Deep Band & Mambo Sauce at Cafe U-Turn
U-Turn, 1942 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Ro'chelle (toosweet) walked around collecting names for Mambo Sauce's mailing list. Like most of the Mambo Sauce people, she wore a badge on a lavaliere.

Ras Lidj & Deep Band
The line up was: Ras Lidj (lead talker), Julian (male singer), female singer and per Ras Lidj:
Member: DEEP Bass - the bass player
drummer - hired - non member
sorry congo player - hired- definitely not a member
Keyboards (double keyboard) - Daryll - "D train" - hired but a regular hire you've seen him with me a few times

Me: Who is the female singer?

Ras Lidj: nameless....right now its not one in this band....she was just doing a song....see I use my stage time some times to introduce other talent , youth and others I find thats just seeking a chance ...I always see it fit to do that for someone because someone gave me a chance when I was first trying.....now if you have it altogether discipline an maturity with your talent then I can allow them to stay around learn and grow...if not oh well I did my part by giving them the opportunity....

........normally when I'm booked at Uturn its my night to myself since I'd played there two times previously before, I decided this time to share my time with a group(Mambo Sauce) I first saw and liked a lot and look at the positive response and outcome that came out of that lil simple gesture of sharing....

.......as it is written.....you gotta give to receive...........

Sound man, Reggae DJ, Daryll "D Train" (hired keyboard player), DEEP Bass, Julian (lead singer), Ras Lidj (lead talker), hired conga player, guest female singer


Sound man, toosweet (collecting Mambo Sauce's mailing list), Ras Lidj, DEEP Bass, Julian, hired conga player, guest female singer
1) The female singer sang, "The Lord is my shepherd" repeatedly during warm ups (to be honest, the repetitiveness was annoying)
Ras Lidj talked about playing at Cafe U-Turn every other Thursday and tonight "sharing the spotlight with some of my friends. First show of 2006. 2005 was a very good year."
2) Julian-led "Whop yeah... Forever"
3) Julian-led "Yesterday is already gone... streets is getting hot, and the youths are cold... What you reap is what you sew"
4) Ras Lidj-led Put Jah First
5) Julian-led Son of a One Night Stand - Ras Lidj introduced it as an original, from the album of the same name
Black Heart was there.
Black Boo sat down at my table and Ras Lidj did a shout out to him.
6) Julian-led Bob Marley's No Woman No Cry - during it, Ras Lidj chanted, "Wait a minute" and the beat changed
7) Julian-led "Out in the streets they call it murder"
Danielle (Wellfhed) was there.
8) Ras Lidj-led "Washington DC, nice place to live..."
Preston Blue was there. Black Boo introduced himself to me.
9) Julian-led Life is a Jungle - nice crank, Ras Lidj said, "Put your hands in the air and say yeah!"
10) Julian-led "Go down for the people"
Ras Lidj introduced the next song as, "to all the lovers."
11) Ras Lidj-led Lovers Chase
Kato was there.
12) Ras Lidj-led "High, the ___ make me high"
Delano was there.
13) Ras Lidj-led Ganja Weed
14) Ras Lidj-led (possibly part of Ganja Weed) "The sweetest thing I've ever seen, you could rock my world"
Sweet Tyra was there.
15) Alternating Ras Lidj-led "Monday morning come, she still / Ras Lidj-led She Waan Money
16) Ras Lidj-led Kanye West's Gold Digger - Ras sang about, "Buy a wedding ring"
Sherray (Always Showtime!!) was there.
Ras Lidj did a shout out to the TMOTT crew.
17) Ras Lidj-led "Ghetto Man"
Ras Lidj did shout outs to me, Kato, and Mambo Sauce.
18) Julian-led Bob Marley's War No More Trouble
19) Julian-led "You're running..." - TCB Tony was playing congas

Daryll, Julian, DEEP Bass, Ras Lidj, hired conga player, TCBTony
I enjoyed the Deep Band as always. Don't assume that the smaller number of Deep Band photos up reflects negatively on (my opinion of) Deep Band.

ScottieJay32, lady$tyle$06, Unique, Diva, 02, Songbird, D Ball and Deezo were there. According to Red, Also in attendance were:
gogofatz, DigDug, Duece Juan, Junior, Jay113, Ghost, and Redsmoke. Sweet Tyra said that money green was also there. Danielle (Pinkprincess), whom I met tonight, also listed pimping1, Ree, and Shortcake as being there.

Mambo Sauce
Their performance was being filmed.
First Set
The line up was: Alfred "Black Boo" Duncan (male vocals), Thi Lai Simpson (female vocals), Andrew "Drew" White (guitar), Khari Pratt (bass), Christian "Lil' Chris" Wright (double keyboards), Barrington "Barry" Talbert (drums), and Jermaine "Lil Pep" Cole (percussion).
Candra "Candy" Newkirk had played bass in the two shows (Mambo Sauce's second and third performances) I missed. So the only difference in line up between the two Mambo Sauce performances I have attended was the replacement of Smoke by Lil Pep.

Sound man, Chris Wright, Khari Pratt, Black Boo, Thi Lai


Chris, Black Boo, Khari, Barry Talbert, Thi Lai, Lil Pep
Black Boo said, "A lot of my life is here." He did a shout out to Scooby from L!ssen.
1) Black Boo-led D4L's Laffy Taffy (tease) - Black Boo said, "Not part of our set."
Black Boo announced their next show would be February 25 with Soja at Jammin Java. Black Boo said, "That's like a tongue twister." He actually said February 24th a few times, so I confirmed on Soja's website that it's the 25th.
Saturday February 25, 2006
Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave, Vienna, VA 22180, (703) 255-1566
Black Boo said, "I see n*ggers try to be cool."
Black Boo dedicated the next song to "the 9 to 5ers, those who live paycheck to paycheck." Black Boo said, "I want to see all the hands of people whose phone was cut off last year."
2) Black Boo-led Things Will Get Better "I put food on my table" - this song was really laid back, Black Boo said, "I'm hoping Mambo Sauce can put money in my bank account."
Thi Lai said, "Where my ladies at?" - ladies in the audience screamed, Thi Lai said, "All my baby mothers in the house, single mothers."
Black Boo said, "I was raised by a single parent household. My mother passed a year and a half ago."
Black Boo said, "Every brother's got a little dog in him
3) Black Boo-led Sweet Babe "Yes, you are... Sweet baby girl" - there was a nice crank
Thi Lai dedicated the next song to Red. She said it's from their website
4) Black Boo-led Fairweather - there was a nice crank, the dance floor was vibrating / Percussion solo
5) Black Boo-led "I just want to freak behind her... Apple bottom... Gimme the part I like"
Black Boo asked me, "Do we need to pose?"
Thi Lai said, "Where my n*gger pimps?"
Black Boo said, "You remember this part?"
In announcing the break, Black Boo said, "Buy us a drink." Thi Lai said, "Black drinks water on ice."

Red joked to me, "You're taking the shine off me. I'm the white guy!"

Unique in front, Sweet Tyra, Red (Mambo Sauce's manager), Always Showtime!!


02, Diva

Second Set

Chris, Black Boo, Khari, Barry, Thi Lai, Lil Pep


Barry, Thi Lai, Lil Pep, Drew White


Black Heart, sound man, Chris, Black Boo, Khari, Barry, Thi Lai
Black Boo joked, "Is that what I need to get surrounded by girls, bleach my skin?"
Black Boo said, "Hey, we made this song up for Red."
1) It had a phone call skit, Thi Lai said, "I was hoping you'd call me this evening"
2) Black Boo-led Damn Joe, it had a meringue beat, Black Boo asked Always Showtime!! to dance and she did, nice crank, Black Boo asked people to request it, he said, "Request what?" and the crowd responded "Damn Joe!", he went on the dance floor went to the left and right
3) Thi Lai-led Cool Points - Black Boo went on the dance floor, Ras Lidj sat in and rapped, Black Boo said, "It's time to start partying in here. You all are jitterbugs."

Chris, Ras Lidj, Black Boo, Khari, Barry
4) Thi Lai-led Go? - power guitar, Black Boo "You ain't seen or heard nothing like this"
The power went out. Black Heart who had stood by the sound controls, said, "I ain't do it, I ain't do nothing." Black Heart said, "Damn Joe!"
5) Lil Pep roto-tom solo while they looked into the sound

Barry, Thi Lai, Lil Pep, Drew
All pictures above taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
Black Boo said, "This is our last one, then we're going to get you out of here. They cut the power on us."
Thi Lai said, "They trying to send us home."
6) Black Boo-led "Been a long time pimp, he was struggling" - power guitar, laid back vocals
7) The band continued to play briefly
Black Boo said, "One more time so you can go now with something you can remember. Thanks for the support." They had a lot of crank (though that will increase when they have someone playing the cowbell) and a variety of feels in their songs. I will definitely continue to try to make all their performances.

Mambo Sauce's camera man, me

Unique and Danielle (pinkprincess)
Last two pictures taken by Black Heart and Copyright - Black Heart Entertainment LLC

Michael Muse's return from vacation
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Kimberly, Darrell, Darrell F., Dave, Renee, Tamara, and Tim (LJ) were there.

Junior worked the sound.

Familiar Faces
First Set
The line up was: Michael Muse, Halima, Donnell, DP, Googie (bass), Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, and Jacques.
Donnell said, "My man Michael Muse is back in the building ladies."
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic - Donnell said, "Stomp Dizzle."
Omar was there.
Donnell said of Halima, "We got her from the Geechee Dan parts of Miami."
Halima said, "Fort Lauderdale."
Halima welcomed Mike back. She asked, "Was it good to you? Did you get everything done?"
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
Val "Tina Turner" was there, with a birthday cake for Connie.
Mike said, "I love you and there's nothing you can do about it"
3) Mike-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change / Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine - same music as Everything Must Change
Sharika was there.
4) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - Godfather played different riffs, the song cranked
Donnell said that Tamara wanted to sing a song for Pookie.
5) Tamara-led Bobby Caldwell's What You Won't Do for Love? (it was definitely the music, but the lyrics seemed different) "Don't you look no more, I'm loving you every day."
6) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever - the dance floor filled
Archie Paige, Angie W., and Angie were there.
7) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved (debut of Mike singing it) - Mike sang on the dance floor
Stacey was there, for her sister Connie's birthday celebration.
8) Godfather played something

I talked with Lorenzo about the Huck A Bucks (he was a member). He said that both they and Pleasure were studio first: the album was made, then a band formed. He saiD All-N-1 was a studio project too.

Godfather talked about Rah and G being at Sunday's show, but being low key about their presence. They were both over by the bar on Sunday.

RE Angie was there.

Second Set
A guy named Big Mike was hugging Renee. Donnell said, "Hey hey, Michael, we don't do that". Big Mike went over to talk to Donnell about it and Donnell said, "I was just joking."
Donnell did announcements. Googie was playing something and Donnell joked, "Googie don't think I'd fire him."
Donnell announced a bus trip for $150 to Cleveland for Familiar Faces' performance with Chuck Brown at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on Friday, February 17th. Donnell joked that women were fine to go, but "men had to answer certain questions first." Donnell sang the line from Prince's Take Me With You: "I wanna ride."
Donnell also announced a live DVD recording on Valentine's Day (Tuesday February 14th). He said they would send out two thousand invitations to women and joked that it might be women only. He said it would be the greatest show and you didn't want to miss it.
1) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day - Donnell went on the dance floor, Donnell did a shout out to Connie for her birthday, Bryant "Big Luther" Roberts sat in (just this song)
Donnell said, "That's my man Luther, he can do it"
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - Mike imitated Luther's singing improvs, he said, "I can't do it like you, big guy"
3) Instrumental - grooving
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
6) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
7) Alternating Mike-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - Donnell said of Renee, "This is Footz's daughter right here.", Renee was dancing on the stage floor, they added verses they didn't normally sing, nice Jacques timbale solo, Donnell said, "You want to do it again? You want to back it on up?" / Donnell & Mike-led Parliament's Night of the Thumpasorous Peoples (tease) - "Gaga googa ga ga googa"
8) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - different riffs
9) Trey (from UCB)-led "Sexy Lady? You can see my eyes, we don't need to make love (Donnell protested this line), we can just cuddle, your body, my body""
10) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You - Tamara sang backup, Donnell said of Roe in the audience, "That's my man Roe, he's trying to get us thrown out of Tradewinds (his performance Saturday cleared the dance floor)", the house lights came on
Ray was there
11) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
12) Alternating Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell added a new rap, Donnell said, "One more time, I forgot", Stomp played a beat, and Donnell said, "Not that beat, a party beat" / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
13) Donnell-led D4L's Laffy Taffy (tease)
Donnell did shout outs to Angie, Curtis Malone, etc.
Tina Turner started to give Ray a piece of cake to Ray, but Donnell said, "Hey, hey, are you serious? You got to give some to me before you give to him." Ray said to me, "See what I got to go through? That's harassment." Stacey started to give Donnell a second, smaller, piece of cake. Donnell told her to give to Ray "because he's small (ha ha)". She ended up dropping it on the floor. Donnell vocally said in response to Ray's statement, play something then vocally did the theme music to Perry Mason.
Sean (Kal'el) was there and Donnell said "Kal'el in the building. Ladies, last week you were gathering around him like dogs around a fire hydrant. In case you didn't get the number."
Donnell said, "Two new friends, Shelly (spelling) and Britney. Britney's just a baby." (This Britney was at Sunday's show with her Mom.)

Martin Luther King Jr. & Godfather's Birthday Celebrations
Baystreet Nightclub, Best Western Capital Beltway, 5910 Princess Garden Pwy, Lanham, MD 20706

Some of the Tradewinds security staff was working this show, in addition to Tony and Patrick. Nicole was taking covers.

Mike Smith and Vonshawn were there.

I joked with Packy that Halima no longer had the biggest hair because of Sweet Cherie's big hair. He said she had the Ludacris-style hair.

DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy), Pinky and Sanisse were there.

EU
Their line up was: Sugar Bear (vocals & bass), Junie (vocals), Donny Ray (vocals), Sweet Cherie (vocals & keyboard), Duane Face (keyboard), a guitar player, JuJu (drummer), two conga players (Derek and another), and a cowbell/timbales player
Sugar Bear said, "Little Mike in the house, always a pleasure"
1) Instrumental - it sounded familiar, but it may just have been grooving
June and L-Boogie were there.
2) Junie-led laid back tune, I couldn't really make out the vocals
Cindy, Kiki, Mama Chelle, TT, and March were there.
Sugar Bear wished Martin Luther King (Jr.) a happy birthday.
3) Donny Ray-led Anthony Hamilton's Charlene? "Sitting waiting to come home again" - Sweet Cherie sang background
Yolanda and Mia were there.
4) Junie-led "I'll take you out tonight"
5) Sugar Bear-led "You're looking sexy, Yes indeed, Hold up, wait a minute" - the crank started
6) Alternating Donny Ray-led Young Jeezy's Soul Survivor - I noticed the other conga player playing / Donny Ray said, "I need to sing my favorite song", he had a Redskins towel / Hail to the Redskins - performed slowly with each word emphasized
7) Sugar Bear-led "When are we going to get to the good part?"
8) Sweet Cherie & Donny Ray-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
Donny Ray said, "Where's Little Benny at?"
9) Donny Ray rapped - freestyling? / Sugar Bear-led "You know why"
Shonda and Shauny were there.
10) Sugar Bear & Donny Ray-led "It's your heart, you walk on by, you ride with... Let your hair down" - there were red and green spotlights aimed onstage
11) Sugar Bear-led Kanye West's Gold Digger
12) Donny Ray-led "It's funny how the time flies when you're having fun"
13) Sugar Bear-led Freak a Deak All Night Long - Kiki was doing the Happy Feet
14) Sugar Bear-led Cops Theme "Girls are Bad" - the music changed after a bit closer to the actual song with a different Reggae feel / "Pop the Coochie" / Ludacris' Number One Spot
Shawn was there.
Sugar Bear said, "Where are all the real Redskins fans?"
15) Sugar Bear-led OutKast's The Way You Move (tease)
Junie said, "There's a lot of sexy ladies in the house. We have our own rendition, Sugar Bear sings"
16) Sugar Bear-led "Sexy lady"
17) Sugar Bear-led "Get your freak on"

Shameika, Lashonda, and Nikiya were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
The line up was: Halima (first two songs only), James, Little Benny (vocals & trumpet), Donnell, DP, DC (vocals & cowbell), Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, and Jacques
1) Halima-led Sade's Pearls
Dave was there.
2) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day
3) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease) - Little Benny joined in / Little Benny-led Get on the Wagon (tease)
Rah was there.
4) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - Rootie Baltimore sat in on Lorenzo's keyboards
5) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - end of Rootie sitting in
5) Little Benny chanted "Y'all feel alright now?"
6) Little Benny-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
7) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Doing the Do - the crowd called out lines / Stevie Wonder's Do I Do (tease) - Donny Ray went onstage
8) Little Benny chanted, "Where you going to go?" - the crowd responded, "Take Me out to the Go-Go" / Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go - Donnell said, "I don't care what (Rare Essence) song it is, Godfather made it up, it's his birthday, sing it to him."
Candal was there.
9) Little Benny chanted, "Feel aright? Hey yeah, Make noise DC, Party people, let me hear you scream, Want some more? If you're twenty-five and older, put your hands up"
10) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Body Moves
11) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Donnell said, "He made up all this sh*t, don't let anybody lie to you", Donnell said, "Godfather, what you say? You ready?"
Sugar Bear went onstage. Donnell said, "Don't give him a microphone Benny; it's a Rare Essence reunion."
Tiffany S. was there.
12) Sugar Bear-led medley - "Turn it up" / "Do it for the fellas/D-Floyd/Sugar Bear, Oh my God!" / Nelly's Flap Your Wings (tease) "Drop down, get your Eagle on" / "Are the Redskins the real deal? Better than the Dallas Cowboys? Better than the New York Giants?"
Donnell talked about when he joined Rare Essence, "Little Benny wouldn't let me onstage until I knew all the steps. Godfather was there at the audition."
Donnell said Sugar Bear is the best (most successful) in GoGo.
Donnell said, "DC is the Fred Astaire of GoGo"
13) Rare Essence's Roll Call (reprise) - instrumental, Halima went on the dance floor to watch the steps
The lights made a visual effect during the set as if the back wall were moving.
Donnell said, "That's when the sh*t was real; you couldn't steal some song off the radio. You had to do an original. Club LeBaron, Palmer Park."
Donnell said, "The bar closes at 2 (AM) for all the alcoholics."
Donnell said, "If you see Godfather, say happy birthday!"
Junior was there.

I joked to Godfather, "Happy 50th birthday!" He said, "Damn Jordan, you put it out there."

Second Set
The line up was: Sean (Kal'el), Halima, James, Donnell, DP, Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, and Jacques
Donnell said, "Youngsters, I hope I didn't offend you (by playing old school music)." Donnell talked about Godfather being in the business for thirty-five years, "Some of you aren't thirty-five" (I'm not).
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
3) They started to perform the music to Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Donnell said, "We're going to get the new school going." / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "___ Is in the House" / Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
6'9, "original" Nikki, and Ebony were there.
4) Donnell & Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You
5) Alternating Donnell-led Hold the Note - The crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke" and Donnell responded, "Do what? Say what?", Donnell chanted, "Eya, eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho" / Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
6) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
8) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Duane Face sat in on Godfather's keyboard
End of Duane Face sitting in
9) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
10) Donnell-led Trina Was Great- really cranked
I danced most of the set with Cindy.
Nita and Mara were there.
11) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - the house lights came on
12) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You
13) Stomp played some samples

I didn't circulate as much as I normally do at shows, so there probably were a lot more people there that I know than I have mentioned.

Saturday at Tradewinds
I didn't go to the Redskins game watch at Cranberries because I woke up too late to get there and not miss the game. I heard that unfortunately, FF was unable to play due to technical difficulties.

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

Tracy, Sanisse (still celebrating her birthday), Yolanda, BY, Tracy S., Angie, Chanel, Shawn, and Boo were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Line up: Sean (Kal'el), James, Halima, Donnell, DP, Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, Charlie, Packy (Tambourine)
While the DJ music was still playing, Donnell commented on the dancing of a couple who were the only ones on the dance floor. Among other things, he said, "Not the Happy Feet, anything but the Happy Feet!"
"Original" Nikki and Ebony were there.
Donnell said, "Fellas don't get Sanisse nothing to drink. Yesterday she was Earl Campbell, Earl Monroe (It was suggested during the second break yesterday that I take a picture of her puking in a trash can, but I thought that was in poor taste)." Sanisse gave Donnell the finger.
1) Percussion solo - initially there was hardly anyone on the dance floor, Donnell said, "I knew when we go the beat going, Sweet Nikki would get there quickie."
2) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny
3) 6 Minutes percussion solo - I danced with a woman
4) Donnell chanted, "When you walk in the door and you're going to GoGo" - the crowd responded, "Hello, hello"
6'9 was there.
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again - Halima's mic was crackling, Sean offered her his mic, but she declined
6) Percussion & Guitar instrumental - Donnell said, "You're all by yourself, Dwayne", Omar replaced Halima's mic cord
7) Halima sang "Ooh" repeatedly to test the new mic cord / Sean-led Toto' Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
8) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G
9) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
10) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - during the "Do it for the fellas" part James, Sean and Halima held their mics out to fans
11) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Funky Stuff guitar riffs
12) They started to perform the music to Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl, the PA went out and they played a percussion solo / the PA was restored / Halima-led Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hook Me Upa
13) Halima-led Minnie Riperton's Memory Lane (tease) - there was a pause before the music switched over, Donnell called this to go down memory lane for Godfather
14) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease) / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon (tease)
15) Donnell & Halima-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
16) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel -->
17) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario - it went dark
18) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
19) Sean-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved

Los was there.

Second Set
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
Choo Choo was there.
2) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
JoJo, Simone and their sister Nece were there.
3) Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell chanted, "Eya, eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho", Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute", Donnell said, "Sanisse, it's your birthday!" and she went onstage, I danced with two women
4) Donnell & Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You
5) Alternating Donnell-led Hold the Note - the crowd shouted, "Wind me Up, Smoke!", Donnell said, "Do what? Say What?" / Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
6) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - a girl danced with James and another grinded with Sean
8) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
9) Alternating Donnell-led Trina Was Great - the house lights came on / Donnell chanted, "Brandywine, friends of mine"
10) Roe (from Backyard) rapped "I want the... I don't know who... Get out of the way... Get a walkin'..." - the dance floor cleared out
11) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You
12) Stomp drum solo
13) Stomp played a bunch of samples including Coming to America's "She's Your Queen" - Donnell said, "Someone please turn him off".
Donnell said, "They're still partying in the DJ booth after you pulled them away from us."
Packy was mocking Wood, a Tradewinds employee, "Googie, get that sh*t out of here!" Finally Wood came over, Packy held the mic out to him. He said, "There are three things you need to do: Do as you're told, Do as you're told, Do as you're goddamn told and get that sh*t out of here!" Packy continued to mock him, "Googie, get that sh*t out of here... I got church in the morning... Do as you're told". Wood laughed.

Sanisse's Birthday at Safari Steakhouse
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

Archie Paige was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set

Omar on the left, Archie on the right


Donnell, Dwayne, Lorenzo, Smoke, DP, Mike Smith, Jacques
The line up was: James (backup/lead vocals), Sean (Kal'el, joined in during the third set), Halima, Donnell, DP, Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Mike Smith (drums), Smoke, and Jacques
Darrell and Kimberly were there.
1) Don't Stop - instrumental (horn hits start it), Donnell and DP played on the dance floor

Smoke, Omar, Donnell, DP


Doc, Lorenzo, Dwayne, Donnell, Mike Smith, DP
2) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day
Sanisse was there; celebrating her birthday.
Halima was talking and Omar said, "Crank that sh*t up" repeatedly through a conga mic. He started to play the congas before Smoke threw him off.

Doc, James, Dwayne, Donnell
3) James-led Jill Scott's Not Like Crazy
4) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever - there was a nice crank
Mara was there. Packy teased her for wearing work boots. She said she came from work.
5) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself
Candall and Yolanda were there.
6) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Say Yes / Lionel Richie's Hello (tease)

Kintrea, Shadonna, and Shawn were there.

Second Set

Sanisse, Packy, DP, Donnell, Jacques, Smoke


Tony, Candall (on dance floor), James, Doc, Donnell, Smoke, Godfather, Dwayne, Cookie, Omar, DP, Mike Smith
Donnell joked about Godfather: "Hopefully he's going to make it on time for his birthday".
1) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - Halima altered the lyrics to "With my makeup"
June, Dave, Chanel, and Angie were there.
2) They started to perform the music to Alicia Keys' Unbreakable (or Eddie Kendricks' Intimate Friends) / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - "Go Sanisse, it's your birthday!" / Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
Donnell said, "Just one second, let's just get warmed up. Matter of fact, 6 minutes".
3) 6 Minutes percussion solo - the crowd said, "Wind me up, Smoke", Halima said, "Don't nobody say nothing" and she laughed, Donnell sang, "Sanisse is here"
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
Britney was there.
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Donnell chanted "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho"
8) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease)
9) Halima-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease) - the crowd sang along
11) Donnell & James-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - the crowd responded
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Donnell said, "Girls got..." a line unfamiliar to me, the crowd responded to it
13) Donnell-led "25,25,25" - the crowd responded / Rare Essence's Work the Walls
Tiffany F. was there.
Donnell said, "We'll do all the old school Sunday. Godfather is celebrating his 99th birthday."
14) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
Donnell said, "Women be faithful and true. Women take your man to Ocean Air." Halima said, "Men give your women money so they can take you to Ocean Air."

Cookie, Mia (of the Cranberries crew, I had recognized her as a girl I had danced with once at Tradewinds and part of the Cranberries crew, but I hadn't recognized her at the time as the bartender Stomp introduced me to as Rockin' Cranberry at the second Redskins game watch, probably because she was wearing a Redskins cap at the time), and Tyrell were there.

Third Set
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
2) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (tease)
3) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Geraldine - Sean arrived -->

Patrick (on dance floor), Doc, James, Lorenzo, Sean, Dwayne
4) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - I filmed it
6'9 was there.
5) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
Blak was there.
6) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - it went dark
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - it went dark again
8) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
10) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - Donnell shouted, "Aya" and the crowd responded "Awa-ah" / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) (tease) / Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease) - "We likes to party, Familiar Faces likes to party" / Tupac's Hail Mary (tease) / Dem Franchise Boyz? I Think They Like Me / Donnell sang, "He won't make love to you like I do, He don't understand you like I do"
The house lights came on.
11) Donnell-led "In and out and up and down, Here we go tonight"
Jay Gotti and Killa Cal were there.
Donnell joked, "Rhonda, you cheating on me, right in front of me?"
Donnell said, "Angie, working the room. Here comes Chanel, she's in training."


Sanisse on the left, Yolanda on the right


Jay Gotti (left in background), Krystal and Shonda
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

Thursday at Zanzibar
Zanzibar on the Waterfront, 700 Water Street SW Washington, DC 20024

Deezo introduced me to PGSLIM, D Ball, and another TMOTT member whose name I forget.

Kimberly, Darrell, James, 02, and Roosevelt Littlejohn were there.

Nataki (~butterflies~) came over and talked with me. She said, "Off the record, all night!"

Cookie, missshaunte, Black Heart, Danielle (Wellfhed), asmoothpoet, Jammin' Jeff, and Ebo were there.

~butterflies~ said, "You can write I'm beautiful", which she is.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Mother's Day
2) Halima-led The Brand New Heavies' Never Stop - Halima sang on the dance floor
Halima said, "That was a lot of fun!"
3) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
Dave, Sherray (Always Showtime!!), and Tim (LJ) were there.
Donnell said, "Fellas, let us take of the women for a while"
4) Sean (Kal'el)-led Burt Bacharach & Hal David's A House Is Not a Home (debut)
Pinky was there.
5) Halima-led Sade's Pearls
Tamara was there.

DeeDee's Cousin Michelle was there.

A woman named Regi introduced herself to me.

Second Set
Donnell, in talking about Sunday's celebration of Godfather's birthday, said, "Godfather made up everything Rare Essence played, don't let anyone tell you different."
Donnell did birthday shout outs to Jay113, Lolita, and Peg Leg.
1) Sean-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man - Donnell did a shout out to the TMOTT members
2) Percussion solo - Donnell chanted shout outs to the TMOTT members, Donnell chanted "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho" / Donnell-led chant "___ Is Warmed up"
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
4) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again - Halima held her mic to fans
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - the crowd responded
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Funky Stuff guitar riffs, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho"
~butterflies~ said to write, "They're the best".
Packy was on the dance floor.
The following old school was performed in honor of Godfather:
8) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Announcements - Donnell said, "Everything from Essence that man (Godfather) made up. Anybody here at the Howard Theatre? Maverick Room? Tradewinds? Triples?" / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease) / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon (tease)
9) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel -->
10) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
11) Donnell & James-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario - the crowd sang along
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - the frontline danced the Roll Call dance, after the set, 02 told me to write "Sean missed a step in the Roll Call dance"
June was there.
14) Alternating Donnell & James-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - the crowd sang along/ James-led Parliament's Night of the Thumpasorous Peoples (tease) - "Gaga googa ga ga googa"
15) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (literal tease)
Donnell said, "Look how they change, they were all sophisticated."

I danced with Danielle.

Sonya, Tyrell, 6'9, Big Don Pimp, and Nikiya were there.

Third Set
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
2) Donnell-led D4L's Laffy Taffy
Donnell said, "Switch gears, wait a minute"
3) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G
4) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell chanted "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho" / Donnell chanted, "Brandywine, friends of mine"
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - James sang back up / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes / / Announcements - Donnell said, "Everything from Essence that man (Godfather) made up. Anybody here at the Howard Theatre? Maverick Room? Tradewinds? Triples?" / Fans chanted, "Southeast, South, Southeast"
6) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
7) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
8) Donnell & Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You - girls sang it
9) Donnell-led Hold the Note
10) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
11) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You - I danced with Krystal
12) Instrumental - grooving

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

Kevin Lee, James, and Arielle were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Blueprint - instrumental, Donnell said, "Our theme song from the beginning... good music everyday, everyway... add a GoGo beat... since elementary school", Donnell played on the floor / Parliament's P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) - instrumental / Halima and Sean (Kal'el) improved - I filmed most of it

Smoke, Jacques, Donnell, Doc, Stomp, DP
Donnell said, "They just freestyling; they acted like they rehearsed. They didn't even come to practice (he was just kidding on this part)."
Stacey was there.
2) The Roots' You Got Me - instrumental, nice Lorenzo solo
Sharika was there.
3) Halima-led The Brand New Heavies' Never Stop
Dave was there.
4) Halima-led Whitney Houston's You Give Good Love - there was a nice crank
Tracy S. was there.
5) Sean-led John Legend's Ordinary People - Donnell told Sean to get in the middle, "We only have one light (a red spotlight)."

Doc, Sean (Kal'el), Stomp, Godfather, Donnell, Lorenzo, Dwayne, Vaughn (seated)


Jacques, Sean, Doc, Donnell, Stomp, James, Godfather
6) Sean-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man
7) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day
8) Sean-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved - Sean sang on the dance floor
9) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
Ron Moten and Vonshawn were there.

6'9 and Nikiya were there.

Second Set
1) Donnell acapella Tyrese's Sweet Lady (tease) - warming up
Donnell said, "A moment of silence for the Dallas Cowboys."
Donnell talked about their Sunday show being a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday and Godfathers birthday: "Thirty-five years in the business."
2) Alternating Percussion solo - Donnell said, "6'9 is head bobbing. Special dedication to Bojack, his brother Bobby is here." / Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
5) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It (debut)
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
7) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - the crowd responded
8) Sean-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
Angie was there.
9) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G (debut) - Stinky Dink sat in

Donnell, Stinky Dink, Tony
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
10) Donnell & Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You - ladies sang it
11) Donnell-led Hold the Note
The following old school was performed in honor of Godfather:
12) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight
13) Donnell & Halima-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
14) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - the frontline danced the Roll Call dance
15) Donnell, Halima & James-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version)
16) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It
17) James-led Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go (tease)
18) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
19) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
20) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - it cranked, especially Smoke and Jacques
21) Halima-led Minnie Riperton's Memory Lane
22) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - Dave, Stacey, and Tamika were the only ones still dancing on the dance floor, it cranked, Donnell said of Tamika's dancing, "Tamika, I never saw that side of you. Who sold her the joy juice? The Jim Jones?"
23) Dwayne played a guitar solo
24) Stomp played a drum solo, then Dwayne joined in - Donnell said, "Stomp must not have go to work tonight. He must have the night off."
25) Donnell acapella "Just in case, I get home tonight"
Donnell joked, "Looking for a keyboard player. They have to have a car that works. Don't need much, have a keyboard and a job. Sweet Cherie, she can play and sing. Please on of you be late. No respect for the fans, they show up when they want to, they can show up when they have to... Solutions to problems and problems to solutions... Little Benny's looking for people for a new band."
Donnell said, "Packy said Godfather says he's only thirty-five. A discrepancy for how many years he's been in the business." Godfather said, "I'm only thirty-five."

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

Familiar Faces played in an earlier show at Elements of Entertainment that I did not attend.

My friend Sean said he was coming out to Tradewinds and did.

James, June, Shadonna, Archie Paige, Charlie, Los, "original" Nikki, Ebony, Britney and 6'9 were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell said, "I wanted to start of by saying I love everybody, but DJ Mixx (spelling) that's my DJ!"
Donnell said, "Have you noticed that is the funniest thing, the Cowboys fans aren't wearing any Cowboys gear. We practically beat them three times: after we beat Philly, they didn't want to play. Their coach wanted to quit as if he didn't have anything to do with it. Isn't that some sh*t?"
1) Sean (Kal'el)-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved - Britney sat on the right speaker as usual / Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself (tease) - lyrics only
Donnell said of Sean, "Treat him right, they're already lining up for him. If they don't treat him right, get 'em out of here!"
2) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny
3) Percussion solo - some people said, "Wind me up, Smoke!", but Donnell said, "It's too early for wind me up, Smoke"
4) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - there was some mic distortion, I danced with Kintrea
5) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - this time, Donnell and DP started it off playing their horns
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
7) Donnell-led "If you walk in the door and you're ready to GoGo" - the crowd responded
8) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - the ladies responded
9) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel / Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
10) Donnell & Halima-led Lisa Stanfield's All Around the World (tease) - the crowd sang along
11) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease) / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon (tease)
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease)
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Body Snatchers - he said he was performing it for Dana
Netty was there.
14) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Geraldine (tease)
15) Alternating Donnell-led Brown & White - Slick Rick went onstage / Donnell sang, "Who's that girl?" / Ride Out - the frontline did the Ride Out dance, Donnell said, "Wind me up, Mixx", Donnell said, "Hey Los" and Los danced on the stage floor / Donnell chanted "Lincoln Heights, Lincoln Heights" / Donnell & James-led "Sexy Lady" / Donnell-led Northeast Groovers' The Water
Faith, JoJo, Simone, Choo Choo, and Peg Leg were there.
16) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You
Donnell said, "What you say, Stomp?"
BY (Big Youngin), Renee, and Arielle were there.

Shonda, LA, and Tracy S. were there.

Second Set
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
2) Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell chanted "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho"
Nikki was there
3) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up / Donnell chanted, "Brandywine, friends of mine" / Donnell-led "If you look and you see, you'll recognize me..."
Monique was there.
4) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
5) Donnell-led Trina Was Great / Donnell chanted, "This party is for the grown and sexy, if you're grown and sexy, raise your hands, Familiar Faces is your band"
6) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
7) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls - they paused and Donnell said, "You're not ready", but they went back to it / Donnell chanted, "Don't put in no mo', __ crack"
Pinky (dyed hair) was there.
8) Donnell-led DIP
9) Donnell-led D4L's Laffy Taffy - the backup vocals were different, Donnell said, "Don't make me play it (not sure what), we have to get out of here"
TT, Mama Chelle, Tiffany, and March were there.
10) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What it Is
11) Stomp played the sample from Coming to America, "She's your queen" - Stomp sang along / "Sexual chocolate" sample from Coming to America
I danced with Monique during the set.
Donnell said to Faith, "Show it to me." Donnell sang, "If you need someone to talk to, call me. Mr. Telephone Man." Donnell asked Faith if she had a "glow in the dark phone or glow in the dark condoms". Donnell said, "I'll call you."

My evening took a bad turn when I got a flat tire on the beltway on the way home. It took me about an hour in the dark to change it.

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

June and Dave were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
The line up was: Sean (Kal'el) (Male singer), Halima, James, Donnell, DP, Doc, Boolah (guitar, subbing for Dwayne on vacation), Lorenzo, Godfather, BY (Big Youngin of Junkyard Band, drums, first set only), Smoke, and Jacques
1) Instrumental - grooving
2) Sean-led John Legend's Ordinary People - Donnell said to James (on the dance floor with a girl), "What you doing, James? He's on a roll."
Donnell said, "Treat Sean right or else I'm going to start singing these songs, I can sing, don't look at me like I can't do it."
Donnell said, "Bring my baby in here, the unforgettable, the uncompromising, Halima!"
James went onstage
3) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day
Danielle (Wellfhed) was there.

Stomp arrived during the break. He joked to BY, "You can go back to Junkyard now."

Second Set
1) Alternating Sean-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved - Sean went on the floor / Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself (tease) - lyrics only, Sean went back onstage
Candal was there.
Donnell said, "Treat him right". Donnell said to Sean, "Take your jacket off, get comfortable". Halima helped him take his jacket off. Sean wore a Superman shirt.
2) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
Donnell teased Candal, who was dancing on the right of the stage.
Donnell then teased Big Don Pimp "He switched his hat from Dallas Cowboys to Washington Wizards."
Tracy was there.
3) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - Donnell said, "I think it's ladies night tonight, just you and Tony and Jordan." (There really were a lot more women than men in the audience), the frontline moved around, Halima altered the lyrics to "With my make up"
4) Toto's Georgy Porgy - instrumental intro / Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - Donnell said sing to her (Candal), Shawn faced her and sang, a girl asked me if I came there often, I said every Friday, she said she didn't come that much, I danced with her / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "Is in the House"
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - Donnell held his mic to the crowd, the crowd responded
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Sean sang, "Oh my God!" the first go round, then Halima sang it at the edge of the stage, they held their mics to the ladies
7) Donnell & Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You - Sean held his hand to his ear to signal for audience response, Sean, Halima, Donnell and James held their mics to the crowd, I danced with Kintrea, Halima altered the lyrics
8) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho" repeatedly / Smoke solo - Packy smiled, Donnell said, "By yourself Smoke" and it became a true conga solo, then the rest of the band resumed, Donnell said, "Wave to 'em Smoke" and Smoke did
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Smoke played the timbales, Jacques played the congas with drumsticks
10) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - I danced with one, two and three girls, Donnell had girls onstage to slow wind, He said they were a certain age based on their moves (the more moves, the older)

Dey and Chocoltchp were there.

I talked with SupaDan. I said, "Hail to the Redskins". He showed me a picture of his son wearing a Dallas Cowboys hat. I joked that he wasn't raising him right.

TJ of After Hours was there.

Third Set
Donnell did shout outs to Lawrence Moten and Big Tree in the audience.
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
2) Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - they paused as a guy up front got unruly, Donnell said, "Got to know where you at", Halima said, "Grown & sexy", they resumed, Donnell shouted something I couldn't hear
4) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
5) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Halima made a face, Halima mimed playing the congas
Jay Gotti and Peg Leg were there.
6) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Donnell said, "Sing to Peg Leg, Halima.", Halima said, "Peg Leg"
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
8) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - Halima played one of the congas, Donnell stood at the edge of the stage and held his crowd, he would chant "Aya" and the crowd responded "Awa-ah" / "___ N*ggas throw your hands up" / Chant "Southeast, South, Southeast..."
9) Donnell, Jay & Halima-led It Is What It Is
10) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You
Donnell said, "We got Derrick Parks in here. Owner of Cranberries, they threw us out."
Donnell said that they would be playing at Baystreet Nightclub at the Best Western in Lanham. He said they'd be celebrating Godfather's birthday. Donnell said, "I'll put a big bucket for dollars and pennies in front of Godfather's keyboard. See if we can get some of the bullet holes out of the car."
Donnell made fun of Fred, "Six foot nothing. I took him to Run & Shoot and beat him. He played at Pitt and I beat him."
Donnell said, "James hadn't got nothing and he's ready to leave."
Donnell said, "Big Don Pimp, Silver Hill Boys Club, wouldn't have got on the field if his Dad wasn't the coach. One of the worst ballplayers for Silver Hill Boys Club."

I am happy about the new smoking ban in PG County.

Thursday at Zanzibar
Zanzibar on the Waterfront, 700 Water Street SW Washington, DC 20024

Kimberly, Darrell, "original" Nikki, Ebony, Darrell F., Ray, and Cookie were there.

I sat down at a table with Ebony P., Natalie, Sonya, and Allison. Halima kidded me about writing something in my notes to put in my blog, but she didn't do it.

Tim (LJ) was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
James sang backup.
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Lock It in the Pocket
Pinky was there.
2) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden - Donnell and DP played their horns on the floor.
Nicole (cover taker at Safari) was there.
Donnell introduced (Sean) Kal'el as subbing for Mike Muse for a couple of weeks. Donnell said, "Ladies, treat him right."
3) Sean-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man - nice crank
4) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day
5) Halima-led Sade's Pearls

Simone, Yolanda, Sanisse, and June were there.

Packy said I should interview the equipment guys. I have already interviewed Packy. He introduced Vaughn: "This is Drunk".

I danced with a girl during the break.

Second Set
1) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Halima's vocals were different
Big Don Pimp was there.
2) Alternating Toto's Georgy Porgy - instrumental intro / Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down / Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Funky Stuff guitar riffs
6) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny
7) Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You - girls sang it
Shadonna was there.
8) Donnell-led Hold the Note / Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
Donnell did a shout out to Sugar Bear in the audience.
9) Sean-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved
I danced with three girls during the set including Krystal, a bartender at Safari on Fridays.

I talked with Africa and Annette. They said they hadn't seen me in a while, they said at the Classics or Legend. I told them I was at Legend last month. I talked with them about my project.

Third Set
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - Donnell said, "Hey Smoke" / Smoke conga solo
Nikiya was there.
2) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
3) Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me
4) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
5) Sugar Bear-led medley "Are the Redskins the real deal? Better than the Dallas Cowboys? Better than the New York Giants, Tampa Bay? Who's going to the Super Bowl?" - the crowd responded to each line / "Gimme that beat, Bop bop" / they performed the music to Sly & the Family Stone's Family Affair / "Go Capricorns, it's your birthday!" / Sly & the Family Stone's Family Affair / "Tell me what you feeling like doing y'all" - the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body" / Sexy Lady (not sure of proper title) / "Percussion" / "Happy New Year" / "JuJu party with the people" / "Pow" / Melissa / "Hold up, Wait a minute" / Shake It Like a White Girl / "Just shake, just rattle, just roll" / "I like booty, shake your booty" / "Hey ladies, can we do it for the fellas, boys, gentlemen, Sugar Bear?" - the crowd shouted, "Oh my God!" / "If you're sexy and you know it, raise your hands" / Nelly's Flap Your Wings (tease) - "Drop down and get your eagle on" / "I mess with you, you're a Redskins fan? All the Cowboy fans" / "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded / "Donnell Floyd work this party like you're supposed to."
Donnell said, "That's my man Sugar Bear."
6) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Africa said to me, "We have to work tomorrow, they took us to overtime."
7) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
8) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You - different percussion at the end
Donnell said, "Something's truly wrong with Stomp."
9) Stomp played the sample from Coming to America "She's your Queen" - Stomp sang along
Stomp said, "Sexual chocolate!"
Choo Choo was there.

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

Darrell, Kevin Lee, Vonshawn, and Pinky were there.

Halima had a new hairdo.

Familiar Faces
First Set
James was on backup vocals
1) Donnell acapella Tyrese's Sweet Lady - sound check
Jazz, Tracy S., and Angie were there.
2) Mother's Day - Donnell played on the dance floor
3) Grover Washington Jr.'s Lock It in the Pocket - nice solos by Lorenzo and Jacques, Donnell called Halima over to improv, Donnell said, "We have a surprise for you ladies later on / Donnell said, "We're going to have a special guest (Sean) Kal'el sitting in for Mike for the next two weeks." - Sean improved "Thank You Falettinme come in and party with you tonight" / The System's Don't Disturb This Groove? - Halima said, "What is this? It sounds familiar."
Cookie and Tamara were there.
4) Sean-led John Legend's Ordinary People - the rest of the frontline cleared out
Los was there.
5) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny (FF debut) - TJ (of After Hours) sang backup
6) Sean-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved (FF debut)
7) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You
Sharika and Ray were there.
Donnell said, "I don't know why Tamara didn't help you out."
8) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - Halima went on the dance floor
9) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Say Yes - Halima improved / Lionel Richie's Hello (tease)
Nikiya was there.
Donnell said, "That's my man Kal'el. I don't know who the little girl (Halima) is."
10) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
Monica was there.
Donnell did a birthday shout out to Joy.

During the break, Sean said he paused before singing Ordinary People because the crank was so good, he got emotional. TJ came over and stood between Stomp and Doc and said, "I want to soak in all this talent." She said she will come and see them every chance she gets...

Second Set
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable (FF debut) - Donnell held his mic to fans / Percussion solo
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - the frontline danced, Donnell said, "It's alright" repeatedly, Halima altered the lyrics to "With my make up"
3) Alternating Toto's Georgy Porgy - instrumental intro / Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - James danced behind Monica / Donnell-led "___ Is in the house" / "Party, party, everybody"
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Funky Stuff guitar riffs, Donnell said, "It's your birthday"
6) Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You
7) Alternating Donnell-led Hold the Note - Donnell chanted, "Eya, eya" and the crowd responded "Ho", Donnell said, "It's your birthday"
8) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
Mike Smith and 6'9 were there.
9) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - James sang backup, Stomp played a dialtone and the frontline danced the bowing dance / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease) / Donnell rapped / "Wait a minute" echoes
10) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - Halima posed
11) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
Donnell said, "You know what we haven't played in a long time?"
12) Donnell-led Lap Dance - Donnell chanted, "Swing your body, girl", Halima pulled James over to sing backup, Donnell said, "Oh my God!" of Monica's dancing, Donnell said, "Is it like that, is it really like that?"
Lima was there.
Donnell said, "I wanted to, but uptown don't say she got no drawers on. I'm sure she do somewhere."
Donnell said, "Look out Packy, trying to rap (to Monica), you way out of your league, that's not Barry Farms, that's Mitchellville, that's Kings Dominion, not the Congo. That's your (Monica's) new name, the great adventure."
Donnell said, "I can get real selfish with that (Joy's birthday) cake."
Donnell said of Tiffany S., "Real slick with that look, like maybe."
Donnell said, "Dallas fans are cowards, where the brooms at?" Donnell said he'd go to Tampa Bay if it weren't on Saturday.

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

My brother pointed out to me before I left that the Fur had had a playboy playmate, Christi Shake, host their New Year's Eve event.

I stood second in line and talked with Neita. She was waiting for her brother Jason, who plays congas for Publicity. We talked for a bit. She used to sing when she was young. TT was a little in back of me in line. She introduced me to some of her friends, including one named Tiffany. They took my pen (the first time that's happened to me in a while), so all of what I have written is off the top of my head. TT, who is Mama Chelle's sister, was also celebrating her birthday with Moet and apple martinis. Neita introduced me to her brother. Also there, not in any particular order: Shorty Q, Selena & Trina, Supa Dan, Cindy & Kiki, Kim, Lolo, & Danielle, Archie Paige, Tyrell, Mama Chelle, Delano, Ray, Monique, Nikki, Shonda, Shauny, Mia (a bartender at Cranberries), Choo Choo, Net Boo, Britney (with a new hairdo), June and Shadonna. I introduced myself to Sherray (Always Showtime!!) whom I recognized from her avatar. She introduced me to Ro'chelle (toosweet).

Publicity Band
Three male vocalists (including Big Buck), Kamise (female vocalist), a trombone player, a sax player, a trumpet player, Jason (percussion), a cowbell player, at least two keyboard players, a bass player, a guitar player, a drummer.
They started grooving instrumentally, then Big Buck did shout outs, especially to TMOTT, then there was a pause before they started performing. After the first song, which Kamise led but I didn't recognize, she said, "That was a song for the fellas, now a song for the ladies...", then she led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You, then they performed Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable, then the crank started. Kamise also later led Lil Kim's Lighters Up and Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl. Those are the only songs I recognized other than the chant, Big Buck led about "Listen to that groovin'" the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body". At one point the guitar player went on the left speaker and then later Big Buck went on the middle speaker. I noticed Chi Ali standing next to one of the keyboard players. Once the crank started, I really enjoyed it.

The crowd grew and it was really packed by the time L!ssen was setting up.

L!ssen
Scooby, Andre' "Tuffy" Jackson, Jasen "O" Holland, Songbird, two keyboard players, a drummer, a percussionist, a trombone player, a trumpet player, and a guy whom I couldn’t see what he was playing as he stood behind the right speaker onstage.
The trombone player started off, playing "Hail to the Redskins." The Redskins beat the Eagles 31-20 earlier in the day to clinch a playoff spot. The songs that L!ssen performed that I recognized were: their original Sunshine, D4L's Laffy Taffy with a sample from Dem Franchise Boyz’ I Think They Like Me playing at the time, Tuffy-led Djayz' Whoop That Trick, and Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot. Scooby, Tuffy and O got on the three speakers, later just Tuffy did and then he was joined by Scooby and O. At one point, Chi Ali briefly sat in and stood on the middle speaker, he lead some chants including one about, "What do you do with your junk in the trunk?" They finished. DJ Rico asked them to perform for five more minutes, but Scooby said, "I respect Donnell to much to do that." DJ Rico kept pressing him to perform for two more minutes until Scooby relented. Scooby lead a chant of "Uh oh, uh uh oh." Then they really finished. DJ Rico said, "I asked for two minutes and he gave me two minutes." Scooby said, "I respect Donnell. He paved the way for n*ggers like me." I liked their performance. I prefer them to L!ssen Band.

Familiar Faces
The line up was (left to right): James, Mike, Halima, Donnell, DP, (behind the frontline) Dwayne, Doc, (behind Dwayne and Doc), Lorenzo, Godfather, Stomp, Smoke, Jacques
I went up front for their performance. Both Supa Dan and Archie asked me why I wasn't taking notes. When I told them why, they said I should get a pen from one of the band members.
DJ Rico joned on various members of FF as they set up. He said, "You gave James Lawson a job... I could do his job, not as well, but I could do it. I could do as well as Nephew. Mike Muse is there, the woman will be throwing panties on the stage (Mike shook his head no)... Smoke has the hardest hands in GoGo... He could bust a conga... Stomp is the only drummer who breaks all the cymbals... Godfather taught James Lawson everything he knows about GoGo. If it wasn't for Godfather, James would still be singing Barney. James is my man, even though he just gave up comic books. Donnell is my n*gga, he's the only one who can call me Rico Suave."
Donnell asked for a moment of silence for Kent "Hot Dog" Wood, a keyboard player for Rare Essence and EU who lost his life the other day (in a car accident).
Halima wore a black Black Panther Party with white printing that drew eyes' attention to it with the contrast with her dyed hair.
Halima tested walking over to the speaker, looking for impediments. I couldn't tell what kind of shoes she wore since her jeans reached the floor.
1) Halima-led Sade's Pearls - Halima ended up sitting on the stage
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - the crank started, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho" (he repeated this a few times)
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - Donnell went on the speaker in front of the stage, James held his mic to the crowd, they responded
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house" - Donnell switched to the middle speaker and DP went on the right speaker
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Halima got down with her dancing, Donnell and DP went back onstage
6) Alternating Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Donnell got on the right speaker and called out names, then went back onstage, he held his mic to ladies to sing and Halima conducted them / Prince's Sexy M.F. (tease)
7) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Donnell and Halima held up their fists, Donnell went on the right speaker, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute" / Percussion solo - particularly by Smoke - Donnell went back onstage
8) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Donnell went back on the right speaker, the monitor second from right started to smoke, DP called Omar over to work on it, he ended up unplugging it, James sang back up, Stomp played a dialtone and the frontline danced the bowing dance / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
9) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Donnell went back onstage
10) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) - Donnell sat on the edge of the stage with his feet on the middle speaker, he did the keyboard effects vocally / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease)
11) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel - Donnell stood on the middle speaker
12) Mike-led Lisa Stanfield's All Around the World (tease) - Mike stood at the edge of the stage (the left speaker was covered with jackets and stuff, so no one stood on it during their set)
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease) - Halima made a face
14) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Donnell went back onstage, then returned to the speaker, Smoke played timbales and Jacques played congas with drumsticks
15) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
16) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - Mike and DP stood at the edge of the stage
17) Donnell-led "Southeast, South, Southeast" chant - DP went on the right speaker
18) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Donnell & Mike-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls - "Get down like this", they did a pause that made the audience think they were done playing, a woman behind me called out, "Put it in like..."
19) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
20) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - Donnell went back onstage before Halima's part, then back on the speaker
Donnell said, "I know what I forgot" -->
21) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Donnell pulled Tyrell on the middle speaker and she danced with her back to the audience
At some point the monitor second from left also smoked and Omar disconnected it
22) D4L's Laffy Taffy - instrumental, literally only a few seconds
Donnell said of a woman, "That's my wife. Do you have breakfast ready?" She nodded. He said, "What will we have, eggs or waffles?"
23) Stomp briefly played a sample
I danced with Monique during the set.
DP really sweated through his shirt.

New Years' Eve at the Alexandria Hilton
A Positive Black Men's Coalition event.

Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA, 22311

Since none of the other big PBMC events I've been to have allowed cameras, I didn't even try to bring mine. It was pretty easy to find a parking space. When I walked in the lobby, Packy was talking with Tamara. Tamara won her ticket off the radio. DeeDee, who was working both PBMC New Year's Eve events, was there. I talked with Cookie, I asked her why she was the only one wearing a New Year's hair band. She said the other ladies were afraid to mess up their hair. Angie and Shonda were there. I thought the weapons check was weird in that it was not in an enclosed area (you didn't need to go through it to go to the main area).

After Hours was setting up in the outer area. I ate a few desserts before they removed the dessert tables altogether.

After Hours Band
The line up was: Chi Ali, Sean (Kal'el), Pretty Nikki, another male vocalist, another female vocalist (not TJ), two keyboard players (including Rockk), a guitar or bass player (I couldn't see it close enough to tell), two percussionists, and a drummer.
Most of the band members wore black formal outfits that went with the black and white balloons around.
1) Pretty Nikki-led ?, Chi Ali stood back by the percussion, the percussion was initially really low in the mix, but the vocals were good in the mix
"Original" Nikki and Ebony were there.
2) Sean-led "I've been waiting for the day, all night long"
Tracy S., Chanel, and Darrell were there.
3) Pretty Nikki-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Pretty Nikki added, "Clap your hands everybody", there was nice harmony
4) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - Sean went on the floor, the crank started, Chi Ali went in front and got on vocals
5) Pretty Nikki-led "Bop bop bop ba da" - the percussion was better in the mix now
James was there.
6) Chi Ali-led Kanye West's 'Em Say
Shaun and 6'9 were there.
7) Percussion solo - Chi Ali did announcements
8) Pretty Nikki-led Floetry's Supastar
9) Chi Ali-led "Here we go, come on, After Hours to the brink of dawn, diamonds in the sky" - the other frontline members made the diamond shape with their hands that I remember from a previous performance of theirs (they held their hands palms up - with the index fingers up and the tips touching and the thumbs down and the tips touching making a diamond shape)
They were still playing, but Familiar Faces was scheduled to start, so I went in the ballroom. Unfortunately, there was DJ music being played in the ballroom, so I couldn't continue to follow After Hours from the ballroom.

Shawn, L-Boogie, Pinky, and Cindy were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
The line up was (left to right): James, Mike, Halima, Donnell, DP, behind: Godfather (behind the left speaker), Chris Wright (keyboards, subbing for Lorenzo), Doc, Dwayne, Stomp, Packy, SmokeMBR< They were formally dressed, most of the guys in black.
I had guessed correctly that the woman with dyed red and black hair I saw coming down the escalator during After Hours’ first set was Halima (it was her second new hairdo in three days), she wore a formal red and black dress.
Donnell said, "I guess we need to use our cell phones (as mistletoe)... On behalf of the Positive Black Men's Coalition to bring the New Year in right..."
1) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day - Donnell did a shout out to Darrell, still celebrating his birthday, Donnell said, "My baby Michel Wright is in the building"
Tata was there.
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - there was a nice crank, Donnell played with Halima's hair, Mike sang at the edge of the stage, they stopped playing, but Michel said, "Keep that groove going, I'm used to working with music... still five more minutes to 2006", Michel played the cowbell, then passed it on to Packy, she went and danced with Donnell from behind, Donnell said, "Cell phone going to be mistletoe.", Michel counted down from seven to one and confetti was sprayed on the dance floor (not sure where from, but I got a lot on me)
The ballroom was packed.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - DP and James held their mics to the crowd for their response, the sound was really good
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Halima posed, Donnell played with her hair, Mike posed, the crowd shouted, "Oh my God!"
Tamiko was there.
Halima said, "Happy New Year y'all".
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Funky Stuff guitar riffs, Halima's dancing/moving was wilder than usual, Donnell stood on the left speaker and DP stood on the right speaker as they played the horn hits, they faced each other
6) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U - Donnell and DP now faced front as they played, then they went back onstage, Mike sang at the edge of the stage, Mike said, "Anyone from the Southside? Northwest, Northeast, Glen Arden, Seat Pleasant, Capital Heights?"
7) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - this was the first slow song and the dance floor cleared some, Donnell did his usual suggestion for the fellas to go buy the ladies a drink, "We'll take care of them for the next five minutes", James sang at the edge of the stage, in the middle not the left, Donnell repeatedly called out, "Bassline" and "Hey Smoke", Telando was onstage by Smoke, Someone (Mike, James or Donnell) said, "Sexual Chocolate!"

Simone, JoJo and Arielle were there.

Keisha pulled me on the dance floor, we danced. Shonda said, "I'm keeping my eye on you."

Second Set
1) They started to perform the music to Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Halima was not back yet, Donnell said, "Look here y'all, we're going to get this party started y'all, the first party of 2006" / Mike, Tamara & Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Mike sang it, Mike said, "Y'all can sing it", Donnell said, "Come on and sing it Tamara, you know it?", Tamara went onstage and sang it, Mike said, "Get it girl", Halima arrived and initially sang with Tamara, then led
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Mike was being a ham and held both his arms up, Donnell chanted, "Eya, eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
Nikki and Monique were there.
Donnell said, "I think they're ready now."
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
4) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - a guy danced onstage between Halima and Donnell, Halima said to him, "You got one more chance baby."
5) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) - Donnell did the keyboard effects vocally, Donnell stood on the right speaker / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease)
6) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
7) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease) - Donnell changed it to "$99 Hotel"
8) Donnell & Mike-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease) - Donnell said, "Sing it old school"
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease)
10) Mike & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It
11) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - Halima posed, Mike was being a ham
12) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell said, "Deeper, deeper" repeatedly
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (literal tease)
Donnell said, "Look here y'all, 2006 is going to be a good year for everyone, swear to God! Look here y’all; we're going to make to make room for Chuck Brown he's going to be here real soon."
14) Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You - instrumental, very brief, tease

A woman was nice enough to pull all the confetti out of my hair.

Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers
The DJ had the crowd chant "Wind me up, Chuck!"
His band looked to be mostly the same as when I saw him perform on October 9th.
The line up was: Chuck Brown (vocals and guitar), the rest of the frontline (all the same as October 9th) was: Bryan Mills (sax and keyboard. He had a Korg with women's shoes on it), a young trumpet player, and a young trombonist. Chuck was on the far right. In addition, Sweet Cherie (double keyboard), a bass player, JuJu on drums, and a conga player (I didn't see him well enough to tell if it was the same guy as in October), and a cowbell player/percussionist. Guest vocalists: Little Benny and Kay Kay.
Chuck Said, "Sorry we're late. I'm old, sometimes I'm late."
1) Instrumental - the crowd shouted, "Wind me Up, Chuck!"
2) Chuck-led Page Cavanaugh & Jack Smalley's Merry Christmas, Baby - I really liked the horn play, Chuck said, "What's up, 6'9?", Chuck chanted, "Left side, right side, backside", Chuck said, "6'9, the tallest man in the graveyard"
Pretty Nikki was in the audience, so After Hours must have finished playing.
3) Chuck-led T-Bone Walker's Stormy Monday - Brian played keyboard
4) Chuck-led medley (music to Sho Ya Right / Slick Rick's La Di Da Di / ?) - Chuck kept doing his line then holding the mic to the crowd, the crowd responded, Chuck's voice varied, Chuck held his mic to a female fan who said, "I love you Chuck!", Chuck said, "When you walk in the door", the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body!"
5) Chuck-led Duke Ellington's It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That GoGo Swing) - Chuck held his mic to the crowd
6) Chuck-led Lionel Hampton's Midnight Sun
6) Chuck-led Moody's Mood for Love - the horns would move to the right, then left to the mic to play: it was synchronized
7) Chuck-led Louis Jordan's Woody Woodpecker - Chuck said, "I feel as good as I feel"
8) Little Benny-led "Throw your hands up" - Kay Kay was on back up vocals, Little Benny said, "Let me get by", the trumpet and trombone had nice harmony / Little Benny-led NORE's I'm a G
9) Kay Kay rapped
10) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Body Moves
11) Instrumental - Little Benny said, "We got to go, we've got to, got to go"
Little Benny said, "Happy New Year!"
DeeDee's Cousin Michelle was there.
Chuck said, "I hope you had as enjoyable a time as we did. Have a happy and safe New Year."
He was still talking when I left. I left because I thought the coat check would be a madhouse. I heard a buzzing, I thought maybe it was just me, but it was the hotel because I didn't hear it when I walked outside.

I saw Omar and Stomp (wearing his Homer Simpson slippers) on my way out.

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

Peg Leg, Dave, and Kim were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic
2) Halima-led The Brand New Heavies' Never Stop
Donnell said, "You know I told her Googie, don't ever sing while I'm talking."
Nikiya was there.
Mike said, "Make a resolution to like the person that looks like you."
3) Mike-led Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself
Donnell took off his riding cap because Nikiya wore one. They both laughed.
4) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself
Kimberly and Darrell, Sanisse, Yolanda, Tiffany F., "original" Nikki, and Ebony were there.
5) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day - Kimberly pulled me on the dance floor, but I wasn't feeling it, Mike said, "What are you going to do, Jordan?", I waved him off
Neita and Nikki were there.
I talked with Tiffany F. and put my arms around her. Donnell said, "Are you talking to my woman?" I said, "She doesn't mind sharing?" Donnell said, "Who's sharing, I know I'm not."
Monique, Tijuana, Shameika and 6'9 were there.

Paul said, "I think GoGo's corrupting you. You aren't the quiet man you used to be."

Second Set
James was on backup vocals.
Donnell said, "Lock the door, lock the door while we got nothing but women in here" repeatedly.
DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy) said on the PA that people who have parked on the street now need to move their cars or they'll be towed. Donnell replied, "If you need a ride home, we're going to have to consider a few things."
1) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
2) Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "People call me milk" repeatedly, Mike sang in an affected voice, "You went to prison, it's all your fault", Donnell said, "That where Mary J. Blige stole that from", Halima sang something
3) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
4) Instrumental - they played sounds used in "Unh, unh unh", Donnell said, "Don't nobody dance" repeatedly, Mike said something I couldn't hear
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Funky Stuff guitar riffs
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
7) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house" - a woman said to me, "I know you don't like this sh*t." I told her I've been a GoGo fan for ten years.
8) Alternating Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Halima held her mic to ladies to sing it / Prince's Sexy M.F. (tease)
9) Donnell-led Hold the Note - band members held their fists up and fans held their arms up / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / "Seek Abundance every day, Seek Abundance every way" / "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho" / Percussion solo - nice crank especially by Smoke, Donnell said, "Say what?" and the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Do what?", Halima sang a tease of Stevie Wonder's Do I Do "Do I do what you do", Halima said, "Wind up, Smoke", Donnell said, "By yourself, Smoke" and Smoke played a true solo
10) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - the crowd responded, Donnell chanted, "Deeper, deeper" repeatedly
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Donnell chanted, "Go down baby, go down"
12) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
Janetta was there.
Donnell kidded Patrick about women dancing with him (Patrick's girlfriend was there). Patrick said, "Are you going to drive me home?"
Donnell said, "If you're family, you got to be at the Hilton."

Shawn and Keisha were there.

Jay Gotti was there.

Third Set
Donnell said, "It's a little tight tonight. Somebody steps on your toes, it's alright"
1) Donnell-led D4L's Laffy Taffy - Donnell did announcements, DJ Flava was on backup vocals
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
Maya, the bartender from Zanzibar, was there in the audience. She wore a "Happy New Year" hair band.
Dey was there. She said, ?Off the record!?
4) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
5) Percussion solo & riffs - Donnell said, "Time to party everybody, we came to party"
6) Donnell, Jay Gotti, & Halima-led It Is What It Is / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / Donnell rapped about Pam & Sam, he said, "I forget the rest"
Donnell said, "When you leave, please leave carefully. I know what I forgot" -->
7) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
8) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You - I danced with Monique
June was there.
Donnell said, "Lord, I never thought I'd see the day when Mike (not Muse) had a girl (Neita) around his arms. I thought he had the Arthur Ashe." Mike went after Donnell with a broom. He wanted a PA and went back to Telando. Mike said, "They don't have but one (choice)." Donnell said, "They didn't have the hat (a Redskins baseball cap) that fit, but you didn't mind then. Give me an eight: 'all we have is a five and three quarters'".

I said to Patrick as I walked out, "Hi Patrick." He said, "So you figured out my name? That's just what he calls me; my name is Derek." Patrick and Tony had been pulling my leg about Patrick's name. I have corrected my blog accordingly.

Thursday at Zanzibar
Zanzibar on the Waterfront, 700 Water Street SW Washington, DC 20024

Tanya with four of her friends (including sisters Trina and Selena), Bobbie Westmoreland, Nena, Darrell, Danielle (Wellfhed), and SweetAngelmd27 were there.

Delano and Pinky were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set

Dwayne, James, Lorenzo, Mike, Doc, Donnell, Jacques, DP
1) Mother's Day - Donnell went on the floor

Doc, Lorenzo, Dwayne, Donnell, Stomp
I was paying attention to other things, so may have missed a song in between.
2) Mike-led Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself - Mike went on the floor
Cookie, "original" Nikki and Ebony were there.

Doc, James, Dwayne, Lorenzo, Mike, Stomp, Donnell, Jacques, Smoke, DP


Dwayne, James, Lorenzo, Doc, Mike, Donnell, Jacques, DP
3) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You - the dance floor filled
Michon, Sanisse, and Yolanda were there.
Donnell did a shout out to Bobbie and whole TMOTT crew.
4) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever
Halima said, "Okay, we got to party y'all".
5) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - Halima sang, "Ooh, ooh", Halima altered the lyrics to "with my makeup"
DeeDee?s Cousin Michelle was there.
6) Halima-led Sade's Pearls - Halima went on the floor
I introduced myself to D Ball.
Big John, the DJ, joked that Halima needed to report to the back bar to talk about all the broken glasses (because of her singing).
Simone, Shawn, and Big Don Pimp were there.

Arielle, Los, and 6'9 were there.

Second Set

Mike, Jacques, DP, Smoke, Packy, Darrell, 6'9


Doc, Lorenzo, Mike, Doc, Jacques, Smoke, Packy, Darrell


Sanisse (leaning on railing), 6'9, Doc


6'9, James, Mike, Shawn, Michon, Los


Lorenzo, Smoke, Doc, Dwayne
1) Halima-led Alicia Key's Unbreakable
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - they played different riffs / Percussion solo
Donnell did another shout out to the TMOTT crew and to his Verizon homies.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Donnell grunted/shouted, "Hey yeah?", they played different sounds
6) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You
7) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U - Mike said, "Get down Miss Brown"
June was there.
8) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind

Selena told me we had already met.

Third Set

Lorenzo, Godfather, Jermaine, Stomp, Omar, Smoke, Jacques, Shawn


Darrell and 6'9
1) Donnell acapella Raheem DeVaughn's Is It Possible (tease) - warm up
Donnell talked about Maisha, and either Lorenzo or Godfather played:
2) The Temptations' My Girl - instrumental tease
Donnell responded, "You know I'm old Maisha"
3) Donnell-led D4L's Laffy Taffy (tease)
4) Alternating Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You / Prince's Sexy M.F. (tease)
Nikiya was there.
5) Donnell-led Hold the Note / Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
6) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - a guy said to me, "They about to knock (Rare) Essence out, huh?", Halima sang, "Ooh, ooh ooh ooh" (different from the "Gimme the Woo" response), Donnell chanted, "Eya, eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
7) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease)
8) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
9) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
10 Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
Donnell said, "Loveboat, Loveboat is that what you're going to do at the Zanzibar? You are going back to the Black Hole?"
11) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You

Darrell in the middle
Michelle came up to me and grabbed my hair. Godfather smiled.



6'9 and Nikiya of Seek Abundance


Jacques, Stomp, Packy, Smoke, Paul, Omar, Shawn, DP, and Godfather
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

When I walked out, the guy who was handing out flyers for the New Years Day show with Familiar Faces, Publicity Band and L!ssen said to me, "You need to come to all the shows I pass out flyers for." I asked why. He said, "They love you. They party harder when you're there. I saw you one time pimping a girl in the corner. She was a nine and half."

Darrell & Muffin's birthday
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Kimberly and Darrell were there.

Big Darrell (celebrating his birthday), Vonshawn, Tim (LJ), Dave, Monica and her sister Aloma "Pumpkin", Ebony (with a new long hairdo), Michon, Candy, Omar, and Pinky were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
James sang backup.
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Lock It In The Pocket - Donnell went on the floor, Donnell called out hits, then called up Darrell do so and wished him a happy birthday

Jacques (only top of head visible), Darrell, Doc, Stomp, Donnell, Godfather, DP, Lorenzo, Dwayne, Omar


Smoke, Doc, Stomp, Donnell, DP, Lorenzo, Omar, Dwayne


Smoke, Doc, Stomp, Donnell, Godfather, Darrell, Lorenzo, Omar, Dwayne
Tamara was there.
Donnell said that Mike was going to be taking a break soon, so he was going to work him to death tonight. He talked about how they go back a long way, "A hundred pounds ago." Mike said, "Twenty pounds ago."
2) Mike-led The Stylistics' People Make the World (Go Round)
Shawn, Shaun, and Tracy S. (with Darrell's cake) were there.

Jacques, Doc, Mike, Donnell, DP, Lorenzo, Omar, Dwayne, Patrick (security)
3) Mike-led O'Bryan's Lady I Love You - Mike talked about how all you needed to do with is hold a woman gently by the back of the neck and say, "I love you", Darrell joked that he still didn't know what to do, some of Darrell's guests followed Mike's advice, Mike went on the floor

Jacques, Donnell, Doc, Stomp, Mike, James, Lorenzo, Dwayne
4) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - the dance floor filled
Cookie, June, Tijuana, and Shameika were there.
5) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
6) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You
Donnell did a shout out to Muffin for her birthday.
7) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
Nikiya was there.
8) Halima-led Sade's Pearls
Donnell talked about how they are playing at the Hilton in Alexandria for the PBMC's New Years Eve party, "You wouldn't know it from the commercial on the radio. We love you anyway Cookie."
Robin was there.
Darrell introduced me to Neita. He said, "Watch out he writes down all the bad things you do." I said, "Only if you do bad things." Neita said, "I love Darrell."

Sanisse and Yolanda were there.

Second Set

Nephew in front, Smoke and Jacques
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - Neita danced with me, Kimberly said, "The bass player (Doc), the drummer (Stomp) and Godfather are locked in a groove."
"Original" Nikki and Ebony were there.
2) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
Donnell said, "We got my favorite runaway slave up in here, Donny Ray"
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
4) Donnell & Mike-led "___ Is in the house"
6'9 was there.
5) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You
6) Donnell rapped about Little Trey from UCB
7) Trey-led "Sexy lady, Give me your number, I'm going to pick you up on Saturday" - Donny Ray sat in on backup vocals, Donnell also sang it at the end - to prove he can sing

foreground: Doc, Stomp, Patrick (security), Donny Ray, Mike, Michon
background: Godfather, DP, James (only top of head visible), Donnell, Trey, Lorenzo, Dwayne, Nita, Tony (security), Candy (part of head and grey hat visible)
End of Trey and Donny Ray sitting in
8) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell chanted, "Eya, eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
9) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
10) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease)
11) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
12) Donnell-led $55 Motel (tease)
13) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
14) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - I danced with Ebony P.
15) Donnell-led Hold the Note / Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - with altered lyrics
16) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
17) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
18) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
Mara and Shawn from After Hours were there.
19) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Funky Stuff guitar riffs
20) Donnell-led D4L's Laffy Taffy
Donnell said, "You know what we forgot to play?" -->< BR> 21) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - verses for Muffin and Darrell
Donnell said, "I didn't know Stinky Dink was in here, that changes things."
Donnell said, "6'9, I see that Seek Abundance got all kinds of new shirts and sweatshirts. I ain't got nothing but one that's two years old. I don't even need to wash it for it to stay black."
Donnell said, "Stinky Dink, this is where the stars be partyin'. We go back a long time, since the sand box."
22) Donnell acapella Family
23) Donnell acapella "Sexy lady, Give me your number, I'm going to pick you up on Saturday"
Sharika was there.
Patrick said, "Next time, take pictures on his (Tony's) side."

Darrell's birthday cake
I told Darrell not to forget his cake, that if he didn?t take it, I would. It was the same type of cake as my birthday cake and that was delicious.

Muffin's birthday cake
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich (Unfortunately, I accidentally put the camera into small function, so the pictures (except for Muffin's cake) are all compressed).

It was raining after the show ended. I walked past June and two women I didn't recognize standing under an awning. One of them said, "Hi Jordan." I would have talked to her, but I wanted to get out of the rain.

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

This was earlier than their normal Tradewinds shows. When I arrived at the parking lot, I found a space on the asphalt, the first time in months.

Tamara was there. She asked me if it was normally like this at Tradewinds. I told her no, that it is normally much more crowded at that point.

Kiki and Cindy arrived and I saw down at a table with them. At one point, they went to the bathroom. The people sitting at the desk behind me asked me what I was writing. I told them about my website. They recognized me as a regular and joked about my head bobbing. "Original" Nikki and her friend briefly sat down with me. I introduced myself to them. Nikki's friend is named Ebony, I recognized her as coming with Nikki to FF shows on a regular basis. "Original" Nikki said, "I remember you."

Chanel, Tracy S., Mama Chelle, March, Angie, Delano, Ron Moten, Jennifer, Ebony P., Natalie, Shawn, and Sanisse were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
James sang backup. Charlie was the second percussionist.
1) They started to perform the music to Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You - Donnell said, "I don't know what you all are waiting for, I'm ready to party. I was here last night all by myself." / Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You - Donnell said, "Tracy, it's your birthday", he also did a shout out to Tadonna whose friends told him is also celebrating her birthday
Tracy (celebrating her birthday), and Miss T (Theresa) & Miss V (Vernice) (who the band had teased Dwayne about how they danced with him in July), and KD were there.
2) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
3) Mike and Donnell spoke over percussion
4) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - they played different riffs than usual
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded, DP held his mic to fans
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Funky Stuff guitar riffs
8) Alternating Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Mike said, "Sexy Theresa", ladies sang it, Mike and DP held their mics to female fans / Prince's Sexy M.F. (tease)
9) Alternating Donnell-led Hold the Note - nice crank, especially by Smoke, the crowd shouted "Wind me up, Smoke!", Donnell said, "Say what, do what?" / Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
6'9 was there.
10) Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Got? to party, everybody" repeatedly, Donnell said, "What you say? Wind me up, Smoke? You want Smoke to do what?", nice Smoke solo
Nikki was there.
11) They started to perform the music to Donny Hathaway's This Christmas - Mike said, "I (and the band) want to wish you a merry Christmas and a safe New Year. All I can say is I'm broke now." / Mike-led Donny Hathaway's This Christmas - Mike said, "Godfather, take 'em home baby."
Ray was there.
12) Stomp briefly played the music to Fantasia's Free Yourself
Mike said, "We're briefly going to (break)... Go get yourself a drink and how about those damn Redskins!"
Simone, JoJo, Kevin Lee, Renee, Slick Rick, RE Angie, and Pinky were there.

Tyrell, Shonda, Stacey, Tina Tuner, Lashonda, and Nikiya were there.

Second Set
1) James-led Slow Wind – Ebony and Natalie stood above the dance floor because it was too hot, Natalie really felt hot, it was so packed that I only briefly tried to get on the dance floor (I was at the bar at the start of the set), I’ve never seen it that packed before.
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell said, "It's Don & Mike's birthday", Donnell chanted, "Eya, eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
March, Tamiko, and Monique were there.
3) Donnell-led D4L's Laffy Taffy - Donnell said, "Don't make me mad, Renee. Don't make me pull you off the stage.", later Donnell said, "Renee, I'm about to come back there, you've got one more shake."
4) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell added, "Stop lying", Halima improved, I went back on the dance floor, it was a little less crowded than before
5) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight
6) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
7) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
8) Donnell-led Vinnie D's Porno Star? (tease)
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's "I'm bad bad, the wickedest man alive, wickeda"
11) Mike & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls - different transition / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
Angie was there.
13) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - different transition and start, Donnell started with "I am what I am", Donnell sang, "Down in the city, working of the man everyday"
Shadonna and Choo Choo were there.
14) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
Slim Goodie and L-Boogie were there.
15) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You
16) Stomp played the sample "She's your queen" from Coming to America, he continued to play his sampling pad as they packed up
Yolanda was there.
Sean from After Hours said hello. Doc said Sean was "The next big thing that's coming out of DC." I said the Washington Nationals are the next big thing coming out of DC.

NDB, 3DB, and Fatal Attraction at Bud's
Bud's 501 Club, 501 Morse St NE, Washington, DC 20002

I have put up the written transcript of my interview of Michelle Holmes last year online.

Bud, wearing a Santa hat, took the covers. Rob Sabbakhan, NDB's manager, was right there and he said hello.

Upstairs, Preston Blue, Kato (Fatal Attraction's co-manager), and SweetAngelmd27 all were surprised to see me.

The pre-recorded music being played was GoGo. A couple of guys traded dance moves to it.

New Dimension Band
NDB was up first. I wanted to see them with a real system. When I saw them last year in their hometown of Richmond, they didn't have big speakers. It was nice to see them in DC. Some of the faces had changed in the band. Their line up was: Steph (lead talker - he took over much of the interview I did with them), Francois (female lead singer, she wore a Michael Vick jersey), an acoustic guitar player/backup vocalists (also played tambourine), a backup vocalist/cowbell player, a bass player, two keyboard players (one of them wore a baseball cap that had 804 printed on the front and the shape of the state of Virginia on the back), Junie (percussionist - congas and timbales, he played shirtless), and a drummer. They had a nice beat going during their sound check. Steph said, "We made a long long long trip to party with our out of town relatives." Steph also did a shout out to Kato. He announced it was Junie's birthday. He also did a shout out to the haters. Steph announced that their first song was an original by Francois. They did a group prayer with the band huddled together. That first song was with acoustic guitar (he sat as he played) and percussion. The acoustic guitar wasn't used after that for the rest of the night. The sound was rough, but they definitely cranked. There's no doubt that despite them being based in Virginia that they perform authentic GoGo. They initially had about twenty fans in the audience, but it grew to about fifty by the end of their set. A group of ten or so had a GoGo pic taken then went on the dance floor and were really responsive to NDB. Nena was there, she wore a Santa hat. Rob was calling out signals to the band. Fans were beating their feet. Steph said at the end, "It's time to go right now." Rob announced an upcoming show. Their set was about an hour. Steph asked me, "Did you have a good time?" I said yes. He said, "That's where it's at."

3rd Dimension Band
This was my first time seeing 3DB. Their line up was: four vocalists (one of them a singer), a bass player, three keyboard players, three percussionists (one congas, one timbales, and one with multiple cowbells in a setup similar to Jacques from FF), and a drummer. There was also a guy sitting in a chair next to the cowbell player, I don't think he played anything. They also had a group huddle before they performed. They did a shout out to New Dimension Band and said, "We just came from the Black Hole that was crazy." They continued on NDB: "That trip from Richmond isn't an hour, that's a mission, a mission of love." They also did a shout out "to the one deuce n*ggas, we could play in Africa and they would get a green card to come see us." They started off with Donny Hathaway's This Christmas. They had a richer sound than NDB, and also cranked. They did a chant of "Where y'all from?" The frontline was very energetic, they had some nice harmony. At the end, they said, "Thank all the haters. If you down with 3DB, we out of here now." Tappy (or Taffy?), a white guy, came over and said he read my blog. We recognized each other from the recent Junkyard show. They also played about an hour.

Fatal Attraction
I recognized Wayne and Chevy from when they came to Familiar Faces shows in July and August. Teago (their other co-manager) was there. I kidded him about his Bob Marley shirt. He said, "Yeah, mon." He asked me, "Is this your first time seeing them?" I told them it was. I was looking forward to them since Ras Lidj called them "the best frontline in GoGo". Their line up (some I got from their website) was: Wayne (lead talker), Chevy (female singer), Daryl (vocalist, trumpet (he warmed up, but never played it), and cowbell), Jock and Vadda (vocalists), Brandon (bass player, played sitting down), JR and Kendall (both with double keyboards), a percussionist (congas, timbales, and roto-toms), and Ron (drummer). Wayne mentioned this possibly being a live recording. Wayne said, "We do two sets on Monday nights at the Market Lounge." They did a group talk facing the back wall before they played. A couple of people were joking about my taking notes. They also were energetic, sometimes jumping in the air, had synchronized dances, and had nice harmony. Their frontline is good, but I wouldn't say they are the best in GoGo. Their percussionist played timbales and roto-toms most of the time. He played congas both with his hands and with drumsticks. Fans were beating their feet. The security guard asked me what I was writing when I went over to watch the percussionist. They played a late song that was laid back, Chevy sang "Slow Down" (I didn't recognize it as the Bobby Valentino song). While she sang, the other vocalists and one of the keyboard players did exaggerated slow movements. They called out, "Where y'all from" and Wayne held his mic to the crowd. Daryl stood on one of the monitors. The last thing they did was, "Wack that sh*t". They finished at 3:02. Wayne said, "Hail to the Redskins." They are definitely good, but I prefer more conga play.

The one thing I didn't like was that there so many people smoking cigarettes.

As I walked out, Preston asked me, "Are they blogworthy?" I said, "Of course!"

Thursday at Zanzibar
Zanzibar on the Waterfront, 700 Water Street SW Washington, DC 20024

Dey (new hairdo), Songbird, and missshaunte were there. Dey said, "Everything tonight is off the record." They need to lighten up; I don't write everything I hear.

Bobbie, and RE Angie were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
James sang backup.
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
3) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As - Mike sang on the dance floor
Danielle (Wellfhed) was there.
Mike said, "Damn, when Stevie did that sh*t, he knew what he was singing."
4) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden - Donnell and DP played their horns on the dance floor
5) Mike-led Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself - Mike sang on the dance floor, at one point, he sang directly to one woman and said, "I really do", after singing, "I love you"
6) Halima-led Sade's Pearls - Donnell said, "She got the flower in her shoe y'all. It's my baby Halima's birthday.", Halima took her mic stand on the floor, she ended up on one knee
Delano was there.

A guy asked me if I was working. I said, "No, why do you ask?" He said I'm a white guy at the GoGo. I told him I go to most of their shows and told him about my thesis. He was happy that someone was working on a thesis on GoGo.

Kimberly and Darrell were there.

Dey introduced me to Nataki (~butterflies~).

Second Set
1) Alternating Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You - Donnell stopped it, you could smell burning, Donnell told Vincent to shut down the big speakers / Ralph Blane & Hugh Martin's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - they performed this on the monitors while waiting, Omar and Googie checked out the big speakers with flashlights, then when they were satisfied, they went back to I Want You
Pinky and Sanisse were there.
Donnell did a shout out to all the TMOTTers present, he said, "All except the big boss man Kato, haven't seen him in a minute".
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
Keisha, Halima's stylist, was there.
Donnell did a shout out to "Miles, the funniest man alive."
Yannie from L!ssen Band was there.
3) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
4) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me
5) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
JoJo and Simone were there.
6) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - Donnell said, "All the fellas can go get the ladies a drink. We need the ladies to slow wind."
Donnell said, "Special dedication to all the TMOTT members, that's our family"

Cookie was there.

Doc joked about Paul ordering, "A Remy and Coke, hold the Remy!"

I introduced myself to Vaughn, another FF equipment guy.

Packy was "beating off Vincent": he played Jacques' percussion instruments and was beating the drumsticks against Vincent's back.

Some guy said to me, "What's up pimp?"

Third Set
Donnell said, "We're staying late tonight, so if you have to work tomorrow, you might want to slide out."
1) They started to perform the music to Fantasia's Free Yourself - Donnell asked Nephew if he was giving him a Christmas gift since Donnell gave him one last year. Donnell said, "I give to receive.", Donnell said, "Sean and TJ from After Hours are here; this is where the stars be partyin'" / Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself
Peg Leg and Nikiya were there.
2) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Say Yes - Sean sat in on vocals / Lionel Richie's Hello (tease)
Donnell said, "I wish I can sing. I can sing."
Kelvin Robertson of Y2K was there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Donnell added the line, "Do it for Halima"
5) Alternating Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - different beats, Halima sang, "Baby baby" / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
6) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You
Cookie asked me why I bob my head to the music. Nikiya said, "Tell her you are keeping the beat."
7) Yannie-led Erykah Badu's Danger - she improved
8) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
9) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Donnell said, "If you have to work in the morning, you might want to slide out. We're going to party all night", James sang backup / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
10) Donnell-led "Hey Halima, it's your birthday!"
11) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
12) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - I danced with a girl who pointed to Lorenzo while we danced and he smiled, she said to me, "I see you at every show!"
Most of the audience left.
13) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You - TJ sat in on backup vocals
Donnell said, "I got everybody but you TJ." She said, "It's okay."
14) Stomp played the sample of "She's Your Queen" from Coming to America - Donnell said, "Stomp is my best singer", Stomp sang along, someone said, "Sexual chocolate!"

Jimmie Parker talked with me about helping on my thesis. He said it needed to cover all aspects.

As usual, guys were handing out GoGo flyers to everyone who walked out. Nece asked me why I had flyers since I was at every show. I told her they were for different bands. I save the flyers for my thesis. JoJo asked me, "Are you taking notes right now?" I said, "No." I originally didn't take notes; everything from the blog was from the top of my head. Over time, I would bring paper to jot down things I had forgotten to write online. Then I needed to take notes when I decided to keep specific setlists - I could probably remember most of it off the top of my head, but not the proper order.

Here's another description.

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

Yvette, June, Kevin Lee, and Jay Floyd were there.

Ray, Omar, Tamara, and Ebony were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
James sang backup tonight.
Donnell apologized for the late start. He said, "Our drummer (Stomp) was in an accident and is on his way."
Vonshawn played drums
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic
Tim (LJ) and Angie were there.
2) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
3) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You - Donnell said, "Lorenzo starting every song, my man Lorenzo is catching up, Jordan"
Donnell did a birthday shout out to Halima (her birthday was at midnight, December 22nd) and said she would do the rest of the set. She was not happy about the public birthday announcement. Stomp arrived and they switched up the drums.
4) Halima acapella Rachelle Ferrell's Peace on Earth
Marvin from TCB was there.
5) Halima-led Sade's Pearls - Jacques kept time (usually Stomp does)
Cookie was there.
The rest of the band (including Stomp) went back onstage
6) Halima-led The Brand New Heavies' Never Stop
7) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
8) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You (debut) - Donnell said to Tamara, "You know this song? Can you help her out, baby?" and Tamara sat in on backup vocals
9) Mike-led Happy Birthday (to Halima) - initially with Lorenzo on keyboards, then acapella, Mike said, "We're going to do this acapella"

I asked Lorenzo about Vonshawn. I asked if he played in a band. Lorenzo said no, that he plays in church.

Stinka was there.

6'9 was there.

Second Set
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
"Original" Nikki, Darrell and Angie W. were there.
2) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - girls sang along
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies, Oh my God!" - Donnell added, "Do it for Halima, it's her birthday!"
5) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You (debut)
6) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell added the line "Stop lying" again
E of L!ssen Band was there.
7) Alternating Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - the ladies sang it / Mike-led Prince's Sexy M.F. (tease) / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - verses for Halima and Tiffany
Lima was there.
8) Donnell-led Hold the Note
9) Donnell-led Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
10) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - the house lights came on, they played Funky Stuff guitar riffs
Pinky was there.
11) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
12) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
13) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
14) Donnell-led D4L's Laffy Taffy

Yvette said to me, "Why is it that the room is full of crazies?"

Dwayne said he's management now. I told him I'd believe it when I heard it from Donnell.