursday September 5th10:30-11:30 PM

10:30 PM: So now its time to go in and see how this works. Past the line, past the bouncer,

wallet $10 less, here we are. It seems like theres a good amount of people here, time to check

out the inside. The entrance is marked by a metal overhang with Phoenix in dimly warm red

lettering somewhere stylistically between the Hot Topic and Geico logos. The guy standing

nearby notices me looking at the sign and asked me if I thought the Phoenix on the sign looks

cool (specifically, if it was bitchin). I told him it looks like a pheasant instant conversation

shut down.

10:31 PM: ITS SO LOUD IN HERE. Its like standing next to a jet engine taking off powered

by rocket fuel, stun grenades, and synthesizers. I have a good feeling that the dance music here is

slightly above that 130 dB pain threshold (which is surely what the alcohol is for). Musically, it

sounds like some combination of dance (or house apparently) music. I think theres a DJ here

somewhere, I havent recovered my senses enough to look for him.

10:35 PM: There are a lot of people in here too. Interior wise, it looks like a prototypical club

with these off-white sofa seats on various walls. There are stairs going to the second level about

an ocean of people away. Other areas here look like the would-be interior of the Yellow

Submarine as designed by Prince. Its difficult to tell whats going because of the volume of

people here and the 50 shades of seizure strobe lights flashing all different directions all over the

main dance floor. There are a lot of people dancing in the open floor area here various ways, or

convulsing. Its a good thing I talked to people before I came in, I cant hear anything in here

sans groove drones and shouting.

10:40-10:50 PM: Found the DJ! He has his own little perch at the front of the main dance area.

Hes playing with some knobs and buttons on his console. Not really sure what. He seems into it

at least. Itstough trying to navigate this place without bumping into a person dancing or the

groups of friends hanging out and (attempting) conversing. I tried talking to one group about

how they could hear each other but they couldnt hear me.It seemed that many people where

using their phones to communicate via text with each other. I also looked at the Phoenix


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Facebook page and noticed that a lot of people were posting about fun they were having at

Phoenix.

10:54 PM: My ears are going numb. I think the DJs played several songs already but Im not

sure. There are people looking down from the second floor balcony enjoying the music without

all the pandemonium down here.

11:00-11:30 PM: The upstairs patio is a nice break from the searing volume of the music

downstairs and the commotion. There are several benches and chairs. The view is also pretty

nice for a single story vantage point in Charlotte. The sound of the street ambience is a nice

come down. There are cliques and groups of people hanging out. I asked one guy sitting at the

bar about hanging out up here and he told me that doesnt enjoy dancing as much as his friends

so he and his girlfriend usually end up here. I asked him whats the point of coming with friends

if you end up separated from them the whole night and he noted that he also acts as their

designated driver, which merits about a B- for effort though I kept that thought to myself. I asked

the bartender about the people that come up here and she said she noted that this is where singleslike to go to possible meet somewhere. Talking to a few others, I got the idea the patio was like

the eye of the hurricane, a calmer, relaxed break from the techno-torrent that roared below.

11:45 PM: After another attempt at enduring the music on the dance floor I think Ive had

enough for today.


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Observation #3Who Cares Friday

Friday September 6th10:00-10:30 PM

Fridays at Phoenix are Passport Friday where, according to the site, your Passport team of

resident DJ Pilots will steer you towards destinations both known and unknown. Apparently thefocus is on more international forms of dance music. I asked someone about what it meant but

didnt get a clear contrast to Cameo Thursday. I also couldntconfirm that there even was any

special Friday event. Phoenix really needs to update its website. Either way, Friday should be a

busy night for any club. Im assuming that the dress code is the same as it was Thursday, not that

thats a problem.

10:15 PM: Theres a decent line to get in, should be in soon. It looks like most people here come

in groups of friends. A couple people look a tad tipsy already. I decided to ask a guy who seemed

to have a less than horizontal line of sight about why he came to the club. MAN I LOOOVE

THESE PEOPLE!! he shouted in response, loud enough to string laughter through the line andjustify the self-amusement of my asking. I asked a girl about the music here and she told me that

it doesntreally matter what they play as long as she can dance to it. A few others chimed in

agreeing. One girl told me that she was only here because her friends were and that she hates this

place, showing me the earplugs she keeps in her pocket. I think I might have made a friend. I

asked her why she was here if she thought that and she conceded that its just the way the social

thing works out when it comes to her friends. By this point her clique had moved into the club,

though she said shed hang out with meon the patio sometime when I get in.

10:30 PM: Bouncerman says I cant get in. Apparently green pants dont belong in the hottest

club in Charlotte. Slightly drunk kid behind me is kind enough to inform me that the reason Icouldnt get in was because you look like a fag, bro. He seemed to be rather fatuous and

uncouthor more simply, an asshole.In response, the bouncer cracked up and recommended

that I try the Scorpio. I was honestly a bit surprised that he actually responded to that effluvium

as if he thought the kid actually had half a point. Considering that any counter argument I would

make against what just happened would imply that I wanted to be at Phoenix or that I felt I

belongedthere, I just left.

10:32 PM: I guess thats the end of this observation. So it goes.

11:30 PM: Finally home, I used Google to get the Scorpio joke I missed. Its the popular local

gay bar. They have drag shows too that are apparently popular but its not my thing.


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So What Just Happened?

Well that was interesting. I guess that was supposed to go better or something? Was theresomething I missed? Should I have drunken/smoked/taken some kind of happy place GPS that Ididnt? Its certainly not the most enticing atmosphere. I cant say I have any interest in doingthis type of thing with any type or frequencyor without a threat of some kind. I guess if you gowith a friend group or girlfriend or boyfriend or someone and you re into electronic music andarent claustrophobic than you might enjoy it. Its certainly not my place to condemn this andhate this and rant about that and so forth and so onI dont have enough space in my mind forall that negativity. Its up to what you want out of it. I didnt really expect anything so thatsabout what Im left with. If you want to try it, go for it.

If you do decide to take a shot at club-life, hes a couple things I could recommend beforeyou go. If you think a few of them might do the trick than go ahead:

1. Get shitfaced. Thats about as blunt as I can make it. If youre friends are dragging youalong and theres no way out then you might as well do your best to...hmmfacilitate

your ability to lose track of time and surroundingslets call it that.

2. Have your Twitter and Facebook mobile apps are ready to go. One of the most importantif not the most importantparts of your club experience is making sure that everyoneknows thatyouare out at the club and doing something clearlyimportant. Tweet that! FBthat! Instagram that sandwhich! #YOLOMILEYCYRUSROFLYOLO - damn right.

3. Wear one of those Keep calm and (insert verb and clipart here)shirts. No really, pleasedothat joke is definitelyhilarious for the 275,593,000,000thtime. I hear that LennyBruce had one of those shirts too! I also heard Bill Cosby has a Keep Calm and KeepBeep Boopity Flip Flabbitysweater. No seriously, please wear it! I promise Ill wear my

Keep Calm and Please. Just. Kill Me.one and, if youre lucky, I might even do my fakelaugh impression.

4. Dont worry about that whole hearing thing. Nobody really seems to care much aboutthat so I guess its not that important after all. What could possibly go wrong?

5. Get used to reading type. See #4. What? Im not going to shout for you.6. Cant remember this oneits probably not that important7. Make Friends! Wear a nametag! I hear those are in this season.8. Dont wear green pants. Its not easy being greenyeah I know, I shouldve listened to

Kermit. You dont want to be the fagmisfit right? You dont want to be that loseram I right or what? Unless, of course, you dont really care about that kind of thing. Inthat case, this might not be for you after all. Appearance/conformity is key here.

9. This also counts as #10. #10 is the same as #9. If you dont understand that, youreprobably drunkwhich is very irresponsible. You should know better.


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Cast (mostly in order of appearance)

Thank you to the following people who interacted with my and helped makes this figured worldobservation assignment possible:

- Static Tim- Joe Sport- Dada Mirror- Marie the Socialite- The nice cashier lady at CVS- Jeff Jeep- 6 People in Need of Hearing Aids- DJ MacTop- Reliable but Questionable Dennis- Suspicious Mary- Janet the Fountain Queen- Hugo the Seagull-

The Outdoor Ambiance Quintet

- Patient Paul- Sauced-Out Steve- Lady Neon- Carrie-Anne with Reason- Rambo Stockade, bouncer- Drunk Asshole- NotGoogle

[All names are pseudonyms devised to protect the privacy, shame, and dignity of the kind,helpful and hopelessly drunk. You probably dont know who you are]


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Picture This

I didnt take any pictures while at Phoenix but here are a few that give a decent impression of itthat I found on the internet.

First, Heres where the club is on the map

And the midday street view (from the side alley)

It looks like itssupposed to resemble some kind of warehouse or something in an alley. It lookssketchier at night but Im not sure if itsbecause of the alley or the people.


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Some of the photos on Phoenixs website:Lotsof Ps happen here. Purple, plastic, polyester, party, people, plasteredand so on.

People usually hang out in this areait seems that only the people that actually dance forextended periods are the seriously drunk onesand those annoyingly excessive extroverts thatpeople can only tolerate in small doses on twitter. You know who Im talking about.


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And the patio floor:

This is where the adultshang outapparentlyI think its just the place where the people whowant to keep their hearing go. Of course, youre hearing is really important. If youre drivinghome wasted then you need all the help and sensory you can keep right?*

*Dont drink and drive kids. Remember onlyyoucan prevent drunk accidents! I think I stole thatfrom Smokey the Bear. Try to avoid drunk forest fires too then.


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And I couldnt forget CVS:

Its a very nice CVS. The store employees all seem really friendly. Next time Ill just observethis place.

assignment #1 - revised final version

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