Business # 2: Wax Café
Roland Chlapowski
Day 3, Wednesday, January 5th
9:14 pm Wax Café (Business Visit #2)
My MAX ride home takes me by a venue that I’ve been curious about called WAX. So, I called David Zagel, a friend I grew up with in Newport , Oregon to visit Wax with me.
Wax offers Bubble Tea and Mocktails but no booze to all ages. Tonight is “Open floor B/boy & B/girl break session” with DJ Shilo spinning the “break beats.”
We pay a $3 cover and order fresh fruit smoothies. A mixed-race group are taking turns break dancing to some great music from my youth remixed with new sounds. They egg each other on in a good natured way.
Co-owners Sara Moskovitz, 25, and Shannon Guthrie, 27, are trying to keep all nights alcohol free. They have filled out the paperwork for a liquor license, but don’t want to pursue it unless they have to. I can see why. They have put together an all-age club with a friendly, cool and relaxed atmosphere.
Lee Williams of the The Oregonian newspaper recently wrote about Wax, “…Guys and girls, of all skills, from Gresham to Salem , come to the North Interstate club to free-flow together on Open Break night.”
"It's a nice spot for b-boys to come, all races, all ages; everybody leaves their differences outside” Siharath, 26, says. She believes that most of the high-class clubs just want people dancing.
Co-owner Shannon Guthrie says, "We're trying to keep it all-age here. We promote the four elements of hip hop here because there's no place in Portland that does that yet.” Their slogan is 'The preservation and continuation of original hip-hop culture.'
…"Shannon and I both think there are some misconceptions surrounding hip-hop," Moskovitz says. Calling media focus on the culture's dark moments "unfair and a shame," she hopes doubters can free their minds of such prejudice and embrace the history and culture of hip hop’s positive energy.
After finishing our smoothies, David and I left quite impressed with this new musical social venture for youth. And next, time, I’ll come back dressed for hip hop.
Wax, an all age club preserving the hip-hop culture.
Come inside and enjoy an alcohol-free drink!
Posted by Roland Chlapowski on January 5, 2005
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