Billy The Kid & PGK's Birthday Celebration
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002


Nico said hello. I went and said hello to TonySax. Sashay Shaunte, Wanda (2nd2None), and Kelasia were there.

Showtyme came over and introduced himself to me.

Da Mixx Band
I believe the line up was: Duane "Showtyme" Jones (lead talker), Tyreke "Freaky Tye" Farmer (vocals), Keith (vocals & guitar), TonySax (Sax), Ikey (trombone, vocals, and cowbell), Kevin (Trumpet), Binky (bass), Roland "Big Ro" (keyboard), another keyboard player, Whylis (drummer), Nick (percussion).
Showtyme did a birthday shout out to Billy The Kid.
Danielle (Wellfhed) was there.
Showtyme did a shout out to TMOTT.
1) Showtyme-led J. Holiday's Suffocate
2) Tyreke-led Playaz Circle's Dufflebag Boy - it cranked, Nick played toms / Nick conga solo - Ikey played the cowbell, TonySax and Kevin played tambourines
3) Showtyme-led Kanye West's Flashing Lights - it cranked / Percussion solo - Ikey played the cowbell, TonySax and Kevin played tambourines
PrettygurlKi$ha was there.
4) Alternating Showtyme-led Kanye West's Good Life featuring T-Pain - it cranked / Keith-led Michael Jackson's P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) / Percussion solo
Suri was there.
5) Alternating Showtyme-led Mims' This Is Why I'm Hot - it had a light crank / Tyreke-led Gucci Mane's Freaky Gurl / Percussion solo - congas & toms, it rose to a full crank / Horn solo - familiar tune
6) Showtyme-led "We on fire" - it cranked / Percussion solo
7) Showtyme-led "top of... get right" - Nick played toms, it cranked / Tyreke-led Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') (tease) - Nick played congas / Percussion solo
8) Alternating Tyreke-led " be with you... want to... tell me about her... always on my mind " - Nick played conga & toms, another vocalist sat in / guest vocalist-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) / conga solo / guest vocalist-led ?
I really enjoyed it.

Jayme, Fat Docta of Black Passion, his wife MsMickey, and Chappy were there.


Kelasia in front, Suri in back, Sashay Shaunte, PrettygurlKi$ha, Jayme, Fat Docta
Picture taken by Jordan Rich, Copyright - Kelasia

Billy The Kid talked on the mic onstage during the break.

Backyard Band
This was my first time seeing a full performance of them in over a year, since the Mexican Lindo.
The line up was: Big G (lead talker), Los (rapper), Weensy (singer), Earl (singer), EB (keyboard), White Mike (keyboard), Marcus (keyboard), Rob (guitar), Nate (bass), Buggy (drummer), Sauce (percussion).
First set - 1:52 AM
1) Big G rapped "when I was young" - it cranked, Weensy played the cowbell (It was incredible to watch, the natural, precise, and fast way he played) / Los rapped
Muffin was there.
2) Weensy-led "girl you know, dip" - Sauce played toms
3) Big G-led ? - Sauce played toms, the audience recited the lyrics, Weensy played the cowbell, Sauce switched to congas
4) Big G & Los-led "stay outside" - Sauce played toms, the audience recited the lyrics
The set ended at 2:22. It was like an adult version of a young GoGo band show, both the Bounce Beat and the audience jumping up and down hyped (I don't mean this as an insult, just an observation).
Big G asked people to calm down because they (Backyard) would like to continue being welcome at Mirrors.

During the break, Big G told people to stay out of trouble and the consequences: "Nobody wants to wake up in the morning and have someone tell them what to do. In prison, you spend long hours looking at the ceiling..."

Second set - 2:29
1) Earl-led Outkast's The Prototype? - it had a light crank (Sauce didn't even play, he sat down in front of the congas)
2) Weensy-led "what you know" - it cranked, the house lights came on
3) Los-led ? - it cranked
4) Weensy-led "You got to get..." - Sauce played toms, it cranked, the crowd was hyped -->
5) Big G-led ? - Sauce played toms, it cranked / tom solo -->
6) Big G-led ? - Sauce played toms, it cranked, the audience recited the lyrics -->
7) Big G-led ? - Sauce played toms, it cranked
8) Weensy & Big-led ? - it cranked
9) Weensy-led "in your..." - Sauce played toms, it cranked, Los said, "Uptown, Charlie Brown!"
10) Keyboard instrumental
It was difficult for me to make out what any of the vocalists were saying/singing over the toms. However, for most of the audience, they seemed to know exactly what the frontline was saying.
Big G said, "Ladies not wearing any underwear, take care of yourself. Seriously, a girl came up and said put me on the mic, I ain't got no drawers on."

Dawayne of Main Stage was there.

Nico wrote an entry on this in his own blog here (you have to have a myspace account to read it).

Friday at Mirrors
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002

Theos was there.

360 Band
? - it cranked
D. Brown-led "like a freak, a nasty girl" - Leroy played toms
Nakia and Khalissa were there.
D. Brown-led "I want to be free... things alright" - it had a light crank
Sade was there.
D. Brown did a shout out to me.
They had a guest drummer named Wesley (celebrating his birthday, he is L. Boogie's cousin) sit in, he cranked.
D. Brown-led "Damn it's hot" - it cranked
D. Brown-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)

Kim (don't know), and Skaci were there. Skaci told me next week she is turning 40. I told her I found that hard to believe, but she said she's proud to be turning 40.

Jackie, Nikia, Tamara of ASAP, Sanchez, and Peg Leg were there.

Godfather introduced me to his friend of 24 years, Federico Pena. I saw Federico perform with Stoney Ellis on November 2nd. Godfather said that Federico was one of the guys who he learned from over the years. Federico has performed with Meshell Ndegeocello, Maxwell and others. He is currently in a band that is shopping a new album called Gaia.

Familiar Faces
Byron "BJ" Jackson was subbing for Lorenzo.
First set
Donnell said, "Scooby's back," and ladies screamed.
Donnell said, "You know I'm jealous."
1) Damila-led Chrisette Michele's Like a Dream - it had a light crank
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Alternating Percussion solo - it cranked, Scooby chanted, "Uh oh" repeatedly, the second time Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and sang, "Oh my my my" / Scooby-led Trey Songz' Can't Help But Wait, Donnell chanted, "Killazoo!" / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friend of mine" chant
4) Alternating Damila-led Jill Scott's Hate on Me - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo
6'9 was there.
5) Alternating Scooby & Quese-led Chris Brown's With You? - it cranked / Quese-led "When I get my way" - Quese sang, "Help me sing it, y'all", Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo - Donnell invited Rasheed onstage, Donnell joked, "Blazers and stilettos, someone did not get the memo", Donnell chanted, "Still familiar and we'll still kill ya"
6) Damila-led Keyshia Cole's I Remember - Tiffany was onstage, the smoke machine was going
7) Quese-led The Dream's Falsetto
James, Dimitri, Donnell Jr., and Monique were there.
8) Scooby-led Babyface's Whip Appeal - Shannon (celebrating her birthday) was onstage

Yolanda, Nicole, and DeeDee were there.

It was packed.

Second set
1) Alternating Scooby-led Playaz Circle's Dufflebag Boy - it cranked, the stopped it to calm some guys down, Donnell gave a speech, "This might not be your party", Scooby chanted, "Uh oh" repeatedly, the smoke machine was going / Percussion solo - the strobe light was working, Scooby said, "All my haters", Damila chanted, "Brandywine!"
Tasha (L) was there.
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
3) Alternating Donnell-led "Party party, everybody" - it cranked / Donnell chanted, "Hey ay hey ay" / Donnell chanted, "If you're looking good, say hell yeah!" / Damila-led Alicia Keys' No One - Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo - the males on the frontline danced in synch
Dog was there.
4) Quese-led We Don't Need These Phones - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo
5) Alternating Scooby-led "Uh oh uh uh oh" - it cranked, Scooby chanted, "Hold it!" / Percussion solo - Scooby chanted, "Eya eya"
6) Donnell rapped "contagious, outrageous" / Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - it cranked, Smoke played toms / "Southeast, South, Southeast" chant / Donnell chanted, "Dance with me y'all"
7) Alternating Donnell & Scooby-led Do You Think About Me? - it had a light crank, the house lights came on / Percussion solo / Donnell-led Can We Touch Tonight? (tease) - "The question we really want to know, can we f*ck tonight? That's what we really want to know." / Donnell-led Rare Essence's How Can I Know? (tease) / Donnell & Scooby-led "DC girls they drive me crazy"
Candi W. and Robin were there.

I sweated through my clothes due to the body heat.

Celebration of The Woman
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002


All-Star Band
The line up was: Earl (vocals), Kimese (vocals), Yannie (vocals), Rob (guitar), Nate (bass), keyboard player, Buggy (drums), Sauce (percussion)
Kimese talked about this show being to celebrate The Woman. She said, "Treat her right on Valentine's Day." Yannie said, "And the day after that, and the day after that..."
1) Yannie-led The Temptations' Treat Her Like a Lady (tease) - it had a light crank
2) Yannie-led Rufus' Sweet Thang - it had a light crank, Yannie's singing was awesome!
3) Kimese-led Style Council's Angel - it had a light crank
Billy The Kid was there.
4) Earl-led OutKast's Prototype? - it had a light crank
5) Kimese-led Jill Scott's Whenever You're Around
6) Yannie-led Rich Girl - again Yannie's singing was awesome!
7) Earl-led T-Pain's Bartender - it had a light crank
Tyrell and Ro'chelle (toosweet) were there.
8) Percussion solo - it cranked, Earl said, "Watch me do me. Want to see how it's done?" -->
9) Kimese-led "Shouldn't've let you go" - Earl said, "Get low" / Percussion solo - Earl said, "Hot sauce, show 'em who's boss"
10) Earl-led "'Cause I'm going through the hood, Lincoln Heights" / Kimese-led "change, get your mind over there."
11) Earl-led Yung Berg's Sexy Lady - it cranked
12) Earl acapella Happy Birthday
This was even better than the last performance of this project.

Tasha (T-Bird), Wanda (2nd2None), and TaTa were there.

Suttle featuring Quint'essential Soul
First set
De'-De' did shout outs to Yannie, Kimese, Earl, Sauce, and Buggy.
They had a smoke machine going, the smoke was really thick.
1) Sean-led The Dream's Falsetto - it had a light crank, Dwayne soloed
2) Sean-led Al Green's Love and Happiness - it had a light crank, the audience was really into it
3) Alternating Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - it cranked, Sean chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo
4) De'-De'-led Trey Songz' Can't Help But Wait - it had a light crank / Percussion solo - De'-De' chanted, "Eya eya"
5) De'-De'-led "You know" - it cranked / Percussion sol
6) Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked - a girl danced with me then said, "Thank you" afterwards / Sean-led Usher's Bad Girl - De'-De' chanted "2 step" repeatedly -->
7) Halima-led Keyshia Cole's Let It Go - it cranked, ladies sang it / Percussion solo / De'-De'-led "We like to do..." - Dwayne soloed

SaVern, Keysha, and Robbie of ASAP were there.

Sherray (not Always Showtime!!) asked me why I wasn't at Tradewinds; I believe she's a girl I danced with here a few weeks ago.

Shawnie (the bartender) was there.

Second set
1) De'-De' & Sean-led Kanye West's Flashing Lights - it cranked, Britney danced onstage -->
2) Halima-led Rihanna's Umbrella - it cranked, Strikeapose twirled an umbrella onstage
3) De'-De'-led Flo Rida's Low - it cranked
4) Halima-led Jill Scott's Hate On Me - it cranked, Dirdy Redz danced onstage and then rapped / Dirdy Redz-led Remy Ma's Conceited (There's Something About Remy)
5) De'-De' & Sean-led Kanye West's Good Life featuring T-Pain - it cranked -->
6) De'-De'-led Michael Jackson's P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) - it cranked
I enjoyed it the most of any Suttle performance I have been to; this was my first time seeing the full new line up.

I talked with Dirdy Redz after the set.

Deuce Juan came over and talked with me briefly.

Sabrina and Serena were there.

Friday at Mirrors
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002

360 Band
? - it cranked
Nakia was there.
D. Brown did a shout out to me.
Khalissa and Darrell were there.
D. Brown-led ?
Tamara of ASAP was there. You can see her slideshow of pictures from this night here.
Tony-led "put my hands on my hips tonight, we feeling, I could not believe it if I wanted to, inside my mind, nobody else would do" - at first it had a light crank, then it rose to a full crank
Ebo, Ashanti, Darrell's friend Cole, Miss Smucker 's, Shonda (I hadn't seen her in over a year), Skaci, Stacy (Pretty Smile), Lolita (celebrating her birthday), and Maketta were there.

Familiar Faces
Scooby was not present, as he was opening for 112 in the Midwest.
First set
1) Alternating Donnell-led "DC girls, they drive me crazy" - it had a light crank / Percussion solo
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - it cranked
3) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - it cranked / "Hey ay, hey ay" / "Friday night, just got paid"
4) Quese-led Jodeci's Come & Talk to Me - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo
5) Alternating Percussion solo / Damila-led Jill Scott's Hate on Me
6) Damila-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Smoke played toms / Smoke tom solo
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - it cranked, a girl danced onstage
8) Donnell-led "Unh unh unh" - it cranked
9) Quese-led The Dream's Falsetto - Donnell played a Sax solo
10) Damila-led Keyshia Cole's I Remember - Donnell said, "We love when people fall in love at the GoGo"
11) Damila-led Rufus' Sweet Thang - it had a light crank
RE Angie, Peg Leg, and 6'9 were there.

Second set
1) Donnell-led Donna Summer's Love to Love You, Baby (tease) / Vinnie D's Porno Star? (tease)
2) Alternating Quese-led Playaz Circle's Dufflebag Boy - it cranked / Percussion solo -->
Dimitri and Donnell Jr. were there.
3) Damila-led Alicia Keys' No One - it cranked / Percussion solo - Strikeapose was onstage
4) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
5) Donnell-led "Party party, everybody" - it cranked / "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - Smoke played toms, Mike did a little skit, Smoke played toms, a girl danced with me
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) - it cranked / "Familiar Faces won't..." / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Roe rapped onstage
7) Roe-led Rare Essence's Lock It - it cranked, Dog was onstage / Percussion solo
8) Alternating Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome - it cranked / RE Angie conga solo / Smoke conga solo / "I gave my whole life"
9) Donnell & Damila-led Do You Think About Me? - it had a light crank, the house lights came on / Percussion solo - it rose to a full crank / Donnell-led "DC girls they drive me crazy" / Donnell & Damila-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease) / Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease) / Quese-led Luther Vandross' Never Too Much / Damila-led Anita Baker's Been So Long

Saturday at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

Tracey G., Torrie, Khalissa, Shawn, Nikia, Nakia, Maketta, Tracie (Model Chick), Troy, and Archie were there. Brenda, a friend of Tina (TT) and Mama Chelle, said hello.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) Instrumental (familiar 70s song, but it was too brief a tease for me to identify it)
Robin and RE Angie were there.
2) Damila-led Anita Baker's Been So Long - it had a light crank, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo - it rose to a full crank
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - it cranked
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies, Oh my God!"
5) Scooby-led Trey Songz' Can't Help But Wait - it cranked
6) Damila-led Mis-Teeq's Style - Smoke played toms, it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo - Scooby chanted, "Shake, shake your body, baby"
7) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
8) Damila-led Jill Scott's Hate on Me - it cranked / Percussion solo - Scooby chanted, "Hey ay, hey ay ay"
Tasha (L) was there.
9) Scooby-led Sunshine - it had a light crank, Scooby said, "Dedicated to the sunshines of the world. If you love your kids like I love mine, hold your phones in the air.", the audience recited the lyrics / Percussion solo - it rose to a full crank
10) Quese-led "I will take my time and do it right, this is our secret" - Quese pulled Brenda from the stage floor, she danced with him, they stopped it because someone passed out on the dance floor

Joanna, Shanti, El, Slick Rick, Tanya, and Candi W. were there.

I introduced myself to Mia.

It was packed.

Second set
Donnell said, "Nicole, you got people f*cked up tonight. My singer (Damila) up here stumbling and sh*t, you can't serve drinks to the band no more. And she (Damila) got on stilettos."
1) Damila-led Alicia Keys' No One - it cranked, they had the strobe light on, Donnell sang, "Nicole the Bartender" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Oh my my my", Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this I swear, we ain't going nowhere" / "___ Is in the house"
2) Scooby-led Playaz Circle's Dufflebag Boy - it cranked / Percussion solo
Pocahontas was there.
3) Alternating Scooby-led "Uh oh uh uh oh" - the crowd chanted, it cranked / Percussion solo - Scooby chanted, "Eya eya" / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) / Donnell chanted, "Where my troopers at?"
4) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - it cranked, the house lights came on, Scooby chanted, "Hey ay, hey ay"
5) Quese-led We Don't Need These Phones - Donnell rapped
6) Alternating Donnell & Scooby-led Do You Think About Me? - it had a light crank / Donnell-led Donna Summer's Love to Love You, Baby (tease)
7) Quese-led ?
Melanie and Flo (celebrating her birthday) were there.

Joy, Wendell & Eboni's Birthday Celebration
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002

Candi W., Kia, and Joy walked in right behind me.

Gary, Sashay Shaunte, and Strikeapose were there.

Tracy S. was there.

360 Band
They had added a Sax player; his name is Ray (I asked him his name after the set).

Darren, D. Brown, Phil, Nicole, L. Boogie, Pamela, Tony, Leroy, Ray, Tracy
D. Brown-led "Damn it's hot" - it cranked
Lolita was there.
Tony-led "what I managed to do, nobody else would ever do"
Khalissa, Maketta, Nakia, and Sanchez were there.
D. Brown-led Dreams' Shawty is a Ten
Skaci was there.

Claudia, Jay113, Robin, Peg Leg, Nikia, Eboni, Mona, Nikiya, and Nicole (T) were there.


Maketta and Nakia


Eboni's cake


(I don't know the 2 women on the left), Eboni, Nikia, Mona

Familiar Faces
Scooby was not present tonight.
First set

Sean, Lorenzo, Damila, Wendell, Donnell, Quese, Smoke, DP, Mike "Hardstep"
Donnell said, "Scooby and Quese are sick, it's from all that hand shaking."
They had a smoke machine going.
1) Damila-led Jill Scott's A Long Walk - it cranked
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - it cranked
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, hey Ay" - it cranked -->
5) Alternating Damila-led Jill Scott's Hate on Me - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
6) Donnell-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
7) Damila-led Mis-Teeq's Style - Smoke played toms, it cranked / Smoke tom solo
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - it cranked, Donnell said, "Half the band is sick, I thought I'd be here all by myself."
9) Quese-led "I will take my time, This is our secret, when your legs start shaking, don't be scared" - Quese sang directly to Nakia
10) Damila-led Ledisi's In the Morning?
Tameika? was there.
Donnell invited J. Hayden up onstage. He said that he has the same management as Raheem DeVaughn. J. Hayden set up the keyboard the way he wanted.
I remembered that he had performed with The Band the first time I ever saw them.
He said, "Have you ever been cheated on? Well I have. I wrote a song about it."
11) J. Hayden-led Its No Way (you can hear this on his myspace page)
He mentioned his website. He wanted to perform another song, but he said he didn't have time before the break.

Sean, Lorenzo, Wendell, J. Hayden, Jammin' Jeff, Donnell, Packy, DP, Mike "Hardstep", Smoke
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

Tamiko, Nicole (bf), 6'9, Ayesha, and her sister Soya were there.

It was packed.

Second set
1) Donnell-led Donna Summer's Love to Love You, Baby (tease) / Vinnie D's Porno Star? (tease)
2) Donnell-led Hey Rashida (Rare Essence's Hey Tameka) (tease) - it cranked / Damila-led Alicia Keys' No One - Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute" / Percussion solo -->
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
4) Donnell-led "Party party, everybody" - it cranked / Alternating Quese-led Playaz Circle's Dufflebag Boy - Donnell chanted, "Killazoo!" / Percussion solo
5) Alternating Donnell-led "__ Is yes!" - it cranked / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low" - Donnell chanted, "Hey Smoke oh!" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Killazoo!"
6) Damila-led Mary J. Blige's Just Fine - it cranked
7) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) - it cranked, they stopped it while security removed some people, Donnell gave a speech, "We're not into the young and the restless. We got twenty slow songs we could play" / Donnell chanted, "You will never see my face again, because you don't know me, oh oh" / Donnell chanted, "Where my troopers at?" / "Familiar Faces won't..."
8) Quese-led We Don't Need These Phones - it had a light crank, the house lights came on, Donnell rapped
Kim was there.
9) Donnell-led Do You Think About Me? - it had a light crank / Vinnie D's Porno Star? (tease)
10) Donnell acapella Usher's Bad Girl (tease)

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday Celebration at Mirrors
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002


Kim (don't know) walked in before me.

ASAP
They were all dressed up. TJ was not present (they said she was sick).
X) Tamara-led ? - it had a light crank
X+1) Monte-led Marvin Gaye's What's Going On? - it had a light crank
Darrell, Khalissa, and LA were there.
Tamara said that she won an award tonight (at the DMV music awards) for Best R&B Recording "U Can Get It"
X+2) Tamara-led Alicia Keys' No One - it had a light crank
X+3) Tamara-led Jill Scott's Hate on Me
Ray was there.
X+4) Tamara-led Rihanna's Umbrella - it cranked
X+5) Tamara-led "heartbreak"
X+6) Tamara-led Keyshia Cole's Let It Go - it cranked
The set ended at 11:51.  I enjoyed it.

You can see Tamara's video on the DMV Entertainment & Music Awards (with Alorious' U Can Get It playing in the background) here. You can also hear the song on Alorious' myspage page here. Also, Tamara has posted pictures here.

Chris Wright and Black Boo of Mambo Sauce were there.

NeeNee, Tina, Sanchez, Skaci, Torrie, Tracey G., TaTa, Nena, and Maiah were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
It was dark onstage.
1) Quese-led India Arie's Ready for Love - Donnell played a Sax solo
2) Scooby-led Babyface's Whip Appeal - women yelled
3) Alternating Percussion solo - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Quese-led Jodeci's Come & Talk to Me
Rhonda and White Girl (E) were there.
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - it cranked
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - it cranked / "___ Is in the house" / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Dance with me y'all" / Scooby-led GoGo Is My Business
6'9 and Kia were there.
6) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
7) Donnell-led "Party party, everybody" - it cranked / Damila-led Mis-Teeq's Style - Smoke played toms, they had the strobe light on
Trina Boo was there.
8) Donnell & Scooby-led Rare Essence's Lock It - it cranked, Lorenzo & Godfather switched keyboards, Scooby and Donnell strutted opposite each other, Mike danced in front
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (literal tease)

Theos and Ian were there.

Second set
1) Damila-led Alicia Keys' No One - it cranked / Percussion solo - Scooby chanted, "Eya eya", Scooby said, "Shake, shake it, don't break it"
Tasha and Toya were there.
2) Scooby-led Trey Songz' Can't Help But Wait - it cranked / Percussion solo
3) Scooby-led Playaz Circle's Duffle Bag Boy - it cranked, red lights were shined on the stage / Percussion solo - they had the strobe light on
4) Alternating Scooby-led "Uh oh uh uh oh" - it cranked, Scooby said, "Throw your hands in the air, throw your hands up", they had the strobe light on / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) / Donnell-led "Familiar Faces won't..." - the audience recited the lyrics / Donnell chanted, "You will never see my face again, because you don't know me, oh oh" / Percussion solo - Scooby chanted, "Eya eya"
E of OP Tribe was there.
5) Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - it cranked - the house lights came on / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Tupac's Hail Mary (tease)
Dog, Stacey, and Iris (hadn't seen either of them in a year) were there.
6) Donnell & Scooby-led Do You Think About Me
7) Scooby-led Sunshine - it cranked
RE Angie was there.
8) Quese acapella Luther Vandross' Never Too Much (tease)
Candi W. and Sabrina were there.

Saturday at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

Los, Jennifer, MeCelle, Melanie, Troy, Felicia (T), Shawn, Robin, and Quay (Shorty Q) were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) Alternating Quese-led Jodeci's Come & Talk to Me / Percussion solo - it cranked, the strobe light was on
2) Quese-led Luther Vandross' Never Too Much (tease) - it had a light crank
3) Scooby-led Happy Birthday to Ya - it had a light crank, they had a smoke machine going / Percussion solo - it rose to a full crank -->
4) Damila-led Jill Scott's A Long Walk - it had a light crank
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
6) Donnell-ed "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - it cranked / "Hey ay, Hey ay" / "___ Is in the house"
7) Alternating Scooby-led Trey Songz' Can't Help But Wait / Percussion solo - Scooby said, "Shake, shake it, don't break it"
RE Angie was there.
8) Damila-led Mis-Teeq's Style - Smoke played toms, it cranked
9) Donnell & Scooby-led Rare Essence's Lock It - it cranked, Lorenzo and Godfather switched keyboards
Tricia was there.
10) Damila-led Mary J. Blige's My Life - it had a light crank
DeeDee was there.
11) Scooby-led "give it up, nowhere, never" - it had a light crank
6'9 was there.
12) Quese-led India Arie's Ready for Love - Donnell played a Sax solo, it had a light crank
13) Scooby-led The Delfonics' Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - it had a light crank

Mia, Shadonna, Rhonda, and Pocahontas were there.

Second set
1) Alternating Damila-led Jill Scott's No One - it cranked / Percussion solo - Scooby said, "Sing it" and the crowd chanted "oh oh ah", Scooby chanted, "Eya eya" / Donnell-led "___ Is in the house" / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Ay ay ay"
Crystal and Angie were there.
2) Alternating Scooby-led "Uh oh, uh uh oh" - it cranked / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) / Donnell-led "Familiar Faces won't..." - the crowd recited it / Scooby chanted, "Preach, church, tabernacle" / Donnell said "Where my troopers at?"
3) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What? - it cranked -->
4) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - it cranked, Smoke played toms, the house lights came on, Donnell chanted, "Killazoo!"
5) Donnell-led 911 - it cranked
Wanda (Lady$tyle$) was there.
6) Scooby-led Sunshine - it had a light crank, Scooby said, "This song, if you don't know, is called Sunshine. It is about our kids. If you have a kid, hold your cell phone up, celebrate our kids", the audience recited the lyrics
7) Donnell-led "This is how we party in my neighborhood" / Percussion solo - Donnell joked to John (the manager), "I told them to stop, but they keep on going"
8) Alternating Donnell acapella "I gave my whole life" / It Is What It Is (tease) / Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)

Friday at Mirrors
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002

Donnell Jr. was there.

360 Band
They had a new singer added to the frontline, I talked with her later; her name is Pamela.
Ty (Delano795), Neta, and Nakia were there.
Tony-led "It's time to move, it's time to get down, let's get it on" - it cranked
Khalissa, Jay113, and Deezo were there.
Nicole-led "It's an invitation, I'll make you feel good" - it cranked
Dog was there.
Tony-led "I can't get her out of my mind, stay out of my mind, I like the way you work it".
D. Brown-led "Let me see you move it" - Leroy played toms, it cranked, the strobe flight flashed
D. Brown-led "Drop down low"
D. Brown did shout outs to me & Delano.
D. Brown-led "You a freak?"
D. Brown-led ?
Sade was there.
Nicole-led Chrisette Michele's Like a Dream - it had a light crank

Monique, Muffin, Sanchez, and Shadonna were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) Alternating Percussion solo - it cranked / Quese-led Jodeci's Come & Talk to Me - Quese sang directly to a girl
Derek Floyd (celebrating his birthday), Gary, and RE Angie were there.
2) Damila-led Jill Scott's A Long Walk - it cranked -->
March, Mama Chelle, Jessica, and Skaci were there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" / "Hey ay, Hey ay" / Percussion solo - it cranked
4) Scooby-led GoGo Is My Business - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
6'9 was there.
5) Damila-led Jill Scott's Hate on Me - it cranked / Percussion solo
6) Alternating Donnell-led Tattoo - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Hey Smoke, oh!" / Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" -->
7) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
8) Damila-led Mis-Teeq's Style - Smoke played toms, it cranked
MeCelle, Melanie, and Theos were there.
9) Quese-led "I will take my time and do it right, this is our secret" - it had a light crank
10) Scooby-led "Know about you baby" - it had a light crank, the frontline and fans moved their arms from side to side
11) The Temptations' My Girl (instrumental tease) / Scooby-led "on my mind"
12) Godfather keyboard outtro

A girl danced with me during the break. I introduced myself to Nicole.

DeeDee, Ayesha, Strikeapose, Tre of UCB, and Tyrell were there.

Second set
Derek and Donnell Jr. were onstage.
NeeNee was there.
1) Damila-led Alicia Keys' No One - it cranked, Strikeapose went onstage / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
2) Scooby-led Trey Songz' Can't Help But Wait - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "You ain't never heard a pocket like this I swear, we ain't going nowhere"
3) Alternating Scooby-led Playaz Circle's Duffle Bag Boy - it cranked / Percussion solo
4) Alternating Scooby-led "Uh oh, uh uh oh" - it cranked / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) / Donnell-led "Familiar Faces won't..." / Donnell chanted, "You will never see my face again, because you don't know me, oh oh" / Scooby chanted "Preach, church, tabernacle" repeatedly / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
Robin was there.
5) Quese-led We Don't Need These Phones - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Hold the note"
6) Donnell & Damila-led Do You Think About Me? - it had a light crank
Scottie Jay was there.
7) Quese acapella Luther Vandross' Never Too Much
8) Donnell acapella Luther Vandross' Superstar/Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)?
9) Donnell acapella Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
Donnell joked, "This (PA) will be on the street by tomorrow morning."
10) Quese acapella "Baby, I'm going to fill you up with my tender ecstasy" - Donnell said, "Googie, don't let anyone's mic over mine..."
11) Donnell acapella Luther Vandross' Never Too Much

A Washington Post reporter wrote an article on this show, you can read it here.

Godfather's Birthday Celebration at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

Felecia, Tina, Shawn, Neta, Monique, Danette, and Nikia were there.

Familiar Faces
Jammin' Jeff was the drummer (previously Stomp had filled in on Saturdays)
They had the Bike Week configuration.
First set
1) Instrumental - Donnell did a birthday dedication to Godfather, he went over songs that Godfather worked on, Donnell told a story about how Godfather was at his (Donnell's) audition with Rare Essence in 1982, talked about Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic
2) Damila-led William Devaughn's Be Thankful (for What You Got) - it had a light crank / Chrisette Michele's Like a Dream / Percussion solo (with Damila still singing), the strobe light was turned on
3) Quese-led Jodeci's Come & Talk to Me - ladies in the audience sang it, Scooby said, "Party with me", Scooby & Donnell said, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo
Rhonda was there.
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - Quese held his mic to the crowd
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - it cranked
6) Percussion solo - Donnell & Scooby chanted, "Hey ay, Hey ay"
7) Scooby-led GoGo Is My Business - it cranked
8) Damila-led Mis-Teeq's Style - Smoke played toms, it cranked
Troy and Robin were there.
9) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - it cranked
10) Donnell-led "Party party, everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo
11) Scooby-led Trey Songz' Can't Help But Wait / Percussion solo - it cranked
White Girl (E) and 6'9 were there.
12) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love - Donnell did the keyboard sounds vocally / Rare Essence's Spotlight - Donnell said, "Put Godfather on display"
13) Scooby-led Rare Essence's ?
14) Scooby & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - it cranked, the crowd recited lyrics
15) Alternating Donnell & Scooby-led Do You Think About Me? - it had a light crank / Donnell sang the lyrics to Lap Dance
Tasha (T-Bird), Joanna, and RE Angie were there.
16) Quese-led "this is our secret, feel your body tremble"
17) Scooby-led Babyface's Whip Appeal - it had a light crank
This was a longer first set than they usually did in 2007.

Cherie, Michael Ford, Tina (TT), Jessica, and Mama Chelle were there.

Second set
Donnell said, "I don't care how many interviews you hear, Familiar Faces ain't going nowhere. I'm afraid to turn on the radio; they're giving more interviews than Muhammed Ali."
1) Damila-led Alicia Keys' No One - it cranked, Godfather wasn't back onstage yet, so Lorenzo stretched and played both keyboards at the same time, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
2) Alternating Scooby-led Playaz Circle's Duffle Bag - it cranked, Packy played toms / Percussion solo - the strobe light was on
Mall was there.
3) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" - it had a light crank / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low" / Percussion solo
4) Alternating Scooby-led "Uh oh uh uh oh" - it cranked, Scooby said, "Throw your hands in the air, throw you hands up" / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads up) / Donnell-led "Familiar Faces won't..." / Donnell chanted, "You will never see my face again..." / Percussion solo - the house lights came on
5) Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - it cranked, they played different guitar riffs / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Tupac's Hail Mary (tease)
Keta was there.
6) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - it cranked, Smoke played toms
7) Scooby-led Sunshine - it had a light crank / Percussion solo
8) Damila-led Anita Baker's Been So Long
9) Quese-led Luther Vandross' Never Too Much
Donnell said, "Happy Birthday Godfather, it may be your last day (with the band), but happy birthday".
10) Donnell acapella Prince's Take Me With You (tease)
Candylady was there.

Debut of Suttle's new line up
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Yvette, Felecia, Tom Cat, Bobbie Westmoreland, Sashay Shaunte, and Ro'chelle (toosweet) were there.

Suttle featuring Quint'essential Soul
First set
The line up was: Sean "Kal-el" Gross (vocals), Halima Peru (vocals), Dwayne Lee (guitar), Doc Hughes (bass), Darryl Estep (keyboard), Glen Cobb (keyboard), Stomp (drummer), Drew Miles (percussion), Charlie Allen (percussion).

Doc, Stomp, Charlie


Dwayne, Glenn, Darryl, Sean, Doc, Stomp
Both pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
1) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - it cranked, Halima walked around the dance floor
2) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Until the End of Time - Sean walked around
3) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Just Fine - it had a light crank
4) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - it cranked
Tricia, Angie, and Nece (the promoter) were there.
5) Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked / Sean-led Usher's Bad Girl
6) Halima-led Please Show Me
I enjoyed it, but it was very emotional for me.
Ty (Delano795) was there.

Tamara and TJ of ASAP arrived as I was leaving. I left for Mirrors.

Nico wrote an entry on this in his own blog here (you have to have a myspace account to read it).

Familiar Faces at Mirrors
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002

Candi W. was there.

Familiar Faces
First set - in progress (I would have been earlier, but I got lost coming from Takoma Station)
X) Alternating Donnell & Scooby-led Do You Think About Me? / Percussion solo - it cranked
Wea, Tiffany, Stacy (Pretty Smile), Ebony (from Takoma Station), Kim (don't know), 6'9, Maketta, and Lolita were there.
X+1) Quese-led "I've been waiting for you baby, I will take my time and do it right, just stay the night" - it had a light crank
Julia, Vicki, Tricia, Angie (they said to me, "Did you follow us?"), and Skaci were there.
X+2) Scooby-led Babyface's Whip Appeal - it cranked
Ayesha and Nakia were there.
X+3) Scooby-led "time you have, take your clothes off real slowly baby, stick you tongue out and say the alphabet"
Sanchez was there.
X+4) Quese-led Brian McKnight's Anytime
Dog, Los, RE Angie, DeeDee, Nikia, and Donnell Jr. were there.
X+5) Instrumental - Donnell spoke and joked about an upcoming show, "Quese is going to strip and Jammin' Jeff too, fellas don't come till 11:30"
Khalissa, Ty (Delano795), Juanita, and Robin were there.

Gary was there.

Second set
1) Damila-led Alicia Keys' No One - it cranked / Percussion solo / Donnell & Scooby-led "I love her because she's my baby, DC girls they drive me crazy" / Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
All three of the managers in Third Eye were there.
2) Alternating Scooby-led Playaz Circle's Duffle Bag - it cranked / Percussion solo
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - it cranked
4) Donnell-led "Party party, everybody" - it cranked / Alternating Scooby-led "uh oh uh uh oh" - Scooby said, "Throw your hands in the air, throw your hands up" / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) - Donnell chanted, "You will never see my face again..." / Percussion solo
5) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - it cranked, Smoke played toms / Quese-led We Don't Need These Phones - the house lights came on, Donnell rapped
Big Don Pimp was there. BigMell introduced himself to me.
6) Donnell-led 911 (tease) / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
7) Quese-led Luther Vandross' Never Too Much
8) Scooby-led (I recognized it as a song he performed with Da Grew^p) "Cause I've" / "uh uh uh oh"
9) Damila-led Anita Baker's Been So Long
10) Quese-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man?
Donnell joked "Ten for ten..."
Theos was there.
Donnell joked, "Is that you Theos? They let you cut the hair?"
11) Donnell acapella "DC girls they drive me crazy"

No Label's Whatchu Like Video Release Party
Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Rd West Springfield, VA 22152

Sherray (Always Showtime!!), her boyfriend JT, Tabi Bonney, and Brian (husband of Maeisha of Maeisha & the HipHuggers) were there.

No Label's street team included 5 girls wearing white t-shirts, each with a name of one of the members of No Label on the back.

When I arrived, a group of three mimes were performing, both onstage and among the audience.

No Label gave away a guitar (a raffle?).

They showed the video on a large screen at the back of the stage - it had a lot going on.

For the intro, there was a male dancer wearing a skirt (African?) and the intro mentioned the five elements and the dancer acted accordingly.

No Label

CJ in front, back: Danni Blaze, Krys, Shawn Michelle, DaDa


CJ, Danni Blaze, Krys, DaDa, Shawn Michelle


Krys, DaDa, CJ, Danni Blaze, Shawn Michelle


Danni Blaze, Shawn Michelle, Krys, CJ, DaDa


Danni Blaze, Shawn Michelle, CJ, Krys, DaDa


Danni Blaze, DaDa, Shawn Michelle, Krys, CJ
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
1) Nice - they introduced themselves
2) I Love Myself - they sat in stools to start
3) Shoe Song
4) Actions
They did thank you shout outs.
5) Whatchu Like
I enjoyed their performance, the first time I've seen them perform without a band.

After the performance they met with fans, but I left immediately because it was a weeknight.

WHAT? Band at Le Pearl
Le Pearl, 7929 Central Ave, Capitol Heights, MD 20743


When I walked up to the front, Michelle Blackwell was getting out of her car. I walked in with her.

Lepearl had tables set up on the floor, which is different from the last time I saw a show here.

A girl named Tasha, celebrating her birthday, sat down at my table. I got up for the dance floor shortly before they started performing.

WHAT? Band - started at 12:18
The line up was: Chris "Rah" Black (lead talker), Michelle Blackwell (vocalist), Killa Cal (rapper), Dave (keyboard), Will (keyboard), Rico (bass), Drew (guitar), Smokin' Joe (drummer), Rocket Rob (lead percussion), Duce7 (percussion)
Michelle did a shout out to me.
First set

Front: Rico, Michelle, Killa Cal, Drew, Back: (don't know the keyboard players by sight), Smokin' Joe, Duce7, Rocket Rob


Michelle, Duce7, Killa Cal, Rocket Rob, Drew
1) Instrumental jam - it cranked
2) Michelle-led Erykah Badu's Back in the Day (Puff) - it had a light crank / Percussion solo
3) Michelle-led Keyshia Cole's Let It Go - it cranked
4) Killa Cal-led "Just waking up in the morning" - it cranked / ? - Killa Cal did a shout out to me
5) Michelle & Killa Cal-led "I just want to be a star" - it cranked
6) Alternating Michelle & Killa Cal-led "that's what ya, like you" - it cranked / Percussion solo
7) Michelle-led Alicia Keys' No One - it cranked, Rocket Rob played congas & toms / Percussion solo (congas)
8) Percussion solo - it cranked / Michelle & Killa Cal-led "Thanks for coming out and welcome to my party y'all, it's started, come to party"
9) Michelle-led "We in the club like" (tease)
10) Alternating Killa Cal-led Dem Franchise Boyz' I Think They Like Me (tease) / Michelle-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
11) Alternating Michelle-led "Happy Birthday to ya" / Percussion solo (toms) - it cranked

Second set


1) Cassidy's My Drink N' My 2 Step (instrumental) - it cranked / Killa Cal-led Cassidy's My Drink N' My 2 Step - Rah chanted, "Maybe I did, Maybe I didn't, So what if I did, Mind ya business", a girl danced with me
2) Michelle-led ? / Percussion solo
3) Michelle-led "It's poppin', let's pop" - it cranked / "What you know about me?" / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Ay ay ay"
4) Rah & Killa Cal-led "I love the way you move" - it cranked / Percussion solo - Rah chanted, "Eya eya", Rah chanted, "Dip" and Michelle chanted, "How low can you go?", Rah chanted, "Hop on the wagon" and the crowd chanted, "Ay ay ay"
5) Rah-led "This is the way I live" / Killa Cal-led "Make it rain" - Rah chanted, "Maybe I did, Maybe I didn't..."
6) Rah rapped "Jonin' on houses & car, you're jonin' on t-shirts & shoes" - Rah went on to talk about tomorrow's show (WHAT? Band, Rare Essence, Mambo Sauce, and Cassidy). He issued a challenge that Killa Cal was a much better rapper than Cassidy.


Third set
1) Michelle-led "try so hard, be in my heart, shouldn't have let you go" - it cranked / Percussion solo
2) Killa Cal-led "This b*tch got in your head" - it cranked / Michelle-led "I need action, what's it going to be?" / Michelle-led Johnny Nash's I Can See Clearly Now
3) Instrumental - it cranked, Rah chanted, "Maybe I did, Maybe I didn't..." / Killa Cal-led "What I did all night" / Percussion solo
Twan was there.
4) Alternating Michelle-led "I need a real man, What you going to do? I need action, I hear you talking" - Rocket Rob played toms, it cranked / Rah-led "I got to put you on the line"
5) Alternating Killa Cal-led "I am an animal" - it cranked / Percussion solo (congas) - the house lights came on / Percussion solo (toms)
6) Michelle-led Beyonce's Irreplaceable - it cranked, Rocket Rob played toms
7) Percussion solo (congas) - Rah chanted, "Maybe I did, Maybe I didn't..."
8) Killa Cal-led Hurricane Chris' Ay Bay Bay / Lil Boosie & Webbie's Wipe Me Down
At some point during the set, Rah unzipped his pants and they fell to his ankles. Michelle asked me to take the following picture:

All pictures (except flyers) taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

I enjoyed the performance; it is a different atmosphere than Classics, but with the same incredible call & response.

Familiar Faces at Mirrors
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002


Tony yelled at me from a car as I walked to Mirrors.

Khalissa was there.

Wings World was there, filming 360 Band.

360 Band (in progress)

Darren, Marc, Mike, D. Brown, Phil, L. Boogie, Nicole, Tony, Leroy, Tracy


Wings World filming
Nicole was on the dance floor.
"Go crazy" - it cranked
Deezo and Jay113 were there.
D. Brown-led "I want to be free to do the things, all night" - it cranked
Rasheed and Lolita were there.
D. Brown-led Keyshia Cole's Let It Go
D. Brown-led "Drop down, almost hit the floor"
Nicole-led Chrisette Michele's Like a Dream - it had a light crank
Darrell and Ray were there.
D. Brown-led "let me" - Leroy played toms, it cranked
Natalie, Tanya, Tre of UCB, Ty (Delano795), James, DeeDee, Michelle, Bryon, Skaci, Tomcat, Peg Leg, and Dog were there.

Familiar Faces
Donnell called Wendell, "Wendell Santana."
First set

Jammin' Jeff, Donnell, Packy, Quese, Mike "Hardstep", Smoke, Rasheed

Sean, Scooby, Lorenzo, Wendell, Damila, Jammin' Jeff, Donnell, Packy, Quese
All pictures (except flyer) taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
1) Damila-led "situation education, in the park, after dark" / Percussion solo - it cranked
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
6'9 was there.
4) Scooby-led Trey Songz' Can't Help But Wait - it cranked
5) Damila-led ? - it cranked, Smoke played toms
6) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
7) Donnell-led "Party party, everybody" - it cranked / Alternating Percussion solo - Khalissa whooped / Scooby-led Ne-Yo's So Sick
Larone (GoGo Sucks), Skaci, and Ian were there.
8) Damila-led Jill Scott's Hate on Me - it cranked
9) Donnell & Scooby-led Rare Essence's Lock It - it cranked, Donnell and Scooby strutted past each other / Donnell-led "Familiar Faces ain't going nowhere, Didn't I tell you, I give you all that I got to"
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (literal tease)
11) Quese-led "Are you ready for love?" - Donnell played a Sax solo
12) Scooby-led The Temptations' A Song for You
Gary and RE Angie were there.
13) Scooby (or Quese?)-led The Delfonics' Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)
Candi W., Claudia, NeeNee, Robin, Nikiya, Strikeapose, and Gwynn were there.

Warming up
Donnell acapella Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready (tease)

Second set
Donnell said, "We're going to change from the Grown & Sexy to the Blazers and Stilettos."
1) Alternating Scooby-led Playaz Circle's Duffle Bag Boy - it had a light crank / Percussion solo - it rose to a full crank
Bengiy was there.
2) Scooby-led "Uh oh, uh uh oh" - Scooby said, "Throw your hands in the air, throw your hands up" / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) - Scooby said, "Each and every Friday, party with me" / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo!"
3) Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" - it cranked / "Keep it low" / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "Say what? Do what?", Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
4) Donnell & Quese-led We Don't Need These Phones - it cranked, Chi Ali of Suttle Thoughts was onstage / Scooby-led "Move your body body" / Percussion solo
5) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - it cranked, Smoke played toms
6) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - it cranked / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes - the house lights came on
7) Donnell-led "Familiar Faces ain't going nowhere"
8) Damila-led Alicia Keys' No One - it had a light crank, Strikeapose was onstage
This was my first time seeing a full performance of the new line up - I really enjoyed it. They have more harmony than the old lineup. Damila has a nice booming voice.

Familiar Faces 2008 at X4B
X4B Luxury Hall, 3279 Brinkley Rd, Temple Hills MD 20748


Although it was a weeknight, I just had to be at the first show of the new FF.

Londa_5ft1, Deezo, Nakia, Maketta, Ty (Delano795), Tim (LJ), Robin, and Sashay Shaunte were there.

ASAP - started a little before 9 PM
I believe the line up was: TJ (lead talker), Tamara (singer), Monte (keyboard), Percy (keyboard), bass player, trumpet player, Robby (drummer), J (congas), Tweet (Percussionist).

1) Tamara-led Alicia Keys' No One - it had a light crank
2) TJ-led Kanye West's Flashing Lights - it had a light crank / Percussion solo - it rose to a full crank
TJ dedicated the next song to me and someone else (can't read my notes).
3) Tamara-led Jill Scott's Hate on Me - it cranked, a trumpet player joined in / Percussion solo

4) Alternating TJ-led "Heartbreak" / Percussion solo / Tamara rapped / TJ-led "Way to go" / TJ-led Cassidy's My Drink N' My 2 Step
They finished the set at 9:20 PM. It was short and sweet.

Jauhar & Ron of the Peaceoholics, Nikia, and all three of Third Eye Management (Rasheed, Snells, Kevin) were there.

Antoinette (Agent Gomez), Scottie Jay, Benjiy, Shawn, Candi W., Angie W., LA, Tracy S., RE Angie, Jimmy Parker, Slick Rick, and Mousy were there.

Here's my rundown of the 5 new members of Familiar Faces:
Frank "Scooby" Marshall, I of course am most familiar with, having seen him perform many times and respect his craft. He is billed as a special guest performer.
I knew that Sean Geason played for the Marcus Johnson Project and until now had played for Suttle. Stan Cooper had personally introduced me to him.
I've seen Marquis Melvin sing with Familiar Faces a few times before (such as this show in 2005).
I looked up Wendell Bacon and saw that he was the founding guitar player for Suttle Thoughts; when I saw him tonight, I recognized him as having been in the audience at a number of Familiar Faces shows.
When I saw Damila, I recognized her as having been the female singer for Da Mixx Band (having seen them recently).

Familiar Faces
The line up was: Frank "Scooby" Marshall (vocals & guitar), Marquis "Quese" Melvin (vocals), Damila Adams (vocals), Donnell (vocals & Sax), DP (vocals & trumpet), Mike "Hardstep" (vocals & trombone), Wendell Bacon (guitar), Sean Geason (bass), Lorenzo (keyboard), Godfather (keyboard), Jammin' Jeff (drummer), Smoke (percussion)
First set

Donnell, Quese, DP, Packy, Mike "Hardstep", Smoke, Omarr


Sean, Scooby, Lorenzo, Damila, Wendell, Donnell, Jammin' Jeff, Quese, DP
1) Quese-led "Are you ready for love?" - Donnell played his Sax on the dance floor

Sean, Lorenzo, Scooby, Wendell, Omarr, Donnell
All pictures (except flyer) taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
Alicia was there.
2) Scooby-led The Temptations' A Song for You
3) Scooby-led The Delfonics' Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - Damila moved to the front
4) Damila-led "All night, I can feel, in the park, after dark, temptation" - it cranked / Percussion solo
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - it cranked
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - it cranked
7) Percussion solo - it cranked
8) Scooby-led ? - it had a light crank / Percussion solo
Ebo (new hairdo), Nena, and her sister were there.
9) Damila-led Rihanna's Umbrella - it cranked
The set ended due to technical difficulties. I enjoyed the set. They will mesh more as they work together more - I will enjoy watching that happen.
Larone (GoGo Sucks) was there.
I left after the set (because it was a weeknight).

Rah of the WHAT? Band was outside talking to Godfather when I walked out.

New Year's Eve with Familiar Faces
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA, 22311
A Positive Black Men Coalition Event

I missed Proper Utensils and L!ssen Band. You can see a clip of L!ssen's performance here.

Sean, Ro'chelle, and Dwayne got there before me.

Familiar Faces (in progress)
The line up was: Sean "Kal-el" (vocals), Halima Peru (vocals), Donnell (vocals & Sax), DP (vocals & trumpet), Mike "Hardstep" (vocals & trombone), Marquis "Quese" Melvin (vocals, I didn't see him perform, but others told me he did in the first set), Dwayne Lee (guitar), Doc Hughes (bass), Lorenzo Johnson (keyboard), Godfather (keyboard), Stomp Dogg (drummer), Smoke (percussion)
First set
I only caught the last song) Halima-led Chrisette Michele's If I Have my Way

Tracey G., Torrie, Maketta, Nakia, Tricia, Nikia, Joanna, L-Boogie, Ian, Jackie, Lashonda, Kia, NeeNee, and Los were there.


Tracey and Torrie

Second set

Mike "Hardstep", Packy, Sean "Kal-el", Stomp, Doc, Lorenzo, Donnell, Los, Dwayne


Sade in foreground, Background: Lorenzo, Donnell, Doc, Nephew, Nikia


Smoke, DP, Mike "Hardstep", Doc, Sean "Kal-el"
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
1) Alternating Sean-led Playaz Circle's Duffle Bag Boy - it cranked / Percussion solo -->
Sade was there.
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Donnell-led "Party party, everybody" - it cranked / Sean-led Kanye West's Good Life featuring T-Pain - you can see a clip here
Tiffany, Tasha J., Toya, and Darrell were there.
4) Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - it cranked / Cassidy's My Drink N' My 2 Step
5) Halima-led Rihanna's Umbrella - it cranked, Strikeapose went onstage, someone threw money on the dance floor, the house lights alternated on and off
6) Donnell & Sean-led "Unh unh unh" - it had a light crank, the house lights came on
7) Halima-led Nelly Furtado's Say It Right - it had a light crank
Keysha was there.

This was the last show in Familiar Faces for Sean "Kal-el", Halima Peru, Doc, Dwayne, and Stomp as members of Familiar Faces. They are joining Suttle (Thoughts) per this press release posted December 28th. To me, the biggest loss isn't their talent, but they are my friends. In particular Doc and Dwayne were my two best friends in the band.

I found out who their replacements are in an email from Nephew I got earlier today that you can read the text of here.

New Year's Eve at the Community of Hope
Community of Hope A.M.E. Church (formerly Furniture Galaxy), Iverson Mall, 3799 Branch Ave, Hillcrest Heights, MD 20748


I arrived shortly before the service was over. Most people left the church (at least temporarily) after the service as they had fireworks in the mall parking lot.

What I assume was the house band, Voices of Hope, continued to perform:
The line up was: 4 female vocalists, bass player, keyboard player, drummer, and 2 percussionists.
They performed a gospel song, and then jammed. They cranked.

Bobby Smoot and Ro'chelle (toosweet) were there.

I wished BJ a happy birthday.

Heaven Sent - 12:37 AM
The line up was: Yannie (vocals), Kimese (vocals), Sea "Kal-el" (vocals), Dwayne Lee (guitar), Doc (not Doc Hughes, bass), BJ (keyboard), Kwik (drummer), Rick (percussionist), cowbell player.
1) a little girl named Anaya (spelling?) sang a song acapella

Kimese, Sean "Kal-el", Yannie, Rick, Dwayne, Anaya



Doc, Kwik, Kimese, Rick, Yannie, Kal-el, Dwayne
All pictures (other than flyer) taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
2) Kimese & Yannie-led Alicia Keys' No One (altered lyrics) - it cranked / Percussion solo - Yannie said, "I know you are in the house of God, but you can dance." -->
3) Kimese & Yannie-led Victory - it cranked, Yannie said, "Throw your hands in the air and thank God you are here."
4) Kimese & Yannie-led "If you got to pray, then lift him up" - it cranked
5) Yannie-led "I will stand to receive God's will, Lord her my cry, I can't understand why" - it cranked, a couple behind me sang along, Dwayne soloed, Yannie gave a personal testimony, "For the last two years, I was in the club on New Year's Eve. This year, I made it my business to be here. I didn't go to church for two years. I don't care if you believe in God, he's real to me.", Dwayne soloed -->
6) Yannie-led "Oh Jesus" - it cranked
7) Sean-led India Arie's There's Hope - it cranked -->
8) Yannie-led Yung Joc's It's Going Down - it cranked, Yannie chanted, "One heart, one live, one life, one God" repeatedly / Percussion solo - the frontline danced in synch / DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease), Yannie said, "Put your hands in the air to give God praise"
The performance ended at 1:13 AM - I enjoyed it.
I left immediately after it ended to head to Familiar Faces' New Year's Eve performance.

Familiar Faces at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

Nikia, Tracey G., Aisha, Tasha (T-Bird), Val "Tina Turner", Shawn, Melanie, Ty (Delano795), Angie, Tricia, Tiffany, Britney, Mama Chelle, March, Nakia, and Maketta were there.

Familiar Faces
First set

Foreground: Maketta & Nakia, Background: Godfather, Tiffany, Doc, Stomp, Dwayne


Shawn, Godfather, Tiffany, Doc, Dwayne, Stomp
Donnell said, "Jordan, you're working the camera and we ain't even started yet."
1) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What Would You Do (For the Money?) - it had a light crank
Robin was there.
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
4) Donnell-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
A girl I met at Club Lime (and was at the Big Tigger event) was there, we waved to each other.
5) Halima-led Keyshia Cole's Let It Go - it cranked
6) Donnell-led Brown & White - it cranked / Percussion solo / Ride Out / Northeast Groovers' The Water
7) Halima-led Rihanna's Umbrella - it cranked, Strikeapose went onstage, someone threw money on the dance floor, they performed different background music
8) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Smoke played toms
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - it cranked
Lolita was there.
10) Halima-led Jill Scott's Hate on Me - it cranked / guitar outtro
Candi W., Joanna, Tina (TT), Krystal, Danielle (Wellfhed), Sanisse, L-Boogie, Shante (Stacey's Cousin), Crystal, Kim, and 6'9 were there.
Mama Chelle introduced me to her brother, Mista.


Chelle, Mista, ?, Tina, March, Sean "Kal-el"

During the break, I noticed a Washington Post article on Nicole the Bartender up on the wall; read it here.

Second set

guest conga player, Sean "Kal-el", Dwayne, DP, Mike "Hardstep", Doc, Donnell, Britney, 6'9


Kim, Godfather, Stomp, Shawn, Nikia
1) Sean-led Playaz Circle's Duffle Bag Boy - it cranked, Packy played toms / Percussion solo
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Sean-led Kanye West's Good Life featuring T-Pain - it cranked, a guest sat in on congas, Donnell sang, "Nicole the bartender"
4) Alternating Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - Packy went to the bathroom and Halima played the cowbell while he was gone, Smoke went back on congas / Cassidy's My Drink N' My 2 Step
Tyrell was there.
5) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led "Unh unh unh" - interrupted / Halima-led Marvin Gaye's What's Going On (tease)
6) Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked, the house lights came on
Halima said, "This is my last time here, I really love you. I love you Floyd, even though..."
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Lorenzo played steel drum sounds, it cranked
8) Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome (tease) - it cranked / guest played a conga solo / Smoke conga solo / Donnell & Sean-led "I gave my whole life" - John signaled them to stop with a flashlight.


Nicole the Bartender
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

As I walked out of Tradewinds, in the parking lot, a girl was getting handcuffed behind her back. She was smiling, and the cop put her in the front seat. As I drove out of the parking lot, there were 2 fire engines in the street.

Ro'chelle & Darrell's Birthday Celebration
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002

I did not leave for Mirrors until after the end of Maryland's game in the Emerald Bowl, so unfortunately I missed 360 Band's performance.

Gary, Candi W., Kelli, and Renee C. were there. I said hello to Gwen, whom I hadn't seen in months. She said she would come out more when Eric (Bojack) comes home. I asked her when that was, she said February.

Nikia, Sherray (Always Showtime!), her cousin Calvin, Ro'chelle (toosweet), Danielle (pink), Tyra, Yvette, Stacy, Shawn, Peg Leg, ChooChoo, her cousin Stacy, Rhonda, Darrell, and Khalissa were there.



Danielle, Tyra, Ro'chelle, Sherray

Familiar Faces
First set

Doc, Lorenzo, Sean, Dwayne, Jammin' Jeff


Sean, Dwayne, Jammin' Jeff, Donnell, Packy, DP, Mike "Hardstep", Smoke
1) Ne-Yo's Do You (instrumental) / Alternating Percussion solo - it cranked / Sean-led Ne-Yo's Do You - it had a light crank
Tony, White Girl, Pocahontas, and Maketta were there.
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
4) Halima-led Keyshia Cole's Let It Go - it cranked
5) Alternating Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - it cranked / Cassidy's My Drink N' My 2 Step
Lolita was there. Maketta introduced me to her childhood friend Andrea. Maketta said they met in the fifth grade.
6) Donnell-led Brown & White - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "Who's that girl?" / Ride Out - the band and fans did the Ride Out dance
Julia was there.
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - it cranked, Smoke played toms
8) Donnell-led 911 - it cranked
6'9 was there.
9) Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked / Sean-led Usher's Bad Girl
Vicki was there.
10) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Until the End of Time - Sean sang on the dance floor

Julia and Sean
Skaci was there.
11) Sean-led Raheem DeVaughn's You
Strikeapose, RE Angie, and Stacy (Pretty Smile) were there. Sade introduced herself to me.


Darrell, Jammin' Jeff

Jay Gotti, Deuce Juan and Tina were there.

Second set
1) Alternating Sean-led Playaz Circle's Duffle Bag Boy - it cranked / Percussion solo
2) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low"
3) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - it cranked, Smoke played toms
4) Sean-led Kanye West's Good Life featuring T-Pain - it cranked
Nicole was there.
5) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
6) Donnell-led "Party party, everybody" - it cranked / Halima-led Rihanna's Umbrella / Donnell & Sean-led "I gave my whole life" / Jay Gotti sat in and rapped / KayKay sat in and rapped - the house lights came on

Dwayne, Sean, Jammin' Jeff, KayKay, Packy, Donnell, Jay Gotti, DP, Mike "Hardstep"


Doc, Lorenzo, Sean, Dwayne, Jammin' Jeff, KayKay, Donnel, Jay Gotti, Mike "Hardstep"
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
GoGo Mickey was there.
7) Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome (tease) - it cranked / GoGo Mickey conga solo - I filmed it as Julia danced with me / Jammin' Jeff & GoGo Mickey duel / Donnell chanted, "This is how we party in my neighborhood" while GoGo Mickey soloed Donnell joked, "They better invite me to the Rare Essence reunion. We will bust up that joint: me, DP, Godfather, Michael Muse, Lawrence Maniac, Darren X. We'll come with ski masks on and they better give me what they owe me..."
Pee Wee and Damond were there.