Sunday at the Classics
The Classics 4591 Allentown Rd., Camp Springs, MD 20746

Tiffany F. and Joanna were there.

Familiar Faces
Sound Check
1) Donnell acapella Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready
Tony was there.
2) Donnell acapella Sly & the Family Stone's Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (tease)

Like last Sunday, it took a while for the crowd to build, but eventually it was about the same size as last week.

First Set
1) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What Would You Do (for the Money)? - Donnell stood on the right speaker, there was an equipment case in front of the stage, blocking fans on the metal dance floor from getting right up to the railing
2) Halima-led Jill Scott's Cleva
Danielle (pinkprincess), Rochelle (Too Sweet), Nora, Shaun, and Peg Leg were there.
3) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - I was zoning out and completely missed the transition in songs, nice Dwayne and Smoke solos, it cranked
4) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell used his cell phone to signal the song to the band
5) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
6) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute", Donnell said, "Goddamn Jacques, rock the bell", Jacques played the cowbell up front, it cranked, Mike sang something, Donnell held his mic to the cowbell
7) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - Dwayne played rougher guitar riffs / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
Tijuana, Shameika, Gary, and 6'9 were there.

I noticed Mike had put out his jacket and headed to the front entrance. It turns out that he left the band. Donnell later said, "We recognize Mike's important contribution to the band, we wish him well in his future endeavors."

Peg Leg told me, "I'm going to buy three of those DVDs. One for my man, one for my mom, and one for me."

Second Set
The entire second set really cranked from beginning to end.
1) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny
2) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - this was when I really noticed that Mike had actually left (and not just gone outside) because two Sean songs in a row was unusual -->
3) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / 6 Minutes percussion solo / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
4) Donnell-led Prince's Take Me With You
RE Angie was there.
5) Alternating Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That / Percussion solo
6) Alternating Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick (debut with Sean singing) / Percussion solo - really long, the house lights came on / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
7) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Donnell said, "I'd like to be right in the middle of a heart attack, we'll be just like that", Dwayne played grinding guitar riffs

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

There was a line to get in for the first time I've noticed. Dee was in line. A guy named Josh introduced himself to me. Sharon, Ebo, Natalie, Monique, Tracy S., LA, 02, Black Heart, Sanisse, Yolanda, Big Cat, BY, James, Tiffany G., Shawn, Nia, Nita, and Tasty were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Alternating Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You - first time in a while / 6 Minutes percussion solo / Donnell-led Sly & the Family Stone's Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) - Donnell said, "We ain't even warming it up, we just parking the car.", Donnell called on Packy (who was playing a tambourine) to turn on the ceiling fan
Keisha, Jan, Tracy, MeCelle, Tiffany F., Ria, and Janetta were there.
2) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
3) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It
4) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
6) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
7) Donnell-led "Just another hate crime"
8) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!", Donnell said, "They're doing it by themselves, they don't need me..."
Peg Leg and Pinky were there.
9) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh - Sean sang
10) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - fans put their hands up at the appropriate time in the lyrics / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
11) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - Donnell said, "James want to sing something for his birthday.", Donnell joked, "Not that mic, that’s a brand new mic."
Donnell said that ladies are buying James drinks for his birthday, they're passing them up to him. Donnell joked that 6'9 got too much face time, the camera men couldn't soot over him. He also joked about how Los was all dressed up on Friday.

RE Angie, Stacy, Keisha and NeeNee were there.

Second Set
1) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Donnell said, "NeeNee, please don't stand there, we might have to dip out the door, she got the come get jeans on"
6'9 and Los were there.
2) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - DP held his mic to fans so they could sing / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!", Donnell said, "Say what?" / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
3) Donnell-led "___ on the Floor" / NORE's I'm a G - Sean rapped / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / Percussion solo - "Can we... tonight" / the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!", Donnell said, "Say what? What you want to do?", Donnell joked about James, "That's the problem, five minutes and he's done"
4) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
5) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - it cranked
6) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - the house lights came on
7) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
A girl named "Keisha pose" was there.
8) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is / Halima-led Luther Vandross' So Amazing (tease)
Angie W. was there.
9) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Donnell said, "We waiting for Tasty, she got everything back but the camels", Donnell joned on James, "He in the middle of the floor acting like a fool" / 6 Minutes percussion solo - Dwayne played guitar riffs from Trillville's Some Cut, Donnell said, "Let's see how long they can hold it," Halima sang, "If you call my name, I'll come running."
Shanti was there.

Live DVD recording
The Icon, 2106 Crain Hwy, Waldorf, MD 20601

I arrived at 7:45 - the additional travel time due to rush hour traffic was more than I thought. I watched a lot of set up work, then some rehearsing.


Setting up: Doc, Dwayne, Donnell, and DP

Doc had both his basses and had a discussion with Dwayne and Googie over which one (or both) he should use. Doc said that Dwayne changed his story over playing one of the models.

Doc, Googie, Dwayne, and Vincent


Video monitors


Setting up the lights: Packy, Donnell, Googie, and DP


The cameras: Jacques and Googie


Dwayne, DP, and Omar


Lorenzo and Godfather

Don Johnson of the film crew introduced himself to me. I also recognized the guy who had shown us at the Tradewinds the DVD of the video release party at the Fur. The cameras were DR DV5000s.

Halima had changer her hairdo.

Dave, Jay Floyd, Tony and his brother Ron were there.

Jamaica Steve, whom I hadn't even heard of before, was doing the opening monologue. He rehearsed it.


Lorenzo, Dwayne, Godfather, Jamaica Steve, Smoke, and Jacques
After I took his picture, he asked me to come back to the back dance room and take his picture with the DJ. There were fans back there; I guess they didn't want to let in all the fans while they rehearsed. Sharon, Danielle (Wellfhed), Imani (working), and Lashonda were there. The band rehearsed their step moves.


Lorenzo, Donnell, Godfather, Stomp, Mike, Smoke, DP, Doc, and Sean

James and Nikiya were there.

After they started letting people into the main performance room: Nita, her co-worker Roddy, Lisa of the World, Shawn, Jay113, Deezo, That44Dog, 02, Rochelle (Too Sweet), Misshaunte, Michon, Candy, lady$tyle$06, Tiffany F., Ria, Trina (of TMOTT), "original" Nikki, Ebony, Mona, Archie Paige, Peanut, and June were there. I introduced myself to regulars Keisha and Jan. KO was there.


Ria, Rickea, and Tiffany F.

Familiar Faces
First Set
The stage consisted of three levels: the frontline was on the floor, guitars (Doc and Dwayne) on the second level, and the keyboards and percussion on the highest level.
For the first set, the male members of the band wore the Seek Abundance dashikis they wore to the Night of Elegance and jeans. James was nice enough to bring his so that Sean could wear it. Doc and Dwayne wore the hoods.
The DJ (can't remember if it was Flexx or Rico) called for ladies up front.
Tracy S., Angie W., Chanel, and Mara were there.
1) Jamaica Steve did the opening monologue - onstage at the time were Jamaica Steve, Doc, Dwayne, Lorenzo, Godfather, and Stomp.

Lorenzo, Dwayne, Godfather, Jamaica Steve, Stomp, and Doc (Note: The Seek Abundance logos reflected the light)
2) Halima-led Sade's Pearls - Halima went onstage
3) Farafina Kan played marched with the rest of Familiar Faces from the front of the club to the stage
4) The frontline and Doc and Dwayne did step moves to samples played by Stomp
5) Alternating Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) / Percussion solo
Tamara was there.
6) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean rapped
7) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
8) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
9) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
10) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!", Mike held his mic to fans
RE Angie, Pinky, Mama Chelle, and March (celebrating her birthday) were there.
11) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You
Janetta was there.
12) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Donnell said, "By yourself ladies" and the ladies sang it / Prince's Sexy M.F. (tease) -->
13) Donnell-led Hold the Note / "___ Is here" / Smoke conga solo
Britney & Shelly were there.
14) They did dance moves
15) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - the red curtains came down and Donnell asked for two female fans to volunteer, Lisa of the World was in the left curtain, Chrissy (I introduced myself to her in the second set) was in the right curtain, Sean sang to Chrissy for a little bit
16) Donnell did announcements
Julia and Tata were there. I asked Tata about her band Reminisce. She said they play once a week and they play all genres; they are not a GoGo band.

Tijuana and Shameika were there. Kevin Lee was there, I said, "I found out you were Dwayne's older brother, I thought you were his younger brother." He laughed. L-Boogie, Peg Leg, Los (in a suit), Shadonna, Delano, 6'9 (who told me Maryland was beaten badly by BC), Ray, and Mia were there.

KO told me that people who hate GoGo really hate themselves. They don't want to acknowledge their own connection to Africa.

Second Set
It started late due to technical difficulties. The left camera also fell off its tripod and the camera man put it back on. The male band members changed their outfits, most wore blazers and fedoras.
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - there were problems with Sean's mic - at times you could see him singing, but not hear anything
2) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - Halima went to look for a supastar and brought Nikiya up onstage, he sat in the left chair
TT was there.
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease)
4) Donnell-led "___ on the Floor" / NORE's I'm a G - lots of crowd response, many fans put their hands up, Sean rapped
This was when I talked with Chrissy.
5) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean sang
6) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - the room lights brightened
8) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - Donnell invited fans to dance on stage (really the stage floor), prior to this the only fan dancing onstage was a guy I noticed dancing to the left of Lorenzo on the top level, the house lights blinked then came on / Sean-led Luther Vandross' So Amazing (tease)
TJ was there.
9) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - they fired the confetti cannon
Donnell said, "They're mad 'cause we did a little overtime."

The PA of this performance:

CD1
1) DJ intro :15
2) Steve monologue 1:09
3) Halima-led Sade's Pearls 5:02
4) Farfarina Kan 1:30
5) Drum samples / Alternating Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) / Percussion solo 7:31
6) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny 6:50
7) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House" / "Hey ay, Ho oh" / "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" 2:10
8) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized / Percussion solo 7:56
9) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You 3:37
10) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You / Prince's Sexy M.F. (tease) --> Donnell-led Hold the Note / "___ Is here" / Smoke conga solo 9:51
11) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind 6:40
52:31

CD2
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable 6:59
2) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / Percussion solo 6:40
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease) 7:26
4) Donnell-led "___ on the Floor" / NORE's I'm a G 4:33
5) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" 2:53
6) Donnell-led Trina Was Great 4:10
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That 3:33
8) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is 5:28
9) Sean-led Luther Vandross' So Amazing (tease) 3:30
10) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go 4:59
50:11

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

I talked with Yvette while waiting along. She talked about going to see Prince again on Sunday. They charged before 9 PM for the first time. You bought a ticket, which they took at the door. Yvette said she had gone with Donnell to see Prince in 2004. Candall was there.

The same female with striking dance moves who was here two weeks ago was here. The DJ said, "The dancing machine is back." Jalila wore the same outfit as last time and danced the whole night that I saw. Packy said, "That's not dancing, that's shadow boxing." Vic was there. Pinky and Tia were there. Felecia was there. I discussed the upcoming live recording and the recent Cleveland road trip and last year's Miami trip with her and Yvette. Darrell F., Kim, Junior, Danielle (Pinkprincess), and Rochelle (Too Sweet) were there. Rochelle introduced me to her friend Mitch. D Ball was there - this is his last week here. JuJu was there, celebrating her 24th birthday. Trina was there. I met a woman named LeeLee (spelling?). Missshaunte was there.

Familiar Faces used their light show again.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) The Roots' You Got Me - instrumental, different keyboard solos
James, Tony, "original" Nikki, Ebony, and Delano were there.
I may have missed a song as I was talked to Ebony and Nikki.
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
3) Alternating Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever / Percussion solo
4) Alternating Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You / Percussion solo
Shadonna was there.
5) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
Ebo and Kintrea were there. Darrell introduced me to Dawana (spelling?) and Kim. Shauny, the bartender, was there.
6) Mike-led O'Bryan's Lady I Love You
Donnell said they were going to do one more, going to old school.
7) Mike-led Prince's Condition of the Heart / Prince's Purple Rain
6'9, RE Angie, and Slick Rick were there. I met a woman named Dia who already knew my name.

Renee and Gary were there. I met a woman named Shawnie (spelling?). Shannon, Cookie, and Nikki were there.

Second Set
Donnell said about their upcoming live DVD recording tomorrow, "Fellas, Halima says she's going to... Halima says she's going to do something real exciting, it involves nudity."
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
2) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny
Peg Leg was there.
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
6) Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
8) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You / Percussion solo
9) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
10) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Donnell chanted "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
Kay and a friend of hers also named Kay, and GoGo Mickey were there.
11) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - Scooby sat in

Renee introduced me to her friend Tammy, who was celebrating her birthday.

Mona was there, with her friends, Stephanie, and Tasha were there. Tamiko and Imani (now with black hair) were there. Darrell introduced me to his "next wife" Gwynn.

6'9 called a friend and confirmed Maryland won their opening ACC Tournament game.

Lorenzo introduced me to Arvell, the drummer for Soundproof Band.

This was the most packed I've ever seen it. It was so hot with body heat that I spent most of my time under fans. My hair, as people pointed out to me, was heavily affected by the heat.

Third Set
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
2) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - it cranked
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
Another woman named Keisha was there.
4) Donnell-led "___ on the Floor" / NORE's I'm a G - it cranked, Sean rapped
Choo Choo, Keisha, and NeeNee were there.
5) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
Roe was there.
6) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean sang
7) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - GoGo Mickey played a fixed cowbell on Jacques' set up
Stinky Dink was there.
8) Donnell-led It Is What It Is - Donnell said, "We got to get out of here, just a quick rehearsal" - Mickey played timbales / Sean-led? Luther Vandross' So Amazing (tease)
9) Mike-led Ne-Yo's So Sick (tease)
10) Dwayne guitar solo
Packy told me that Jermaine is his cousin.

As I walked down the steps, Lisa (who often frowns) walked up the stairs. I said, "Smile" and the guy with her laughed.

Familiar Faces' last show at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Darrell F., Paulette, Baba, June, Sharika, Monique, Dee, Jazz, Tony, DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy), Gary, Netty, Darrell, Kimberly, Stacey, Tamara, Tim (LJ), Chris, and Angie W. were there. Darrell gave me a CD-R of photos he took on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame bus trip. I have updated those entries with the new photos.

They started late because Googie was late. They revived their light and smoke show. Part of the reason for that is that Donnell announced that this would be their last show at Takoma Station as they would be playing Wednesdays at Safari Steakhouse starting next week.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Halima-led Sade's Pearls
2) Sean-led John Legend's Ordinary People

Smoke, Jacques, Doc, Sean, Stomp
Tracy S. was there.
3) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Golden Lady

Smoke, Jacques, Mike, Stomp, Donnell
Kato was there.
4) Mike-led O'Bryan's Lady I Love You - first time in a while, Mike said to the ladies, "For twenty-four years, you have been my inspiration. Without you, I would feel nothing at all. I love you and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.", Mike sang on the dance floor
5) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden - this was the first song that the whole frontline participated in
Tiffany F. (first and last time), Rochelle (Too Sweet), Neita, and Marvin were there.
6) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
Donnell called up Tamara "a member of the family" to sing.
7) Tamara-led Vivian Green's Emotional Roller Coaster
I introduced myself to Tiffany S. (she had changer her hairdo and color)
Donnell said, "We'll pull put all the stops in the two years we've played here. We're going to play all our favorite songs here. It's our last week here, next week we'll be at Safari Steakhouse."
8) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - I danced with Tiffany F., Sean rapped
9) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine - Donnell said, "This is where Halima knocked us off our feet. Do you remember that Tamara?"
Nikiya, Nora, Causcasi (spelling?), Crystal, Shaun, and Dana were there.

Second Set
1) ? - I talked with Tiffany S. about our efforts to promote GoGo, so I didn't catch what they performed
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva / Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Superstition
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - Sean sang on the dance floor
4) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - it cranked / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes - Donnell said, "We've been playing here for two years. This is where we met you Angie, etc.", Caucasi said to me, "This is the picture right here (a girl sleeping with her head on the table). She needs to stay home with the children." / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease)
GoGo Mickey was there.
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - Sean's improved at the Roll Call dance, GoGo Mickey played congas, first standing on the dance floor with Smoke also playing, then went onstage and sat in, the house lights came on (I was surprised it was so late already)

Smoke, GoGo Mickey, Jacques
7) Mike-led Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go
Roe was there.
8) Mike-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Packy said to me, "Mickey f*cked up"
Trina was there.
9) Mike-led Lap Dance - Smoke played congas, GoGo Mickey played timbales, Jacques played the cowbell

Smoke, GoGo Mickey
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Used to Let the Pocket Ride - Donnell said, "Hey Andre!", Donnell said, "I want to thank my man Mickey" / Percussion solo
11) Mike-led Ne-Yo's So Sick (debut)
Shaun, Caucasi, Crystal, Nora
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

Sunday at the Classics
The Classics 4591 Allentown Rd., Camp Springs, MD 20746

Ronald and Tony were there. The crowd was very small at the beginning, but eventually it was as big as last week.

Donnell was listening to the prerecorded music. He asked, "Who is this? Ms. Kim? Yeah!"
Halima sang along with William Devaughn's Be Thankful for What You Got during her sound check.

Tracy S. was there. She told me she had been there on Wednesday, but had left early. Ro'chelle (Too Sweet), Danielle (Pinkprincess), Sherray (Always Showtime!!), and Joy were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Alternating Bobby Valentino's Slow Down / Percussion solo
Sanisse and Yolanda were there.
2) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again - it cranked -->
L-Boogie, June, and Shawn were there.
3) Alternating Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Donnell stood on the right speaker / Percussion solo - it cranked
Slick Rick was there.
4) Donnell-led "___ Is up in Here" / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / "Just another hate crime" - Dwayne played prominent guitar riffs, Jacques played the cowbell, it cranked
Britney & Shelly, and Kim were there.
5) Donnell-led "___ on the Floor" / NORE's I'm a G - it cranked, Sean rapped
Peg Leg was there.
6) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
Lolo and Sheena were there (with Kim). Chris, Choo Choo, and her friend Keisha and her cousin Stacy, and Nicole, the bartender at Tradewinds was there. I talked with Nicole, she said she doesn't want a reputation as giving really stiff drinks that knock people out, she doesn't want to hurt anyone. Julie, Joy's friend, introduced herself to me.

Doc talked about how he felt uncomfortable - he had forgotten his bass, so he was playing with Lorenzo's.

Second Set
Donnell immediately stood on the right speaker again.
1) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It - Too Sweet, Pinkprincess and Always Showtime!! were joning on the dancing of men and women, Always Showtime!! said of a man's dancing, "He better be drunk"
2) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable -->
3) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - Donnell said, "L-Boogie, it's your birthday!", Halima said, "Wait a minute" and Donnell responded, "Do you hear your girl trying to imitate me?", it cranked / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
4) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Too Sweet said to me, "They need to give you a tambourine."
5) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean sang, Donnell rapped
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Donnell said, "Who sold him that" about the dancing of the same guy Always Showtime!! was making fun of, the house lights came on
7) Alternating Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Donnell said, "Is it like that, is it really like that?" / Donna Summer's Love to Love You, Baby (tease) / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
8) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
9) Lorenzo played something on his keyboards

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

Tony, BY, Fat Cat, Mike Smith, Godfather, Stomp, Packy, and Omar were standing outside. Kintrea, Natalie, Ebo, her friend Angie, Tyrell, Arielle, Shawn, "original" Nikki, Archie Paige, Mama Chelle, March, and Kay were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell talked about their upcoming live DVD recording, "Don't be late, Halima's got a hello of an intro, it involves nudity..." Halima protested. Donnell said, "Halima's... yes, she was already collecting dollars last week."
Sharon was there.
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - it cranked -->
2) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean rapped, it cranked
6'9 was there.
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Alternating Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / Percussion solo
James was there.
6) Donnell-led "___ on the Floor" / NORE's I'm a G - Donnell said, "Oh my my my", it cranked, Sean rapped
L-Boogie, Ray, Tiffany F., and Tamika were there.
7) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell shouted, "Yes!" repeatedly, Donnell chanted, "___ is Yes!"
Peg Leg was there.
8) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
9) Mike-led Raheem DeVaughn's Ask Yourself - first time in a while - the dance floor cleared
RE Angie, Los, and Slick Rick were there.

Tracy was there.

Second Set
Mike talked about how packed it was, he said, "Someone grabbed my ass." DP (in an altered low deep voice) said, "It was me."
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
2) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "L-Boogie, it's your birthday!" / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
Joanna and Delano were there.
4) Donnell & Mike-led Rare Essence's Working the Walls
5) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
6) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time / Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease) - "La di da di, we likes to party, Hey Slick Rick, Familiar Faces likes to Party", Peg Leg chanted, "Southeast, South, Southeast" / "Brandywine, Friends of Mine" chant", Donnell said, "I wish I could be this feeling", Donnell said, "Throw your hands up"
7) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean sang, Donnell rapped, Donnell said, "Let the beat work, let it ride"
8) Alternating Donnell-led Trina Was Great / Donna Summer's Love to Love You, Baby (tease) - the house lights came on / Mike sang something
9) Alternating Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - it cranked / a female fan sang Ashlee Simpson's Pieces of Me - Lorenzo played music from Tom Browne's Funkin' for Jamaica
10) Donnell acapella Ashlee Simpson's Pieces of Me - Mike said, "When motherf*cker's got a sensitive ear and someone's singing off-key, it sounds like a dog whistle", Sean laughed
Donnell said, "Turn it back on: Tyrell's got a phone call, you know what, supposed to be home at 2:50, it's three o'clock."

4Sho at the Louisiana Bar & Grill
Louisiana Bar & Grill, 14933 Baltimore Ave, Laurel, MD 20707

I introduced myself to Tidy, he introduced me to Dogpound. Rockin' Ron was there, he said we met at the CFE for the Little Benny reunion. Ms. Minnie Me was there, I didn't recognize her because she was laid back. Adia was there, I didn't know she was no longer with 4Sho. She told me she is now with Soul Sponge. She was there to support one of the vocalists, Tyreke, a friend of hers. Nataki (~butterflies~) and Dey were there.

They were late starting because Sean forgot his bass.

4Sho
First Set
The line up was: Wayne "Showtime" (lead vocals), Tyreke (vocals), Keith (guitar and vocals), Tamarkia (female vocals), Tidy (lead talker and trumpet), KO (sax), Sean (bass guitar), Tom Tom (keyboards), Juan (drummer), Lefty (congas), and DeAngelo “Dogpound” (toms and blocks).
Tidy and Keith wore 4Sho shirts that were obviously made by Ras Lidj.

Keith, Lefty, Tyreke, Showtime, Tamarkia, Dogpound, KO, Tidy, Juan


Juan, Sean, Tom Tom, Tidy
They had spotlights on the left side that alternated: red, green, and yellow.
1) Showtime-led "Lady, you..." - nice harmony
2) Tamarkia-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - very different from the original
3) Showtime-led "Love is supposed to be..." - Showtime went on the dance floor, it cranked
D Ball was there.
4) Showtime-led Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot - it cranked
5) Tyreke-led Dru Hill's In My Bed - Dogpound had a vocal mic as well (and sang)
6) Keith-led "If you love... changed to a stranger, but if you had..."
7) Tamarkia-led Alicia Keys' a Woman's Worth
8) Tamarkia-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - Tamarkia said, "Clap your hands everybody" repeatedly, it cranked
9) Tamarkia-led Erykah Badu's On & On
10) Tyreke-led ?

The crowd grew larger.

Second Set
Tidy called them 4Sho Band & Show

Keith, Tyreke, Rockin' Ron (with camera), Lefty, Tamarkia, Showtime, Dogpound, KO


KO, Tidy, Tom Tom
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
1) Tidy-led "Roll with it" - it cranked, Tidy said, "Tell them we got to party, all we want is to party", Dogpound played the cowbell
2) Showtime-led "Three, Four, One... Three, Three, Three
3) Showtime-led "The In Crowd" - Dogpound played timbales
4) Alternating Tyreke-led Kanye West's Gold Digger / Tidy-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - that was a surprise to me
5) Keith-led Lil Wayne?'s Fireman, Tidy said, "We on fire tonight", Tidy said, "Let the beat work, rock with it"
6) Alternating Terror Squad's Lean Back / Showtime-led Usher's Yeah! - Showtime stood on a chair on the dance floor / Purple Ribbon All-Stars' Kryptonite - it cranked
7) Trillville's Some Cut - Tidy held his mic to fans, He did shout outs to me and others from TMOTT, He said, "Pop the clutch, beat the hell out of the clutch"
8) Instrumental - horns and guitar outtro
I like how they definitely have their own sound - in the covers they perform, they definitely have their own musical stamp, not trying to play the covers as they are. They do crank.

A thread on this and the next night's 4Sho performances

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

Yvette, Big Don Pimp (celebrating his birthday, with also a private party upstairs), Cookie, and Darrell F. were there. Darrell F. introduced me to Pinky's sister Rachelle. I recognized her as a regular (and as looking like Pinky). I talked with Vaughn "Drunk" who works with Packy on setting up the equipment. He said he plays drums for Unity, the band that Packy plays congas for. Ras Lidj was there. He said he was waiting for his category as the DC Reggae Awards were downstairs. Again guys were playing chess the whole evening. Pinky was there with two young ladies I'd never met before - April "JuJu", and her (Pinky’s) god daughter Tia. Kim, RE Angie, and Keisha were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell said, "Happy Birthday to Don Pimp."
1) Mother's Day - Donnell played his Sax on the dance floor
Tony, Blue of Y2K, and Stacy were there.
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know - Halima said, "Happy birthday Googie!"
Michelle (DeeDee's cousin) and Felecia were there.
3) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You
Shanti was there.
4) Mike-led Glenn Lewis' Don't You Forget It
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Cleva? / Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Superstition
6) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes

Yvette talked with Dwayne and me about how she had seen Prince in Philadelphia last night, promoting a singer named Tamar.

Second Set
Donnell said, "This is the Grown & Sexy. If you ain't grown or sexy, we'll have security take you out."
1) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease)
2) Alternating Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It / Percussion solo
Thi Lai was there.
Nora and Shaun were there. Shaun told me she was Chocoltchp's older sister.
3) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny
I talked with Thi Lai. She was very appreciative of my helping to promote Mambo Sauce and has read my website.
Ebo and Slick Rick were there.
4) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is in the House" / Percussion solo - Dwayne played power chords
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
6'9 was there.
6) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
Natalie and Kintrea were there.
7) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
Sharmba Mitchell and Tiffany F. were there. Tiffany said to me, "My name's not Tiffany, it's Kal'el." I was introduced to her friend Joanna.
8) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love / Rare Essence's Spotlight
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease)
10) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel
Nece was there.
11) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean sang
12) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
A woman named Ebony introduced herself to me.

Darrell, Simone, Nece and I further discussed the bus trip.

Third Set
I was talking to someone so I missed at least one song.
2) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
4) Alternating Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - interrupted by a fight / "___ on the Floor"
Kay was there.
5) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - they added an intro
6) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
Donnell did a shout out to someone from Rare Essence there, but I didn't catch who it was
7) Alternating Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Donnell said, "Fellas, if you can leave a little early we'll play for the ladies" / 6 Minutes percussion solo - it cranked
Donnell said, "I don't know what you done to my voice. I might have to sing it (not sure what he referred to), Kal'el won't, I might have to sing it. I want to play it, Halima told me not to sing it. Shut her down." Halima said on Donnell's mic, "Shut him off." Donnell joked, "We might need a new singer."
BY was there.
Donnell said, "Tiffany, you're through. That's your third week on that side of the stage."

Googie's & Sheena's birthdays at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Darrell F., Paulette, Marvin (celebrating his birthday), Kimberly, Darrell, Vonshawn, June, and Tamara were there.

Halima had changed her hairdo, she has big hair. I kidded her that she was jealous of Sweet Cherie's hair at the Best Western show.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Mike Smith played drums tonight.
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic - Jacques played congas and Packy played the cowbell, it cranked
Tim (LJ) was there.
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know - Donnell said, "We're taking it back, we haven't done this in a while, she's got another six inches (because of her hairdo)
Tony was there.
Donnell said, "We're going to let Kal'el do something. We go Richard Gross (of the Moments) in the building that's his father, his daddy y'all."
3) Sean-led John Legend's Ordinary People - Sean sang on the dance floor, Smoke arrived and took on congas
4) Sean-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man - Sean stayed on the dance floor, it cranked, Jacques played the cowbell, Dwayne played some guitar riffs from It Is What It Is, members of Farafina Kan walked in carrying drums, one was the size of a trash can (which is what I thought it was until he got closer), Donnell said, "We got a surprise for you coming up in a few seconds."
Shadonna and Ray were there.
5) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Golden Lady - Donnell said, "Donny Ray, that's my man.", Donnell said, "Where you at, Diallo?", Mike sang on the dance floor
Dana and Kim were there.
Donnell discussed Familiar Faces' upcoming live DVD recording at the Icon on March 10th. He talked about the roots of GoGo music being from Africa. He said Farafina Kan was going to be at the live recording.
6) Farafina Kan - four male drummers (three with drums on neck straps and the large drum I mentioned above, played on its side, none of their instruments had mics set up) - percussion solo, then Dwayne and Doc joined in on, Donnell said "This is where we came from y'all." -->
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Farafina Kan continued to play, the drummers played a foundation rhythm, Halima sang, "Ooh la...", Halima sang some other lines, Donnell shouted, "Yeah!" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Where you at Smoke?", Smoke played a vicious conga solo, Farafina Kan showed him some appreciation, they finished playing and I went up to one of their members to get their name (spelled correctly) and a woman with them wrote Farafina Kan "The Sound of Africa"
8) Donnell & Mike-led Lap Dance
I introduced myself to Monique and Dee, two regulars.
9) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean sang on the dance floor
10) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes

Kim and Lolo walked in as I walked out during the break. I hurried over to my car to confirm that Maryland beat Miami, which they did.

Sean confirmed that his Dad, a professor, was an original member of the Moments.

Kato drove past, Mike said, "What's up Grady?"

Dwayne said, "Kato's looking so old, he's got to stop telling people that story about how I gave him his first guitar."

When I walked in, Danielle was with Kim and Lolo. Lolo introduced me to her friend Sheena, celebrating her 21st birthday.

6'9, Angie, and a woman I met named Nikki were there.

Second Set
Kim wanted Donnell to do a birthday shout out to Sheena; he got her name wrong at first. Donnell said, "I got Sheena, Kim you didn't have to ride the metro bus over here."
1) Halima-led Happy Birthday - Halima sang it for Googie's birthday, Donnell said, "I don't know about Big G, Gregory Burton", Donnell said, "She sang that well... and the mic was so loud, I wonder why?"
2) Alternating Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - the ceiling fans came on / Percussion solo
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
4) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / Percussion solo - Smoke played the congas and Jacques the timbales / Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - Packy played a tambourine / Donnell-led "___ Is in the House" / Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - GoGo Mickey sat in on timbales, a female fan danced with Donnell -->
7) Percussion solo - GoGo Mickey played congas, the crowd shouted, "GoGo Mick-ay" and Donnell said, "Say what?", Jacques played the cowbell, Donnell said, "Oh oh", Donnell said, "Mick-ay"
8) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Donnell said, "Lolo, Kim, Danielle, Sheena, it's your birthday!"
Benjiy was there
9) Alternating Halima-led Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hook Me Upa - first time in a while, the house lights came on
10) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Smoke played congas and GoGo Mickey played the cowbell, it cranked, Donnell played with Halima's hair, Godfather played a sample from Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) / Sean-led ? "Feel it deep in my heart"
Roe and Dave were there.

Sunday at the Classics
The Classics 4591 Allentown Rd., Camp Springs, MD 20746

Yvette, Felecia, Ro'chelle (Toosweet), and Sherray (Always Showtime!!) were there. Bobby Smoot was there, fixing the speakers. Shawn was there. She said she wanted to see the real (Classics' Sunday) crowd since last week there was a holiday on Monday. The crowd was understandably smaller than last week. Tony was there.

Familiar Faces
Sound Check
1) Donnell acapella Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready (tease)
2) Blues instrumental
3) Instrumental - grooving
4) Sly & the Family Stone's If You Want Me to Stay - instrumental

First Set
1) Alternating Mike-led Glenn Lewis' Don't You Forget It - Donnell joked, "Bobby Smoot had some technical difficulties, it was not the band", Bobby Smoot smiled / Percussion Solo - Donnell said to some woman at the bar to the right of the entrance, "You better turn and face or I'm going to talk about you all night.", it cranked
Gary and Sanisse were there.
2) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It - it cranked / Donnell-led "___ Is in the House" (same music)
John and June were there.
3) Alternating Percussion solo - then keyboard riffs were added / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / Donnell-led "It's another hate crime, somebody's got to do the time", Godfather briefly played keyboard riffs from Rare Essence's Body Snatchers / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Hate crime" repeatedly
4) Alternating Donnell-led "___ on the floor" / NORE's I'm a G - Donnell stood on the right speaker, Donnell said, "Oh my my my", Sean rapped, it cranked / Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease)
Slick Rick was there
5) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
Yolanda and "original" Nikki were there. I danced with and introduced myself to Byrd. She said she recognized me from the bus trip.
6) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved Mike did the "Ten for ten", and said, "We'll take a short beak" since Donnell had his Sax, not his mic on the speaker.

Second Set
Donnell said, "Special dedication to everyone to came out to the Tradewinds last night. Do you hear me Bird?"
1) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean stood on the left speaker, Donnell stood on the right speaker / Percussion solo - it cranked, the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!", Donnell said, "Say what? What you say?", Mike said, "Get on down Brandywine, friends of mine", Mike said, "You don't pay your child support" and sang "Shame on you", he added more spoken lines that followed with sung "Shame on you" -->
Peg Leg was there.
2) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You - Mike called out names of crews
3) Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
4) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - it really cranked
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease) - a woman named Nicole called me down to dance with her, I danced with her and Kiana (a singer)
6) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls / Donnell-led Dem Franchize Boyz' Lean With It Rock With It (tease) - Donnell chanted, "We're going to lean with it", He would chant, "Lean with it" and the rest of the front line responded, "Rock with it" repeatedly / Dem Franchise Boyz' I Think They Like Me (tease, same music)
7) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - the house lights came on, Donnell said, "Start the busy baby", Donnell said, "I wanted to go to a pocket, but Stomp had an emergency. Stomp gotta go right now."
Donnell started to say something about Vincent and he turned off Donnell's mic.

Another description

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

Although I had taken pictures of the Mambo Sauce show, I didn't bring my camera in to Tradewinds because I wanted to have fun. It turned out it would have been logistically difficult anyway due to how packed it was. I was earlier than usual. The difficult (to find a parking space) parking situation returned. When I walked in, Ebo said hello to me. She had shaved her head. She was with her friend Cyangela (spelling?). Britney and Shelly, and Tasty were there.

Cindy was there.

Shawnisse (Ebo's friend), Sanisse, Yolanda, Nita, RE Angie, Tracy, Archie Paige, Arielle, and James were there.

Sherray (Always Showtime!!) and Danielle (Pinkprincess) were there. I talked with them about the Mambo Sauce show. I later told Pinkprincess that it was good that she didn't go to the Mambo Sauce show since Thi Lai wore the same shirt as she did.

Ebony and Cyanne rapped. Ebo told me a story about Shawnisse. Ebo had bought her a zombie at a Rare Essence show and she passed out against a pillar in the middle of the dance floor. Shawnisse said, "I was just napping." Janetta, Tiffany F., Renee, Shawn, her cousin Nia, Ebony and "original" Nikki were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Sean wore a Superman shirt.
1) Alternating Mike-led Glenn Lewis' Don't You Forget It - James was on backup vocals / Percussion solo - there was a nice crank, especially Charlie on the cowbell
Donnell said, "Let it come y'all"
Shauny, the bartender, and Mona were there.
2) Alternating Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It - Mike said of Donnell, "He put on the headband early" / Percussion solo
Regi was there.
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
Shameika was there.
4) Donnell-led "It's another hate crime, somebody's got to do the time", he added some lyrics from Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon, Smoke played a nice conga solo
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Renee danced with Charlie / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
Sharon was there.
6) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls - Smoke played timbales, Donnell chanted, "We're going to lean with it", He would chant, "Lean with it" and the rest of the front line responded, "Rock with it" repeatedly, Renee danced with Donnell / 50 Cent's In Da Club
Tata and Pinky (dyed hair) were there.
7) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - fans put their hands up at the appropriate time in the lyrics / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
Tony was there.
Donnell said, "Sorry about the hairdos (because of the heat). We're trying to get them to turn the air conditioning on."
Even thought I had my jacket on during the Mambo Sauce show, I was much hotter with my jacket off at Tradewinds due to the packed house.

Peg Leg was there.

Mike pointed out to James that they were wearing the same shirt.

Slick Rick and Shanti were there.

I said to Tata that it's been a while since she came out last. She said she was working. I asked her where, she said in a band called Reminisce.

Second Set
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
2) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - ladies sang it / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood" / Percussion solo
Ray was there.
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
4) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - interrupted. Donnell said, "Hey fellas, I know it's hot, hey ladies, I know it's hot, cut that 'Bama sh*t. This is the grown & sexy, not Romper Room. We ain't beating our feet.", Mike said, "Another thing, let the ladies go upfront. I prefer to be behind them anyway. You should see the looks on the faces when you're bogarting them." Donnell said, "The Neon's down the street. We might make it twenty-five and older next week" - a bunch of people cheered Donnell said, "We aren't going back to that yet, let's do a slow song."
5) Alternating Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Donnell said, "Oh my my my", it cranked, Sean rapped, Halima said, "Uh oh" repeatedly / "___ on the Floor"
6) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean sang
7) Alternating Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That (reprise) / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smok1", Donnell said, "Say what? What y'all say? What you want me to do?", Halima said of Smoke, "You are making blush y'all", the house lights came on, Some guy kept throwing crumpled dollars onto the stage, it really cranked / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease)
Tijuana was there. I teased her about her different hair color. Roe was there.
8) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Donnell said, "On behalf of Dave and the people of Tradewinds, we appreciate you coming out. There's a lot places you could go.", Donnell said, "Fellas, y'all could roll out.", Halima sang, "Ooh, ooh" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Gimme a socket, that's all. Charlie, Smoke, and Stomp.", Donnell said, "Shut 'em off. They're trying to be disrespectful."
9) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
10) Stomp briefly played samples
Security said, "We are closed." Halima repeated it.

Mambo Sauce at Jammin' Java
Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave, Vienna, VA 22180

Jammin' Java is in mall (Glyndon Plaza). Mambo Sauce was opening for SOJA's album release party. I immediately noticed a bunch of white kids coming out of Jammin' Java. I walked in and there was a line for Tickets/Reservations. They had a list of names of people who had paid and rather than give physical tickets, they used hand stamps. It was eighteen and up and the crowd was overwhelmingly white, it looked like a college alternative music crowd. They said to someone ahead of me that they were sold out, that they had sold over three hundred tickets. I asked a guy who turned out to be the manager to get Red. He said he'd wait until it was a little less busy. Black Heart and Chenke came up and I told them the situation. Black Heart called Red. He said Red would get the manager to let us buy tickets, which he did, but after Mambo Sauce had already started playing.

Mambo Sauce - started at 8:50 PM (Red had sent me an email via myspace saying that they were hitting at 9 PM, them being early is a rarity in GoGo)
Red had told me on February 9th that they had finally added the cowbell, that Thi Lai would be playing it. As Bruce Dickson said, "I have a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell." This was the first performance with it, adding the key missing element in my opinion. Both Black Boo and Thi Lai played the cowbell tonight.
The line up was: "Black Boo" Duncan (vocals and cowbell), Thi Lai Simpson (vocals and cowbell), Drew White (guitar), Khari Pratt (bass), Chris Wright (keyboard), Barry Talbert (drums), and "Lil Pep" Cole (percussion).
Black Boo said, "Buy us a drink"
1) Black Boo-led Things Will Get Better - Black Heart, Chenke and I were in the front of the club, about fifty-some feet from the stage when they started, then we bought tickets and walked in, I stood over by the right side, about ten feet from the stage, I didn't start taking pictures until I noticed other people doing so
2) Thi Lai-led Sweet Baby "Yes you are, sweet baby" - Black Boo said, "I want all the mothers to..." and women in the crowd responded, not too many people were dancing except in the very front, Black Boo said, "How many of you know about GoGo up in here?" - about half the audience responded affirmatively
3) Thi Lai-led Fairweather "Where you..." - Black Boo played the cowbell, it cranked / Percussion solo

Lil' Pep, Drew, Chris, Black Boo, Thi Lai, Khari
4) Thi Lai-led "I know I am, you told me..." - Black Boo rapped, Chi Ali sat in, Chi Ali chanted, "GoGo for Red?, Hey Ho" and the crowd responded, Chi Ali said, "Everybody in the club, hands up!" and the crowd did, they swayed from side to side, Chi Ali said, "This is GoGo right here.", Chi Ali chanted, "What you going to do with that junk in the trunk" repeatedly, Chi Ali said, "Everybody say, 'We love GoGo'" and the crowd responded, Chi Ali chanted, "Hey ay, Ho oh", Chi Ali left

Lil' Pep, Drew, Chris, Black Boo, Chi Ali, Barry, Thi Lai, Khari
5) Thi Lai-led "Get low, Get low" - Black Boo played the cowbell, it cranked, the song was keyboard driven
6) Black Boo-led Love Them Jeans "I just want to... 36, 24, 36, This dirty chick..." - Black Boo rapped, Black Boo said, "All the girls with the tight girls, try to dance like you're trying to loosen them", Thi Lai danced, Black Boo said, "Work it Thi", much more of the crowd was dancing by this time, there was applause at the end of the song
Black introduced the band, Black Boo said, "I'm Black Boo, I'm the co-host, with the beautiful lady Thi Lai" people shouted, Black Boo said, "You didn't yell when I introduced myself". Barry played a solo when Black Boo introduced him. Black Boo said they have a song that's playing on the radio, Damn Joe. Black Boo asked the crowd to call in requests for it. Thi Lai announced the numbers to call in.
Black Boo announced their next show, also with SOJA, on March, 17 2006 at IOTA Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201
7) Black Boo-led Damn Joe - Black Boo said, "At what school do you go to?", He called out names of schools, then he said, "who's in the work force" and there was some response, Black Boo then said, "Who goes to school, but doesn't really go to school?" and that got the biggest response, Thi Lai played the cowbell

Lil' Pep, Chris, Drew, Black Boo, Barry, Thi Lai, Khari
8) Black Boo-led Senorita - it had a Caribbean flavor, Black Boo sang addressing Thi Lai and vice versa, Black Boo said, "Anyone know how to do anything but the two step?", then they played much faster, there were different keyboard riffs

Lil' Pep, Drew, Chris, Black Boo, Thi Lai, Khari
9) Thi Lai-led Cool Points - Black Boo and Thi Lai danced together, it cranked, fans put their hands up, Black Boo said, "Hey y'all" and the fans put their hands up
10) Black Boo-led Oh Lawdy "You never asked for money... finer things like Polo..." - Boo rapped, it was keyboard driven, Lil Pep briefly played the roto-toms
11) Thi Lai-led Go "We run this town, We run this city" - Thi Lai said, "This song is about DC", Black Boo said, "Put your hands up, we want some unity", Thi Lai said, "George Bush don't run this", Lil Pep briefly played the roto-toms, Black Boo said, "I love the crowd response", it really cranked
12) Thi Lai & Black Boo-led Long Time Comin' "You were struggling" "Y'all got... on this" - guitar driven (power chords), Black Boo, Thi Lai, and fans put their hands up, Black Boo said, "Let me see all your hands" - the fans held their hands up and swayed from side to side, the song became more laid back, largely Lil Pep on congas, then returned to crank, Drew played a solo, he played the guitar with his teeth, there was lots of applause, Chris played other keyboard riffs, Khari and Drew played an outtro Black Boo asked, "Do you want one more?" and the crowd responded affirmatively. Black Boo said, "This is our bread. It's called Mambo."
13) Black Boo-led M.A.M.B.O. - It was almost like a march, the cadence was building, Lil Pep played the roto-toms (not briefly like before), Thi Lai said, "Let me see your hands" and most of the crowd put their hands up

Lil' Pep, Drew, Chris, Black Boo, Thi Lai, Khari
Thi Lai and Black Boo both said, "Give it up for SOJA."

Since they were done a little after 10 PM, I decided to leave and go see Familiar Faces at Tradewinds. I said good bye to Red and headed out.

Another fan's description

Friday at the Icon
The Icon, 2106 Crain Hwy, Waldorf, MD 20601

For some reason, they had us go in the side entrance. Nicole was still working at the front entrance.

John was there. We talked. A woman named Latasha, who said she was from South Carolina by way of Florida, introduced herself to me. Yvette, Felecia, Tony, Lashonda, Shawn (monitor), and Tyrell were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell said, "Rico gave you a sample of the music he strips to at the Hangar Club. Monday through Thursday, check him out." DJ Rico said, "Just wait until I get on the radio Sunday." Donnell said, "He works on the lunch shit."
1) They started to perform the music to Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) / Alternating Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Lashonda, I'm glad to see you. I thought we wasn't going to see you after we left the Safari. By the way, we're going to start playing there on Wednesdays soon.", Donnell said, "Rico don't wear nothing but a thong and a HOBO head band." / Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
2) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean rapped
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
4) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - "Go Tina, It's your birthday!"
5) Donnell shouted "Yeah!" repeatedly / Donnell-led "It's another hate crime, somebody's got to do the time. They're guilty of a hate crime, somebody's got to do the time.", it cranked, initially it was just over percussion, then Donnell said, "Hey Dwayne, Hey Doc, Hey Smoke!" repeatedly, Godfather and Lorenzo added some keyboard riffs
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
8) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You (tease)
Gary was there.
9) Donnell-led Hold the Note - it cranked / Smoke conga solo / Halima-led Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
10) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - Donnell said, "Where you at, Tyrell?" Tyrell said, "What?" Donnell said, "Where you at, Tyrell? You scared?" Tyrell said, "Whatever.", Tyrell walked off the dance floor and later went onstage and danced, Donnell said, "I guess you weren't scared."
A white woman asked me what I was doing there. I get asked that a lot, but this is the first time a white person asked me that.
Donnell said, "Where you at Rico (to start playing music during the break), did Rico go to the Hangar Club already?" DJ Rico said, "Donnell, you my n*gger. Later he'll be hanging from the chandelier, Sax in one hand and light rod in the other. Tomorrow he'll be dancing with the mic stand between his toes.

Los and Maya were there.

Second Set
Donnell said, "Ladies, if you want to see Rico take it off..." DJ Rico said, "You can see Donnell on Comcast 76 tomorrow. Twenty-four hour marathon starting at 8 AM. (DJ Rico mentioned different channels for different cable systems). Pay-per-view $19.95 with $35 for shipping." Mike said, "Somebody said they're going to have old Chance Band clips on there."
T-Bird and RE Angie were there.
1) The Temptations' My Girl (tease) - instrumental
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - Sean sang at the edge of the stage, it cranked
6'9 was there.
4) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
5) Donnell-led "___ on the Floor" / NORE's I'm a G - Donnell said, "Oh my my my", Sean rapped, "That's when I saw you at the bar...", Halima watched Smoke playing congas, it cranked
6) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Los (celebrating his birthday) danced onstage (and continued to for most of the rest of the set)
7) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Donnell & Mike-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls - Smoke played timbales, Jacques played congas with drumsticks, Tina danced with Mike, the song was reduced to just bass, keyboards and cymbals
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Donnell called DJ Rico onstage, DJ Rico danced, Donnell said, "Hey Los, It's your birthday!", Tyrell danced onstage, Donnell said, "Give it to him Tyrell!", the lyrics were sparse -->
9) Donnell-led Hey Tyrell (Miss Keta) Do Your Dance for Me - Donnell did verses for Tyrell, Tina, Lashonda, RE Angie, and Pam
10) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
11) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Donnell said, "Give me a pocket y'all" it cranked, Donnell said, "I don't know what y'all doing, we're supposed to get on up out of here", there were different keyboard riffs, Donnell said to the fans, "If you're all tired, you can go home", Donnell said, "I don't know why we're still here" / Percussion solo - Packy was playing the cowbell, Donnell said, "Hey Dana, It's your birthday!" / Stomp solo / keyboard riffs
12) Instrumental - just grooving, they were still playing as the equipment guys broke down the congas Donnell said, "Rico, a lady wants to know what's your stage name and your website."
It was Dana's birthday. I recognized her as a regular who was on the bus trip (on the other bus).

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

When I arrived at Zanzibar, there was a long line. Ro'chelle (Toosweet), Danielle (Pinkprincess) and Sherray (Always Showtime!!) were already in it. Darrell F. arrived while I was still in line. He said that even though he was in line at 8:39, he didn't get inside until 9 PM and that they charged him. He said they are trying to limit the number of people who get in free, but speculated that they will not have as big crowds because of it. Once inside, all five of us discussed the bus trip. Some guys played chess the whole evening.

Cookie said, "You can say DeeDee is in Atlanta."

There was a woman, Jalila, dancing on the dance floor the whole night by herself. She had really striking dance moves.

Cindy and Kiki were there.

A woman winked at me a couple of times, but I wasn't able to talk to her.

Simone, JoJo, Weenie and Toonie (still celebrating their birthdays) were there.

Mike was not present tonight.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Blueprint? - instrumental
2) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever
Missshaunte (celebrating her birthday) was there.
3) Alternating Halima-led Faith Evans' Again / Instrumental - included music from "Unh, unh unh"
Tony was there.
4) Donnell-led "___ Is Yeah!"
5) Sean-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man - Dwayne played guitar riffs from It Is What It Is
6) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself / Alternating Floetry's Say Yes - Halima did her speech, Mama Chelle sat in on backup vocals / Lionel Richie's Hello (tease)
Tracy, Mo (Slim Goodie, still celebrating her birthday), and TT were there.

Jackie, Mona, Roosevelt, and Tamiko were there.

Second Set
1) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day
Gary and Trina were there.
2) Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
"Original" Nikki and Ebony were there.
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
Peg Leg was there.
6) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Dwayne played Funky Stuff guitar riffs
7) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
Tiffany F. was there.
8) Donnell-led "___ on the Floor" / NORE's I'm a G - Donnell said, "Oh my my my", Smoke & Jacques played strong percussion, Donnell rapped different lines
9) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
Choo Choo, T-Bird, L-Boogie, and James were there.

Third Set
1) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny
2) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
3) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
4) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Kay Kay rapped
5) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
6) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
7) They started to perform the music to Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Donnell said, "Lanisse, you're not going to fight me on this", A guy said, "Don't be a copycat" of my writing down what Donnell was saying, he thought I was another musician / D4L's Laffy Taffy / Donnell said, "Alright now, Lanisse. We straight now?" / Alternating Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Donnell said, "Give me a socket beat", Halima sang something and Donnell said, "I thought I turned them off" / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
8) Donnell-led DIP
9) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - Donnell said, "Googie turn her mic off."
Donnell said, "Another hate crime."
Nita was there.
Donnell said of a pregnant woman, "I'm the pappy. I'm the baby daddy."
Donnell said, "Sammy Dews, Hey Sammy."
Donnell said of the pregnant woman, "I remember you were on the bus trip."
Nephew said, "Belly?"
Donnell said, "Kal'el and only Kal'el" (referring to shutting off of the other singers' mics).

When I was walking to my car, I saw a female peeing by the other side of her car.

Here's another review.

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

Kevin Lee, Darrell F., Vonshawn, Michon, and Tamara were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell said, "We have recording artist Lady Day in the house." I had noticed her and man with her had posters with them.
1) Alternating Mike-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change / Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine (same music) - nice singing by both, first time they've performed these in a while
June was there.
2) Halima-led The Brand New Heavies' Never Stop - Halima sang on the dance floor.
Tony and Tim (LJ) were there.
3) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
Netty was there.
4) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - Halima sang, "Ooh", Halima sang on the dance floor / Alternating Floetry's Say Yes - Halima said, "We haven't had this talk in a long while ladies" / Lionel Richie's Hello (tease) - again the first time they've performed this medley in a while
5) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
Sharmba Mitchell was there.
6) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - Sean sang on the dance floor
Sharika was there.
7) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It
Donnell said, "Special dedication to Lady Day, got an album coming out?"
8) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind

GoGo Mickey was there.

Shadonna and Tyrell were there.

Second Set
Donnell talked about their upcoming live DVD recording at the Icon. He joked, "Mike will butter up and strip naked. We'll find out what's under the hat." Mike said, "Donnell will wear his electric headband." Donnell said, "I have one that has my name flash across."
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) / Percussion solo
2) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean rapped, there was a nice crank / Percussion solo
3) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - there was a nice crank / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
6) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You
7) Alternating Donnell-led "___ on the floor" / NORE's I'm a G - there was a nice crank
8) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - there was a nice crank
9) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
10) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell rapped, Sean rapped, there was a nice crank, GoGo Mickey sat in on timbales (starting in the middle of the song)
11) Mike & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - GoGo Mickey switched over to playing congas, which he played with drumsticks, the crowd shouted, "GoGo Mick-ay" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Say what, What y'all say?" -->
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's We Used to Let the Pocket Ride / GoGo Mickey conga solo
13) Rare Essence's Body Snatchers - instrumental, Donnell said, "That's it y'all, I know this is as Takoma Station."
14) Alternating Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Donnell did a shout out to (AAU basketball coach) Curtis Malone, GoGo Mickey played the timbales, then the cowbell / 6 Minutes percussion solo - Donnell said, "Don't nobody say nothing, don't nobody play nothing", I danced with Talia, whom I met last week 15) Alternating GoGo Mickey cowbell solo - Donnell said, "Let the Pocket Ride. Whiteboy'll be so proud of you, hold a socket on the bell, let the bell ring.", Donnell held his mic to the cowbell, Sean sang something I couldn't make out, they performed some music from "Unh, unh unh" / Sean-led Luther Vandross' So Amazing (tease)
16) Donnell-led Rare Essence's We Used to Let the Pocket Ride (reprise) - Doc and Godfather left during the song
A woman named Shanti asked me what I was writing.
Donnell said, "Goddamn, that's a pocket right there y'all. That's the old school religion. GoGo Mickey studied well. He took me back to the old DC sh*t when DC was playing, Mickey was still on the porch. Googie had to go ask Grandma if you could come out. I'm going to call Whiteboy and tell you to switch to bell." Packy said, "He do. He plays congas and cowbell." Donnell said, "They lose the hi hat?" GoGo Mickey said, "Yes." Donnell said, "GoGo Mickey says 'Are there any stragglers left?'"

Sunday at the Classics
The Classics 4591 Allentown Rd., Camp Springs, MD 20746

Nita and Tasty (wearing a shirt that said Familiar Faces 4 Life on the back) said hello to me in the parking lot.

This was my first time at the Classics. There was an enclosed (with rails) dance floor in front of the stage. No one was allowed to bring drinks on it.

Arielle, Tony, Michon, Dana, Kim, Pinky, Tracy S., and 6'9 were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
Tina (TT), "original" Nikki, Ebony, Shawn and her cousin Nia (she introduced me to her, but I told her I had met her at Safari already)
2) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It / Percussion solo
3) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U - Nita and Tasty screamed, Donnell said, "That's what you wanted, Tasty?"
Tim (LJ) and Chris were there.
4) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
Shameika was there.
5) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House" - Donnell climbed over the railing and stood on the speaker (he stood there for the rest of the set and got back on the speaker at the start of the second set) / Donnell chanted, "Party party, everybody"
Lolo was there (still celebrating her birthday).
6) Alternating Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Donnell rapped / "___ Is on the Floor" / "___ Is Yes!"
Tracy (the one I've known since '04, not the one on the bus trip) was there.
Donnell said, "Special dedication to those went on the bus trip. We put it in at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Why weren't you with us, Tasty?"
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Jacques played the timbales, Donnell said, "Let's go back a little. I think I was at a place like this about five years ago."
Slick Rick was there.
Donnell used his cell phone to signal to the band -->
8) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Halima said, "Happy birthday Dana!" / Donnell-led "___ Y'all"
9) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved
Mona (still celebrating her birthday), and Mama Chelle were there. Mama Chelle introduced me to lilone?
Tina said, "You can write that Tina and Lisa talked about how great the band is."
10) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - Halima said, "This is for the ladies, Hey Ladies!" / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
Tiffany G., Lima, Simone, and JoJo were there.
Nita's stylist, Nicole, was there.

Tiffany G. came up and asked me who I was. When she heard about my thesis, she was interested and she introduced me to Lima.

Gary was there.

Second Set
1) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Donnell went back on the right speaker and Sean went on the left speaker, Sean rapped, Halima said, "Alright!" repeatedly / Donnell-led "___ You're head bobbing" / Donnell called out women's names
2) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - there was a nice crank, Halima sang with her head right over the railing / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Donnell said, "Happy birthday, Lolo!" / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "We got ____" / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
4) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Halima sang with her head right over the railing
5) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean sang, Donnell said, "Let the beat ride, Let the beat work"
Peg Leg was there.
6) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - the house lights came on, Jacques played timbales / Djayz's It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp / Kanye West's Gold Digger
Tijuana, Tamara and her friend Brittney were there.
Donnell said, "I got to sing every part, my part and their part."
7) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Smoke left the stage
8) Stomp played a sample of D4L's Laffy Taffy (tease)
Donnell said, "Security is furious!"
Donnell joked, "I'll fire all three of you. I'll let my hair grow and get a bucket of red paint."
Donnell joked, "Tasty's back on the scene. She got rid of her load, got the bread out of the basket. She done some sit ups, some crunches. I'll let you know when the knuckles are back, then you're really back."
Donnell said, "Sweet Ariel, the mermaid."
When the security was making Nita, and Tasty leave, Donnell said, "That's my ride, we came in a Winnebago."
Donnell said, "Tasty used to be shake and bake, now she's shook and burn."

Return bus trip
Hampton Inn, 1460 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114

After I woke up, I watched TV, showered, dressed, packed and checked out. I sat in the lobby, where I was really zoning out. I was more tired then than when I first woke up. Tom Ellis sat at a table over by me (with his laptop open) with Little Benny and JuJu. JuJu and Chuck came over to me. JuJu talked about "Chopped barbeque" (how Chuck wants his drummer to play). Chuck said, "He don't know about chopped barbeque", which was not true, since Donnell had talked about it at rehearsal on October 11th. Chuck said, "Then when he exaggerates it, it's hot chopped barbeque". Tom asked me if I wanted a poster, I said yes and he gave me one. One of the hotel employees asked Chuck about his band. Chuck said something about playing in Baltimore. Chuck's bus was the first to leave.

The other two buses left at 1 PM. Everyone got on the same bus as the trip up. They asked me to switch seats a couple of times, the second time so Chris could join in a drinking game of 7 Up. They drank Hennessey. At first they were not pouring even amounts, Nece was pouring "drinks" not shots. Pinky said, "That's so ghetto" about them comparing the level of their drinks. Dana made a makeshift shot glass by ripping a Styrofoam cup, but then went the bus stopped for gas, they bought a shot glass. Some of the participants in the game of 7 Up were: LJ, Darrell, Nece, Simone, Chris, and Tracy. Darrell was the first out. You had to do two shots to leave the game. Darrell had previously declared that he never throws up, but that vow went unfulfilled. He threw up into trash bags several times and then passed out for most of the rest of the trip.

Picture taken by and Copyright - Pinky
Ironically, when he left the bathroom, Nece went in. Nece was the second person to leave the game. She ended up passing out in the bathroom for about two hours. This was despite the fact that a number of people banged on the door to try to wake her up for concern over her. We ended up taking an unscheduled stop in Somerset, PA so that people could go to the bathroom since she made it unavailable for others' use. Most of us went to the Wendy's (1030 North Center Av, Somerset, PA 15501), but some went to Ruby Tuesdays (1019 North Center Av). I was the last to return to the bus. Godfather didn't realize I don't have a cell phone, so he called my home. Pinky called Donnell at the Wendy’s, who told me they were waiting on me. We didn't leave until the other bus was also ready anyway. When I got on the bus, I saw Godfather get in the bathroom. During the stop, Nece had woken up, so after fifteen minutes of telling her how to unlock it and her doing it, they got her out. Chris held a bad for her to puke in. Then she passed out for most of the rest of the trip.

Chris & Nece
Picture taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
Among the movies we watched this trip were Antwone Fisher and The Brothers. I finished reading Dave Barry's Big Trouble - a hysterical novel. We in the back smelled burning and could tell something was wrong. Tim stopped on the shoulder and checked it out. He said nothing was wrong, but that was not true. We stopped again and he told us that a belt in the motor had broken. He tried driving more, making a few more short trips. During this time, Nece woke up and cursed a blue streak. She hadn't realized how long she had passed out in the bathroom (Marvin timed it) or that she had puked. She kept talking, so her sister Simone and others, including surprisingly Angie, joned on her. Tim drove to the next exit #22 on 270, because it was safe to be off the highway. He called another bus. It took so long waiting for the bus that some people left and got people to pick them up. It was at least an hour before another bus came. Tim said the driver was a mechanic and that he would drive to fix our bus. He had us switch to the new bus, but he said we would leave the luggage and have the original bus follow the new one unless it couldn't get fixed now. It ended up that the original bus couldn't be fixed, so all the luggage was transferred over and we left. During this time Darrell woke up. The new bus had a DVD player, and we watched Bruce Bruce. When we got to the parking lot, it was about 10:15 PM. When I walked to my car, one of the other women said to me, "Did you have a good time?" I told her yes. She said, "When you got on, I thought you were on the wrong bus (I guess because I am white)." It was late enough that by the time I got home, I would have to leave for Tradewinds, so I hung out at the nearby McDonald's, changed my clothes, and headed over to Tradewinds.

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

I was not surprised that Godfather was the first band member I saw at Tradewinds, since he lives even further away from it than I do. Britney & Shelley, June, Simone, Nece, JoJo, BY, Archie Paige, Sanisse, James, and Peg Leg (and Charlie) were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell said, "A lot of people thought we wasn't going to be here tonight. We'll be here every Saturday if we have to fly from Alaska. I was here last week (despite the snow)..."
1) Alternating Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
Tiffany F., Tamika, and Janetta were there.
Donnell said, "Sanisse, I almost ran you over when you was crossing the street."
2) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - there was distortion in the speakers
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
5) Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You (tease) - instrumental / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "___ Is on the floor" -->
6) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Donnell rapped, there was a nice crank, the lighting alternated between dark and lit (though still somewhat dark), Donnell gave his mic to Kay Kay (celebrating her birthday), she rapped
7) Alternating Brown & White - Donnell sang, "Who’s that girl?" / Ride Out - Slick Rick and Roe went onstage / Northeast Groovers' The Water (tease) / Mike-led Parliament's Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (tease)
Danielle and Lolo (Celebrating her birthday) were there.
8) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - a guy shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" repeatedly, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho" / Donnell-led Kanye West's Gold Digger (tease) - "Go down baby, Go down" / Donnell chanted, "This is for my man Skip, This is for my main man Skip, This is for my man Chuckie, This is for my main man Chuckie"
Shawn (monitor) was there.
9) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - Donnell said, "Rest in peace Ronnie T.", Donnell did a birthday shout out to Kay Kay
Tony was there.

Second Set
Donnell did birthday shout outs to a number of women including Lolo and Kay Kay. He said, "A whole lot of ladies are getting older."
Mia, the bartender from Cranberries, was there. Donnell asked her her name.
Donnell joked about just "Ladies at the Zanzibar, we don't need the million man march."
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - there was a nice crank
2) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar
3) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Donnell said, "Lolo, it's your birthday!"
4) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell rapped, Sean sang
5) Roe-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Pee Wee danced on the stage floor, Donnell said, "This is how we got started y'all, Pee Wee.", I think Roe's rap including more than just lyrics from Lock It, Roe was still celebrating his birthday
6) Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Ladies free all night, each and every Sunday night"
7) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
8) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Mike danced with a female fan (I would guess one of the birthday girls), there was a nice crank, Packy played the cowbell
9) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
10) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls
11) Donnell-led DIP
12) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go
13) 6 Minutes percussion solo - Smoke had a cranking conga solo, Mike said something I couldn't make out, Donnell said, "Wave to 'em Smoke", Smoke waved while playing, Donnell waved also
14) DP played the Odd Couple theme on his trumpet Donnell said, "Come out tomorrow ladies, James will take care of you".
Donnell told a woman, "Come out tomorrow, I'm going to leave your name at the door, so you can come free, just for you." Shawn was laughing since it's free for every woman.
Donnell said, "I like the way you shake / tote that..."
Donnell joked, "You too Nicole. Too bad I know your man; I'm too young to die."

When I walked out to my car, JoJo said, "Simone says good night."

Bus Trip to Cleveland
A big thank you to Tim (LJ) and Nephew for allowing me to join the bus trip at the last minute.

Most of us met at the parking lot by the former Chesapeake Bay Seafood House. 8321 Annapolis Rd, New Carrollton, MD 20784. Chuck Brown's bus (including Vincent among the passengers) left later on from Liaison in Laurel, MD.

Tracy S. came by, she dropped Angie off. Michon dropped Jacques off.

On my bus were (whose names I know): Tim (LJ) the co-organizer, Simone and Tony (first time I met him) were in the row in front of me, with Simone's sister Nece (celebrating her birthday) across the aisle. Tim's brother Roosevelt and his girlfriend, Darrell F., Angie W., Dana, Tracy (first time I met her), Pinky, L-Boogie, Neita, Marvin (first time I met him), Chris (first time I met him), Los, Kim (first time I met her), and Sharika. Our driver was named Tim.


On the other bus were (whose names I know): Nephew the other co-organizer, Sean, Mike, Halima, Donnell, DP, Doc, Dwayne, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, Tony (security), Omar, Googie, Packy, Jacques, Tyrell, RE Angie, "original" Nikki, Ebony, Shawn, Arielle, another Dana, Nora, Shaun, and Tiffany G.

The band bus left about fifteen minutes before our bus left (a little after 9 AM). We pulled onto Annapolis Road. We weren't even at an intersection when Godfather stopped the bus and came on. Despite the other bus having left fifteen minutes before us, we caught up to it on the highway. LJ asked us if we wanted music or movies first. We chose music, a number of people slept.

The three (Simone, Tony, Nece) in the row ahead of me and Darrell, who kept moving around, were the most active on the trip. They and others drank Hennessey and Remy.

Tim (LJ) (Arm only visible), Nece, Darrell, Tony, and Simone

The bus had a CD player, and Tony gave over some CDs, including Familiar Faces' October 15, 2005 PA, and a compilation of GoGo Soul. Dana kept asked for Jazz and they kept kidding her, "next track." We stopped at a rest stop. There was a McDonald's there and most of us went in. We saw snow flurries. It was there that I saw that all the members of FF were on the two buses.

We watched Juwanna Mann, which was directed by Jesse Vaughan, who had directed Familiar Faces' Lap Dance video. Someone mentioned that Tommy Davidson went to B-CC, which I didn't know before.

Tim talked about co-organizing this trip. He said that he has an annual ski trip with eight buses. We went by a housing project and people talked about it being like home. We turned in there, people were joking about our hotel being there. They said it was like Barry Farms. Tim talked about some of the difficulties of organizing the trip. He tried to do an impression of Donnell Floyd by using Simone's scarf as a bandana.

All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
It was hard for him, since he was obviously drunk. Tim gave out party favors. To Pinky, who had been the first to pay him, he gave a clock. To Chris, who always whines, he gave a pacifier. He gave out a hoop to a guy he called "Baller." L-Boogie worried about whether everything would go as planned, so Tim said there was no itinerary so it wouldn't be a trap. Tim gave L-Boogie a glue trap. Tim gave Dana a thermometer because she had to deal with the heat from him. They joned on people they saw on the street. First there was a woman that limped, then a guy at our hotel: Hampton Inn, who wore a green riding cap, a dark brown fur coat, a jeweled earring, a plaid shirt, and blue jeans. We arrived at around 4 PM. Hampton Inn, 1460 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114

Ro'chelle (Toosweet) apparently drove up.

I went to cancel my reservation at the Holiday Inn Express. We were told to meet in the lobby at 8:10 PM to go to the performance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It actually wasn't that far from the Hampton Inn, but because it was so cold, it made sense to take the bus.

I took a nap (I only had a couple of hours of sleep since Zanzibar), then ate at the Subway's across the street. Since it was so cold and there was no dress code, I wore a sweatshirt instead of a button down shirt.

When we gathered in the lobby, Nephew passed out tickets.

The buses dropped us off right in front of the Hall.