Chillin’ at the Soft Club & Revvin’ Up at Kia Soul

Donovan Leitch is the master of themed music nights. First we had a John Hughes tribute; now, there’s the Soft Club. How soft, you ask? There’s a cuddly muppet on one of the flyers, and an old People magazine cover with Tatum O’Neal and Kristy McNichol. That’s how soft. The concept for the bi-weekly party‚ thrown with Frankie Inglese at the Palihouse, is 70s easy listening. Think John Denver, Sonny Bono, and Captain & Tennille. (Dare we dream about Air Supply? We do.) The party actually has old roots, going back to 1997 at NYC’s Moomba club, when Leitch paired up with Russell Steinberg (nee Johnny Favyva) for a similar party. Not strictly relegated to the 70s, the theme is simple: “Long ago and so far away.”

The soft and easy approach is already a hit: the last event pulled in some notables, including Dylan McDermott, Rose McGowan, Matt Sorum, Kirsty Hume, Tatiana von Furstenberg, and Bret Easton Ellis. Says Donovan, “I think that the Soft Club is a great lounge experience where you can hear these classic soft hits and guests can talk about the good old days. The music is very happy and uplifting, and it also plays to an older crowd. There are plenty of clubs out there to go hear the bangers, but Soft Club is a place to go and hang out with friends and have a cocktail and a laugh.” At the Palihouse every other Thursday. 

If, on the contrary, you are up for a rarin’ crazy time, KIA is offering four days of don’t-stop-til’-you-get-enough concerts November 5-9, all held at Siren Studios in Hollywood. Did I mention they are free? Yes, for free you can see the Crystal Castles (Thursday night), Diplo, and Pink Dollaz (Friday night), Fool’s Gold and Janelle Monae (Saturday night), and Silversun Pickups (Sunday night). Note that you have to test drive the new Kia Soul to get the tix to the Silversun Pickups.

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