Thousands of men from around the globe will flock to the sun drenched Jersey shores in August for the summer’s wildest gay weekend of music, dance and friendship. This year’s Ascension Party takes place in the beautiful beach town of Asbury Park. The three-day festival begins Friday, August 4th with the VIP cocktail party, followed by ten additional parties including an underwear party, a beach party, a pool party and more!
“We are thrilled to bring Ascension back to the states,” says party founder Eric von Kuersteiner. Ascension Party launched in 2006 on Fire Island Pines, where it continued annually until 2014. For the last two summers Ascension has taken place in Mykonos. “We brought on a new partner for the weekend who brought a lot of fresh ideas including the idea to take the party to the beautiful beaches on the Jersey Shore.”
Tickets for Ascension Party 2017 are available online at www.ascensionparty.com. To find out what’s in store, I spoke to some of the world famous DJs who will be headlining the weekend’s main events.
DJ PAULO spins the Saturday Night Celebration.
How would you describe your style and sound? DJ Paulo: Tribal/Progressive layered with big vocals.
What are examples of beats you will likely be throwing down at Ascension? DJ Paulo: I probably will be bringing out some of my Paulo-Lite tracks for this event since it's by the beach. I just finished a remix of Katy Perry's "Chained to the Rhythm" that I'll be playing.
Finish this sentence: At Ascension 2017, be prepared to… DJ Paulo: Shake and sweat.
DANI TORO will spin Saturday’s Ascension Beach Party main event.
How would you describe your style and sound? Dani Toro: My style depends on the crowd. I never get to the DJ booth with a play list of tracks as I don’t know what the mood of the crowd is going to be. I start with a couple of tracks and I wait for the reaction and that decides my DJ set. Sometimes crowds want more vocals, sometimes more circuit.
What are examples of beats you will likely be throwing down at Ascension? Dani Toro: Right now, my favorite producers are Tony Moran, Paulo, Joe Gauthreaux, Tommy Love, Mauro Mozart, Tom Stephan, Thomas Solvert and, of course, myself. I'm getting amazing feedback with the remixes of my track “Lick Me Up" and also Katy Perry's "Chained To The Rhythm”. But we’ll have to see in August which songs will be favorable amongst the crowd.
Finish this sentence: At Ascension 2017, be prepared to… Dani Toro: Dance like there is no tomorrow! The Ascension team did a great job securing the line up for this new adventure in Asbury Park. You got the best of the USA DJ's and some International DJ's like me who are gonna make a perfect match for the entire weekend.
EDDIE MARTINEZ will spin Friday night’s Underwear Party.
How would you describe your style and sound? Eddie Martinez: My style is sexy and fun with lots of energy. My sets always include my original work, private mixes and edits, along with my own personal flare.
What are examples of beats you will likely be throwing down at Ascension? Eddie Martinez: I like to mix current popular tracks and give them my own stamp, such as my remixes of Britney Spears's "Just Luv Me" or Rihanna's "Sex With Me".
Finish this sentence: At Ascension 2017, be prepared to… Eddie Martinez: Sweat because it's going to be hot like a MF.
DJ LINA will spin Friday night’s VIP Cocktail Party.
How would you describe your style and sound? DJ Lina: Soulful.
What are examples of beats you will likely be throwing down at Ascension? DJ Lina: The music I play is more underground deep house so anywhere from Monique Bingham to ReelSoul, to Studio Apt and Blaze.
Finish this sentence: At Ascension 2017, be prepared to… DJ Lina: Be turned out. Ovah like a fat rat! The wonderful part about Ascension is each DJ brings their own unique style so that everyone gets what they need.
JOE GAUTHREAUX will spin Sunday’s Ascension Closing Party.
How would you describe your style and sound? Joe Gauthreaux: My sound has always been big room. I like playing for a lot of people so that's how I've tailored my music over the years.
What are examples of beats you will likely be throwing down at Ascension? Joe Gauthreaux: The most important thing for me is to connect with the crowd. A lot of times that means playing something that I know everyone will love, like "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran. Or maybe it's one of my own tracks, like "Show Me (What You Got)" that I did with DJ Grind. Its special because the crowd knows its my track, so they know they're not listening to some jukebox, but someone who is playing music that came from them.
Finish this sentence: At Ascension 2017, be prepared to… Joe Gauthreaux: Let go because it’s going to be a ride like no other.
DAN SLATER will spin Sunday’s Ascension Pool Party.
How would you describe your style and sound? Dan Slater: My DJ style and sound is uplifting, upbeat and chunky. I love vocals, and the sounds of European and South American producers.
What are examples of beats you will likely be throwing down at Ascension? Dan Slater: I’m doing the pool party so I’ll play a mixture of commercial, classic and underground tracks like Brian Justin Crum’s “Show Me Love feat. Toy Armada & DJ Grind”, Katy Perry’s “Chained To The Rhythm” and Ultra Nate’s “Desire ‘2K17”.
Finish this sentence: At Ascension 2017, be prepared to… Dan Slater: Werk!
DJ HANSEL will spin Saturday’s Ascension Beach Party main event.
How would you describe your style and sound? DJ Hansel: My sets have a very distinct sound, ranging from tech-house to tribal to my signature circuit. I’m Latin and I like to see my crowd shake and move hard so I’ll often add a bit of beats (drums) that remind me of my Latin roots.
What are examples of beats you will likely be throwing down at Ascension? DJ Hansel: There will be underground and tribal house beats, and maybe a dose of Britney mixed in.
Finish this sentence: At Ascension 2017, be prepared to… DJ Hansel: Dance and jump because it’s going to be an insane festival.
STEVE SIDEWALK will spin Sunday’s Ascension Pool Party.
How would you describe your style and sound? Steve Sidewalk: I’ve been a DJ for over 18 years now and I am pretty well known for my high energy vocal dance sets.
What are examples of beats you will likely be throwing down at Ascension? Steve Sidewalk: Expect to hear remixes and reworks of classics from Whitney, Madonna, Deborah Cox and artists like Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Beyonce. I love spinning feel good, summer anthems like a fierce house mix of "When Love Takes Over". I also love to embrace underground into my sets as well Offer Nissam and Peter Rauhofer. And since it’s a pool party, expect to hear some classics like Barry Harris’ "Dive in the Pool".
Finish this sentence - Be prepared to: Steve Sidewalk: Dance and have an amazing time. I can't wait to be part of your soundtrack for the amazing weekend that Ascension 2017 is going to be!
Ascension Party takes place Friday, August 4 through Sunday, August 6 at Asbury Park. The host hotel is The Asbury Hotel (210 5th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ). Visit ascensionparty.com for ticket information.