Friday at the CFE Events Center
CFE Events Center, 7758 Marlboro Pike, Forestville MD 20747

I was unsure when Familiar Faces would start playing. Nephew's email (not literally) that the doors would open at 10 PM. Since I knew that they would only be playing two sets rather than their usual three (which is unfortunate, since it's why Fridays are my favorite), I thought it was safe to leave the house at 10 PM. I was happy to see Dwayne driving up as I walked from my car to the CFE, since it meant they had not already started.

When I walked up, Nicole (the cover taker), DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy), Jauhar, David, and the band security were all waiting outside.
Flava said, "You don't want to go in there." I went in anyway and the police officer told me I'd have to wait twenty minutes. So I went back outside. We teased each other and the band members as they arrived as well as the people who walked up. Jauhar talked about timing the band's start to when the dancers were done to retain the audience. I kidded Sean about him dancing for the women as his initiation into the band. He declined.

lady$tyle$06 came up and said, "Hey FunkmasterJ."

Krystal walked out and I said hello.

Peanut was there.

I went inside after the dancers were done.

Yolanda, Tracy S., Angie, Chanel, and Shawn were there.

Junior worked the sound.

Familiar Faces
First Set - started around 12:30 AM
1) Alternating Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny / percussion solo
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
Slim Goodie was there.
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
Mike Smith was there.
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
Maya, the bartender at Zanzibar, was there.
They had brief technical difficulties.
7) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
"Original" Nikki, Ebony, 6'9, Unique, and Peg Leg were there.
I sat in the back during the first set to allow me to adjust: the speakers are much louder than at Safari Steakhouse.

Peanut introduced me to Bobby, Bojack's brother.

Gary was there.

Second Set
Donnell announced the bus trip to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on February 17th.
Donnell also announced that tickets were on sale for the Positive Black Men Coalition's Super Bowl party. He said, "They sorry ass Steelers (Mike is a Steelers fan) and the Seattle Seahawks."
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Billy sat in on congas, I danced with a couple of girls
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - James sang backup, I danced with another woman / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes - DP joined in / Donnell said, "I've never seen a man cry"
4) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell added a rap "She seemed to come about a million times"
Shadonna danced onstage on the right side.
5) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Tyrell danced onstage (where Shadonna had previously), Donnell said, "There she do"
6) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - I danced with a woman
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
June was there.
8) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
10) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) (tease) - lyrics only
11) Donnell-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease) - the house lights came on for a second / Alternating Djayz's It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp / Kanye West's Gold Digger / Dem Franchise Boyz’ I Think They Like Me (tease) - the house lights came on
Donnell chanted, "Each and every Friday night until I say different, this is where we'll be."
12) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
Mia, the bartender at Cranberries, was there.
13) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - Donnell said, "Something for the ladies, if you singing this to your man, you know you f*cked up" / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
Donnell said, "Tyrell, you and Shadonna been playing hooky."
Tyrell said, "I'm going to Cleveland, I don't know about her."
Donnell said, "I'm going to check if you at the TCB shows because been beating your feet."
Donnell continued to jone until Junior turned off the PA.

Outside, I saw Tim (LJ) pull up in his van. He had been passing out flyers. He said the other shows he went to weren't very packed.