Familiar Faces' After Party at Bud's
Bud's 501 Club, 501 Morse St NE, Washington, DC 20002

The freezing rain had turned to snow, but it didn't stick to the streets and driving was no problem. I was happy to go to a late Friday show - Familiar Faces was having a special after party after performing their regular Friday show at Cranberries.

Bobbie and Nena were there, working.

Ariel, Los, and Tanneous (spelling?) were there.

Familiar Faces
The line up was: Sean "Kal-el" (vocals & guitar, 2nd set only), Halima Peru (vocals), Donnell (vocals & sax), DP (vocals, trumpet, and flugelhorn), Dwayne Lee (guitar), Doc (bass), Godfather (keyboard), Lorenzo (keyboard), Jammin' Jeff (drums), Smoke (congas), Jacques (percussion).
First set
1) Halima sang over an instrumental (warming up)
2) Alternating Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - Halima sang on the dance floor / Percussion solo -->
Tamara and 6'9 were there. Tamara took pictures, you can see them here.
3) Donnell & Halima-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - it cranked, Donnell performed on the dance floor / Percussion solo -->
Mama Chelle and March were there.
4) Alternating Donnell-led Tattoo - Donnell performed on the dance floor, he sang directly to Tamara, it cranked / "It's time to party, Familiar Faces come on" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" -->
5) Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More / Percussion solo
6) Halima-led Tamia's Can't Get Enough (the lyrics were hard to make out over the horn hits) - DP played the flugelhorn, it cranked
Shameika was there.

Jermaine played the congas and Nephew the drums during the break.

Donnell sang, "My baby loves me"

Second set
Donnell announced the Night of Elegance DVD was being released on Tuesday. He asked people to please buy it in the store. He also announced that the official release party would be on the 30th at the Crystal City Sheraton and that they would be playing at the Legend on the 28th.
1) Sean-led Musiq's Buddy / Percussion solo -->
2) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led "Do you think about me? Late night, turn off the lights, do you think how it'd be? Get the mood right? Oh my my my" - Donnell was singing this to a woman named Tracy, Donnell temporarily stopped the song and said, "I thought we left that at the Met.", it cranked / Vinnie D's Porno Star?
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
4) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!"
5) Donnell "FF only" rap / Alternating "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Jacques played the cowbell, Donnell said, "Don't stop"
6) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - Donnell added additional lyrics / Halima sang something / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "But is it like that, is it really like that?"
Most of the crowd (it had gotten pretty packed by the second set) left after this song.
Donnell said, "Something to walk out to"
Tomcat introduced himself to me.
7) Sean-led Tank's Please Don't Go? - it had a light crank, Packy played? Sean's guitar, Halima sang standing by the bar, the band was packing up during the song, Donnell played a Sax solo, at the end it was just Donnell on Sax, Lorenzo on keyboard, and Jammin' Jeff on drums

James' Birthday at Tradewinds
I have put up photos from the last performance I attended at Gary Clark's South Beach restaurant.

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

I drove Sayers. It was raining.

The pen I had was defective, so I couldn't take much in the way of notes.

Michael Ford came up and talked with me, he reminded me he had played congas with FF at Safari Station (it was June 17th 2005). He told me he had played with Ayre Rayde and had a number of Top 40 beats, including Shaft.

NeeNee, Kia, James, Tracy, Tori, Jan, Keisha, Kelly, Shawn, Trice, Dog, Skaci, Peg Leg, Mousy, Slick Rick, Archie, Tiffany, Darrell, Tony, Alena, March, Mama Chelle, Jessica, Tasha (T-Bird), Shanti, Cheri, Sanisse, and Nicole were there.

Familiar Faces

Dwayne Thomas and Jacques


Sean, Donnell, Packy, DP


Doc, Halima, Jacques, Sean


Doc, Tonya, Halima, Patrick, Shawn, Lorenzo


Doc and Sean


Donnell talking to Maketta


Sean and Donnell


DP, Tiffany, and more




Donnell, DP, Tony, Tiffany


Tiffany and DP


Donnell, DP, Tiffany


Donnell and more


Donnell and more


Donnell and Tiffany
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Thomas Sayers Ellis
Sayers talked with Donnell about having more lights on to take pictures more easily.
They started early due to Daylight Savings Time starting at 2 AM. Not all of the band members were there when they started.
Dwayne Lee was not present tonight.
First set
Donnell said, "Just give me a pocket."
1) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What Would You Do (For the Money?) - it cranked
2) Instrumental
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked
5) Donnell-led "Party, party, everybody" - it cranked / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick
6) Donnell & Halima-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - long performance
7) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - the crowd recited "I" repeatedly
8) Dirty Dirty sat in and rapped, "I'm Dirty Dirty"
9) Sean-led ? - laid back unfamiliar cover

Despite the rain, it was extremely packed, although it took a while for it to become so, especially since a lot of people didn't realize they were going to start early.

They also had a short break.

Second set
1) Sean-led "Please don't leave"
I may have missed a song or so during this time.
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Percussion solo - it cranked, Donnell sang, "You've never heard a pocket like this I swear, We ain't going nowhere.", Donnell sang, "I feel like dancing"
4) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya" - added lyrics
5) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style
6) Percussion solo - it was long, the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!"
7) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Nicole the Bartender - it cranked, it culminated with a drum solo by Dwayne Thomas / "Drinks up, whoa whoa whoa"
Halima played the triangle at times in both sets.
Halima told people to check out her myspace page.

Lupe Fiasco, Chuck Brown and the Roots at Constitution Hall
Constitution Hall, 1776 D St NW, Washington, DC 20006

I went with NeeNee to see The Roots. We walked from Farragut West - it was cold and windy. It was my first time at Constitution Hall since my sister's high school graduation (mine was there too). I consciously decided not to take notes.

Wasalu Muhammad "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco opened.
I'm not familiar with his songs. He had Simon Sez as his DJ and performed with another rapper (possibly Dusean "Bishop G" Dunbar?). Their performance didn't impress me - I prefer bands. At one point, his underpants were almost completely out of his pants. His set was about 30 minutes. I noticed my friend Thomas Sayers Ellis taking pictures on stage and in front of the stage.

Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers

Sweet Cherie and Brad


Mighty Moe and JuJu


Doug Crowley, unknown guy, Mark, Brad, Sweet Cherie, Kay Kay (facing the camera)


Bryan, Sweet Cherie, Brad, Mark, unknown guy, Chuck


Little Benny


Sweet Cherie, Chuck


Little Benny


Chuck, JuJu, unknown guy, Little Benny


JuJu, Kay Kay


JuJu
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Thomas Sayers Ellis
The line up was: Chuck Brown (vocals & guitar), Sweet Cherie Mitchell (vocals & keyboard), Anthony "Little Benny" Harley (vocals), Bryan Mills (Sax & keyboard), Brad Clements (trumpet), Mark (trombone), Doug Crowley (bass), Vince Evans (keyboard player), William "JuJu" House (drummer), and Mighty Moe (congas).
Kay Kay was there, but didn't perform due to time constraints. There was also a young guy who played the tambourine, he probably also was a vocalist who didn't get to perform also due to time constraints.
The set list was typical for Chuck, but it was nice and tight musically. They performed (not sure of the order), Earl Hagen's Harlem Nocturne, Chuck-led Hoochie Coochie Man, Chuck-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di, 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", Chuck-led Lionel Hampton's Midnight Sun, Chuck-led James Moody's Moody's Mood for Love, Chuck-led Louis Jordan's Woody Woodpecker, Sweet Cherie-led Mis-Teeq's Style, Little Benny-led "Hey ay, Ho oh", Little Benny-led Cat in the Hat. Chuck also did call & response, NeeNee knew all the lines. Chuck said they had to leave because they were out of time. I went up and said hello to Sayers during their set.

The Roots
The line up was: Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter (rapper), Kirk "Captain Kirk" Douglas (guitar & vocals), Leonard "Hub" Hubbard (bass), James "Kamal" Gray (keyboards), Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drummer), and Frank "Knuckles" Walker (percussion). The horn section was members of Brass Heaven, led by the trombonist Jeff Bradshaw. I don't remember the names of the other members, but there was a trumpet player, a Sax player (he had multiple Saxes), and a Sousaphone player.
The band came walking up to the stage from the middle aisle. There were no less than three band members playing cowbells, thanks Bruce Dickinson!
Their instruments were completely separate from Chuck's - Chuck's band was entirely on the stage floor, whereas Questlove's main drum kit (turquoise with lights in the drums) and Knuckles' percussion were on risers.
The Roots sign above and behind the band was lit up - it was green on the left, turquoise in the middle, and Purple on the right. It occasionally flashed, and sometimes just the S flashed.
I'm not sure of the set list (even though I'm a big fan of The Roots, I'm not good at identifying their songs). I recognized Proceed, Love of My Life, Break You Off, The Next Movement, The Seed 2.0, and I found video clips someone posted on youtube for Game Theory intro, Game Theory, Proceed, Pre-bass solo, Bass solo, and Star. I really enjoyed their Hip Hop 101 (including a song featuring Edgar Winter's Frankenstein, Incredible Bongo Band's Apache, Yung Joc's It's Going Down, Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got, Gnarls Barkley's Crazy, Nappy Roots' Slums, and more). Hub had a true solo, culminating with him playing the bassline from the Sugarhill Gang's Rappers' Delight (from Chic's Good Times). Brass Heaven performed James Brown covers with Questlove playing on a different drum kit, this one on the stage floor, off to the left. Black Thought said they were going to play a song written forty years ago by Bob Dylan. He talked about how the song, which was written about Vietnam, is appropriate for the Iraq war and that the Government was getting us to fight their battles for them. Captain Kirk lead a performance of Bob Dylan's Masters of War, together with the Sousaphone and Questlove (when he soloed, the spotlights would turn on and off at the hits to accent them), it alternated with Jimi Hendrix's Machine Gun. They later performed Kool & the Gang's Jungle Boogie. Kamal's daughter Kamia? was onstage, and she and he at one point skated across the floor wearing roller skates; Kamal played on a portable keyboard at this time. At the end, they did intros, which the various members standing in two lines, with the person being introduced walking in the aisle between. When it was Questlove's turn, Knuckles got on the drum kit, and they performed Tom Jones' It's Not Unusual during Questlove's intro.
This was my first time seeing Knuckles play, since I was unable to see him from my seat last year at the Warner Theatre. I was a bit disappointed: he didn't play the congas much; rather he spent most of his time playing the drum sampler. He played with sticks the entire time.

Thankfully it was warmer on the walk back to the Metro than it was walking to Constitution Hall.

Jermaine's birthday
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

Tyrell, Khallisa, Tracy S., LA, Everett "E", Tiffany, Peg Leg, Gwynn, Machelle, Skaci, India, Marquita, Darrell, Kiki, Dog, Shawn, and her cousin Nia were there.

Familiar Faces
Same line up as last time.
First set
1) Alternating Sean-led Brian McKnight's Find Myself in You - Sean played guitar, it cranked, it was instrumental at first, there were problems with the speakers and Sean's mic had feedback, Donnell said "Happy birthday Bin Laden (a joking nickname for Jermaine) / Percussion solo
Donnell said, "I told y'all Halima didn't quit."
2) Donnell & Halima-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - it cranked
Shadonna and Tony were there.
They took a long break. Donnell asked the people for the birthday party to go upstairs. After the break, he talked about how people should have taken his announcement seriously, that clubs have to deal with all sorts of licensing bodies, health inspectors, and in this case the fire marshal since the club was overcrowded.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - it cranked
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
5) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
6) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked / Percussion solo/instrumental
Dave was there.
7) Percussion solo - Donnell said something, it cranked
Donnell told the fellas, "We have nothing but respect for the ladies, they closed the Black Hole. There are other places you can party (if you want to behave like that)."
8) Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick (tease)
9) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease)
10) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - it cranked / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
11) Halima-led "I think about you, I can't get love from you" - laid back, Doc played onstage between the drums and Jacques
Stacy (ChooChoo's Cousin), Keshia, and Gwen were there.

Second set
Donnell talked about their Wednesday show at the Legend and the male dancers that performed before they did. Donnell said, "You should have seen Halima in the front row with a hand full of dollars."
1) Halima & Sean-led "Trying to find out who you are... I can take you out sometime... I can't lie... I can be yours and you can be mine" - it cranked / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "Say what, do what?"
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya" - with additional lyrics, Peg Leg and Dog danced on the stage floor
Jan & Keisha were there.
4) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - different music than usual for this song, it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful - Tiffany danced on the stage floor, Donnell said, "Percussion" / Percussion solo - Jacques played timbales, Packy played the cowbell / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease)
5) Donnell-led "___ Is yes" / "Keep it low" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" - Halima played the triangle / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Aw uhh oh ooh oh"
6) Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome - it cranked / Smoke conga solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "Say what?"
7) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love - the house lights came on / Vinnie D's $55 Motel
Archie was there.
8) Donnell & Halima-led Lisa Stanfield's All Around the World (tease)
9) Donnell & Sean-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
10) Donnell rapped
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls (tease) - they had to stop because Packy and Dwayne Thomas had to change one of the drum heads, Halima said, "I can always play the triangle"
12) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Packy played the cowbell, DP played a flugelhorn
13) Sean-led Jay-Z's Lost One

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

Trea, Natalie, Troy, Boo, Ray, Sanisse, Shawn, Keisha (ChooChoo's friend), Mimi, Sharon, Juanita, Peg Leg, Keisha, Danni, Danette, Ariel, Kia, and NeeNee were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
The line up was the same as the last show I attended.
1) Sean-led "Don't get mad if she calls my name... I know what you think... She used to be my girl" - it cranked / Percussion solo
2) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - it cranked / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood" - the frontline and Packy danced in synch / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
Dog was there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo
5) Donnell-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - it cranked, Donnell said, "Omarr, whatever setting Halima's on, put me on that" / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "Holla at your boy, I think she's watching me"
6) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" / Donnell-led "Brandywine, Friends of mine" chant
7) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / "Gangster, Walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya" - Dog danced on the stage floor
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (literal tease)
Cherie, Keisha, Jan, Christina, Netty, L-Boogie, Shelly, Shameika, Simone, 6'9, and Tasha were there.

Second set
1) Sean-led "J-Lo... too much... Sorry I'm a..." - it started off with just keyboards, it cranked
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
3) Donnell-led "Party, party, everybody" - it cranked, someone whooped / Alternating Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick, Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Get with him, Lee" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" -->
4) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Dance with me, y'all" -->
5) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Halima sang something / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Percussion solo - Packy played the cowbell, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute" / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease)
6) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Smoke played timbales
7) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes" - it cranked / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low" - the houselights came on / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke" / "In & Out and Up & Down" / Can We Touch Tonight - altered to "Can we come tonight" (tease) / Rare Essence's How Can I Know (tease) / Vinnie D's Porno Star? (tease) / Rare Essence's Geraldine (tease) / Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (tease) / "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's All Da Time / It Is What It Is / "This is why we hot"
8) Donnell-led "All I love is... I love you... If you ever saw a girl"

I talked briefly with Dwayne Thomas, the drummer.

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

Tracy, Mel, Tori, MeCelle, Weenie, Shaunte (Stacey's Cousin), Lachelle, Slim Goodie, Tyrell, Khallisa, Keisha, Danni, Dog, Shanti, Shawn, Renee, Mousie, Troy, James, Shadonna, Ray, Cindy, KiKi, 6'9, Ariel, Jackie, Angela, NeeNee, Kia, and Peg Leg were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
The line up was slightly different: Jacques was on 2nd percussion instead of Charlie, and they had a new drummer, his name is Dwayne Thomas.
1) Sean-led "J-Lo... and I can't... Here I am" - it cranked
Dave was there.
2) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo
Nece, the promoter, and Monique were there.
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell & Halima-led ?
6) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / ? / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant -->
7) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - Sean played guitar / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
Janetta was there.
8) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked, Halima played the cowbell / Halima-led "This is my story" / Donnell-led "But is it like that, is it really like that?" / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful
Shameika and Tijuana were there.
9) Sean-led Brian McKnight's Anytime - Packy played the cowbell, it cranked
Los, Shelly, Chevy of Fatal Attraction, Kay, Trea, March, Shorty Q, Simone, Skaci, Shannon, and Mary were there.

Second set
1) Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - it cranked / Percussion solo - Halima played the triangle, Donnell said, "Give her the cowbell, I want to see if she learned something"
Slick Rick and Sanisse were there.
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya" - Dog danced on the stage floor
4) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
5) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes" - it cranked / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low"
6) Donnell-led Nicole the Bartender (tease)
7) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, the houselights came on, Smoke played timbales
8) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked / Donnell-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out
9) Percussion solo / Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (instrumental tease) / Rare Essence's Geraldine (instrumental tease)
Jan and Keisha were there.

Familiar Faces at Tradewinds

After this weekend, I started a new assignment with my employer, so I have a much longer commute and will be going out a lot less.

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

Tracy, Melanie, Tori, Keisha, James, Troy, Marquita, Mama Chelle. March, Toonie, Shanti, Natalie, 6'9, Trea, Boo, Nita, Kia, NeeNee, Mary, and Sanisse were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) Halima-led Cherish's Unappreciated
2) Alternating Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U / Percussion solo - it cranked
Mia and Jessica were there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - Halima held her mic to fans
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Halima held her mic to fans
5) Sean & Donnell-led B.G,'s I Know - it cranked, Sanisse whooped
6) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "What y'all say, say what?" / Smoke played a conga solo -->
Alena and Shawn (not her friend) were there.
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's How Can I Know?
8) Donnell-led 50 Cent's in Da Club (tease)
9) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Sanisse whooped
10) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo
Tijuana and Shameika were there.
11) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked
12) Sean-led Raheem DeVaughn's You - Doc was on backp vocals

Archie, Ray, Tasha (T-Bird), Shannon, Slim Goodie, Sweet Chelle, and DeeDee were there.

Second set
1) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked
Junior was there.
2) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it), Doc was on backup vocals / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya" - Halima sang, "Dance with me y'all" / Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this I swear, we ain't going nowhere", the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Halima said, "What y'all say? Say what?"
3) Donnell & Halima-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
4) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - Packy played the cowbell, Smoke played timbales, Donnell said, "Give me a hood rat to go"
5) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful - the house lights came on / Halima sang something / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "But is it like that, is it really like that? Slow funk & grind, girl."
6) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked / Donnell-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out / Smoke played a conga solo / Donnell sang, "Every Saturday night this is where we're going to be"
L-Boogie was there.
7) Donnell acapella "Do you have the time" / Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease) / Tyrese's Sweet Lady (tease) / "Greatest story never told" / "Never saw you leaving"
Donnell said, "Push the button, when you don't, she sound like a frog. Ribbit"
8) Donnell acapella "If you need me just call" / Nicole the Bartender

Jig-A-Boo at CFE
CFE Events Center, 7758 Marlboro Pike, Forestville MD 20747

I went to go see my friend Jazzy Layse perform in the band she's in, Jig-a-Boo.

Damond was outside. He said hello. He told me they weren't started yet, but I could go in. There were tables in the back and between the speakers, which I sat in because the CFE plays their speakers way too loud.

Chappy, Big Buck of Publicity Band, and Still Yeahoe of Black Passion were there.

When Jazzy arrived, she said she used to model there and perform with her singing group, Signature. She said, "It feels like home." She told me she was sending materials to Atlantic Records.

Jig-a-Boo

J-Roc, Dre Dog, Moe, Jazzy, Bam, Spook, Warren (barely visible)


Dre Dog, Moe, Jazzy, Bam, Spook, Warren


J-Roc, Dre Dog, Moe, Jazzy, Bam, Spook


Dre Dog, Moe, Jazzy, Bam, Spook, Warren (barely visible)


Moe, Jazzy, Bam, Spook, Warren


Rodney, Jamar Dukes, Malik Da Freak, J-Roc, Big Iffy


Larry, Moe, Jazzy, Bam, Spook


Larry, Jamar Dukes, Jazzy, Spook, Bam
The line up was: Bam (lead talker), Jazzy Layse (vocals), J-Roc (vocals), Dre Dog (vocals/cowbell), Moe (vocals), Jamar "Jam" Dukes (vocals), Rodney (guitar), Warren (bass), Malik Da Freak (keyboard), Big Iffy (keyboard), Spook (percussionist) and Larry (drummer)
1) J-Roc-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked / Percussion solo
2) J-Roc-led "Baby girl, don't stop... you on your knees... it's the life" - it cranked / Percussion solo
3) "no more"
4) Alternating Dre Dog-led "F*ck the police" / Bam-led Busta Rhymes' I Love My Chick / Percussion solo / Scout from Publicity Band sat in and rapped / J-Roc-led "same old sh*t... got to hold on"

Larry, Moe, Jazzy, Bam, Scout, Spook, Warren
5) Bam-led "I've got the Remy, I've got the Hennessey, This is some Jig-a-boo sh*t" / Dre Dog-led "She was giving me head in the parking lot" - Jamar Dukes sat in, it cranked / "Drop to the back, the night falls... ASAP"
Bam said, "Can we get a moment of slience"
6) Bam-led Jim Jones' We Fly High - it cranked (espacially the congas) / Bam-led "Let's get it, let's get it, Chicken noodle soup, Jazzy noodle soup" - Peanut sat in on congas / Percussion solo

Dre Dog, Jazzy, Bam, Peanut
7) Bam-led "Party balls" / Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back (without primary lyrics) - it cranked, they played the toms / Fat Docta of Black Passion sat in "Heaven and hell, We rocking the bell, The name's Fat Docta" - Bam played congas

Dre Dog, Jazzy, Spook, Fat Docta
8) Bam-led "Got that light, purple Haze" - it cranked, they played congas / "Show me the money, Jig-a-boo express"
I enjoyed the performance, but the sound was a little rough

Junkyard Band (Buggs' version) was the headliner, but I left before they performed 'cause I had to work go to work on Friday.

MLK's Birthday Celebration
It was tough deciding which show to go to on this night.

Mambo Sauce, one of my favorite bands, and one that plays frequently, was playing.

I also found out afterwards, that this was the first show with my friend Twink playing drums for them. I've never seen her play.
Bobbie Westmoreland put 5 clips up on youtube: with Tabi Bonney, Go (Part 1), Go (Part 2), Damn Joe, and Things Will Get Better.

Lady Rhythm was also playing, and having seen them perform a couple of sounds on New Year's, I really want to see a full set from them.

Bobbie Westmoreland put 2 clips up on youtube: Clip1 & Sweet Thing.

CFE Events Center, 7758 Marlboro Pike, Forestville MD 20747

However, ultimately, I couldn't pass up seeing Familiar Faces and Proper Utensils on the same bill. I made the right decision, among other reasons; I saw a number of my friends whom I hadn't seen in months.

As I walked from my car to the side walk, an SUV crossed my path. I got the sidewalk before it got to me. Ebo was driving, she said, "Natalie made me do it." Angie was also with them.

I was one of the first one's there. Unfortunately, the biggest negative of the CFE occurred again: they play the music in their speakers way too loud, louder than any other GoGo venue I've ever been to.

Boo, Ray, Sharon, Juanita, Marquita, Tanya, Toya, and Tasha were there.

L!ssen Band
I forgot to write down the line up: I realized it during Publicity's set. I only recognize Yannie (vocals), Michael Thompson (Vocals), and Stan Cooper (guitar). They also had a lead talker; I assume it's D'angelo "Dayo" Jones.
1) Dayo-led "Good with the... I could have told you" - it cranked, I personally think Dayo's catch phrase "to the izzle" is lame
2) Michael-led "I can't sleep at night"
3) Yannie-led "You're the first thing I'm thinking of... soul victory"
Kim was there.
4) Yannie-led Jocelyn Brown's Somebody Else's Guy - it cranked
RE Angie, Stacy (ChooChoo's Cousin), and Pinkey were there.
5) Alternating Yannie-led Beyonce's Irreplaceable / Dayo-led "Whatever... way to be good to dealing with a, chilling with ya" / Percussion solo - the congas had a crisp sound, Mike played the cowbell
Lashonda was there.
6) Dayo-led "Take my time with it... not a day... drop it... you can make" - it cranked
7) Alternating Percussion solo / Dayo-led "What's my baby tell"
Felecia was there.
8) Dayo-led Yung Joc's I Know You See It / Percussion solo
Delano was there.
Tracy, LA, and Darrell were there.
9) Cleophus rapped / Michael rapped "Oh sh*t!" / Dayo-led 504 Boyz' My Life Is Sweet
NeeNee and Kia were there.
10) Dayo-led ? / conga solo
11) Instrumental of a Rick James tune
TT, March, Lilone, Shameika, Nikiya, Slim Goodie, Weenie, Tyrell, Yolanda, Nora, Toonie, Khallisa, Yvette, Sanisse, Mary, Simone, Nece, and JoJo were there. I introduced myself to Arawai (spelling?, pronounced R-A-Y), who was at the Night of Elegance.
This was the best L!ssen performance I've ever been too - never too light.

Cindy, Los, and Peg Leg were there.

Mike said hello, I said, "Wow!" when I saw how thick his hair was.

Proper Utensils

Donald, Little Benny, Pooh, James Funk, Foxy Rob, Mike


Roy, Donald, Little Benny, James Funk, Mike


The line up was: James Funk (lead talker), Michael Muse (singer), Little Benny (vocals and trumpet), Donald Tillery (trumpet), Roy Pitchback (Sax), 2 keyboard players (one also played flugelhorn), Foxy Rob (congas, a different set than L!ssen used), Pooh (drummer).
1) Percussion solo - it cranked, Mike did announcements / Mike-led "When you love somebody, if you love somebody"
A woman named Anita talked with me about GoGo.
2) James Funk-led "Tell me what you feel like doing now?" - the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body!"
3) Little Benny-led Lil Wayne's Stuntin' Like Your Daddy - it cranked
4) James Funk-led Freak a Deak All Night Long - it cranked, there was crowd response
5) Mike & James Funk-led Rare Essence's One on One - it cranked, the crowd recited the lines, one of the keyboard players played a flugelhorn / Foxy Roby played a tom solo / Little Benny-led "It's your birthday"
Tasha (T-Bird) was there.
6) Little Benny-led "Hit me, time to get... baby" - it cranked
7) Little Benny-led Yung Joc's It's Going Down - it cranked / Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot / James Funk-led "Tired yet? Ready to quit?"
8) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
9) James Funk-led "Due to circumstances beyond our control, we'll pick up Friday at the Tradewinds"
Always nice to see Mike sing.

Tori, Tracy, and Skaci were there.

Familiar Faces

Doc, Sean, Dwayne, Donnell, DP


Lorenzo, Doc, Godfather, Dwayne, Donnell, Sean


Donnell, Doc, Jammin' Jeff, Sean


Lorenzo


Donnell, Jacques, RE Angie, Smoke, Los
All pictures (other than flyers) taken by and Copyright - Darrell Foster
Donnell announced Jammin' Jeff was playing drums, I didn't know until days later that Stomp had left FF.
1) Donnell-led Familiar Faces rap - it cranked / "Party, party everybody" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick / Percussion solo - Donnell did shout outs, including one to me
2) 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"
3) Donnell did the yell from Rare Essence's All Da Time
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still really hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya"
Nikia was there.
6) Alternating Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome - RE Angie sat in on congas / "RE-Angie" chant / Smoke conga solo - Donnell said, "Wave to 'em, Smoke"
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - it cranked / Percussion solo
SupaDan was there.
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What? - it cranked -->
9) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - it cranked, the frontline (I didn't see who) held mics to the fans / "Southeast, South, Southeast" chant / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) (tease)
Cherie and Kimese from Suttle Thoughts were there.
10) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - it cranked
The smell of sweat permeated the air as it was so packed.
11) Donnell-led Vinnie D's Porno Star? (tease) / Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease) / Alternating Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love / Rare Essence's Spotlight / Halima-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease) / Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
12) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - the house lights came on
13) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style "I need a rude boy" - it cranked
Ariel was there.
14) Guitar outtro
15) Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this, I swear, we ain't going nowhere", Sean played klavs / Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo
6'9 was there.
16) Donnell-led 911 (tease) / Donnell acappella "You never heard a pocket like this, I swear, we ain't going nowhere"

Stomp's Last Show with Familiar Faces
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

Skaci, MeCelle and Tori were there. I introduced myself to MeCelle's sister, Melanie. Kandi, Yolanda, Sanisse (celebrating her birthday), Troy, Pinkey, Tia, 6'9, Tijuana, India, Tasha, Peg Leg (celebrating his birthday), Alena, Shawn, Ayanna, Ray, Keshia, and Danni were there.

There were a tremendous number of females there, I think there were about three females to every male - I guess all the women who would have gone to J's went to Tradewinds.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) Halima-led Sade's No Ordinary Love - it cranked, Sean played klavs, Packy played the cowbell / Percussion solo - Donnell did birthday shout outs to Peg Leg and Sanisse
2) Sean-led Ne-Yo's When You're Mad - it cranked / Percussion solo
Jan and Keshia were there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Sean-led B.G.'s I Know - it cranked
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" / Sample "What?"
Ian was there.
7) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Nicole the Bartender / Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank (tease) / "Drinks up, whoa whoa whoa"
Archie was there.
8) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" repeatedly / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me" chant / "Familiar Faces is for the grown & sexy..."
9) Alternating Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome (tease) / Smoke conga solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" - Donnell gave a speech
10) Sean-led Brian McKnight's Anytime - Sean said, "Alright, we're going to do something different tonight. Are there any female Capricorns? Any females celebrating their birthday?"
Tamiko, Shameika, Nikia, Ebony, Fat Cat, Lashan, Charmayne, Los, Vic, Kia, and NeeNee were there.

Ro'chelle (toosweet) and Gene were there.

Second set
1) Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - it cranked / Percussion solo - Sanisse whooped / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - Sanisse whooped
2) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo - Sanisse whooped / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Donnell stopped their playing due to an argument in the audience and made a speech
Byrd was there, and she was getting down.
3) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya"
4) Sean-led Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got - it cranked
5) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked
Mary was there.
6) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Halima held her mic to Alena and another fan, the house lights were on
7) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked / Sean-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out
8) Donnell-led "Reggae" / Halima sang something / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Slow funk and grind, girl"
9) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Donnell said to John, "Two minutes more"
10) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - the accompaniment was just guitars and cowbell, the band was packing up / Vinnie D's Porno Star?

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

Skaci, Candi, Ebo, Angie, Natalie, Trea, and Khallisa were there. Natalie and Trea were amped up and jokingly were demonstrating dance moves "I should do" that I really shouldn't do. Sannisse, Mary, Nicole, Kiana, Toya, Tasha, Kia, MeCelle, Tracy, Nita, James, ChooChoo, Stacy, Keisha, Mimi, Yolanda, TonySax, Trice, Fat Cat, Khari of Mambo Sauce, Los, Jackie, Angela, JoJo, Simone, Darrell, and Matthew were there. I saw that Dallas had lost on the TV over by Darrell. A guy next to me said, "That's a very good thing." I completely agree - I left home before the game had ended.
NeeNee, Kia, and Patrice were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
Donnell said, "A moment of silence for the Dallas Cowboys."
The dance floor was already crowded at the start of the set.
1) Alternating Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - it cranked, Donnell said, "Godfather, what time you got? I got 12:38." / Percussion solo
Arawai, and Darren X were there.
2) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - Halima held her mic to Patrice / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
Shawn and her cousin Nia were there.
3) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo
4) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
Jan, Keisha, and Britney were there.
5) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo / Donnell-led Donna Summer's Love to Love You, Baby (tease)
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"
Julia and Keshia were there.
7) Halima-led Cherish's Unappreciated
8) Sean-led Earth, Wind & Fire's Can't Hide Love - it had a light crank
9) Instrumental outtro

SaVern, Boo, Mara, 6'9, Nece, Dog, Chevy of Fatal Attraction, Mousy, March, Ray, Paulette, and Tracy (Zanzibar) were there.

I got to see during the break the hilarious way the Cowboys lost.

Second set
1) Sean-led Ne-Yo's Sexy Love / Michael Jackson's Human Nature (tease) / 6 Minutes Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!", Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this, I swear. We ain't going nowhere."
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Sean-led B.G,'s I Know
4) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (but I really hate that song) / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya" - really long, not like usual
5) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" - Halima held one of Doc's bass, it looked like it was longer than she is tall / "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 / "You my home-ay" / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
7) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party, everybody" - it cranked / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
8) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked, the house lights came on / Sean-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease) - Halima sang something
9) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" / Halima sang something / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Donnell-led Shawnna's Getting Some (tease)
10) they started a new song, but John turned off the PA, Donnell pleaded to synchronize their clocks, he thought he still had 3 minutes, then they resumed / Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - Donnell's line was "Give a hood rat to go"
Keisha and Danni were there. I met and danced with their friend Suzette.

Junior was there (although Googie worked the PA).

Familiar Faces' Last Show at J's
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
John, June, Peg Leg, Roosevelt, Charmayne, Lashan (celebrating her birthday), Skaci, Derek (John's brother), Dana, Kiki, Renee, Kimberley, Dave, Ariel, Dianya, Tasha (T-Bird), Bill, Tamiko, Dog, Tim (LJ), Los, and DJ Skeet were there. I met two women named Keisha and Danni.

Familiar Faces
First set
Donnell said, "I'd like to welcome everyone into the New Year."
1) Robin Thicke's Lost Without U (instrumental) - Sean played guitar / Percussion Solo - it cranked / Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U / sample from Rare Essence's Work the Walls (the yell)
Mike Smith, Tyrell, and Khallisa were there.
2) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked / Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo
India and Tasha (L) were there.
4) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" / Donnell-led "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me" chant
Boo was there.
6) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - it cranked / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease) / Tupac's Hail Mary (tease) - Donnell held his mic to the audience / "Wait a minute" echoes
Donnell's sons Donnell Jr. and Derek were onstage.
Alena and Shawn were there.
7) Halima-led Cherish's Unappreciated

Bobbie, Autumn (celebrating her birthday), Rasheed, Nikia, Gary, Shannon, 6'9, and Darlene were there.

Second set
1) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I really hate that song), Dog danced onstage / Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya" / Derek Floyd rapped / Percussion solo / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
Ray, L-Boogie, Nicole, and Toya were there.
2) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Halima sang "Used to be son of..." / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful "this is my story" - Tyrell danced onstage
3) Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "Keep it low"
4) Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome - it cranked / Smoke conga solo - the crowd shouted, "GoGo Smoke-ay" and Donnell responded, "What y'all say? Do what?" - interrupted by a fight - Donnell said, "Most of this is family in here. We've been together for four or five years, I'd don't understand. Slow down a little..." / Godfather keyboard solo - the house lights came on and Donnell said, "Don't do that; turn them back off"
5) Donnell-led Familiar Faces rap / Alternating "Party, party, everybody" - it cranked / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Kal-el, get with him Lee" - the house lights came on / Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - Donnell's line was "Give me a hood rat to go"

New Years Eve with Submission Band
Emmanuel Covenant Church, 5340 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20781

I decided to do something more low-key for New Year's this year. I hadn't seen Submission Band in a while and when I last asked 02 about when their next performance was, he said New Year's, so I decided to go.

02 was in the parking lot when I pulled in.

There was a stage with stadium-style seating.

Audrey (Da Remixx) was there.

The performances were being filmed.

Black Heart was there.

Brothatone, a Christian rapper, was the opening act; his set was in progress when I arrived. He knew the second act, Becka Shae and had her sing backup vocals for his last song.

The MC discussed how after he signed up the acts for this evening, he discovered that Brothatone and Beckah Shae not only knew each other, but were co-workers.

Beckah Shae, a Christina singer, was the second act. She was a pregnant, barefoot, white woman. She, her husband, and I were the only white people there. She was hyper with the way she talked.

Submission Band - went on at 11:30
The line up was: 02 (lead talker), Jason (singer), B (vocals & cowbell), Elwood (bass), Phonzo (keyboards), King (drummer), Double D (percussion)
This was my first time seeing Jason and Elwood.
King had a shield around his drum kit to muffle the sound.
The MC had everyone 21 and under come to the front of the stage.

B, Phonzo, Elwood, 02, King, Jason
Picture taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
1) Jason-led "I promise you this year I'm going to get better and take you farther" (set to the tune of This Christmas)
2) 02-led "We're praising the Lord" - it cranked / "Hey ay, Ho oh" -->
3) 02-led "We know what we want, we storm the gates of hell, we take it by force, it's Satan's territory" - it cranked, B rapped, 02 went over the lyrics with the audience / "Rush them. claim him, lead him" -->
4) 02-led ? - it cranked / B-led "Must be the love of my life, we're going to take it to the top y'all" / 02-led "Ain't no party like a Holy Ghost party because a Holy Ghost party don't stop" - the crowd responded, B played the cowbell
02 said, "This isn't just about playing GoGo. Anyone know about haters?"
5) 02-led "The more that you hate me, the more blessings I'm going to receive" - it cranked
6) 02-led "Job turned his back on God" - it cranked / B rapped "No matter how hard... The Lord gave and the Lord take away" / Double D played a tom solo / 2-led "Everybody hands up!"
7) Jason-led "Shine the light" - it cranked, Double D played the toms
02 said, "Well, I looked up at the clock and it's 2007"
8) Jason-led ? (tease)
9) 02-led "This is for the people who love to praise God, it's 2007" - it cranked, Double D played the toms, Jason held his mic to the crowd and they would responded, "Hey!" / 02-led "When I say Jesus, y'all say Christ" - B played congas while Double D played the toms, Jason said, "Hallelujah, take a pause"
02 said, "This is my favorite part of the show."
10) 02-led "If it wasn't for God, we wouldn't be able to crank" - it cranked, B played congas while Double D played the toms, 02 said, "My New Years resolution is to lose some mass" / Percussion solo / "Live to praise, oh my God, he love me"
02 said, "Dance, pose like a picture".
11) 02-led "Take the picture" - Black Heart took pictures / Black Heart sat in on congas while Double D played the toms, Jason-led "I love to praise the day" - 2 kids (1 male, 1 female) danced onstage / Percussion solo
12) Jason-led "Be free" - they invited more kids to come up and dance, 02 said, "Let the beat ride" / Percussion solo - it cranked
02 said, "Praise the Lord"
The MC said to the crowd, "One more?" He said they needed to ask him more forcefully. The crowd said, "Yeah! One more!"
13) 02-led "Jump, jump, jump, All hail the Lord Jesus Christ" - it cranked, the frontline danced in synch, Double D switched to congas / Percussion solo / Jason chanted, "2007" and the crowd responded, "Jesus Christ",  Danny, a friend of Submission, sat in on backup vocals
14) Outtro - it cranked
A nice crankin' performance, Jason is good.

I left to head over to see Heaven Sent Band. Dwayne had told me it was at a church located in an old furniture store at Iverson Mall. I pulled into the mall and looked for cars, as I knew this would be the only place open.

New Year's with Heaven Sent Band
Community of Hope A.M.E. Church (formerly Furniture Galaxy), Iverson Mall, 3799 Branch Ave, Hillcrest Heights, MD 20748

It was an open room, like a ball room with chairs lined up. They had free food and drink.

There were a number of people wearing T-shirts that had printed, "Got Hope?"

DK the Rappa, Keith, and a number of members of Heaven Sent were sitting on the right. I said hello to BJ. TonySax came over and said hello.

Lady Rhythm (end of set)
The line up was: Steph Jones? (Singer/keyboard player), keyboard player, GennyJam? (guitar), Candra? (bass), and DeeJay? (drummer).
?) ?
?) Brand New Heavies' Never Stop
They sounded good; I'll have to see a full performance of theirs.

Sean and Dwayne arrived from Familiar Faces' performance at the Crystal City Hyatt.

Heaven Sent Band - they started at 2:14
The line up was: DK the Rappa of Unseen Band (lead talker, sitting in), Sean (singer, klavs), Yannie (singer), TonySax (Sax & cowbell), BJ (keyboard), Rojoc (keyboard), Dwayne Lee (guitar), Doc (bass), Kwik (drummer), Rick (congas)
1) Yannie-led God is Unbreakable (Alicia Keys' Unbreakable with altered lyrics) - Sean played klavs, TonySax was on the frontline
2) Yannie-led Victory "if you've got to pray, then lift him up" - it cranked, Tony played the cowbell
3) Sean-led The Way "He's always there, I'd like to find a way"
4) Alternating Sean-led India Arie's There's Hope / DK sat in and rapped "With the word of God, All you got to do is believe, I cam to party, who came to praise with me?" - another guy offstage played the cowbell -->

Unknown guest cowbell player, BJ, TonySax
Picture taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
5) DK-led Yung Joc's It's Going Down (altered lyrics) - it cranked / DJ Unk's Walk It Out
A nice performance, can't wait until they're back at the Phish Tea Cafe.

Darrell, Shaun, & Muffin's Birthday Celebration
J's Sports Cafe, 12617 Laurel Bowie Rd (Route 197), Laurel, MD 20708

I left for J's after my Terps beat Purdue 24-7 in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Kim (I don't know), Tata, Danielle (Pink), SweetTyra, Sherray (Always Showtime!!), Ro'chelle (toosweet), Sam (Black Heart), Danielle (Wellfhed), Skaci, Pinkey, Angie, Darrell, Simone, Nece, JoJo, Faith, and LA were there.

Jammin' Jeff & The Band
(In progress)
?) Jay-led Gnarls Barkley's Crazy
?) ?
?) Allison-led Toni Braxton's Take This Ring
Alisa, Chanel, Kandi, Ebo, Angie, Tamara (Ms. Gem In I), NeeNee, Kia, Bill, Rachelle, Los, SupaDan, Britney, June, Julia, Tijuana, Tyrell, Khallisa (I didn't know they were sisters until tonight), Boo, 6'9, Danielle (I reminded her about singing), Pooh, Tim (LJ), Lashan, Charmayne (who had emailed me on myspace), Tracy S., Jackie, and Jazzy Layse of Jig-A-Boo were there.

JR worked the PA.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) Floetry's Supastar (instrumental) / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood" / Halima-led Floetry's Supastar
2) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage
Monique, Neta, Muffin (celebrating her birthday), Dana, Shaun (celebrating her birthday), and Kelvin Robinson were there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
Shelly and Janetta were there. Danielle (Wellfhed) introduced me to her cousin Aleesha, celebrating her birthday.
5) Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
Chevy of Fatal Attraction and Peg Leg were there.
6) Donnell & Sean-led Nicole the Bartender - they had a brief problem with the PA / Donnell-led Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank (tease)
Donnell said they were doing the next song at Toosweet's request:
7) Sean-led Brian McKnight's Anytime
Big Sixx of Raw Image, Gwynn, RE Angie, Ray, Darrell's family, Gary, Shadonna, Nikia, and Shameika were there. Gwynn introduced me to her sister, Sanisse.
Marvin, Tamiko, India, Tasha, and Bianca were there.

Second set

Lorenzo
1) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris - it cranked / Percussion solo
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - interrupted by a fight in Darrell's party area, Donnell said, "slow down ladies", Donnell said, "Darrell, you're making your birthday memorable"
4) Halima acapella "it started getting rough"
5) Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya" / Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back (I hate that song)
6) Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low"
7) Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome / Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You can move if you want to move" / "You my homie"
Donnell Jr. was there.
8) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / "But is it like that? Is it really like that?"
9) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is

Kia, Me, and NeeNee
Picture directly above taken by Tyra, Copyright - Jordan Rich
All other pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

Darrell's cake


Darrell and Gwynn


Angela and Jackie

Julia


Danielle (Wellfhed), Aleesha, and ?


Shaun

Ro'chelle's Birthday Celebration
Cranberries, 5740 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, MD 20747



Duce7, Kato and Nena were there. Ro'chelle, the guest of honor, and Tyra arrived. Sashay Shaunte was there.


Ro'chelle

Her cake

Publicity Band
The line up was: Big Buck (lead talker), Vybe (vocals, first set only), Tylisa (vocals), Sean "Big Youngin" (not to be confused with the drummer) (rapper), substitute rapper, Sixxplaya (vocals & guitar), Chris (Sax, first set only), Ronnie Lindsey (bass), Von (keyboard), Jay (Keyboard), Scooter (Drums), Ray (congas), Ill Bill (roto-toms).
First set

Ronnie, Chris, Vybe, Scooter, Tylisa, ? (substitute), Ill Bill, Ray, Sixxplaya
1) Sixxplaya-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - laid back
2) Tylisa-led "You know my heart belongs next to you"
Red and Suri were there.
3) Tylisa-led Mary J. Blige's Take Me As I Am
4) Vybe-led Kindred the Family Soul's Rhythm of Life
Sherray (Always Showtime!!) was there.
5) Vybe-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
6) Vybe-led "Free your mind and fly away, take that and get away"
7) "Something Something" (instrumental) - it cranked
Sweetandsexy25 was there.
8) Tylisa-led Somebody Else's Guy - the real crank started
Delano/Southern-Roots1, Danielle (Pink), Ant, and Mall were there.
9) Percussion solo - Buck did shout outs
Jay113 was there. Sashay introduced Krystal to me.

Danielle (Pink), Tyra, Ro'chelle, Sherray

Second Set

Ronnie, Von, Jay (not sure which is which), Sean, Big Buck, Tylisa, ? (substitute), Ill Bill, Ray, Sixxplaya
1) Sean-led "Gangsta sh*t and you know it" - it cranked
Rasheed, Scooby, and Autumn of L!ssen Da Grew^p were there.
2) Tylisa-led "I don't want to do it, I don't know about you" - it cranked / Percussion solo -->
3) Big Buck-led Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank - Big Buck went on the dance floor
4) Tylisa-led Mary J. Blige's Enough Cryin' - it cranked -->
5) Big Buck-led Ludacris' Moneymaker "you know I got it if you want it come and get it"
6) Big Buck-led "Remy... I'll drink anything you give me"
Black Boo of Mambo Sauce was there.
7) Tylisa-led "Everybody in the club... get on the floor" - it cranked, stopped due to technical difficulties
Antoinette (Agent Gomez) and Danielle (Wellfhed) were there.
8) Tylisa-led Toni Braxton's Take This Ring
9) Big Buck-led Esham's Since Day One - it cranked
10) Tylisa-led Beyonce's Irreplaceable - Bam of Jig-A-Boo sat in / Percussion solo - stopped due to technical difficulties (bass drum)

Ronnie, Von, Jay (not sure which is which), Sean, Bam, Scooter, Tylisa, ? (substitute), Ill Bill
T-Bird, Donny Ray of EU, and Nephew were there.
11) Big Buck-led sung shout outs
They stopped, and then resumed after a pause:
12) Big Buck & Tylisa-led Usher's Bad Girl
Scooby sat in
13) Scooby-led "Scooby dooby what they can't do to me"

Facing camera: Scooby, Sean, Scooter, Tylisa, ? (Substitute) Back to camera: Ro'chelle, Tyra
All pictures (except flyer) taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
14) Scooby-led "Uh oh, oh oh" - it cranked
15) Scooby-led "My name is Scooby... the overdrive... they kind of blew me when they told it to me" - Ill Bill played the toms
They stopped then, just some of the band continued:
16) Sean-led (Jimi Hendrix's) Hey Joe / another Jimi Hendrix song

Christmas Eve at the Fur
Fur Night Club, 33 Patterson St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Sharon was right behind me in line, Matthew a little ahead of me. I saw Jay113 get into the line.

Every big show I've been to at the Fur has started long after the stated time on the flyer, but this was the worst. Not only did it open two and a half hours after the stated time, ASAP started before the audience was let in. I was prepared for it; I brought a book and read in my car while waiting for the doors to open.

ASAP

Sean, TJ, Scottie Jay (TJ's dress and Scottie Jay's jacket were matching red. I though to myself, why isn't Sean wearing green?)
The line up was: TJ (lead talker & singer), Sean "Kal-el" (singer), Scottie Jay (singer), guitar, bass, 2 keyboard players, drummer, 2 percussionists.
(In progress)
?) Sean-led John Legend's Heaven Only Knows
?) TJ-led The S.O.S. Band's Just Be Good to Me - it cranked -->
?) Alternating TJ-led Mary J. Blige's Keep It Moving - it cranked, nice harmony / Percussion solo
Shameika (new hairdo) was there.
?) TJ-led Beyonce's Irreplaceable / Cassie's Me & U - it cranked, TJ did shout outs including to me and "the TMOTT stars" / Percussion solo -->
?) TJ-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm
Nicole, the bartender at J's, was there.
?) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Extravaganza - Sean sang at the edge of the stage, it cranked
I enjoyed their performance; this was the first time I've seen them perform. They sounded good - nice harmony.

Ro'chelle (toosweet), Danielle (Pink), Juanita, and Delano were there.

L!ssen Da Grew^P

O, Tuffy, Scooby
The line up was: Scooby (vocals & guitar), Tuffy (vocals), O (vocals), bass, 3 keyboard players, 2 trumpets, Chris (Sax), drummer, percussionist.
1) Scooby-led "Keep it with me" - Scooby sang at the edge of the stage, it cranked
2) Scooby-led Sunshine - it cranked, Scooby, Tuffy & O stood at the edge and held their mics to the audience -->
3) Scooby-led Beyonce's Irreplaceable - it cranked
4) Theme from Rocky (instrumental) / O-led Busta Rhymes' I Love My Chick -->
5) Scooby-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm (tease)
6) Scooby-led "You know it"
7) Tuffy-led "After party in the lobby" / Scooby-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back (without primary lyrics, thank goodness) - it cranked
8) Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot (instrumental tease)
9) O-led "We are... we know it... somebody ___ the police" (rap) -->
10) Scooby-led "Uh oh, uh uh oh... throw your hands in the air" - it cranked
11) Sample from Shawnna's Getting Some
12) Scooby-led D4L's Laffy Taffy - it cranked -->
13) Scooby-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out - ended abruptly then resumed with -->
14) Scooby-led "Uh oh, uh uh oh" - crowd shouted the lyrics
A good performance, not too laid back.

I got a Coke from the bar, it was expensive, but really good for fountain soda. 

Candi, Kia, Kiana, and Ishay were there.

TJ came over and talked with me. I asked her when they started; she said 10:30 which was before the first people were allowed inside. I asked her who was the lead talker for ASAP, she said she was. I asked her when she was going to rap, she said, "I'm working on it."

EU

Sweet Cherie, Sugar Bear, Stephanie
The line up was: Sugar Bear (vocals & bass), Stephanie (vocals), Junie (vocals), Donny Ray (vocals), Sweet Cherie (vocals and keyboard), Devlin (vocals), Tony (guitar), keyboard player, JuJu (drummer), Derek (percussion)
1) Percussion solo
2) Junie-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - it cranked / Percussion solo
3) Sugar Bear-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - it cranked, Sugar Bear said, "It's Christmas y'all, that wasn't loud enough"
Sugar Bear said, "Hey JuJu, drop the beat on me"
4) Percussion solo
5) Sugar Bear-led Kanye West's Gold Digger - it cranked, Derek played the toms / "Shake it with your body, Capricorns!"
6) Sugar Bear-led "Tell me what you feel like doing y'all" - the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body"
7) Alternating Donny Ray-led Young Jeezy's Soul Survivor - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donny Ray said, "God is good" / Stephanie rapped
8) Sugar Bear-led "Do it for the fellas" - the crowd responded, "Oh my God!" / "If you're sexy and you know it, raise your hands"
9) Junie-led Freak a Deak All Night Long / Sugar Bear-led Funkadalic's Undisco Kidd (tease) - "Girls are bad" / Cops Theme (tease) - "Bad girls" / Pop the Coochie - Derek played toms / "Beat your feet" / Ludacris' Number One Spot (tease) / Percussion solo / "Booty, booty, booty, rocking everywhere" / OutKast's The Way You Move (tease) / "Drop the ___, work the middle" / Percussion solo / "Wander out on the floor, already know I love you" / "Get sexy with it" - Sugar Bear pulled up a birthday girl named Erica to dance / "Go Erica, it's your birthday" / Derek played a tom solo
10) Alternating Sweet Cherie-led "Southeast, where you at?" / Mary J. Blige's Enough Cryin' - it cranked / Donny Ray-led "Yes, Sir" / Derek played a conga solo

Sweet Cherie, Sugar Bear, JuJu, Stephanie
11) Sugar Bear-led Lil Scrappy's Money in the Bank - Devlin joined in / Derek played a tom solo / Devlin rapped

Devlin
Yannie of L!ssen Band was onstage.
12) Sugar Bear-led Happy birthday / "Are the Redskins the real deal?"
13) Donny Ray-led "We so fly, you know why, you know it, hold it"
DJ Rico and Buggs of Junkyard Band came onstage
14) DJ Rico-led Junkyard Band's Ruff It Off (tease)

Buggs, Junie, Stephanie, DJ Rico, Donny Ray

15) Buggs-led "I like booty" - it cranked

Buggs
GoGo Mickey of Rare Essences came onstage and sat in
16) GoGo Mickey conga solo - the crowd shouted, "GoGo Mick-ay"

Donny Ray, GoGo Mickey
17) Buggs-led Junkyard Band's Sardines
18) Buggs-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version, tease)
19) GoGo Mickey conga solo - the highlight of the night for me
20) JuJu drum solo
Sugar Bear said, "Don't mess with Sugar."
I enjoyed it as usual.

Sean had changed his clothes from those he wore during his performance with ASAP.

Nece, the promoter, and Los were there.

Donnell wore a bandana with a backwards capital F, a picture of a Sax, and then a capital F.

Familiar Faces
TJ sang backup.

Sean, Doc, GoGo Mickey


TJ, Lorenzo, Dwayne, Sean, Doc


TJ, Doc, Sean, Dwayne


Sean, Dwayne, Donnell, DP
All pictures (except flyer) taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
1) Donnell-led Familiar Faces rap - Donnell and Sean stood at the edge of the stage -->
2) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Halima stood at the edge of the stage, Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Kal-el, get with him Lee"
3) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked, Halima held her mic to fans, Sean played guitar, Dwayne stood in front / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" repeatedly
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Alternating Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome / Smoke played a conga solo - it cranked, Donnell stood at the edge of the stage, Donnell said, "Dance with me y'all, you can move if you want to move"
6) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - GoGo Mickey sat in on 2nd percussion, Jacques played the cowbell / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute echoes" - it cranked / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die / Ahmad's Back in the Day (tease) / Tupac's Hail Mary (tease) - Halima held her mic to the audience
7) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked, Donnell stood at the edge of the stage / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful - Sean sang at the edge of the stage
8) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked / Sean-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out - Sean played guitar
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What? - it cranked -->
10) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - it cranked, Donnell stood at the edge of the stage / "Southeast, South, Southeast" -->
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) (tease) / Percussion solo - the house lights came on -->
12) Donnell-led "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya"
End of GoGo Mickey sitting in.
13) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I really hate that song), Stephanie was getting down on the dance floor / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "You never heard a pocket like this I swear, we ain't going nowhere", Donnell said, "Sice it up, Doc"
14) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (literal tease)
Donnell said, "This is where the stars be partyin'"
Bianca was there.
Donnell said, "We're finally playing with Proper Utensils for Martin Luther King's birthday. I have so much respect for those guys."
Donnell said, "We'll be playing at Takoma Station on Wednesdays again real soon."
Chappy talked with me, he said this was the second Familiar Faces performance he went to, together with Thursday. He said he liked them and he'll see me at more of them.
15) Donnell acapella Tattoo
Donnell said, "Smoke got a date, he's running out the door."
Donnell was still talking when I left.
It was a nice set.
Ray was there.

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

Alena, Shawn, Toya, Tasha, India, Tasha, Vic, Trice (celebrating her birthday), Lashonda, Skaci, Mary, Sanisse, Mousy, Slick Rick, Los, 6'9, Troy, Peg Leg, Monique, Alisa & her friend Renee, and Yolanda were there.

Familiar Faces
TJ sang back up. Charlie was on 2nd percussion.
First set
1) Sean-led Marvin Gaye's I Wand You - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Tricie's birthday, usually you chill. It's your birthday" (also she wore a dress which is unusual for her), Donnell said, "I'd like to thank those of you who went down to the Hyatt and came up here."
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I - it cranked / Percussion solo / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Alternating Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" repeatedly / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
4) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - it cranked, Halima held her mic to the audience / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
5) Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Alternating Percussion solo - Halima sang something / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Sean held his mic to fans, Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Kal-el, get with him Lee"
6) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I hate that song) / Donnell-led "Familiar Faces is for the grown & sexy..." / "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me, I feel ya"
Shawn was there.
7) Donnell & Halima-led Shareefa's Need a Boss featuring Ludacris / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "I know I got something"
Archie was there.
8) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - it cranked
9) Alternating Donnell-led 911 - censored lyrics, it cranked / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes / Ahmad's Back in the Day (tease) - the frontline danced in Synch
Tasha (T-Bird), Shawnie, Janetta, Tasha, March, Mama Chelle, TT (she told me her birthday was January 1) were there. TT introduced me to Lisa.
Sweet Chelle was there.

Second set
1) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "What y'all say?", Sean held his mic to the audience
2) Donnell-led "__ Is yes!" - it cranked / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" - Sean played guitar / "Keep it low" - KayKay (new hairdo) was onstage
3) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae - it cranked / Halima sang something / Donnell-led "But is it like that? Is it really like that?" / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease) / Percussion solo
4) Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome - it cranked / Smoke conga solo - the shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "There it is", Donnell sang, "You can move if you want to move" / "___ you my homie"
5) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - it cranked
6) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo / KayKay rapped - it was ended by a fight

Sean, KayKay, Donnell
Picture taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

Saturday at the Hyatt Regency
Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202

This was a Positive Black Men Coalition event.

This wasn't in the main ballroom as that was undergoing construction.

Michon was there. I talked with Bobby Smoot.

Familiar Faces
Jacques was on 2nd Percussion.
1) Sean-led Brian McKnight's Anytime - it was laid back, I was the only one on the dance floor at first, Sean sang at the edge of the stage, then on the dance floor
2) Sean-led Earth, Wind & Fire's Can't Hide Love - Sean went back onstage, Godfather played the flugelhorn
3) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - it cranked, Sean sang at the edge of the stage, Halima had a new hairdo
4) Sean-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You - it cranked
5) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked, the dance floor was full / Percussion solo
6) Halima-led Sade's No ordinary Love - it cranked, Sean played klavs, Dwayne tuned Sean's guitar
7) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked, Halima sang on the dance floor and held her mic to fans
8) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (Ugh, I hate that song) / Percussion solo
9) Alternating Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - Sean played guitar, Godfather played the flugelhorn / Donnell-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease)
They performed for about an hour.

I decided to leave and go to Tradewinds. Raheem DeVaughn was the headliner.

I saw Sweetchelle outside on my way to my car.

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.