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Sunday Happenings
When every other club in town is closing, there is a place that's just getting started. Since Christmas Night of 1998, RISE has been the only legitimate after-hours game for Bostonian slaves to the rhythm. House/techno fans may have myriad opinions about the club (cf. Yelp), but you can't say there's nowhere to go.
To celebrate a decade of sweaty throbbing grooves, RISE scheduled three weekends of special guest DJ's that started last week. The names mean nothing to this beer-swilling, dive-loving Bostonist; but they seem to have sufficient credentials to sprinkle electro-fairy dust all over the joint. We either couldn't stay awake last week, or were too drunk, to check out the beginning of the anniversary festivities; but there is still a chance this weekend or next.
Dancing until dawn isn't exactly cheap though. One has to be a member -- or know one -- to get into RISE. Membership plans start at $50, and you still pay a $10 cover when you go. Guests pay $20 (or $25) to get in.
We talked to Mike Swells, one of the resident DJs who's also spinning on Saturday night, to get an idea of what actually happens at Rise. Er, we mean RISE.
Bostonist: How has the crowd changed over the last 10 years -- besides being 10 years older?
Mike Swells: The crowd at RISE is always evolving. Ten years ago, RISE was opened to cater to the city's then-bustling gay community, then for a while there were ravers, then the after-Avalon crowd took over. We don't have much of an agenda, beyond providing quality underground electronic dance music. Today, we still see original members coming to the club, as well as fresh faces from the local colleges -- since we're one of the only 18+ venues in town. RISE will always be a space that welcomes and embraces diversity.
What is a good way to meet a member?
The easiest way to link up with existing RISE members is on our discussion forums. This is where members keep in touch during the week, promote events, and post reviews. Anyone who isn't a member but is curious to check out RISE as a guest, can email me to be placed on a guestlist.
Do people often try to sneak booze into the club?
Every now and then we will ask someone to leave after finding a flask or something, but it's not a regular occurrence. Members know to obey our rules, not because they fear getting kicked out, but because they respect the venue and don't want to jeopardize our future.
Is there a booze-less bar if you're thirsty? Can I get a Red Bull and glow-sticks there?
We do have drinks available: Red Bull, water, Vitamin Water, soda, juices, etc. We also have snacks in case you need some extra sugar to keep you going. No glow sticks for sale, though... You have to bring those yourself.
What happens there when it's not a dance club?
RISE has many faces! We transform into Mambos, a salsa night, every Friday night from 9:30 pm to 1:30 am. A group of local producers meet there once a month to share their music, listen to it on a club sound system, and offer critique. RISE is also available for events. We've done corporate events, wedding receptions, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, etc.
What's the capacity of the club?
It's 300 split between two floors. The top floor of the building is a 200-person room with wooden floors, huge speaker stacks, and amazing lighting. This is where the most intense music takes place during the night. The second floor of the building is a 100-person lounge, complete with couches and more mellow music to provide refuge from the mayhem above.
Is it difficult to get people to leave in the morning?
On really good nights, yes. People will refuse to leave, so the DJ will put on another encore, and the dancing begins again. It can be a wonderfully vicious cycle.
What is an average day like after you've been up until 7am?
Go home, feed myself and two hungry cats, then crawl into bed with the MacBook to catch up on emails and news... Sleep just a few hours, so I can salvage the rest of my day and go to bed at a normal time the following night. If you're not responsible about controlling your sleeping habits, you'll be living the life of a vampire before you know it.
Thanks, Mike.
RISE is located at 306 Stuart Street, Boston (near the Armory Castle).
Images courtesy of RISE and Mike Swells.
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