Ubercool Unveiled

I attended Michael Tchong's first Ubercool event last night at the Limn Gallery in San Francisco. Ubercool also has a blog which will highlight upcoming events, parties, photos and cool products.

The reason for the event was to officially launch the Ubercool global event series, which are by-invitation only “trend parties” that will now travel to New York and Miami in 2005, with Los Angeles, London, Shanghai and Las Vegas scheduled in 2006.

Ubercool’s mission is to find the most outstanding examples of products that seize a trend and ride the wave to ultimate success. Ubercool media and event properties are analyzed and produced by Michael, whose mission it is to show people how to create superior products and services that leverage changes in business, lifestyle and technology.

The event itself was very chic, with people roaming around in 'trendy garb' enjoying martinis and the fabulous appetizers, and modern dancers who scattered themselves along the edge of the outside courtyard.

The presentation included dance demos which spanned from the Victorian era to 1920's Jitterbug to the Electronic Age, all of which exemplified the change in trends and culture over the years. It also portrayed just how fast-paced our life has become, and how much stimuli we now need to be inspired (as a society). I would also add -- less connected.

If you look at the closeness of the waltz and intensity of the gaze between both parties involved, then the Jitterbug, which is faster and while still a 'couple dance,' less connected. When we watch electronic, hip hop and rap, it's all about the individual for the most part and we're not connected at all. Yet, in the last couple of years, tango has been on the rise, so perhaps we are starving for 'close connection' once again.

We also saw a fabulous tap dance demonstration outside in the courtyard; some people hung onto every move, while others chatted inside the gallery, surrounded by fabulous contemporary art and flower presentations. Photos to follow.