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

Darrell took pictures; I will post them when I get them.

Peg Leg, Tim (LJ), Damond, Ebo, Nita, Candi, Kia, and Ishay were there. Candi introduced me to her friend Joy (celebrating her birthday).

Jammin' Jeff & the Band (in progress)
?) Allison-led Beyonce's Irreplaceable
?) Jay-led Gnarls Barkley's Crazy
?) ? - it cranked
LA and Tracy were there.
?) Allison-led Toni Braxton's Take This Ring
Julia, Chris, Twan (female), Roosevelt, Darrell, Angie, Los, Skaci, Boo, Ray, Yolanda, and Tasty were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
TJ sang backup (her birthday?).
1) Halima-led ? (familiar cover)
2) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked
June was there.
3) Sean-led Ne-Yo's Sexy Love - it cranked / Michael Jackson's Human Nature (tease)
4) Donnell-led "We got 20 birthdays in the house" / 50 Cent's In Da Club - "Go Capricorns, it's your birthday!", it cranked
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
6) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked
India was there.
7) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo
Yannie of L!ssen Band and Chevy of Fatal Attraction were there.
8) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me" chant
Mall and Tasha were there.
9) Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick
10) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's My Life
Dana and Jazzy Layse of Jigaboo were there.
11) Sean-led "So maybe, don't mean..."
Shaunte (Stacey's Cousin) was there. LA introduced me to her friend Resi (spelling?). SaVern (celebrating her birthday), Tiffany, and Janetta were there.

Second set
1) Instrumental - it was an old R&B song
2) Donnell acapella Common's The Corner
Darlene and Gwynn were there.
3) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya"
4) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I really hate it though), interrupted by a fight, Donnell said, "We try not to have that foolishness up in here. We may have to make this 25 and up, maybe 25's too low. Too many bands thrown out of too many clubs. I got kids to feed."
5) Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning (tease) / Alternating "___ is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low" -->
6) Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome / Smoke conga solo - it cranked, the house lights came on, it was really long / "Hooray" repeatedly, Donnell said, "I can't believe people can stand still with that, you must be from New York."
7) Godfather keyboard outtro
Donnell said, "I haven't heard the Farfisa in a long time."
Donnell said to the audience, "Fellas, you got to get your sh*t together."
8) Donnell acapella Common's The Corner
Donnell was still talking, but had his mic turned off by Junior.

Thursday at the Mexico Lindo
Mexico Lindo, 5652 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg, MD

Tamika of ERT Security said hello to me in the parking lot.

02 was there. DJ Franchise introduced himself to me. Kelasia came over and introduced herself to me. Disco Earl and Teago were there - they sat down and worked out the set list before the show. I introduced myself to Dat Azn Shawty.

Nena was there, working. Duce7 of the What? Band was there.

Me and Kelasia

Fatal Attraction Band

Kendal, Darryl, Varda, Chevy, JR


Terrance, Teago, Wayne, Darryl, Varda, Angelo


Darryl, Varda, Angelo, Chevy, Blackface, JR, Kendal


Wayne, Darryl, Varda, Angelo, Chevy, Blackface
The line up was: Wayne (lead talker), Kendal (talker & keyboard), Darryl (vocals & cowbell), Varda (vocals), Chevy (vocals), JR (vocals & guitar), Blackface (keyboard), Terrance (bass), Angelo (drummer), Deuce9/PutMeInThePocket (percussion).
1) JR-led Raheem DeVaughn's You - laid back and then cranked (mainly the drums)
2) Percussion solo - light crank / Chevy "Woo doo" repeated / Chevy-led Floetry's Supastar - it cranked, Darryl played the cowbell
3) Kendall & Darryl-led ? / Kendal "Hold It" / Percussion solo / Varda-led ?
Wayne arrived and Kendal went to his keyboard.
4) Percussion solo / "Greygoose" / Darryl-led ?
Danielle (Wellfhed) and Simone (Supa) were there.
5) Tom solo / Chevy-led Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing
6) ?-led ? - it cranked / Darryl-led "Everybody in the club hands up" - the frontline danced in synch / Chevy-led "Yes, yes"
7) Wayne-led "Sex" / DJ Unk's Walk It Out - Wayne danced with his knees touching and spreading, the frontline danced in synch, Deuce9 played the toms, the male members of the frontline moved their arms (not air guitar)
8) Darryl-led Gnarls Barkley's Crazy - Deuce9 played the toms
Tre, Candylady, and Still Yeahoe & Fat Docta of Black Passion were there.

I discussed with 02 his sitting in with secular GoGo bands. He said, "I'm just getting the party started if they ask me to rap it will be Gospel, that's what I know."

Backyard Band
Their management told me I couldn't take pictures of the band, as they are finally about to put out their low-awaited Hood Related 2. Numerous members of their management team came by to tell me. One guy named O said that despite that, I could take pictures of them at some point in the future and took my card.
Big G was late, and I don't recall seeing Weensy.
First Set
1) Lysette-led "The first time I cried" - it was laid back
2) LJ-led ? - it was laid back
3) Lysette-led Beyonce's Irreplaceable
4) LJ-led "Let's go little kitty cat"
5) LJ-led ? - it cranked
6) Lysette-led ? - it cranked, toms
7) LJ-led ? - it cranked, toms
Big G arrived
I was paying more attention to taking pictures than the music - I had tease Kelasia in advance that if I couldn't take pictures of Backyard, I'd take 100 pictures of her. It cranked, but they play too much toms for my taste. Next time I'll focus more on the music.

Michelle Blackwell, Rah, and Killa Cal of the What? Band were there. Roe was there. Killa Cal told me, "I like what you're doing with the website." Tuffy of L!ssen Da Grew^p was there; he said to me, "I know you."

Killa Cal, Roe, Rah


Killa Cal, Rah, Michelle, Roe


Rah (back to camera), Fat Docta of Black Passion, Michelle, Killa Cal


Michelle (foreground), Roe, Teago, Rah, Tuffy, Wayne (background)
All pictures (other than the flyer) taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

02's review:
Fatal hits the stage and I notice that theres a new board player and JR is now on the guitar...Homie was warmin up hittin Purple Rain on the vocals and guitar. Not bad...Not bad at all.. So they start out wit Kendall whose usually their second board player on LEAD MIC.. Shocked First song was a Raheem joant "Song is gonna be about You"...Not bad Vocals were good, music was cool... I guess since I've heard it perfected by other bands it didn't overly impress me but sounded good nevertheless.. Cool ..Then they went into the 1 on 1 socket Shocked Shocked Joant was CLEAN AS EMUTHA!...Disco Earl had them in the MIX this week...goodness.. never heard their mix sound so clean before. Socket was just drivin wit Kendall warmin...lockin it down.. talkin a lil trash..sounded like a totally different band.. the 1 on 1 led to Floetry "Superstar" joant. Chevy handled things once again...homie is the truth I just need more stage presence from her or maybe its tough being as though its a late arriving crowd. Next was Socket to the Snoop and Kells joant... went into it ROUGH...but got it together QUICK. Lil Youngin on drums gettin better and better every week. So while they rockin this socket Kendall got the 808's workin...lettin the beat drive....in walks Wayne.. Laughing Laughing Laughing in his Greater Holiness Jesus Loves Us to The Fullest Church outfit Laughing Laughing ...Homie jumps right in on beat Cool Cool Kendall rolls out back to the boards and YES THEY HAVE A FUN BAND GOING!!!!!!!!!! Shocked Shocked Shocked Mannn Snoop joant was nice...Then the sicer of the night the Congo version on Grey Goose...I love this joant.. smooth... with the Lead Chuckin in there...yes... then they went to the timbalie version of Grey Goose Laughing Laughing ROCKIN... they finished out the set with Move it Now..hold up...yall had to see Wayne Walk It OUT!....CLASSIC!!!!!!!! I swear he's the best STEPPER in GoGo... Laughing Laughing then they ended with anther rototom joant...don't know the name of it...might was Front to the Back... Overall GREAT performance...They had the Light Show and everything goin for Fatal this week...really enhanced their performance.. I got word from Management that the Band was put through a 6 hours or practice this week.. Shocked Great Job..

Backyard started out with alot of pieces missing from the puzzle but by the time they got in the heat of things everyone was there except Weensey. Came out with the LOVELY Lysette singing some slow joant...then Irreplaceable (Yeahoe ..YOU ARE LUNCHIN) Laughing ...then Kitty Kat....Not bad...then the So Seductive Socket!!!!!!!!! OH YES!!!!! OH YES!!!!...Sauce once again...put on an exhibition... and Los had the air guitar goin too Shocked Shocked ...next O-Cup/I got your Man...eh...normal (G walked in on the end of it)..then to Caroline...the music on this song is beautiful man..kudos to Mike, EB, and Marcus...halftime.. Came back wit Lysette sing Got to Be Who You Are Shocked Shocked Shocked this one is top 5 original joant too..man I love this song..then Lysette did another original to a DOPE JAM BEAT...its called Baby Phat or something... but its HER song...and it CRANKS! Very Happy ...THEN to 95...I say HELLO.... then to Eagle on...WATCH OUT FOR CHRIS CUZ... Laughing ....then to Choppa w/Zo... YOU WOULD IF YOU COULD NICCA... Cool Cool

THE MOST CLASSIC MOMENT OF THE NIGHT!!!!!!!!was when Tmott's own Supa climbed up on to the Rodeo Bull in the Lindo... YOUNG!!!!!!!!! Yeah tried Once to get on and fell...WHICH DREW THE CROWD OVER bammas is rollin...So Ging see her and helps her out ..Wellfhed goes over to help her out also...MANNNNNNN after the 3rd attempt she finally gets on..and then just lays there.. ...Shooooooot I'm like turn that micky flick on and lets see what she can do..a rodeo in the GoGo would have siced me...Good job Supa Girl!!!!!REGULATORRRRRRRRS!

MeCelle's Birthday Celebration
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

MeCelle (celebrating her birthday), Tracy, and Tory were there. Tracy said her birthday was Christmas. Everett "E", Boo, Troy, Juanita, Peg Leg, Bianca, Danette, Bam, NeeNee, Kia, Shelly, Shawn, and Delano were there.

Familiar Faces
Googie played bass and Charlie wasn't present, so Packy played the cowbell all night.
1) Alternating Sean-led Ne-Yo's Sexy Love - it cranked / Percussion solo / Michael Jackson's Human Nature (tease)
Donnell said of Halima, "I told you she didn't quit, late as usual. Introducing Halima Peru"
2) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked, Halima held her mic to Tracy and other fans
3) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked
Skaci was there.
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Donnell shouted, "Wait a minute"
Archie was there.
6) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo / Percussion solo
7) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" repeatedly / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / "Southeast, South, Southeast" chant
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Smoke played timbales, Halima chanted, "Uh, uh oh" repeatedly
I met a woman named Mandi? Twan (the promoter), Pocahontas, and Donny Ray of EU was there.
Donnell talked about their upcoming show on Tuesday for a Fireman's benefit. Donnell said, "They do have benefits, ask Kal-el. You only have to work four nights a week so other people can come in. Last week was Nicole's birthday."

Second Set
1) Alternating Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo
I thought I saw Robin.
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this I swear, we ain't going nowhere"
4) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I really hate that song) / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me"
5) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25"
6) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - Sean played guitar, it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Donnell-led "But is it like that, is it really like that?" / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease)
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Sean played guitar, it cranked
8) Alternating Donnell-led Public Enemy's Terrordome / Percussion solo - it cranked, the house lights came on
9) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls - it cranked, Smoke played Timbales and Packy played congas / "Get your hands up" repeated
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What? (tease) - Smoke played timbales, it cranked -->
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time (tease) - Smoke played timbales, it cranked
12) Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - it cranked, Smoke went back to playing congas
13) Donnell-led Tabi Bonney's The Pocket
14) Godfather played "This Christmas time" - Halima asked John to give more time, he said no, she said, "Are you a grinch?" She sang anyway, Donnell and then Sean joined in
Simone, JoJo, and Angie were there.

Friday at J's
Crisfield Seafood Restaurant, 8012 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

I took my co-worker Preston to Crisfield's for his good bye lunch. I initially ordered no appetizer, then changed my mind and went to tell the waitress. I heard someone say "Hey". It was Sugar Bear. We talked briefly, he introduced me to the young lady he was dining with.

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

Skaci, Yvette, and Felecia were there.

Jammin Jeff & The Band
?) Allison-led ?
Allison said, "We'd like to invite someone up here." Omarr said, "It's me!" Packy said, "No one wants to hear your chicken scratches".
Jay Hayden-led ? - I enjoyed this performance of his much more than the previous one I heard, at the first performance of The Band I saw
Danielle was there.
Jay-led ?
Marvin, Pinkey, and Tia were there.
Cleophus-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood" (the music was to to Junkyard Band's Sardines) / Buggs of Junkyard Band came onstage. He said, "The Band has done their homework." / Buggs-led Junkyard Band's Sardines
Peg Leg was there.
?-led Yung Joc's It's Going Down / "Do it for the ladies, Oh my God!"
Tiger was there.
Jay-led Gnarls Barkley's Crazy

Tamara, Toya, her friend Tasha, Kiki, Los, Alena, Shawn, Tasha (River Terrace crew), Alisa and her friend Renee, Tim (LJ), Ytee, Ria, Rickea, Big Sixx of Raw Image, Tasha, 6'9, Danielle (Pink), and Ro'chelle (toosweet) were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) Instrumental - it cranked / Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
Ray was there.
2) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
3) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight - women in the audience sang along / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" repetaedly -->
Angie was there.
4) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked, Donnell said, "Doc read my mind you know how this goes"
Mia and Twan were there.
5) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
6) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low" / Sample "What?" / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "What y'all say?" / Donnell asked Bugg to sit in / Buggs-led "All my heart, I love you baby" / "Sam I am" - it cranked / "__ is in the house" / "Hey ay, Ho oh"
7) Buggs & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - it cranked / Donnell-led ? / Junkyard Band's Sardines (instrumental tease) / Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You've never heard a pocket like this I swear, we ain't going nowhere"
RE Angie was there.
Buggs said, "Familiar Faces is going to take a break."
Donnell said, This n*gga is the greatest man to do the microphone thing. We all learned off him. When I started off with Rare Essence, I would look at him at the other end of the Black Hole."

Sean and TJ arrived.

Ishay, Lashan, John, Kim, and Twan (the promoter) were there.

I talked with Danielle, she was dancing onstage. I asked her if she could sing too. She said yes. I asked her to sing something. She asked what. I told her whatever she wants. She wasn't sure. I told her I'd ask her again later.

Nikiya was there.

Second set
TJ was on backup vocals.
1) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful
2) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party, everybody" / Percussion solo - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C"
3) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still really hate that song) / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me"
Boo was there.
4) Donnell-led Public Enemy's Terrordome - RE Angie sat in on congas, it cranked / Percussion solo / "RE-Angie" chant / Donnell said, "Sixx 911, my man Sixx came all the way"
5) Alternating Big Sixx-led "Let's get it, Let's go" / Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - it cranked / Big Sixx-led Young B's Chicken Noodle Soup (tease)
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - it cranked / Big Sixx-led "Southeast, South, Southeast" chant / "Turn it over" - they flickered the stage lights telling them to stop playing

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

Mary, Yolanda, Sanisse, Simone, JoJo, Darrell, Candi, Kia, Ishay (spelling?), Pee Wee, and D Ball were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) Mother's Day - Donnell played his Sax on the dance floor, the band members traded solos
2) Miles Davis' (Michael Jackson's) Human Nature (instrumental) - it cranked
3) Alternating Sean-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change - Donnell played his Sax on the dance floor, Sean sang on the dance floor / Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine (same music) - Halaima sang on the dance floor
4) Sean-led Peabo Bryson's Feel the Fire - Sean & Halima sang on the dance floor, Sanisse shouted, "Hey" repeatedly, the singing was excellent
Donnell said, "She alright".
5) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever - it cranked
Candal was there.
6) Sean-led John Legend's Used to Love You - this was the first time I've heard Sean sing this, it cranked
Ras Lidj was there.
7) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked
8) Sean-led Beyonce's Deja Vu - it cranked
Nikiya was there. Bianca and I introduced ourselves to each other.

Second set
1) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (but I really hate that song) / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk with me" / A member of the Circle Boys (I don't know his name) sat in and rapped / Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You never heard hear a pocket like this I swear, You ain't going nowhere", Donnell said, "Sicce it up Doc" / Rare Essence's One by One (percussion solo)

Picture taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
Alisa and a friend of hers named Renee were there.
2) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) - Halima held her mic to Candi
3) Sean & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Pee Wee danced onstage, the dance floor vibrated, Sean played guitar, Mary whooped
4) Donnell-led "Party, party, everybody" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Sean held his mic to Candi, Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Get with him Lee"
5) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Halima-led "I used to be son of a...", Donnell said, "Work it Jordan" (I was dancing with a beautiful woman), Tony motioned to me to write, I pointed to my head (I had it in my mind, didn't need to write it down) / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful - Sanisse whooped
6) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked, Sean played guitar / Sean & Donnell-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease) / Percussion solo
7) Sean-led "Let's get this party started.. Holla at a player if you ever get ot the 213" - Donnell said, "202 or 301, you can change it up"
I met two women named Tracy and Shamika.
8) Godfather played Vince Guaraldi's Christmas Time Is Here
Tracy was talking to Darrell and Donnell said, "You cheating on me? Shamika, you and me, I'm through with Tracy."
Like last week, there was construction on Florida Ave on my way home that wasn't there on my way to the club.

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

This event was promoted by my friend Tasha.

I said hello to Tasha (T-Bird); she was working, she didn't see me last night, she was so busy. Chris came over and said hello. I didn't know she worked at Mirrors.

We were allowed to go downstairs too. There was a band, I don't know who, performing there. I took their picture.

All pictures below taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

Da Blueprint Band (basically Dynasty Band minus Dappa Dave) Started around 11:30 PM

$tyle$, Mz. Laydee, County


The line up was: $tyle$ (lead talker), Mz. Laydee (singer), Country (singer), 2 keyboard players, bass player, guitar player, trombone player, sax player, percussionist, drummer.
$tyle$ did a shout out to me and TMOTT
1) Mz. Laydee-led "Can you see me? Straight from the floor to the bed" - it was laid back
Jamal (Blueprint's manager) said hello to me.
2) Country-led "My first love... my friends... your door"
3) Mz. Laydee-led "That's what I love most about Shorty... Want to rock with you" - it cranked / Percussion solo
4) Country-led "She's a fine girl you ought to marry... wanna love you" - it cranked
5) Mz. Laydee-led "You must not know... go ahead... I'll never have the kind of man like you" - it cranked
6) Country-led ? - it was brief
7) $tyle$-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got
They announced the next song was an original by Mz. Laydee
8) Mz. Laydee-led "Put your ___ on... Ain't nobody's business..."
9) Alternating $tyle$-led NORE's I'm a G - the frontline danced in synch / Mz. Laydee-led Happy Birthday / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) / Country-led ?
I enjoyed it, they cranked.

$tyle$ came over and said hello.

Three girls asked me to take their picture:

Mz. Laydee came over and me take a picture of her and Lady$tyle$, who was celebrating her birthday.

Mz. Laydee and Lady$tyle$

Chi Ali and Chris Wright (who plays keyboards for Suttle Thoughts and Mambo Sauce) said hello.

Suttle Thoughts

Chris, Darryl, Red Footz, Sean, Kimese, Pretty Nikki, Joe


Chris, Darryl, Red Footz, Kimese, Sean, Pretty Nikki, Joe


Chris, Darryl, Chi Ali, Red Footz, Kimese, Sean, Drew, Pretty Nikki, Joe


Chris, Darryl, Chi Ali, Red Footz, Kimese, Sean, Drew, Pretty Nikki, Joe


Chris
The line up was: Chi Ali (lead talker), Kimese (singer), Pretty Nikki (singer), Chris Wright (keyboard player), Darryl (keyboard player), Sean Geason (bass), Joe (guitar) player, Drew (percussion), Red Footz (drummer).
First Set
1) Pretty Nikki-led "I ain't going to let you go... that every... say you love me" - they had a nice sound
2) Pretty Nikki-led Rufus' Sweet Thing - it cranked
3) Kimese-led Stevie Wonder's All I Do - it cranked
4) Percussion solo - Chi Ali did announcements / Kimese-led "I chased that out of my... we look to good to be drinking that" / Percussion solo / Chi Ali-led "There's a party going on" - Chi Ali said, "We're going to do the next one for the fellas"
5) Kimese-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked
6) Chi Ali-led "I stay on a Yamaha..." - it cranked
7) Kimese-led "I've been thinking about what I want to do" - Chi Ali played the cowbell / "It's the way that you feel when you know it's real"
8) Kimese-led Kelis' Bossy - it cranked / "Hold it" echoes / Chi Ali-led "Put your hands in the air if you're like that" / Percussion solo / Chi Ali-led ?
9) Pretty Nikki-led Christina Milian's Say I - it cranked / Chi Ali-led Busta Rhyme's I Love My Chick / Percussion solo / Chi Ali-led "Get up, get up"
10) Pretty Nikki-led Gnarls Barkley's Crazy

Second Set
1) Kimese-led Beyonce's Irreplaceable - it cranked / Percussion solo -->
2) Pretty Nikki-led ? (it was a cover) / Chi Ali-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got / Percussion solo
3) Alternating Pretty Nikki-led Shareefa's Need a Boss - it cranked / Conga solo
4) Kimese-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked, the houselights came on / "Oh sh*t" repeated / "La la la la"
It was my first time seeing Suttle Thoughts - interesting having no male singer.

On my way out, a girl named Regina stopped me. She had never seen a white guy at the GoGo before.

WHAT? Band Album Release Party
Mirrors, 33 New York Avenue N.E. Washington, DC 20002



It was really dark. I prefer to be able to see, both the performers and the ladies.

WHAT? Band
Second set (in progress)
?) Michelle-led ?
?) Killa Cal-led "Crazy" / "Everybody in the club go wild"
Chappy was there.
?) Michelle-led "I'm not ready"
?) Killa Cal-led Busta Rhyme's I Love My Chick
?) Michelle-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy
?) Michelle-led "Get your hands up" / Percussion solo
?) Michelle-led "We come to boogie"
Krystal (whom I hadn't seen since May) and PG Slim were there.

Killa Cal said hello to me.

Supa Dan, Danielle (Wellfhed), and Unique was there. Tasha (T-Bird) was working. It was so busy I couldn't get a Coke during the break, I gave up.

Third set
1) Killa Cal-led "Aye aye"
2) Alternating Michelle-led My Bad / Rah chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
3) Rah call and response with the audience / Rah chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
4) Killa Cal-led "I am an animal"
5) Rah-led "Al Capone, I'm the baddest ever on the microphone" / Percussion solo / Rah chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
Rah said they would perform "More from the album since it's an album release party"
6) Michelle-led Sex 101 "Tell me the way... I love you... I know you... that look you want to give me"
7) Rah said, "When it comes to party, DC, DC" - Rah stopped the music because there were people arguing, Rah said, "Can we just get along tonight?", the house lights came on but Rah said, "We good" and they went back off
8) Rah-led "You got to freak tonight, You're looking good for my N*gga in the house"
9) Killa Cal-led Yung Joc's I Know You See It
10) Killa Cal?-led Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank / Percussion solo
11) Rah-led "We fly, shy, We crank and you know it"
12) Rah-led "You might never see my face again" / "Let the beat work"
13) Killa Cal-led "Birdman"
14) Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back (instrumental tease)
15) The crowd shouted, "I love it, I know it"
16) Rah-led "South side" / "Let the beat work"
17) Killa Cal-led "We can do whatever's on our mind" / Percussion solo
18) Rah-led Tonight
19) Michelle-led Beyonce's Irreplaceable - girls sang along
20) Rocket Rob roto-tom solo - the house lights came on
Rah said, "Last song for the ladies, let it go"
21) Rah-led "I want to fly away" / Mr. Postman sample
22) Rocket Rob roto-tom outtro
Rah said, "Thank you for another nonviolent evening".
All of my pictures are from the end when the house lights came on.
All pictures below taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

Duce7 and Rah


Michelle


Killa Cal on the mic
This performance showed that the prior WHAT? Band performance I attended was not a fluke: they have the biggest audience response (in unity) I've seen. They really cranked.

On my way out, they handed out key chains with the album cover on them. 

Victor Wooten at the 930 Club
930 Club, 815 V ST NW, Washington DC 20001

Deanna Bogart Band

Deanna, Mike, Bernie, Dan
The line up was: Deanna Bogart (vocals and piano), Mike Aubin (drums), Dan Leonard (backup vocals, guitar), Bernie Hairston (backup vocals, bass)
Deanna said the only question was whether they played 5 songs or 1 long song.
1) Deanna-led "Sometimes people can be just plain wrong" - her style was Boogie Woogie, it didn't move me, but it was better than nothing
2) Deanna-led "What about the weather"
3) Deanna-led "I'm still just a girl in a band"
4) Deanna-led "Thunder & lightning, Shadows on the bedroom wall"
5) Deanna-led "Woke up on the wrong side of love" / Instrumental
Deanna thanked the audience.

Victor Wooten
The line up was: Victor Wooten (vocals & bass), Regi "The Teacher" Wooten (vocals & guitar), Joe Wooten (vocals & Keyboard), Anthony Wellington (vocals & bass), Sandra "The Voice" Williams (Vocals), Derico Watson (drummer).

Regi, Derico, Anthony, Victor, Joe


Victor


All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
The set list comes from my own notes as well as the set list provided by a taper of the performance.
Joe Wooten had a family photo on the device behind his keyboard.
1) Intro -->
2) Instrumental - it cranked, Regi had an unusual playing style (the way he used his hands), they traded solos
Saundra Williams came onstage.
3) Alternating Victor-led Victa - they played a Bootsy sample / Sly & the Family Stone's Family Affair
4) Victor-led Stay --> the bass line was to Sly & the Family Stone's (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), Regi, Anthony, and Saundra moved during the hits
5) Victor-led James Brown's We're Gonna Have a Funky Good Time ->
6) Victor-led Kool & the Gang's Ladies Night - the lights were dimmed -->
7) Victor-led Stay (reprise)
Victor said, "All the way from North Carolina, we call this lady the voice". Saundra Williams said, "Thank you for making me feel as welcome as last year."
8) Victor-led George Gershwin's Summertime -->
9) Victor-led Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine
Victor talked about how Regi taught him bass and Joe keyboards. He said we were going to get a lesson from the teacher. Everyone but Regi left the stage.
10) Regi solo ->
11) Miles Davis' All Blues / Sir Mack Rice's Mustang Sally (tease)
12) Jingle Bells (instrumental guitar solo)
13) Regi-led Ohio Players' Love Rollercoaster - the band came back and played on this song -->
14) Regi-led James Brown's Sex Machine - the frontline moved around-->
15) Regi-led Zeppelin's Kashmir - it cranked -->
16) Regi-led Jimi Hendrix's Fire -->
17) Victor-led Higher Law
18) Victor-led I Saw God The Other Day
Victor's relatives were on the balcony (VIP seating)
The band left the stage except Joe.
Victor talked about how Joe was playing with the Steve Miller Band.
19) Joe solo-No One Noticed Me
20) Joe solo instrumental -->
Joe left the stage and Derico came onstage.
21) Derico solo -->
22) Victor/Derico duo
23) Victor-led My Life
They left the stage and Anthony Wellington came onstage.
24) Anthony played a bass instrumental of Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song
Anthony said, "Victor just asked me to show him something. Show's you're never to big to steal."
He left the stage and was replaced by Victor
25) Victor played a bass solo of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen -->
26) Victor bass solo -->
27) Victor bass solo -->
28) Victor played a bass solo of Amazing Grace
They talked about all the Grammy nominations Victor's up for. Victor said, "If Grammy nominations were money, I'd be a rich man."
Encore
29) Victor-led I'm Gonna Miss You -->
Victor talked about his Aunt Lois who isn't a musician but has a great ear for music.
Victor talked about his new book, The Music Lesson. He said he took all what he learned from his brothers and wrote it as fiction. He said he didn't want to offend anyone, but what if the Bible were written as fiction? He said there wouldn't be any disputes then (I disagree).
30) I'm Gonna Miss You (reprise) ->
He apologized for being repetitive, but:
30) Victor-led Victa (reprise)
I enjoyed the performance, but really hate the 9:30 Club's lack of real seats and concrete interior. Even though I wore sneakers, my feet really hurt and I had to find some place to take a load of my feet multiple times.

After the performance, I walked to my car and drove to Mirrors.

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...