IGNITION™ - The Story Behind The NIght That Re-built Orlando's Dance Music Scene.

How 2 broke DJs and a local promoter sent shock waves through the dance music community without a dime!

Transcript

1. The story behind the night that rebuilt Orlando’s dance music scene. TM
2. THIS SHOULD TURN OUT REALLY GREAT FOR A NEW BEGINNING TO AN AWESOME VENUE WITH GREAT MEMORIES - EON MILLER For many years Orlando’s dance music scene was overshadowed by Miami’s glitz and glamor, monopolized by a handful of promoters and DJ residencies, and lacked the unity that once made it a staple in the U.S. dance music scene. In February of 2012, the EDM scene in Orlando saw a dramatic shift with IGNITION. Alex Wood, a student from the University of Central Florida, and Vernon Foster II, a graduate of Florida State University, joined forces to create a grassroots movement in Orlando focused on creativity, talent, and a passion for music – a movement that would foster the growth of the scene. With no money in their pockets, they assembled a team of passionate EDM fans, DJs, and performers and began working on a night that would be called IGNITION – the spark of the EDM scene in Orlando. Both of them decided against any DJs having residencies, even if it meant that they wouldn’t be residents themselves.
3. YES! FINALLY SOMEONE BRINGING THE DANCE SCENE BACK TO ORLANDO - CHERYL MERIDA Vernon had previously met local music promoter Dave Marren who was working at Firestone Live (originally called Club Firestone, ranked #1 Club in U.S. by Rolling Stones Magazine 95’- 96’) while DJing at the venue during a hip-hop event. He approached Dave and pitched the idea of doing an electronic night at Firestone, something that Alex and Vernon had been discussing for quite some time. Vernon, Alex and Dave combined their passion for music with ideas from past concert and event experiences to create a concept for a new type of night. The idea was to give younger, inexperienced DJs a venue to develop their skills and create an unpretentious festival atmosphere with unmatched production, the kind that would once again unite Orlando’s dance music scene. IGNITION would truly become Orlando’s only weekly music festival. After some due diligence Dave, Vernon and Alex were able to get a meeting with the owner to pitch the idea they were concocting. “I was still working my real estate gig then so when I rolled up in a suit and tie they were probably thinking, ‘Who’s this idiot?’ I was more nervous than doing a closing and hoped that I looked like I knew what the hell I was doing, because honestly I had no idea. I brought some bagels from Panera though.” And it worked.
4. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE SICKEST NIGHT OF ALL TIME! - KOBY MATTHEW After solidifying an agreement with the owner, it was time to get started. They assembled a team and promoted the upcoming night at parties, events, and nightclubs throughout the Central Florida area from October 2011 until February 2012, which was to be the grand opening of Firestone Live and IGNITION. On February 2nd, 2012 the spark was ignited as an explosion of over 1,600 patrons packed the venue from wall to wall and has continued to do so ever since its doors opened. IGNITION has been an instrumental catalyst in the Orlando dance music scene that has caused artists, producers, performers, and fans alike to come out of the woodwork and support the growth of this movement. It is Orlando's only weekly EDM event to combine over fifteen local electronic artists in four themed rooms, cutting-edge 3D projection mapping, fire-breathing poi spinners, exotic go-go dancers, stilt walkers, and more for an incredible indoor festival experience.
5. IF YOU LOVE ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC, THEN YOU NEED TO COME CHECK OUT IGNITION - JOSIE SCARPA The promoters of the night went on to form Alliance Events & Nightlife, which hosts IGNITION every week and has shown to be an essential tool to help reunite the scene. By partnering with local and regional promoters, Alliance has brought in and worked with national acts such as Knife Party, Dillon Francis, Felix Cartal, Alvin Risk, Alex Metric, Nadastrom, Flosstradamus, Rednek, Destructo, Nerd Rage, and KillaGraham. Not to mention the hundreds of local DJs who have finally been given a stage to showcase their talents. “Our cause has continued to gain support with each week and IGNITION is now a household name to all Floridian EDM fans.” Adding, “We credit the fans, DJs, artists, and performers for what we’ve been able to accomplish. None if this would be possible without their continued help and support in making IGNITION what it has become. We had the passion and persistence to get things off the ground, but they make the pilgrimage here every week from all across the state just to be a part of this experience.” - The Alliance Family
6. For more information on IGNITION and bookings please contact Alliance at booking@alliancenightlife.com