UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, April 11, 1995
51B
Moscow's rich indulge after dark
The Associated Press
MOSCOW — Late every night, in an wealthy nightclub that was once a KGB office, the filthy rich and the just plain rich gather to indulge in the spoils of new Russia.
Emerging from stretch limos,
men in dark suits file past a guard
toting a Kalashnikov rifle to enter
the Up and Down Club, where
admission costs $120.
Amid Greek statuettes bathed in fluorescent light and artificial palm trees, they can watch an erotic stage show and indulge in suckling pig for $240, pineapple flambe for $190 or wine at up to $995 a bottle.
In this world of swank clubs and bustling casinos, thugs mingle with rich "biznesmeni" and $5,000-a-night prostitutes. Young gamblers go through stacks of million-ruble chips like kids eating candy.
"There are people in these clubs who are rich beyond your imagination, richer than in Europe," said Alla, a 21-year-old hooker in a short black dress, soliciting customers in a posh nightspot on upscale Tverskaya Street.
These are the kind of "new Russians" who read Domovoi magazine, a glossy primer for the newly
monied. Recent articles have included "Where to Send the Heir to Study," and "How to Buy a Private Jet" and "When to Wear a Tuxedo."
Only since the Soviet Union collapsed have Muscovites learned how to paint the town red. Under communism, entertainment was intended to support Soviet ideology and anything else was likely to be banned.
"Five years ago we had parties in our homes, and sometimes we'd go to a restaurant for a sort of fancy meal. That was all," said Dmitry Byezpalov, a young film production director.
There are clubs that specialize in heavy metal, jazz and techno-pop, clubs for actors, artists and the young elite. There are a couple of unadvertised gay clubs, including one where young men swim naked in an aquarium.
Then came the Soviet collapse, private business and the birth of an "anything goes" mentality. Now Moscow can be deadly but it's far from dull after dark.
"Moscow clubs are growing like mushrooms after rain," said Byezalov, a member of three clubs. "But unfortunately the nightlife scene is still dominated by the criminal element."
In a country where the average
salary is about $100, admission to big clubs costs $20 and up.
Most Russians still stay home at night. But for the rich, the craziness starts around midnight.
At Night Flight, dozens of gorishly clad prostitutes stand elbow to elbow, trying to score with the well-heeled men who come to drink or dance.
Police acknowledge that Moscow's 150-plus casinos include gangsters among their clientele. But they appear to turn a blind eye to any shady characters or soliciting.
"Of course there are criminals there, but we have no proof," said police representative Vladimir Buzkov. "Nightclubs are simply places where the rich hang out, discuss their problems and spend time culturally."
At Silver Century, an elite restaurant converted from a czarist-era bathhouse, the nouveau riche bid every night on a single long-stemmed rose. The weak of wallet need not participate: bidders have paid as much as $2,500 cash, apparently just to impress their friends.
Congressman shifts to Republican Party
"Can you believe it?" said a disgusted waiter who gave his name only as Vladimir. "What this country is coming to, I don't know."
The Associated Press
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Rep. Nathan Deal yesterday became the third Democrat in Congress to switch to the Republican Party since the fall election.
Noting that he has often supported Republican positions, Deal said he finally decided he must switch to "get away from the schizophrenia I've had to deal with." Deal, 53, serving his second term, has been among the most conservative Democrats in the House.
"During the last 100 days, I have observed my party at the national level simply not be willing to admit that they are out of touch with mainstream America," Deal said at a news conference.
He said the last straw came last week when Democrats refused to consider amendments to the Clean Water Act intended to combat what Republicans consider economically crippling overregulation.
The switch changes the makeup of Georgia's House delegation to eight Republicans and three Democrats. A year ago, there were seven Democrats and four Republicans.
Deal said he had spoken this morning with House Speaker Newt Gingrich, architect of the Republican takeover in last fall's election, whose district abuts Deal's. He said Gingrich welcomed him to the party.
A day after the GOP November election landslide, Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama became a
Republican. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado switched to the Republicans the day after Democrats helped defeat the balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Deal, who served in the Georgia Senate from 1980-92, said he told Democratic Gov. Zell Miller that his decision reflected dissatisfaction with the national party, not fellow Georgians.
"I explained to him the difficulties I had encountered and that those difficulties were unique to the Washington environment and that I didn't in any way want to cast any discredit upon state Democrats who are conservative," said said.
Some Democratic state legislators reacted sympathetically.
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