Dear Friends of Big Boogie Nights,
About 10 and a half years ago, when I first arrived in the Bay Area, I noticed the lack of places to party for Big People and those who love us. I immediately started working on a promotion called Big Boogie Nights due to success of my mainstream and plus sixe promotions in my hometown of Atlanta. After 1 year of research, marketing and scouting locations we kicked off our first party on November 20, 2000 at Main Street Tavern in Martinez and we were an immediate success.
In our 10 years, we've been featured in several local newspapers articles as well as featured on KPIX Channel 5 TWICE. Our feature on Sacramento Station KOVR CBS 13 won a local Emmy Award for their feature on Big Boogie Nights in the winter of 2002 and we have been featured on a few documentaries, one we aren't very proud of. While we didn't create the Plus Size Movement as many came before us, we are the longest running plus size party promotion in the Bay Area and the second longest running promotion in the state after Big Differences in LA.
Though we are a party promotion, it isn't easy to keep your numbers up as venues have one thing in mind regarding promotions: MONEY! If the venue doesn't make what it needs to make then they aren't interested in you anymore. While we've had successful partnerships with several locations starting with Main Street Tavern and ending with Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord we realize it's a business first.
Many hotels we've used have remodeled so that it's not compatible for us anymore. Most hotels that had adjacent nightclubs that are of a major chain have been dictated to remove clubs from their premises due to the increase in insurance. The days of hotel nightclubs are ending and because many of our patrons that come to BBN require hotels, it has been hard for us to secure a venue that will fit our needs. Several nightclubs have approached us about moving our promotion there, but with the bar guarantee requirements and the lack of parking and hotels, we didn't feel we could get the numbers we needed for it to be a success.
So we are a promotion and party family without and home and not a foreseeable anytime soon. Because of that and my relocation back to the East Coast, I regret to inform you that we are suspending operations of Big Boogie Nights. We do hope to have a send off party by the end of the Spring but realistically speaking I'm not sure that will happen.
You all have made Big Boogie Nights and I appreciate each and everyone of you. I realize that some will take this e-mail and run with it but rest assure the only reason why Big Boogie Nights is closing is due to lack of venue and lack of a venue that will be a fit for all of us.
Almost 10 years promoting the same party in the club industry is a huge accomplishment. Being able to have Las Vegas' First BBW Pajama Jammie Jam that peaked at 450 attendees in 2005 is something I will always be proud of! Being able to help Club Curves get off the ground with our BBN Promotion in 2001 and 2002 is also something I'm proud of. Partnerships with Torrid and other businesses that cater to Big People were a win-win situation for all of us. The many people, friends, DJs, and Plus Size people that supported us drama free will be engraved in my heart, forever! When I first starting doing media for Big Boogie Nights, I used to say how we wanted Big People to be comfortable at our events, and we wanted to help all of us be comfortable at mainstream events. Though we aren't ending Big Boogie Nights on the terms I would have liked, I feel that we've accomplished that. Look at many of the nightclubs in the Bay Area and you now see people of all shapes and sizes there. That was a big goal and I'm proud that you all made that happen.
I'm not going to name check all of those who have been there with me in this exciting promotion, you all know what you mean to me even those who went on to other things and I will always be grateful for all you've done.
Big People Promotions will continue and some will be a success. Many have started in the Bay Area after Big Boogie Nights, some because they felt there was another need, some because they were malicious. Many didn't last, a few stayed because they were motivated and dedicated for the right reasons. To those who started through your attendance of Big Boogie Nights and learned based on my triumphs and my failures, I wish you the best.
And it don't stop! So rock on party people and God Bless!
One Love,
DJ Zulu
Founder and Co-Promoter
Big Boogie Nights BBW Parties
Events | About | Gallery | The Fresh Bros (DJ Team) | Join List | Merch | B.B.N. Beats | Contact |
B.B.N. Banners
