Dirtybirds of a Feather Flock Together | The Closing of The Mid Chicago

All good things must come to an end, but not without one of the biggest celebrations Chicago has ever seen. It was a 22-hour dance marathon that was sure to test even the strongest wills. Spanning from 7 A.M. to 5 A.M. Gene Farris, Steve Gerard B2B Ron Caroll, Phives, Art Bat, Dani Deahl, Gordo, Animale, Light Em Up and more kept the beats going from sunrise to sunset and sunrise. Again proving The Mid knows how to throw a party. And who better to bring The Mid Chicago to a close but the Dirtybird himself Claude VonStroke.

The energy was high out the gate with a long line of clubgoers ready to dance at the 7 am opening.  While many retreated to their respective homes and hotels midday to rest, one woman I spoke to had been there since 10 am and lasted to the final notes to grace the club. I myself boogied from 3 P.M. to 5 A.M. As the night grew darker and the bass got deeper, I couldn’t help but notice less and less room on the dance floor. Though The Mid boasts an 801 capacity, I was sure I was dancing with 1000 of my closest Chicago house heads.

When Claude VonStroke, took the stage The Mid was in a complete uproar. As he told me earlier in the day he made sure not to repeat a single track from the previous nights’ performance. With lasers on overtime and decibels reaching new lows, it’s a night Chicago is sure to remember for years to come. The Mid will be missed as a favorite night gathering and music festival after-party hot spot. The night concluded with Barclay playing “Percolator” saying “This song is the reason I got into house music.” Lastly, paying homage to the Chicago house roots, “The Whistle Song” by Frankie Knuckles rang through to guide the Chicago music scene to a new era that exists without The Mid.

Unfortunately, 306 North Halsted will be demolished and apartments will be built in its place. As for what the future entails for the previous owners of the night club, only the future will tell. A friendly bathroom attendant spoke on the future, alluding to new ventures coming to the city of Chicago in about six months.

For Claude VonStroke, the future is brighter than ever. He just released his new YouTube talk show, “Stroke Show”. A partnership with Dance Mania at Birdhouse Festival along with a compilation comes out at the festival. It will feature 6 remixes of classic dance tracks. Some of the artists in attendance at Birdhouse will be Eric Martin, Paul Johnson, and DJ Dion just to name a few.

I would like to personally thank all of the owners, staff, promoters, club goers that have made The Mid their home away from home. It will surely be missed by many, not only in the city, but all over the country.

*Claude VonStroke | Image Via rukes.com*