Hot shots

Scenes and party goers snapped at venues and events around town. All photos by Erik Jacobs.
  • Gardner After Hours

  • After Hours
  • When: Feb. 21, 2008
  • Venue: Gardner Museum
  • The scene: On the third Thursday night of every month, the Gardner Museum invites people in to sip cocktails, absorb the art, enjoy live music, and mingle in one of the city's most stunning settings. We stopped by and chatted with the mostly young professional crowd.
  • Bembe

  • Bembe
  • When: Feb. 15, 2008
  • Venue: Red Fez
  • The scene: Bembe, an Afro-Latin dance celebration, already packs halls monthly in Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco.

    DJs Carlos Mena, Max Pela, Sabine, and Adam Gibbons brought the beat to the Red Fez in the South End. And boy, what a beat it was.

  • Salsa Sundays

  • Salsa Sundays
  • When: Feb. 10, 2008
  • Venue: Ryles Jazz Club
  • The scene No matter how chilly the Sunday, the upstairs dance hall at Ryles is always hot. The Cambridge venue has hosted Salsa Sundays for about three years, and dancers come from all around the city and region to dip, spin, and cha-cha-cha. And don't worry if you have two left feet: There's a salsa lesson for beginners before the dance floor opens up.
  • Paris @ Estate

  • Party with Paris
  • When: Feb. 6, 2008
  • Venue: The Estate
  • The scene: Paris Hilton just received the Woman of the Year award from Harvard Lampoon. Obviously she had to celebrate. So Miss Thang stopped by The Estate's first anniversary party.

    The celebutante danced on stage with little people dressed as Oompa Loompas. Why not?

  • Saturdays @ Sanctuary

  • Sanctuary @ Night
  • When: Feb. 2, 2008
  • Venue: Sanctuary
  • The scene: Sanctuary is a three-floor bar and lounge on State Street. Dance as the DJ spins hip-hop, rock, and Top 40 tunes, under the watchful eyes of wooden Buddhas.

    Or join the well-heeled crowd at the bar for a cheeky martini. A Lusty Latte (caramel-infused vodka, espresso liquor, and a chocolate hazelnut cookie), perhaps?

  • Thunderdome

  • Thunderdome X
  • When: Jan. 25, 2008
  • Venue: Greek American Club
  • The scene: Nothing says party like the Greek American Political Club in Cambridge, right? Imagine partying in your high school friend's basement, but with better music. Cobra Kai — DJ Krames and designer Nick the Drake — headlined.

    And as Thunderdome's MySpace page attests: "This is a movement."

  • Heroes

  • Heroes

  • When: Jan. 19, 2008
  • Venue: T.T. the Bear's
  • The scene: Clamoring for a place to get your groove on to Blondie and Depeche Mode? Look no further than Heroes at T.T. the Bear's in Cambridge. DJ Chris Ewen spins new wave, punk, and electro music for the black-clad masses on select Saturday nights.

    Grab your leggings and sparkly eye makeup and check out these scenesters.