Students involved in creation, and evolution, of great parties

Weekly on the Walk, students are bombarded by glossy, colorful flyers coming in all directions -- promotions for Penn's clubbing scene. Last Thursday, Le Monde productions -- composed of five Penn undergraduates who formed a party promoting company in the fall of 1999 -- created a new nighttime experience for about 600 area college students at Delaware Avenue's club Evolution. The off-campus event united Penn's talent, combining Wharton sophomore DJ Irfane, Guest DJ Manolo, Penn dance company Strictly Funk and a fashion show with top tier brands Dolce & Gabbana, Gianfranco Ferre and BCBG. "It's freakin' awesome. A brilliant idea. Something different, new -- it's exciting," said a student from George Mason University who was attending the Penn Model United Nations Conference this past weekend. The crowd erupted when Strictly Funk took the stage with flashlights as props, prior to the night's fashion show. DJ Manolo, a resident DJ at Club Avalon in Boston, spun Trance, House, Latin, Middle Eastern and Bhangra music. During the pre-party at Ristorante DiPalma, DJ Manolo said, "Music breaks barriers, and tonight, I'll be the mediator." Later in the evening, the music stopped for nearly an hour while police checked identification. According to Evolution Manager Demetrios Pousatis, the police arrived in response to an anonymous phone call. Regardless of setbacks, Le Monde said it always finds the experience rewarding. "The reason I love to party with these people is that even negative publicity will not bring us down," Le Monde member and College junior Lourenco Bustani said. Those who waited for the police to leave enjoyed the event. "The music is too loud. There are too many people. I'm having a great time," Wharton sophomore Kun Hsu said. At Evolution and other clubs this past year, Le Monde members said they must juggle to create the highest level of energy and somehow keep it all under control. "I hope [Penn students] can all build from this," DJ Manolo said, referring to the future of groups like Le Monde. The group's consistently high level of promotion and execution seems to pay off. College senior Isabel Rioja-Scott said, "In four years at Penn, I have never experienced such a perfect club night.... I could have sworn I was back in Spain."