Calling all the house-heads and all the Burners: Ascend on Pine is coming to Downtown Long Beach on Sept. 6. Plenty of house DJs and artists? Check. Lots of Burning Man art exhibits, installations, and vibes? Check. All-inclusive, free-before-6PM, spread-the-love aura? Double-check.
“House music is for everyone,” said organizer Sal Flores, the man also behind Long Beach’s Proud! Fest. “With its roots in queer people of color, it has expanded across the decades to be an expression of inclusiveness, love, and community. That is what Ascend on Pine is all about.”
So what, exactly, is Ascend on Pine—and who is performing?
A Playalarga event in collaboration with LB Living, Ascend on Pine brings together two things Sal has long embodied: Being a lover of house music and a Burner.
“Burning Man holds a very special place in my heart,” Sal said. “And over the years, I’ve been able to cultivate relationships with artists and musicians I really love, both locally and internationally. Anton Tumas is one of those—and I am so excited he’ll be at Ascend on Pine.”
Arriving directly from Burning Man, Anton is a local house music legend. From being the the mastermind behind the super popular Subtract on the Pier dance parties on Belmont Pier to the deep house festival that is the Love Long Beach Festival, the man is known both locally and at Black Rock City. And when we talk well-known, we mean he has performed at some of Burning Man’s most iconic places:
Even better? Anyone who shows up before 6PM gets in for free (and the event starts at 4PM and at ends at 10PM). Tickets after that are $15 and also include $50 VIP tickets. Those VIP passes include a complimentary drink; access to a Tulum-inspired VIP lounge; VIP-only bar; VIP restrooms; and access to the front of stage.
The unquestionably cool factor: Lupe Fuentes—and why that’s important for our local music scene
While the prudish might sneer at the rise of Lupe Fuentes, her avid fans celebrate her transition from porn star to beloved house DJ.
Since her debut track, “So High,” Lupe Fuentes has carved out a remarkable path in the dance music world. She is distinguished by her ability to distill tech-house to its most minimal form while weaving in hefty, hypnotic basslines. Hailing from Cali, Colombia, Lupe channels the rich influences of her heritage into a unique sound that beats with Latin rhythms and tribal percussion.
And her appearance at Ascend on Pine marks the I-feel-it-coming renaissance about to take over the Long Beach music scene. There’s the stellar Good Luck Vinyl Club on the listening side, while live music has events from the massive—like Insomniac’s slew of events at The Queen Mary—to the smaller, more heavily curated—like Altruism.
Ascend on Pine isn’t just about the big names—local legends will be included as well
On top of Anton Tumas, other Long Beach and local legends will be representing:
- Mike Angelo from local collective Humans Only Club, host of many underground parties and veteran in the house scene;
- Colin James, a local favorite and rising star known for his tribal and deep house sets;
- ArtCast from the popular house music collective Secret Service;
- Sacred Son (G-Dubbs) is bringing the LA underground sounds as part of the Sacred Grounds LA brand
Ascend on Pine will take place on Friday, Sept. 6 from 4PM to 10PM. Admission is free before 6PM but tickets are required thereafter.
