Lit Lounge (93 2nd Avenue)—my absolute favorite dive club—is celebrating it’s 12th anniversary this Sunday, February 23 starting around 10ish. A dozen years in club years is 120 in human years…maybe more. Erik Foss is my friend, and that means quite a lot to me. He has asked me to join a cohort of amazing DJs to ring in the next dozen years. These DJs include: Joshua Wildman, Dirtyfinger, Nate Turbow, Tommy Saleh, Prince Terrance, Bridget Marie, Jeremy Bastard, Haruka Salt and my favorite DJ who is not named Paul Sevigny, Jonathan Toubin. Oh! and Paul Sevigny will be there too.

The Fuse Gallery in the back has fused into the space, but there’s still plenty to see on the walls—although some of the walls shouldn’t be looked at too closely. It is a very funky place. Lit has seen the neighborhood change from under it, but still maintains its balance. More people cab it rather than just stroll over these days, as many of its following has moved to Brooklyn. Lit will soon have an out post there as well—shhh don’t tell anybody yet. Meanwhile, it’s still just perfectly imperfect and I can’t wait to celebrate with the crew. Shout out to Dave Schwartz and Max Brennan. I asked Foss (everybody just calls him Foss) to tell us all about it:

What does 12 years mean to you?

Lit’s been a majority of my life for over a decade. It’s brought so many people together—for better or worse. I’m glad to have been able to do this and help so many young creative people over the years. I hope we can continue this.

Do you have a best Lit memory?

As far as my best LIT memory? There’s so many, thousands actually. Off the top of my head, the night Elliot Smith practiced his set in my bedroom when I lived above the bar. He borrowed a T-shirt from me to play in.  Then he played the show in our basement. That was his last NYC show before he passed. I miss him.

Tomorrow night—Saturday February 22—a killer band will be taking a big step as Starkiller headlines the Bowery Ballroom (6 Delancey Street). I saw them as an opening act a year and change ago and was impressed with their stage presence, and of course a little unimpressed with their songs. They were just getting it together. Recently, I received their new album and liked every track on it. That never happens. They are solid musicians with good looks, style and social skills. Bowery Ballroom is a big step up on their stairway to heaven. I will attend.