Bringing the perreo to The Alibi Palm Springs
Text+Photos Jorge Perezchica
A few weeks ago, I first noticed advertisements for “Gasolina” appear on my social media timeline. The ad’s mood board plays with the hot and cool palette onto the flyer — a slinky pair of legs relaxing in a turquoise blue swimming pool. The word “Gasolina” splays across the photo in hot pink letters with a flame over the text for emphasis. The caption reads “Bringing the perreo to The Alibi Palm Springs.” Originally started at Belasco Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, Gasolina has grown to be the largest reggaeton party in the United States, bringing out over 1,500+ attendees into iconic venues across the country. If Gasolina Palm Springs proves successful enough, the goal is to return monthly, said event owner, Sal Moreno.
Over the next few days leading up to the event, I get the same ads splash over social media again and again. The promoter ain’t playing. Gasolina’s date Saturday, May 14th, stays stuck in my head. As if I needed yet another reminder (actually, yes), Mr Miami, a local promotor, slides a DM into Coachella Magazine’s Instagram. At this point, I don’t know what to expect, but I am curious to check out the scene.
I arrive to The Alibi Palm Springs at approximately 9:40 p.m., located on 369 N. Palm Canyon at the historic 1934 building that originally housed The California Water & Telephone Company. The popular venue first opened in 2019 and then closed due to the pandemic — and recently re-opened again in April 2022. I make my way through the parking lot and pass through the security check. Once inside, I notice a small gathering on the dance floor. Admittedly, I have some early doubts, but it’s still early by club standards. As the night goes on, the dance floor quickly fills up, partygoers line up around the bar for drinks, and the DJs feed the hunger for Latin and Reggaeton beats. At midnight, I look up and see a full moon overhead, shimming like a giant disco ball. I’m having a good time, and lose myself in the ambience as I sway in a state of reverie with my date. Any doubts I had earlier, suddenly seem to quell and fade away. Across the crowd, I recognize a few familiar faces and I stop by to say “hello.”
Later that night, I catch up with Gasolina owner, Sal Moreno to talk more about the event hosted at The Alibi Palm Springs, the DJ lineup and the current music scene.
CM: Introduce yourself and tell us all about Gasolina.
SAL MORENO: My name is Sal Moreno, I started Gasolina party for people to have fun, have a good time. I’m from L.A. I noticed that a lot of venues in L.A. weren’t targeting the cooler, younger kids. It was more like the old school. What did I get thrown with? Like, button shirts, belts, tucked in shirts. And so I realized that there was a void and a need for the kids, the fans that love Bad Bunny that wanted to wear Air Force Ones, Supreme shirts. And so we developed a party for them and that’s been our mission, just get everybody to our parties and just have a great time. That’s really the main focus for us.
CM: You have these events happening in different cities?
SAL: Yeah. We do this event around 50 different cities around the country.
CM: Do Gasolina events have different themes or are they all consistent?
SAL: Every event has a very unique feel to it. We book a lot of locals, people from different cities. Like tonight, we’re in Palm Springs. We have two Palm Springs DJs. We have two DJs that come from L.A. and every city is very different. If you go to Atlanta, they’re not gonna play certain music. They’re gonna play an ATL trap set in the middle of a Reggaton party. If you go to New Orleans, they’re gonna play a house set. And so everywhere in the country, it’s a very unique and different, the way the party sounds.
CM: How did you get connected with The Alibi?
SAL: I’ve known the owner of The Alibi, I’m from L.A. and her name’s Liz (Garo). She’s a legend. And so she reached out and we figured “Why not?” Why not do a party here in Palm Springs and for the valley as well.
CM: Are you planning any other events at The Alibi over the summertime?
SAL: Yeah. Right now we have July 2nd and September 3rd. And if tonight goes well, which you know, it looks good so far. Everybody has fun. Our goal is to be back monthly.
CM: Who are tonight’s DJs?
SAL: We have JPatron who’s from Palm Desert, In$omnia Society from Palm Springs, and then we have Lyon808 and MannyLow from L.A.
CM: Any other artists on your radar?
SAL: Yeah, DennyLux, who’s from out here. Shout out to DennyLux. You know, he’s doing great things. He’s playing Viva L.A. Music Festival in Dodger Stadium in a couple weeks (June 25). And you know, he’s from Palm Springs — so that’s pretty cool.
ABOUT:
Gasolina Party is a community for Reggaeton & Latin music fans that are pushing the culture forward.
TICKETS:
Gasolina Events: https://www.gasolina.us