ROCKSTAR HOTEL

Pre-MMVA Party @ Gladstone Hotel

by Sass Zucket

I gave up a night of gushing over guitar babes at North by Northeast to attend THE hottest ticket in town on Saturday night; the exclusive invite-only pre-MMVA party at the Gladstone Hotel hosted by District Lifestyle Marketing in conjunction with Pink Mafia.

Evidently, I was invite-worthy. OK, so maybe I was there under El Presidente's decree and when she mentioned I could go, I yelped YES! YES! YES! Oh gee lucky me! and choked on my own fame-gluttonous salivation at the opportunity. Charlie and his chocolate factory ain't got nuttin' on the golden ticket to Rockstar Hotel. I mean who wouldn't forgo fawning over dirty rockstar wannabes at NXNE to legitimately party like a rock, party like a rockstar?

Ladies laden with laptops at the door, granted party go-ers with customized guitar picks as drink tickets, and thusly I pounded back Heinekens all night, because rockstars drink like tanks.

A traffic light of red, yellow and green wristbands marked the VIPs and who's who from what whats. Hoards of Canadian musicians and TV personalities passed through the photog lined red carpet into the packed party.  Stars included the New Kids on the Block (Omg omg omg!), Dwight from The Office, Much Music VJs and Canadian Idols.  If you weren't one for getting starstruck, then you would have at least rubbed shoulders with all your fellow cool and hip comrades of the music and party scene.

Whilst schmoozing, I overheard and responded to many a "Oh hi! I should have figured you'd be here!?" Yea. Y? Know why? Cuz I'm awesome.

A gaggle of people had to gather at the foot of the stairs in the lobby vying to get to the crème of the crop upper floors where gifting suites were situated. The hyper-exclusive event had just become INTRA-exclusive. The popular party had reached capacity as early as 11pm. Sponsors such as Fido, Zune, Fuze, New Era and Herbal Essences created little respites of product promotion and giveaways. Guests left with bags chock full of Puma slippers, laptop bags, baseball caps and more.

The belle of the ball being Pink Mafia don, Anna Von Frances, herself, navigating the crowds in a frothy, peach, frock. We can thank her for the kick-ass music by the likes of local faves Shit La Merde and Fierce Helder. Patrons could also try their hand at playing their own music in the X-Box live room with the game, Rock Band. I sang The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go" and scored a 92%.

Needless to say all the free alcohol, swag and awkward flirting with Jordan Knight made me more of a rockstar with every minute I partied at Rockstar Hotel. Woohoo!