INDULGENCES spinology
doing “Spin Tuesdays.” We weren’t doing anything anyone else wasn’t doing
other nights at that location, but the Orange Police Department decided that
they didn’t want us to continue. So that was the biggest problem. It got so much
publicity that it was even in Jay Leno’s monologue one night! It was a frustrating
situation and I’m the last person to cry discrimination but once you know every-
thing behind how it all went down, it’s a pretty clear case of how conservative
Orange County and especially the city of Orange is. It’s tough. Other than that,
a lot of the events we do have been predominately at straight venues because
there’s not been a lot of gay bars or clubs in Orange County. It has not always been
as welcoming or inviting as I (as a promoter) would like it to be—and of course as
a DJ…I get stuck in the middle of that also.
Rage: Is that why you opened the VLVT / Velvet Lounge?
Zach Moos: Yes, because of some of those issues, we just wanted someplace
DJ Zach Moos:
that is gay on every night of the week. We don’t have to keep moving around and
dealing with the problems that we’ve had at other locations. Everyone knows the
number of gay venues has been dying in Orange County. Everyone says we need
ChaNgiNg OraNge COuNTy’s
more so we’ve been trying to provide that. We wanted to embrace the whole
community and make it a great meeting point and gay social hub for everyone.
CurTaiNs TO VeLVeT
Rage: It’s a huge deal for Orange County! Thank you so much.
by lance perkins
Zach Moos: It is a huge deal and it all happened very fast. The opportunity for it
to happen and with everything else going on during the holidays it kind of came
and happened before anyone got a chance to realize it. To actually have a nightly
No more wondering where you can go to dance and be gay behind the gay dance club in O.C., is a big deal! I’m thrilled and I’m so excited.
“Orange Curtain”…Zach Moos has brought a new feel to gay nightlife in O.C.
with the VLVT / Velvet Lounge. Rage: The Arts District of Santa Ana has been going through revitalization. Do you think it
will become the new O.C. Boystown?
Rage: Where did you grow up? Zach Moos: There’s a very strong gay community in Santa Ana and a lot of
Zach Moos: I’m from Minnesota. I moved out here in 2000. I moved to Orange people that would like to develop it into a gay central neighborhood. It has
County four years ago and live in Anaheim now. It’s central and convenient by all galleries, theaters such as the restored Yost Theater in walking distance, great
the major freeways. It makes like easier. restaurants, coffee shops and even an American Apparel! With the VLVT / Velvet
Lounge opening it brings some great opportunities. It’s a great location and it’s
Rage: How did you first get into DJing? beautiful. We’ll see what happens!
Zach Moos: I used to do it as a hobby for fun when I was young and kept up with
it. Being an event promoter, it’s important to me to know the crowd and to make Rage: What type of entertainment do you have?
sure we give them the music that they are looking for. So it kind of went hand in Zach Moos: Every night is something different. From 1980s to disco and pop,
hand and I just started DJing more and more and getting asked to do it more and go-go boys, drag entertainers and karaoke. We have “Papi Caliente” on Thursdays
more. (Laughs) All of a sudden, I’m a DJ! It wasn’t always a plan of mine but I love and a “Girls Night” on Sunday. We’ve also have Morgan from RuPaul’s Drag Race,
music and I love crowds. Momma and Jewels hosting. We have a very friendly crowd and have a welcom-
ing environment for everybody.
Rage: You have started many other events like “Lucky Sundays” and “Club Lucky”. Have you
run into any problems with having gay and lesbian events in Orange County? The Velvet Lounge is now open 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Located at 416 W
Zach Moos: The biggest issue we had was at Lucky Strike a year ago. We were 4th St. in Santa Ana. Visit
velvetoc.com or
clubluckyoc.com for more info.
52 RAGE monthly | MARCH 2010
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