Evolution Release Party at Safari Steakhouse
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

They say the third time is the charm. In this case it was definitely true. My third attempt to see Familiar Faces perform during my Thanksgiving vacatio,n and after Evolution was released was successful. I knew from Amazon.com that the release date for Evolution was November 23rd. When I saw that Familiar Faces was to perform on November 24th, along with Anthony Hamilton, I assumed it was their album release party. I arranged to attend, but in my haste I forgot to bring formal shoes with me from North Carolina. The actual event was not the Evolution release party, but the Positive Black Men Coalition's Night of Elegance with DJ Rico & Soul Patrol and broadcast live with Michel Wright & WPGC 95.5. Well, I arrived on time, but due to my lack of proper shoes, they turned me away. (This event was at Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202). To be honest, I was much more disappointed in missing out on Familiar Faces then Anthony Hamilton, whose music I am not familiar with

The following night, there was an All-Star Thanksgiving Jam scheduled, with EU opening for FF with Little Benny, 32, Bog G, Go-Go Mickey and Rah. This event was at Kilis Kafe & Lounge, 2009 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001. I arrived at around 10 PM, as the flyer indicated everyone who arrived before 10:30 was free. It was very cold out, but they wouldn't let us in yet. Despite the holiday, the garbage men picked up the trash just as I arrived. While I waited in line, I recognized Crankindrumma from the TMOTTGoGo board. I recognized him because of his avatar:

I went over and talked with him. He told me that he's good friends with Donnell Floyd Jr. Eventually, they let us in. Kili's has metal detectors and separate entrances for separate performance areas. It was humorous: while waiting one of the security guys would walk back and forth through the metal detector, setting it off every time. They took Crankindrumma's drum key away as a "potential weapon." When we got up to the performance area on the second floor, everyone sat on seats by the right of the stage (the performer's right, not someone facing the stage). We watched as Sugar Bear arrived. A little while later, Godfather and then later Dwayne Lee arrived. I talked with them both. Also, Googie arrived not too much later. After setting down his stuff, Godfather went over to talk with Googie. He talked to someone else too and came back and said it was cancelled. The promoter then went on stage and formally announced it. It was due to poor attendance.



I am on the left



Smoke on the congas
All pictures taken by and Copyright Eric "Nephew" Floyd Sr.

Familiar Faces
The next night, I went to Safari Steakhouse for the actual Evolution release party. I bought a ticket from Nephew. A number of familiar faces were there, including Kato, Teago, Ray, Crankindrumma, Donnell Jr., and Mama Chelle. It was really packed, much more so than any prior Safari show I had attended. This was my first time seeing Jammin' Jeff Warren on drums and Sam "Smoke" Dews on congas for Familiar Faces. Their first set was different from their regular happy hour sets in that Smoke played congas throughout, giving it a hard edge.

In the break, I saw Teago, he wore a t-shirt with the words "Fallen Warriors" printed on it as well as pictures of Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix. I asked him if he had any shirts that don't have Hendrix on them.

In the second set, crankin' as usual, there was an attractive woman whom I recognized. She was a bartender at the square shaped bar next to the dance area the first few weeks I went to Safari. Since then, she has been there as a customer. During the set, a guy came over, hugging her. He asked me if "She was sexy?" I answered, "Yes." He brought her over so her butt faced me. He said, "Grab a taste", and so I grinded with her.

In the third set there were guest rappers - I couldn't see them due to the crowd, so I don't know who they were. During the third set, a girl came up behind me and started grinding with me. We danced together for a few minutes, and then she walked away. I didn't even see her until after she left. It was a great evening, I am glad I could go, even though I had to drive back to North Carolina the following afternoon.