A King Amongst Men: Owner and fearless leader of San Francisco house and techno Dirtybird Records, Claude VonStroke, in the eye of the storm. Seattle was the second stop on Dirtybird Records BBQ tour, where cities across the US are hosting one day festivals featuring DJs from Dirtybirds roster.
A King Amongst Men: Claude VonStroke is the owner and fearless leader of Dirtybird Records, a San Francisco-based house and techno label. Seattle was the second stop on Dirtybird Records' BBQ tour, where cities across the US are hosting one day festivals featuring DJs from Dirtybird's roster. Brooklyn Benjestorf

With an impressive attendance of over 3000 people turning out to the event in SoDo, the BBQ was the largest house music event in Seattle history. The beats could be heard all the way in West Seattle, garnering confusion from a few locals.
An impressive 3,000 people turned up to boogie down in SoDo, making the BBQ the largest house music event in Seattle history. The beats could be heard all the way in West Seattle, garnering confusion from a few locals. Brooklyn Benjestorf

In addition to beats, there was plenty of meats! Here Dirtybirds resident grill master, Grillson, hams for my camera in between serving the famished masses.
In addition to beats, there was plenty of meats! Here is Dirtybird's resident grill master, Grillson, hamming it up (pun intended) for my camera in between serving the famished masses. Brooklyn Benjestorf

Dirtybird artist j.phlip rocks the sprawling crowd.
Dirtybird artist j.phlip rocks the sprawling crowd. Brooklyn Benjestorf

With projected temps in the low 90s that day, the event producers took extra special care to be sure no one suffered from dehydration of heat stroke. Team members were handing out free water and hosing people down all day long.
With projected temps in the low 90s that day, the event producers took extra special care to be sure no one suffered from dehydration or heat stroke. Team members were handing out free water and hosing people down all day long. Brooklyn Benjestorf

The Dirtybird crew was super friendly and approachable, venturing out into the crowd a numbers of times throughout the day. Here Ardalan tries his hand at wrangling the mechanical shark.
The Dirtybird crew was super friendly and approachable, venturing out into the crowd a number of times throughout the day. Here Ardalan tries his hand at wrangling the mechanical shark after his set. Brooklyn Benjestorf

Justin Martin on the decks while Ardalan does his best to distract him.
Justin Martin was on the decks while Ardalan does his best to distract him. Brooklyn Benjestorf

j.phlip with Annie Evasick of Shameless Productions. These two go way back.
j.phlip with Grillson and Annie Evasick of Shameless Productions. j.phlip and Annie go way back. Brooklyn Benjestorf

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Justin Martin with his girlfriend back stage in VIP.
Justin Martin with his girlfriend, back stage in the VIP area. Brooklyn Benjestorf

Down and Dirty: Claude VonStroke and j.philp party front row with the rest of the crowd during Justin Martins set.
Down and Dirty: Claude VonStroke and j.philp party front row with the rest of the crowd during Justin Martin's set. Brooklyn Benjestorf

Dirtybird BBQ Seattle was presented in association with Upper Left, Studio 4/4, and Opulent Temple NW. The Dirtybird BBQ tour continues on to Chicago, Brooklyn, and Denver with more cities to come over the course of the summer.