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Phobia May Flyer - Photography: Marilyn Chen; Model: Kellie
Have no fear! Phobia is back Friday, May 1! (See what I did there?)
After a one month vacation, Phobia is back, but not without some changes. Spring4th no longer allows patrons to bring their own booze because they now have a full cash bar. [Read: cash money, so go to the ATM beforehand or you'll be SOL!] This change may or may not affect attendence. In addition, because of local laws, alcohol will be served until 2:30am. After last call for alcohol, the bar will remain open until the event ends at 6:00am to serve non-alcoholic beverages such as juice, sodas, and energy drinks.
I ran into some friends at the Funker Vogt show April 20 and got some of their opinions. They shared several of their opinions with me, but wish to remain anonymous.
"Phobia is a great event, but part of the draw is the B.Y.O.B. With so many expensive cover charges and bars here in Atlanta, it's nice to be able to go out and not have to worry about what your bar tab is going to be at the end of the night."
"We go to Phobia every month, and it's definitely worth the cover charge as long as it is B.Y.O.B. But Spring4th is not the best of venues. I can't imagine that events there will continue to be successful now that people have to pay for their drinks. Hopefully the owners will realize this and after a few months things will go back to normal."
I talked to Oni, one of the event organizers with Agoraphobia Productions, who assured me, "Phobia is still the same party. We hate that we are no longer able to make it B.Y.O.B., but we're going to work twice as hard to put on amazing shows so that people keep coming back."
Oni, Phobia's Hostess with the Mostest, will be celebrating her birthday which will certainly add to the fun of the event. And after seeing the flyer, I have to agree with her that this month's Phobia will not disappoint. Not only will veteran DJs Aesthetic and Anthony be spinning, but guests will also be treated to a special performance by Purgatory the Road Show. For anyone that never made it to Purgatory in Charlotte, North Carolina, you are in for a treat. Purgatory the Road Show promises the same professionalism and energy that they brought to the stages back in North Carolina. Purgatory, organized by Single Cell Productions, hosted its final event April 18, 2009.
This month's theme is Carnival of Kink. Although Cyberaver's most recent theme was Carnival of Chaos, I am still excited about this choice of theme. There is something inherently dark about carnivals, even if you're not coulrophobic (afraid of clowns)! Whether it is the fantasy or the mystery or the nostalgic feel of the carnival, it proves to be an amazing theme. And now, I have to try to outdo myself and create an even better costume than before!
As always, Master Chuck will be present to make sure that the dungeon is 100% safe and consensual. If you've never been to a fetish event, don't worry! It's not as intimidating as it sounds. The dungeon is off in it's own space, and there is plenty of other stuff to see and do at Phobia.
Hope to see you there! And remember, it's a cash bar, so don't try to bring in your bottles!
For more info: Go to http://www.agoraphobiaproductions.com/
Retraction: The bar at Spring4th also takes credit and debit cards in addition to cash.
Comments
Once again, where have these people been the last 2 years. This isn't something new or sudden the center decided. It's been blogged on, myspaced, twit'd, journal'd, talked about, and discussed openly for years, not days or months, but years. We've had articles written about it, reporters reporting on it. We've had people come out from Phobia (as well other clients) to various meetings to show support in getting the license. How could you not have known that in the course of investigating the facts for this report?
I'm not sure who you are talking to, but perhaps branch out some for a more factual based report. I'm not asking you to base your story only from the Spring4th side (though no one here has been asked, something you would assume would be done), but ask around people who actually have been around for the past 2-3 years.
We also find it hard to believe people only came to Phobia to drink their own booze. Phobia has put forth some of the best shows seen in the south-east and they have certainly gave (and still give) local competitors a run for the fans. It would be hard to believe they only came because Phobia was BYO.
It would be a sad thing if people didn't come to Phobia based on the change at Spring4th but still go to The Jungle, The Spot, Lenny's, Masq, and all the other places that have never allowed BYOB. It would then seem is was just the booze that brought them and not the awesome talent Phobia is known for. A sad thing indeed.
Elvis Thompson
Operations Manager
Spring4th Center
www.spring4th.com
Yeah. what Elvis said.
And we take credit and debit cards too! So the comment about being SOL if you don't bring cash is also inaccurate.
Please feel free to call us when you are seeking accurate information, or check out our web site at www.spring4th.com.
For Phobia fans that haven't been to the Center in awhile, we've been doing a bit of sprucing up with some paint and re-doing the floors, so come check it out.
Stacey Day
Spring4th Center
404 870 0040
We greatly encourage members of the media to contact us with questions regarding the Center.
Most media outlets strive to provide balanced and informed articles and, if contacted, will be pleased to provide answers to any questions regarding the Center or the events held here.
I'm going to have to agree with Casey and her sources on this - The new alcohol policy has raised some unknowns. BYOB allowed drinking all night - The license means drinking stops at 2 or 3. The liquor license also allows increased oversight from the authorities which could put a wet blanket on the fun. Maybe people will stop doing the activities that bring me back to the parties. We'll have to wait and see how things develop. But on the positive side, with a direct revenue stream maybe door prices and venue rental costs will decrease allowing more parties to be planned and more people to venture in. I know I have mixed feelings about the changes but I'm willing to be patient and see what happens.
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