Ferry Corsten Puts EDM Fans in a Trance at TLA

Good Friday and the first night of Passover too place last night in Philly but all the religions in the world couldn’t stop trance fans from packing into the Theater of the Living Arts to see DJ Ferry Corsten.

Corsten, who hails from Amsterdam, is credited with creating the sound known as Dutch Trance in the 1990’s.

The show, Corsten’s first in Philadelphia in the last seven years was presented by Mass EDMC, NV Concepts, and Steez Promo, and opened with support from local DJs Jeff Heart and David Vaux.

Playing on decks situated between two large digital screens, Corsten’s set kicked off around midnight to a roar of cheers.

From that point it was like a 2 hour work-out for the dancing TLA patrons, the smoke cannons on stage, and Corsten’s smile. His constant grin was a testament to how much the man enjoys thrilling crowds and whipping them into a trance.

The crowd enjoyed it every bit as much as the DJ.

You can check out a full photo gallery below:

 

Wing Bowl 20 Eats Past Competitions Under the Table

SportsRadio WIP’s Wing Bowl celebrated its 20th anniversary on a record setting day Friday. Before a massive crowd at the Wells-Fargo Center, defending champion Super Squibb took on a star-studded field that included former Wing Bowl champ El Wingador, and competitive eating legend Takeru Kobayashi.

2012 was Kobayashi’s first time competing in Wing Bowl after witnessing it live in 2011. Last year’s Bowl was decided by a single wing with Super Squibb setting a Wing Bowl record with 255 wings. It would take a wing and a prayer for Squibb to defend in title.

The parking lots were full of rowdy fans in the wee morning hours and they began packing into the venue when the doors opened just after 5am.

The event is a massive showcase of eating, pageantry, and scantily clad (sometimes topless) women.  It draws on-lookers from all walks of life including professional athletes, local personalities, and adult film stars.

With a top prize of $20,000 and a new car up for grabs, there is much more than just the crown on the table.

After a gauntlet parade of contestants (complete with entourages and Wingettes), the national anthem, and a ceremonial gong ringing, it was time to get down to business.

The eating was fast and furious in the first round and when the bones settled, Kobayashi had set an opening round Wing Bowl record. With many of the lesser eaters down for the count, the heavy weights squared off in round two.

Kobayashi, Super Squibb, El Wingador, U.S. Male, Chilita, and a host of others pounded wing after wing at a nauseating pace. By the end of the second round Kobayashi had eaten a gut-busting 300+ wings! After the final two-minute speed round, he had smashed the old record of 255 wings, finishing with a mind-boggling 337 wings!

He was awarded $20,000 and vowed to return next year to defend his crown. Second place, and a new car, went to Super Squibb with 271 wings. El Wingador, U.S. Male, and Chilita (the only female contestant) rounded out the top five.

2012 marked the first years that fans votes (via text message) determined the Wingette of the Year. She won a new Harley Davidson motorcycle.

For those 18+ wishing to feast your hungry eyes on over 100 additional photos,

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Dancegiving with Wolfgang Gartner Gives Electronica Fans Plenty to Be Thankful For

After spending Thursday eating turkey, and the next day shopping at one crazy sale after the next, many people in Philadelphia simply chose to take it easy on Friday night.

For fans of electronic music however, it was time for the real holiday feast. The Electric Factory was stuffed with fans who packed the venue to experience Dancegiving (presented by Committee Entertainment and Art of Electronica), an event that featured DJ’s Dubsef, Michael Myers, David Solano, Porter Robinson, and headliner Wolfgang Gartner.

The night kicked off around 8pm with musical appetizers served up by Dubsef and Michael Myers. It was the first taste of what was to come over the next several hours and wet everyone’s palate.

The first course was then dished out by David Solano, who is no stranger to Philadelphiaha after playing several of the Dayglow events here in 2011. His set featured a savory track selection that left those in attendance hungry for more.

Next up was Porter Robinson who laid out a delectable spread of tasty beats which he mixed together with precision. The ravenous crowd ate it up! Not even a tryptophan infused cocktail could keep you from sitting this set out. The energy in the place was through the roof.

Around 12:15am it was finally time for everyone’s favorite part of the meal, dessert. Wolfgang Gartner wasted no time in satisfying the Electric Factory’s collective sweet-tooth with a divine sampling as confetti rained down on the ecstatic crowd. It was truly the icing on the cake.

Those who attended Dancegiving left feeling thankful to have been treated to a night of great music. For anyone who sat this one out, consider yourself a turkey.

**To view an expanded photo gallery and video of Dancegiving, CLICK HERE**