Events

[ELECTRONIC/DANCE] Promoter Mike Marshall of MNM Presents is the guy who wakes up on Christmas morning and gets to work. While you’re eating your holiday ham, he’s finishing up all of the preparations for his annual Christmas Party, at the Pearl Street Grill.

This year the line up includes DJ Cutler, Dusty Bits, Your Boy Medison, DJ 3PO, Greg “Twist” Howze, HOOGS with Braka D, Drumsound BLVD,  Eyes Everywhere, Shooter McNappin, Big BASHA, the OWSKI, Stuntman, HEEZY, Chuck Abbott, and more, all spread across four rooms with different themes. This week we talked to Marshall about how he’s maintained this epic party for so long. 

What does the party mean to you after doing it for 10 years?
It means we’re old [laughs]. Nah, that’s an easy answer—it means it’s become somewhat of an institution I guess, right? It was set out as a place for the “counterculture” to gather, dance hard to electronic music, and see all their friends in a safe place. And that’s exactly what it still is. Other than getting a little bigger, it hasn’t changed a bit in that department. It’s not always easy keeping up with evolving musical tastes, and crowds, but that’s what we do. We’re really into the music and it’s a big part of the fun. The party sticks to its roots while molding to the times, and that’s not ever going to change. All trap everything this year [laughs]

How do you prepare for it? 
A lot of work and a lot of love. It’s a become a well-oiled machine, but we are always adding or changing. As you can imagine, there’s about 100 people involved [in the set up]; between staff, production, talent, security, and promotion—all working on a holiday. Everyone loves this party or it wouldn’t be happening. We’re blessed for the team!

What aspect of the party do you look forward to the most?
The smiles and hugs—100 percent. There are so many of them on this night. If you were to ask anyone that’s been there, that might be their answer. Seeing the new people is another. For a lot of us, it’s not our first rodeo. And to keep life fresh you need new blood. To see someone walk into something that’s cultivated for 11 years, it’s their first time and they love it.. knowing they’ll be back for 10 more. It’s awesome. But to answer strictly as a patron? I just want to see my “family.”