Lifestyle collective PLAYDOUGH hosted the Adidas Originals NMD after-party in conjunction with Ultra Rare at its resident location, Tokyo Beat, on August 11. The quaint second-level karaoke bar was filled to capacity (as it has been during most Ultra Rare occasions). Christina Paik served as the special guest and host of the evening. The DJ lineup included DJ Zo and friends along with resident DJs, Tastebreakers and Scrllicon Valley. We touch base with one of the founders of Ultra Rare, Chris Louie:
How often is Ultra Rare held?
CHRIS LOUIE: We host Ultra Rare every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.
How did the idea (and the name) come about for the resident night?
A recurring theme of Ultra Rare is the element of nostalgia. I think the idea really stemmed from a childhood obsession over trading cards such as Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh. Ultra Rare is essentially a feeling we hope to evoke upon our attendees, similar to the moment you open a pack of Pokemon cards to find that highly coveted and ultra rare holographic card.
Has it always been held at Tokyo Beat?
Ultra Rare was incubated at Tokyo Beat. Was it merely a coincidence that we found a Japanese themed bar to host our events? Maybe.
Has there always been a component of having a live DJ as well as a live performer?
Yes, we've always incorporated the live performer aspect in all of our events. A goal of ours is to have a pop-up/live music vibe to provide artists an intimate setting to share with their fans.
Who are some of the regular DJs at Ultra Rare?
We have our in-house resident talents such as Tastebreakers and Scrllicon Valley, but also frequent returning headlining acts like DJ Zo and Ru Are You. We've also worked with artists from HBK, Mike Gao and Duckwrth.
Is there a particular Ultra Rare night that stands out to you guys?
I think the most recent Ultra Rare was a big step in the right direction for us especially with the collaboration of Christina Paik and Adidas.
What’s next for Ultra Rare?
Ultimately, what's next for us is continued growth. We would like to keep expanding our community. To us, Ultra Rare is not just a party, but an environment in which like-minded individuals can come together to share/incubate ideas and form lasting relationships. But, above all, the most important element that we strive for with Ultra Rare is positive vibes.
Photos by Diane Abapo
Follow @letsplaydough and @ultrararela for updates
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