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NEW ORLEANS | If the neon lights are on, come on in. That’s the unofficial slogan of the former Bywater boxing ring and corner grocery now known as the Saturn Bar, where the 60’s Mod Dance Party has held court for the last several years.
The concept originated nine years ago at the Circle Bar on Lee Circle, a venue that the evolving party outgrew. The all-night dance party always starts hopping around 11 p.m. and winds down sometime around 5 a.m. While I’ve never stayed until the official end, I have had to squeeze past the still jumping crowd as I ambled out the door at around 4:30 in the morning.
• See more photos from the Mod Dance Party!
The DJs are Matt Uhlman (aka DJ Matty, prop master for the New Orleans Opera), and Kristen Zoller (aka DJ Kristen). They exclusively spin vinyl 45s and 33s, primarily 1960s mod dance music. My personal favorite is The Trashmen’s “Surfin Bird,” most recently brought back into the pop mainstream by Peter Griffin of "Family Guy ." I always enjoy watching the crowd go absolutely insane, bouncing around, pausing, and laughing hysterically as the audio ramps back up mid-song.
The people were decorated a little differently than usual Saturday night, though most outfits were comprised of flashy colors and styles from the 60s to 80s. A few folks visited Saturn Bar after the 6 t’ 9 Social Aid & Pleasure Club Parade, still decked out in costumes and cutting a rug.
The rear portion of the bar was cleaned out in 2006 to allow for band and dance space, removing the old pool table and heaps of clutter. The small balcony overlooking the former boxing ring space is still there. It’s three-sided, evoking a mini-Tipitina’s feel and offering a fantastic vantage point to watch the sweaty amalgamation of brightly colored flailing dancers below. Others choose the balcony for a chance to rest in an old chair and chat, or to use as their personal go-go dance platform.
Saturn Bar is a destination in and of itself, complete with bright neon lights and murals on the ceiling. The bar, particularly the balcony, features over fifty or so fascinating paintings and murals by outsider artist Mike Frolich. (You can also view an impressive mural a few blocks away at Yellow Moon Bar on France at Dauphine, recently uncovered during renovation).
Additionally, it has been used as a set in a few movie sets and is a favored dive of actors, most notably Nicolas Cage several years ago. Last month, Cage said about returning to New Orleans to film the recent movie Bad Lieutenant, said he “had some experiences in New Orleans that I don't want to talk about. Let's just say that I knew that returning would put me face-to-face with demons.”
Whether he was speaking of substance-fueled late nights at Saturn Bar or his two former homes we may never know.
Saturn Bar is located at 3067 St. Claude Avenue, and features regular music performances by indie/punk/rock groups from as close as New Orleans, and as far away as France (Nov. 3) and England (Nov. 5). The next Mod Dance Party is planned for November 14th at 11PM.
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Matty, thanks for always putting on such a great performance!