Studio 54 Legend Moves to Kiev
Most of us were either unborn or wearing long-collared floral shirts to family picnics when Belize-born Bert Bivens started spinning at Studio 54 in 1977, during the glory days of the New York downtown scene. Andy Warhol, Blondie, Mick Jagger, Basquit and the bohemian elite of the Big Apple once danced, snorted or shagged to his deep house and disco tracks. (Think of Peanut Butter by Larry Levine, or just watch the movie).
That was thirty years ago and so it was a surprise to meet up with Bert in Kiev this March. Fifty now, and an avid basketball player, he’s lost none of the spike and clubland energy of his early twenties. Instead, it seems that Bert has been surfing the winds of change for the last few decades. Having helped establish Ministry Club in London in the early 90s, he was grooving out hip Tallinn in the late 90s, at its Vibe parties and Prive house club.
Today, he thinks that Kiev is where it’s happening. “It’s got a very fresh energy. It all took off here only four years ago, after the Orange Revolution,” he says with an emphasis that comes with true belief. Having helped set up Kiev’s first electronic music venue, Sound Planet, three years ago, he is now working on various projects, including starting a ‘house music’ festival here and opening other clubs with new partners.
Like most who’ve partied in Moscow, he loves Russia too and spins there regularly. He has played at an Oligarch’s birthday bash in Siberia and in the once-closed military city of Chelyabinsk. “That was mad,” he remembers. “The club was rammed hours before I came on set. I was the first foreign DJ they had ever heard.” He also spins at St. Petersburg’s Jetset and Moscow’s XIII. But Kiev is his base, his home, when he’s not spending time at his house in Queens, New York. It’s where he watches his favorite football team Liverpool, with his basketball mates, and works on his own musical projects. “It’s a great city, happening, but with a very relaxed vibe. I find it a lot more fun that stressful Moscow.”
Like most in the city, he’s gearing up for the 2012 European Cup games, that’ll be hosted in both Poland and Ukraine. “The next four years are going to a boom time,” he says, moving his hand upwards. “Now is the time to get in before it turns into another Prague.”
Since he’s been where it’s happening for much of the last 30 years, we tend to believe Bert. And when he declares that Kiev has the most beautiful women on the planet, we’re certainly in agreement.