Central Arkansas' Music Manor: Cellhaus
raving on friday the 13th for good luck
It is perfectly fine to be fashionably late to a Halloween party, right? On Friday the 13th, I think that’s the least anyone would have to be worried about. As my car sat parked in an after-hours Arvest parking lot, I allowed the thumping of bass and flashing of LED lights pulsing from across the street to guide me into something I’m proud to admit I wasn’t prepared for. What was waiting for me was something that exceeded all expectations and was draped in a shroud of mystery, as it was the best house party I had been to without ever meeting the hosts. Craving the same feeling that Backroom AR provided me a few weeks prior, I kept Central Arkansas’ very own Cellhaus’ Instagram page under close watch. Local DJ, P for Parker, had mentioned months ago in one of our first articles that it was many EDM fans’ best bet when it came to experiencing true EDM music in the area. This past Friday, I got to get a taste of it myself. I first discovered the event via a digital flier that appeared as though it had been tossed around in a digital washer and dryer before being stapled to a digital tree. I had two weeks to gather everyone I knew for a spooky night of true electronic music fun.
On the evening’s lineup were some of the local scene’s best names. Talent from the likes of P for Parker, Kranivm, Sexi Lexi, Ghettdown, izzi, Missy Midwest graced the decks in what resembled a quite cozy dining room. Each DJ got their chance to shine, having a little under an hour to get their best mixes in before they switched up USB’s. The party was scheduled to go from 8pm to 2am, but I would soon find that parties this good rarely have an end-time. As for the hosts themselves, I’m at a loss. If you were to look today (as of October 16th, 2023), their instagram dawns only 24 posts. If you want any info about who these people are, you’re directed to their first ever post. The post is a grainy introduction video that showcases the house and the land (if my mom had seen this video when I was 16, I would be banned indefinitely from ever being within a mile of the place). While it boasts an event space welcoming many different music genres and types, it also shows off their very own parking lot (that I’m just now learning about). Though the video doesn’t give much away as for the personalities of our gracious hosts, it’s through text revealed within the video that we do know it is “lovingly run by 4 best friends that care about mutually assured safety and fun.” Again, mom would not be happy with this presentation.
Don’t worry, though. I went, I saw, and I have returned to tell the tale. Based on their instagram, it seems as though Cellhaus has been in operation since May. They debuted with their first show on May 27th, featuring the local talent of How to Raise Wolves, Fawn, St. Francis2, and Incompleteness Theorem. Following this show was a DJ event that was held in June. Since then, they seem to have been consistently providing North Little Rock with DIY shows at least twice a month. Upon entering Cellhaus for this Friday the 13th event, I was greeted with festive streamers strung all about the home, strategically hung blankets operating as blackout curtains so as to not let the general public how much fun everyone was having, and neon lights highlighting every corner of the cave-like rave setting. Encircling the perimeter of the main dancefloor were classic arcade cabinets sporting names like Mortal Kombat and Pac-Man. I was truly impressed by how much effort went into just setting the mood for the night ahead. The whole house seemed straight out of Halloweentown – that is if they were to throw raves in Halloweentown. All I’m saying is that it was all-parts “haunted house” and zero-parts “I’m scared and wanna sit in the car where it’s safe.”
Remember when I said it was (probably) okay to be fashionably late to a Halloween party? Well, I wasn’t exactly lying. I didn’t manage to catch everyone’s set, and I apologize for that. However, I did manage to catch some kick-ass sets from P for Parker, Missy Midwest, and Ghettdown! I was impressed how varied the mixes were between each DJ, providing a distinct style everytime someone new approached the decks. There was truly something for everyone. Just operating as a witness, I very rarely saw anyone hanging out on the walls with their arms crossed. The environment was so electric, it would have cracked even the toughest of introverts. In fact, I’m sure it did. At peak time around 1am-2am, the dance floor was the unstoppable force AND the unmovable object. Turning into a borderline mosh-pit, people right in front of the decks became victims of their own energy as masses of people pushed left, right, to, and fro.
With not much in the way of – I don’t know – “Personal Space,” I was making very quick (and close) friends with people I’ve never met before! A Ghostface-dressed girl here, a wizard-dressed guy there. In the euphoria of the moment, those feeling the bass (and the alcohol) were arm and arm. This quickly-formed blockade consisted of many people jumping, kicking, pushing, and pulling to the music the DJ’s were filling the house with. While the specific interactions I had with the partygoers aren’t coming to mind (I meant to write them down cos I knew I’d forget), imagine something along the lines of, “I don’t know who you are, but for right now we’re best friends.” This camaraderie was especially reiterated as we all banded together to help someone find their phone and assisted with a poor girl who hit her head on a low-hanging ceiling fan.
This party wasn’t “official business” for Arkansas Sound, but we knew we were going to cover it once we planned on attending. With that being said, we didn’t interview anyone and we definitely didn’t get a chance to meet with the owners of Cellhaus. Everything we know about them is speculative, while I’m sure there were many partygoers that are familiar with them, personally. But, also, maybe not. Whether they’re making a conscious effort to be anonymous, or they just don’t find it very important to introduce themselves – it doesn’t matter. At the end of the day they are just 4 best friends who wanted to provide something that Central Arkansas hasn’t seen quite yet, until now.
While not every one of their parties is Halloween themed, the house will maintain a sort of Texas Chainsaw vibe well after the season passes. It’s this sort of “should we go in there” kind of mentality that adds to the allure of a place like Cellhaus. Whether it’s perceived danger, or actual danger – this feeds into the idea that Backroom AR touched on a few weeks ago where you’re just going where the night takes you. All jokes aside, I never felt like there was anything that truly felt threatening. The events and parties are 18+ as far as I am aware, so expect to see music lovers ranging anywhere from 18 to well into adulthood.
Truly, at the end of the night, I was exhausted. I wasn’t alone, as my friends and I stumbled out of Cellhaus at 2:30am with sweat dripping and mouths drier than the leaves on the ground. It was some of the most fun I’ve had in Central Arkansas in a while and offered me something that was unlike any bar or any (of the two) clubs had in the past. In the same way you may show your support to places like The Hall, Rev Room, Stickyz, Vino’s, or White Water – it’s important to show out for Cellhaus.
It’s a house today, but this could be the makings of something bigger coming out of North Little Rock. I’m sure all of my best friends that I made that night would agree when I say, keep an eye on the people at Cellhaus! I plan on gracing the living room floor again in search of more fun nights and more new friends.
For all things Cellhaus, drop them a follow on Instagram @Cellhauslive.