Party With the MIX

When Gene Seidman was 12, his sister, Kate, taught him how to dance and he's loved it ever since.

Now a host of the monthly MIX parties, Seidman — who's also a member of the Representative Town Meeting — said he's trying to create more nightlife in Westport.

"People always say there's nothing to do; it's boring in the suburbs," Seidman said. "Well, no more."

MIX is a dance party held about once a month that features New York style entertainment. The next scheduled event is from 8 p.m. to midnight on March 4 in the barn at the Westport Country Playhouse, featuring 3D — a Grammy-nominated salsa band.

Drummer Michael Tate and guitarist Chris Amelar formed 3D in 1999 and have performed with Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Jennifer Lopez, Cab Calloway, Harry Belafonte, Chaka Khan, Michael Urbaniack, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston.

Seidman began the MIX events in July of last year after the Saugatuck Rowing Club asked him, a marketing professional, how to generate more business.

"I said, 'Why don't we have a dance party,'" Seidman said. "So, two weeks later, we had 135 people at the rowing club."

Fellow MIXers soon asked him when he would host another one. He's hosted five since at various locations around town, including Splash and the Dressing Room. This Thursday's event is the sixth one, and he hopes to host one a month. 

"The thing is there is something that happens that it doesn't matter who you know or how much money you make," Seidman said, "when you are in the rhythm, you peel away and you can be authentically yourself. I believe when you are authentically yourself, you are most beautiful so people will find you alluring and I like to create an environment where people are at their best."

Various sponsors help pay for the events, along with ticket sales. Prizes are given out throughout the night and "mixologists" walk among the crowd to engage people in conversation. The cost to attend is $20. Tickets are available at the door or can be purchased online by clicking here. MIX will make a donation to Ailey II and the Music and Arts Center for Humanity, which has provided art enrichment programs to Bridgeport youth for more than 30 years.

ABOUT SEIDMAN

By day, Seidman runs a visual design firm and global intelligence out-sourcing business. Seidman has directed projects for national and international clients including: IBM, SG, The New York Times, Sigrid Olsen, Fusion, Jack Morton, VerizonWireless, The New York International Festival for the Arts, UNICEF, and the USTA.

Seidman was Creative Director of Priceline.com, and directed the Graphic Design Department at New York's Museum of Modern Art. He was Unilever's Director of Visual Branding for all brands in North America. He was a regular guest on "The Be Happy Dammit Hour" on Sirius Radio channel 114.

Seidman holds 2 patents, speaks Spanish and French, and is a member of The Society of Scribes and Illuminators, London. He is an advisor to Builders Beyond Borders and is represents District 4 on the Representative Town Meeting.

Seidman creates cuff links from myriad recycled materials. An avid sportsman, he loves basketball, tennis and table tennis. In addition to working with Stan Getz and Miles Davis, he designed the last poster of Dizzy Gillespie's career. Seidman is  married to Ana Rogers, has two sons, and  lives in Westport. He is a native New Yorker.