Where do we start? The crazy party; the insane flair; the old school faces, the legends flair off, were we (dtv) came out for?! All round I have to say this was one of the best nights I have not only had the honour to organise at Roadhouse but also just to be at and share in the energy and atmosphere that was. A TOP night!
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It was like a blast from the past a lot of these guys I havent seen on stage since I competed at the roadhouse last time wich was the world finals in ‘06, seeing all of these guys who had not only competed in 1999 / 2000 but also come up with a lot of the moves the lads were using on stage. I had organised a legends flair off, which by the time the guys had to start getting ready they were more excited than most of the competitors on the day! More and more familiar faces turned up and offered their skills to add to the show. Not wanting to deprive anyone from reliving old memories and the glories of the good old days it was a free for all. A battle style flair off was the name of the game.
Up first was Amit Sood, friend and work mate to many he showed us that he still had the skills to land a bottle on his hand and also get a laugh out of the crowd. Steve Harman was up next pulling of some of his trade mark working flair moves and entertaining the Stretch way. Jez Meredith with his smooth style brought back some of my fondest memories and as always wowed the crowd with his slick moves. Big Sam Clayton from B@1 got a massive roar from the crowd and what a pleasure it was to see this living legend that has trained and influenced so many bartenders’ careers back on a flair stage! Roberto Panichi pulled off his routine that has stood the test of time: making a drink inside his shirt has to be one of those classic Roadhouse moments that will always be remembered by anyone who has the pleasure of witnessing it…James T-T-Todd, one of the original entertainers rocked the stage with some seriously quick hands and just missing out on his press up move which I for one was burning to see! Byron Lewis also from B@1 did what he does best by showing the new kids what flair looks like when you are 100% having fun…Brilliant.
Next up was MC Oli Pluck, whom I have to mention, had been setting and lifting the tone of the house with some brilliant Mic skills. He showed us why he was part of the Roadhouse comp; one of the slickest bartenders to grace our era he has got a certain on stage character that comes out when he touches a bottle and tin. Just fantastic. The legend that is Tug stepped up next. With years of experience, great skills and an electric stage presence, he had got the whole crowd behind him. A few explicit moves got the crowd chanting for more.
Vicki ‘I stop the house in it’s tracks’ Patras made not only the guys jaws drop but got the place hooting and shouting on a whole new level with her quick hands and choreographed flair. Big Andy C graced us with his presence and showed us some of his new moves – his glass full of ice flip was something outer worldly…Nicolas St Jean stepped back onto the Roadhouse stage and showed us why he is still one of the best flair bartenders alive. Precision, technicality and showmanship comes natural to this man and his fan following is almost cult like. Adriano Marcellino the Argentinean legend who has won over 50 competitions world wide is still one of the smoothest flairers alive. Making big moves look easy is what this man does. I rolled up my sleeves and had a little go and I have to say memories of flair achievements and landing a difficult move in front of 500 people came flooding back. For anyone wanting to get into flair, the Roadhouse stage out of anywhere I have ever competed has once again blown me out of the water. There is nothing like it in the world of flair. Newly appointed GM Steveo Taylor had a welcome back to Roadhouse culture with his own show and pulling of the world famous Roadhouse fish move. Last man standing was current world champion Tom Dyer. Fast becoming one of the most recognisable faces in the world of bartending he showed us why he is currently ranked the best flair bartender alive. Thinking back on it I wish I could organise a get together like this every year, I LOVED IT!
Flair finals ended up as follows: Alessandro Pirillo representing Flair Club Murcia in Italy is one of those super nice guys who’s got it all; skills, stage presence and great commitment. A brilliantly thought out routine got him his 6th spot. 5th place went to young Antonio Mantelli from Italy. He has improved a million times over and is definitely one to watch out for in the future, he is sure to break onto the international circuit with a blast. 4th place went to Roberto Cuccurullo who has to be said is one of the slickest flairers out there. A pleasure to watch and great moves to boot he missed out by a narrow 2 points on 3rd place and a world final spot.
3rd place, a world final spot and £150 went to Leo from South Korea. Technical multi object flair is this man’s speciality. Unbelievable splits and crazy combos secured him a place in this year’s final.
2nd place went to Marek Pozluszny from flair factory in Poland. Getting better and better this guy dominates the stage with electric moves, on the beat bumps and crazy switches he deserves his £350 and the world final spot.
Tomek Malek has to be one of this year’s world final favourites. A wicked style combined with hitting some of the biggest moves in flair has taken this guy to a whole new level. Un-bloody-believable. Congrats on £1000 and a world final spot.
Delirium TV is glad that we have been part of this unforgetable event that goes down into the roadhouse history books, we will broadcast the whole event in our future episodes.
Next up at the roadhouse stage is the ‘Prepare 2 Flair’ final October 18th, open 17:30 – 00:00, followed by the one and only Zante re-union. This, like always is going to be the night of all nights that the island’s crew come down in force to celebrate a summer in the sun. Wich of course you guys can follow on Delirium TV.
Any info needed, drop me a line.
And as always, rock on!
Jay du Toit
David has been working in the hospitality business since the 2003, but long before that he started designing.
Born in the States but raised in the Netherlands, today he works in bars and as a freelance webdesigner.
From working in different bars, his love for bartending grew exponentially and that's the reason David started to combine his love for bartending and his eye for design and film in Delirium TV.
