The Bar Tab

On June 11, a downtown Orlando dance-night staple came to an end. Crush, a night begun by DJ Pauly Crush (aka Paul Geller) eight years ago, played its last track at Backbooth. By all accounts, the joint was packed (we tried to get in, but there was a massive line outside, which we weren't about to wait on all night. Sorry, Paul!). Geller posted a farewell on his blog recently, explaining why he decided to call it quits after all this time. We've reprinted an excerpt below:

"Why this abrupt decision? Well, I'm moving to New York.

"I know what you are thinking: just another hater who outgrew Orlando and moved-on. But, it's not like that. I have real work to do. I'm going to write music for female-fronted pop acts and do startups. I'm going to fight this epic lawsuit [see "Eagle vs. shark," Feb. 2], and I am going to continue to help spread music in an open environment on open platforms to open people. I'm going to help create products that revolutionize media delivery, that change the way people think about government, and most importantly, that bring the most happiness to the widest array of people possible. I'm going to pet some cats.

"This is not the end for you and me, Orlando. I was born in New York and I grew up in South Florida, but when people ask me where I'm from, I'll always say Orlando.

"Thanks for partying with me."

Rumor has it another well-known Orlando nightlife figure is planning something to take the place of Crush. We'll post the details when they're confirmed.

> Email Erin Sullivan