Wednesday at Phish Tea
Phish Tea Cafe, 1335 H St NE Washington, DC 20002

Tasha, Mary, Sanisse, and Yolanda were there. Mary introduced me to her friend Tanika.

Los and Alisa were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) Instrumental - Donnell said it was "Something we just made up".
2) Miles Davis' Tutu - Donnell played his Sax on the dance floor
Pee Wee was there.
3) Sean-led Raheem DeVaughn's You - it cranked, Mary whooped, Sean sang on the dance floor, Doc was on backup vocals
4) Sean-led Prince's Purple Rain - Sean sand on the dance floor, Dwayne played a nice guitar solo
5) Sean-led Earth, Wind & Fire's Can't Hide Love - Doc was on backup vocals, he moved to the middle back
6) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - it cranked, Sean sang on the dance floor / Instrumental / Percussion solo - Donnell talked with Pee Wee about his dance moves -->
Ray, RE Angie, and Nikia were there.
7) Alternating Sean-led Ne-Yo's Sexy Love - it cranked, Sean sang on the dance floor / Percussion solo / Michael Jackson's Human Nature (tease) / Donnell said, "There must not be any Sagittariuses in the building, I haven't heard anything." / Donnell-led ? - Mary Whooped / Donnell rapped "Superfly Snooka"
Janetta, Rickea, Tiffany, Jazzy Layse, and Chevy from Fatal Attraction were there.
The dance floor was full.

A guy handed me a flyer for Tia Dae singing at the Phish Tea Cafe the next day. Tia Dae was with him.

Jackie was there, celebrating her birthday.

Mousie was there.

Second set
1) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo - Pee Wee danced onstage / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - verses for Jackie and Tanya
2) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "I told you Halima didn't quit", Donnell said, "Chevy don't ever dance" / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) -->
3) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris -->
4) Donnell-led "Party, party, everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick
5) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it), the floor vibrated / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me" -->
6) Donnell-led "Reggae" - Sean played guitar, it cranked, Jazzy Layse danced onstage, Donnell called her "The Matrix", she pulled Chevy onstage, but Chevy didn't dance, Donnell imitated Jazzy / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful - Donnell said, "I know Los got that Matrix sh*t, Pee Wee?", Pee Wee danced onstage, Donnell said, "He's got you Jazzy"
7) Donnell-led Trina Was Great- it cranked, the floor vibrated
8) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - Sean played guitar
9) Donnell acapella "Is it still a... good to you" - Donnell said, I'm not going to waste my breath, I'm a super Soprano like Minnie Riperton.", Halima said, "Minnie Mouse".
There was construction on Florida Avenue on my way home that wasn't there on my way to the show.

Sagittarius Birthday Celebrations
South Beach, 7904 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20810

I saw this performance listed on Kanika's and Patrice Bowie's myspace pages. It was later at night than their weekly performances were.

It got progressively crowded - so much so that by the time I realized I should get my tab, the bar was three deep in people. The upstairs was completely full.

Deuce Juan, the DJ for the evening, came over and said hello.

Patrice's brother Vernon "V" was there.

Googie worked the PA.

Kamilla, who was at the Phish Tea Cafe last Wednesday, was celebrating her birthday.

Here she is with her sister behind her.

Alison had a new hairdo (too bad, I really liked the previous one).

Patrice Bowie Project

Patrice and Allison with the band in the background



Little Benny, Patrice, Allison


Kanika


Allison
All pictures courtesy - Mike
The complete lineup was: Patrice Bowie (lead singer), Kanika & Allison (backup singers), Dennis (bass), Dawoud (keyboard), Ricky Wellman (drums), Kevin (drum machine, congas, and timbales), Little Benny (vocals and trumpet).
1) Instrumental
2) Instrumental
Pooh was there.
3) Patrice-led Fingalickin
4) Patrice-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
5) Patrice-led Heather Headley's In My Mind
6) Patrice-led Butterflies
7) Patrice-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - Patrice walked around and held her mic to audience members / Patrice sang "Happy birthday Kamilla, Go Kamilla"
8) Patrice-led Mary J. Blige's Take Me As I Am
9) Alternating Yung Joc's It's Going Down (instrumental tease) / Little Benny-led "It's your birthday" / "Y'all feel alright?" - Kevin played the congas / Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got (lyrics only, same music) / "Throw your hands up" / Lil Wayne's Stuntin' Like My Daddy (tease) - Kevin played the congas, it cranked / "Hey ay, Ho oh" / "Hey aye aye aye" / "Ho ho ho ho"
10) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Lock It - the crowd got really excited, it cranked / Sam Cooke's Chain Gang (tease)
11) Patrice-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - it cranked / "Where y'all from?"
12) Patrice-led Shareefa's Need a Boss - Patrice walked around in the crowd, it cranked
13) Patrice-led Close to Me "You make me say your name" - it cranked / Little Benny-led "Somewhere" / "Go Shorty, it's your birthday" - it cranked / DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease)
14) Little Benny-led Cat in the Hat / Yung Joc's It's Going Down
15) Little Benny-led Chuck Brown's (Louis Jordan's) Run Joe (tease) / Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
16) Patrice-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm
17) Patrice-led "Ready to go home?"
18) Patrice-led Happy Birthday / Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back (tease)
19) Patrice-led Beyonce's Deja Vu - Little Benny played the trumpet, Little Benny rapped and held his mic to fans / Outtro
20) Patrice acapella at first Kelis' Bossy / V rapped - there was mic distortion / Little Benny "I need two turns on the microphone" / Outtro
I had danced with Dana (whom I met tonight) celebrating her birthday.
Patrice announced her album was being released on February 7th.

The evening's MC (who had earlier announced the party was lasting until 1:30 with Gary Clark's permission) had a special guest, Tabi Bonney. Tabi Bonney performed The Pocket over a track (but first he had to work out microphone problems) and Dana sat in.

Dana sitting on while Tabi Bonney holds the mic

I left after that, saying good bye to Dana on my way out.

Tanya's Birthday
J's Sports Cafe, 12617 Laurel Bowie Rd (Route 197), Laurel, MD 20708

Jammin' Jeff & the Band
?) Allison-led Toni Braxton's Take This Ring - I could hear it outside
Damond and Renee were there.
?) Allison-led Ashlee Simpson's Pieces of Me
?) Cleophus-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
Tee Bone was sitting over by the monitors. I talked with him. He said they just needed to record one more single for the Trouble Funk album.
?) Jay-led Prince's Pop Life
Dianya, Britney, June, Dana, Dawn, Ray, Boo, Netty, Darrell, Rickea, Ria, Mousie, Sanisse, Yolanda, Tracy, Angie, Kim (the one I don't know, still celebrating her birthday), Peg Leg, and Los were there.

Familiar Faces
Sound Check
Sean-led Al Green's Love & Happiness

Ian was there.

First Set
TJ of ASAP was on backup vocals.
1) Alternating Halima-led Cherish's Unappreciated / Percussion solo
Tim (LJ), Shawnie, Big Buck of Publicity Band, and Skaci were there.
2) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
RE Angie was there.
4) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris / Percussion solo
Tamiko was there.
5) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Nicole the Bartender - it cranked / "Drinks up, whoa whoa whoa" / Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank (tease) / Percussion solo
6) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me" / Percussion solo
Bam was there.
7) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) -->
8) Donnell-led "Party party, everybody" - it cranked / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Get with him, Lee"
The "Familiar Face" was there (I forget her name).
9) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo / Percussion solo
Chevy of Fatal Attraction, Jazzy Layse and a bunch of their friends were there.
10) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's My Love
Big Don Pimp, Tyrell, James, Chanel, Pocahontas, and 6'9 were there.

Second Set
1) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangster, walk with me, talk to me"
2) Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" - it cranked / "Keep it low, nobody got to know" / Percussion solo - Jacques played the cowbell
Nikki was there.
3) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Sean-led "But is it like that? Is it really like that?"
4) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - it cranked, Sean played guitar, Los was on backup vocals / "___ Hooray, hooray!"
5) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What? - it cranked -->
6) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - it cranked, Donnell held up his mic stand / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease)
7) Donnell-led 911 - it cranked, Packy was on backup vocals, the frontline danced in synch, the house lights came on
Imani was there.
8) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
9) Sean-led ? (I couldn't make out what he sang)
Jay Gotti of NCB was there.
10) Doc & Dwayne played guitar riffs from It Is What It Is
11) Siren sample from Beyonce's Ring the Alarm
12) Sample from Ludacris' Number 1 Spot
Deenah was there.
I got some of Kim's birthday cake, it was really good.
This was the most packed I've ever seen J's.

Wednesday at Phish Tea
Phish Tea Cafe, 1335 H St NE Washington, DC 20002

Darrell gave me a bunch of photos that I have posted, including photos from October 8th, October 20th (more), and October 25th.

The Kim that I don't know was celebrating her birthday.

Darrell, Simone, Skaci, Yolanda, and Sanisse were there.

Familiar Faces
Sound Check
Instrumental - Sean played congas.

First set
1) Miles Davis' Tutu - Donnell played his Sax on the dance floor
I introduced myself to Shonda and Tanya, friends of Darrell's. Shonda said they had been at the Proper Utensils show I attended.
2) Sean-led John Legend's Ordinary People
RE Angie was there.
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Heaven - Sean sang on the dance floor (he might have been on the dance floor for Ordinary People, but the dance floor was crowded and I was hanging at the bar with a bunch of barflies)
I don't remember his name, but Sparky's friend who I talked with at the Legends Night Club was there.
Pee Wee was there.
4) Sean-led Earth, Wind, & Fire's Can't Hide Love
Darlene, Ray, Shameika, and Lashan were there.
5) Sean-led Peabo Bryson's Feel the Fire - Sean sang on the dance floor / a guy named Thomas came up and sang Feel the Fire and Happy Birthday
6) Halima-led Cherish's Unappreciated
7) Sean-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man - it cranked / Percussion solo
8) Sean-led Ne-Yo's Sexy Love - it cranked -->
9) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked

Mary, Candy, Makeeba, Mousie, Slick Rick, and Tomeaki were there.

Second Set
1) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease) / "Reggae" - it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Sean-led "This is my star" / Donnell-led "But is it like that? Is it really like that?"
2) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led "Hey Kim, it's your birthday" / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease) -->
3) Donnell & Sean-led "On the small of her back, she got a tattoo" - it cranked
4) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease)
Donnell said, "We're going to go back a little by special request."
5) Sean-led Busta Rhymes I Love My Chick featuring Kelis - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this I swear, we ain't going nowhere"
6) Sean-led India Arie's There's Hope - it cranked / Percussion solo -->
7) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) -->
8) Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" - Donnell walked right up to Kim, Sean play guitar / "Keep it low"
Tre from UCB was there; with other members of UCB (they wore UCB jackets).
9) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
Ria and Rickea were there.
10) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked
11) Sean-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got (tease) - Donnell stopped it as they were out of time.
Donnell said, "Kim brought in a few women tonight" (more than a few).
Byrd was there.

I was glad to get out of the heat. I talked with Tre and asked UCB's schedule. He gave me a single, Love at Christmas (it's good) and told me to look on the website it had printed. He also gave me a copy of the single Sexy Lady: The Sequel - it's different, but I prefer the original. I told him I had only seen them once, at the Super Bowl party.

Heaven Sent at Phish Tea
Phish Tea Cafe, 1335 H St NE Washington, DC 20002

Billy the Kid was performing a comedy routine when I walked in. Pooh, Unique, Ro'chelle (toosweet), and Sherray (Always Showtime!!) were there.

King Solomon requested the audience to "Give it up for Little Benny, thirty years in the business".

Heaven Sent Band

Little Benny, Dwayne, Yannie, Kimese, Sean
Picture taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

First set
1) Instrumental
Kimese said, "This is about a secret place."
2) Sean-led He's the One "Give him praise every day in a secret place." / I've Got to Find a Way
3) Kimese-led God Is Unbreakable (Alicia Keys' Unbreakable with altered lyrics)
4) Kimese-led Jill Scott's He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)
Chenke was there.
5) Yannie-led Jesus Is the One
6) Floetry's Supastar (instrumental tease) / Little Benny talking "They call it GoGo Gospel" - it cranked / "Get, get, get on down"
7) Alternating Little Benny-led Rare Essence's One on One (altered lyrics) - Little Benny also played the trumpet during the song / Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"

They had two spoken word competitors perform during the break Kharil (spelling?) White with "I asked God" and Josh Jenkins who performed on Sex Outside of Marriage (he won).

The strawberry odor from the alcohol-free daiquiris was very strong.

Second set
1) Sean-led All Day
Kimese gave a speech, there was mic distortion.
2) Yannie-led I Know a Man "Come on my salvation" / Sean-led Lord Hear My Cry - Sean sang on the dance floor
3) Kimese-led Victory - it cranked, David spoke on the dance floor
4) Instrumental - David danced on the dance floor, he was getting down, it cranked / Kimese-led "Call me, lift me up?"
5) Alternating Sean-led India Arie's There's Hope - Sean sang on the dance floor, Little Benny joined in / Percussion solo - it cranked
6) Alternating Little Benny-led Yung Joc's It's Going Down - the frontline danced in synch, David played the cowbell, it cranked / Percussion / Lil Wayne's Stuntin' Like My Daddy (tease) / DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease) / "Y'all feel alright" -->
7) Rick conga solo / Dwayne, Doc & Kwik outtro

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

Khallisa, Peanut, Tracy, Vic, Alena, Shawn, Darrell, and Sharon were there. I introduced myself to Trice and got her to smile. Los, Val "Tina Turner", Shameika, Mary, Bam, and Sanisse were there.

Familiar Faces
TJ of ASAP was on backup vocals. Godfather was not present tonight.
First set
1) Sean-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man - it cranked / Percussion solo - the congas sounded real crisp
Ria and Rickea's sister Tamika were there.
2) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - it cranked / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood" - the frontline danced in synch / Charlie played a timbale solo
Archie was there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Alternating Sean-led Omarion's Entourage / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", the crowd shouted, "GoGo Smoke-ay"
Jan and Keshia (with a new hairdo) were there.
5) Donnell & Sean-led "On the small of her back, she got a tattoo" / Percussion solo - it cranked -->
Tasha was there.
6) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
7) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me" chant
8) Donnell-led Brown & White - it cranked / Donnell & Halima-led "Who's that girl?" (tease) / Ride Out - the band & fans did the Ride Out dance / Stomp played a motorcycle sample / Northeast Groovers' The Water (tease)
Tracy S., LA, and Yolanda were there.
9) Halima-led Cherish's Unappreciated
Shawn and DeeDee were there.
Donnell said, "She's got some new tricks. We need to get up with a few female hating songs, make them pay for meals, then we'll be appreciated."

Tim (LJ) and TaTa were there.

Sugar Bear came into the kitchen during the break. The whole time he was in the kitchen, Stomp kept yelling EU phrases, especially "Um Bop Bop" repeatedly.

Mousie, Ray, Sharmba Mitchell, Simone, JoJo, and Trina Boo were there.

A woman named Angie introduced herself to me, she recognized me as a regular.

6'9 was there.

Second set
1) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked / Percussion solo
Trea and Kay were there.
2) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me"
3) Donnell & Sean-led Nicole the Bartender - it cranked / Donnell-led Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank (tease) / "Drinks up, whoa, whoa whoa"
Joanna was there.
4) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party, everybody" - it cranked / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick / Percussion solo - Mary whooped, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Get with him Lee"
5) Donnell & Sean-led "Unh, unh unh" / Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You've never heard a pocket like this, I swear. We ain't going nowhere.", the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "Do what?", Donnell said, "Let my man Juan have a minute right now, Smoke", Juan's conga solo also cranked (Juan was pressured to play by one of his friends)
6) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful - the house lights came on
7) Sean-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got (tease) - it cranked
Jackie was there.
8) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - Sean played guitar / Sean-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease)
9) Donnell-led Trina Was Great (tease) - it cranked, Donnell cut it off.
Troy was there.

Duane Face & Tiffany's Birthday
J's Sports Cafe, 12617 Laurel Bowie Rd (Route 197), Laurel, MD 20708

Damond was there.

Jammin' Jeff & the Band
Allison had a new hairdo.
?) ? - it cranked
?) Cleophus-led? Junkyard Band's Sardines
?) Cleophus-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - "Go Scorpios, It's your birthday"
Shameika was there.
?) Allison-led Toni Braxton's Take This Ring
?) Jay-led Prince's Pop Life
?) Chuck Brown's (Duke Ellington's) It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That GoGo Swing)
Los was there.
?) Allison-led Jill Scott's It's Love
Los had rapped at one point with them.
This was their best performance I've attended - it really cranked. I told Duane Face and he said they didn't even have their whole band there, imagine what they can do when they do.<

Jay Floyd, Kim (don't know), Kandi, Tiffany, PG Slim?, Shadonna, Peg Leg, Rickea, khallisa, Tamara, and Mara were there.

Sean wore a Superman shirt.

DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy) mentioned Stomp's upcoming album.


Familiar Faces
First set
1) Alternating Percussion solo - it cranked / Sean-led Ne-Yo's Sexy Love / Michael Jackson's Human Nature (tease)
I met a woman named Shannon. NeeNee, Kia, Ray, Kiana, and Nicole were there.
Donnell did a shout out to Shorty Dud of Rare Essence in the audience.
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked
4) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked
Angie, Chanel, and Tracy were there.
5) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
6) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - Halima held her mic to fans / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / Yell from Rare Essence's All Da Time
7) Alternating Donnell-led Familiar Faces rap / Percussion solo / (If Donnell did the "Party, party everybody" I missed it) / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - guys from Brandywine were onstage, Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Get with him Lee", the frontline danced in synch
Netty and Kichelle were there.
8) Halima-led Cherish's Unappreciated
9) Sean-led Earth, Wind, & Fire's Can't Hide Love
Sanisse, Yolanda, Mia, Ria, Renee, Lashan, Alena, Shawn, Chris, and Mousie were there.

 

Second set
Donnell said, "Mama Mia, I told them you're on my permanent guest list, I don't know why the made you pay." He then joked in a low voice, "Charge her extra next time."
TJ of ASAP was on backup vocals, she may have been during the first set, but I wasn't paying attention.
1) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me"
Donnell did shout outs to Jay Gotti, Langston Lane, Lincoln Heights, etc...
2) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Nicole the Bartender / Donnell-led Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank (tease) / "Drinks up, whoa, whoa whoa"
3) Donnell & Sean-led "On the small of her back, she got a tattoo" - it cranked, Jay Gotti sat in
4) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Donnell-led "But is it like that? Is it really like that?" / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease)
5) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked / Sean-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease)
6) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low" - Donnell chanted "Eya eya", the house lights came on / Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease)
7) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is "07 is mine" - Jay Gotti sat in
8) Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You've never heard a pocket like this, I swear. We ain't going nowhere" / Donnell rapped "Superfly Snooka" / Tabi Bonney's Put Me in the Pocket (tease)
SaVern, Paulette, and Skaci were there.

Positive Black Men Coalition's 14th Annual Night of Elegance
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave NW Washington, DC 20001

I parked a couple of blocks away. As I was walking to the hotel, Tony came up. He and Patrick (who was standing in front of the hotel), were here to show Familiar Faces support, they weren't working.

The actual security included guys who work at J's on Fridays.

Telando was there. Googie was working the PA.

Dwele opened up at about 9:30 PM.

Dwele
Picture above taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich. All pictures below taken by and Copyright - Darrell Foster.
He had two horns (they had multiple horns including French horn & trombone), bass, guitar/keyboard, a drummer and Dwele also played the keyboard.
There were seats for VIPs.
Dwele started off with Beyonce's Deja Vu. His fourth song was Maze's Joy and Pain. I found him boring - far too light for my taste, so I stopped paying attention after only a few songs. He played for about 40 minutes. After his set they packed up all the chairs.

I went over to the side and talked with members of Familiar Faces. Michon, Ariel, Sanisse, Yolanda, and Mary were there. Packy wore glasses whose frames had flashing lights.

I met a beautiful and unusual woman named Ali. She taught me a handshake and danced with me, tried to teach me some steps. (She threw my empty Pepsi bottle on the dance floor to get me to dance when my hands were full.) She kept grabbing the security (including their butts). She danced front and center during both Familiar Faces' and Chuck's sets.

Nita, Pinkie, Tiffany, Darrell, TJ of ASAP, Nikia, and Keshia's Cousin Kelly were there.

Bobby Smoot was there, working.

Familiar Faces

Doc (behind Sean), Sean, Boolah, Stomp, DP, Donnell, Jacques, Smoke


Ali is on the right (black), Arawai is in the purple dress
Clarence "Boolah" Roper sat in on guitar (Dwayne was sick). Sean played guitar as well as singing.
Donnell mentioned their winning the Best Grown & Sexy Band award at the WKYS GoGo Awards.
Donnell announced they were shooting a DVD for PBMC's 14th Annual Night of Elegance - there were many cameras both moving and still for their set. They showed stills on the big screens on either side of the room at the start, pictures from the band members' childhood to the present (including pictures taken by Darrell and me).
Michelle Wright talked about how she liked Familiar Faces and she asked Dwele to stay late to hear them.
They were in the "Bike Week configuration": Sean, Halima, Donnell, and Smoke in front.
1) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's My Life - Halima started off in a fenced cage, Donnell played a nice Sax solo
2) Halima-led Sade's No Ordinary Love - it cranked
Donnell did a special dedication to Gerald Levert.
3) Alternating Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - it cranked, Sean sang at the edge of the stage / Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You've never heard a pocket like this I swear, we ain't going nowhere" / "Hey ay, Ho oh" - Donnell and Sean held their mics to the crowd / Tabi Bonney sat in and sang Put Me in the Pocket - Sean played guitar

Doc, Donnell, Boolah, Tabi Bonney, DP, Lorenzo, Jacques


Donnell, Tabi Bonney, DP, Sean


Boolah, Tabi Bonney
4) Donnell-led Familiar Faces rap / "Party, party, everybody" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Sean went on the dance floor and held his mic to a fan (her singing was way off-key), Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Mary whooped, Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", the frontline danced in synch
5) Alternating Raheem DeVaughn sat in and sang You - Sean played guitar, then Sean joined in singing it / Percussion solo

Sean, Raheem DeVaughn


Sean, Boolah, Raheem DeVaughn
6) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it), Sean stood at the edge of the stage, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
7) Donnell & Sean-led "On the small of her back, she got a tattoo" - I danced with Ali (up until "Reggae" so my notes aren't great) / Percussion solo / Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome (tease)
8) Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low"
9) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - Sean played guitar / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
10) Donnell-led "Reggae" - I danced with Arawai up front, Donnell sat on the edge of the stage, Sean was also at the edge / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful
11) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - Sean played guitar, Sean and Halima held their mics to the crowd
12) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is "07 is mine"
13) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Sean played guitar
14) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - including a verse for Ali (I asked her afterwards if it was her birthday, she said no) / Boolah guitar outtro
Donnell said, "This is where the stars be partyin'". He did shout outs to GoGo Mickey and Shorty Corleone of Rare Essence.
It wasn't until the set was over that I realized how packed it was. Early on in the set, I had held lenses for Darrell as he took pictures.

I danced with Ali again during the break. During the set, she kept moving up and kept being told to move back (there was a rope in front of the stage to separate the cameramen and band members from the audience).

Keisha and Los were there.

I talked with Vince Evans, keyboard player for the Soul Searchers.

Bryan Mills walked by as I was taking notes and said, "It's not me, I didn't do it."

James, Sweet Chelle, and Strike a Pose were there.

Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers

Bryan, Brad, Mark, JuJu, Chuck, Vince, Mighty Moe


Sweet Cherie, Bryan, Little Benny, Brad, Mark, Chuck

The line up was: Chuck Brown (vocals & guitar), Sweet Cherie (vocals & keyboard), Little Benny (vocals & trumpet), James Funk (vocals), Bryan Mills (Sax & keyboard), Brad Clements (trumpet), Mark (trombone), David Dyson (bass), Vince Evans (keyboard player), JuJu (drummer), and Mighty Moe (congas).
Chuck said, "We don't like ropes in front of us."
Darrell pointed out to me that Ali was again up front, she wore a different outfit.
1) The crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Funk"
2) Earl Hagen's Harlem Nocturne - Brad played a solo, Vince played a solo
3) Chuck-led "I'm just a brother from DC" / Chuck said, "Say oh uh oh uh oh" / "Tell me what you feel like doing" - the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body" / "Feel like moving your body, y'all?" / "oh, oh, oh" / "Whoa oh"
4) Chuck-led Hoochie Coochie Man - Sharmba Mitchell went onstage, it cranked / "Y'all tired yet?" - the crowd responded, "Hell no!" / "On the Southside" -->
5) Chuck-led Barry White's Playing Your Game, Baby - it cranked, I noticed Vince had an IMac hooked up to his Motif6, Brad solo, I noticed Cherie didn't play much, she actually sat on a chair at the rear of the stage, Mark solo - Cherie came back -->
6) Chuck-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di - Chuck held his mic to the fans, it came off the chord and Vince fixed it / "Tick tock, don't stop" / "Get it"
7) Chuck-led Sho Ya' Right "Al Capone on the microphone"
8) Chuck-led Duke Ellington's It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That GoGo Swing) - the crowd responded, "Doo wop doo wop doo wop"
9) Chuck-led Lionel Hampton's Midnight Sun
10) Chuck-led James Moody's Moody's Mood for Love - there was call and response
11) Chuck-led Louis Jordan's Woody Woodpecker
12) Sweet Cherie-led "Throw your hands up... to the side... get 'em on the floor"
13) Sweet Cherie-led Mary J. Blige's Enough Cryin'
14) Sweet Cherie-led Beyonce's Check on It - the house lights came on, Little Benny sat in
15) Little Benny-led "Are you ready to go home?"
16) Little Benny-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
17) Little Benny-led Lil Wayne's Stuntin' Like My Daddy / DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease)
Little Benny called James Funk onstage

Brad, Mark, James Funk
18) The crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Funk!"
19) James Funk-led "Happy Thanksgiving"
20) James Funk-led Rare Essence's one on One - Little Benny played trumpet
21) Band intros
22) Chuck-led ?
Ali had gotten a man and a woman to dance upfront and the guy fell over on his back on a very crowded dance floor. I had danced with Ali a little this set as well. They didn't have all the cameras out for Chuck, so I assume the DVD is just going to be Familiar Faces and the 2 special guests. I missed Soulsponge's performance that obviously went on at the same time as Familiar Faces' set.

Darlene was there.

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

Darrell, Tracy, and Vic were there. JR worked the sound.

Sanisse, Mary, India, Tasha, Alena, and Peanut were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
Donnell did a special dedication to the Scorpios.
1) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What Would You Do (For the Money?) - it cranked
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Alternating Donnell-led Nicole the Bartender / Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank (tease) / "Drinks up, whoa whoa whoa" - it cranked, Donnell said, "I feel good tonight. I'm not going to bullsh*t you." / "Scorpios, it's your birthday" / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / "You ready? 'Cause I swear to God, I'm ready" / ? / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
Peg Leg was there.
4) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me" / "Right for ____" / Percussion solo - Donnell sang "You never heard a pocket like this I swear, we ain't going nowhere" -->
5) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss - it cranked / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease)
Pinkey was there.
6) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led "On the small of her back, she got a tattoo" / Donnell rapped / Percussion solo - it cranked / "This is for ___"
RE Angie and Shawn were there.
Donnell said, "Let's go back just a little"
7) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
NeeNee (new hairdo) and Kia were there. Kia introduced me to her friend Dana, who was celebrating her birthday.
8) Halima-led Cherish's Unappreciated
Los and Mousie were there.
9) Sean-led Brian McKnight's Anytime - it cranked
Archie, Boo, Big Buck of Publicity Band, and 6'9 were there.

Second set
Donnell said, "Lots of you fake Cowboy fans took of your shirts when we won." He talked about the Redskins starting a Black quarterback (Jason Campbell).
1) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Get with him, Doc", Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this I swear, we ain't going nowhere", Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
2) Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C"
3) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (still hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangsta, Walk with me, Talk to me, I feel it"
4) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - it cranked / Keith Murray's Call my name (tease) / "Wait a minute echoes" - sounded different than usual
5) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful
6) Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low" - the house lights came on / Sample "What?"
7) Alternating Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked, Sean played guitar / Sean & Donnell-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease)

Picture taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
Trice, the beautiful woman who frowns a lot (and is a regular at Tradewinds) wore a t-shirt that had printed, "Black Women Love to Party". She made fun of my head bobbing tonight.

Jackie was there.

Friday at J's
J's Sports Cafe, 12617 Laurel Bowie Rd (Route 197), Laurel, MD 20708

Damond and Skaci were there.

Jammin' Jeff & the Band
Jay wasn't present.
Allison-led "All I see is you, for me... for you..."
Lisa of the World was there.
Allison-led The Gap Band's Outstanding
Allison-led Happy Birthday
Allison-led Beyonce's Deja Vu
June, Darrell, Los, Simone, and Nece were there.
Allison-led Toni Braxton's Take This Ring - it cranked, Packy played the cowbell
Tim, Tracy S., LA, SaVern, Kara, Nita, Peg Leg, Paulette, Ariel, Nikia, Kim (don't know), Mousie, Shawn, Toya, Gary, and Rickea were there.

DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy) said, "If you got on a white shirt, don't drink Merlot."

Familiar Faces
Everett "E" played trombone with them tonight. He's been practicing with them for a while - he also sings, but he didn't tonight.

Donnell, Jacques, Everett, Los, Smoke, DP


Los, Donnell, Jacques
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Darrell Foster

First Set
1) Halima-led Sade's No Ordinary Love - it cranked, the congas sounded crisp / Percussion solo
MeCelle, Tracy, Chevy of Fatal Attraction, and Tamiko were there.
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo -->
5) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked
6) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low"
7) Halima-led Mary j. Blige's My Life
Nikiya was there.

Shameika, Ray, Big Don Pimp, Lashan, Sharmba Mitchell, Nikki, Tyrell, khallisa (a friend of Rickea's), and Dianya were there.

I talked with E during the break; he said it's his first time performing with them.

Second Set
1) Donnell & Sean-led "On the small of her back, she got a tattoo" - it cranked, Jacques played the cowbell / Donnell said, "It's your birthday"
2) Donnell & Sean-led Nicole the Bartender - it cranked / Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank (tease) / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" -->
3) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (still hate it)
4) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (tease)
5) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" / Donnell-led "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me" / yell from Rare Essence's All Da Time - I noticed Donnell was standing on a chair -->
6) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - I danced with a woman named Roni / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) - it cranked / Rare Essence's What Would You Do (for the Money?) "It's alright" / "Wait a minute" echoes
7) Donnell-led Reggae / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful - the house lights came on
8) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - it cranked
9) Sean-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got (tease) - it cranked
10) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked

Wednesday at the Phish Tea Cafe
Phish Tea Cafe, 1335 H St NE Washington, DC 20002

Sanisse, Yolanda, Darrell, Los, Skaci, Tiffany, Rickea, Nikia, and Pee Wee were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Miles Davis' Tutu - Donnell played on the dance floor, the band members traded solos / Percussion solo - it cranked, it sounded different
Lashan and Sharmba Mitchell were there.
2) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine - Dwayne played a nice guitar solo / Sean-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change
3) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's My Life - Donnell played a nice long Sax solo, Halima went on the dance floor
4) Sean-led Earth, Wind & Fire's Can't Hide Love
Tyrell was there. DeeDee came in to get something and then immediately left.
5) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked
Mary was there.
Donnell said, "For my man Gerald Levert."
6) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny / Percussion solo -->
7) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked, Sean said, "Wait a minute" / Percussion solo
I talked with Candy, whom I had met at a Y2K show last year. Tasha introduced herself to me. Coincidentally, both Candy and Tasha (who don't know each other) talked with me about getting PhD's in human resource management.
Nikiya was there.

During the break, Donnell sang Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease).

Second Set
Donnell said, "Two Kia's are celebrating their birthday tonight, only one is real."
1) Instrumental / alternating Percussion solo - the second time around, Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this I swear, We ain't going nowhere", Sanisse and Mary were whooping / Sean-led Brian McKnight's Find Myself in You / Trey Songz' Gotta Go
I may have missed something talking with Mary.
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (still hate it) / Percussion solo
4) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked / Percussion solo - Sanisse whooped
5) Sean-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got - it cranked, Sanisse whooped, Donnell said, "Show me what you got" to girls dancing up front / Percussion solo
6) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party, everybody" - it cranked, Sanisse whooped / Percussion solo / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick
7) Donnell-led "Reggae" / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Donnell-led "But is it like that? Is it really like that?" - the house lights came on

Mambo Sauce at Mirrors
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue N.E. Washington, DC 20002

Darrell gave me photos from October 6th and October 20th, click on the links to see them.

I lost my notes between the club and home, so this is off the top of my head.

This was a performance for Mambo Sauce and L!ssen Da Grew^P both to just perform originals.

The security guy at the door said, "Back again?"

Mambo Sauce
Most of the members of Mambo Sauce were sitting on couches on the dsnce floor.

Black Boo introduced Yendy to me. Red was playing guitar. He said he had to let Drew go, his other commitments were interfering with Mambo Sauce. This will be their last show of the year and he will have auditions. He thought it would be really difficult to replace Thi Lai and he got Yendy.
Sashay Shaunte, her friends Melanie and Autumn (she said she works for L!ssen Da Grew^p), Sam (Black Heart), Jay113, PG Slim, Danielle (Wellfhed), Damont (02), Thatshotsexie, Audrey (Da Remixx), Bobbie Westmoreland, and Sherray (Always Showtime!!) were there.

02 said, "Do you know who that is over there?" I said, "Thatshotsexie". He said, "She likes having her picture taken." He pulled out his phone and took her picture. She said, "Let me see, Damont." I said, "She called you by your real name." He said, "I know, I had to think about it a sec..."

02 introduced me to Rasheed, L!ssen Da Grew^P's manager. He said he reads my comments everyday. He's not offended by my opinion of L!ssen, he said basically to each his own, which is how I feel as well.

Their sound check, which was long, was mostly instrumental. Black Boo told the sound man to do the rear mic, as Pep was "trying to be" on vocals.
Yendy did a cover, which Black Boo mocked. Then Yendy sang, "I'm a little teapot". Black Boo sang another song. They also performed Things Will Get Better.

Black Boo, Yendy, Pep, Red


Chris, Khari, Black Boo, Yendy, Pep, Red

They started a few minutes late so that the crowd would build.

Mambo Sauce's Set

Red and Pep
1) Instrumental - Red wore sunglasses
Black Boo and Yendy went onstage.
2) Yendy-led sung intro
3) Black Boo-led Letter to Go-Go - Black Boo said, "You can have your Go-Go awards, next year we're going for the Grammies."
Black Boo said, "We call anyone who tries to do anything different a 'Bama."
4) M.A.M.B.O.
4) Black Boo-led Things Will Get Better
5) Black Boo-led Damn Joe - Black Boo said this was on the radio and asked the audience to request it.
6) Black Boo-led Sweet Baby - Yendy introduced it by saying, "This is my favorite."
7) Yendy-led No
8) Yendy-led Cool Points
9) Yendy-led Fairweather
10) Black Boo-led Long Time Comin' - alternating between cranking and laid back
11) Black Boo-led Go - Black Boo introduced it with his usual speech about liking all things DC except George Bush, when the response was tepid, he said, "Y'all act like you voted for the n*gga."
Their entire performance cranked (aside from the intentionally laid back portions of Long Time Comin'). Pep played both the congas and toms and did backup vocals for one song.
Black Boo mentioned like national acts, they pause between songs. Personally, I would prefer they didn't.

After their performance, I went to see who else was there and leave.

Ro'chelle (toosweet) was working the table selling Mambo Sauce t-shirts.

Rah from the WHAT? Band was there. I said hi to Smoke from Familiar Faces. DJ Deuce Juan introduced himself to me. I talked to Simone (Stallion). She said, "They sound like Rock" (I assume she means because of power guitar chords). She said a combination of GoGo and Rock. I told her about Buzz's (Patrice Bowie's manager) plan to have Little Benny and Sugar Bear in a GoGo Rock band. In fact, Patrice Bowie's label is named GoGo Rock.

Here's 2's review:
BOY OH BOY!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!! I must say the show lived up to the hype and THEN SOME!

Let me start off by saying I knew I was in the right building when I seen Rah, Mistro, Smoke, Khiri, Chris, Blackwell, and Reds all together...I yelled out NORTHEAST to the stage Stomp on his way and Rapper goes "Lets go We Ready!" Anyyyyyyway!!!!

Man this was the place to be clearly last night...The GoGo Stars were out to support in droves...Buggy and Coop (BYB), Buggs (JYB),Tre, PlayernDC, Rashad, Chuckin Drew, Eric, and Moolie of UCB, as mentioned earlier the NEG clan, Pretti Nikki of Suttle Thoughts as well as a few others who slipped pass my mind.

When I get there its like 11ish and the crowd is starting to pick up. I First must say that everything about Mambo Sauce is professional. There instruments were set up and already soundchecked while they mingled in the crowd. So when it was time to start, they went straight up and started. They came out with an intro that was guitar heavy along with random shots thrown in by the drummer and music section. Next Black Boo stepped out to the edge of the stage and shared a poem that he wrote to GOGO. ..Deep joe... it talked about his frustrations with GOGO and the Area itself. Then they dove into their set which consisted of approximately 10 songs. Each song had a different feel to it and different style. All songs were complete with Hooks, verses, Bridges, vamps, and some more. I recognized the only 2 songs I knew which were Damn Joe and Go. My man Lil Pep was accompaning Black and Yendi on the vocals... CLASSIC...but he held his own though... Not bad at all matter of fact. After each song they stopped so the crowd could show appreciation to each song as they heard them. They put on an exhibition. Their hard efforts in practice and the studio really showed. They don't cut the GOGO at ALL! Man they rock sockets, pockets, and timbalies to the FULLEST. They just put it in a format for an entire show. What an EXPERIENCE...

Heaven Sent at Phish Tea Cafe
Phish Tea Cafe, 1335 H St NE Washington, DC 20002

I was looking forward to seeing Heaven Sent again. They were performing upstairs.

They had a big banner at the back of the stage: it had written, "Heaven Sent Band. Because everyone has something to give thanks for."

Keith and Stan Cooper were there. Googie worked the PA and Telando recorded it. They also had a cameraman who wore a shirt that had printed, "I am the son of a field negro.

Darryl, the owner (or manager?) said to me that I go to all the shows.

David led a word of prayer.

A rapper, King Solomon, was the host.

Doc of Familiar Faces was there, he was sitting in as their regular bass player, also nicknamed Doc was not able to make it for the start. BJ also brought his bass. I said to him, "How many basses do you need?" He said he was happy that Doc was there since it meant he could play the keyboard instead of the bass.

Nephew, Shante (Songbird), a woman I recognized as "Francheyez" on myspace, Scottie Jay of ASAP were there.

King Solomon did announcements and a stand up comedian, Antonio Blackman (who jokingly called himself Steve Harvey) also performed.

They only served non-alcoholic drinks.

Almost all of the band members wore Heaven Sent shirts.

Heaven Sent Band
The line up was: David (vocals), Yannie of L!ssen Band (vocals), Kimise of Suttle (vocals), Sean "Kal-el" of Familiar Faces and ASAP (vocals), Little Benny (vocals & trumpet), TonySax (Sax & cowbell), Doc Hughes of Familiar Faces (bass, first set only), Doc (their regular bass player, second set only), BJ of Rare Essence (keyboard), Rojoc (keyboard), Kenny "Kwik" (drummer), and Rick (congas).
First Set
It is difficult to pick out a sole lead vocalist, so the vocalist mentioned is whoever started off the song.
1) Instrumental
Kimise said, "We have a lot of friends and family out here"
2) Yannie-led God Is Unbreakable (Alicia Keys' Unbreakable with changed lyrics) - Little Benny arrived
David made a speech about Jesus.
3) Kimise-led Jill Scott's He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat) - David spoke
4) Yannie-led "God is good" - it cranked
Kimise said, "There's always hope"
5) Sean-led India Arie's There's Hope - Little Benny joined in on vocals, David played the cowbell, it cranked
6) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's One on One (with altered lyrics, "Put your hands in the air and do it for Jesus") - it cranked, Little Benny played the trumpet
7) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
They thanked Doc for sitting in with them.

David talked about Kimise and Yannie being nominated for the upcoming GoGo awards.

Yannie said her son (wearing a Heaven Sent shirt) was a roadie and "a musician in training".

King Solomon asked people to come up front, including "Jason from Submission Band" - Scottie Jay.

Second Set

David, Yannie, Kimise, Sean
1) Yannie-led "You're the one I need... Jesus you're the one" / "Say yeah" - call and response
2) Yannie-led "My salvation for you" / David rapped, "I want to be a man of God"
3) Sean-led "I'm trying to be... I can't understand why"
4) Sean-led "Lord, hear my cry"
5) Sean-led "Got to find a way... Don't miss his chance to give praise everyday"
6) Kimise-led Victory - it cranked
7) Yannie-led "If you've got to pray, he'll lift you up" - Little Benny joined in
8) Little Benny-led "Feels like having a little church in here" - King Solomon played the cowbell, it cranked -->
9) Little Benny-led Yung Joc's It's Going Down (altered lyrics) - King Solomon played the cowbell, it cranked / 911's Ride Out (tease) / DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease) - the frontline dance in sync
David led a prayer.
Heaven Sent has the best vocals of any GoGo band I've heard and they crank too. I prefer hearing them in this intimate setting. I definitely plan to be a regular.

Hatee was there, but I didn't know her by sight.

EU & Chuck Brown featuring Tony Fisher at Mirrors
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue N.E. Washington, DC 20002

I found out about this show when I looked a Mirrors' website for details on Thursday's show.

Mirrors had lights outside the entrance on a cart.

I saw Flo on my way in. She had a new hairdo and braces.

While the show was on both floors, the upstairs just had a DJ, so I stayed downstairs except when I just went up to look during the break.

I talked with Big Tony Fisher of Trouble Funk. I told him I had seen singles for their upcoming album Cold Millennium and I asked him when the album was dropping. He said it would be on the radio in a month and would drop at the beginning of the year.

The crowd was dressed up and mostly old.

John was there.

Bobby Smoot's team set up the sound equipment - I saw D and Vincent.

I said hello to Sherray (Always Showtime!!) working.

EU

Sugar Bear, Mya, Junie, Derrick, Devlin?, Tony
The line up was: Sugar Bear (vocals & bass), Mya (vocals), Junie (vocals & cowbell), Devlin? (vocals & cowbell), Tony Cothran (guitar), keyboard player, Milton Smith (drummer), and Derrick (congas).
Sugar Bear did birthday announcements.
Sugar Bear said, "We're dedicating this song to Gerald Levert. A dynamite young man, we toured with him a couple of years."
1) Mya-led "This is the way you love me baby" - Sugar Bear called for Tony to play a solo
2) Alternating Sugar Bear-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - it cranked / "Party with your body baby" - the frontline danced / "Do you ___ ?" / "I got no step" / ? / "I like your style, so listen to me on the count of three" / Um Bop Bop / "Do it for the fellas, Oh my God!" / "If you're sexy and you know it, raise your hands" / Percussion solo - "Hold up wait a minute" / Freak a Deak All Night Long / Funkadelic's Undisco Kidd (tease) "Girls are Bad" / Cops Theme (tease) "Bad girls" / "Eya uh ha na na na" / Pop the Coochie / "Beat your feet everybody" / Ludacris Number One Spot (tease) / "Eya yah yah" - Derrick played the toms / ? / "Booty, booty booty" / OutKast's The Way You Move (tease) / Hues Corporation's Rock the Boat (tease) / "When are we going to get to the good part?"
3) Junie-led Ne-Yo's Sexy Love / Percussion solo - it cranked
4) Mya-led Mary J. Blige's Enough Cryin' - Junie played the cowbell, it cranked
5) Sugar Bear-led Nelly's Flap Your Wings (tease) - Junie played the cowbell
Sugar Bear said, "___ this is for you"
6) Junie-led "Baby, baby, what's it going to be... or is it me... you make me so... 'cause I want you" (sounded like Prince) - Mya wiped sweat off with a paper towel
7) Sugar Bear-led "That you so..." - Sugar Bear said, "I'm going to really party now, Scorpios / Alternating "Gimme that beat" - Junie played the cowbell, it cranked / Kanye West's Gold Digger / "Shake it, shake it, shawty" / "Look at these women" / Sugar Bear pulled a girl onstage who was celebrating her birthday, she danced onstage, Junie played a conga with a stick while Derrick played the toms / 50 Cent's In Da Club - at the end the girl left the stage / Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank (tease) - Derek went back to the congas, Devlin? rapped
8) Sugar Bear-led "Are the Redskins better than the Cowboys? Who's going to the Super Bowl?" - crowd response / "hold up, wait a minute" / Notorious BIG's Crush on You (tease) / Um Bop Bop / Sweet Cherie sat in, Lil Kim's Crush On You - she left the stage after the song / Sugar Bear-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" / Rare Essence's Do You Know What Time It Is?
9) Sugar Bear-led "Don't you play with Sugar" / "Get low, how low can you go?" / R. Kelly's Snake (tease) / "Good googlie moogly... that thing you do" / ? / "Get your freak on" / "Is that my chick? Sho ya' right" / "Turn around, let me see your..." / "Don't you play with Sugar" / "Y'all tired yet? Can you stick with this?" / "Tell me what you feel like doing y'all?" - the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body"
10) Mya-led "Love you long time...We going down like..." / Percussion solo
11) Devlin?-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked / Sugar Bear-led "Gimme that beat" - Percussion Solo / Ooh La La / "I feel it, I feel it in my bones" / "Get, get, get on down"
12) Sugar Bear-led ? - it cranked
Mirrors was packed by the end of the set - wall to wall people.

Bryan Mills talked with me. I told him I was at last night's show.

James Funk was the DJ downstairs.

Mousie and Kim were there.

Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers

Bryan Mills, Sweet Cherie


Little Benny, Big Tony


Bryan, Sugar Bear, Big Tony


Sugar Bear, Big Tony, Little Benny, Chuck


Sugar Bear and Big Tony


Sweet Cherie, Bryan, Sugar Bear, Junie


Brad, Little Benny, Chuck



Sweet Cherie, David Dyson, Bryan, Brad, Greg, Little Benny
Line up: Chuck Brown (vocals & guitar), Sweet Cherie (vocals & keyboard), Little Benny (vocals & trumpet), Bryan Mills (sax), Brad Clements (trumpet), Greg Boyer (trombone), Vince Evans (keyboard player), David Dyson (bass), JuJu (drums), and Mighty Moe (congas).
Sweet Cherie flexed her arm, showing off the muscles.
1) Chuck-led "Everybody come and kick it with me... Oh, uh oh"
2) Earl Hagen's Harlem Nocturne? - Brad played a trumpet solo, Bryan played a Sax solo, Greg played a trombone solo, Sweet Cherie played a solo, the other keyboard player played a solo
3) Chuck-led "When the sun goes down, we're going to party all over town" / Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease) / ?
4) Chuck-led Hoochie Coochie Man / "When I was a young man" - Bryan played a Sax solo
5) Chuck-led R. Kelly's Fiesta - Chuck played a nice guitar solo, Chuck said, "Go JuJu" and JuJu played a drum solo, Chuck announced a lost ID
6) Alternating Little Benny-led "All the old school get your hands up" / "Hey ay, Ho oh"
7) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Body Moves - Little Benny said, "Hold up, wait a minute", the frontline danced
8) Little Benny-led Cat in the Hat / "We buggin'" / "I'm a..." / Lil Wayne's Stuntin' Like My Daddy / Dem Franchize Boyz' Lean With It Rock With It (tease) - Little Benny said, "Gimme them hits", the frontline danced the ride out dance
9) Littlie Benny-led Rare Essence's Lock It - multi-colored dance lights came on
10) Little Benny-led Freak a Deak All Night Long
11) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's One on One
12) The crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Funk!" / Chuck-led ? / Chuck-led "When you walk in the door..." - the crowd responded, "Hello, hello" / "Tell me what you feel like doing y'all" - the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body"
13) Sweet Cherie-led "Where y'all from" - Big Tony Fisher, Sugar Bear and other members of EU were onstage
14) Sweet Cherie-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
15) Sweet Cherie-led Beyonce's Check on It
16) Big Tony-led "What you wanna do" / "You wanna drop the bomb?" / "Put your hands in the air and move them like this" / Trouble Funk's Lets Get Small (tease) / "We're going to start this thing off right" / "Fee Fi Fo Fum, where do y'all come from?" - Big Tony said, "Nice to see all the old school in the house" / Trouble Funk's Supergrit (tease) - Sugar Bear was playing the bass, then handed it to Big Tony
Big Tony said, "Hey Sugar Bear, come up here".
17) Sugar Bear-led "Short or tall people in the hall, roll call" / "Hey ay, Ho oh" / "Do it for the fellas" / "If you're sexy and you know it, raise your hands" / Nelly's Flap Your Wings (tease) - Junie was on backup vocals / "Look at that..." / the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Chuck!"
18) Chuck rapped "So the ladies like to call me" / Duke Ellington's Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That GoGo Swing) - the crowd responded, "Doo wop doo wop woo wop"
19) Chuck-led Lionel Hampton's Midnight Sun / "Hit 'em with the good stuff"
20) Little Benny-led Yung Joc's It's Going Down
21) Chuck-led outtro

Friday at J's
J's Sports Cafe, 12617 Laurel Bowie Rd (Route 197), Laurel, MD 20708

Sam (Black Heart), Sweet P, Sweet B (with a nice new hairdo), Audrey (Da Remixx), Buffy (Sweet Buff/YoungOne), and Netty were there.

Jammin' Jeff & The Band
?) Jay-led ?
?) Allison-led "How can I know somebody else when all I see is you"
Allison said, "I need to know where all the lovely ladies are, you're too quiet."
?) Allison-led Michael Jackson's PYT
?) Jay-led "that's when... your heart... we don't know how to stop"
Allison said, "Last Friday, we tried to explain how we do this and why we do this. You can't appreciate it on the radio..."
?) Allison-led Rose Royce's Car Wash
?) Allison-led A Taste of Honey's Boogie Oogie Oogie
?) Jay-led ?
?) Jay-led "I remember when I lost my mind... Let me be crazy"
?) Allison-led Toni Braxton's Take This Ring

Tasha, Danielle (Pink), Ro'chelle (Toosweet), Sherray (Always Showtime!!), Nita, SaVern, Kelly (Keisha's cousin), Sanisse, Yolanda, Shante (Stacey's Cousin), Peg Leg, Alena, Los, Shawn, Ian, Maya, and 6'9.

Damont (02), April (JuJu), Alexis, Tamiko (celebrating her birthday), Pinkey, and RE Angie were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Gerald Levert had died of a heart attack earlier in the day / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Give me the wah wah Dwayne Lee", Donnell sang, "You've never heard a pocket like this, we ain't going nowhere"
Tiffany, Janetta, Tyrell, Kim (don't know), and Shameika (new hairdo) were there.
2) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage / Percussion solo
Nikia was there.
3) Donnell & Sean-led "On the small of her back, she got a tattoo" - it cranked
Pooh and NeeNee were there.
4) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say featuring Young Jeezy / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine chant" -->
James was there.
5) Halima & Donnell-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris / Percussion solo
6) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - verses for Scorpios and Tamiko
7) Alternating Donnell-led Nicole the Bartender - it cranked / "Drinks up, whoa whoa whoa"

Melanie, Jazzy Layse, Kay, Trea, Chevy of Fatal Attraction, and Mitch were there.

Nicole (the bartender) wore a shirt that had printed, "Black women are the sh*t." Sherray wore a shirt that had printed, "Chunky is the new black. I love fat boys."

Second Set
Halima tripped over the monitor getting onstage.
1) Sean-led Brian McKnight's Find Myself in You / Trey Songz' Gotta Go / Percussion solo - it cranked
2) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked, the people from TMOTT shouted, "Hey hey hey" / Percussion solo
Skaci was there.
3) Donnell-led "Talk to me... Gangster... Walk with me"
4) Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" / "___ Hooray" - it cranked / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C"
5) Donnell & Sean-led "Unh, unh unh"
6) Donnell-led "___ Is Yes" / "Keep it low"
7) Kay Kay rapped "Know my name"
8) Donnell-led "Reggae" / "But is it really like that" - the house lights came on, it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease)
9) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - Los danced really silly (and had done so earlier with another woman) with Sherray, who was pushed right back into him by Danielle, Donnell said, "What you doing Showtime?" / Donnell sung announcements
10) Sean-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got - Godfather played the flugelhorn, it cranked
11) Donnell & Halima-led It I What It Is
12) Donnell-led D-I-P
Donnell said, "Rickea got dumped on the highway."
Donnell taunted Pinkey about the Cowboys.

The Funky Meters & Chuck Brown at Strathmore Hall
The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln, North Bethesda, MD 20852

This was my first time at the Strathmore Hall (the current concert hall is new and is home to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra) and my first time seeing the Meters.


The Funky Meters

Art, George, Brian, Russell (in back)
The Meters were formed in 1965 (with members Art Neville (vocals and keyboard player), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), George Porter, Jr. (bass). and Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste (drummer)). They not only were one of the pioneer Funk groups, but one of the few really small Funk groups that could really crank (the smallest successful ones were Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsies (with Billy Cox on Bass, and Buddy Miles on drums) and the second version of the Jimi Hendrix Experience (with Billy Cox on bass, and Mitch Mitchell on drums)). They broke up in the late 70's due to a trademark dispute over the band name with their former producer Allen Toussaint. They re-formed as the Funky Meters in 1989. Nocentelli and Modeliste were replaced by Brian Stoltz and David Russell Batiste, Jr. eventually. Art Neville also leads the Neville Brothers, and the three other members have played without Art as PBS (Porter-Baptiste-Stoltz).
They started on time. Although I am a fan of the Meters, I got the setlist from another attendee who taped their performance.
1) Instrumental/Welcome to Strathmore Hall (2:27)
2) Jam > (1:38)
3) Funky Miracle > (2:50)
4) Sly & the Family Stone's Sing a Simple Song > (1:53)
5) Bob Dylan's Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 > (2:50)
6) "George, what is it?" Jam > (1:09)
7) Just Kissed My Baby > (7:29)
8) Chug A-Lug > (6:55)
9) Africa - Brian took off his jacket and briefly left the stage > (6:28)
10) Russell Batiste drum solo > (2:18)
11) Cissy Strut - the crowd recited lyrics / Cissy Pickup (tease) > (3:56)
12) Louis Jordan's Saturday Night Fish Fry > (2:20)
13) Cardova > (3:10)
14) Look-Ka Py Py (2:16)
15) banter - I couldn't hear most of what Art said (2:17)
16) Fire On The Bayou / Dr. John's Walk On Gilded Splinters / Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine lyrics / Neville Brothers' Poppa Funk (tease) > (14:09)
17) Art introduced the band. Art fell over and needed to be helped up, he said, "Pay me no attention."(2:55)
Encores:
18) They All Ask'd For You (tease) > (2:10)
19) Hey Pocky A-Way (3:53)
I enjoyed it a lot, I just wish it was longer.

The house lights came on and they had a formal intermission.

The congas were set up on top of felt.

Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers

Chuck Brown (vocals & guitar), Sweet Cherie (vocals & keyboard), Little Benny ((late in set only) vocals & trumpet), Kay Kay ((late in set only) rapper), Bryan Mills (Sax), Brad Clements (trumpet), Greg Boyer (of P-Funk, trombone), David Dyson (bass), Vince Evans (keyboard), JuJu House (drummer), and Mighty Moe Hagans (congas).
1) Keyboard intro
2) crowd "Wind me up, Chuck" / Chuck-led "Feel alright?" - the audience responded, Chuck had a bright spotlight on him / Chuck rapped
3) Earl Hagen's Harlem Nocturne - Chuck introduced the band and they soloed after being introduced Greg, Brad, Bryan, Sweet Cherie, Vince, JuJu "JuJu House in the house", David, Mighty Moe (I couldn't make out his name, but I got it from a Washington Post review of the performance)
4) Chuck-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine - Greg played a trombone solo
5) Chuck rapped / "When you walk in the door" - the crowd responded, "Hello hello" / "Tell me what you feel like doing, y'all" - the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body" / "Hey ay ay ay, Oh oh oh"
6) Chuck-led Sho Ya' Right (tease)
7) Chuck-led Barry White's Playing Your Game, Baby - Brad played a trumpet solo, the crowd recited the lyrics, Greg played a trombone solo, Bryan played a Sax solo
8) Chuck-led Louis Jordan's Run Joe
9) Chuck-led Hoochie Coochie Man
10) Sweet Cherie-led Fergie's London Bridge - Bryan played Cherie's keyboard
11) Sweet Cherie-led Mary J. Blige's Enough Cryin' - Sweet Cherie had the spotlight on her, she really moved her body around, She said, "Hold up, wait a minute" / "Shake, shake shake"
12) Sweet Cherie-led Beyonce's Check on It - Little Benny joined in, Little Benny said, "Work that beat", Sweet Cherie went back to her keyboard, she still had the spotlight on her briefly
13) Little Benny-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the spotlight went back on Chuck
14) Percussion solo - Kay Kay went onstage
15) Little Benny-led Cat in the Hat - Little Benny walked around
Chuck thanked Little Benny
16) Kay Kay rapped "Give me a little piece of that... what's go into that cat" - the spotlight went on Kay Kay
Chuck asked for, and received, applause.
17) Chuck-led Duke Ellington's It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That GoGo Swing) - the crowd shouted, "Doo wop, doo wop, doo wop
18) Chuck-led Lionel Hampton's Midnight Sun
19) Chuck-led Moody's Mood for Love - Brad played a trumpet solo
20) Chuck-led Louis Jordan's Woody Woodpecker
21) the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Chuck!" / Chuck-led "Tired yet, ready to quit" - the crowd responded, "Hello no!"
22) Chuck-led Sho Ya' Right
23) Chuck-led Bustin' Loose
The house lights came on and Chuck said, "Oh my goodness! I didn't know how many people were here. I could play all night here."
24) Chuck acapella "When you walk in the door" - the crowd responded, "Hello, hello" / "What do you feel like doing?" - the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body"
Chuck said, "I feel good when people ask me for my autograph."

I left and headed for J's.

Crossover Band, L!ssen Da Grew^P, and Proper Utensils at Mirrors
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue N.E. Washington, DC 20002

I had missed Proper Utensils before, but I wasn't going to miss this: I really wanted to see Mike Muse sing again especially.

Crossover Band
Tony, Ms. Co-Co, Slick Rick
The probable line up was: Slick Rick (lead talker), Tony (vocalist), Ms. Co-Co (vocalist), Joe (guitar & rapper), Battle (bass), Marky (keyboard), Moses (Keyboard), Miles (keyboard), Slim Jim (percussion & vocalist), Rock Steady (congas), and Gerald (drummer).
They weren't on the advertisement, and this was my first time seeing them, so I didn't know who they were until they identified themselves.
When they first started performing, the line up was: Tony, Ms. Co-Co, Battle, 2 keyboard players, and Gerald. I sat at one of the couches on the right side of the dance floor and a woman in another couch next to mine was filming Crossover's performance.
Sashay Shaunte came over and said hello.
1) Tony-led Blackstreet's Before I Let You Go
2) Tony and Ms. Co-Co left the stage and the band jammed.
Slim Jim came over and said hello before he got onstage.
The full band went onstage. They cranked.
Darrell was there. T-Bird was there (working).
They also performed: Mary J. Blige's Enough Cryin', a nice percussion solo, Lil Kim's Lighters Up, Rick James' Mary Jane, Sly & the Family Stone's Family Affair, Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got, Aretha Franklin's Rocksteady, and Busta Rhymes' I Love My Chick featuring Kelis. They were good, but I need to see them again to form a more full opinion.

Delano was there.

L!ssen Da Grew^P

I noticed D and Vincent from Bobby Smoot's sound company were setting up equipment; they must have come here from Zanzibar tonight.
L!ssen performed: Ne-Yo's When You're Mad and Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got - it cranked.
Darrell introduced me to Machelle; she was there with Gwynn, whom I already knew.
Nephew was there.
Tuffy had the towel on his head in his mouth.
They also performed Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - I couldn't hear the lead lyrics, which was an improvement for that song (its lyrics are awful).
Michelle Blackwell got onstage and rapped.
They performed Busta Rhymes' I Love My Chick featuring Kelis, Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot, 50 Cent's In Da Club, Sunshine, they played a sample of Shawnna's Getting Some, D4L's Laffy Taffy, and Dem Franchize Boyz' Lean With It Rock With It.
This was their best performance I've ever been to - I wasn't bored at all and they did crank.

Buzz, Patrice Bowie's manager, and Ron Moten were there.

Tasha, the promoter, talked with Darrell and me.

Proper Utensils

Donald and Mike (during Eric Benet's The Last Time)


Roy and Donald (during Eric Benet's The Last Time)


Donald, Little Benny, James Funk (during Anthony Hamilton's Change Your World)


Little Benny, James Funk, Mike
James Funk said, "If you're looking for go hard, you're in the wrong place." (I prefer the throw down crank myself).
He did band introductions: Dynamite Mike (Michael Muse) (singer), Little Benny "Been in the business for 30 years" (vocals and trumpet), Donald Tillery (vocals and trumpet), Roy Pitchback (spelling? Sax, flute, cowbell), John "JB" Buchanan (keyboard player), another keyboard player, bass player, Foxy Rob (congas), drummer (to be honest, I can't read all my notes on the line up).
Funk did birthday announcements.
Funk did shout outs to Gwynn and Machelle.
1) Mike-led Eric Benet's The Last Time
2) Donald-led Anthony Hamilton's Change Your World - James Funk was doing the air guitar (a trend he's famous for starting in GoGo, this was the first time I've seen him perform. I went to a Rare Essence show he performed with, but it was dark and I didn't see the band)
3) Percussion solo - it cranked, the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Funk!" / Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
4) Percussion solo / Funk-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Mike-led Gerald Levert's How Many Times
6) Percussion solo / Funk-led "Feel alright now?" - the crowd responded, "Hell yeah!" / "Tell me what you feel like doing" - the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body" / the crowd shouted, "Wind me up Funk" - Funk held his mic to fans
7) Little Benny-led Yung Joc's It's Going Down / Funk-led ?
8) Funk-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - for Scorpios
9) Mike-led "Let me show you"
10) Instrumental
11) Little Benny-led Lil Wayne's Stuntin' Like My Daddy - the houselights came on, Little Benny said, "Randy Watson" (a reference to Coming to America)
12) Instrumental
I enjoyed their performance. They did crank, but not as much as I prefer

I had some of the usual treatment as a white guy, people asking if I owned the club or was a reporter.

On my way out of the club, I asked the cover taker when Saturday's show started. She pointed to a flyer on the opposite wall - it said it started at 10 PM.

Shawn & Nikia's Birthday Celebration
Phish Tea Cafe, 1335 H St NE Washington, DC 20002

There were search lights aimed at the sky in the alley between the Phish Tea Cafe and the Atlas Theatre next door.

Mona, Pee Wee, Nikia (her actual birthday is Monday, but she was celebrating today), Skaci, Yolanda, Sanisse, Shawn, and RE Angie were there.

Halima had a new hairdo.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Omarr said (off the mic), "Whose birthday is it?" Donnell parroted him (on the mic), "Whose birthday is it?" Shawn screamed, "Omarr!" Donnell said, "Who's got the freak me dress on?"
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic - Donnell played his Sax on the dance floor, it cranked
2) The Stylistics' People Make the World (Go Round) (Instrumental) - Lorenzo played a nice solo
Ebony and BY of the Junkyard Band were there.
Donnell did birthday announcements, including for Shawn.
3) Sean-led Burt Bacharach & Hal David's A House Is Not a Home / Happy Birthday (to Shawn) - Sean sang on the dance floor
4) Sean-led Raheem DeVaughn's You
5) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's My Love / JB's Doing it to Death (tease)
6) Halima-led "Never free?" - it cranked
7) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
8) Alternating Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - it cranked, Donnell said, "We got... sweating up here" / Percussion solo
Peg Leg was there
9) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - it cranked
Mousie and Los were there.

Halima's hairdresser Keisha, Tiffany, Janetta, and Darlene were there.

Second Set
Donnell talked about the upcoming Positive Black Men Coalition's Night of Elegance. He said, "Halima's going to be absolutely naked. We're going to post the pictures on Rearview2.com". Nephew laughed.
1) Alternating Sean-led Omarion's Entourage / Percussion solo - it cranked
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - verses for Scorpios, April, Angel, and others
4) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it though) / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "You make me feel like this... I see... we ain't going to go nowhere. Make a... Smoke, Stomp"
5) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy (tease)
6) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" - Sanisse was making "Whoo whoo" calls repeatedly / "Keep it low" / Sample "What?"
7) Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon - referring to the heat "Turn on the air conditioning, turn on the air"
8) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - more "Whoo whoo" calls by Sanisse / "But is it really like that, Is it really like that?" / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Must Be Like That (tease)
Slick Rick was there.
Donnell said, "I know what I forgot"
9) Alternating Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome - RE Angie sat in on congas, the crowd shouted, and Donnell responded, "What y'all say? What do you want?" / "RE-Angie" chant / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon (tease) / Percussion solo
10) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked
11) Sean-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got - it cranked
12) Donnell acapella The Supremes' Does Your Mama Know About Me
13) Donnell acapella Tavares' Remember What I Told You to Forget
Donnell said, "Halima wasn't even a concept when these songs were written."
Donnell said, "Halima's so scared because I'm learning"

Trea & Kay's Birthday Celebration
J's Sports Cafe, 12617 Laurel Bowie Rd (Route 197), Laurel, MD 20708

The pool tables all had covers on them.

Natalie, Tanya, Tamara (Ms. GEM_In_I), Sashay Shaunte, Shante (Songbird), Sam (Black Heart), and Audrey (Da Remixx) were there.

Jammin' Jeff & The Band
?) Male rapped
?) Tamara sat in and sang Jill Scott's It's Love
?) Jay-led "Let me be Crazy" - it cranked
Jazzy Layse and Chevy of Fatal Attraction were there.
?) Jay-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back, Packy played the cowbell
?) Allison-led ?
Sanisse and Yolanda were there.
?) Cleophus rapped over Junkyard Band's Sardines - it cranked
?) Cleophus-led Rare Essence's Going to Hollywood - it cranked
Trea (celebrating her birthday), her sister Tamika, and Javonne were there.
?) Allison-led Ashlee Simpson's Pieces of Me

Peg Leg, Dianya, SaVern, Nikia, NeeNee, Kia, and James were there.

Familiar Faces
Sound Check
Donnell acapella "Greatest story never told"

Kay (also celebrating her birthday) was there.

First Set
Donnell said, "Like I said last week, this party isn't for everyone: this isn't the Amazon. That's okay; we can tell you where to go."
1) Sean-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got / Percussion solo - it cranked / Donnell-led Nicole the Bartender (tease) / Donnell-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease)
Donnell did birthday announcements, including for Trea.
Donnell said, "Here comes Halima. I told you she didn't quit."
6'9 was there.
2) Instrumental (tease) of Omarion's Entourage / Alternating Percussion solo / Sean-led Omarion's Entourage
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
Ray and Darlene were there.
4) Alternating Donnell-led Nicole the Bartender / Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank / Donnell said, "Drinks up, whoa, whoa, whoa"
Mousie was there.
5) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" repeatedly / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / Donnell-led "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me" chant
6) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low"
7) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's My Life

Damond, Ron Moten, Tyrell, and L-Boogie were there.

Second Set
1) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back / Percussion solo - it cranked
Donnell talked about the Dallas Cowboys and called their quarterback Tony Homo.
2) Sean-led B.G.'s I Know - it cranked
3) Sean-led India Arie's There's Hope
4) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party, everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Get with him, Lee"
Jay Gotti was there.
5) Donnell & Sean-led "On the small of her back, she got a tattoo" - it cranked, Sean held his mic to Jacques playing the cowbell
6) Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss - it cranked
7) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful
Skaci was there.
8) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked
9) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - the house lights came on
10) Donnell-led D-I-P / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Swear to God, you never had a pocket like this", the cowbell was really prominent
11) Stomp drum solo

I planned to go out on Saturday night, but I lost my voice during the day (it didn't help that Maryland's win over Clemson was so close).

T-Bird and Nita's Birthday Celebrations
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

The clocks rolled back at 2 AM, so they played extra long.

Simone, Nece, JoJo, Marquita, Tracy, Delano, Tasha, James, Monica (Ms. Mo), Los, Lashan, Keisha, Nita, Boo, Ray, Troy, DeeDee, Sweet Chelle, DJ, and Peanut were there.

Familiar Faces
Sound Check
Donnell acapella Slick Rick's La Di Da Di
I recognized Doc and Dwayne playing a riff from a Weather Report song.

Shawn, NeeNee, Kia, Gwen, and SaVern were there.

First Set
Donnell did birthday announcements
1) Alternating 6 Minutes percussion solo - it cranked / Donnell-led "On the small of her back, she got a tattoo" - Donnell said, "I'm going to give the rules... Grown & Sexy", Donnell said, "Where's Halima? She might have quit. She'll say, 'I had trouble with my car, my outfit, my man..."
Nicole and Peg Leg were there.
2) Alternating Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked, Donnell saw Halima and said, "I told you she didn't quit" / Percussion solo
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Nicole the Bartender - girls sang along / Donnell-led Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank (tease) / "Whoa whoa whoa" / Percussion solo
5) Alternating Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" repeatedly / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine chant" / Donnell-led "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me"
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time (yell)
Tracy S., Angie, Keisha, and Jan were there.
7) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - Halima sang, "Ooh ooh" repeatedly
8) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - it cranked, Stomp played the dial tone / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease) / Tupac's Hail Mary (tease)
L-Boogie and Shadonna were there.
9) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful
10) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's My Life

During the break, Doc talked about working a Weather Report tune in.

Stomp had been at Sharmba Mitchell's party, EU was performing and Ivan Goff was with them.

Tasty, Gary, RE Angie, Ebony, Mona, Mousie, Mia, Yolanda, Sanisse, Mary, Slick Rick, Vic, and Nicole (Classics) were there.

Second Set
Donnell did birthday announcements.
Donnell did his "Public Service Announcement"; telling people "that if someone steps on your foot, it's alright", etc.
6'9 and Rece (celebrating her birthday) were there.
1) Percussion solo / Donnell rapped / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
Stacy (Choo Choo's cousin) was there.
2) Sean-led Ne-Yo's Sexy Love - it cranked / Michael Jackson's Human Nature (tease) / Percussion solo
3) Sean-led India Arie's There's Hope - Donnell sang "Michelle my belle", Godfather played the flugelhorn
4) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low"
5) Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss - it cranked / Percussion solo
6) Alternating Donnell-led Welcome to the Terrordome - RE Angie sat in on congas, it cranked / "RE-Angie" chant
7) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked -->
8) Donnell & Sean-led "Unh, unh unh"
9) Sean-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got - Godfather played the flugelhorn, the house lights came on / Percussion solo
10) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - it cranked
11) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - it cranked, either Godfather or Lorenzo played different keyboard riffs
12) Donnell-led Hey Tasty (Miss Keta) Do Your Dance for Me - verses for Mona, RE Angie and others, Doc told me "Fire!": Dwayne's amp had smoke coming out of it, Donnell said, "We better get you up here SaVern, what you did last night, we need to enter you in a contest" / Percussion solo