No Sleep This Weekend On Fire Island: Pavilion's All-Star Line-Up

Aha, so you actually thought you were going to be able to get some sleep this weekend. If you are lucky enough to have scored a place to stay on Fire Island -- no easy task, with Ascension bringing in hardcore partygoers from around the world -- you can plan on all of those day parties stretching into the wee hours of the morning, thanks to an all-star Pavilion line-up.

On Friday, Aug. 19, Tracy Young brings her hard-driving signature beats and original remixes to the fabled Pines nightclub. On Saturday, veteran Manny Lehman shows how someone who started in the Paradise Garage days combines Old Skool with the latest anthems. And on Sunday, Paulo returns --�'nuff said there!

Friday: Tracy Young

This DJ, who has moved between Miami, L.A. and New York City, began her career in her native Washington, D.C., as a radio hip-hop artist. But in Miami, where she established herself as a breakout DJ who could straddle gay and straight club nights, she came to the attention of a certain one-named chanteuse.

It was Madonna who chose Young to remix some of her biggest hits, as well as DJ her wedding. Her Genesis parties on New Year's Day became one of Miami's must-attend events.

Here on Fire Island, Young has become known for her sets for the annual Independence party on July Fourth Weekend. Her House-influenced music is heavy on the bass beats intermixed with electronica and just enough tribal to keep the sound system booming. There's also a tinge of trance. The combination is explosive and will keep you moving until the sun rises.

Saturday: Manny Lehman

Anyone who's been on the scene is familiar with Manny Lehman, who headlined the Black Party this year. The native New Yorker learned from the �r-gay DJ, the granddaddy of both anthem-inflected Circuit music and the soul derived House, Garage and hip-hop sounds, Larry Levan, at the legendary Paradise Garage.

Lehman combines diva anthems with House, for a unique sound that is both soulful and pulsating.

Sunday: Paulo

If there is one night this weekend when you absolutely have to hit the Pavilion, it will be Sunday, Aug. 21.

First of all, this is the closer to one of the island's biggest party days, with the mammoth Ascension party during the day, and Tony Moran headlining the closing party afterward. I've always cherished these Sunday nights at the Pavilion as the capper to a big party weekend on the island, when the "amateurs" have all gone to bed (or back to town), and the "professionals" take over the dance floor. These are the serious dancers.

Paulo had one of (if not the) most successful nights last year at the Pavilion, also the night of Ascension. I'm only hoping that this becomes a tradition.

This year, he played a set July Fourth Weekend that people are still talking about. Be prepared: The dance floor will be packed, hot, and fully of sweaty men.

Not that there's anything wrong with that!