White Linen Affair at Zanzibar
Zanzibar on the Waterfront, 700 Water Street SW Washington, DC 20024

I met Darrell out front.

Renee was there, I think she was a promoter of the event.

Crossover Band (in progress) on the downstairs stage
The line up was: lead talker, female singer, 2 male singers, bass player, guitar player, 2 keyboards, drummer, percussionist
They performed Mim's This Is Why I'm Hot - it cranked.
Tiffany & Janetta were there.
They performed Musiq's Buddy, T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin'), The Shop Boyz' Party Like a Rock Star, "Holding on you lady, living it up on you baby". Each song they performed flowed into the next one, the smooth transitions made it hard to pick out individual songs, but it was interesting.
TaTa was there.

Sashay Shaunte, Ro'chelle (toosweet), Danielle (Pink), and Britney were there.

Rasheed said hello. He wasn't wearing white; he said he was a rebel.

L!ssen Da Grew^p - also on the downstairs stage


The line up was: Scooby (lead talker, guitar), Tuffy (vocalist), O (vocalist, cowbell), bass player, 2 keyboard players, 2 trumpet players, trombone player, Sax player, percussionist, drummer.
First set?
1) Instrumental (familiar to me) - it cranked
2) Instrumental
3) "A love song from Scooby to his girlfriend"
4) Bobby Caldwell's What You Won't Do For Love - it cranked
NeeNee, Dog, Skaci, Alisa, and Kay were there.
I had trouble picking out individual songs after this. They did a percussion solo, Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back (without the primary lyrics thankfully), and unfortunately had sound problems - the PA went out in the middle of a song.
Tanya, Kim (don't know), White Girl (I now know who this is), Gary, Keisha, and Nita were there.
They performed Rare Essence's Lock It, Freak A Deak All Night Long, Rare Essence's One on One.
Chappy and Jay113 were there.
They cranked.

EU (in progress) on the upstairs stage

Tony, Sugar Bear, Demi Doc, Stephanie
The line up was: Sugar Bear (lead talker, bass), Donny Ray (vocalist), Devlin (vocalist), Stephanie (vocalist), Tony (guitar), drummer, Demi Doc (keyboard), Derek (percussion), Packy (cowbell).
They performed the entire set more in medley style (even more than usual): Kanye West's Gold Digger, "Do it for the fellas, Oh my God!", "If you're sexy and you know it, raise your hands", Freak A Deak All Night Long, Funkadelic's Undisco Kidd "Girls are Bad" / Cops Theme "Bad Girls", "Pop the Coochie", OutKast's The Way You Move, Hues Corporation's Rock the Boat, "Hey ay, Ho oh", Stephanie rapped, "Tired yet, ready to quit?", "Tell Me what you feel like doing y'all?", T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin'), 50 Cent's In Da Club, Donny Ray-led Musiq's Buddy, Sugar Bear-led "It's Hard to Contain Myself", "Shake it, shake it", R. Kelly's Snake - Sugar Bear had a female fan dance on the stage floor right in front of him, Sugar Bear-led "Get your freak on (is that my chick)", "Sexual Chocolate" (from Coming to America).

I introduced myself to Maketta, she recognized me from myspace.

I talked with Maya, the bartender.

Peg Leg, Michon, and Kelly (Keisha's Cousin) were there.

I think L!ssen performed a second set, but I stayed upstairs because I didn't want to miss the start of Familiar Faces' set.

Familiar Faces - on the upstairs stage

Dwayne, Donnell, Lorenzo, DP, Mike


Shameika, Chevy of Faze2


Sean "Kal-el"


Sean, Donnell, Jammin' Jeff, DP, Jacques, Mike
All pictures (other than the flyer) taken by and Copyright - Darrell Foster
Jammin' Jeff was on drums.
First Set
Tasha (T-Bird) was there.
Donnell said, "As soon as Sugar Bear gets the hell off my stage, we'll be ready to go." Sugar Bear responded, "That's why I love you, Donnell."
1) Halima-led Tamia's Can't Get Enough - it had a light crank
Halima said, "Good morning y'all"
2) Alternating Sean-led Musiq's Buddy? (can't read my notes well) - it cranked / Percussion solo
Trina (Selena's sister) was there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Can we do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
5) Alternating Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo - the frontline danced in synch
6) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I - 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" chant
7) Donnell-led "Familiar Faces only" rap / "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back (I still hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangsta" - Dog danced on the stage floor
8) Donnell & Sean-led Do You Think About Me? - Donnell said, "Dwayne Lee, fly sh*t", they performed different music than usual for this song
9) Sean-led "I feel it... in love" / Dwayne guitar solo
A girl asked me about my taking notes, I told her who I was, she said, "I know you, I'm Pretty Smile"

E of OP Tribe, Nena, and Bianca were there.

Second set
1) Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U
Tom Cat was there.
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
3) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked / Percussion solo -->
Keta was there.
4) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked / Donnell-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease)
5) Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - it had a light crank
6) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is Yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low"
7) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - the frontline, Doc, and Dwayne did the bowing dance, it cranked / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Smoke played timbales, it cranked, Halima chanted, "Uh oh uh uh oh"
9) Donnell-led 911 - it cranked / another song? (unfamiliar lyrics)
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - it cranked, they played different riffs than usual for this song, Donnell held his mic stand up, Packy played the cowbell
11) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / "Unh unh unh" - it cranked / Dwayne played a guitar solo / Mike played a trombone solo - Donnell joked, "I told them to stop playing, they're so disrespectful"
12) Donnell-led It Is What It Is (tease)
They were done before 3 AM.

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

Sanisse, Mary, Ebo, Natalie, Tanya, Skaci, Val "Tina Turner", Shawn, and Nia were there.

Familiar Faces
Donnell talked about the violence at the CFE Events Center and the Classics. He said we are so closing to losing this.
They had technical difficulties which delayed the start, there was static in the PA.
First set
1) Sean-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute, Smoke!" / Percussion solo -->
Nakia, Lachelle, Weenie, and Ebony were there.
2) Halima-led Sade's No Ordinary Love - it cranked / Smoke played a nice conga solo
Tracy Smoot and Nikia were there.
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
Keisha and Jan were there.
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
Kay was there.
5) Halima-led Kelly Rowland's Like This featuring Eve - it cranked
Shaunte (Stacey's Cousin) was there.
6) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Donnell said, "We can rock like this" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick
7) Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked / Percussion solo
8) Donnell & Sean-led Do You Think About Me? - it had a light crank, Sanisse whooped, it was long with more lyrics than usual
Kim (don't know) was there.
Donnell said, "Brand new"
9) Sean-led Take 5's To Make You Love Me
10) Halima-led Tamia's Can't Get Enough - ladies in the audience sang the lyrics

Mona, Tony, Ray, Boo, Quay (Shorty Q), Angie, and China were there.

Second set
1) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked
2) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led Gangsta -->
3) Alternating Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked / DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease)
Shameika was there.
4) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked
5) Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - it cranked / Percussion solo
6) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo
7) Donnell-led Hey Halima (Miss Keta) Do You Dance for Me - it cranked, -->
8) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Packy played the cowbell, Jacques played timbales, it was interrupted by a fight, Donnell gave a speech "If you bring your girlfriend out and guy does something, let her handle it. If she doesn't handle it, she isn't your girl."
9) Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome - it cranked / Conga solo - Donnell said, "Wave to 'em, Smoke"
10) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is Yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" - the house lights came on / "Keep it low, nobody got to know" / Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this I swear, We ain't going nowhere", it cranked
Slick Rick was there.
Donnell did announcements.
11) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Halima sang something / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful

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

As I walked from my car to the club, a woman honked the horn on her car and called for me to come over and talk her. Her name is Ebony. She wanted to know why a white guy wanted to see RE.

Inside, I faced the same from another woman. They threw away my pen, so all of my notes are off the top of my head. Jay113 was there.

Rare Essence
The line up was: Andre "Whiteboy" Johnson (vocals & guitar), Charles "Shorty Corleone" Garris (vocals), Dave "32" Ellis (vocals), Kimberly "Ms. Kim" Graham (vocals & roto-toms, second set only), Mike Baker (bass), Byron "BJ" Jackson (Keyboards), Scooter (keyboards), Darryl "Blue Eye" Arrington (drummer), Milton "GoGo Mickey" Freeman (congas), Quentin "Shorty Dud" Ivey (percussion). I said hello to GoGo Mickey and BJ. Chris "Rah" Black of WHAT? Band greeted me. Tracie (Model Chick) and Slick Rick were there. For the first set, I watched from the right side standing at the rail to get the best view of GoGo Mickey performing I could. They had a very loose song structure. The first song was, "We got your bad ass on tape", then came "Welcome to the RE Party", later was Geraldine, and "Get Your Freak On". I was paying more attention to the crank than the vocals. They still played more toms than I like, but it was a nice GoGo Mickey performance. I noticed he played more on the smaller drums. There was a guy who held a flash light on the congas for GoGo Mickey. A woman freaked me from behind a few times.

I walked around during the break. Tasha (with Tamara) and I teased each other about being there. Tasty was there. Julia was there, celebrating her birthday. I hung out with her for most of the rest of the performance. She introduced me to her niece.  Kelly, Keshia's cousin, was there.

When I heard a female voice singing at the start of the second set, I walked over to see. I had never seen Ms. Kim perform before, she sang Rihanna's Umbrella. A woman asked me to dance with her and I did for a while. Later I danced with Julia. Michelle Blackwell of the WHAT? Band was there. Then I moved around again. Later Ms. Kim played on the roto-toms with huge drum sticks. Shannon was there. The second to last song was the Shop Boyz' Party Like A Rock Star.

Unfortunately, the most memorable part of the night was in the parking lot after the performance: a shooting.

Tamara's Birthday Celebration
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012



My friend Tamara (Ms. Gem In I) was celebrating her birthday at Takoma Station, which is where I first met her two years ago. I was the first guest to arrive. I saw three poems performed: one about the difference between a woman and a girl, another on precipitation, and by Tamara over a track, a poem spoken and sung about domestic violence. Tomcat was the only other guest I knew, we talked for a bit. Next Alorious (Tamara and 2 other women: Aluv and Ms. V) sang over a track. I had to leave after that as it was a week night.


This picture was taken after I had left. The two women crouched in front were left to right, the two poets who performed before Tamara.

My friend Nena also had a birthday celebration that night; you can see what I missed there by clicking here.

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

Ebo (again with a shaved head), Darrell, Tony, Nakia, Troy, and Shawn were there.

Familiar Faces
Godfather was not present.
1) Sean-led Brian McKnight's Used to Be My Girl / Percussion solo - it cranked -->
Tiffany was there.
2) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked
Jay Floyd was there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Can we do it for the ladies/fellas? Oh my God!" - it cranked
Mimi was there.
5) Donnell & Halima-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Donnell sang, "Oh my my my"
6) Alternating Halima-led Kelly Rowland's Like This featuring Eve - it cranked / Smoke conga solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "Do what? Say what?"
7) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute, Smoke!" / Smoke conga solo / Donnell chanted, "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me" / "You never heard a pocket like this I swear..", Donnell said, "Sice it up Doc, Hey Lee"
Archie, Tijuana, and Nikia were there.
8) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - Jacques played timbales, it cranked / Halima sang something / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Percussion solo
9) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
10) Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick
Keshia & Stacy (ChooChoo's Cousin) were there.
11) Halima-led Nelly Furtado's Say It Right - cranked at the end
Tasha (T-Bird), Sashay Shaunte, Shameika, Nece, Chevy of Faze2, and Twink of Mambo Sauce were there.
12) Sean-led Tank's Please Don't Go - Sean walked off the stage as Donnell finished up with a Sax solo

Val "Tina Turner", NeeNee and Kia were there.

Second set
1) James Brown's Doing It to Death? (Instrumental)
Quay (Shorty Q), Rasheed, L!ssen Da Grew^p's manager, and Britney were there.
2) Sean-led R. Kelly's I'm a Flirt - it cranked
3) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo
4) Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked
5) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Donnell sang, "Uh oh oh oh", Sean sang, "Yeah yeah yeah"
Rhonda was there.
6) Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - it cranked
7) Alternating 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? Do what?", Donnell said, "Dance with me, y'all"
L-Boogie and Mall were there.
8) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangsta" - the house lights came on
Pocahontas was there.
9) Donnell & Sean-led Do You Think About Me?
Joanna?, Nikki, Slick Rick, and Gary were there.
10) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - Jacques played timbales, it cranked / "Familiar Faces only" rap / Rare Essence's All Da Time (tease) / 911 (tease) / It Is What It Is
11) Donnell-led "Unh Unh Unh"
Mousie was there.
12) Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Back in the day, when I was young and not a kid anymore..."
It was so packed and hot with body heat that I sweated through my shirt.

Rasheed talked with me in the parking lot. He introduced me to his brother Snells. He said Snells' two best friends are Smoke and GoGo Mickey. He said that Snells was hanging out with Smoke at his house around the corner during the break between sets. Rasheed talked about how they (Third Eye) had been involved with GoGo since they were kids. He said that L!ssen Da Grew^p did a lot of R&B (as opposed to GoGo) because of the market for it, and how some fans prefer Da Grew^p's R&B to their GoGo. He talked about this in regard to their album, Da Music Da Story, which has Donnell and Deuce on it. This was in response to my own taste - I prefer throw down crank (crank meaning rhythmic intensity, not simply "good" like some define it) and don't like slow songs. Rasheed said that Scooby was in the Dominican Republic and so they came out to show their support. It was a very friendly conversation.

Non-GoGo: Mike Stern Band at Blues Alley
Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20007

On the Miles Davis List last week, I got a post that said that Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, and Marcus Miller were touring together in 2008. I checked Victor Wooten's tour schedule and I saw that he was playing at Blues Alley Tuesday to Thursday of this week with Mike Stern. I decided to attend the early show tonight. The line up I saw last year, the same as this performance except with Richard Bona instead of Victor Wooten, followed up at Blues Alley on Friday through Sunday.

Mike Stern Band
The line up was: Mike Stern (guitar), Victor Wooten (bass), Bob Franceschini (Sax) (for some reason he wasn't advertised on the bill), and Dennis Chambers (drums).
I arrived at 7:30. I sat at the table on the left side all the way up front. Victor was the first one I saw, he warmed up.

Victor warming up
Picture taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

Mike Stern walked around and talked to a number of people in the audience.

They started at 8:15 PM. I had a good view of everyone but Victor. It was interesting to see their movements - Mike Stern and Dennis Chambers were pretty mellow most of the time, and Bob Franceschini moved his body up and down. When Bob Franceschini didn't have parts to play, he would stand in front of the piano on the left side of the stage - in front of me and a little to the left. He also occasionally walked to the bar. Mike Stern stood over by him, directly in front of me during both Dennis Chambers' drum solo and later during Victor Wooten's bass solo. I didn't recognize much of the set, but Victor did a lot of quoting songs during his play. They definitely played KT off Mike's latest album, "Who Let the Cats Out", a Richard Bona song, and Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time. They played for 90 minutes. I enjoyed it!

Mother's Day Celebration at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

Tyrell, Dog, Skaci, Britney, Troy, Shawn, Nia, and Shanti were there.

Familiar Faces
Mike and Godfather were not present.
First set
Donnell gave a special dedication "To all the mothers in the building"
1) Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - it had a light crank, Donnell thanked people for coming out in the rain / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
2) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - it cranked, Sean, Donnell, and DP danced in synch, Packy played the cowbell / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Alternating Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo - Sean, Donnell, and DP danced in synch
Jan, Keisha, Peg Leg, and Nikia were there.
5) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangsta" - Dog danced on the stage floor
6) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Do You Think About Me? - Sean sang to a girl in the front / Percussion solo

Darryl "Blue Eye" of Rare Essence was there.

Kia and NeeNee were there.

Second set
Donnell called all the mothers onto the dance floor, he and others passed out Champagne to them. Donnell said it was a thank you for raising kids.
1) Donnell-led Nicole the Bartender (tease) - it cranked / Brown & White - Halima sang "Who's that girl?" / Ride Out
2) Alternating Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo - Packy played the cowbell
3) Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - it cranked
4) Donnell-led "___ Is Yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya"
5) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Halima sang something / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful
Jackie was there.
6) Alternating Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome / Smoke conga solo - it cranked, Donnell did a shout out to GoGo Mickey in the audience / Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (instrumental tease)
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - it cranked, Smoke played timbales, Jacques played congas with sticks, Packy played the cowbell, Mickey took over from Smoke on timbales
8) Donnell-led Geraldine - it cranked / GoGo Mickey conga solo - Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this I swear", the crowd shouted, "GoGo Mick-ay"
9) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked, Smoke took over congas again during the song / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Donnell said, "This is where the stars be partyin'", Donnell said, "Thank you to all the mothers for coming out", the house lights came on
10) Sean-led R. Kelly's I'm a Flirt - it had a light crank

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

It was a very sparse crowd to start as people were watching the Floyd Mayweather / Oscar De La Hoya boxing match. After the fight was over, the crowd grew to normal size very quickly.

Ebo, Vicki, Julia, Ariel, Nikia, and Nakia were there.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) James Brown's Doing It to Death? (Instrumental) - it cranked, Packy played the cowbell / Jam -->
2) Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - it cranked / Percussion solo
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "Can we do it for the ladies/fellas? Oh my God!" - it cranked, Sean held his mic to fans
6) Donnell & Halima-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - it cranked, Sean played guitar -->
Archie was there.
7) Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - Sean played guitar / Percussion solo - Jacques played timbales -->
Skaci, Dog, Peg Leg, and Shameika were there.
8) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked
Kia and NeeNee were there.
9) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - it cranked, Packy played the cowbell / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood" - Jacques played timbales / Percussion solo
Shawn and Mousie were there.
10) Halima-led Kelly Rowland's Like This featuring Eve
11) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - interrupted by an argument, Donnell made a speech
Tasha was there. Joanna was there?
12) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick
13) Halima-led Tamia's Can't Get Enough
James and JoJo were there.

RE Angie was there.

Tiffany and Janetta were there.

Second set
1) Sean-led Musiq's Buddy - it cranked / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" / Smoke conga solo
Britney was there.
2) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led Gangsta - Jacques played blocks, it sounded different from usual / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease)
3) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Halima sang something / Percussion solo - Packy played the cowbell / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease) / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful
4) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Jacques played timbales, Halima held her mic to fans -->
5) Donnell-led Nicole the Bartender
6) Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - it cranked
7) Donnell & Sean-led Do You Think About Me? - it had a light crank, the house lights came on / Donnell-led "In & out and up & down" / Percussion solo / Trombone Solo
Felecia, Slick Rick, and Pocahontas were there.

I asked Jacques, now that he plays every show, why he doesn't play roto-toms (the difference in their sound was a major reason that Familiar Faces stopped playing roto-toms). He said he did, but on the sampler, he didn't want to bring that extra equipment out. He said he's leading the way...

Friday at Cranberries
Cranberries, 5740 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, MD 20747

Pinkey, Candi, Ray, Nakia (who had called me a "spy" at the last two Tradewinds shows), Mike Smith, Felecia, and PG Slim were there.

Familiar Faces
The line up was: Sean (vocals & guitar), Halima (vocals), Donnell (vocals & Sax), DP (vocals & trumpet), Mike (trombone & vocals), Doc (bass), Dwayne Lee (guitar), Lorenzo (keyboard, second set only), Godfather (keyboard, second set only), Jammin' Jeff (drum kit), Smoke (congas), and Jacques (percussion).
First set
1) Alternating Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Oh my my my" -->
Nikia and Tony were there.
2) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - it cranked / Percussion solo - Jeff threw his sticks in the air / Instrumental jam
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Can we do it for the ladies/fellas? Oh my God!"
5) Alternating Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "___ Is alright!"
6) Alternating Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted "Eya eya", the frontline danced -->
7) Donnell & Halima-led Kelly Rowland's Like This featuring Eve -->
8) Donnell & Sean-led Do You Think About Me? - I noticed Jacques had a drum sampler / Donnell-led "In & out and Up & down"
Rachelle, Troy, Ebo, and Tracie (Model Chick) were there.

Second set
1) Halima-led Tamia's Can't Get Enough - Sean played guitar, there was a light crank
2) Sean-led Musiq's Buddy - it cranked
3) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - it cranked, Packy played the cowbell / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood" - the frontline danced
4) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
5) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led Gangsta -->
6) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked / DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease)
7) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Jacques played timbales / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Oh oh O-D oh oh"
Ayisha was there, with her sister.
8) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - the house lights came on -->
9) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease) / Percussion solo / Drum solo - Jeff used no hands, started talking on his cell phone, then started using his hands, Donnell said, "Drop it like that" / Mike trombone solo

Stomp & Fat Cat's Birthday Party
I drove from Cranberries to Stomp's Birthday Party. Outside, I saw Stomp standing by a bus. I found a nearby parking spot.

The Galleria @ Lafayette Center, 1120 20th ST NW Washington DC 20036

I had never been to the Galleria before; I found the entrance by following the music.

Familiar Faces' band security was working this show too.

DJ was just inside, as was Black Boo of Mambo Sauce. It was pretty crowded, L!ssen Da Grew^p was playing. I had read a thread by Tomcat on TMOTT talking about how bad the acoustics were at the Galleria, and he was right.




Stomp, DJ, and Fat Cat



L!ssen Da Grew^p


They performed among other songs: Toto's Georgy Porgy, Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back (without primary lyrics), "This is why I'm Hot", Kanye West's Gold Digger, Sunshine, Beyonce's Irreplaceable, "My name is Scooby, you better shake it, but don't break it", Rare Essence's Lock It, Scooby did a shout out to Tee Bone of Trouble Funk working the monitor, Freak A Deak All Night Long (tease), Rare Essence's One on One, "Uh oh, uh uh oh", Shawnna's Getting Some, D4L's Laffy Taffy, and DJ Unk's Walk It Out.
Smoke, Sean, Doc, Dwayne, Jammin' Jeff of Familiar Faces, Sashay Shaunte, Damond, Sanisse, Mary, Yolanda, Taneous, Mall, Delano, Fat Cat, Mona, Nikia, Ebony, Big Sixx of Raw Image, and Charlie were there.
They finished at 2:09 AM.

Chris, Tasha (T-Bird), and Bobbie were working.

Byrd, Tiffany, Mia, and Khari of Mambo Sauce were there. Yolanda told me that apparently EU didn't perform.

I talked with Charlie, asking who he was playing with now, he said Backyard.

WHAT? Band


The WHAT? Band





WHAT? Band working the crowd



Hugg and Khari sitting in


All pictures (except for flyer) taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
There are additional pictures posted here.
This was my first time seeing them with Love on congas instead of Rocket Rob.
It was really crowded, and I decided to watch from the side. However, it was difficult to make out the lyrics from there, so I decided not to follow the set list in detail. Not only did they crank, but as with the other of their performances I've attended, they received crowd response unlike any other GoGo band I've seen.
Killa Cal-led I Am an Animal, Rah-led "I Love the Way You Work", Rah-led "Put 'em up", they performed 50 Cent's In Da Club (then I stopped tracking the set list). Hugg sat in on vocals and Khari sat in on bass. At the end, Stephon performed Lenny Kravitz' Fly Away - Love performed on toms - the houselights came on.
TJ of ASAP was there. I talked with Dat Azn Shawty for a little bit. LadeeJay79 introduced herself to me. BY of Junkyard Band was there.
They were done at 4:05 AM.

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

Toya, Tasha, Natalie, Tracy, Melanie, Tiffany, Peg Leg, Dog, Troy, Skaci, Nikia, Tasha, Bianca, and Shawn were there.

Familiar Faces
In addition to their regular line up, they have added a trombone player and back up vocalist named Mike.
Sound Check
Donnell-led Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready (tease)
First set
1) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika - it cranked, Packy played 2nd percussion (just this song) / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!", Donnell said, "We got to slow this down, y'all already too hyped up" -->
Archie was there.
2) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked, Sean played guitar, Doc was on backup vocals
Jan and Keisha were there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
Matthew was there.
4) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "What you doing over there?", Sean played guitar, the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "Do what? Say what?" -->
5) Alternating Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome - it cranked / Smoke played a wicked conga solo - the crowd shouted, "wind me up, Smoke!"
6) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it), Donnell stopped it to calm someone down / Donnell-led Gangsta - Dog danced on the stage floor, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo -->
7) Donnell-led Nicole the Bartender (tease) - it cranked -->
8) Donnell & DP-led Brown & White - it cranked, the frontline, Doc, Dwayne, and Packy danced in synch, Halima sang, "Who's that boy?" (making fun of Donnell) / Ride Out / Northeast Groovers' The Water
9) The crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" but Donnell said, "Not yet!", Halima said, "Either you got it or you don't" / Halima-led Nelly Furtado's Say It Right / Sean-led Phil Collins' In the Air Tonight (tease) - Sean asked Dwayne to do it on the guitar, Dwayne played the solo to Say It Right / Drum solo
Jackie was there.

NeeNee, Kay, Kim, Big Don Pimp, Shameika, Tasha (L), and Trea were there.

I'm not sure who was working the sound 'cause I saw both Junior and Googie.

Second set
Donnell talked about how Taurus is the best sign.
1) The Temptations' Papa Was a Rolling Stone (instrumental tease)
2) "Reggae" - instrumental / Halima sang something / "Reggae" - it cranked, Packy played the cowbell / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Percussion solo / "But is it like that, is it really like that?" / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease)
3) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked / DJ Unk's Walk It Out (tease)
Slick Rick was there.
4) Donnell-led "___ Is Yes!" - it cranked / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low" / "Oh my my my" - interrupted by a fight, Donnell said, "Y'all don't understand how close we came to losing all of this. If we could have a witness only show..."
Pocahontas was there.
5) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" -->
6) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" / Percussion solo - Packy played the cowbell, Skaci danced with me
7) Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - the house lights came on
8) Donnell & Sean-led Do You Think About Me? - it had a light crank, Donnell said, "Freak the bassline, Doc!", Donnell said, "Dwayne Lee, fly sh*t!", Donnell joked to KayKay, "Your Dad was mad last night. We pulled a bed out and had a girl on it; he took his belt out..." (I thought he was speaking metaphorically until I read the review of Friday's show below), Donnell said, "Taste of a new generation"

I met Natalie's friend Fay.

Ray was there.

Here is the review by Ras Lidj (of Ras Lidj & Deep Band) that I read on TMOTT about Chuck's Album Release Party for We're About the Business.
This show featured Familiar Faces and Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers at the 9:30 Club, 815 V ST NW, Washington DC 20001

Did I GO!!!!!!! Whew Lawd ...Yes!!!!!! that was W U S T all over again

I will say this night will go down as one of the greatest nights in go-go this year so far......(but then again I really don't get out much )

Ofcourse, I had full access through out the building stage, dressing rooms the whole 9....... FF put on a stage show performance and displayed why they are where they are and what it really takes to perform on a show of that magnitude......I haven't seen a gogo that packed since Cherries or the Howard theatre, Coleseum sell out days seriously ..it was wall to wall tight in there..and guess what.....Not One problem at all or as I like to say No Problem Mon!......

FF dressed in all black suits D. Floyd bold enough to sport ruffles down the front of his, likewise kalil with the buttons on the sleeve.... laugh if you may but this was some seriously big boy chit going on here.....black suits with ganster brim top hats...they came out off stage stepping once they hit there spots on stage the music stop to a round of applause. the next song starts and here comes Ms. Halima Peru with her trademark big hair and a 40's style dress straight off the Mowtown wardrobe rack....NICE! she crosses the stage checks her men tilting hats and checking ties then goes to work........don't ask me for the playlist ..better yet just call it CRANK....I was in the zone by this time....at the end of the set a bed is rolled onto the stage and D ask for 1 volunteer from the audience, just then, I'm moving through the audience right pass one of the phattest Battibottoms in the building so I point over her head and he says "her right there Rae, bring her on up" the girl went on stage got under the covers undressed pants and top....as the band seranades her with that hit they do that I love....."Shhhhhhhhhh.......what you think 'bout me.......late in the midnite......" yes a show stopper....he goes on after that to pay maximum homage to Fadda CHUCK for paving the way. the only thing that could have even possible attempted to follow that act could only be Chuck himself........oh yeah Floyd made sure to stack the deck with stage show energy by adding my counterpart and friend......Mike "Hardstep" who blows trombone just as hard as he steps.....and who also led the band in group prayer before going one.

( thanks DP for letting me get up in your count .....RED STRIPE, RED STRIPE)

Next Up....Chuck. (aM I tired of typing or at a lost for words) not only the crank but he brings so much more to the stage. The warm up the intro, the crowd the anticipation, the old heads whom you haven't seen since the migratation of the orginal Washingtonians to the suburbs. JuJu one of the only current living legendary pioneering drummers around, who started out with a pocket that payed homage and brought Foots back to memory instantly, Mighty Mo--Maaayyunn, Sweet Cherie- Ok now I need oxygen, Brian mills and the rest of the supreme horn team.....It was Pops Night he had It and OWNED IT.....Benny was there ofcourse in his suit and tie. Chucks stage dress code was also black suits.....

Big up to big Pres who was in the house, Dirty Rico the Mc-very good job... and To Tall Steve who was in the building as well.

...ps during a between set reasoning in the dressing room with Jock and Smoke we talked gogo and I mentioned to smoke that it was recently stated that NEG was a crucial turning point for gogo.....and he schooled me on the chemistry of exactly how that happened.....So Now its a must that I go see the What Band...based off of what he told me

Again this (IMO) will go down as one of the greatest nights in gogo this year.

Later, I saw this picture (Copyright - Familiar Faces):

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

Tony, Ebo, Natalie, Tanya, Ariel, Sharon, Juanita, Dog, Shawn, Nia, Skaci, Tracy, Nikia, Gwen, and NeeNee were there.

Familiar Faces
They had their regular Saturday line up, except that Smoke wasn't present tonight.
First set
1) Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - Sean played guitar, Kevin (who works at Tradewinds) played congas
2) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked -->
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Can we do it for the ladies/fellas? Oh my God!" - Halima held her mic to fans
5) Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked, a new conga player took over during the song / Percussion solo -->
6) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion Solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", Donnell chanted, "oh my my my"
Tasha (L) was there.
7) Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Brown & White - the frontline & fans in front danced in Synch, Rootie sat in on Godfather's keyboard / Ride Out / "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - Jacques played timbales / Rare Essence's Lock It (tease) / "Familiar Faces only" rap / Alternating Rare Essence's All Da Time / "Throw your hands up" / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) - no sample / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease) / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Dance with me y'all", the congas were played with sticks, the crowd shouted "Wind me up!" and Donnell held his mic to fans / Donnell & Sean-led Do You Think About Me?
Shawnie, Nece (the promoter), Peg Leg, Tori, Los, and Quay (Shorty Q) were there.
8) Halima-led Tamia's Can't Get Enough
Mama Chelle, March, and Val "Tina Turner" were there.

Second set
1) Sean-led R. Kelly's I'm a Flirt - it had a light crank
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - it cranked -->
3) Donnell & Halima-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - it cranked
KayKay was there.
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House" - Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute" --> Percussion solo / "___ You my Homey"
5) Sean-led T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc's Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')
6) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked, Jacques played timbales
7) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked, Sean played guitar
8) Alternating Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy (tease) / Percussion solo
9) Alternating Donnell-led "___ Is Yes!" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "Keep it low"
10) Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning / "Why" echoes / "___ Is in the House"
11) Donnell-led Gangsta - it cranked, Dog danced on the stage floor, it was longer with additional lyrics
12) KayKay rapped "I don't f*ck with those who want to f*ck with me" - Donnell joined in "You know me", the house lights came on
13) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / light instrumental
14) Halima-led Nelly Furtado's Say It Right / Drum solo - it cranked
I danced with Tori and Tracy during the set.

Familiar Faces at Cranberries
Cranberries, 5740 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, MD 20747

I arrived a little before 8:30 - it took me an hour to get there. I missed Da Mixx Band's performance. This was my first time here for Familiar Faces as their regular Friday spot.

Ray and Unique were there.

Familiar Faces
Sound Check
Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease)
The line up was: Sean "Kal-lel" (vocals & guitar), Halima Peru (vocals, second set only), Donnell Floyd (vocals & sax), Dwayne Lee (guitar), Doc Hughes (bass), Lorenzo Johnson (keyboards), Jammin' Jeff Warren (drums), Smoke Dews (lead percussion), Packy Jenkins (percussion).
First set
1) Mother's Day - Donnell and Lorenzo soloed
Kia was there.
2) Sean-led Brian McKnight's Anytime - there was a light crank
TaTa, Chevy of Fatal Attraction, and Kim (don't know) were there.
3) Alternating Percussion solo - Donnell said, "A happy hour pocket", it cranked / Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U -->
Pinkey was there.
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked / Percussion solo -->
Danielle (Pink), and R'ochelle (toosweet) were there.
6) Alternating Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Donnell-led "___ Is in the building" -->
Darrell was there.
7) Donnell-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - Chevy sat in, it cranked, Donnell had problems with his mic -->
8) Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Alternating Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute!" repeatedly, women in the audience sang the lyrics, Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Get with him, Lee" -->
Jay113 was there.
9) Donnell-led "Do you think about me?" - Donnell said, "Percussion" and they started a light crank, this song was long, they stopped and Donnell said, "Keep it real, Jeff, you f*cked up", they did the ending a couple more times
Rickea, Stacy, Netty, Tracy S. (celebrating her new job), LA (celebrating her birthday), Trina, Tony, Nikiya, and Nikia were there.

Second set
1) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked / Percussion solo
I zoned out a bit.
2) Sean-led Musiq's Buddy - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell sang, "You never heard a pocket like this I swear..."
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
4) Alternating Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / "Gangsta, walk with me, talk to me" - with additional lyrics
5) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - Smoke played timbales, it cranked
Alena, Shawn, and Peanut were there.
6) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Halima-led "Used to be son of a ..." / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Percussion solo
7) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked / Donnell-led DJ Unk's Walk It Out - the house lights came on and people started to leave
Ayisha was there.
8) Sean-led R. Kelly's I'm a Flirt - it cranked
I danced with Julia during the set.

Mambo Sauce and Vital at the State Theatre
The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington Falls Church, VA 22046

Richard (who posts on TMOTT as Disco Earl, but has a completely different personality in real life. I prefer the real life personality.) was there, we talked throughout the show.

Mambo Sauce

Lil Pep, Twink, Red, Khari


Lil Pep, Black Boo, Red, Khari, Yendy


Twink, Yendy, Khari, Chris


Lil Pep, Black Boo
The line up was: Alfred "Black Boo" Duncan (vocals & cowbell), Yendy Brown (vocals), William "Red" or "Malachai" Johns (guitar (& manager)), Khari Pratt (bass), Chris Wright (keyboard), Twink (drums), Jermaine "Pep" Cole (percussion)
They had a guy videotaping them from onstage.
1) Intro jam - it cranked, Black Boo and Yendy were not yet onstage
2) Black Boo-led M.A.M.B.O. - it cranked, Red played grinding guitar, the congas had a nice crisp sound
3) Yendy & Black Boo-led Things Will Get Better - it was laid back
4) Yendy-led Damn Joe - it cranked, Black Boo played the cowbell
Yendy did an intro talk for Sweet Baby
5) Yendy & Black Boo-led Sweet Baby - laid back / jam - it cranked
6) Yendy & Black Boo-led Fairweather - Black Boo rapped
7) Yendy & Black Boo-led Cool Points - it cranked, Pep played timbales, Black Boo said, "Pep!" repeatedly
Black Boo introduced Miracles, saying they want to take GoGo national, "that's our miracle"
8) Yendy & Black Boo-led Miracles - it cranked, Pep played timbales
9) Yendy & Black Boo-led Long Time Comin' - Red played grinding guitar, it varied between crankin' and laid back, Red played a nice guitar solo, stopped so Black Boo could introduce the band, starting with Red (our manager and head of our record label), Pep (the joker, our spiritual leader, Mr. lollipop), Chris (in the back, trying to be incognito, our musical director), Khari (makes it look so easy), Yendy (my counterpart), Twink (y'all know we have a female drummer back there?), then resumed / Percussion solo
Black Boo gave a talk to introduce Go. He asked how many people were Virginia people, how many people were Maryland people, and how many were DC people. He ask to see how much cheering people would do for various sports teams: the Wizards, the Redskins (a lot more cheering), Georgetown (not much cheering, Black Boo said I think you like UVA more)
10) Yendy & Black Boo-led Go - Red played grinding guitar, it cranked, Yendy rapped
Black Boo constantly went over to the left edge of the stage during the set.

I have posted a couple of clips of a percussion solo and Long Time Comin'.

During the break, whenever someone from SOJA appeared onstage, it was like one of the Beatles from the crowd reaction.

Vital
1) Vital-led "Ain't nobody in the game like me" - he performed with Sacrifice and Chaotic over a track
Vital said, "How many people in the house saw Mambo sauce? Let's bring them back" - all of Mambo Sauce except Yendy came out, Black Boo played the cowbell during the set
Vital brought out an R&B group called Encore, consisting of 4 guys, they performed together with Vital and Chaotic on the next two songs. Vital said, "Mellow it out right quick"

Encore (left 4 guys), Red, Vital, Chaotic
2) ?
3) Vital-led "Show me something... I don't... warm, that's why I can't keep calm
Vital said, "I left a lot of beautiful ladies."
Encore left the stage.
Vital called out Bobby Lee Jefferson of SOJA to perform on their next song, Sacrifice joined in

Black Boo, Vital, Sacrifice, Bobby Lee, Red, Chaotic, Khari, Chris
4) Bobby-led "I'm in my soul" - it cranked, especially the guitars
Bobby left the stage.
5) Vital-led "I'm a soldier, Vital" - it cranked, it was guitar driven
6) Vital-led Jim Jones' We Fly High - another backup rapped joined in, they held their mics to the crowd, Sacrifice's mic went out and he didn't seem to notice
Vital said, "Give it up for Mambo Sauce"

Lil Pep, Black Boo, backup rapper, Sacrifice, Vital, Chaotic
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
7) Mambo Sauce percussion solo - it cranked, I filmed it
Mambo Sauce left, I don't know if Vital continued without them, as I left to head for Tradewinds.
It was pretty crowded when I left, it took a bit during Mambo Sauce's set for the crowd to build. The crowd was mostly white, and college aged.

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

Familiar Faces was back at Tradewinds after a week off because Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson had shut down Tradewinds and eight other clubs, ostensibly because they were threats to safety. Here is a link to the new law that allowed him to do this. These closings were met with protest as not only were (and are) GoGo venues being unfairly targeted, but closing the venues will not eliminate violence - as Scottie Jay said, "It's like putting a band aid on a gunshot wound". Members of the GoGo Coalition met both by the CFE and at the Community of Hope A.M.E. Church, before marching on the Prince George's County Council. Here is the article on their protest, and their letter they attempted to deliver to Jack Johnson is posted below. The end result was the clubs were re-opened with tighter security measures put in place.

April 3, 2007

Honorable Jack B. Johnson, County Executive
Prince George’s County
County Administration Building
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Suite 5032
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3050

Honorable Thomas E. Dernoga, Chairperson
Prince George’s County Council
County Administration Building
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Suite 2027
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3050

Dear Public Servants:

Peaceoholics, Inc. and Go-Go Coalition, Inc are organizations with members who have directly been impacted by the County Executive’s decision to close nine (9) entertainment venues in Prince George’s County. Although the decision for such action was based on the concern for public safety, there was disregard for the economic impact on the numerous families affected beyond employees of the specific venues closed. While our organizations agree that something needs to be done to address the crime patterns and the recent crime wave in the County, we do not agree that closing entertainment venues appropriately addresses the root of the problem. And, even though most venues have been allowed to reopen for business, we view this as a long-term issue that should still be addressed immediately.

Though our members are not specifically targeted in any decision or action against entertainment venues, one cannot deny that they are stakeholders who are directly affected by any action thereof. As such, our members have decided to take a proactive stance in support of the venue owners to remain open and at the same time, support the County’s effort to curb violence in and nearby the venues. We have met and developed some specific plans of action that can be utilized in the overall effort to bring peace to the community.

While we have specific ideas to assist this effort of peace, we want to implement these strategies in concert with the County and venue owner-developed plans; and we want to work toward a security standard that is satisfactory to the County as well as venue owners. As local entertainers who many citizens come to see regularly, we have direct communication with these citizens and substantial influence that can lead to behavioral change for the good of our community. Also, the Peaceoholics have a history of bringing peace to situations involving some of the area’s most violent youth. As stakeholders in the future of our youth and in perpetuating a safe environment for entertainment and recreation, we would like to be included in the overall plan of action to curb violence in Prince George’s County. To that end, we are requesting a meeting with you in the immediate future, to discuss how we might work together for constructive change.

Please contact us so that we can share our specific ideas and overall plan of action.

Sincerely,

Ronald Moten, COO
Peaceoholics

Maurice Shorter, Chair
Go-Go Coalition

Archie, Darrell, Mike Smith, NeeNee, Shawn, Nikia, Vicki, Skaci, Keshia, Danni, Mousie, Quay (Shorty Q), and Peg Leg were there.

Familiar Faces
They had their regular Saturday line up.
First set
1) Halima-led Tamia's Can't Get Enough - DP played the flugelhorn
2) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked, Donnell said, "Don't do nothing to let them take the party away from us, I don't know what I was doing last Saturday, but I never want to do it again." / Percussion solo
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
4) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo - Jacques played the blocks, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" -->
Trea, Danette, and Renee were there.
5) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - it cranked / Donnell-led Nicole the Bartender (tease)
Trice and KiKi were there.
6) Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Alternating Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick
Dog was there.
7) Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked / Percussion solo
Jackie and Ria were there.
8) Halima-led Nelly Furtado's Say It Right

Slick Rick came over, he said, "You don't know who I am." I said, "Why aren't you drinking from a bottle of Moet?" He said, "You know who I am."

Janetta, Tiffany, Julia, Mia, and Kia were there.

Second set
1) Sean-led Musiq's Buddy (tease) / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!"
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Alternating Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya", it cranked / "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
4) Sean-led Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back - it cranked (I still hate it) / Donnell-led "Gangsta" - with additional lyrics, Dog danced on the stage floor, Packy played the cowbell
5) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style / Percussion solo - it cranked
6) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Halima sang something / Percussion solo / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Dwayne played a guitar solo
Donnell said, "Time to get sexy, this is for the ladies."
7) Donnell-led "Do you think about me? Nobody else but you and me"
8) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked, the house lights came on
9) Sean-led R. Kelly's I'm a Flirt - it had a light crank

Mambo Sauce at The Fe
Santa Fe Café, 4410 Knox Rd, College Park, MD 20740

This was the first time I've seen a band perform at The Fe, and I believe the first time I've been there since I graduated from the University of Maryland. The Fe was known as the College Park bar that carded the hardest. They didn't let people in until 8:30. They had tickets too, but they weren't necessary.

As I was waiting to get in, I heard Mambo Sauce performing Long Time Comin' during their sound check.

I said hello to Red.

I briefly saw College Park celebrity Lee Majors "Cluck-Upac", he works there.

It wasn't too packed at first, but then over time it got crowded, literally wall-to-wall people in the main bar area. The crowd was mostly white. I didn't see anyone from TMOTT there, but there were a number there, as they posted about this performance on TMOTT.

I talked with Pep briefly and asked him when they would hit the stage.

This was my first time seeing Twink perform.

Mambo Sauce

Lil Pep, Black Boo, Yendy, Twink, Khari, Chris


Lil Pep, Black Boo, Red, Yendy


Black Boo, Red, Yendy, Twink, Khari


Black Boo, Red, Yendy, Khari, Chris
The line up was: Alfred "Black Boo" Duncan (vocals & cowbell), Yendy Brown (vocals), William "Red" or "Malachai" Johns (guitar (& manager)), Khari Pratt (bass), Chris Wright (keyboard), Twink (drums), Jermaine "Pep" Cole (percussion)
1) Intro jam - it cranked
2) Black Boo-led M.A.M.B.O. - it cranked, Pep played timbales, Black Boo played the cowbell
3) Yendy & Black Boo-led Things Will Get Better
4) Yendy-led Damn Joe - it cranked, Black Boo played the cowbell
5) Yendy & Black Boo-led Sweet Baby - it alternated between laid back and crankin' -->
6) Yendy-led Fairweather - it cranked, Black Boo played the cowbell -->
7) Yendy & Black Boo-led Cool Points - it cranked, Pep played both congas and timbales / Pep timbale solo
8) Yendy & Black Boo-led Miracles - this was my first time hearing this song, I filmed a couple of clips of it, it cranked -->
9) Yendy & Black Boo-led Long Time Comin' - Red played grinding guitar, it varied between laid back and crankin' / Pep conga solo
Black Boo talked about DC as an intro to Go
10) Yendy & Black Boo-led Go - Red played grinding guitar, it cranked / Percussion solo - Pep played congas and Black Boo played the cowbell
Black Boo introduced the band. Black Boo then introduced Vital, whose album release party next weekend they will be playing at. A Fe employee behind me at the bar signalled with a flashlight.
Vital, Sacrifice, and Chaotic performed with Mambo Sauce backing them up.

Lil Pep, Black Boo, Sacrifice, Vital, Red, Chaotic, Twink, Khari, Chris
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
11) Vital-led Jim Jones' We Fly High
12) Vital-led ?
I wish Twink and Red would solo more. I enjoyed the performance. Since I didn't see anyone I knew, I decided to leave after the set, SOJA closed the show.
A girl came up to me during the set since I was taking pictures, she said she was writing on the show for the Diamondback (the University of Maryland's school newspaper).

Bobbie has posted a clip of M.A.M.B.O. here.

I have posted clips of Miracles: part 1 and part 2.

Familiar Faces DVD Release Party
I watched the DVD. I was impressed with the video quality, and the audio quality was good too. I like how they worked in the still photos of the band members, which included photos all the way from childhood to present day. They also did a good job of including a variety of angles and close ups, both of the band and the crowd. I am visible on the DVD, including holding a camera lens for Darrell - this was the last event where he used a film 35mm camera before switching to a digital 35mm camera.

Sheraton Crystal City Hotel, 1800 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington VA 22202

It felt a little weird coming back here in the evening since I work a block away. This was a PBMC event.

Sashay Shaunte was there. Darrell was there, taking pictures. I talked with Paul from the sound equipment crew about the PG County club closings. Sashay introduced me to 2nd2None from TMOTT. Sweet Chelle, SaVern, Machelle, Gwynn, Tracy, Tori, Melanie, MeCelle, Michon, Dog, Peg Leg, Skaci, Ariel, NeeNee, Slim Goodie, PeeWee, 6'9, Darlene, L-Boogie, Kim (the one I don't know), Sanisse, Mary, Lashonda, Shawnie, LA, Tracy S., Val "Tina Turner", and Shelly were there.

Except for a few brief moments, I didn't go into the ballroom until just before Familiar Faces was supposed to start. MC Lyte was supposed to open, I didn't see her, but I know she was there. I did see a band with a female Sax player - she was the only person onstage when I first arrived.

Familiar Faces
The line up was: Sean "Kal-el" (vocals & guitar), 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).
1) Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - it cranked
Sharon and Juanita were there.
2) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - it cranked, they had the ladies sing "Oh oh oh"
Bianca and Tyrell were there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
5) Sean-led Omarion's Entourage - it cranked / Percussion solo -->
Pinkey, Rachelle, Tiffany, Rickea, Janetta were there.
6) Donnell & Halima-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - it cranked
7) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
8) Alternating Donnell-led "Party, party everybody" - it cranked / Percussion solo - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" / Sean-led Ne-Yo's So Sick - Donnell said, "Hey D-O-C", Donnell said, "Get with him, Lee", Sean also joined in
Julia and her sister Vicki were there.
9) 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 / "Langston Lane love" / Percussion Solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke"
Deenah was there.
Donnell said, "Time to get sexy".
10) Halima-led Nelly Furtado's Say It Right
Candal and Keta were there.
11) Sean-led Tank's Please Don't Go
Mama Chelle, March, Jessica, Tina (TT), Boo, Lashan, Scooby of L!ssen Da Grew^p, Gwen, Yolanda, and Tamiko were there.

Second set
1) Sean-led Musiq's Buddy / 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!"
2) 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 onstage
3) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked -->
4) Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Halima sang something / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Percussion solo
5) Donnell & Sean-led "Do you think about me?" - the house lights came on, I left but they were still playing, I ran into Kevin (Sax player formerly for 4Sho, Chance Band, currently with Deep Band) on my way out

Pinkey, Simone, and Kia's Birthday Celebration at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

Lachelle, Weenie, Neta, Dog, Peg Leg, Nita, Renee, Sharon, Juanita, Gary, Dirty Dirty, Simone, JoJo, Nece, Darrell, NeeNee, Kia, Ebony, Nikia, Mary, Sanisse, Yolanda, and Skaci were there.

Birthday girls Pinkey and Simone


Nephew, Godfather, Shawn, Dwayne Thomas, Jacques, KayKay, Smoke, Sean, Dwayne Lee, Doc, Ebony and Nikia have their backs to the camera (they are in the foreground)


Shawn, Dwayne Thomas, Jacques, KayKay, Sean, Dwayne Lee, Doc, Halima, Tony, Donnell, Tonya


Lorenzo, Nephew, Godfather, Shawn, Jacques, Dwayne Thomas


Dwayne Lee (arm only), Doc, Packy, Donnell, DP, Sean
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

Familiar Faces
Sound check
Donnell-led Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready (tease)
Pinkey, Keisha, and Danni were there.
Donnell told the crowd to behave because the liquor board was there.
The line up was the usual Saturday line up (Dwayne Thomas on drums).
First set
1) Sean-led Robin Thicke's Lost Without U - it cranked, Donnell did birthday shout outs to Simone, Kia, Pinkey, and DP, Sean played guitar / Percussion solo
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
Archie was there.
3) Alternating Halima-led Shareefa's Cry No More - it cranked / Percussion solo
4) Donnell & Halima-led Ludacris' Runaway Love featuring Mary J. Blige - it cranked / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" and Donnell responded, "Say what? Do what?", and DP held his mic to the crowd, Donnell said, "Sice it up, Doc"
5) Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - it cranked / O'Jay's Backstabbers (tease) / "Hey haters!" (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Killazoo" / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant / "Hands Free, they're f*cking with me" chant / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!"
Britney was there.
Donnell said, "Brand new y'all" (referring the the next song)
Halima said, "That song is for ladies, you're not supposed to say it."
6) Halima-led Nelly Furtado's Say It Right " - Halima held her mic to the ladies, Halima called for Dwayne Thomas to solo

Lisa of the World, Paulette, SaVern, Val "Tina Turner", Tarita, Quay (Shorty Q), Tracy (from Zanzibar), Lolo (haven't seen in a year), Shawn, and KayKay were there.

I bought a copy of the Familiar Faces DVD. You can buy one here.

Second set
1) Sean-led Musiq's Buddy - it cranked / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!"
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" -->
3) Donnell & Sean-led Tattoo - it cranked
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" - Donnell called up Dog to dance on the stage floor
6'9 was there.
5) Halima-led Mis-Teeq's Style - it cranked
6) Alternating Donnell-led "Reggae" - it cranked / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "But is it like that, is it really like that?"
Gwen was there.
Donnell said, "We've been grown all night, it's time to be sexy"
7) Donnell & Sean-led "Do you think about me?" - the house lights came on
8) Halima-led Beyonce's Ring the Alarm - it cranked, Halima tried to get KayKay to perform

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.