coffee with alberto blazquez
It put Moscow’s clubbing scene on the map and was the first to import big-name international DJs to the city. Now Club XIII is set to re-open and it’s brought in Alberto Blazquez, one of Ibiza’s most experienced promoters, to get the party re-started.";
TEXT KIERAN LEAHY feedback
Following a string of cancelled and postponed re-openings, the legendary Club XIII is finally ready to open for real on April 29. After its closure in 2002, the long awaited resurrection of the night hot spot has been masterminded by Spanish club promoter Alberto Blazquez, who previously ran the highly successful El Divino nightclub in the clubber’s paradise of Ibiza and is one of the most experienced figures in the business. element caught up with Alberto to find out more about the man behind the parties and his plans for the reincarnated Club XIII. First of all, could you tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in Moscow. For 13 years I ran El Divino, a great club in Ibiza. Before that I owned a bar with a couple of friends. Then about five years ago I got to know Gary [Chaglasyan], who was the first person to bring Russian clubbers to Ibiza. We got on really well together and he invited me to Moscow. We brought some parties here too and I discovered Moscow nightlife, which I thought was really interesting. And a few things happened in my life that were all linked with Moscow and so I came here more and more. About three years ago we discussed the idea of opening a club here and six months ago I finally moved here. What made you decide to get involved with Club XIII? I thought it was a brilliant project. I saw the building first of all and thought to myself “this is some building.” The club became something really nice in my life — I had a reason to come here. Plus, there was a friend, somebody at that time that I loved, so many things came together at the same time. What are your expectations of the club business here? I’m not 100 percent sure but I know where I want to go and what I am going to give. For me the club business is not something new — I have been doing this for a long time and I hope people understand what we are trying to give. Could you tell us more about your plans for the club? First of all I want so that people leave with a smile on their face. Secondly, I want to bring really, really good music that people will appreciate. And thirdly, I want a beautiful crowd! How about the music — who will be your resident DJs and special guests? The music will be house music, bocca house music, and for sure we will bring the best DJs. I know which ones we want to bring but I don’t want to give away too much of our program just yet. The very biggest stars will come — I have many contacts from over the years and they have known our faces for a very long time in this business. Many special guests played at my club in Ibiza — Louie Vega, Jocelyn Brown, all the Defective Records guys, such as Liquid People, Master at Work, lots of British stars and many more … Ibiza in general is considered to be the Mecca of house music. Will we have two resident DJs: DJ Grad and DJ Miller. Grad used to play at the old Club XIII but I found Miller recently. I saw him play at some parties before and I liked his music, especially in the chill-out rooms, and he understood what kind of music we want to bring to the club. What do you look for when you choose a DJ? Is it just his/ her taste in music? No, the first thing that I look for in anyone I work with is a pure heart. For me, the most important thing is that they are a good person. And later, if you are a good person and an understandable person, we always arrive at the same point. And of course, they must be professional too. How will the new Club XIII differ from the old one? What I can give to Club XIII is that I am Spanish and for so many years, since I opened my eyes in this life, we are used to seeing tourists and people in our country. My country is famous for its restaurants, bars and clubs. We are used to taking care of tourists and you develop a feeling of how to look after people and how they should be treated. I want to bring some of this special Spanish hospitality and tradition here to the whole club. Maybe this could change the ambience of the Moscow club scene. On a different side, we will create some new parties and innovations — I really want to bring more singers and live music to the club. Not concerts of course, but between DJ sets. Finally, what do you have planned for the opening night? First of all I want to give the opportunity for the opening party to a Russian DJ. This is respect for the house. And after the first night — in truth, I don’t think any other club has the kind of program that we have planned for this year. I’m knocking on all the doors to bring in the very best. | 
