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

Shadonna, Tiffany F., Tata, Ebony, Natalie, Danica, Cindy, Kiki, Sharon, Tracy, Nikki, Sanisse, Yolanda, Los, Archie Paige, Nita, Paula, Shante, James, Arielle, and Kevin Lee were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Johnny Burke & Erroll Garner's Misty - instrumental tease during warm up
Tim (LJ) was there.
2) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever
Britney sat on the same speaker she did last week.
3) Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - James was on backup vocals
4) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
Pinky and Jammin' Jeff were there.
5) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
6'9 was there.
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
7) Alternating Donnell-led Brown & White / Ride Out - Donnell said, "Slick Rick started this sh*t a long time ago"
Slick Rick was there.
8) Donnell-led Northeast Groovers' The Water / Mike-led Parliament's Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (tease)
9) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh, let me know if you feel"
10) Halima-led Sade's Pearls
I danced with Cindy for much of the set.
Vic, Mama Chelle, Shawn, and Angie were there.

Sharmba Mitchell was there.

Stomp said, "Stomp is mad because he didn't get any food."

Simone, JoJo and Slim Goodie were there.

Second Set
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - different keyboard play, Dwayne played guitar lines from Kool & the Gang's Funky Stuff, I danced with a girl who asked what I was writing
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke", Donnell said, "Do what?"
Tracy S. was there.
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
4) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Dwayne played different guitar lines and then later guitar lines from Kool & the Gang's Funky Stuff, Donnell added new lyrics, a girl came up and claimed her Sprint cell phone, she danced in middle of the stage floor
Donnell asked if Halima was ready, she said no, so:
5) Donnell & Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Donnell did the initial choruses, cleared out the women from the stage floor, then Halima took over
Britney danced on the speaker.
6) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
It went dark
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Spotlight - they literally used a flashlight as a spotlight (it was the only light on), I danced with Slim Goodie
8) Mike-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - the house lights came on
Ras Lidj was there.
9) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - verses for Tiffany and other people
10) Donnell-led Trina Was Great / Ras Lidj rapped
I believe Tamiko was there.

Friday at Safari Steakhouse
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

Cindy, Kiki, James, Archie Paige, and Arielle were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Mother's Day - Donnell went on the dance floor playing his horn
Ras Lidj was there.
2) Mike-led I Dreamed You
3) Mike-led The Stylistics' People Make the World (Go Round)
4) Halima-led Sade's Pearls

Lolo, Kim, and Danielle (celebrating her 22nd birthday) were there.

Charlie was there.

Sanisse, Angie, Tracy, Chanel, and Tiffany F. (celebrating her birthday) were there.

Second Set
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You - I was talking with Tiffany F., so I wasn't paying a lot of attention, but I am pretty sure it was I Want You
2) 6 Minutes percussion solo
3) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
4) Donnell-led rap "So listen to what we say, have a lovely"
Los and Jay Gotti were there.
5) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
6) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Danger
7) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
8) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
9) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me
10) Donnell & Halima-led Lighters Up / percussion solo
11) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
12) Donnell-led Hold the Note
13) Donnell-led Hey Keisha Will You Dance for Me / percussion solo
I danced with Angie during the set.

Stacey and her cousin Shante were there.

Yolanda was there.

Archie joked, "DeeDee was there."

Third Set
1) Halima-led Stevie Wonder's Living for the City (tease) - just playing around
2) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Dwayne played Kool & the Gang's Funky Stuff
Blak was there.
3) Mike & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It / Donnell-led "Lincoln Heights" chant / Mike-led Sam Cooke's Chain Gang
4) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Jay Gotti sat in
5) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
6) Alternating Donnell & Mike-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls / Halima-led Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl (tease)
7) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh, We do the work like... We make it real good, put in like... so you feel real good, like I can feel good" - Halima sang, "Want to... Have a time"
8) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Donnell added new lines
9) Mike-led Lap Dance - they ended, then Stomp, Packy, Jacques, and Halima (congas) resumed
I danced with Angie, Cindy and briefly Cindy and Kiki during the set.
Donnell talked about some girl wearing a garter belt, he said, "That's Charlie's thing."
Tiffany F. showed a GoGo pic with Mike. She said, "I'll tell the judge, that's when I got pregnant."
Lisa was there.
Donnell said, "Charlie had a thong on at Myrtle Beach, ass all hanging out. I don't believe you got on a girl's bike, I know it, I saw the pictures, he had his ass in the air (like Brown & White). Who got a bike, Charlie needs a ride down to…"
Charlie said to me, "None of that happened."

Wednesday at the Crystal City Hyatt
Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202
The Postive Black Men Coalition's 13th Annual Night of Elegance

It snowed on the way over.

I missed almost all of After Hours' performance. They performed two sets in the "lobby" (open corridor) of the basement: the first was during Raheem DeVaughn's performance in the ballroom, the second started during Mint Condition's performance in the ballroom and ended sometime around the start of Familiar Face's second set in the ballroom (I know because Pretty Nikki was in the audience for FF's second set).

Tony, the security guard, and Shaun were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
The line up was: Halima, Donnell, Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp, and Jacques (congas).
Lorenzo's keyboard was on the left side of the stage, Godfather's on the right side of the stage. There were two drum kits in back, Stomp played on the left one during this set. I did not like its sound; it was reminiscent of a record scratching to me. The percussion was to the right of the drums, but to the left of Godfather's keyboard.
Halima wore a black dress; the band members wore black slacks and formal shirts.
Those with VIP tickets had plush chairs to sit in; the general admission was blocked off with standing room only. I didn't notice during their first set, but there were screens in the back showing what the camera feed caught.
The stage was at the left end of the ballroom. For the Allen Iverson event last year, the stage was in the back in the middle.
1) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine - Halima was initially offstage when they started, the reaction from the crowd throughout the set was different in character from any other GoGo I've been to, it largely consisted of applause at the end of songs
Halima said she was from Miami, "But now I live in DC!"
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - Stomp joined in, Halima added "I like it" to the lyrics, Donnell said, "Let's go mama", Halima moved around and did a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures to the lyrics, Halima sang, "Yeah, aye, aye"
Halima said, "How many of us have had that special night where you feel oh my..."
3) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever - Halima moved around and bounced
Halima sat down on the right side of the stage, she said, "Look here, we're going to have a little moment, sit down, do you have a special someone in your life and he does something bad, don't talk to me... I said one thing, my music director said another, let me change my speech, so I don't get fired (Obviously Donnell told Halima there wasn't enough time for them to perform Fantasia's Free Yourself). Do you know someone in the (military) service? Ask God to protect them, wonder about the leaders."
4) Halima acapella Rachelle Ferrell's Peace on Earth (second performance) - Donnell, Godfather and Lorenzo played at the end, probably as a transition, there was applause
A girl standing next to me told another woman, "They're making her sound good, there is an echo."
Halima said, "It's time for us to go now, thank you for sharing your love with me. We hope to see you again real soon."
5) Halima-led The Brand New Heavies' Never Stop - Halima stood up, moved around and bounced, Donnell yelled, "Yeah!", Halima did band intros
Halima said, "Once again, thank you for sharing your time and love with us."
They were done at 9:28 PM.
The audience wasn't huge yet, as people were still arriving.

I walked out in the hallway. Go-Go Mickey, Donnell Jr. and Derek Floyd were there.

Michel Wright was the MC.

Raheem DeVaughn
The line up was: Raheem DeVaughn (vocals), a guitar player, a bass/keyboard player, a keyboard player, a drummer (again using the left drum kit), a conga player, two backup vocalists (who stood on the far right, by the bassist), and a painter.
The painter painted on an easel in front of the left drum kit.
They started at 9:38. I was impressed that they started less than ten minutes after Familiar Faces finished playing.
1) "If you're from DC, say yeah, this is home for me" - women screamed at the beginning
2) "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Raheem DeVaughn." - Raheem came back to us in the general admission on the left side, he said, "Put your hands up", he then went over by the PA board, he returned to the stage, Raheem said, "Make some noise DC, I've been on the road, so I haven't home in a while", people stood up and put their hands in the air
Raheem said, "How many of you have my mix tape, I'm releasing volume four tonight."
To be honest, they didn't really move me. I got bored and walked around to see who was there.
He did perform Guess Who Loves You More and Ask Yourself (which was interesting to compare to FF's cover), and everyone but the drummer donned large afro wigs.
James and Los were there.
Raheem again came out to the general admission.
When he sang, "Every king needs a queen", he was wearing a king's robe.
Members of Familiar Faces came in to watch.
Cookie came by and said, "You look like an esquire."
Jay Floyd and Ron Moten were there.
Raheem performed a cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's Can't Hide Love (interestingly, every band performed covers).
The lights came on at 10:37 PM.
Raheem said, "Y'all tired yet, want to play some more?"- there was a nice crank. Raheem chanted, "Southeast, South, Southeast... Southwest...", Raheem said, "Say hey, we want to party." That was the highlight for me. While he really didn't move me, the crowd did reeact and there were people dancing in the VIP section.

Mint Condition
They took longer to set up. They had a transparent plastic barrier in front of the drum kits.
Blak was there.
I talked with Chi Ali and asked him when After Hours was playing. He said they had already played a set and would be playing another one. I am sure I would have enjoyed After Hours' performance more than I did Raheem DeVaughn's or Mint Condition's.
Their line up was: a vocalist, a guitar player, a bass player, two keyboard players, and two drummers (only one played most of the set).
The congas were removed for their set.
1) "Get to it"
2) "Sister"
To be honest, they bored me too. I expected that since I own Life's Aquarium (Which thankfully, I bought at cost), despite people telling me how tight they were as a band. The vocal songs didn't do much for me, but a lot of women sang along with them.
Nikiya, Yolanda, Pinky, and JoJo were there.
They said, "Anybody know we got a CD out?" Women screamed.
They performed Rick James' Mary Jane - it was good.
They said, "Y'all ready for some drums? They had nothing in common, so someone locked them in the closet for twenty years until they learned to play drums."
A crankin' drum duo followed, then a sax and guitar joined in. This was the highlight of their set to me.
L-Boogie was there.
They mentioned their new CD (Livin' the Luxury Brown) was recorded in DC.
They said, "Want some more? Are you sure"
They performed Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes).
A guy asked me if I was enjoying the show.
They concluded with an instrumental outtro.

After Hours
Second Set
I went out to the open area.
The vocalists were standing on a higher level than the rest of the band.
Tyrell, Gene Pratt, June and Blue of Y2K were there.
They performed "All aboard the night train" and the music to Rare Essence's Body Snatchers.
I didn't stay outside the ballroom for long as I wasn't sure when exactly Familiar Faces would go on and it was too crowded outside.

They removed all the chairs and removed the distinction between VIP and general admission for Familiar Faces' second set.

Ray, Val "Tina Turner", Yaquim, Tijuana, Nita, Shadonna and Simone were there.

Familiar Faces
Second Set
The line up was: Mike, Halima, Donnell, DP, James, Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp (this time playing the drum kit on the right), Smoke, and Jacques.
The percussion (congas, timbales, etc.) was now on the far left, and both of the keyboards were on the far right - Lorenzo in front of Godfather.
I noticed the DJ area was to the right of the stage.
The dance floor was full.
There were red spotlights on the stage from where the PA board was located in the middle of the room
1) Halima-led Sade's Pearls - there was distortion, it was instrumental at first with only Lorenzo, Godfather, and Stomp onstage, Derek Floyd said this was Sade's Jezebel before I corrected him, a female dancer sat on the left side of the stage, Halima went onstage on the right side, the dancer started dancing as soon as Halima got to the lyrics, Halima moved to the middle of the stage, Halima and the dancer left the stage
Shameika was there.
A woman asked who is this? I told her Familiar Faces.
2) Stomp played a drum sample as the band members marched in from the back right with poles holding "flying" doves, it was hard to hear their chant, "This is where we're from, why do we hide from", all of the men wore Seek Abundance dashikis with hoods, Lorenzo and Donnell's were sleeveless, the others' sleeves varied in length, Jacques and Smoke had black short sleeved shirts underneath, Donnell had a white bandana, Yvette said to me, "This is right out of the Lion King.", Halima walked onstage
3) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You - Dwayne was on the left, Doc in the middle, James was on the left on the front line, Donnell said, "Give us a little time to get warmed up", Donnell said, "Come on with it, Michael Muse", Donnell shouted, "Alright", Donnell said, "Uh huh" repeatedly, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, DP shouted, "Yeah!", James, Donnell and Halima bounced, Donnell did shout outs, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "We got my baby Sweet Tina Turner in here", Donnell did announcements, "Each and every...", Mike moved to the right
4) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Donnell said, "What you say?", Halima said, "Hey ladies" repeatedly and women responded, DP shouted, "Yeah, come on", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Alright" repeatedly, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima said, "Help me, ladies" and held her mic to the crowd, Donnell said, "Sing it ladies", Donnell held his mic to the crowd
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - DP held his mic to the crowd
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Halima posed and Mike sang "Oh my God!", James held his mic to the crowd, then Mike posed and Halima sang, "Oh my God!", Halima held her mic to the crowd, Donnell said, "Each and every..."
7) Halima-led Faith Evans Mesmerized - Halima moved around, James clapped, Donnell and DP bounced, Donnell chanted, "Eya, eya!" repeatedly, RE Angie and Omar were on the left side of the stage, behind the percussion, Donnell said, "What's up Mike?", DP shouted, "Come on" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Come on with it", Halima and Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell shouted, "Alright, yeah!"
8) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house" - Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Mike said, "Get on down Ray", Donnell did shout outs
9) Toto's Georgy Porgy - instrumental intro / Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - Mike said, "Get on down Shadonna", the rest of the frontline bounced, Donnell said, "Whenever you're ready Michael Muse", Donnell said, "Alright", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell went to the right to talk to the DJ?, Donnell said, "Big Ray over there in the black", Donnell said, "Uh huh", Donnell said, "Right there Mike, right there Smoke"
Multi-colored spotlights behind either side of the stage came on
10) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Donnell said, "One more time, Michael Muse", Donnell inserted names, Donnell said, "By yourself ladies", Donnell and Halima held their mics to the crowd, Donnell said, "You don't care?", Donnell said, "One more time ladies", Donnell said, "Play the music, the frontline danced, DP shouted, "Come on" and "Yeah!" repeatedly
11) Donnell-led Hold the Note- the frontline except Halima held their fists up, Mike held up both briefly, Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about", Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute" and he and Halima held their arms up, James clapped, Donnell said, "Dwayne Lee, Hey Smoke", the band members looked up and the frontline except Halima, and Doc and Dwayne did synchronized dance steps, women screamed, Halima danced by up on the left edge of the stage briefly
12) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - the crowd was really into it, Halima mimed, James sang backup, Mike chanted, "Eya eya!", Donnell went to the left front edge of the stage, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute", DP shouted, "Yeah, come on", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Stomp played the dialtone and the frontline, Doc and Dwayne danced the bowing dance / Notorious BIG's Warning - Donnell and Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, DP shouted, "Yeah, come on", Los and Packy were on the back left corner of the stage, Donnell was really demonstrative and crouched, Derek Floyd came onstage, Derek used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Yes sir", Donnell said, "This is my little son (he's actually the middle son, Donte is younger) yeah", Derek clapped, Donnell went to the edge of the stage and pulled Donnell Jr. onstage, Donnell said, "This is my older (or other?) son" / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes - the Floyds and DP used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima did different nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell Jr. clapped
13) Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit?" - the crowd shouted, "Hell no!", Halima went over in front of the drum kit
14) Donnell & Halima-led Lighters Up - the Floyds held up lit cell phones, Donnell called out names, Halima rapped, DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell went over to Packy and toweled off, Donnell said, "Gimme the woo", James, Mike and Halima sang, "Woo", Donnell said, "Hey Smoke", Donnell bounced, Donnell said, "Gimme the woo", James and Mike sang, "Woo" while Halima rapped the second verse, Donnell said, "What you say?", Donnell Jr. had a funny grin on his face
Jackie was there.
15) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Halima's singing was energetic, Donnell Jr. clapped and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "You ready Halima, come on with it", Donnell said, "Come on Tina Turner", DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!"
Raheem DeVaughn came onstage.
Donnell said, "That's my man."
16) Raheem-led "Just put your hands in the air and wave them like you don't care, say go DJ (like 50 Cent's In Da Club)" - Raheem rapped, Donnell said, "That's my DJ", Raheem said, "Oh yeah!"
Raheem left the stage
17) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love - Donnell did the keyboard effects vocally, Donnell Jr. and Derek used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures / Rare Essence's Spotlight - Halima went back in front of the drum kit, Donnell went to the edge of the stage, Donnell said, "Old school"
18) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
Donnell said, "Hey Michael Muse"
19) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease) - Donnell said, "Sing it ladies", Donnell said, "One more time Michael Muse"
Donnell said, "Old school" repeatedly
20) Mike-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - the band and fans put their hands in the air, the house lights came on, the crowd shouted, "Go ahead"
21) Mike & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Donnell said, "We must have some old school in here", Donnell said, "We got my man Ray in here, got to be forty-five years old", the frontline danced, Donnell said, "Hey Michael Muse", Donnell said, "one more time Mike", Halima stood at the left front edge of the stage, Donnell announced tomorrow's show with chuck Brown at Zanzibar, Donnell said, "You know what?"
22) Alternating Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Los, RE Angie, and Nephew danced onstage behind the frontline, Halima moved between James and Mike, Jauhar was at the left back corner of the stage / Derek Floyd rapped
23) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (tease)
The dance floor cleared out.
24) Stomp played the sample from Trina Was Great
Donnell did announcements
25) Donnell acapella It Is What It Is
26) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
27) Stomp played the sample from Trina Was Great
They finished at 3 AM.
Monique was there. I carried her in my arms. She kept counting money. Smoke took some and gave to me, but then gave it back before she could get mad.
Jacques said I was grooving, he said he thought my head was going to come off from the head bobbing.

And DeeDee was there.

JoJo said, "Good night" as we passed each other walking to our cars.

Three guys ahead of me were talking. One talked about a light skinned girl who had peed outside. He said, "She's a trifling whore, but I'd f*ck her anyway." A second guy said, "I'd f*ck her if she was hurling while I f*cked her. I'd f*ck her if she was puking on me as I f*cked her."

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

LA, Tracy, Chanel, Sharon, Ray, Ebony, Renee, Pinky, Sanisse, Shante, Paula, Archie Paige, Cindy, and Kiki were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Halima-led Sade's Pearls - Dwayne stood by me to listen to the band
2) They started to perform the music to Michael Jackson's I Can't Help It - they stopped and went back to the DJ as they had technical difficulties / Alternating Mike-led Michael Jackson's I Can't Help It / percussion solo
James and Shadonna were there.
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
Britney was there.
4) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
Tyrell was there.
5) Toto's Georgy Porgy - instrumental intro / Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - James was on backup vocals
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
7) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
8) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - I danced with a woman, Dwayne again played the guitar music to Kool & the Gang’s Funky Stuff, the PA went out, the woman I danced with said of my writing, "F*ck that writing, get with it" / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke", after the PA came back on, they went back to Mesmerized
Tiffany G. and Monique were there.
9) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) – Dwayne continued to play Funky Stuff / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease)
10) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
11) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease) - a guy had me write, "Happy birthday Wali and Tish"
13) Mike-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - Donnell pointed out that Renee was Footz' daughter
14) Mike-led Rare Essence's Lock It
L-Boogie, Los, Nikki, Shawn, Nita, Tijuana, Shameika, and "original" Nikki (Nikia) (She introduced herself as that to Archie. I recognized her as a regular at Safari and Tradewinds) were there.

I danced with two women during the break.

Second Set
1) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
2) Donnell-led Hold the Note
Peg Leg was there.
3) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - James sang backup
JoJo and Mama Chelle were there.
4) Donnell-led "Do the work, unh, unh unh" - I briefly danced with Kiki, Cindy, and Chanel
5) Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - interrupted when a girl in the front puked, DP said, "Clean up on aisle four" / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
Nikiya was there.
6) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - interrupted by a fight by people Donnell knows, Donnell said, "That's not what we do here, this is not the Black Hole, we got slow songs for all night, kiss and make up, Ray you're kissing everyone else", I danced with Ebony
7) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (tease)
Donnell said, "Someone step on your shoe, they stepped on your shoe. Someone dancing with your girl, you shouldn't have brought her down here. Tradewinds is a singles bar."
9) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
10) Stomp played samples from Coming to America

Friday at Safari Steakhouse
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706


Damond, Me and Nephew
Picture Copyright - Supa Dan Richardson


Stomp, Donnell, DP, Packy, Jacques
Picture Copyright - Supa Dan Richardson

Yvette, Kim and Lolo were there.

The speakers were different from last week's.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) The Roots' You Got Me - instrumental
Candall was there.
2) Halima-led Sade's Pearls (debut)
Archie Paige was there.
3) Halima-led Brand New Heavies' Never Stop
James was there.
4) Mike-led Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself - Mike had technical difficulties with his mic
Stacey was there.

Ytee was there.

Archie joked, "DeeDee was there."

I danced during the break with a girl who moved all over the place.

Second Set
1) Alternating Mike-led Michael Jackson's I Can't Help It - Donnell did a shout out to someone from TCB / Percussion solo
Darryl "Blue Eye" Arrington and Darrin "X" Frazier were there. Donnell kept calling Darryl "60 Cent".
2) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
5) They started to perform the music to Faith Evans' Mesmerized / Donnell-led Rare Essence's How Can I Know? (tease) - to a woman in front, of whom he said, "Everything's about to fall out", that she had taken off some of her clothes / Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Dwayne played different guitar (Kool & the Gang's Funky Stuff)
6) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
7) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Rah sat in

Mike, Rah, Dwayne, Smoke, DP


Mike, Rah, Smoke, Dwayne, DP
Picture Copyright - Supa Dan Richardson
8) Rah-led "You won't ever see my face again, you don't know me, oh oh, to the right, to the left" - Rah said, "Back to the 911 days"
9) Rah-led Brown & White / Ride Out - Rah said, "Say again, hands in the air", Rah said, "Donnell wants me to work"
10) Rah-led Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) - Rah said, "Back to the Metro Club, reminds me of Heart & Soul", Rah said, "I know what's up, I know what" / "You won't ever see my face again, you don't know me, oh oh"
11) Percussion solo - Rah said, "What you yelling?", the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke"
Rah said, "I got one more y'all"
12) Rah-led "Put your hands in the air" - the crowd shouted, "Aye, aye, aye", Rah said, "Gimme that beat"
End of Rah sitting in
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (literal tease)

Lexis and RE Angie were there.

Third Set
James sang backup vocals the entire set.
Donnell announced that their Thursday shows will now be at the Zanzibar, starting next week which will be with Chuck Brown on Thanksgiving.
Donnell said, "Brandywine n*ggers are the craziest, Hey Blue"
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
Shaun and 6'9 were there.
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me
3) Percussion solo - Go-Go Mickey sat in on congas, Donnell said, "Say what", Donnell said, "Mick-ay"

Mike, Donnell, Dwayne, Go-Go Mickey, RE Angie, DP
4) Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (instrumental tease)
5) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Geraldine (tease) - Donnell initially did the keyboard effects vocally
6) Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - end of Mickey sitting in, James sang (literally) backup vocals / "We do the work like, unh, unh unh" / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
7) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
Blak was there.
8) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
9) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
10) Short instrumental – probably just grooving
11) Donnell-led It Is What It Is
12) Donnell-led "If that's how you feel, you got to shake it for real"
13) Dwayne Lee guitar solo - Donnell said, "Don't nobody go nowhere", two girls freaked and grinded with each other, Blak smiled and said, "I know you're putting that in, you can put me in."
Donnell said, "Everybody leave. Jauhar is furious!" Donnell said, "Lolo, Danielle (an attractive girl with her and Kim), Sweet Kim, leave the vital statistics with somebody."
I asked Donnell who 60 Cent was. DP said, "Oh lord."
Donnell said, "Darryl, bullet holes all over his body like he's been through Vietnam."

I shook hands with Supa Dan as I walked out.

An attractive woman with dyed red hair said to me as I walked out, "I seen you bobbing. Whiteboy got rhythm too."

T-Bob's Birthday at The Legend
The Legend Night Club, 3225 Naylor RD, Temple Hills, MD 20748

I arrived a while after 10 PM, which was the start time according to the flyer. When I got to the sidewalk, the promoter Spanky was there and said hello. I hung out with one of the security guys, who told me that male dancers were performing at the time. The security personnel teased women as they came out of the club including a woman who responded, "I'm 25, a grown woman, I have my own place." Spanky asked me how Venus Hall was; he hadn't been there since he saw me there. When the dancers came out, they all had huge cases for their clothes. They let us in a while after 11 PM. I was the first fan in. This was my first time seeing Junkyard since last July. It was also my first time at the Legend. They wanded even my shoes and women couldn't bring purses in. They searched the band too. They had a mandatory coat check. The Legend is a length-wise rectangle, the stage is at the right end. Two bars lined the wall opposite the entrance, with the DJ booth in the middle near the roof. DJ Lucky was the DJ. The left end had two sets of seats for reserved seating. There was a dance floor of wooden tiles surrounded on all sides by carpet. The dress was casual and the crowd ranged in age from about 25 to 35 mostly. There were over a hundred people there.

Junkyard Band
First Set
Junkyard Band went into a group hug/huddle before they started performing.
The sound was the roughest of any GoGo I've ever been to, but it still cranked. The vocals were really hard to distinguish for me. It was also tough to distinguish the transitions between songs, so I am really unsure even of how many songs there were.
Their line up was: four on the frontline, a cowbell player/vocalists, a bassist, two keyboard players (one with a double keyboard), and a percussionist
1) Instrumental intro - it sounded like Bobby Caldwell's What You Won't Do for Love, the crank started immediately, warming up, Vocals, "Come on now", the frontline danced a synchronized dance
2) "So High"
3) "JY Oh hunh, So-oh-oo"
4) "I think that we're getting ready" - the frontline danced
5) "Get your freak a deak on"
6) "Who that be?" - the crowd responded, they held a mic stand out to the crowd
7) "Do it, don't" - the crowd responded, the frontline danced, they held a mic stand out to the crowd, three of the frontline danced, the cowbell player joined the frontline
8) "JY, get from my barber"
9) "It's the ripper" - the crank increased
10) Young Jeezy's Soul Survivor
11) Instrumental intro "JY" - the crowd responded, they held a mic stand to the crowd
12) War's The World Is a Ghetto
13) Instrumental outtro

Second Set
1) A female vocalist sat in just for Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
2) "Get yourself up" - nice crank, "pick yourself up"
3) "1, 2, 3 Do the do"
4) "Freak on the one"
5) Nelly's Flap Your Wings - "Drop down, get your eagle on girl", "Wait a minute" chant, they played a whistle on a keyboard, the percussionist played roto-toms
6) Bob Marley's Jamming - the percussionist went back to playing congas
7) Lil Kim's Lighters Up - they reversed the order Familiar Faces performs it, the part Halima raps came first, a number of fans and band members held up lit lighters
8) Ruff It Off - they held mics to the crowd, the crowd said, "am ___", the frontline bounced
9) "Hu ah, hey come on"
10) "Rock it down, whoop"
11) Rap - a girl onstage held a lit lighter behind the frontline for much of the set
12) "Who can? They funky man can" - a re-working of Sammy Davis Jr.'s The Candy Man
13) 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - T-Bob and Tom Tom, there was a second percussionist
14) "Hu ah"
15) Instrumental keyboard solo
16) "JY, listen to the groove that satisfies"
17) "Whiteboy ____"
One of the vocalists stood, then sat on one of the speakers, just below the ceiling
18) "I don't give a sh*t"
There were a lot more people onstage
19) "Tuesday was a workday (or wasn't working), on a Thursday wasn't worth it", "Eya"
20) "We got the honey"
21) "Gimme the ____"
22) "Loose Booty"
23) Roto-tom transition
24) "JY, listen"
25) "Stop with it girl"
26) "What would you do? - the crowd responded
27) "Pick your ___ crew"
28) "What you say?" - the crowd said, "GoGo Mickey" - it wasn't him playing the congas, conga solo
29) Dem Franchise Boyz' I Think They Like Me
30) Instrumental outtro
It ended about 2:20 AM.
One of the vocalists said, "T-Bob partied his ass off"
I didn't see any of the special guests they said were supposed to sit in, but they did mention Darryl "Blue Eye" Arrington.

I didn't recognize anyone there, even other TMOTTers.

Other perspectives.

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

Chanel, Tracy S., Angie, LA, "original" Nikki, Arielle, Archie Paige, Shonda, Val "Tina Turner", Tiffany F., Janetta, Shadonna, Sanisse, Robin, Stacey & her cousin Shante, Nikki, Monique, Tracy, Wanda, Los, and James were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Instrumental prelude / Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You - James sang backup, there was a new beat at the end / Donnell-led "Welcome to the show ____"
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
3) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
6'9 was there.
4) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
Nikiya was there.
5) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
RE Angie was there.
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
7) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
8) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Doc was on backup vocals, Donnell added new lyrics: "Familiar Faces is for the grown & sexy, raise your hands if you're grown & sexy, if you feel that you're grown and sexy, Familiar Faces is your band. When you're walking in the GoGo, Say What?", the crowd said, "GoGo, GoGo, Hello, Hello"
Delano was there.
9) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - there was different guitar play, Dwayne later said that some James Brown was requested, but what he played was from Kool & the Gang's Funky Stuff
A girl who looked like Sharon made fun of my headbobbing in the same way Sharon does.
10) Mike-led Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself - James sang backup
March was there.

Darren Rice's daughter and Slick Rick were there.

Jennifer was there.

Second Set
1) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
Tamiko was there.
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me
JoJo was there.
3) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That / Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh, We put it in like that, We go to work like that, We push it in like that", Mike and Halima sang something
Mama Chelle was there.
4) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
L-Boogie was there
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute" / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
6) Alternating Donnell-led Trina Was Great / Turner's (Credence Clearwater Revival's) Proud Mary (tease) / "If That's How You Feel" - I danced with Robin
7) Mike-led Lap Dance
8) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
9) Donnell-led Hold the Note
10) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time
13) Donnell-led It Is What It Is (reprise) - "Familiar Faces is for the grown & sexy, raise your hands if you're grown & sexy, if you feel that you're grown and sexy, Familiar Faces is your band."
Slick Rick shouted, "Northeast, North, Northeast"
Donnell said, "I don't care what part of the city you're from, I'm from the suburbs, my mom had a job."
Donnell said, "It was sunny, I drove to Lincoln Heights and everything went dark."
Donnell said, "Mambo Sauce, I remember that."
Bryan Mills was there. He wore shirt that had printed on it: "I heart my people."
Donnell said, "If you're a good woman, raise your arms. All I need is a few good women."

Friday at Safari Steakhouse
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

Khallisa was there.

The speakers were again Vincent & Paul's system rather than Reo's.

James, Keisha, Archie Paige, and "original" Nikki were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Lock It in the Pocket - Donnell played his sax on the dance floor, Go-Go Mickey walked up and kicked Donnell's butt repeatedly
2) Mike-led The Stylistics' People Make the World (Go Round)
3) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - Mike finished with "Uh aaah" (drawn out), the band laughed
4) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine

Kato and Vincent were there.

Kiki and Cindy were there.

Shawn was there.

Second Set
1) Donnell acapella Raheem DeVaughn's Is It Possible (tease) - warm up
Preston Blue and JoJo were there.
2) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You
3) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What Would You Do (for the Money)?
4) 6 Minutes percussion solo
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again - different beat in the middle
SweetAngelmd27 and Tyrell were there.
6) Percussion solo - Donnell said, "We're trying to wait until all y'all get drunk before we turn it up"
7) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
Tiffany F. , Tijuana, and Shameika were there. I noticed Tiffany F. because she was making fun of my head bobbing.
8) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number one Spot - Donnell said, "Bounce, bounce", Mike said, "I think Jordan got this one. I think Jordan got this one down. Get down Jordan."
9) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - verses for Nikki and Big Boo
10) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
11) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
12) Donnell-led "Put your hands up if you see a beautiful woman/man... and you want to take them home"
Donnell said, "Kiki, push him (Big Boo?) away."
13) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
14) Mike-led Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself - I danced with Kiki, James was on backup vocals

Nikiya, Peg Leg, and 6'9 were there.

I danced too briefly with Tiffany F.'s friend Tasha.
Third Set
1) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - I danced with Keisha
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - I danced with a girl I don't know
4) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - I danced with another girl I don't know, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / "Unh, unh unh" chant / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
6) Alternating Donnell-led Trina Was Great / "Work to put it in" - same music as "Unh, unh unh" chant / Vinnie D's Porno Star? - "Reputation" / Rick James' Mary Jane (tease) – I danced with Cindy
The other female Shawn was there.
Donnell said, "Fellas, let's call each other in the morning. Let's talked about what happened."
7) Donnell-led "They got the hot..." - the music was familiar, I asked Dwayne what it was, he said Prince's Let's Work
Donnell said, "Jauhar is furious!"
Donnell said, "Lexis is grown and sexy."
Donnell said, "Hey Googie, don't ever let a squirrel touch the nuts."
Donnell said, "Jauhar: Simone & JoJo, make them get out."
Donnell said, "Start the bus Nikki, start the busy baby, start the school bus."

Veteran's Day celebration at the Fur
Fur Night Club, 33 Patterson St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Cindy and Kiki were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Packy played the cowbell or the tambourine when Jacques played the cowbell.
1) Donnell acapella Tyrese's Sweet Lady - sound check
2) Mike acapella Earth, Wind & Fire's Shining Star? - sound check
Bobbie was there.
3) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You - Donnell said to a girl, "Oh my goodness, are you going to do that dance with me?", Donnell said, "My friend Kevin is already juiced up"
Pinky was there.
4) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
5) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What Would You Do (for the Money)?
6) Toto's Georgy Porgy - instrumental intro / Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
7) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
8) Donnell-led "____ Is in the house"
9) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized / Mike sang something I couldn't make out
RE Angie was there.
10) Donnell-led It Is What It Is
11) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
6'9 and Slick Rick were there.
12) Donnell-led Hold the Note
Los and Nikiya were there.

Tiffany G. was there.

Second Set
1) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself / Floetry's Say Yes / Lionel Richie's Hello (tease) - I danced with Cindy
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lighters Up / Doc-led Young Jeezy's Soul Survivor (tease)
4) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes / "Unh, unh unh" chant
5) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
6) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - I danced with Kiki
7) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time
10) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Donnell & Mike-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls
11) Mike & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It
Donnell stopped, but the crowd shouted "South, Southeast..." and the band resumed performing
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (tease)
Donnell stopped, but a guy got on the mic and chanted "South, Southeast..." and the band resumed performing
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Geraldine / "Brandywine, Friends of Mine" chant
The audience was the largest they've had at a Thursday Fur show so far, seventy+.
Donnell said, "Tiffany, she wore the tight tights."
14) Donnell acapella song about Mr. G, the GoGo pics guy
Donnell said, "Start the bus Kiki, Nikki"
Donnell said, "Paul is about to celebrate a bar mitzvah."
Donnell said, "I see Vincent is steadily trying to come by the" - Vincent disconnected the mic's connection to the PA.

Tony Sharpe's birthday at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Kim and Lolo were there.

Googie played bass and Mike Smith played drums tonight. Bobby Smoot worked the PA.

Darrell, Ray, and Cookie were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Donnell acapella Tyrese's Sweet Lady (tease) "Sweet Lady would you be mine" - sound check
James, Shaun, and RE Angie were there.
2) Mother's Day
Tracy S. was there.
3) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic - Shawn walked in and Donnell said, "She brought me a cake, ain't that something." The cake was actually for Boo of Hypnosis.
4) Mike-led Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself
5) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
Tim (LJ) and Tony Sharpe were there.
Donnell did birthday shout outs to Tony Sharpe and Boo of Hypnosis.
Stacey was there.
6) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
Shadonna and Sharika were there.
7) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - Tony Sharpe sat in (just this song)
8) Halima-led Floetry's Say Yes
Sugar Bear and June were there.
9) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever
Tamara and Breeze were there.

Go-Go Mickey was there.

Angie was there.

Second Set
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
5) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - I danced with Kim, James sang backup
6) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like that
8) Mike-led Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go - Go-Go Mickey sat in on timbales
9) Go-Go Mickey conga solo - I danced with Tracy
10) Mike-led Rare Essence's Do It on Down
11) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Go-Go Mickey didn't sit in on this song
12) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Go-Go Mickey played the cowbell

Nikiya and Tamiko were there.

A girl named LA, wrote in my notes, she wanted me to put in my blog: "Happy Birthday LA. She had a nice time. She has to get up early but she will be ok. LA will be back on Saturday at Tradewinds. Tracy had a nice time."

Donnell said, "Sweet Shawn and Boo, they falling in love at the GoGo. Sweet Shawn and Boo falling in love at the GoGo, y'all."
Rah was there.
Donnell said to a beautiful woman, "Whoa, whoa. Don't move, stand right there."
Donnell said, "My man Bobby Smoot, I raised him from a puppy. He's the first to get me drunk."
Donnell said, "Sweet Michelle, Sweet Gwen, start the truck baby."
Donnell said, "Jauhar, you see my Lisa Leslie here, going to get us a contract, buy a house. My Lisa Leslie here, going to get us a contract, buy a house, in the WNBA and I don't need to work no more."
Donnell said, "Sweet Cookie is working the room, nothing's changed. Nikiya, we are going to put this out. She can get tipsy, just when you thought she was a choir girl."
Cookie said, "That's (Donnell's joning) why I don't stay so long."
Donnell said, "Cookie is furious!"
Donnell said, "Yes, indeed, Cookie is working the room."
Jauhar said to me, "You getting this down?"
I said, "Yes."
Jauhar told Cookie, "He's going to put you in his book."
Donnell said, "Angie, I'm trying to teach her the ropes, she's getting a little sloppy. Cookie, I'm talking about Angie, not you."
Donnell said, "I stopped five minutes early just so I could do this."
Donnell said, "Angie, working the room, game not tight enough."
Donnell said, "Tracy has surpassed Angie, new champion in town. The champ is here!"
Donnell said, "Go-Go Mickey still trying to get some. The bar is closed."

Ron Moten was outside.

Saturday at Tradewinds

As of now, I will be scaling back what I take notes on and conversely post in the blog dramatically: it will largely be setlists, attendances, and Donnell's after-performance joning. The consequences of the blog have gone beyond what I intended and I no longer have the time or the inclination to continue writing in the same detail. I said to myself that I would keep it up in detail as long as I was still having fun - that's no longer the case. Taking notes for this in detail also interferes with my ability to have fun at performances. I am not paid to do this.

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

I had to decide between going to the Junkyard Band 25th Anniversary performance at Safari Steakhouse or Familiar Faces at Tradewinds. My lack of sleep decided for me, since I could leave for Tradewinds later. I had the easiest time in weeks finding a parking space, perhaps because of Junkyard's anniversary.

James, Sanisse, Archie Paige, Shadonna, Sharon and Yolanda were there.

Mike Smith came, obviously to play drums in the first set.

Dwayne walked in with someone. I introduced myself to him. He's Kevin, Dwayne's older brother (I thought he was his younger brother since he looks younger than Dwayne. I didn¿t find out he was Dwayne¿s older brother until months later.). I asked him what he played. He said he plays bass. He said he grew up playing with Dwayne.

I asked Mike how he's doing, he said fine. He wore a shirt that had printed, "I heart Black People".

Julia was there. I talked with her. I said it's been a while. She said, "Did you miss me?" I said, "Of course."

Los was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Mike Smith played drums in the first set.
Donnell said, "It's going to be crowded, if someone steps on your toes" don't worry about it. This was in response to the two fights last week.
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again - Donnell did birthday announcements, DP shouted, "Yeah, come on", I danced with Julia.
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - Mike said, "This time they fake me out" (whether they would do just the intro and move on to Bobby Valentino's Slow Down), Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute", Donnell said, "Just taking our time trying to get this thing warmed up for all the beautiful ladies.", Donnell did a birthday shout out to Coco, the girls behind me yelled, there was a smooth transition ->
3) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Donnell said, "This is a ladies song", DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Come on with it baby", Donnell said, "Sing baby", girls sang along, Halima sang, "Yeah" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Sing it ladies", Donnell said, "Come on with it mama", Donnell said, "What you say", Donnell said, "Sing it ladies", DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Wait a minute y'all", the frontline danced, Donnell said to some girl, "You keep doing that dance"
4) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - Donnell said, "Gimme some of those old Footz joints Mike (Smith)", DP shouted, "Yeah, come on", Halima danced, a couple of girls were making fun of my head bobbing, they pulled me over and both danced with me at the same time
5) Donnell-led "If you walk (through?) the door and you're ready to go" - Donnell said, "Say what"
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
Tiffany F. and JoJo were there.
7) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies, Oh my God!"
8) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
Nikki, Janetta, Tracy, Angie, and Chanel were there.
9) Mike-led Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go - the crowd sang along
10) Alternating Mike-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - the band and fans held their hands in the air, Halima danced, the crowd shouted along, a girl danced with Mike / Parliament's Night Of The Thumpasorous Peoples (tease) - "Gaga googa ga ga googa"
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (tease)
I danced with Janetta toward the end of the set.

Tyrell was there.

Godfather pointed out a woman he said was a GoGo legend, Love.
I talked with Stomp. He talked about how late I woke up since he called and I was still asleep. I told him I went to bed at 7 AM.
Stacey came in. Packy teased her about her pink "ski boots" as Packy called them.

Khallisa was there.

Second Set
Stomp played drums in the second set.
Donnell did birthday announcements.
Donnell said, "6'9 don't know we went to Maryland University (actually called the University of Maryland, it's my alma mater) together, he got to be thirty-nine."
Mike said, "He went to school when Jo Jo White, Jo Jo Hunter was there (that's not true, Hunter was there in 77-78, 6'9 in 86)."
1) Donnell-led $55 Motel (tease) - Donnell said, "Gimme the top", Donnell said, "Hey Smoke"
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - the frontline danced, there was a nice keyboard sound, Donnell said, "Single ladies put your hands in the air"
Shameika was there.
3) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Shadonna danced onstage, JoJo danced behind Mike, Mike said, "All my ___ n*ggers", there was a nice crank, Slim Goodie danced by Godfather, Halima played congas
Mama Chelle was there.
4) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - Tyrell and Britney danced on the stage floor
5) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Halima rapped
6) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - the house lights came on
7) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Donnell said, "This is for my main man Skip, this is for my man Skip"
March, TT, and Delano were there.
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Stars Be Partyin'
Donnell said, "Phyllis Hyman", for her he sang from Brown & White: "Put your drinks in the air"
Donnell said, "Choo Choo, tell him I'm your boyfriend"
Donnell said, "Someone dropped their MasterCard, you better come and pay your tab or we'll run it up"
Donnell said of some woman, "This is my girlfriend now, you been had her for four years."
Donnell said, "Khallisa what you angry about? Someone promise you something they didn't give you?"
Stomp said, "Gimme the woo".

Some woman at the gas station said she thought I looked familiar. When I told her I came from Tradewinds, she couldn't believe it.

Friday at Safari Steakhouse
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

Doc was in the parking lot when I parked. I told him the PFunk documentary was showing tonight.

Donnell Jr. was there.

Khallisa (she recently celebrated her birthday at Takoma Station, which is where I met her for the first time.) and her friends said hello to me. The girl who danced with me at Tradewinds and messed with my hair was there. She said she would dance with me again.

The right speakers are now flush with the wall, so it is no as longer convenient to stand on the right side of the stage.


Halima played timbales.

Cookie came in. Doc said hello to her over the mic as she walked to the bar, but she didn't react.

Peg Leg, Yvette, Kiki and Cindy were there.
Mike wasn't present tonight.

Familiar Faces
First set
Halima and I went to wake up Stomp.

Donnell said, "I feel it baby, I feel it running through my veins."
1) Lock It in the Pocket - Donnell said, "Each and every Friday night. We do three sets. This is the happy hour set. Dwayne Lee is in a hurry tonight, he must have a hot date. Dwayne Lee is in a hurry.", there was a nice crank, Donnell and Dwayne had nice solos
June was there.
2) Instrumental - started with the horns
Netty was there.
Donnell said, "We're going to bring my baby Halima to the stage. One of performers for the Positive Black Men's Coalition’s Night of Elegance."
3) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Diary - Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Doc was on backup vocals, James came onstage and sang backup vocals, He took his hat off, Halima's singing was loud and powerful, Stomp and DP smiled, Halima sang, "Yeah"
4) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - Halima said, "This past week this song has started to have a new meaning to it. It's not just from a man to a woman. Sometimes you don't want anyone to talk to you. My Grandma (she may have said Grandmother) used to say 'If you have nothing to say, don't say nothing.' Anyone heard that?", Halima moved around and went on the dance floor, I filmed it since it was actually pretty well lit, Halima used a lot nonverbal arm & hand gestures and bounced
5) Halima-led Floetry's Say Yes - Halima said, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima said, "Hey ladies. Someone say something. How you all doing", Halima laughed, Halima repeated, "Deep down, deep down inside", Halima returned to the stage / Lionel Richie's Hello (tease) - Halima repeated "A thousand times", and kissed the air
Donnell said, "Ten for ten, nine for nine, eight for break"
Donnell said, "My baby Halima is one of the performers for the Night of Elegance."

Keisha was there. I asked her about future filming for the documentary. She mentioned next Thanksgiving (I don't know if she meant 2005 or 2006).

Danielle (Wellfhed) and China were there.

Tiffany F. was there.

Danielle introduced me to That44dog.

I talked with Ebony and her friend Kandi, whom I had taken a picture of with James last week. Ebony said she looked a mess in her picture with Nita. I said all I saw was a beautiful woman. She said she wanted to lose weight, but I told her she doesn't need it.

Second Set
Donnell said that Darrell needs to get a girl (don't remember who) a drink. Donnell said, "Who else? I'm playing Chuck Woolery. Get all these ladies drunk tonight. We got a bus, a minivan. We can take a trip."
Donnell said, "They not back, n*ggers still on a milk carton".
Donnell did a birthday announcement to Shawn.
1) Instrumental - largely just a nice crank, Donnell said, "I think we could just get a pocket. We got some birthdays." Donnell said of Bony-T, who was celebrating her birthday, "You must have gotten that name from junior high, you're fully grown now.", Donnell said, "Just a little thing so we can get this warmed up", Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
2) Donnell-led "If that's how you feel, you got to do what feel, you got to keep it for real" - Donnell said to some girl, "Please don't stand in front of me all night long, I don't think I can take it", Donnell inserted names, Doc and James both were on backup vocals, Donnell said, "Play some music y'all", Halima danced, Donnell said, "We're going to be real mature about this y'all", Donnell said, "A few seconds while we warm this up, let's start this off... Smoke", Donnell said, "Hey Stomp, did you tell him to stop?", Donnell said, "Say what"
3) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever - Donnell said, "Let's get this thing warmed up", James moved around, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, DP shouted, Donnell said, "Alright", Donnell said, "Uh huh", Donnell had a look on his face as if he made a mistake, Halima moved around, I noticed Stomp wasn't wearing headphones (as he normally does, including the first set tonight), it went dark, Donnell said, "One more verse mama", Donnell said, "Where you at Omarr?", DP shouted, "Come on"
4) John Legend's Used to Love U - instrumental intro / Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot - James and Donnell bounced, Halima was on backup vocals, Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Bounce, bounce", they did, James, Halima, and Donnell danced, Jay Gotti went onstage and rapped, Donnell and Halima danced, Donnell bounced, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke", Halima clapped, Donnell said, "Hey Stomp, hey Smoke", DP bounced, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke", Doc was on backup vocals

Donnell, Jay Gotti, Packy (behind Jay Gotti), Jacques, Smoke (mainly arm visible)
5) Alternating Halima-led Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl - Donnell said, "What, what you say?", Donnell said, "Come on with it Halima", Donnell bounced, Halima let girls in the audience sing, "That's my sh*t", Donnell said, "Come on with it Halima", Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hook Me Upa - Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about", Donnell said, "Come on with it Halima"

DP, Packy, Jacques, Smoke, Shawn, Omarr, Tony
6) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and moved around
Lisa of the World was there.
7) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded, Donnell said, "Every Friday, you know why"
8) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Halima and Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Right there Smoke", there was a nice crank, Donnell said, "We're trying to get this thing warmed up"
9) Donnell-led "Brandywine, Friends of mine" chant / Jay Gotti rapped, Halima sang, Donnell said, "If you got a birthday put your hands in the air", Donnell said, "Come on with it Halima"
10) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - DP shouted, "Yeah!", Halima bounced, moved around, and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, DP shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, James moved around
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Donnell said, "Look here y'all, we've been holding back too long", Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, James bounced, Halima danced and clapped, Donnell bounced, Smoke played timbales and Jacques played congas, Donnell said, "Hey Godfather", DP shouted, "Come on!" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Hey Godfather", Donnell said, "Let's get busy"

Stomp, Donnell, DP, Packy, Smoke, Jacques, Omarr, Shawn, Lisa of the World, June is the fan with his arms up and back to the camera
12) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Jacques played timbales, Smoke played congas, Packy played the cowbell, Doc toweled off his head, Halima danced, James and Donnell moved around, James, Halima, and Donnell danced, Donnell said, "Let me know when you're ready baby", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly
Donnell said, "Ten for ten, nine for nine, eight for break".
Donnell said, "Lisa of the World, she still got it, like at the Howard Theatre, big bunch of jugs."

Teago and Tyrell were there.

Halima danced around by Tyrell.
I joked to Teago that Kato was Danielle's father.

Third Set
1) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Donnell said, "Come on with it Halima", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Alright", Halima moved around, Donnell said, "Right there Halima", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Right there Smoke", Halima danced
2) They started to perform the music to Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell said, "My man Michael Muse isn't here, were going to play it anyway" / James & Halima-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - DP shouted, "Yeah, come on", James and Halima danced, Donnell said, "Sweet Shawn, it's your birthday", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, DP shouted, "Come on!", Donnell said, "Hey Godfather" repeatedly, Packy played the cowbell, Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about y'all"
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell held up a lit cell phone, fans held up lit cell phones and lighters, Donnell said, "Come on Halima", Halima rapped, Halima called out names and places, Donnell said, "Gimme the woo", James and Halima sang, "Woo", I danced with the same girl as at Tradewinds last week, Kiki and Khallisa, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute", Donnell said, "Right there Smoke", Halima rapped, Keisha danced onstage, Donnell said, "Gimme the Woo", James & Halima sang, "Woo"

Stomp, Donnell, Packy, DP, Keisha, Jacques, Omarr, Smoke, Shawn, Lisa of the World
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
4) Alternating Donnell-ed Trillville's Some Cut - James sang backup, the frontline did the bowing dance during the dialtone, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures / Notorious BIG's Warning - Donnell said, "Hey ladies" / "Wait a minute" echoes - Donnell & Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Dwayne Lee" / Tupac's Hail Mary - the frontline danced
5) Alternating Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Halima's singing was energetic, Donnell moved around, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "I see you baby", Donnell said, "What", Halima bounced, Donnell said, "One more to baby", Halima bounced / Donnell-led "Tired yet, Ready to quit?" - the crowd responded
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What? - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, one of the birthday girls shouted, Halima mimed
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - Smoke played the timbales and Jacques played the congas, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, the house lights came on, Donnell said, "Uh huh, yes sir", Donnell said, "Yes, sir", Halima moved around, Halima sang something, a girl named Jackie talked with me about what I wrote, she said she's seen me at Takoma Station a number of times
RE Angie was there.
8) Donnell-led Sade's No Ordinary Love - the frontline danced
Keisha was kicked offstage by the security (almost certainly asked to leave the stage first). Donnell is now trying to give Halima room onstage by not having fans dance onstage.
Donnell said, "Tiffany doing the pebbles & bam bam."
Donnell said, "Be careful Jordan, you'll get your eggs scrambled."
Donnell said, "Shay, you still doing the Thelma from Good Times"
Packy said, "He's writing it down."
Donnell said, "They think they back, they think Jheri curls are back, they still wearing 8 ball jackets."
I told Donnell that Nephew wears an 8 ball jacket.
Nephew said, "I still look good."
Donnell said, "He's got a Benz, you got a Subaru (not true)".
I said, "He doesn't have a Benz". Packy said, "Yes, he does, the license plate says, 'Mrs. Floyd'".
Donnell said, "Nephew park your wide body next to his." He also said Googie has a wide body (car) too.

When I walked out, Tiffany F. joked, "Why you looking at me like you know me?" The cop who comes every Friday said, "He's about to." She smiled.

Thursday at the Fur
Fur Night Club, 33 Patterson St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Cindy and Kiki were in their car parked next to me again.

Tata was there with Pinky (dyed hair).
Mike wasn't here tonight.

Familiar Faces
First Set
The audience was really small for the first set.
1) Donnell acapella Slick Rick's La Di Da Di - sound check
Donnell did announcements.
2) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever - Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about. We got my baby early Sweet Tata. Give us a minute to get warmed up.", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Come on with it baby", Donnell bounced and clapped, DP shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and moved around, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Packy played the tambourine, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", DP shouted, "Come on!", Donnell clapped, Donnell said, "Right there Smoke", Donnell said, "Look here, we're going to get this warmed up", Halima clapped and drank water, DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy) danced, Donnell said, "Gimme the top"
3) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - Halima sang, "Woo, hoo", Donnell said to Tata, "I know that's right mama", DP shouted "Come on!" repeatedly, DP shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Right there, Smoke" repeatedly, Halima and Donnell danced, Donnell clapped, Donnell said, "Trying to get my baby Sweet Halima warmed up, you ready mama?", Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures to the lyrics, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell danced and clapped, Halima moved around, Donnell said, "Uh huh, that's what I'm talking about, Yeah!", Donnell said, "Come on mama, right there Smoke", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Come on with it, Yeah!", DP shouted, "Come on, Yeah!" repeatedly, Halima's singing rose in intensity, Halima and Donnell danced a line dance somewhat in synch, Halima made faces, Donnell said, "Tata, Tata, What you say?", Donnell said, "Special dedication to everybody who came out last night", Halima danced, Donnell said, "What you say Tata, that's what I'm talking about"
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house" - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
RE Angie was there.
5) Alternating Halima-led Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl - the same new drum machine beat as last week (during the performance of this song), Jacques played timbales, Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about", Donnell said, "Yeah, come on with it", Donnell said, "Come on with it Halima", Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima drew out "That's my sh*t" / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hook Me Upa - Smoke played timbales, Halima danced and clapped, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" / back to Hollaback Girl - Jacques and Smoke switched back, Donnell said, "Right there Smoke, Right there Halima" / back to Hook Me Upa - Smoke and Jacques switched again, Halima danced and clapped, Halima did heavy breathing
Shadonna was there.
6) John Legend's Used to Love U - instrumental intro / Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot - Donnell bounced and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell walked around, Halima danced and clapped, Donnell said, "Hey ladies, bounce, bounce": the frontline and fans bounced, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Donnell danced, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke, hey Stomp bounce", Donnell said, "Lorenzo", Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about", Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm gestures
7) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Donnell said, "You see Broadway?", Halima danced, RE Angie went talk to Stomp then danced, DP shouted, "Yeah, Come on" repeatedly, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", the frontline danced the bowing dance during the dialtone / Doc rapped / Notorious BIG's Warning - Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Wheeler Road", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", DP shouted, "Come on", Halima clapped, mimed and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures to the lyrics / "Wait a minute" echoes - Donnell crouched, Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about Tata" / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) - Donnell crouched and clapped / "Wait a minute" echoes - Halima danced, Donnell clapped, Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about baby, Kiki, Tata" / "Wait a minute" echoes - long and different, Donnell bounced and clapped, Halima danced
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Donnell said, "We're going to do this for...", Donnell said, "We're going to turn Tata loose", Donnell said, "Kiki, I'm scared of you", DP shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Smoke played the timbales and Jacques the congas, Halima danced, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke, let's get busy" repeatedly, Donnell said, "I love you Kiki, I love you Tata, I love you girl", Donnell said, "Hey Godfather two times"
Donnell said, "You ready Big John or Flava?"
Donnell said, "Ten for ten, nine for nine, eight for break"
Donnell announced that tickets were for sale for the Night of Elegance and called FF Familial Faces.
6'9 was there.
RE Angie played congas.

Ron Moten, and E of L!ssen were there.

I teased Lolo and Kim about their matching boots. I asked Lolo if she had called her friend in advance to wear them together.

Slim Goodie was there.

Second Set
The audience grew to 50+ people.
1) They started to perform the music to Alicia Keys' Unbreakable (or Eddie Kendricks' Intimate Friends) - Donnell said, "On behalf of Epic Concepts", Donnell said, "Where you at Kiki?", Donnell said, "On behalf of my man Big John", Donnell said, "Come on with it baby" / Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Halima moved around, Donnell said, "Uh huh", Donnell clapped, DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Come on with it baby", Donnell said, "One more time baby", Halima and Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
2) Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You - Halima sounded so much like Mike at first that I looked around for Mike because I thought he was singing, Donnell said, "One more time Halima", Donnell called out names, Donnell said, "Halima"
3) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Donnell started it off by saying, "Hold the note y'all", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell inserted names, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures during the hits, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute" and did arm gestures, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke", Donnell said, "Goddamn Tata, is it like that?", Halima sang something, Doc rapped, Donnell said, "He (not sure who he was referring to) did what?"
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - DP shouted, "Come on!", the crowd responded, Donnell said, "Come on with it", Donnell said, "Sweet Halima warmed up"
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Donnell said, "Come on with it Halima", Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, DP shouted, "Yeah!", Halima bounced, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Uh huh", Donnell said to me, "What you doing?", DP shouted, "Come on!", Donnell bounced and clapped, Halima moved around and bounced, Halima's singing was more intense starting with "Ain't it Funkin' now", the horn hits were pronounced
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Donnell said, "Where you at Annise? This is for my baby Annise", Donnell said, "Here we go again", Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and danced, Donnell bounced, Halima smiled at Slim Goodie, Halima laughed, there was a nice crank, Smoke was playing the congas with drum sticks, Donnell said, "Ah, its your birthday", Donnell clapped
7) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell held up a lit cell phone, fans held up lit cell phones and lighters, Donnell said, "Sweet Halima", Halima rapped, I danced with Shadonna, Halima called out names, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke", Donnell danced, Donnell said, "Come on with it Halima", Donnell said, "Halima gimme the woo" repeatedly, Halima sang, "Woo", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell called out names, Donnell said, "Gimme the woo", Halima sang, "Woo", Donnell danced / Doc rapped Young Jeezy's Soul Survivor (tease)
8) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Halima's singing was energetic, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", DP shouted, "Come on!" repeatedly, Halima moved around, Tata and RE Angie danced on the stage floor, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Sing it ladies", DP shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Halima sang, "Hey" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Uh huh"
9) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Djayz's It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp - Donnell said, "What you say?", Tata danced on the steps, Donnell said, "Trying to warm this up for 6'9" / Donnell-led Kanye West's Gold Digger - there was a nice crank, Doc was on backup vocals ->
10) Donnell-led Slim Thug's I Ain't Heard Of That (Remix) - Doc was on backup vocals / Donnell-led Dem Franchise Boyz' I Think They Like Me - Donnell said, "Tomorrow night we're going to be at Safari Steakhouse", Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute"
11) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" - Halima sang backup / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls - Tata danced on the stage floor, Donnell bounced, Halima danced, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures - Smoke played timbales and Jacques played congas, Halima clapped, the house lights came on, I danced with Lolo, Tata danced on the steps, Slim Goodie danced on the stage floor, Donnell said, "Goddamn Kiki"
12) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Halima clapped, Tata danced on the stage floor, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, DP sat on the steps, Packy played the cowbell, Jacques played the timbales and Smoke played the congas, a guy stood on the right speaker, Donnell said, "We're getting ready to get on up out of here", Lolo made fun of my head bobbing, RE Angie, Slim Goodie and Tata all danced with Donnell at the same time, DP returned to the stage floor
13) Donnell acapella Raheem DeVaughn's Is It Possible (tease)
Donnell said, "I'm not scared of y'all".
Donnell said, "Tata's back is all sweaty, I don't think I've ever seen you that sweaty. Ever".
Donnell said to Kim of Lolo, "And she bowlegged too. Never mind who ladies."

Tata sang Trina Was Great as she walked to her car.

Wednesday at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Ron Moten and Archie Paige were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell said, "Each and every Wednesday night. We want to welcome everyone to Takoma Station."
1) Miles Davis' Tutu - Donnell called out the band members to do solos: Donnell said, "Derek Paige on the trumpet.", Donnell said, "Dwayne Lee on electric guitar y'all, my man Dwayne Lee.", Donnell said, "We got Lorenzo on electric piano y'all.", Donnell said, "So we can get a groove going here, little bit Smoke, give him a little bit.", Donnell said, "Jacques, give him a little bit.", Donnell said, "Right there sir, my drummer Stomp y'all.", Donnell said, "My bass player Doc y'all, give us a little bit Doc."
Netty, June, Arielle, Shaun, and Sharika were there.
DP left the stage.
2) Anthony Hamilton's Comin' from Where I'm From - instrumental
Tamara and Tim (LJ) were there.
Donnell said, "Michael Muse to the stage."
Mike said, "Good evening. We want to send this out to anyone who knows what it means to be in love."
3) Mike-led O'Bryan's Lady I Love You - Mike said, "That's what you need to tell your ladies, fellas.", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and went on the dance floor, Mike said, "Dwayne Lee y'all", Mike said, "You look into her eyes and say, 'Baby I can't breath without you'."
Stacey and Tracy were there.
Mike said, "Take you back to the days of the 45s and eight track tapes... back to the days of Speed Racer, back to the days of Captain 20"
4) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As - Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Mike said, "Alright y'all, alright now"
Donnell said, "Stevie Wonder just released a new album (A Time to Love) about three weeks ago (October 18th). We're going to throw out these Michael Muse knows..."
5) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Golden Lady - Halima arrived, Mike dedicated Golden Lady to Sweet Tracy, Mike said, "Good to see you Miss Brown", Mike said, "Alright y'all", Mike said, "How many of you saw the BET 25th Anniversary last night? Look for Familiar Faces next year."
Mike said, "Those of you seeing Familiar Faces for the first time at Takoma Station, you are in for a treat..."
There was applause.
Halima said, "Good evening. Hey y'all".
Donnell stood on the right of the stage
6) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Diary - Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell returned to his normal spot, Halima really got into it (with her singing), Donnell went back to the right of the stage
There was a lot of applause.
Mike said, "What did I tell you?"
Halima said, "? Wasn't secret."
Donnell said, "My baby Halima"
7) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden - DP went on the stage floor, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Right there mama, yeah, alright!", Donnell said, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Halima's singing rose in intensity, Halima clapped and danced, Mike danced, Halima clapped during the hits, Doc said something to Halima, Halima said, "We're having a little discussion here, showing each other some love", Mike was getting down
Tiffany G., Lima, and Angie were there.
Donnell said, "We're going to do a little more before we go to break."
8) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You - Mike said, "We're going to send this out to you Tiffany, such a beautiful angel 'cause I want you so bad", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell clapped, Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about", Donnell said, "Come on with it Michael Muse" Donnell did birthday announcements to Rickea (not the one I know), Khallissa" and more.
Halima told Donnell that it was her friend Nay's birthday.
Donnell said to Halima, "You going to sing happy birthday to your girlfriend?"
Halima declined.
Donnell said, "That how you do it?"
Halima smiled and laughed.

I talked outside with Doc, Godfather, Dwayne and Lorenzo. Godfather talked about former PFunk member Greg Boyer. Godfather talked about working with Verdine White. He said that Verdine said he could remix whatever he wanted from Earth, Wind & Fire.

Donnell Jr. was there.

Second Set
1) Donnell acapella Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me (tease)
2) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Donnell announced the Night of Elegance line up, Donnell clapped, Halima sang, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Mike moved around, Packy played the tambourine, Donnell said, "Come on with it baby", Halima moved around, bounced and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Right there Smoke" repeatedly, Donnell said, "We're going to get this thing warmed up, it's my baby Keta's birthday", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Come on Halima, yeah"
Nikki was there.
3) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about baby" twice, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell clapped and bounced, Donnell said, "Let's go y'all", Donnell said, "Let's go Michael Muse", Mike said, "Get on down Stacey, Sweet Loretta", Donnell said, "Lincoln Heights", Mike said, "I see you...", Donnell said, "Come on with it Godfather", the was a nice crank, Halima danced, Mike danced, Donnell said, "Big Sixx is in the house", Donnell said, "Come on with it, Michael Muse", Donnell said, "Hey Godfather", Donnell said, "Alright", Donnell said, "Right there, Smoke", Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about", Donnell said, "Uh huh", Donnell said, "What you say?", Donnell said, "Come on with it, Michael Muse"
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - Halima sang backup, the crowd responded
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Halima posed and Mike sang, "Oh my God!", Mike posed and Halima sang "Oh my God!", Tiffany G. danced by Mike
6) They started to perform the music to Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Donnell said, "Come on with it y'all", Donnell said, "Every Thursday at the Fur at 11", Donnell said, "Lincoln Heights" / Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and moved around, Donnell said, "Yeah, alright", Donnell said, "Let's go y'all", DP shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, DP shouted, "Come on", Donnell bounced and clapped, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Donnell said, "You hear that Sonya?", Mike smiled and stared at Tamara, Halima bounced, Halima's singing rose in intensity, Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about Ray", the horn hits were pronounced
7) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Donnell said, "One more time, Michael Muse", Donnell said, "Yeah, uh huh", Stacey pointed at Mike, Donnell called out names, Donnell said, "Uh oh, uh huh", Donnell said, "By yourself ladies", Halima conducted the ladies and sang, Donnell said, "One more time ladies", Donnell said, "Play the music", the frontline danced, Donnell and Halima clapped
8) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Donnell started it off by saying, "Hold the note y'all", Mike, Halima and Donnell danced, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "You know what?", Donnell called out names, Halima went onstage by Godfather, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute", Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Dwayne Lee, hey Smoke", the house lights came on, Halima danced, Donnell said, "Someone tell them to turn the house lights off", Halima went on the floor
9) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell and fans held up lit cell phones, Halima rapped, Donnell danced, Halima called out names and places, Donnell said, Gimme the woo", Mike and Halima sang, "Woo", Donnell said, "I don't know why they turned the house lights on so early", Donnell said, "I'm ever gon' smoke no mo'", Halima rapped the second verse, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Doc danced, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Gimme the woo", Mike and Halima sang, "Woo"
10) Donnell-led Hey Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me - Halima went back onstage by Godfather, Donnell said, "Come on over Miss Keta", Lima danced to the left of Tiffany G., Donnell inserted names, DP shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Lima danced between Mike and Donnell (Halima's spot), Some guy walked over to me and said, "I've seen enough" and walked out
11) Alternating Trillville's Some Cut - Donnell said, "Look here, we got to get out of here, I don't know why they turned the house lights on", Halima waved her arms, Donnell watched Lima dancing, DP shouted, "Yeah, come on!" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Good God Lima", the frontline danced the bowing dance while the dialtone played, a guy said "Write that (what that was I don't know) down." / Notorious BIG's Warning - Halima mimed, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Uh huh" repeatedly
12) Donnell-led "If that's how you feel, you got to keep if for real, you got to do what you feel" - Donnell inserted names
13) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Donnell said, "You hear what I say Ray? We won't let you come in here late", Donnell did announcements, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Look y'all, I don't know why they turned the house lights on so early, we're going to get on up out of here", Donnell said, "Thanks for coming out"
Donnell said, "I'm not sure what that's all about. They turned the house lights on early."
Donnell said, "Someone got some money for me."
Donnell said, "Ray, hey get off Tracy."
Donnell said, "It's like that."
Donnell said, "Alright."
Donnell said, "Hey Ray, get off my little sister".
Donnell said, "What's going on for real."
Tracy said, "Shut up Donnell".
Ray said to Donnell, "What are you, the po po?"
Halima said, "Nay Nay".
Donnell said, "Nay Nay, I don't know why she didn't sing happy birthday."
Halima said, "They turned my mic off."
Donnell said, "We got a gay girl in here, ran the Marine Corps marathon in some thongs.
Donnell said, "Where's Nette, she's getting another number, working the room"
Donnell said, "Sonya start the bus."
Donnell said of a guy named Derek (spelling?), "He got the Eazy-E, Melvin Lindsey. Did you put some money in the bucket for my man Derek?" Derek disconnected the mics.

Tuesday at Rehearsal

This is the last rehearsal entry for the forseeable future.

Private location

Familiar Faces
When I arrived, Dwayne, Googie, Godfather and Lorenzo were already in the rehearsal room.
Googie is going to be subbing for Doc on bass on November 9th. Godfather had a different keyboard.
Doc was the next to arrive.
Dwayne's guitar was not his normal guitar. I later asked him about the end of the neck, which is tapered.
They were playing awfully loudly.
Halima sang along to Godfather's playing.
Donnell next arrived.
They went over the Halima-led songs for Googie: Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know - Doc sang along
Next they went over Jill Scott's Whatever.
Duane Face arrived, but he didn't bring his keyboard inside.
Halima scolded us for talking. I talked about the MTV GoGo documentary that Duane had asked about on TMOTT.
Next they went over: Faith Evans' Again and Mesmerized, Fantasia's Free Yourself - again Doc sang along, and Mariah Carey's It's Like That - I identified the title for Doc.
DP arrived.
They next worked on Lil Kim's Lighters Up. Doc asked if Lorenzo plays what he was playing "onstage" (at performances). Lorenzo said, "Yeah, I do it all the time."
Next they rehearsed Erykah Badu's Cleva.
I mentioned other songs of hers including Whitney Houston's You Give Good Love, which they haven't performed in a while. Lorenzo put his finger to his lips. Halima said, "You don't like that song?"
Next they rehearsed Jill Scott's Golden - Donnell sang along.
Stomp arrived.
Donnell said, "We might not do that part (when Googie performs this with them)."
Halima said, "That's the best part."

Doc said, "(Lorenzo) You don't know what a bassline is."
Doc told Stomp he was killing. Doc showed the throat slash gesture, then laughed at the look on Stomp's face.
Halima laughed at DP.
They worked on Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change. Halima sang Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine.
Halima was talking on the phone; Doc said, "She's on the phone, I thought she was adlibbing."
They worked on Floetry's Say Yes.
Donnell said that DP, Godfather and Dwayne are improvising at the same time. He said they need to better communicate. Donnell said, "She's still in Free Yourself until she gets into 'All you need to do is say yes'". Donnell said they need to communicate in any song, not all adlib at the same time. DP said he just adlibs in the chorus.
Godfather played Bobby Valentino's Tell Me.
Lorenzo asked me why I didn't use a note pad.
Donnell said, "We're playing (Kraftwerk's) Trans-Europe Express wrong."
Donnell asked me about the rehearsal entry for the Fur performance on October 9th. I assured him that the rehearsal entry wasn't posted until after the actual performance.
Doc said he can't hear Godfather (during performances of this).
Donnell said, "You're the loudest."
Doc said, "Now he says that."
Donnell said, "You're always the loudest."
They next worked on Toto's Georgy Porgy intro and Bobby Valentino's Slow Down.
Donnell asked Googie, "Do you know Georgy Porgy?"
Googie said, "I ain't played that since (James) Funk."
They did the full Georgy Porgy.
Donnell said, "Do you know Ruff Endz (Someone to Love You)?"
Googie said, "Let me hear it."
Doc said to Lorenzo: "I forgot you played bass."
I asked Lorenzo how he would match up with Verdine White (this goes back to an earlier conversation). Lorenzo said he'd smoke him.
Donnell said, "We don't (or shouldn't) stop it at the end of the song in a GoGo set."
Donnell said, "Raheem DeVaughn (Ask Yourself)."
They worked on it, Donnell sang.
Donnell asked Googie if he knew John Legend's Used to Love U. They went over it.
Smoke arrived.
They worked on Trina Was Great.
Dwayne asked if Googie knew Marvin Gaye (I Want You).
Doc said, "That's his alley."
They next worked on Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl.
Donnell said, "I don't care where we go (meaning Prince's Take Me With You"
Donnell sang it. "Play the music" is the line he says to go into an instrumental part of the song. I've had trouble figuring that out up until now.
They next worked on Hold the Note.
Lorenzo said he can't play everything in that with just one keyboard.
Doc said, "Alicia Keys". They worked on Alicia Keys' Unbreakable. Halima came back and sang that. Doc sang along too. Halima was really getting into it. Godfather said she (Alicia Keys) just did a live album. That album is Unplugged, released on October 11th.
Mike arrived.
Donnell asked Googie about (Rare Essence's) Do It on Down.
Mike said, "You got that out of the closet."
Doc said to Lorenzo, "You're too young to remember that RE man."
Donnell asked Doc, "You know Do It on Down?"
Donnell said, "You can lead Do It on Down Mike?"
Doc kidded, "You know I ain't got my bass, that's just something sitting there."
Lorenzo said, "That's it?" (meaning the end of rehearsal).
Doc said, "Not for you."
Donnell said that anyone needing rooms can get a discount.
Stomp said, "I need two." Mike laughed.
I talked with Duane about PA Palace’s general discussion being up again. I said one of the things I read about was Original Backaholic Mike Mike and his video collection. Duane said Mike Mike has every GoGo video. He said that he went to so many Backyard shows, they started letting him in for free. I told Duane about a guy I met at Safari Steakhouse who has been their every Friday for five years; he estimated to me that he’s spent $5,000 going there. We talked about Mambo Sauce. Duane didn’t know that Red was the manager, not a member of the band. I asked Duane if he was a fan of SOULO. He said yes, until the original members started dropping out.

Shadonna's birthday at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

I walked in behind Candy. I wasn't sure it was her until she came by later.

Donnell was there. I was surprised since I was there pretty early. I asked Doc when he arrived if they were playing longer because of Daylight Savings Time ending. He confirmed they were.

Arielle and Archie Paige were there.

Shadonna waved to me. I didn't recognize her because she had a new hairdo.

A woman standing next to me at the side wall asked Nephew if he was on TMOTT. He pointed out that I am as well. She couldn't believe I was FunkMasterJ. I asked her her name: Lady Spice.

Sanisse, James, and Yvette were there.

Diva and another girl said, "Hello FunkMasterJ." They left so quickly I wasn't positive it was Diva.

Both Tracys and Sharon were there.

Halima wore what I originally thought was a feather headdress, but actually it was a mask. She also wore black lace gloves.

Doc introduced me to a guy named Bird who he said went back all the way to Class Band.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell said, "We're going to take our time, clocks turn back at 2, for the older people, we'll see you later, for the young people, we'll party all night." Mike said about a girl, "I had a dream about you, you were sleeping in my living room, you can't control your dreams, all I know is you're on my mind."
Donnell said something about Halima, she smiled and laughed.
Donnell said, "We got the crowd and your money"
Mike? said, "Great tip"
1) Mike-led Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself - Donnell went onstage then back on the stage floor, girls sang along, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, girls screamed, Packy played a cabasa, Halima sat onstage, Mike moved around
Tyrell was there.
2) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Donnell said, "Come on with it baby", girls sang along, Halima pushed back her mask, Donnell bounced, DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Next verse baby", Donnell said, "One more verse baby"
3) Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - Donnell said, "Matter of fact, right there Smoke", Halima clapped, the frontline danced, Halima went onstage, Donnell said, "Come on with it y'all", Donnell shouted, "Wait a minute", Donnell said, "Come on with it y'all", Donnell shouted, "Wait a minute", Halima and Donnell danced, Donnell said, "Come on with it y'all", Halima went on the stage floor, DP shouted, "Yeah!", the was a nice crank, Donnell said, "Charlie, you got to be f*cked up.", Charlie played the cowbell, Packy played a tambourine, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly
6'9 was there.
4) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - Mike sang, "Woo", Donnell said, "Gimme the top, let's go Halima", girls sang along, Halima sang, "Yes", Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and moved around, DP shouted, "Come on", the frontline danced and synchronized dance
JoJo was there.
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd sang along, Halima went onstage
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Halima posed while Mike and Donnell pointed at her, the crowd shouted, "Oh my God!", Mike posed, Halima said, "Oh my God!", Donnell said, "Come on with it y'all"
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Halima sang, "Baby, baby", Donnell said, "Come on", Donnell said, "They're ready, ready Halima?", Halima went onstage, Donnell said, "Sing it Halima", girls sang along, DP shouted, "Yeah!" and "Come on" repeatedly, Doc was on backup vocals, Halima bounced and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Uh huh", Halima's singing kicked up a notch with "Ain't we funkin' now", Halima clapped during the hits, a red spotlight shined on the stage, Halima moved around, Mike danced with a girl, the horn hits were pronounced
William, the manager of Psalm 100, was there.
8) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Donnell said, "One more time, Michael Muse", girls sang along, Donnell called out names, the crowd danced harder, Donnell said, "By yourself ladies, by yourself", Halima conducted the ladies, Donnell said, "One more time ladies, by yourself", Donnell said, "You don't care?", Donnell said, "Play the music once y'all" (he's said this many times during this, but I couldn't tell what he was saying), Halima and Donnell danced, Mike danced with a girl, DP shouted, "Yeah"
Shorty Q and Mama Chelle were there.
9) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Donnell started it by saying, "Hold the note y'all", He held his fist up and Halima imitated him, Donnell called out names, Donnell shouted, "Wait a minute", Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke", Mike sang but I couldn't hear what he sang, Halima drank tea, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke, ah", the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!", Donnell responded, "Say what?", Donnell said, "We got some old school, if you're twenty-nine and up, raise your hands"
10) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) - Donnell did the keyboard effects vocally / Rare Essence's Spotlight - Halima went on the floor, Donnell went onstage / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon?
11) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease) - Donnell said, "Old school" repeatedly, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Hey Michael Muse, come on"
12) Mike-led Lisa Stanfield's All Around the World - girls sang along, Donnell said, "Uh huh"
13) Donnell-led Vinnie D's Porno Star
14) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon
15) Donnell-led Brown & White - the frontline used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Slick Rick went onstage, Donnell said, "Hey Stomp" / Ride Out - the band and fans did the Ride Out dance, Donnell said, "Hey Stomp, hey Smoke, ride out", Los danced on the stage floor, Donnell said, "Hey Los, ride out, ride out", Los and Slick Rick danced competitively, fans screamed, Donnell said, "Slick Rick, pop the clutch" / Northeast Groovers' The Water - Donnell said, "Get in the water", Donnell said, "I know that's right", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell shouted, "Wait a minute"
16) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - Donnell said, "Sweet Shadonna is celebrating her birthday.", Halima went onstage, Halima said, "This applies to anybody, it is what it is.", Halima moved around and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, girls sang along, Halima's singing was excellent, Halima held her mic to the crowd, Dwayne played a nice solo as a transition ->
Tiffany F. and Dave were there.
17) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Say Yes - Halima's singing was excellent, girls in the audience said, "Break it down", Halima said, "Hey ladies, how y'all doing? Sometimes we have to say don't talk to me, deep down inside our hears say something else, does anyone know what I mean?" a girl provided running commentary while Halima spoke, girls responded to what Halima said, Halima said, "Huh Mike", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Mike's singing was excellent, women asked me what I was writing and who the band was, when I told them they used to be 911 and they knew who that was, the speakers were suddenly louder at the end, Mike said, "There it is", Halima repeated, "There it is" / Lionel Richie's Hello (tease) - Halima repeated "Thousand"
Delano was there.
Donnell said, "I'm about to let you have it Mike. Thinks he's still hot." Mike said, "Two hundred thirty pounds of..."

They talked about the girl who Donnell had to call security on (on Friday). Dwayne? suggested that Halima should ask for workman's comp because the women just pushed into her.

I danced with TT, Tia, and Mama Chelle.

I went over to the bar to get a Coke. Janetta said hello. She was with Tiffany. I went to talk to Dey and Tata hugged me. I did say hello to Dey. L-Boogie was with her. Pretty Nikki of the After Hours Band was there as well. The bartender from Safari Steakhouse, Shonda, and Ras Lidj were there.

Britney was there with a new hairdo.

Second Set
1) Donnell acapella Peaches & Herb's Reunited (tease) - warm up
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Halima went onstage, Donnell said, "Nikki, we're partying with the After Hours Band, Pretty Nikki", Halima went on the stage floor, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Mike said, "Sweet Nikki-a", Donnell said, "Hey Godfather", there was a nice crank, Donnell said, "Come on with it Michael Muse", Halima pushed her mask back, Halima went onstage, Mike said, "Sweet JoJo, Sweet Shadonna", James was on backup vocals, the frontline danced, Donnell said, "Godfather", the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke", there was a fight
3) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell held up a lit cell phone, fans held up lit lighters and cell phones, Halima rapped, Donnell called up Ras Lidj, calling him "Rasta Rae", Halima rapped the second verse, Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about", Donnell said, "Gimme the woo", Mike and Halima sang, "Woo", Donnell said, "Come on Rasta Rae" / Ras Lidj rapped / Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit?" - the crowd responded
After this point, my details and the order are more uncertain. I was dancing with two girls, it was both hard to write because the way we danced and one of the girls was offended by my writing while we danced. I danced primarily with two women, but also a third woman. Pretty Nikki smiled at my dancing. Some guy said of me, "White n*gger getting down."
4) Alternating Donnell-led Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a Minute" echoes
Tijuana was there.
5) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Donnell told the girls standing in the stage area "to give Halima some room so she can work", in response to the fight, Donnell said, "I'm going to say something this has been a year (at Tradewinds) this is not the Black Hole, if you are bumped" let it go, "beat your feet at Club Neon"
6) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - there was a nice crank, the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke", Donnell said, "Say what?"
7) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
The sound changed, for some reason my left ear was clogged.
8) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Mike-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls - Halima played congas, she had a drumstick
9) Donnell-led DIP - Donnell said, "We're getting ready to get on up out of here"
Shameika was there.
A number of people left, but FF continued playing.
Donnell said, "This ain't the Black hole."
Donnell said, "Do you know what they're talking about Halima?"
Donnell said, "I said she know what they're talking about"
Dwayne smiled.
10) Halima-led Minnie Riperton's Memory Lane
Donnell said, "You didn't hear the first set..."
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon
Halima left the stage
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Doing the Do
13) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight - Donnell said, "We got to go old school"
14) Donnell-led Rare Essence's One on One
15) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Roll Call
16) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go - Donnell said, "I don't know why they are still playing, I told them to stop.", Donnell said, "One more time, Michael Muse"
I danced with Dey.
Chocltchp was there.
17) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (tease)
Donnell put his hand on his and did the throat slash gesture - it signals stop playing.
Donnell said, "They don't listen, I told them to stop."
18) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Geraldine - initially Donnell did the keyboard effects vocally
19) Donnell-led Rare Essence's How Can I Know? - Donnell inserted Sonya (spelling?) and Lisa into the lyrics, Charlie played a timbale solo, Donnell said, "I knew Charlie would do that"
20) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Body Snatchers - DP shouted, "Yeah!"
21) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Stars Be Partyin' - Halima mimed and danced
Mike said, "That's Tata y'all, she's smooth with her sh*t, I love her"
Donnell said, "We done play all these songs we skipped one."
22) 911 (tease) - instrumental, Donnell said, "Not that one."
23) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
24) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time
25) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario - Halima smirked.
26) Donnell acapella Raheem DeVaughn's Is It Possible (tease)
Doc said, "Remember Publicity is going to bust us up..."
Donnell said, "That was uncharacteristic of me..."
Donnell said, "Three in the morning, pancake house" - a line from Overnight Scenario, but he meant it was literally three in the morning.
Donnell said, "Bartenders, I got to give you a C-, a couple of scuffles, it was the alcohol, we wasn't even playing"
Doc said, "Did you have a good time?" He told Ras my hair was slicked down when I got there.

Ras Lidj's perspective

Nita's birthday at Safari
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

Dave was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know - Donnell said, "I'd like to welcome everyone to Safari Steakhouse. We play three sets, this is the happy hour set", there was distortion in the speakers, Halima moved around and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima repeated, "Guide me", James walked on stage and sang backup, Halima's singing was more powerful than normal for this song
2) They started to perform the music to Jill Scott's Golden - Donnell said, "Just getting this thing warmed up. Also we have some birthdays and congratulations. I don't know if they're going across the state line", Halima played congas, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" / Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden - Packy played the tambourine, Halima and James used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima's singing again was powerful, Halima bounced and moved around, Donnell said, "Let's go Halima", Doc smiled, Halima danced during the horn hits, Halima conducted the horn hits
3) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic - Halima and James left the stage, Donnell announced that a couple of cars needed to be moved, Donnell talked with Lorenzo and Godfather, Donnell shouted, "Yeah, Come on with it y'all", Dwayne played a nice solo

Doc, Lorenzo, Dwayne, Donnell, DP
Tracy, Nita, and Shante were there.
4) Mike-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change - Mike said, "Black beauty and Black power. When a little old lady named Rosa Parks stood up to the white supremacist establishment, why do we not stand up for one another, same old Jim Crow mentality, light skin versus dark skin", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Mike said, "Stay strong"
5) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You - Mike said, "Hey ladies, they say this is a ladies song right here. DP was not onstage, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Alright" repeatedly, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Mike said, "Mama said there'd be nights like this", DP shouted, "Yeah!"
Stacey & her cousin Shante, Tracy S., Chanel, Angie, LA, and Arielle were there.
6) Donnell acapella Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease)
Lisa of the World was there.
I talked with Nita.
I kidded Dwayne about wearing a bright shirt. I said, "You're taking away from the frontline." He said, "We're the real frontline."

I danced with a girl at the end of the break during Percolator.
Donnell said, "I see you Jordan".

Ebony was there.

Second Set
Mike said, "All the Scorpios, don't forget about the Virgos, my ex-wife is a Virgo".
Mike said, "Nita got a birthday, we're going to send this song to her."
Donnell said, "If you just got here, don't ask why we just started. You didn't get here early..."
Halima laughed.
1) Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Alternating Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - Donnell said, "Come on Stomp", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, James was on backup vocals, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Right there Mike", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Uh huh", Donnell and Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures / 6 Minutes - percussion solo, Donnell said, "Don't nobody say nothing, don't nobody play nothing", Donnell said, "What did you say your girlfriends...", Donnell said, "My baby Nita been here since day one, her and Lisa of the World, all the way back to the Mustang? Cafe", Donnell said, "Just give us a while to get this warmed up"
2) Donnell-led "If that's how you feel, you need to keep it for real" - Donnell said, "Stomp I didn't know you were going to do that", Donnell inserted names, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
There were flashing lights onstage
3) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - girls in the audience sang along, Halima moved around and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd sang along
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Halima danced and posed, Mike sang, "Oh my God!", Mike posed and Halima sang, "Oh my God!"
The strobe light went on on the dance floor
6) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
7) Alternating Halima-led Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl - there was a different drum machine sound, the crowd sang along, "That's my sh*t", Donnell said, "Gimme the top", Donnell clapped, Halima moved around, Donnell said, "Let's go Tracy, Let's go Chanel", Donnell said, "Come on mama", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hook Me Upa - Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Hey Arielle", Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about Trinidad, 58", Donnell said, "Right there Halima", Donnell said, "Let's get it together", Donnell said, "One more verse Halima", Donnell said, "Uh huh", Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about DJ Flava"
8) John Legend's Used to Love U - instrumental intro / Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot - James left the stage, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and bounced, Donnell said, "Bounce, bounce" and fans and the frontline, Doc and Lorenzo did, there was a percussion solo, the frontline used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and danced, Mike said, "What you doing Tracy?" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Hey Stomp, Hey Smoke"
9) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - James was on back up vocals, Mike and Halima danced, Halima played congas, DP shouted, "Yeah, come on!", Halima went back to her normal spot, Halima danced, the frontline did the bowing dance, Donnell said, "Ladies", DP said, "Unh unh", Donnell improved some, the frontline danced the bowing dance, DP said, "Unh unh", Halima sang, "Ooh, ooh" / Notorious BIG's Warning - Halima and Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "We got you Lincoln Heights" / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) - Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures to the hits / "Wait a minute" echoes - the crowd shouted, "Ay", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Yes, sir", Donnell said, "We got the Raw Image up in here"
10) Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant - Mike and Halima sang along
11) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Mike and Halima danced, Donnell called out names, Donnell said, "Alright", Donnell said, "By yourself ladies, By yourself", Donnell said, "Oh my God!", Donnell said, "Hear that fellas? They don't care", Halima sang, the frontline danced during the percussion solo, DP shouted, "Come on!"
12) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Donnell started it with, "Hold the note y'all", Chanel encouraged me to dance in a certain way, Donnell called out names, Donnell shouted, "Wait a minute", Donnell said, "Dwayne Lee, Hey Smoke", Mike sang something I couldn't hear, Donnell said to someone, "Don't make me come and get you", Halima and Mike danced, Donnell bounced, Doc rapped, Donnell said, "Look here y'all ten for ten, nine for nine", but the band kept playing, Mike stared at someone, Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures.
Tyrell and Love were there.

Shawn was there.


Lorenzo in his natural element (on the phone).

Angie, Tracy and Chanel asked me what happened to the Jordan they knew.

Third Set
Mike said, "Where you at Nita? Happy birthday Nita"
DP joked, "Where you at Stomp (he was standing right next to him)".
Mike talked about the Night of Elegance. He said, "The after party will be in my room, I'm in room 1".
Donnell said, "Familial Faces".
Mike talked about some woman, "She likes me".
Donnell said, "He wouldn't know what to do with you anyhow. This is the man's side." Mike said, "That's the green side." Smoke laughed.
The stage went dark
1) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell said, "My baby Nita's celebrating her birthday", Donnell did a shout out to Michelle Blackwell of What? Band in the audience, Donnell said, "This is where the stars be partyin'", Halima danced, Donnell said, "I see you... What want to do girl?", Donnell said, "Hey Godfather", there was a nice crank, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Mike said, "Sweet Lashonda, I love you baby", Donnell said, "Right there Michael Muse", Mike said, "I'm still waiting on that phone call baby", Donnell said, "Get on down Stacey", Donnell said, "You ready?", Billy sat in on congas, Donnell said, "Give me some Jungle Boogie", Mike said, "Get on down Billy", James held his arms up, Donnell shouted, "Wait a minute"
Donnell, DP, Packy, Smoke, Jacques, Billy, Omar, Nita, the security guard is Tony
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
2) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell held up his lit cell phone, Mike said something I couldn't hear, Donnell called out names, at least one fan held his lighter up, Halima rapped, Halima and Mike moved around, Donnell bounced, Donnell called out people's names, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke", the frontline danced, Halima rapped the second verse, Donnell said, "Give me the Woo", Donnell bounced and clapped, Mike and Halima sang, "Woo", Donnell said, "What you say, Brandywine?", Halima rapped the second verse, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke, Hey, Stomp, Yes Sir", Donnell said, "Say What" repeatedly, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Gimme the woo", Mike and Halima sang, "Woo", the frontline danced, Donnell said, "I don't think y'all heard me", Doc, Mike and Halima sang, "Woo", Donnell said, "Look here y'all, we're getting this thing warmed up" / Doc-led Young Jeezy's Soul Survivor (tease)
Peg Leg was there.
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - Nita, Lisa of the World and other women danced onstage
4) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Halima's singing was energetic, Halima moved around, Halima sang, "Yeah" repeatedly, Halima bounced
5) Alternating Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima waved / Donnell & Halima-led Sade's No ordinary Love - Donnell said, "Now what I tell you" / Doc rapped
6) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Donnell said, "Yes sir", Donnell bounced
7) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Mike-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls - Smoke played timbales and Jacques congas, DP shouted, "Come on", Donnell said, "Michael Muse come on", Donnell said, "Michelle Blackwell each and every Monday night right back here"
8) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - "Go Nita, it's your birthday" - Donnell said, "Look here y'all, we got to get on up out of here"
9) Instrumental - I asked Doc about it, he said it probably was just grooving, Smoke played congas, Mike said, "I see", Donnell said, "I know that's right Stacey"
10) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
Donnell talked with Googie and Tee Bone about the used of Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express (which they cover in Tell Me), he said Chuck was first, then Trouble Funk (Trouble Funk Express), then Rare Essence, then Backyard.
Donnell said, "Hey Tee Bone".
Donnell said, "Billy, did you pay your respects?"
Googie said Trouble was first, Chuck never covered it.

Thursday at the Fur
Fur Night Club, 33 Patterson St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Cindy and Kiki were parked next to me, they said hello. They asked if they could walk in with me.

There was a costume party going on at the same time as FF's show. The costume party used the main entrance; we used the entrance on the left. I walked in behind Jacques, who was the first band member there.

I met a girl named Quita. She knew about my project and asked me a lot of questions about it.

Some of the people from the costume party overflowed into our area, including girls in lingerie. When a guy with dyed hair walked by and I made a face, Cindy and Kiki laughed.

A couple of women (employees of the Fur), walked over to the couch area we sat at. They wore blue basketball uniforms with Alize printed on the front and Bleu printed on the back. They handed out sweepstakes and gave everyone who entered a blue light.

Halima wore a white Seek Abundance shirt with pink lettering.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Halima sang along with Bobby Valentino's Slow Down as it was played by the DJ for her sound check.
Donnell sang, "Could you be mine" for his sound check
Nikki and Monique were there.
1) Instrumental prelude / Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You - Donnell bounced, Halima danced, Donnell said, "Just give us a little time to get this thing warmed up", Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about, Wheeler Road, Edgewood", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Mike and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Right there Stomp, Smoke", Donnell said, "Come on with it Mike", Donnell said, "That's what I'm talking about baby", Donnell said, "Wait a minute", the frontline danced during the percussion solo, Donnell said, "Just give us a little time to get this warmed up", Mike whispered to Halima, She smiled, a guy with a Star Wars helmet and toy gun whispered to Donnell
Peg Leg was there.
2) Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - Halima clapped, Donnell said, "I see we got 6'9 already", Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell and DP bounced, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell clapped, Donnell said to some girl, "That's what we're talking about baby", Donnell said, "Right there Smoke", there was a nice crank
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
Shameika was there.
4) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Donnell said, "Come on Halima", Mike danced, Halima moved around, Donnell bounced, Donnell said, "What you say Mickey?", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Come on Halima", Halima bounced and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
5) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
6) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Donnell said, "Let's get this party started y'all", Donnell said, "You know I know how to sing", Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima danced and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell called out names, Donnell said, "Michael Muse come on"
7) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Donnell shouted, "Hold the note y'all", Donnell shouted, "Come on with it", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Donnell and Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell called out names, Donnell and Halima did the same gestures during hits, the frontline danced, Donnell said, "I've been waiting for you Kiki, Cindy", Donnell said (not sure who to), "Right there girl", Donnell said, "Swing your body, baby", Donnell said, "Dwayne Lee"
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - a female friend of Monique's wore a maid costume, Donnell said, "This is how we used to do it back in Rhythms", Mike and Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima danced, the frontline danced, Donnell said, "Hey Godfather, Hey Smoke, Let's get busy", Packy played the cowbell, Donnell said, "Godfather", Donnell said, "Go down baby, go down"
9) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima did nonverbal arm & hand gestures to the lyrics, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke, yes sir", Donnell said, "Look here y'all, were about to take a ten for ten"
There were seventy+ people in the audience.

A guy told me, "I love this establishment".

June, Nita, and Ron Moten were there.

I teased Nita about her birthday.

I followed Doc up to the lounge on the mezzanine level - I didn't know there was a lounge there. He, Dwayne, DP and I watched the costume party below. It was packed. Doc liked the girls dancing by the pole. I told him about the S Factor. While we were watching, Stomp went into the party downstairs. He later came up and joined us.

Second Set
1) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell said, "My baby Keta", Mike and Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell bounced, Halima had one of the blue lights in her hair, Donnell said, "Hey Godfather", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "We got you ladies", there was a nice crank, Jacques played timbales, Donnell shouted, "Yeah"
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
3) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - (I don't know if Halima posed since I couldn't see her well enough), Mike posed, Halima sang, "Oh my God!"
The dance floor filled during
4) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - DP shouted, "Yeah!", Halima and Mike moved around, Halima bounced, Halima and fans clapped during the hits, Donnell said to Halima, "Sing to 'em girl", Halima's singing was powerful, Mike danced, Donnell said, "Sing it Halima", the horn hits were pronounced
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - the girl in the maid outfit danced with Mike, Halima went on the steps and danced facing the door, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, the frontline (including Halima) danced the bowing dance while the dialtone played / Notorious BIG's Warning - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and moved around, Donnell said, "Uh huh see" / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes - it was different, Donnell and Mike danced, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Mike said something I couldn't hear, Halima went on the stage floor, the echoes were longer the second time around
RE Angie was there.
6) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Halima's singing was energetic, Donnell and DP shouted, "What!", Donnell sang, "I'm not saying you're a gold digger", Donnell said, "Let's go Halima", Donnell danced behind Mike and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima bounced and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "You ready Wheeler Road, Brandywine", DP shouted, "Yeah!"
7) Donnell-led Djayz's It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
8) Donnell-led Kanye West's Gold Digger - Doc was on backup vocals, Halima was on the steps looking through the door
9) Donnell-led Slim Thug's I Ain't Heard Of That (Remix) - Doc was on backup vocals
10) Donnell-led Dem Franchise Boyz' I Think They Like Me
11) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - DP looked up, Halima went on the stage floor, Donnell said, "Hey Miss Halima", Halima rapped, Donnell said, "Gimme the woo", Mike and Halima sang, "Woo", Nita smiled at my writing, Donnell said, "It's your birthday", Donnell danced, Halima moved around, there was a nice crank, Donnell said, "Hey Smoke, hey Stomp", Mike said, "My main man Darrell" / Doc-led Young Jeezy's Soul Survivor (tease)
12) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) - Donnell did the keyboard effects vocally / Rare Essence's Spotlight - Halima went on the steps, Donnell said, "Old school" / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon?
13) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel - Donnell said, "Michael Muse come on"
14) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease) - Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "One more time Michael Muse", Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Old school"
15) Donnell-led Vinnie D's Porno Star
16) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls (tease) - Halima danced
17) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
18) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Geraldine (tease) - Donnell started it the effects vocally, the frontline danced
19) Donnell & Mike-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls
20) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - Donnell and Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell called out names
21) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) - Donnell said, "Hey Stomp, hey Smoke, hey Jacques"
22) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Donnell chanted, "Southeast, South, Southeast... Northeast, North, Northeast... Southwest, South, Southwest... Northwest, North, Northwest", Halima danced facing the door
Donnell said, "Look here y'all, we're getting ready to get on up out of here. Look here y'all spread the word y'all", Donnell said, "It's just a matter of time", Donnell said, "They told me to quit, we got to split", Donnell said, "Go-Go Mickey said (we can play until) 2 AM"
23) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Halima and DP sat on the steps
24) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - "Go CC, it's your birthday"
Donnell said, "That's all the time"
I danced with Nita during the set.
RE Angie and Halima played congas.
Donnell said, "Sweet Lady"
Lisa was there.
Kiki and I talked.
My car got hit as I was waiting to pull out of the McDonald's.

Wednesday at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Shaun was there.

Vonshawn sat next to me and asked me the URL of my website. He talked with Stomp.

Dave and Tim (LJ) were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Blueprint - instrumental, Mike and Halima were offstage, Donnell said, "Each and every week all we want to do is play good music. It don't matter if it's original or off the radio that's why we keep coming here... Jazz, rap, R&B... something for the mature crowd.", Donnell went on the dance floor and played his horn to Tamara's back before going back to the stage floor, Donnell said, "We got my man Dwayne Less on electric guitar way on the side of the stage", Dwayne played a nice guitar solo, Mike said, "How you doing this evening? How are the Verizon people this evening? Sit back and enjoy yourself." / Mike-led Donny Hathaway's Little Ghetto Boy - the band still performed the music to Blueprint, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell danced
James, Sharika, Tamara, Tracy S., and Stacey were there.
2) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You - Donnell started it off by saying, "Michael Muse is going to put us in a Marvin Gaye mood", Halima was by the left side of the stage, Donnell bounced, Halima clapped and danced, Mike went on the dance floor, Donnell said, "Come on with it Michael Muse", Donnell said, "Hey Mike", Mike sang to Stacey, Mike bounced
Cookie was there.
3) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You - Donnell said, "That’s what you was talking about Dwayne", Mike said, "All the beautiful girls", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell clapped, Donnell and Mike switched places, Mike sang facing his Verizon coworkers, Donnell clapped, DP stood to Donnell's left, Donnell went back to his usual spot with Mike to his right, Mike had a nice finish
4) Mike-led Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself - Halima was in her usual spot, DP on the left spot, and Donnell on the right, Mike went on the dance floor, Mike said, "Ladies, do you know what I learned about the difference between a boy and a man? A boy does what he wants; a man does what he has to. When was the last time your man did what he had to and gave you an all night love session?", DP put Donnell's mic stand in front of Doc onstage, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Mike sang directly to Cookie and Tamara, Mike went back to the stage floor, drank some water, then went back on the dance floor
The dance floor filled during
5) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Mike said of Halima, "They say good things come in small packages", Halima said, "Hey Stacey, Hey y'all", Halima exchanged nonverbal arm & hand gestures with Stacey, Donnell clapped, Mike danced, Halima moved around and kicked, Donnell smiled, Halima bounced
6) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - Donnell clapped, I danced with Stacey, Halima did a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures to the lyrics, Mike danced, Halima moved around, Donnell talked to Doc onstage, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again - Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, moved around, and bounced, Donnell said, "You hear me Stacey?"
Nikki was there.

We walked to the store. Godfather got a discount for the nachos and cheese. He said, "I'm not going to pay full price for day old cheese." We talked about real estate prices.

RE Angie and Stinky Dink were there.

Second Set
1) Donnell acapella "Since you've been mine" - warm up / Donnell acapella Mint Condition's (probably Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes) (tease) - Donnell said, "That's what I'm talking about Mint Condition", still warm up
Halima went onstage
2) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What Would You Do (For the Money)? - Donnell said, "It's alright", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", RE Angie was on the stage floor and mimed, Donnell moved around and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima made faces, Mike danced, Halima made nonverbal arm & hand gestures to me, Donnell said, "It's alright Footz, Little Footz, Heavy One"
Angie was there.
3) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever - Halima went on the stage floor, Donnell said, "Is it... is that what... my baby Yolanda is celebrating her birthday", Donnell said to Halima, "You ready mama?", Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell danced and clapped, Halima bounced, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, DP shouted, "Yeah!"
6'9 was there.
4) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell shouted, "Yeah", Donnell said, "Come on with it", Donnell said, "Tomorrow night we're going to be at the Fur. Where you been, that's what we're talking about, Benjiy GoGo Swings magazine, a lot of entrepreneurs", there was nice crank, Halima smiled at Mike, Mike said, "I see you Stinky Dink", Donnell said, "We got old school up in here", Donnell said, "Hey Godfather", Halima smiled at Packy, he was getting down, Donnell said, "Old school, Hey Godfather", Mike said, "Get on down Sweet Nikki, RE Angie", Halima went onstage, Donnell said, "Come here... each and every Wednesday night on behalf of my man Jauhar Abraham", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Donnell and DP shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Where you at Nephew?", Donnell said, "We got my man Mike Smith of the Sacramento Kings", Donnell said, "Sweet Stacey", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!"
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd sang along, Halima clapped
6) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Donnell said, "RE Angie, what you feel? Do what you feel", Donnell said to Halima, "Let's go mama", Donnell clapped, DP shouted, "Yeah!", Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Let's go ladies", Donnell hopped, Halima moved around, Donnell said, "Let's go Halima, Nikki, y'all", Halima bounced, Donnell clapped, Donnell shouted, "Oh!", Halima clapped during the hits, DP shouted, "Yeah!", DP smiled, Donnell said, "Sing it Halima", starting from singing "Ain’t we funkin' now" Halima's singing got more powerful, the horn hits were pronounced, Mike said, "Get on down Nikki"
7) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima sat, Donnell said, "Hey Ray", Halima went onstage
8) Donnell & Halima-led Lighters Up - Donnell, Nephew and fans held up lit cell phones, Donnell inserted names, Donnell said, "Hey Miss Halima", Halima rapped, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Let's go Halima", Halima called out names and places, Donnell said, "Yes sir", Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Give me the woo", Halima and Mike sang, "Woo", Donnell said, "Hey Smoke, yes sir", Donnell said, "Give me the woo" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Next verse Halima", DP shouted, "Yeah!", Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and moved around, Halima called out names, Donnell said, "Hey Godfather"
9) Mike-led Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go - Donnell said, "We got some old school"
Donnell said, "Hey Mickey"
10) Donnell & Mike-led Rare Essence's One on One - Donnell said, "Put your hands in the air" the band and fans did, the crowd shouted, "Go-Go Mick-ay!", Donnell said, "We got Go-Go Mickey up in here", Go-Go Mickey sat in on congas, he talked to Smoke and both laughed, Halima and Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell and DP marched in place, Jacques played a nice timbale solo, Donnell said, "Jacques", but the crowd shouted, "Go-Go Mick-ay", Donnell said, "Hey look Stinky Dink, rickety raw, Mike said, "Rickety raw" in a really high voice
Stinky Dink sat in
11) Stinky Dink-led One Track Mind - Stinky Dink used Donnell's mic, Halima smiled at Go-Go Mickey's playing, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Stinky Dink said, "Donnell you know me, shake it like a white girl", Stinky Dink said, "Lock it, lock it, uh", Donnell said, "One by One we're getting fly again"
P.O.P. sat in
12) P.O.P. rapped - Stacey danced over by me
Pinky was there.
13) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Halima went on the stage floor, Halima's singing was energetic, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and moved around, Donnell and DP shouted, "Yeah!", DP shouted, "Yeah!"
14) 6 Minutes - percussion solo, Smoke played congas, Go-Go Mickey played timbales, Donnell said, "Don't nobody say nothing, don't nobody play nothing", DP shouted, "Yeah!", Packy gave Go-Go Mickey a cowbell, he played that while Smoke played the congas
15) Donnell-led Rare Essence's We Used to Let the Pocket Ride - DP smiled, Donnell said, "You remember how we used to let the pocket ride?", Donnell said, "Look here y'all, we're about to get on up out of here", Donnell said, "Hey Smoke", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Used to ride", Donnell said, "What's the 411 CC? You remember that? Oh! You don't remember that?"
Halima went on the stage floor
16) Halima-led Minnie Riperton's Memory Lane - Halima sang powerfully, Donnell said, "Come on Halima", Halima moved around
I danced a little with Stacey during the set.
17) Donnell acapella Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Friends (tease)
18) Donnell acapella It Is What It Is
Donnell said, "RE Angie is still celebrating, she's forty-nine years old."
Donnell called Angie "FF Angie."
Donnell said, "Work LJ, not much time left. It's the fourth quarter with thirty seconds to go. PA tape ready next week. Shoot your shot. Pat Ewing in game 7 missing the lay up. Hey LJ, she said no."
Cookie said goodbye. She asked me if I'd be at the Night of Elegance. I said yes.

Sharon's birthday celebration at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

Sanisse, Shawn, Los, and Tracy were there.

Renee came by and said hello. Sharon also greeted me. Cindy and Kiki said hello. Bobby Smoot shook hands with me and asked about his sister (who happened to be there).

A woman talked with Archie and I about coming out for a (Sharon's?) birthday celebration. She said she was stern, but her kids tell her everything. Her oldest son is 22. She said Familiar Faces is old.

Doc said I needed to do something, so people will think I am in management. I said they already do. I said that I could take his coat. He said, "No, that's slave work." I said, "I will take your coat and give it back for only half what he paid for it." He made a face and I said, "Twice what you paid for it?"

Later Omar almost put his face into Doc's bass. I told Doc that he should play, "Bass in your face." Doc told me to get away.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You - there was a false start, they stopped due to distortion, Mike said of some girl, "She's a 'Bama", Donnell said to a girl, "You need to tell me your name again", Donnell said, "Come on with it, let's try again," Donne said, "Sweet Shayna's birthday", Donnell said, "Is that better?", there was still distortion, Halima went onstage, then back on the floor, Donnell said, "We're going to go our thing", Sharon pulled me over to dance in front with her, then Donnell said, "Please stand somewhere else Jordan, Pretty please" (Doc told me at the break, "There's a rule, don't block the booty"), I moved, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Uh huh", Donnell and Halima clapped, Halima danced, there was a nice crank, Donnell said, "Wait a minute y'all", Donnell said, "Michael Muse, come on with it y'all", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, there was a very smooth transition
2) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again - Sharon pointed at Halima, Donnell said, "We're getting this thing warmed up for all the young women here, come on with it", Mike said, "Hey Sharon, shame on you", Donnell said, "Sing it Michael Muse", Halima went onstage, Halima moved around and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Come on with it girl", Halima improved, Donnell clapped, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Right there Smoke", there was a nice crank, Halima smiled, "Donnell said, "Sweet Tracy is here, I knew that, is Angie here?", Donnell said, "Right there Halima, Smoke"
Candall and Tracy S. were there.
3) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - Mike use a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell and DP bounced
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - Donnell and Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima put her mic back
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Halima and Mike posed, DP and Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Doc said, "Do it for the fellas", the crowd shouted, "Oh my God!", Donnell said, "Tradewinds, we got the grown & sexy"
6) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Donnell clapped, Halima moved around, Halima and Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima bounced, Mike flapped his towel, Halima clapped during the hits, DP shouted, "Yeah!", DP bounced, Donnell went onstage, he watched Charlie play, Donnell drank water, Packy played the tambourine, Donnell went back on the floor, Halima bounced, the horn hits were pronounced, Halima smiled
Packy, James, and Nikki were there.
7) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Donnell said, "One more time, Michael Muse", Mike said, "Uh huh", Donnell bounced, Mike danced, Donnell called out names, Omar stood onstage by Charlie and Smoke, Donnell said, "By yourself ladies", Halima conducted the ladies nonverbally and sang, Donnell said, "You hear that?", Donnell said, "One more time ladies", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", the frontline danced during the hits, Donnell went onstage and danced
8) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Donnell said, "Hold the note y'all" and held up his fist, Donnell called out names, DP danced, Halima made faces, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima smiled, Halima and Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said. "Dwayne Lee, Hey Smoke" and they soloed, Donnell said, "Let's go, let's go", the crowd danced hard, Donnell said, "Don't tell me you don't feel this baby", Mike said, "Sweet Sharon, Sharon, shame on you"
9) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Mike said, "They don't want to see me", Donnell said, "Hey Smoke", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Look here y'all were getting ready for a ten for ten", Halima improved "Doo, doo, doo, doo", Halima threw something jokingly at Godfather or Stomp
10) Donnell-led Brown & White - Halima and Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell went on the floor, Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about Brandywine", Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute" / Ride Out - the frontline and fans did the Ride Out dance
11) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - Halima said, "This is the one when you take a little back if you have someone special", a guy asked me Halima's name, Halima moved around and used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima's singing was excellent, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Halima bounced
JoJo was there.

A guy showed us a DVD of the Fur show. The video was high quality; but we didn't hear much of the audio.

Peg Leg was there.

Stomp said there was a huge line outside Tradewinds.

Shameika, Yolanda and RE Angie were there.

Second Set
Donnell said, "Let's get this thing going, we got a whole lot of lovely ladies in the house"
1) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Halima went onstage, Donnell said both Don & Mikes were there, Donnell said, "Spread the word, you got to get here early to get inside", James talked to Halima (it delayed her from starting to sing), Donnell said, "Come on with it baby", the crowd sang along, Donnell clapped, Donnell said, "Sing it ladies", DP shouted, "Yeah!", Halima sang, "Yeah, yeah", Donnell said, "Sing it ladies", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "Sing it Nikki", Donnell said, "Alright", Doc held his hand up, Mike used a lot nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Hold up y'all"
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell said, "Each and every Saturday night, we got the grown and sexy, no beating our feet y'all", Halima danced hyperactively, Donnell said, "This is a ladies song", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "We got my man Los up in here", Donnell said, "Godfather, old school", Halima danced, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Old school", Donnell said, "Come on with it Michael Muse", Donnell said, "Hey Godfather", Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Halima smiled and danced, Donnell said "Look at the ladies y'all", Donnell moved around, Donnell said, "Go down baby, Go down" and they did, a guy in front shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!"
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell held up a lit cell phone, Donnell called out names, Halima rapped and used a lot of nonverbal hand & arm gestures, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Halima called out places and names, Halima smiled, the same guy shouted again, "Wind me up, Smoke", there was a nice crank, the crowd danced hard, Donnell said, "Gimme the woo", Mike and Halima sang, "Woo", Donnell said, "Hey Stomp, Hey Smoke", Halima bounced
4) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Halima played on a conga, Donnell went onstage, Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures and bounced, Halima danced, the frontline, Packy, Doc and Dwayne did the bowing dance while Stomp played a dialtone, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Donnell said, "They aren't ready", Donnell said, "Hey ladies" / Notorious BIG's Warning - Mike danced with JoJo, Halima smiled, Mike watched JoJo / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" chants, Halima went on the floor, Donnell said, "Come on Dwayne Lee", Donnell shouted, "Yeah, uh huh, Hey, Hey"
Donnell said, "Let's go Halima"
5) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Halima's singing was very energetic (more than usual), Donnell talked to Stomp, Donnell said, "Let's go Halima", Halima and Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Mike danced with JoJo, Donnell said, "Uh oh Mike", Donnell said, "Uh oh", DP shouted, "Yeah!", Halima moved around and bounced, Donnell bounced, Halima went onstage, Halima sang, "Oh, oh"
6) Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit?" - the crowd shouted, "Hell no!"
7) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, JoJo grinded with Mike, Dwayne smiled, Tracy danced between Mike and Donnell, Mike said, "Get on down Tracy, what you doing Tracy?", Halima played on a conga, Nikki danced by Donnell, Mike said, "Get on down, Nikki", Donnell said, "I see you Nikki", Halima smiled, Donnell said, "Sweet Halima"
8) Alternating Donnell-led "25, 25, 25, Can I get 30, 40?" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - Donnell used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!", Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Do da butt" among the lyrics, Donnell said, "Look here y'all, we got the grown and sexy Saturday night" / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant - Donnell said, "Watch yourself y'all"
March and Jessica were there.
9) Alternating Donnell & Mike-led Rare Essence's Lock It - The lights came on, Donnell said, "Let's go back a little bit", Donnell said, "Godfather", Donnell said, "I see you JoJo", Donnell said, "If you're twenty-nine or older, put your hands up", Halima smiled and clapped, Mike opened his eyes wide at a girl's hyper dancing, Mike used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Y'all feel that?", the same guy shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!", Donnell said, "Hey Smoke", there was a nice crank, Godfather waved and smiled, Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures, Donnell said, "Look here y'all we're getting ready to get on up out of here", Donnell said, "What you doing back there, Renee? I got my eyes on you" Renee danced next to Godfather / Donnell & Mike-led Sam Cooke's Chain Gang - the crowd sang along
10) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - Donnell did verses for RE Angie, Tasha and Lisa
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Donnell said, "We're getting ready to get on up out of here."
Sharon introduced me to her husband. He was there Friday, but we weren't introduced then.
Donnell said, "Each and every Saturday night, no fights or beat your feet, Timberlands"
Donnell said, "If you can't a number here, something's wrong unless you got not job"
Mama Chelle was there.
Donnell said, "Renee, what's with the dudes up there, is that a private party? I don't know what you heard, but she's only eighteen. Get away from my daughter".
Donnell said, "JoJo, tell Simone, I'm no longer speaking to her, she cheated on me."
Chanel (spelling) is Tracy S.'s friend. Donnell said, "I've been calling you Chantel all this time. It's Chanel #5."
Donnell said, "Nikki, start the bus"
Stomp said, "Charlie, Los, sit down."