Big Tom is back and he’s ready to make a splash on the San Diego scene. He plans to bring something “fresh” to the nightlife circuit this Saturday at Bacchus House with the new event, FRESH.

I met Big Tom in 2005 when I wrote a bi-weekly social column for San Diego’s now defunct Update. Tom contacted me to share information about a party he was producing at Shooterz. I was skeptical – who was this buff, handsome gentlemen who rolled into town from Hawaii thinking that he could out-do the other event producers and club owners? My friends wouldn’t accompany me to his event, so I took Tom up on his offer of putting me on the guest list, and I went by myself. I had an awesome time – every detail was well executed, from the DJ down to the lighting in the entryway. Big Tom and I became friends and I have been a big supporter of his events since. He really knows his stuff.

Since Big Tom and his partner Little Tom moved here, Big Tom has put on night club events at Shooterz (now closed) and The Brass Rail, and has organized successful art events at The Center and an erotic art display at The Rubber Rose, in which I was one of the nude body paint models (pictures available upon request). After a short hiatus from event producing, Tom is putting on FRESH to “bring a sense of the ‘circuit’ back to San Diego.”

Tom says there are a lot of great parties and amazing local DJ talent but he would like to bring more DJs to San Diego from outside the area. He enjoys the beats produced by DJs on the East Coast, as he says listeners will discover a completely different vibe, beat, and energy in their mixes. Tom says the difference isn’t necessarily “better” – just different. “[The United States] is a big country and just like there is different food and culture in other parts of the nation, the music can also reflect that diversity,” he says.

Big Tom will be bringing in a national favorite, DJ Lydia Prim, to spin at the premier event of his FRESH party. Prim is known throughout the circuit scene, and travels North America playing many club and circuit events, including the Blue Ball in Philadelphia, and Pride events in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. Prim is well known for her tribal-house sound and sultry style that have rocketed her to the top. Prim has been a Billboard reporting DJ since 2004.

Cover for the event is $5 and Big Tom promises a great time. The evening will include hot men dancing, flaggers to bring back the “flavors and colors of the circuit,” and Bacchus House is making some technical changes that will create a different energy at the club. Tom believes that the “seasoned” circuit boys will certainly notice the attention he is putting into the detail of this event, while it may be more subtle to others – but he says they will enjoy it and want to stay all night.

Bacchus House is located at 3054 University Ave. The club opens at 9 p.m. with after hours until 4 a.m. Visit www.bigtompresents.com for more information.

Also, Saturday nights are back at Numbers! Starting June 21, Saturdays will be “Loaded” with all sorts of exciting new surprises coming to the club. The front room will play a mix of hip-hop, old school, and mash-ups while the back room will play a selection of Top 40, remixes, ’90s pop, and diva music. Throughout the night, club-goers will be entertained by B-Boys, dance performances, performance art, drag divas, and more. Numbers really hopes to create a new and exciting Saturday night experience, and I believe it will be worth checking out!

There’s just a little more than a month to go until San Diego Pride. Make sure you hit the gym and get all pumped up for the big weekend – the countdown begins! Be safe, and have fun out there!