CircuitMOM Productions enjoying 'the best year yet of music and moments that will last a lifetime'
Tue. September 24, 2024 10:03 AM by Ross Forman
circuitmom at 2024 chicago pride fest
photo credit // steven koch
'Summer 2024 has been the most colorful, phantasmagoric few months of my career and I wish it would not end,' says CircuitMOM
The normal summer shenanigans of over-the-top parties from CircuitMOM Productions spilled across America and into Mexico. Now Matthew Harvat, the real-life CircuitMOM, gets a minute to breathe, but not much more.
It’s now time to prep for Folsom Weekend in San Francisco, Fall Pride in Phoenix, Halloween madness and Harvat’s 60th Birthday Party.
DJ, hit the music!
“After a year-long celebration of our 25th anniversary last year, I thought 2024 would be calm. But we hit the ground running in March and by the time summer finally hit, we were already five cities and 10 events in on this year,” Harvat said. “Summer 2024 has been the most colorful, phantasmagoric few months of my career and I wish it would not end. From celebrating Pride in Philadelphia in early June to taking the stage at PrideFest here in Chicago after 19 years away to our amazing debut in Mexico City for Latin America Pride at the end of June, the tone was set for a few months filled with new faces, new places and a whole lot of confetti.
“By the 4th of July, we were well on our way to not only the best summer, but the best year yet of music and moments that will last a lifetime.”
Harvat said the highlight of the summer was creating a two-hour CircuitMOM dance party for PrideFest. “The last time I was invited to be a part of that weekend was in 2005 when the Waveland Stage featured Lady Bunny as a DJ and doing her classic stand up, followed by RuPaul putting on a full concert and ending with a DJ CircuitMOM dance party set and performance to close out the night.”
Fast-forward 19 years, where Dusty Carpenter championed a CircuitMOM return on the Kit Kat Stage to close out Saturday night with an incredible performance by Kinley Preston, leading into a signature two-hour dance party, featuring Miami’s DJ Alex Lo and sexy, sculpted go-go dancers. Not to mention 24 costumes, 10 cast members, four confetti blasts and a full-on severe weather warning threatening to shut things down early.
“It felt good to be celebrating all things Halsted, gay Chicago and Pride,” Harvat said.
The summer of 2024 also will be remembered for CircuitMOM’s work across America. For instance, Philadelphia. “We took a huge leap of faith and moved our event in Philadelphia from a smaller club vibe to an amazing full-on concert venue, The Fillmore,” Harvat said. “For a local Chicago comparison, it would be like moving from Fantasy (Nightclub in Lakeview) to The Aragon Ballroom.”
Despite the stress, the Philadelphia festivities were near-perfect. “Opulence” with DJs Brett Oosterhaus and Alex Acosta drew rave reviews. And Harvat, er, CircuitMOM got to share the stage with Miss Envy Peru (winner of Drag Race Holland) and made a new, lifelong friend along the way, he said “We ended up with the largest Gay Pride dance party in Philadelphia history and the crowd was so gracious and welcoming,” Harvat said. “I hope we continue to grow that party for years to come.”
Harvat also brought the confetti, glitter and more to Mexico City for Latin America Pride.
“It has been a lifelong dream to visit Mexico City, so what better way to finally make it happen than to be there during the massive gay pride weekend,” Harvat said. “We were invited by Jubileo to co-produce the Friday night party, ‘Abyss,’ with DJ’s Amin Mustafa, our very own Mohammad and superstar Anne Louise. Not only was the city electric with gay energy, but the crowds were very passionate about the music, productions, DJs, performances and community.
“There were so many CircuitMOM supporters from the U.S. It is rare that I just attend a party these days, so having the rest of the weekend off to dance and enjoy so many DJs from around the world was exciting.”
Harvat and the CircuitMOM Productions cast of characters head to San Francisco in late September for a Rated X Party, naturally, as part of the annual Folsom Weekend, marking CircuitMOM’s debut in SF.
“I performed for their gigantic gay pride weekend in 2001, but I have never attended, performed or co-produced a party for Folsom Weekend,” Harvat said. “With our 26-year history with IML Chicago, it felt like a natural progression to expand into that market by partnering with Ky Martinez Events for the 2024 version of his sexy Saturday night party, ‘Rated X.’
“We are rolling into Space 550 with production, decor, international go-go dancers such as Johneast.Fitness and the only indoor/outdoor nighttime Folsom party with two sound systems and three of our favorite DJs: Mohammad, Karsten Sollors and Micky Friedmann. We are going out early to see the city, support the other local promoters’ events and experience our first Folsom Street Festival on Sunday.”
Harvat stressed: What happens at Folsom, stays at Folsom.
Then Harvat and Co. are Phoenix-bound, for another debut.
CircuitMOM presents Takeover, Charlie’s Phoenix on Thursday, October 17, with DJ Mohammad.
“We have this amazing partnership with Charlie’s Chicago, so when the opportunity came up to partner with one of their sister locations, we hopped in the saddle and said, ‘Yes!’,” Harvat said.
Then it’s back to Chicago in late Halloween for one of the gay community’s favorite holidays: Halloween, which locally is never just a one-day party.
CircuitMOM’s Takeover Charlie’s Chicago is Thursday, October 25, with DJs Blu 9 and Brady Prince.
Also on October 25, CircuitMOM presents Cauldron at the Orchid Theater in Detroit, featuring DJs Dan Slater, GSP and Deanne.
“For the last several years, we have had a successful Saturday night Halloween party at House of Blues, but our schedules did not match up this year,” Harvat said.
Halloween night is primed for the CircuitMOM experience as Harvat partners with A Queer Pride at House Of Blues to present “Mayhem,” featuring Drag Race alum Gigi Goode and Symone and their House Of Avalon cast from Los Angeles on the big stage. “This will be an incredible show, like only A Queer Pride can put together,” Harvat said. Doors open at 8 p.m.
CircuitMOM presents The Diamond Ball on Saturday, November 9, at The Aragon Ballroom, featuring Suri, Tony Moran and Alberto Ponzo. One can only image what CircuitMOM will be wearing for this gala, held to celebrate Harvat’s 60th birthday.
“When I was 25 or so, I could not imagine living to be 40 or even 50. Once I hit the big 5-0, I started thinking about what 60 might look like for me. It is mind-blowing that I am still on stage, still producing events and doing what I love to do and having fun,” Harvat said. “Here I am with my grey hair, covered in glitter and rhinestones getting ready to have an amazing dance party with some of the best people on the planet helping me celebrate.
“A few people in the industry, who happen to be very close friends, wanted to know why I was advertising my age when I am in the very youth-oriented business of dance music, circuit parties and the world of DJs.”
They asked Harvat: “Don’t you think that will hurt your brand?”
Absolutely not, he answered.
“Hopefully, people will see someone like me still going at it 27 years in on this crazy scene and doing OK for himself,” Harvat said. “I have always been a late bloomer in life and just maybe I have not even hit my stride yet. I hope being 60 and still coming down from the ceiling at The Aragon in the middle of a packed dance floor to do a show inspires someone out there to follow their dreams, too.”
So, what can we expect at CircuitMOM, er, Harvat’s 60th?
“We are partnering with Jungle Party Brazil for their first time coming to Chicago. They will bring their amazing aesthetic to our event, not only with one of their resident DJs, Alberto Ponzo, but also some incredible costuming like only the Brazilians can do,” Harvat said. “One of my best friends, Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Tony Moran, who has produced about 90 percent of my performance tracks over the last 26 years, is coming to spin his magical sound as well as the incomparable DJ Suri, who is coming from Spain to bring his international flair to that massive dance floor. There will be a surprise live vocalist or two, tons of go-go dancers and we are setting up the room completely differently than any other CircuitMOM event in the past.”
And yes, there of course will be cake.
Many attendees for The Diamond Ball are expected to wear white, silver, rhinestones or anything shiny.
For all the latest news on CircuitMOM Productions, go to: circuitmom.com.
It’s now time to prep for Folsom Weekend in San Francisco, Fall Pride in Phoenix, Halloween madness and Harvat’s 60th Birthday Party.
DJ, hit the music!
“After a year-long celebration of our 25th anniversary last year, I thought 2024 would be calm. But we hit the ground running in March and by the time summer finally hit, we were already five cities and 10 events in on this year,” Harvat said. “Summer 2024 has been the most colorful, phantasmagoric few months of my career and I wish it would not end. From celebrating Pride in Philadelphia in early June to taking the stage at PrideFest here in Chicago after 19 years away to our amazing debut in Mexico City for Latin America Pride at the end of June, the tone was set for a few months filled with new faces, new places and a whole lot of confetti.
“By the 4th of July, we were well on our way to not only the best summer, but the best year yet of music and moments that will last a lifetime.”
Harvat said the highlight of the summer was creating a two-hour CircuitMOM dance party for PrideFest. “The last time I was invited to be a part of that weekend was in 2005 when the Waveland Stage featured Lady Bunny as a DJ and doing her classic stand up, followed by RuPaul putting on a full concert and ending with a DJ CircuitMOM dance party set and performance to close out the night.”
Fast-forward 19 years, where Dusty Carpenter championed a CircuitMOM return on the Kit Kat Stage to close out Saturday night with an incredible performance by Kinley Preston, leading into a signature two-hour dance party, featuring Miami’s DJ Alex Lo and sexy, sculpted go-go dancers. Not to mention 24 costumes, 10 cast members, four confetti blasts and a full-on severe weather warning threatening to shut things down early.
“It felt good to be celebrating all things Halsted, gay Chicago and Pride,” Harvat said.
The summer of 2024 also will be remembered for CircuitMOM’s work across America. For instance, Philadelphia. “We took a huge leap of faith and moved our event in Philadelphia from a smaller club vibe to an amazing full-on concert venue, The Fillmore,” Harvat said. “For a local Chicago comparison, it would be like moving from Fantasy (Nightclub in Lakeview) to The Aragon Ballroom.”
Despite the stress, the Philadelphia festivities were near-perfect. “Opulence” with DJs Brett Oosterhaus and Alex Acosta drew rave reviews. And Harvat, er, CircuitMOM got to share the stage with Miss Envy Peru (winner of Drag Race Holland) and made a new, lifelong friend along the way, he said “We ended up with the largest Gay Pride dance party in Philadelphia history and the crowd was so gracious and welcoming,” Harvat said. “I hope we continue to grow that party for years to come.”
Harvat also brought the confetti, glitter and more to Mexico City for Latin America Pride.
“It has been a lifelong dream to visit Mexico City, so what better way to finally make it happen than to be there during the massive gay pride weekend,” Harvat said. “We were invited by Jubileo to co-produce the Friday night party, ‘Abyss,’ with DJ’s Amin Mustafa, our very own Mohammad and superstar Anne Louise. Not only was the city electric with gay energy, but the crowds were very passionate about the music, productions, DJs, performances and community.
“There were so many CircuitMOM supporters from the U.S. It is rare that I just attend a party these days, so having the rest of the weekend off to dance and enjoy so many DJs from around the world was exciting.”
Harvat and the CircuitMOM Productions cast of characters head to San Francisco in late September for a Rated X Party, naturally, as part of the annual Folsom Weekend, marking CircuitMOM’s debut in SF.
“I performed for their gigantic gay pride weekend in 2001, but I have never attended, performed or co-produced a party for Folsom Weekend,” Harvat said. “With our 26-year history with IML Chicago, it felt like a natural progression to expand into that market by partnering with Ky Martinez Events for the 2024 version of his sexy Saturday night party, ‘Rated X.’
“We are rolling into Space 550 with production, decor, international go-go dancers such as Johneast.Fitness and the only indoor/outdoor nighttime Folsom party with two sound systems and three of our favorite DJs: Mohammad, Karsten Sollors and Micky Friedmann. We are going out early to see the city, support the other local promoters’ events and experience our first Folsom Street Festival on Sunday.”
Harvat stressed: What happens at Folsom, stays at Folsom.
Then Harvat and Co. are Phoenix-bound, for another debut.
CircuitMOM presents Takeover, Charlie’s Phoenix on Thursday, October 17, with DJ Mohammad.
“We have this amazing partnership with Charlie’s Chicago, so when the opportunity came up to partner with one of their sister locations, we hopped in the saddle and said, ‘Yes!’,” Harvat said.
Then it’s back to Chicago in late Halloween for one of the gay community’s favorite holidays: Halloween, which locally is never just a one-day party.
CircuitMOM’s Takeover Charlie’s Chicago is Thursday, October 25, with DJs Blu 9 and Brady Prince.
Also on October 25, CircuitMOM presents Cauldron at the Orchid Theater in Detroit, featuring DJs Dan Slater, GSP and Deanne.
“For the last several years, we have had a successful Saturday night Halloween party at House of Blues, but our schedules did not match up this year,” Harvat said.
Halloween night is primed for the CircuitMOM experience as Harvat partners with A Queer Pride at House Of Blues to present “Mayhem,” featuring Drag Race alum Gigi Goode and Symone and their House Of Avalon cast from Los Angeles on the big stage. “This will be an incredible show, like only A Queer Pride can put together,” Harvat said. Doors open at 8 p.m.
CircuitMOM presents The Diamond Ball on Saturday, November 9, at The Aragon Ballroom, featuring Suri, Tony Moran and Alberto Ponzo. One can only image what CircuitMOM will be wearing for this gala, held to celebrate Harvat’s 60th birthday.
“When I was 25 or so, I could not imagine living to be 40 or even 50. Once I hit the big 5-0, I started thinking about what 60 might look like for me. It is mind-blowing that I am still on stage, still producing events and doing what I love to do and having fun,” Harvat said. “Here I am with my grey hair, covered in glitter and rhinestones getting ready to have an amazing dance party with some of the best people on the planet helping me celebrate.
“A few people in the industry, who happen to be very close friends, wanted to know why I was advertising my age when I am in the very youth-oriented business of dance music, circuit parties and the world of DJs.”
They asked Harvat: “Don’t you think that will hurt your brand?”
Absolutely not, he answered.
“Hopefully, people will see someone like me still going at it 27 years in on this crazy scene and doing OK for himself,” Harvat said. “I have always been a late bloomer in life and just maybe I have not even hit my stride yet. I hope being 60 and still coming down from the ceiling at The Aragon in the middle of a packed dance floor to do a show inspires someone out there to follow their dreams, too.”
So, what can we expect at CircuitMOM, er, Harvat’s 60th?
“We are partnering with Jungle Party Brazil for their first time coming to Chicago. They will bring their amazing aesthetic to our event, not only with one of their resident DJs, Alberto Ponzo, but also some incredible costuming like only the Brazilians can do,” Harvat said. “One of my best friends, Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Tony Moran, who has produced about 90 percent of my performance tracks over the last 26 years, is coming to spin his magical sound as well as the incomparable DJ Suri, who is coming from Spain to bring his international flair to that massive dance floor. There will be a surprise live vocalist or two, tons of go-go dancers and we are setting up the room completely differently than any other CircuitMOM event in the past.”
And yes, there of course will be cake.
Many attendees for The Diamond Ball are expected to wear white, silver, rhinestones or anything shiny.
For all the latest news on CircuitMOM Productions, go to: circuitmom.com.