
*photo courtesy of David Goodhand – Pavilion, early 1990s
In honor of “Trippin on the Moon” weekend, we asked you to tell us about your first time dancing at the Pavilion. Here were answers from some of our fabulous Pines Patrons:
Larry Wilson: Memorial Day Weekend 1991 Michael Jorba. Blew me away!
Bryan E Hale: I don’t remember my first time at Pavilion, but the boys who woke up in my bed told me I had fun.
Patty Rosado: 1985 — I believe it was Michael Fierman and have been loving my second home for 25 years!!! Oh how I love thee Fire Island Pines!
Chris DeCarlo: May 19/20, 2001. I don’t remember the DJ but it was my first weekend on Fire Island ever and I met a boy at the Pavilion that night. 9 years later we’re still together.
David Goodhand: I was taken there at 19 by Andrew Kirtzman, one of the current owners, in the summer of 1982. Robbie Leslie was the DJ, and heplayed “Can We Try Again” — which became the first 12″ dance single I ever bought. David Goodhand @Larry — I still have those Memorial Day 1991 tapes! But Michael Jorba, Labor Day 1990, was the best night ever. He mixed Pet Shop Boys “Somewhere” into “Electric Dreams”.
Stephen Titus: It is all a blur.
Christopher Davis: My first time was in 2000 with my friends Don & Gary. I don’t remember the DJ but I remember the magic of seeing a room full of beautiful people dancing with smiles on their faces to the amazing thump,thump,thump of the music. I remember the quirkiness of the slanted dance floor and how the mirrors fogged up due to the mass of sweaty bodies. It was as though my dreams of leaving Louisiana had finally been realized and I was experiencing heaven on earth.
Adam Gargani: 1992. Not sure i stopped dancing since.
Alan Flippen: July 4 1994. I was daytripping out for a friend’s clambake and was persuaded to stay the night. Have no idea who the DJ was, but would be curious to know, if records still exist. The first time I remember paying attention to the DJ’s name on Fire Island was when Susan Morabito played the Morning Party in 1995 (my first season having a house there), because my friends told me this was a Very Big Deal. As best I can recall, the first time I went to the Pavilion specifically knowing and getting excited about a DJ was Michael Fierman and Buc, July 4, 1998. The blast of heat, sound and bodies was overwhelming the first few times. It helped to go with veterans who could show you around. Now (gasp) I’m one of them.
Alan Flippen @Chris DeCarlo: The DJ that night was Alex Lauterstein.
Thank you all for sharing with us!
Join us at the Disco Island Panel to learn more about the history of dance music in the Pines
