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.