noizemagazine - Index

noizemagazine - noiZe Magazine Issue 57 August 2008 - Index

Many look at Folsom, celebrating
its 25th anniversary at the end of
September, as the one day a year
they can be themselves—to themselves
and to the wider world. A
married doctor from Kansas City
shows off his exhibitionism by walking
the fair clad in nothing but
chaps and a raging hard-on. An
executive works his submissive side
by being led around on a leash. A
lesbian shows us that a woman can
be butcher than any leather queen
could dream of being.
Much More Than a Dance Party
Franco is obsessed with translating
this freedom into a dance party, and
the result is one of the world’s truly
unique dance events.
To begin with, Magnitude is about
much more than dancing—although
there’s plenty of that—including live
demonstrations and an erotic play
space. The rooms are decorated
with images of some of the hottest
men in leather along with other
props to create a sexually-charged
atmosphere.
Franco admits that he prefers to
throw a party that gives attendees
options. “I try to create an event
that I would want to attend,” he
states. "Magnitude is the convergence
of world-class music, dancing,
live erotic demonstrations, and
interactive play. And that can only
exist in conjunction with the Folsom
Street Fair.”
The crowd ranges from the 30s to
50s (with representatives from either
side of the spectrum, to be sure).
These guys may not be going out
every weekend anymore, but when
they come to Magnitude, they are
ready to party. There may be more
men with chest hair and harnesses
25
Healthy Am I! Happy Am I! holy Am I!
than shirtless twinks with smooth bodies,
but muscle abounds … and lots and
lots of fun.
One might think the music would be a
dark after-hours style. It isn’t. Franco
works with the DJ to create a journey
into sexual bliss. “Since the crowd is a
bit older, they may not be up on a lot of
new music.” Franco said, “We always
throw in a section of classic dance
anthems from the past decade to
remind folks of the Circuit heyday.”
Neil Lewis, who spun for five of the first
six years of the event, had a major influence
on Magnitude’s sound. “We have
had some great DJs like Susan Morabito
and Mark Anthony spin for us,” Franco
says. “Since Neil's death, we've tried to
honor his tradition with exceptional new
musical talent like Joe Gauthreaux.”
This year’s DJ, Paul Goodyear, is returning
for another spin at the wheels of
steel. Goodyear was a close friend of