Category: Travels

Here We Go! UMF Korea Round 2 – and bonus BTS video

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ULTRA made its first Invasion of Asia in August of last year… and it was INSANE. Since I’ve been with ULTRA as their live stream host, I have been to some really cool places and even better parties, but Korea was definitely a highlight. A lot of the dj’s agreed, saying the Korean crowd rivaled the one in Miami. They were super enthusiastic, as EDM is just breaking over there. It was incredible to feel the energy fill the Seoul Olympic Stadium- which is kind of massive by the way- when the superstars, specifically Tiesto, made it on stage and they were able to experience the party in person, some for the first time. Add to it the theatrics of the ULTRA mainstage, and it was quite a show.

I have captured this insanity, as well as a behind the scenes of what goes on, in the video below.

Now here we are in 2013, ready for the second UMF Korea. I don’t know how it will get bigger and better, but it definitely will. Those Faibisch brothers are always pushing the envelope. Make sure to catch it as we will be live streaming from http://www.youtube.com/umftv.

Here’s a look at my favorite pics from UMF Korea 2012, as well as my behind the scenes video.

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Steve Aoki on the main stage at UMF Korea 2012. In Miami it’s hard to get on stage, but at the smaller festivals we get more access to the artists.

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Fans at the festival. The audience was primarily composed Koreans and ex-pat Americans, specifically those serving in our armed forces. These pictures show the two main components of our audience, but all coming together as one to party!

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Behind the scenes during the UMF TV broadcast: Director Charly Friedrichs, aka Final Kid, and I putting together a package on the festival on the spot. People are surprised when I tell them the broadcast is completely unscripted, as it comes together so well. I think that’s a testament of our relationship; we are both on the same page of what we want and trust each other to do our jobs. Plus, Charly is one of the best directors I’ve ever worked with and the entire UMF TV team is beyond talented.

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DJ Jon Rundell wearing my ULTRA ears on stage with Carl Cox.

 

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My favorite fan at UMF Korea. He had on a tail, a fox head scarf and glow sticks galore. In the video below, there is a hilarious exchange where I try to flirt with him, and then he SHUTS me down. I need to step up my game.

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Here’s the video with all the backstage antics of UMF Korea for my YouTube channel.

Top 3 Wine Tastings in Napa

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For some, Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth. For me, it’s anywhere with excellent food and wine, which is why I make the pilgrimage to Napa twice a year to find happiness. In a bottle. Please don’t judge me.

After years of research, here are the best wine tastings in Napa Valley.

BEST WINE IN NAPA VALLEY

Ehlers Estate: To quote my video below, “Ehlers rose is better than a lot of my ex-boyfriends.” I did go through a date only-male-models-or-ex-professional-athletes phase so this is saying a lot… or maybe it’s not. Anyways, not only is the wine absolutely fantastic, but 100% of the proceeds go to cardiovascular research. The owner was saved by a cardiovascular surgeon, and so from the heart label to the names of the wines (120/80 Cabernet is especially divine- and named after perfect blood pressure) to the profit margins, Ehlers is all about heart. And I can cheers to that!

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Von Strasser: Just a hop, skip, and a jump down the road from Ehlers, this place is the definition of picturesque. I swear I didn’t copy that from a brochure. It’s essentially two tables on a patio and you feel like you are at someone’s house, enjoying their award-winning vintages. They have literally the best Gruner Veltiner in the world. It’s super small so reservations are a necessity, but considering it’s also super hidden, it’s usually open. Oh, and that’s my niece making a pillow out of the Von Strasser dog.

THE MOST CHARMING SOMMELIER IN NAPA VALLEY

Jason at Signorello: I can appreciate someone who takes risks in the name of entertainment, and so I give you Jason. He was bizarre, made strange noises that were not English, and over poured. And that made him my new best friend. The wine was okay, but I would make the drive to Signorello just to have an ab workout in the form of laughter from him. (That’s the best workout IMO.) You definitely want to check out the video below to see what I’m talking about.

Check out the wineries for yourself in my video:

How to Get Drunk off Donuts

 

I feel like the M&M guys, “Oh my gosh- They DO exist!” In a little pastry shop in Chicago, Illinois sits a Polish woman making donuts that do in fact get you drunk. To be precise, it’s more of a head buzz from the combination of sugar and strong alcohol used in the filling, but whatever the case lots of laughter ensues after eating the donuts. Don’t believe me? Check out the video above.

To get your own Drunken Donuts, check out Delightful Pastries. They deliver- even outside the Chicago area. I had mine shipped all the way to Los Angeles, and they arrived way fresher than the Starbucks donuts around the corner.