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

Tamara was there. She introduced me to her friend Brittney. Brittney had just turned 21 on Friday. She had tried to come to Takoma Station last week with Tamara, but they wouldn't let her in. Darrell F., Tyrell, Shadonna, Pinky, Tim (LJ), and Vonshawn were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Blueprint - instrumental, Donnell played his Sax on the dance floor, Donnell said, "Dana is celebrating her birthday. I expect to be eating cake in an hour", Dwayne played a nice guitar solo, Donnell did a shout out to Dewey of the Circle Boys, Donnell said, "We got my man Lorenzo, tall man" / Donnell briefly played Parliament's P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) / Donnell said, "Since we play Jazz, and Jazz is all about improvisation. We're going to get my man Kal'el in here.", Sean sang freestyle including "Happy birthday Britney", then Halima and Mike separately also sang freestyle
Los was there.
2) Mother's Finest's Love Changes (tease) - instrumental
John was there. 3) Mike-led I Dreamed You - Donnell played on the dance floor and later Mike sang on the dance floor 4) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - Tamara sang back up, Halima sang on the dance floor, fans put their hands up at the appropriate time in the song
Tracy S. was there.
5) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever
6) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - Mike sang on the dance floor / Percussion solo
Stinky Dink and Sharika were there.
7) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean sang on the dance floor
RE Angie was there.
Donnell said (not sure who to), "I see how you look at me, you want me to sing this song"
8) Sean-led Burt Bacharach & Hal David's A House Is Not a Home
Roe was there.
The owner of Takoma Station asked why I was taking notes. When I told him, he said, "This is my place."

GoGo Mickey was there.

Angie W. and Stacey were there.
Second Set
1) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It
2) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
Mike said something I couldn't make out.
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - Sean sang on the dance floor
4) Mike-led 50 Cent's In Da Club "Dana, it's your birthday!"
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
7) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You
8) Percussion solo
Tiffany G. and Lima were there.
9) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
10) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Stinky Dink sat in / Stinky Dink-led One Track Mind
Donnell did a birthday shout out to Roe.
11) Roe-led Rare Essence's Lock It - GoGo Mickey played the congas with drumsticks
12) Roe-led Rare Essence's Do You Know What Time It Is?
End of Roe sitting in.
13) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
14) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
15) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go
16) Mike-led Lap Dance - Sean played congas while GoGo Mickey played timbales, GoGo Mickey played a nice solo
Donnell said, "Mickey play one more. Blind dude over there, thinks he's still got it."
Brittney said, "Play one more song, and I'll give you a show."
17) Stomp played a solo - Brittney danced
Donnell said, "Don't go nowhere Brittney, you all can go."
Connie was there.

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

This was my first time at the Icon. I drove past it, before stopping at places to see the address numbers and figure out where it was. Lorenzo walked in before me. It is a nice place and roomy. It is the furthest GoGo venue I've been to (other than out-of-town venues).

Nicole was taking covers, as she did on Fridays at Safari.

Familiar Faces
Sound Check
The line up was: Mike, Sean, Halima, Donnell, DP, Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Mike Smith (drums), Smoke, and Jacques.
They are still using the same "Bike Week" configuration they used at Safari.
1) Donnell acapella Tyrese's Sweet Lady (tease)
2) Donnell sang along with Kanye West's Gold Digger, which DJ Rico was playing
Donnell said, "One more Rico, I know you have a limited number of records, Rico Suave!"
Donnell said of Mike, "He want to be Halima so bad" and mocked Mike's arm gestures.
3) Donnell acapella Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready (tease)

First Set - started at 11:26
Donnell said, "Rico giving us a lot of love on the radio". DJ Rico said, "That's a lie!" Donnell said, "Tell somebody (we're at the Icon on Fridays), spread the word. In two weeks, we're shooting a live DVD down here."
1) Alternating Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean rapped "Alright" / Percussion solo
Donnell said, "Come on down ladies, don't be shy."
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
3) Alternating Percussion solo / Donnell-led "___ Is in the House" / "___ Is Here"
4) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
7) Donnell-led "___ Is on the Floor"
8) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Donnell said, "Oh my my", there was a nice crank
9) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Smoke played the timbales, Jacques played the congas with drumsticks, Mike sang something, Halima said, "Uh oh, uh uh oh"
6'9 was there.
Donnell said, "We need the ladies up front. See if you can wind for us, real slow and sexy." Donnell teased the men and suggested they "go back and buy some binoculars or something..."
11) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - Donnell shouted, "Boo!" repeatedly
Donnell announced DJ Flexx playing to start the break, "My man DJ Flexx, I can't joke on my man Flexx, he don't like that."

It was really dark from the time they started playing until the house lights came on at the end, so it was tough to recognize people. Also, since it's in Charles County, there's no smoking ban that I know of.

DJ Flava (AKA GoGo Rudy) was there, he said hello. Tamika, Tiffany F., and June were there. Donnell introduced me to Damond, whom I recognized as a regular. John, who had asked me the schedule at one of the Thursday Fur shows, talked with me and confirmed the schedule. Lashonda (with a new hairdo), Maya, Shameika, Peg Leg, and Chocoltchp were there.

Second Set
Donnell said, "They wanted me to say something to the fellas. Y'all need to snazz it up with your clothes. They turning away a lot of guys 'cause of the way their dressed. This is the grown & sexy."
1) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - I danced with Maya, Packy played the cowbell, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho!"
2) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning - Dwayne moved up front to the left of Sean / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes - Dwayne moved back to his regular spot / Tupac's Hail Mary (tease)
4) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
Nina (spelling?), Tasty, and Nita were there.
5) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Doc moved into the spot in front Dwayne had been in earlier
6) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - the house lights came on / "Brandywine, Friends of mine" chant
RE Angie was there.
7) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go / 6 Minutes percussion solo
Angie W. was there.
Donnell said, "I'm playing at Tradewinds tomorrow, know that. I'm going to get paid." Halima said, "He's like the mailman, rain, sleet, or snow."
Donnell joked of Tasty, "I'm the pappy!" Tasty laughed and starting walking out. Donnell said, "Where you going Tasty? I'm bringing the pampers, the milk. That's right, you got the milk."
I was surprised how packed it was since there was only two days notice.

I asked Nicole if she had been at the Wizards game the other night because I saw her on TV (when I was at Takoma Station). She was.

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

When I walked in, Red and Black Boo were standing by the bar. They were going to give a Mambo Sauce press kit to Epic Concepts.

Pinky, Darrell F., Danielle (Pinkprincess), Ro'chelle (toosweet), and Kato were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Miles Davis' Tutu
2) Sean-led John Legend's Ordinary People
3) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
4) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
Miss T (Theresa) & Miss V (Vernice) were there.
5) Halima-led The Brand New Heavies' Never Stop - the tones (or timbre) sounded different from how they usually perform this
6) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
Tyrell, Shadonna, Tracy S., Michelle (DeeDee's Cousin), Sweet Michelle, Sweet Sidi, 6'9, Yolanda, and Sanisse were there.

Second Set
1) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
RE Angie and Gary were there.
Donnell said, "Sweet Michelle, I think she's still got it."
2) Alternating they started to perform the music to Gerald Levert's Funny / Percussion solo / Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean rapped
Tiffany F., Tamiko, Chi Ali, Nikiya, and James were there.
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
5) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
6) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You / Prince's Sexy M.F. (tease)
7) Donnell-led Hold the Note - there was a nice crank / Halima-led Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease)
8) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - there was a nice crank, Donnell said, "Lord a mercy"
9) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
Choo Choo was there.

Dynomite told me FF "Needs to release more PAs. The bald man with hair agrees."

Preston Blue and Tracy were there.

Third Set
I was talking, so there might have been a song before Check on It I missed.
1) Alternating Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It / Donnell-led "Brandywine, Friends of Mine" chant Nece was there.
2) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - there was a nice crank
Peg Leg and Scooby from L!ssen Da Grew ^P were there.
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
Angie W. was there.
4) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean sang something
5) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
Simone was there.
I danced with toosweet for much of the early part of this set, but it was really just me teasing her since clearly she wasn't interested in dancing with me.
6) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - 32 of Rare Essence sat in and rapped
7) Donnell-led Brown & White / Ride Out / Northeast Groovers' The Water - 32 rapped / Mike-led Parliament's Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (tease)
End of 32 sitting in.
Sixx from Raw Image was there. He told me he had seen and liked my website. I didn't even know he knew who I was.
Donnell said, "This is where the stars be partyin'."
8) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go
9) Donnell-led DIP
10) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
Donnell said, "Choo Choo, I'm disappointed in you."

Sidi pointed out the body of girl I recognized as a groupie. She asked if I was interested in her. I said that I wasn't interested in anyone's groupie, that I am interested in women who like me, not someone else.

I talked outside with Stomp about his website. I asked him if he wants it publicized. He does.

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

Netty, Vonshawn, and Sharika were there.

Familiar Faces
Sound Check
1) Donnell played Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg's Over the Rainbow (tease) - instrumental
2) Donnell sang along with Trey Songz' Gotta Go played by the DJ
3) Donnell acapella Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready (tease)
4) Mike acapella Marvin Gaye's Distant Lover (tease)

First Set
1) Don't Stop - instrumental, nice solos played by Smoke on the congas and Jacques on the timbales
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
3) Halima-led The Brand New Heavies' Never Stop - Halima said, "Get started up" repeatedly, Halima sang on the dance floor
Donny Ray of EU was there.
Mike said, "That was hot." Halima replied, "Not as hot as you."
4) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean sang on the dance floor
5) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Donnell said, "This is my song y'all", Mike sang on the dance floor
Stacey was there.
6) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - Halima sang on the dance floor / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
7) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved - Mike sang on the dance floor
Tim (LJ), Pretty Nikki of After Hours and TJ (formerly of After Hours) were there.
8) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind (debut of Sean singing it)
Tracy, whom I met at Zanzibar, was there (with her same friend as at Zanzibar).
9) Alternating Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva / Percussion solo - Donnell did a shout out to Pretty Nikki (although he just called her Nikki), Halima said, "Lincoln Heights!" / Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Superstition
Donnell announced they would be playing on Fridays starting the Friday two days from now at Icon from now on.

Second Set
Donnell announced they would soon have live DVD by initiation and that "Mike will strip naked (I hope not!)."
1) Alternating Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It / Percussion solo / Donnell-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease)
Darlene, a regular, was there. 2) Donnell-led "___ Is up in here" - spoken, not chanted
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - there was a nice crank
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
6) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You - Donnell said, "Say what? Do What?"
Nikiya was there.
7) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - Jacques played a nice timbale solo / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
8) Donnell-led "___ Is on the Floor"
9) Alternating Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Stinky Dink rapped, Donnell rapped / Percussion solo - it cranked / Halima-led Mariah Carey's It' Like That - Godfather or Lorenzo played something different
10) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell rapped, the house lights came on, Sean sang, "We'll take a train together... Come into my bedroom"
11) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Packy played a tambourine / 6 Minutes percussion solo
12) Stomp played a sample
13) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - Donnell said, "This is my theme song. I don't know what's going on, I thought we was done."
14) Stomp played more samples
15) Dwayne briefly played riffs from a familiar Funk song
In talking about the bus trip, Donnell told ladies, "If you need a roommate, we'll pick names out of a hat."
Donnell said to Packy, "No vacation (they were originally not going to play on Friday), tell that trick you aren't going to Vegas. Fill up the bath tub, that's as close as your getting to a Jacuzzi." Packy laughed.

Super Bowl Party
Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202
Positive Black Men Coalition World's Largest Super Bowl Party

I was still feeling the effects of my all night work on Friday, so I slept until 5 PM on Sunday. I knew I would be late for the game, but that was okay. As I walked by the side of the hotel, a hotel employee outside said hello and told me that Seattle had just kicked a field goal.

When I talked in, Cindy and Kiki were sitting at a small table in the lobby. They had been trying to call me all day. They had hoped that I could save a table for the three of us. They said they were sitting in the lobby because all the seats downstairs were taken.

We talked and ate until around 8:30, then we went downstairs. I circulated a bit. I saw Nita, Ebo, Sonya, "original" Nikki, Ebony, Tracy, MeCelle, Ron Moten, Mama Chelle, Stacy, Jay Floyd, Monique, Regi, Nikki, Michon, and Big Youngin. A guy named Bo introduced himself to me. He said he recognized me from going to so many GoGos. He is promoting the downstairs show at Zanzibar on Thursdays. Stomp's friend Kenny, who had been his guest at the NEG Reunion and at Tradewinds, was there. Stomp said Kenny is Fat Cat from the Drum Clan.

UCB (They introduced themselves as Uncalled 4 Experience)
This was my first time seeing them perform after hearing so much about them from Duane Face. The line up was: Tre (lead singer), two other male vocalists (one of them a rapper, one of them also played the cowbell), a female singer, a guitar player, a bass player, two keyboard players (one had a double keyboard), a drummer, and a percussionist. The DJ was also onstage with the band in the front on the right side.
1) Tre-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go
2) Female-led "Crazy?" - the female singer's vocals were much harder to make out over the band than Tre's, I am not sure if that was a mic matter or not
Krystal was there.
3) Female-led ?
4) Male-led "Southside" chant - there was a nice crank
Tre said that Uncalled 4 Experience was celebrating their ninth anniversary. He said they had three singles, one you've heard on the radio -->
5) Tre-led Sexy Lady - the band and fans held their hands up, there was a nice crank, the percussionist played the roto-toms
6) Male-led Purple Ribbon All-Stars' Kryptonite
Tre said that was all their time.
Jay told me he liked that, "It was clean, they were musicians."

Nataki (~butterflies~) was there, we danced. Here's her take.

Nicole, the cover taker at Safari, was there.

Familiar Faces
1) Halima-led Sade's Pearls
DeeDee and Packy stood in the back on the stage, RE Angie danced on the left side. Cookie stood on the right side.
2) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny
3) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - there was a nice crank
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
5) Halima sang "Let's go now" from Mariah Carey's It's Like That, but the music was to Floetry's Supastar, Donnell said, "That's what we're talking about" / Halima-led Floetry's Supastar
6) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
7) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
8) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
9) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
10) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - it went dark for bit, then the lights returned to their previous level, Halima danced with a mic stand, it really cranked, Smoke really hit the congas hard
11) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - there was a nice crank
12) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes
Big Don Pimp was there.
13) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - the house lights came on
Shameika was there.
14) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - the lights dimmed again, Sean sang again
15) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - I danced with Regi
16) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes - I danced with Ro'chelle (toosweet)
I had previously danced with Tracy, Cindy, and Monique during the set.
Sherray (Always Showtime!!) was there.
Donnell said, "Stomp, I've never of such a thing, that's Larry. Cancer, my name is Larry."

Saturday at Tradewinds
I missed Friday's performance due to my doing spring cleaning. They are off next Friday.

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

"Original" Nikki and Ebony called to me from behind as I walked to the main door from my car.

Britney & Shelly, JoJo & Simone, and Britney (who sat on the right speaker as usual) were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Alternating Percussion solo - Donnell joked, "My baby Britney (the one sitting on the speaker), I haven't seen her since... She ain't my baby no more, I quit her a few weeks ago, if anybody's looking for a..." / Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Donnell played a nice Sax solo
Renee (with a new hairdo) and Tiffany F. were there.
2) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It
L-Boogie was there.
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
5) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
6) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
7) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You
8) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Packy played a tambourine / Donnell-led "___ is Yes!"
Peg Leg and RE Angie were there.
9) Rare Essence's One on One (tease) - instrumental, Donnell said, "We got some old school, Metro Club, what you want to do?"
10) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - Donnell said to Halima, "Sing to Peg Leg", Donnell said, "Sing it ladies"
11) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes - Lorenzo, a vocalist, sat in, I believe it was the same one I met at the Virgo Bash
Donnell joked about all Lorenzos being tall.

6'9, Los, Big Youngin, Shawn, and March were there.

Second Set
1) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
Ray was there.
2) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - a guy in the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" repeatedly and Donnell said, "Say what? Do what?"
3) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell rapped new lines, a guy named Dirty sat in and rapped. He then walked into the crowd and I talked with him for a bit
4) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
5) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
6) Trina Was Great - I danced with O'Shayley (spelling?), her friend Helena came by with her
7) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - the house lights came on, I was surprised, but I looked at my watch and it was 2:45 AM
8) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go
9) 6 Minutes percussion solo - Halima sang, "I see you ___, hey lady", Donnell said, "Just another hate crime, going to have to do the time", Donnell said, "I told them to stop y'all" repeatedly
Donnell said, "Palmer Park all day."
Donnell said, "I picked the wrong one, but I'm about to throw her into a garbage pail."
Donnell teased Packy about Shelly being "underage".
Donnell said of Britney, "Had fun withya, done withya. Fellas, her number is 202..."
Donnell was selling tickets for tomorrow's show. At first he said, "Nikki, you don't need to pay me." But then he said, "She paid me, no favors..."
Godfather said to me and told me to write, "Look at the Big 'Bama Lorenzo, Reverend Whore, first one out the door..."

D Ball's Bon Voyage at Zanzibar
Zanzibar on the Waterfront, 700 Water Street SW Washington, DC 20024

Kimberly, Darrell, Darrell F., Tanya, and Trina were there.

When I was circulating before the performance, I went to the right side and ran into a rack of my fellow TMOTTers. The first one I saw was D Ball, whom most of the others were here for since he is moving to Houston next month. Here are all my fellow TMOTTers that I believe were there (other than of course, Nephew, Mike (The AssMan), and Kal El): D Ball (TRUMPETER), Danielle (pinkprincess) and her cousin, lady$tyle$06, sweetangelmd27, Sweet Tyra, Mz. Laydee, SweetAKA, Danielle (WELLFHED), Junior, Unique, .oOMampiOo., Peaches, Sherray (Always Showtime!!), Ro'chelle (toosweet), missshaunte, Chocoltchp, jay113, ~*Bobbiedoll*~, delano795, ThatsHotSexie, that44dog, Dey, Black Heart, $TYLE$, Trina, T-bird, YEAHOE, brwnhornet, Marvin (TCB_M), and SupaDan. (I haven't formally been introduced to brwnhornet, YEAHOE, T-bird, Trina, ThatsHotSexie, and SweetAKA.)


D Ball, toosweet, Sweet Tyra, pinkprincess


Junior and Unique


missshaunte, Always Showtime!!, ~*Bobbiedoll*~, Sweet Tyra, pinkprincess, lady$tyle$06


delano795, TCB_M, WELLFHED, and Me


ThatsHotSexie and Mya


Me and Nena

Gary, Simone, Nece, Tijuana, Shameika, and JuJu of EU were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Mother's Day - instrumental, Donnell played on the dance floor
Cookie was there.
2) They started to perform the music to Faith Evans' Mesmerized / Alternating percussion solo / Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever
3) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean rapped
4) Mike-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man / Percussion solo
5) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - fans put their hands up at the appropriate time / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
Tracy S. was there.
6) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved
Regi, Los, Sanisse, Yolanda, and Tiffany F. were there.

Second Set
The dance floor was so packed that I watched this set and the third set from the left side of the stage area. It was written on the TMOTT board that Black Heart sat in on the congas during this performance, but since the congas are on the right side of the stage, I couldn't see them during the second and third sets, so I don't know when he sat in.
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) / Instrumental - Donnell said, "TMOTT, look at all the TMOTT we got here."
2) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It
3) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - I didn't notice the Georgy Porgy intro, but it's possible they did it and I missed it
"Original" Nikki was there.
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
5) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - there was a nice crank
James was there.
6) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
7) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) - Donnell did the keyboard effects vocally, I didn't notice them performing Rare Essence's Spotlight
8) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
9) Mike-led Lisa Stanfield's All Around the World (tease)
10) Mike-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease)
12) Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (tease) - instrumental
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Roll Call
14) Mike & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - there was a nice crank, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho"
15) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (tease)

Third Set
Donnell said, "Just the grown, just the sexy!" Sharmba Mitchell was there.
1) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
I met a woman named Tracy who asked me what I was writing. I had danced with her during the second set.
Nicole, the bartender at Tradewinds, was there.
2) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Kay Kay rapped, there was a nice crank
3) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
Imani was there (with blonde hair). She asked me what I was writing.
4) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean sang something
5) Little Trey (from UCB)-led "Sexy Lady?" - Donnell and Trey held their mics to the crowd so they could sing
6) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
7) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - there was a nice crank
8) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - there was a nice crank
9) Short cowbell solo by Packy

Here's a thread on this performance.

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

Darrell F., Selena and her sister Trina, and Kevin Lee were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Donnell acapella Tyrese's Sweet Lady (tease) - warming up
Sharika was there.
2) Grover Washington Jr.'s Lock It in the Pocket - instrumental, nice Donnell sax solo
3) Mike-led I Dreamed You - Donnell played his sax on the dance floor
4) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Golden Lady
Angie, Omar, Lima, Tiffany G., and Ray were there.
5) Sean-led John Legend's Ordinary People
6) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes - Halima sang on the dance floor
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
Stacey and Tamara were there.
8) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean sang on the dance floor
Tim (LJ) and June were there.
9) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You - Mike sang on the dance floor
Chris Wright was there.
Donnell teased Ray, saying, "Another tape from Saturday night without Ray on it."

Donnell said that Jimmy owns (couldn't hear, but it was the name of a strip club), "Ladies, if you need to earn extra money. What would you do for the money?"

Second Set
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) (debut)
2) Donnell said over percussion, "I need to get used to Mike. If you're twenty-five and older, you know this", Tiffany danced with Mike
3) Donnell rapped
4) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It - Tiffany danced with Mike and Lima danced with Sean
5) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
7) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
8) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies, Oh my God!" Donnell said, "There you go, Smoke!"
9) Smoke percussion solo - Godfather played a tambourine, Donnell chanted announcements
10) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - there was a nice crank
11) Mike-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - the band and fans held their arms up, Jacques played a nice timbale solo and Smoke played a nice conga solo, Donnell said, "You want to do it again? You want to back it on up?"
12) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
13) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You
14) Donnell-led "___ Is on the Floor"
15) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - there was a nice crank, Donnell said, "Look here, this is not the Black Hole, this is the Grown & sexy. I don't care if it's your birthday or your girlfriend's birthday. This is not the Black Hole or the Metro Club, even though we'd like to go back."
16) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
17) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
18) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean Sang, a guy names J-Rock (spelling?) sat in and rapped, there was a nice crank, Donnell rapped new lines
19) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go (debut)
Donnell said, "If Doc wants to play another song, that's alright. I call another song, everybody's packing up. I don't get any respect."
20) Donnell acapella Halima Will You Dance for Me (tease)
21) Donnell-led Common's The Corner - Donnell rapped, but he forgot some of the lyrics
Vonshawn, Ron Moten, and Stinky Dink were there.
Donnell joked, "Someone might not be here Tuesday. Derek, you might have to drop a check off on Thursday. Sweet Cherie say she can play all that and sing a song. Please one more time..."
Lorenzo said, "I can sing." Vonshawn said, "No!"
Donnell said, "You can sing tall man?"

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

It wasn't as packed in the parking lot as it was last week, but it did get just as packed inside later.

Ebony (celebrating her birthday), Mona, "original" Nikki, Cookie (her first time at Tradewinds), Tiffany F., Ebo, Natalie, Denatta, Cindy, Tracy, Peg Leg, Shante (Stacey's cousin) and Val "Tina Turner" were there.

Googie was back working the sound.

Familiar Faces
First set
1) Alternating Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean rapped / Percussion solo - nice crank
Delano was there.
2) Donnell chanted, "If that's how you feel, you got to do what you feel"
3) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It - the crowd was really into it
4) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
6) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
7) Donnell chanted, "Familiar Faces is for the grown & sexy. If you're grown & sexy, raise your hand. If you're grown & sexy, Familiar Faces is your band."
8) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - James was dancing in the back by his uncle, not on the frontline, Donnell said to Halima, "Sing it to Peg Leg"
9) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
10) Percussion solo - it cranked, Mike said, "There it is", Halima said, "I like it"
11) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Sean held his mic to fans, girls sang it - Kay Kay danced onstage / Prince's Sexy M.F. (tease)
12) Alternating Donnell-led Hold the Note - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!", Donnell said, "Do what? Say what?" / Donnell & Halima-led Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
RE Angie was there.
13) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - James was on backup vocals / Kay Kay rapped
Donnell said of Kay Kay, "Her father's Chuck Brown. We're going on a bus trip with him to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Ladies, if you don't have a roommate, that's an extra twenty five dollars, we'll take care of that. Fellas, if you don't have a roommate, Halima said..."
14) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You
Sanisse, Nita, Tamiko, and Simone were there.

Tijuana came in during the break and said to Sean, "I like you." Lorenzo told me to write it down. When I did, Sean laughed.

JoJo and Shameika were there.

Second set
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
2) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
3) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho" / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - "Go Ebony, it's your birthday!"
L-Boogie was there.
4) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell added a rap / Kay Kay rapped
5) Alternating Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That / Donnell said, "Slick Rick got a birthday" --> / 50 Cent's In Da Club - verses for Slick Rick, Ebony, Sugar, and Makeeba
6) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Donnell chanted, "This is for my n*gger Chuck E., this is for my man Chuck E."
7) Roe-led Rare Essence's Lock It - a lot of crowd response (not clearing out like last time he sat in at Tradewinds), Roe shouted, "Throw your hands up in the front.", Slick Rick was onstage, the house lights came on
8) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is / Donnell-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease) / Donnell chanted, "They don't want to see me"
9) Donnell chanted the announcements
10) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved / Sean-led Teddy Pendergrass' Love TKO (tease)

Friday at the CFE Events Center
CFE Events Center, 7758 Marlboro Pike, Forestville MD 20747

I was unsure when Familiar Faces would start playing. Nephew's email (not literally) that the doors would open at 10 PM. Since I knew that they would only be playing two sets rather than their usual three (which is unfortunate, since it's why Fridays are my favorite), I thought it was safe to leave the house at 10 PM. I was happy to see Dwayne driving up as I walked from my car to the CFE, since it meant they had not already started.

When I walked up, Nicole (the cover taker), DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy), Jauhar, David, and the band security were all waiting outside.
Flava said, "You don't want to go in there." I went in anyway and the police officer told me I'd have to wait twenty minutes. So I went back outside. We teased each other and the band members as they arrived as well as the people who walked up. Jauhar talked about timing the band's start to when the dancers were done to retain the audience. I kidded Sean about him dancing for the women as his initiation into the band. He declined.

lady$tyle$06 came up and said, "Hey FunkmasterJ."

Krystal walked out and I said hello.

Peanut was there.

I went inside after the dancers were done.

Yolanda, Tracy S., Angie, Chanel, and Shawn were there.

Junior worked the sound.

Familiar Faces
First Set - started around 12:30 AM
1) Alternating Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny / percussion solo
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
Slim Goodie was there.
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
Mike Smith was there.
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
Maya, the bartender at Zanzibar, was there.
They had brief technical difficulties.
7) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
"Original" Nikki, Ebony, 6'9, Unique, and Peg Leg were there.
I sat in the back during the first set to allow me to adjust: the speakers are much louder than at Safari Steakhouse.

Peanut introduced me to Bobby, Bojack's brother.

Gary was there.

Second Set
Donnell announced the bus trip to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on February 17th.
Donnell also announced that tickets were on sale for the Positive Black Men Coalition's Super Bowl party. He said, "They sorry ass Steelers (Mike is a Steelers fan) and the Seattle Seahawks."
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Billy sat in on congas, I danced with a couple of girls
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - James sang backup, I danced with another woman / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes - DP joined in / Donnell said, "I've never seen a man cry"
4) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell added a rap "She seemed to come about a million times"
Shadonna danced onstage on the right side.
5) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Tyrell danced onstage (where Shadonna had previously), Donnell said, "There she do"
6) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - I danced with a woman
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
June was there.
8) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
10) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) (tease) - lyrics only
11) Donnell-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease) - the house lights came on for a second / Alternating Djayz's It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp / Kanye West's Gold Digger / Dem Franchise Boyz’ I Think They Like Me (tease) - the house lights came on
Donnell chanted, "Each and every Friday night until I say different, this is where we'll be."
12) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
Mia, the bartender at Cranberries, was there.
13) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - Donnell said, "Something for the ladies, if you singing this to your man, you know you f*cked up" / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
Donnell said, "Tyrell, you and Shadonna been playing hooky."
Tyrell said, "I'm going to Cleveland, I don't know about her."
Donnell said, "I'm going to check if you at the TCB shows because been beating your feet."
Donnell continued to jone until Junior turned off the PA.

Outside, I saw Tim (LJ) pull up in his van. He had been passing out flyers. He said the other shows he went to weren't very packed.

Danielle's birthday at Zanzibar
Zanzibar on the Waterfront, 700 Water Street SW Washington, DC 20024

This was the first performance with Mike and Sean singing together.

Kimberly and Darrell were there.

Nataki (~butterflies~) came over; I didn't recognize her at first because of her different hairdo.

Felecia, Yvette, and asmoothpoet were there.

I walked over to the front bar area and saw Danielle (Wellfhed) walking in. When I went over to her, I noticed there were a whole lot of TMOTTers there: Missshaunte, Danielle (pinkprincess) (celebrating her birthday), Shorty Q, Sherray (Always Showtime!!), Mama Chelle, D Ball, Jay113, Junior, Danielle's Cousin (I forget her name), and Renatta (I forget her board name).

Junie of EU was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic
2) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
Ras Lidj was there.
3) Mike-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man
4) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - altered lyrics "With my makeup", Halima sang it differently
Donnell announced, "A young woman named Ebony was just diagnosed with cancer. Keeping it real"
5) Halima-led Sade's Pearls - she sang it to Ebony sitting in a chair, it's very sad, I went down to make sure it wasn't one of the Ebonys I know
6) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved
7) Sean-led Burt Bacharach & Hal David's A House Is Not a Home
Delano, Big Don Pimp, and Cookie were there.

Second Set
Donnell did a birthday shout out to Danielle.
1) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
Sugar Bear was there.
2) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
5) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You - there was a nice crank / Happy Birthday
6) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) - Donnell did the keyboard effects vocally / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease) / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon (tease)
7) Mike-led Lisa Stanfield's All Around the World (tease)
8) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
9) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease)
11) Mike-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - the place was shaking
12) Mike-led Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go - the crowd responded and sang along
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - added more lines
6'9 was there.
Donnell said, "We did that old school for Jaoquim (celebrating his birthday), he's old as dirt."

RE Angie was there.

Yvette and Stacy (a regular I've seen many times, but I just introduced myself to her tonight), both talked about seeing people tonight that they hadn't seen in years.

Nicole, the bartender at Tradewinds, was there. She jokingly introduced me as her boyfriend.

I danced with Regi. I didn't recognize her at first because she had a different hairdo.

Tamiko, Miss T (Theresa) & Miss V (Vernice), and Tiffany were there.

Third Set
I may have missed a song while I was walking around.
1) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar
Jackie was there.
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
3) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
4) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Donnell rapped
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - James sang backup / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
6) Alternating GoGo Mickey conga solo - Donnell sang, "Hey GoGo Mickey", Donnell said, "Say what?" / Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (tease) - instrumental, Donnell said, "Look here, we got my man GoGo Mickey up in here, just a little bit. Right there Mick.", Donnell chanted, "Uh oh oh", Donnell chanted, "Mick-ay", Donnell chanted, "Party, party, everybody"
7) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Jackie said to me, "I came here about an hour, an hour and half, that's all I need"
Donnell said, "This is for you, Danielle"
8) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
Choo Choo and Gary were there.
Donnell said, "GoGo Mickey's still got it. He's got his shirt off like 1989."
This was the most packed I've ever seen it at Zanzibar.

Tamika's birthday at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

This was Sean (Kal'el) Gross' first show as a permanent member of Familiar Faces. Mike was out sick, so it would be another night before both sang together.

Familiar Faces
First Set
James sang back up.
1) Miles Davis' Tutu
Angie was there.
Donnell did a birthday shout out to Tamika.
2) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
3) Sean-led Burt Bacharach & Hal David's A House Is Not a Home
DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy) (wearing a formal shirt and tie), Tamara, and Stacey were there.
Donnell said, "Kal'el is brand new to the Familiar Faces family."
4) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - Sean improved / Sean-led Happy Birthday - Sean held Tamika's hand as he sang to her
June, Netty, Tim (LJ), and RE Angie were there.
Donnell said, "Michael Muse, Kal'el, Halima, the biggest frontline as soon as Mike gets over his cold. I think I'm going to start singing too next week."
5) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day
6) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - with the new guitar-led intro they came up with in rehearsal
7) Halima-led (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes (debut)
Donnell said, "That was mean, I don't know if you know what that was, but that was mean."
8) Alternating Sean-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved / Teddy Pendergrass' Love TKO (tease, debut)
Sharika was there.
Sean said, "Thank you baby."
Donnell mocked him. Donnell said, "It's okay ladies. Look how you got them Kal'el, let it go. Bus trip to Cleveland, I think I'd better let it go."
Selena, Ron Moten, 6'9 and Val "Tina Turner" were there.

Second Set
1) Donnell acapella Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease)
Angie W. was there.
2) Alternating Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It / Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - Donnell did the rap for the first time
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Halima held her mic to the fans
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease)
7) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar (debut) - there was nice crank, Donnell said, "I think they like it."
8) Sean-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down / Percussion solo / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - "Hey Tamika, it's your birthday!"
9) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Donnell rapped - at one point I could tell from his gestures that he messed up

James (sorry about the bright flash), Doc, Roe, Godfather, Sean, Lorenzo, Donnell, DP, Tony and 6'9
10) Donnell, Sean, and Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You - Sean and Halima held their mics to fans, ladies sang it, Tamiko danced with Donnell

Godfather, Sean, Lorenzo, Donnell, Tony, Tamika, 6'9, Tamika's sister (maroon shirt), Netty, and Stacey
11) Alternating Donnell-led Hold the Note / Donnell & Halima-led Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
12) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Donnell danced with Netty
13) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell added a new rap "She came about a million times", Halima responded, "That's too many!"
14) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - Dwayne was playing sitting on a speaker

RE Angie and Dwayne
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
Kevin Lee was there.
Donnell said, "I hope that's a stink bomb, I hope no one really smells like that."
Donnell said, "If anyone out there plays keyboards, we need some one." Someone said a female. Donnell said, "Even better."
Donnell said, "My baby Stephanie (Johnson) has a book published: Awareness, Belief and Consequences". She showed me a copy; the cover says: A.B.C.
Donnell said, "Roe, you together early. I lifted your probation. My man Roe tried to get us kicked out of Tradewinds. He thought he was back at the Black hole. Can't let you get us thrown out of Zanzibar."
15) Tamika's sister sang acapella Ginuwine's Love You More Everyday
16) Donnell acapella Ginuwine's Love You More Everyday - he at first sang it towards Halima, then he said, "I'm singing to you Netty, I don't even like her."

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

Val "Tina Turner", Stacey, Connie (still celebrating her birthday with another cake - it was really delicious), Shawn, Boo, Sanisse, and Cindy were there.

Junior worked the sound.

Familiar Faces
First Set
James sang backup.
Donnell did a birthday shout out to Darlene.
1) They started to perform the music to Faith Evans' Again / Instrumental (guitar riffs - NORE's I'm a G?) / Halima-led Faith Evans' Again / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke"
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
4) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It
5) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
7) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - Halima held her mic to fans
8) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - the PA went out and they fixed it, Funky Stuff guitar riffs
9) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G / Donnell chanted, "___ Is up in here"
Sean (Kal'el) Gross was there.
10) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
11) Alternating Donnell-led Hold the Note / Donnell & Halima-led Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
12) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved

I kidded Sean that he forgot he was done subbing. I didn't know that he would be hired permanently as an additional singer between this show and rehearsal.

Los, Arielle, Nece (Simone and JoJo's sister), JoJo, Mike Smith, Slick Rick, and Tiffany F. were there.

Second Set
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's unpredictable - Sean sat in just for this, there was a nice crank
2) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - it went dark
3) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
4) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease)
5) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
6) Alternating Mike & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It / Mike-led Sam Cooke's Chain Gang (tease)
7) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
8) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - interrupted by a fight that broke out between some girls, Halima said, "Hey ladies" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Take their picture. They might have a long stripe, a learner's permit. I don't know why ladies fight."
Simone was there.
9) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - the house lights came on, Donnell shouted, "Yes!" repeatedly
10) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - Donnell chanted, "They don't want to see me."
11) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You - Donnell said, "Call us back, you know you need us, Waiting to exhale. You know you got to sing this to your man, you f*cked up.", Halima made faces, Donnell playfully pulled her hair
12) Stomp played samples
13) Donnell acapella Tina Turner?s (Credence Clearwater Revival?s) Proud Mary (tease)
Stomp said, "Tonight, Charlie was 0 for 40."
Donnell said, "Omar, can you take the chastity belt off? Can you take off the seat belt?"

DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy) and Big Mike's birthday celebration
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

The younger Britney and Shelly, and China were there.

Junior worked the sound.

Familiar Faces
First Set

James, Doc, Mike, Dwayne, Donnell, and DP
1) Donnell acapella Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready (tease) - sound check
2) Alternating Blueprint - instrumental / Parliament's P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (tease) - instrumental
Donnell said, "Omar that sh*t was dry and long like the Titanic."
Mike said, "Elvis is in the building" and girls yelled.
3) Mike-led The Stylistics' People Make the World (Go Round) - Mike said, "Yeah!" at the end
Donnell said, "My two new friends are here, Shelly and Britney."
Lashonda, a regular, was there.
Mike said, "Sonya in the family".
4) Mike-led Glenn Lewis' Don't You Forget It - James joined in
5) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever
6) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved - Mike sang on the floor
Tracy and MeChele were there.

Benjiy, Tia, Mona, Ebony, and "original" Nikki were there.

Tia said she saw people there tonight she hadn't seen since high school.

Second Set
Donnell said, "Hey Britney, I heard your Mom is yeah!" (definitely true).
Mike said, "Tell your Mama I said thank you."
Donnell said, "If you don't go to Zanzibar... all the beautiful women."
Donnell said, "Don't buy MeChelle and Tracy nothing to drink; leave them at zero."
1) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essences' What Would You Do for the Money? - Halima made faces, Donnell said, "It's alright." / Donnell & Halima-led O'Jays' For the Love of Money (tease) - lyrics only
Shawn, Boo, Bobby (Bojack's older brother), and June were there.
Donnell said, "Don't be a victim of a hate crime."
Slick Rick was there.
2) Alternating Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - crank started / Percussion solo / Donnell chanted, "Sweet ___ (female name) is yes" / Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded / Donnell-led "___ Is in the house" - Guitar riffs
3) Donnell-led NORE's I'm A G - Halima and James were on backup vocals, Mike sang something I couldn't hear / Percussion solo
4) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho", I danced with a woman, Donnell chanted, "Killamazoo?"
5) Donnell-led Brown & White - Slick Rick danced onstage / Ride Out - the band and fans did the Ride Out dance

Stomp, Slick Rick, Donnell, DP, and Jacques
I talked for a bit about my thesis with a woman named Daun. She was very interested in the specifics. I may have missed a song while we were talking.
Stacey was there.
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
Danielle (Wellfhed) was there. She introduced me to Stallion.
7) Alternating Donnell-led Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me - Donnell got Halima to dance very reluctantly / Percussion solo / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
Mike said, "Sexual chocolate!"
Donnell said, "Stomp, we playing, we don't do it, Mike."
Mike said, "Don't get me started... I'll do the robot."
Donnell announced the bus trip to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland with Chuck Brown on February 17th.

Mia, the bartender at Cranberries, Tim (LJ), and Blue from Y2K were there.

Third Set
Tia and Ronald


Birthday boys: Big Mike and DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy)


Tracy and MeCelle
Donnell announced that for at least the next two Fridays, they will be at the CFE (Safari is undergoing renovations).
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
2) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - ladies sang it
3) Alternating Donnell-led Hold the Note / Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
4) Alternating Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" / Donnell chanted, "Party, party, everybody" / "___ Is in the House" / Donnell chanted, "Seen a hate crime, happen all the time." / Mike, James, and Halima sang but I couldn't hear what
Sixx and Peg Leg were there.
Donnell said, "Let's go back. Old school."
5) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (tease) / Percussion solo / Donnell chanted, "Is it like that? Is it really like that?"
6) Alternating Donnell-led Trina Was Great - interrupted by a fight, Mike said, "We could play some Billy Ocean, we could hit you with Captain & Tennile.", Donnell said, "Grown & sexy. We don't do what happened. Must have let some youngsters in.... Turn it back up?" / Dem Franchise Boyz’ I Think They Like Me (tease) "I think she likes me"
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - Donnell shouted, "Yeah!"
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time
10) Polo (of TCB)-led TCB's Ass Clap - Sixx was onstage, Jacques played timbales, I never thought I'd hear Familiar Faces play a TCB song

Donnell, Polo, DP, Packy, Jacques, Sixx, and Tony
Donnell said, "That's my man Polo from TCB, y'all."
The house lights came on.
11) Donnell-led "25,25,25" / They performed the music to Rare Essence's Work the Walls, but Sixx rapped, "I'm fresh, I'm new, I'm a man. He’s a wimp, If you want to get ahead, get a pimp" / Sixx chanted, "Southeast, South, Southeast", Sixx said, "I bet y'all know... #1"

Donnell, Stomp, Sixx, DP, and Packy
12) Roe-led Rare Essence's Lock It

Donnell, Stomp, and Roe
There was another fight.
13) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You
Donnell said, "No children allowed. We not babysitting."
There was another fight.
Donnell said, "I think I've seen a hate crime and it happens all the time."


Packy and Maya, the bartender from Zanzibar.
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

Deep Band & Mambo Sauce at Cafe U-Turn
U-Turn, 1942 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Ro'chelle (toosweet) walked around collecting names for Mambo Sauce's mailing list. Like most of the Mambo Sauce people, she wore a badge on a lavaliere.

Ras Lidj & Deep Band
The line up was: Ras Lidj (lead talker), Julian (male singer), female singer and per Ras Lidj:
Member: DEEP Bass - the bass player
drummer - hired - non member
sorry congo player - hired- definitely not a member
Keyboards (double keyboard) - Daryll - "D train" - hired but a regular hire you've seen him with me a few times

Me: Who is the female singer?

Ras Lidj: nameless....right now its not one in this band....she was just doing a song....see I use my stage time some times to introduce other talent , youth and others I find thats just seeking a chance ...I always see it fit to do that for someone because someone gave me a chance when I was first trying.....now if you have it altogether discipline an maturity with your talent then I can allow them to stay around learn and grow...if not oh well I did my part by giving them the opportunity....

........normally when I'm booked at Uturn its my night to myself since I'd played there two times previously before, I decided this time to share my time with a group(Mambo Sauce) I first saw and liked a lot and look at the positive response and outcome that came out of that lil simple gesture of sharing....

.......as it is written.....you gotta give to receive...........

Sound man, Reggae DJ, Daryll "D Train" (hired keyboard player), DEEP Bass, Julian (lead singer), Ras Lidj (lead talker), hired conga player, guest female singer


Sound man, toosweet (collecting Mambo Sauce's mailing list), Ras Lidj, DEEP Bass, Julian, hired conga player, guest female singer
1) The female singer sang, "The Lord is my shepherd" repeatedly during warm ups (to be honest, the repetitiveness was annoying)
Ras Lidj talked about playing at Cafe U-Turn every other Thursday and tonight "sharing the spotlight with some of my friends. First show of 2006. 2005 was a very good year."
2) Julian-led "Whop yeah... Forever"
3) Julian-led "Yesterday is already gone... streets is getting hot, and the youths are cold... What you reap is what you sew"
4) Ras Lidj-led Put Jah First
5) Julian-led Son of a One Night Stand - Ras Lidj introduced it as an original, from the album of the same name
Black Heart was there.
Black Boo sat down at my table and Ras Lidj did a shout out to him.
6) Julian-led Bob Marley's No Woman No Cry - during it, Ras Lidj chanted, "Wait a minute" and the beat changed
7) Julian-led "Out in the streets they call it murder"
Danielle (Wellfhed) was there.
8) Ras Lidj-led "Washington DC, nice place to live..."
Preston Blue was there. Black Boo introduced himself to me.
9) Julian-led Life is a Jungle - nice crank, Ras Lidj said, "Put your hands in the air and say yeah!"
10) Julian-led "Go down for the people"
Ras Lidj introduced the next song as, "to all the lovers."
11) Ras Lidj-led Lovers Chase
Kato was there.
12) Ras Lidj-led "High, the ___ make me high"
Delano was there.
13) Ras Lidj-led Ganja Weed
14) Ras Lidj-led (possibly part of Ganja Weed) "The sweetest thing I've ever seen, you could rock my world"
Sweet Tyra was there.
15) Alternating Ras Lidj-led "Monday morning come, she still / Ras Lidj-led She Waan Money
16) Ras Lidj-led Kanye West's Gold Digger - Ras sang about, "Buy a wedding ring"
Sherray (Always Showtime!!) was there.
Ras Lidj did a shout out to the TMOTT crew.
17) Ras Lidj-led "Ghetto Man"
Ras Lidj did shout outs to me, Kato, and Mambo Sauce.
18) Julian-led Bob Marley's War No More Trouble
19) Julian-led "You're running..." - TCB Tony was playing congas

Daryll, Julian, DEEP Bass, Ras Lidj, hired conga player, TCBTony
I enjoyed the Deep Band as always. Don't assume that the smaller number of Deep Band photos up reflects negatively on (my opinion of) Deep Band.

ScottieJay32, lady$tyle$06, Unique, Diva, 02, Songbird, D Ball and Deezo were there. According to Red, Also in attendance were:
gogofatz, DigDug, Duece Juan, Junior, Jay113, Ghost, and Redsmoke. Sweet Tyra said that money green was also there. Danielle (Pinkprincess), whom I met tonight, also listed pimping1, Ree, and Shortcake as being there.

Mambo Sauce
Their performance was being filmed.
First Set
The line up was: Alfred "Black Boo" Duncan (male vocals), Thi Lai Simpson (female vocals), Andrew "Drew" White (guitar), Khari Pratt (bass), Christian "Lil' Chris" Wright (double keyboards), Barrington "Barry" Talbert (drums), and Jermaine "Lil Pep" Cole (percussion).
Candra "Candy" Newkirk had played bass in the two shows (Mambo Sauce's second and third performances) I missed. So the only difference in line up between the two Mambo Sauce performances I have attended was the replacement of Smoke by Lil Pep.

Sound man, Chris Wright, Khari Pratt, Black Boo, Thi Lai


Chris, Black Boo, Khari, Barry Talbert, Thi Lai, Lil Pep
Black Boo said, "A lot of my life is here." He did a shout out to Scooby from L!ssen.
1) Black Boo-led D4L's Laffy Taffy (tease) - Black Boo said, "Not part of our set."
Black Boo announced their next show would be February 25 with Soja at Jammin Java. Black Boo said, "That's like a tongue twister." He actually said February 24th a few times, so I confirmed on Soja's website that it's the 25th.
Saturday February 25, 2006
Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave, Vienna, VA 22180, (703) 255-1566
Black Boo said, "I see n*ggers try to be cool."
Black Boo dedicated the next song to "the 9 to 5ers, those who live paycheck to paycheck." Black Boo said, "I want to see all the hands of people whose phone was cut off last year."
2) Black Boo-led Things Will Get Better "I put food on my table" - this song was really laid back, Black Boo said, "I'm hoping Mambo Sauce can put money in my bank account."
Thi Lai said, "Where my ladies at?" - ladies in the audience screamed, Thi Lai said, "All my baby mothers in the house, single mothers."
Black Boo said, "I was raised by a single parent household. My mother passed a year and a half ago."
Black Boo said, "Every brother's got a little dog in him
3) Black Boo-led Sweet Babe "Yes, you are... Sweet baby girl" - there was a nice crank
Thi Lai dedicated the next song to Red. She said it's from their website
4) Black Boo-led Fairweather - there was a nice crank, the dance floor was vibrating / Percussion solo
5) Black Boo-led "I just want to freak behind her... Apple bottom... Gimme the part I like"
Black Boo asked me, "Do we need to pose?"
Thi Lai said, "Where my n*gger pimps?"
Black Boo said, "You remember this part?"
In announcing the break, Black Boo said, "Buy us a drink." Thi Lai said, "Black drinks water on ice."

Red joked to me, "You're taking the shine off me. I'm the white guy!"

Unique in front, Sweet Tyra, Red (Mambo Sauce's manager), Always Showtime!!


02, Diva

Second Set

Chris, Black Boo, Khari, Barry, Thi Lai, Lil Pep


Barry, Thi Lai, Lil Pep, Drew White


Black Heart, sound man, Chris, Black Boo, Khari, Barry, Thi Lai
Black Boo joked, "Is that what I need to get surrounded by girls, bleach my skin?"
Black Boo said, "Hey, we made this song up for Red."
1) It had a phone call skit, Thi Lai said, "I was hoping you'd call me this evening"
2) Black Boo-led Damn Joe, it had a meringue beat, Black Boo asked Always Showtime!! to dance and she did, nice crank, Black Boo asked people to request it, he said, "Request what?" and the crowd responded "Damn Joe!", he went on the dance floor went to the left and right
3) Thi Lai-led Cool Points - Black Boo went on the dance floor, Ras Lidj sat in and rapped, Black Boo said, "It's time to start partying in here. You all are jitterbugs."

Chris, Ras Lidj, Black Boo, Khari, Barry
4) Thi Lai-led Go? - power guitar, Black Boo "You ain't seen or heard nothing like this"
The power went out. Black Heart who had stood by the sound controls, said, "I ain't do it, I ain't do nothing." Black Heart said, "Damn Joe!"
5) Lil Pep roto-tom solo while they looked into the sound

Barry, Thi Lai, Lil Pep, Drew
All pictures above taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
Black Boo said, "This is our last one, then we're going to get you out of here. They cut the power on us."
Thi Lai said, "They trying to send us home."
6) Black Boo-led "Been a long time pimp, he was struggling" - power guitar, laid back vocals
7) The band continued to play briefly
Black Boo said, "One more time so you can go now with something you can remember. Thanks for the support." They had a lot of crank (though that will increase when they have someone playing the cowbell) and a variety of feels in their songs. I will definitely continue to try to make all their performances.

Mambo Sauce's camera man, me

Unique and Danielle (pinkprincess)
Last two pictures taken by Black Heart and Copyright - Black Heart Entertainment LLC

Michael Muse's return from vacation
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Kimberly, Darrell, Darrell F., Dave, Renee, Tamara, and Tim (LJ) were there.

Junior worked the sound.

Familiar Faces
First Set
The line up was: Michael Muse, Halima, Donnell, DP, Googie (bass), Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, and Jacques.
Donnell said, "My man Michael Muse is back in the building ladies."
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic - Donnell said, "Stomp Dizzle."
Omar was there.
Donnell said of Halima, "We got her from the Geechee Dan parts of Miami."
Halima said, "Fort Lauderdale."
Halima welcomed Mike back. She asked, "Was it good to you? Did you get everything done?"
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
Val "Tina Turner" was there, with a birthday cake for Connie.
Mike said, "I love you and there's nothing you can do about it"
3) Mike-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change / Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine - same music as Everything Must Change
Sharika was there.
4) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - Godfather played different riffs, the song cranked
Donnell said that Tamara wanted to sing a song for Pookie.
5) Tamara-led Bobby Caldwell's What You Won't Do for Love? (it was definitely the music, but the lyrics seemed different) "Don't you look no more, I'm loving you every day."
6) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever - the dance floor filled
Archie Paige, Angie W., and Angie were there.
7) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved (debut of Mike singing it) - Mike sang on the dance floor
Stacey was there, for her sister Connie's birthday celebration.
8) Godfather played something

I talked with Lorenzo about the Huck A Bucks (he was a member). He said that both they and Pleasure were studio first: the album was made, then a band formed. He saiD All-N-1 was a studio project too.

Godfather talked about Rah and G being at Sunday's show, but being low key about their presence. They were both over by the bar on Sunday.

RE Angie was there.

Second Set
A guy named Big Mike was hugging Renee. Donnell said, "Hey hey, Michael, we don't do that". Big Mike went over to talk to Donnell about it and Donnell said, "I was just joking."
Donnell did announcements. Googie was playing something and Donnell joked, "Googie don't think I'd fire him."
Donnell announced a bus trip for $150 to Cleveland for Familiar Faces' performance with Chuck Brown at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on Friday, February 17th. Donnell joked that women were fine to go, but "men had to answer certain questions first." Donnell sang the line from Prince's Take Me With You: "I wanna ride."
Donnell also announced a live DVD recording on Valentine's Day (Tuesday February 14th). He said they would send out two thousand invitations to women and joked that it might be women only. He said it would be the greatest show and you didn't want to miss it.
1) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day - Donnell went on the dance floor, Donnell did a shout out to Connie for her birthday, Bryant "Big Luther" Roberts sat in (just this song)
Donnell said, "That's my man Luther, he can do it"
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - Mike imitated Luther's singing improvs, he said, "I can't do it like you, big guy"
3) Instrumental - grooving
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
6) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
7) Alternating Mike-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - Donnell said of Renee, "This is Footz's daughter right here.", Renee was dancing on the stage floor, they added verses they didn't normally sing, nice Jacques timbale solo, Donnell said, "You want to do it again? You want to back it on up?" / Donnell & Mike-led Parliament's Night of the Thumpasorous Peoples (tease) - "Gaga googa ga ga googa"
8) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - different riffs
9) Trey (from UCB)-led "Sexy Lady? You can see my eyes, we don't need to make love (Donnell protested this line), we can just cuddle, your body, my body""
10) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You - Tamara sang backup, Donnell said of Roe in the audience, "That's my man Roe, he's trying to get us thrown out of Tradewinds (his performance Saturday cleared the dance floor)", the house lights came on
Ray was there
11) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
12) Alternating Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell added a new rap, Donnell said, "One more time, I forgot", Stomp played a beat, and Donnell said, "Not that beat, a party beat" / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
13) Donnell-led D4L's Laffy Taffy (tease)
Donnell did shout outs to Angie, Curtis Malone, etc.
Tina Turner started to give Ray a piece of cake to Ray, but Donnell said, "Hey, hey, are you serious? You got to give some to me before you give to him." Ray said to me, "See what I got to go through? That's harassment." Stacey started to give Donnell a second, smaller, piece of cake. Donnell told her to give to Ray "because he's small (ha ha)". She ended up dropping it on the floor. Donnell vocally said in response to Ray's statement, play something then vocally did the theme music to Perry Mason.
Sean (Kal'el) was there and Donnell said "Kal'el in the building. Ladies, last week you were gathering around him like dogs around a fire hydrant. In case you didn't get the number."
Donnell said, "Two new friends, Shelly (spelling) and Britney. Britney's just a baby." (This Britney was at Sunday's show with her Mom.)

Martin Luther King Jr. & Godfather's Birthday Celebrations
Baystreet Nightclub, Best Western Capital Beltway, 5910 Princess Garden Pwy, Lanham, MD 20706

Some of the Tradewinds security staff was working this show, in addition to Tony and Patrick. Nicole was taking covers.

Mike Smith and Vonshawn were there.

I joked with Packy that Halima no longer had the biggest hair because of Sweet Cherie's big hair. He said she had the Ludacris-style hair.

DJ Flava (aka GoGo Rudy), Pinky and Sanisse were there.

EU
Their line up was: Sugar Bear (vocals & bass), Junie (vocals), Donny Ray (vocals), Sweet Cherie (vocals & keyboard), Duane Face (keyboard), a guitar player, JuJu (drummer), two conga players (Derek and another), and a cowbell/timbales player
Sugar Bear said, "Little Mike in the house, always a pleasure"
1) Instrumental - it sounded familiar, but it may just have been grooving
June and L-Boogie were there.
2) Junie-led laid back tune, I couldn't really make out the vocals
Cindy, Kiki, Mama Chelle, TT, and March were there.
Sugar Bear wished Martin Luther King (Jr.) a happy birthday.
3) Donny Ray-led Anthony Hamilton's Charlene? "Sitting waiting to come home again" - Sweet Cherie sang background
Yolanda and Mia were there.
4) Junie-led "I'll take you out tonight"
5) Sugar Bear-led "You're looking sexy, Yes indeed, Hold up, wait a minute" - the crank started
6) Alternating Donny Ray-led Young Jeezy's Soul Survivor - I noticed the other conga player playing / Donny Ray said, "I need to sing my favorite song", he had a Redskins towel / Hail to the Redskins - performed slowly with each word emphasized
7) Sugar Bear-led "When are we going to get to the good part?"
8) Sweet Cherie & Donny Ray-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
Donny Ray said, "Where's Little Benny at?"
9) Donny Ray rapped - freestyling? / Sugar Bear-led "You know why"
Shonda and Shauny were there.
10) Sugar Bear & Donny Ray-led "It's your heart, you walk on by, you ride with... Let your hair down" - there were red and green spotlights aimed onstage
11) Sugar Bear-led Kanye West's Gold Digger
12) Donny Ray-led "It's funny how the time flies when you're having fun"
13) Sugar Bear-led Freak a Deak All Night Long - Kiki was doing the Happy Feet
14) Sugar Bear-led Cops Theme "Girls are Bad" - the music changed after a bit closer to the actual song with a different Reggae feel / "Pop the Coochie" / Ludacris' Number One Spot
Shawn was there.
Sugar Bear said, "Where are all the real Redskins fans?"
15) Sugar Bear-led OutKast's The Way You Move (tease)
Junie said, "There's a lot of sexy ladies in the house. We have our own rendition, Sugar Bear sings"
16) Sugar Bear-led "Sexy lady"
17) Sugar Bear-led "Get your freak on"

Shameika, Lashonda, and Nikiya were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
The line up was: Halima (first two songs only), James, Little Benny (vocals & trumpet), Donnell, DP, DC (vocals & cowbell), Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, and Jacques
1) Halima-led Sade's Pearls
Dave was there.
2) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day
3) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease) - Little Benny joined in / Little Benny-led Get on the Wagon (tease)
Rah was there.
4) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - Rootie Baltimore sat in on Lorenzo's keyboards
5) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - end of Rootie sitting in
5) Little Benny chanted "Y'all feel alright now?"
6) Little Benny-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
7) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Doing the Do - the crowd called out lines / Stevie Wonder's Do I Do (tease) - Donny Ray went onstage
8) Little Benny chanted, "Where you going to go?" - the crowd responded, "Take Me out to the Go-Go" / Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go - Donnell said, "I don't care what (Rare Essence) song it is, Godfather made it up, it's his birthday, sing it to him."
Candal was there.
9) Little Benny chanted, "Feel aright? Hey yeah, Make noise DC, Party people, let me hear you scream, Want some more? If you're twenty-five and older, put your hands up"
10) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Body Moves
11) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Donnell said, "He made up all this sh*t, don't let anybody lie to you", Donnell said, "Godfather, what you say? You ready?"
Sugar Bear went onstage. Donnell said, "Don't give him a microphone Benny; it's a Rare Essence reunion."
Tiffany S. was there.
12) Sugar Bear-led medley - "Turn it up" / "Do it for the fellas/D-Floyd/Sugar Bear, Oh my God!" / Nelly's Flap Your Wings (tease) "Drop down, get your Eagle on" / "Are the Redskins the real deal? Better than the Dallas Cowboys? Better than the New York Giants?"
Donnell talked about when he joined Rare Essence, "Little Benny wouldn't let me onstage until I knew all the steps. Godfather was there at the audition."
Donnell said Sugar Bear is the best (most successful) in GoGo.
Donnell said, "DC is the Fred Astaire of GoGo"
13) Rare Essence's Roll Call (reprise) - instrumental, Halima went on the dance floor to watch the steps
The lights made a visual effect during the set as if the back wall were moving.
Donnell said, "That's when the sh*t was real; you couldn't steal some song off the radio. You had to do an original. Club LeBaron, Palmer Park."
Donnell said, "The bar closes at 2 (AM) for all the alcoholics."
Donnell said, "If you see Godfather, say happy birthday!"
Junior was there.

I joked to Godfather, "Happy 50th birthday!" He said, "Damn Jordan, you put it out there."

Second Set
The line up was: Sean (Kal'el), Halima, James, Donnell, DP, Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, and Jacques
Donnell said, "Youngsters, I hope I didn't offend you (by playing old school music)." Donnell talked about Godfather being in the business for thirty-five years, "Some of you aren't thirty-five" (I'm not).
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
3) They started to perform the music to Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Donnell said, "We're going to get the new school going." / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "___ Is in the House" / Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
6'9, "original" Nikki, and Ebony were there.
4) Donnell & Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You
5) Alternating Donnell-led Hold the Note - The crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke" and Donnell responded, "Do what? Say what?", Donnell chanted, "Eya, eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho" / Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
6) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
8) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Duane Face sat in on Godfather's keyboard
End of Duane Face sitting in
9) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
10) Donnell-led Trina Was Great- really cranked
I danced most of the set with Cindy.
Nita and Mara were there.
11) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is - the house lights came on
12) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You
13) Stomp played some samples

I didn't circulate as much as I normally do at shows, so there probably were a lot more people there that I know than I have mentioned.

Saturday at Tradewinds
I didn't go to the Redskins game watch at Cranberries because I woke up too late to get there and not miss the game. I heard that unfortunately, FF was unable to play due to technical difficulties.

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

Tracy, Sanisse (still celebrating her birthday), Yolanda, BY, Tracy S., Angie, Chanel, Shawn, and Boo were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Line up: Sean (Kal'el), James, Halima, Donnell, DP, Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, Charlie, Packy (Tambourine)
While the DJ music was still playing, Donnell commented on the dancing of a couple who were the only ones on the dance floor. Among other things, he said, "Not the Happy Feet, anything but the Happy Feet!"
"Original" Nikki and Ebony were there.
Donnell said, "Fellas don't get Sanisse nothing to drink. Yesterday she was Earl Campbell, Earl Monroe (It was suggested during the second break yesterday that I take a picture of her puking in a trash can, but I thought that was in poor taste)." Sanisse gave Donnell the finger.
1) Percussion solo - initially there was hardly anyone on the dance floor, Donnell said, "I knew when we go the beat going, Sweet Nikki would get there quickie."
2) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny
3) 6 Minutes percussion solo - I danced with a woman
4) Donnell chanted, "When you walk in the door and you're going to GoGo" - the crowd responded, "Hello, hello"
6'9 was there.
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again - Halima's mic was crackling, Sean offered her his mic, but she declined
6) Percussion & Guitar instrumental - Donnell said, "You're all by yourself, Dwayne", Omar replaced Halima's mic cord
7) Halima sang "Ooh" repeatedly to test the new mic cord / Sean-led Toto' Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
8) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G
9) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
10) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - during the "Do it for the fellas" part James, Sean and Halima held their mics out to fans
11) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Funky Stuff guitar riffs
12) They started to perform the music to Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl, the PA went out and they played a percussion solo / the PA was restored / Halima-led Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hook Me Upa
13) Halima-led Minnie Riperton's Memory Lane (tease) - there was a pause before the music switched over, Donnell called this to go down memory lane for Godfather
14) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease) / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon (tease)
15) Donnell & Halima-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
16) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel -->
17) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario - it went dark
18) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
19) Sean-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved

Los was there.

Second Set
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
Choo Choo was there.
2) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
JoJo, Simone and their sister Nece were there.
3) Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell chanted, "Eya, eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho", Donnell chanted, "Wait a minute", Donnell said, "Sanisse, it's your birthday!" and she went onstage, I danced with two women
4) Donnell & Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You
5) Alternating Donnell-led Hold the Note - the crowd shouted, "Wind me Up, Smoke!", Donnell said, "Do what? Say What?" / Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
6) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - a girl danced with James and another grinded with Sean
8) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
9) Alternating Donnell-led Trina Was Great - the house lights came on / Donnell chanted, "Brandywine, friends of mine"
10) Roe (from Backyard) rapped "I want the... I don't know who... Get out of the way... Get a walkin'..." - the dance floor cleared out
11) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You
12) Stomp drum solo
13) Stomp played a bunch of samples including Coming to America's "She's Your Queen" - Donnell said, "Someone please turn him off".
Donnell said, "They're still partying in the DJ booth after you pulled them away from us."
Packy was mocking Wood, a Tradewinds employee, "Googie, get that sh*t out of here!" Finally Wood came over, Packy held the mic out to him. He said, "There are three things you need to do: Do as you're told, Do as you're told, Do as you're goddamn told and get that sh*t out of here!" Packy continued to mock him, "Googie, get that sh*t out of here... I got church in the morning... Do as you're told". Wood laughed.

Sanisse's Birthday at Safari Steakhouse
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

Archie Paige was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set

Omar on the left, Archie on the right


Donnell, Dwayne, Lorenzo, Smoke, DP, Mike Smith, Jacques
The line up was: James (backup/lead vocals), Sean (Kal'el, joined in during the third set), Halima, Donnell, DP, Doc, Dwayne, Godfather, Lorenzo, Mike Smith (drums), Smoke, and Jacques
Darrell and Kimberly were there.
1) Don't Stop - instrumental (horn hits start it), Donnell and DP played on the dance floor

Smoke, Omar, Donnell, DP


Doc, Lorenzo, Dwayne, Donnell, Mike Smith, DP
2) Donnell & Halima-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day
Sanisse was there; celebrating her birthday.
Halima was talking and Omar said, "Crank that sh*t up" repeatedly through a conga mic. He started to play the congas before Smoke threw him off.

Doc, James, Dwayne, Donnell
3) James-led Jill Scott's Not Like Crazy
4) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever - there was a nice crank
Mara was there. Packy teased her for wearing work boots. She said she came from work.
5) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself
Candall and Yolanda were there.
6) Alternating Halima-led Floetry's Say Yes / Lionel Richie's Hello (tease)

Kintrea, Shadonna, and Shawn were there.

Second Set

Sanisse, Packy, DP, Donnell, Jacques, Smoke


Tony, Candall (on dance floor), James, Doc, Donnell, Smoke, Godfather, Dwayne, Cookie, Omar, DP, Mike Smith
Donnell joked about Godfather: "Hopefully he's going to make it on time for his birthday".
1) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - Halima altered the lyrics to "With my makeup"
June, Dave, Chanel, and Angie were there.
2) They started to perform the music to Alicia Keys' Unbreakable (or Eddie Kendricks' Intimate Friends) / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - "Go Sanisse, it's your birthday!" / Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
Donnell said, "Just one second, let's just get warmed up. Matter of fact, 6 minutes".
3) 6 Minutes percussion solo - the crowd said, "Wind me up, Smoke", Halima said, "Don't nobody say nothing" and she laughed, Donnell sang, "Sanisse is here"
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
Britney was there.
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Donnell chanted "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho"
8) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease)
9) Halima-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease) - the crowd sang along
11) Donnell & James-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - the crowd responded
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Donnell said, "Girls got..." a line unfamiliar to me, the crowd responded to it
13) Donnell-led "25,25,25" - the crowd responded / Rare Essence's Work the Walls
Tiffany F. was there.
Donnell said, "We'll do all the old school Sunday. Godfather is celebrating his 99th birthday."
14) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
Donnell said, "Women be faithful and true. Women take your man to Ocean Air." Halima said, "Men give your women money so they can take you to Ocean Air."

Cookie, Mia (of the Cranberries crew, I had recognized her as a girl I had danced with once at Tradewinds and part of the Cranberries crew, but I hadn't recognized her at the time as the bartender Stomp introduced me to as Rockin' Cranberry at the second Redskins game watch, probably because she was wearing a Redskins cap at the time), and Tyrell were there.

Third Set
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
2) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (tease)
3) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Geraldine - Sean arrived -->

Patrick (on dance floor), Doc, James, Lorenzo, Sean, Dwayne
4) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - I filmed it
6'9 was there.
5) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
Blak was there.
6) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - it went dark
7) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That - it went dark again
8) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
10) Alternating Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time - Donnell shouted, "Aya" and the crowd responded "Awa-ah" / Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up) (tease) / Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease) - "We likes to party, Familiar Faces likes to party" / Tupac's Hail Mary (tease) / Dem Franchise Boyz? I Think They Like Me / Donnell sang, "He won't make love to you like I do, He don't understand you like I do"
The house lights came on.
11) Donnell-led "In and out and up and down, Here we go tonight"
Jay Gotti and Killa Cal were there.
Donnell joked, "Rhonda, you cheating on me, right in front of me?"
Donnell said, "Angie, working the room. Here comes Chanel, she's in training."


Sanisse on the left, Yolanda on the right


Jay Gotti (left in background), Krystal and Shonda
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich

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

Deezo introduced me to PGSLIM, D Ball, and another TMOTT member whose name I forget.

Kimberly, Darrell, James, 02, and Roosevelt Littlejohn were there.

Nataki (~butterflies~) came over and talked with me. She said, "Off the record, all night!"

Cookie, missshaunte, Black Heart, Danielle (Wellfhed), asmoothpoet, Jammin' Jeff, and Ebo were there.

~butterflies~ said, "You can write I'm beautiful", which she is.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Mother's Day
2) Halima-led The Brand New Heavies' Never Stop - Halima sang on the dance floor
Halima said, "That was a lot of fun!"
3) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
Dave, Sherray (Always Showtime!!), and Tim (LJ) were there.
Donnell said, "Fellas, let us take of the women for a while"
4) Sean (Kal'el)-led Burt Bacharach & Hal David's A House Is Not a Home (debut)
Pinky was there.
5) Halima-led Sade's Pearls
Tamara was there.

DeeDee's Cousin Michelle was there.

A woman named Regi introduced herself to me.

Second Set
Donnell, in talking about Sunday's celebration of Godfather's birthday, said, "Godfather made up everything Rare Essence played, don't let anyone tell you different."
Donnell did birthday shout outs to Jay113, Lolita, and Peg Leg.
1) Sean-led Dave Hollister's One Woman Man - Donnell did a shout out to the TMOTT members
2) Percussion solo - Donnell chanted shout outs to the TMOTT members, Donnell chanted "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho" / Donnell-led chant "___ Is Warmed up"
3) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
4) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again - Halima held her mic to fans
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - the crowd responded
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Funky Stuff guitar riffs, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho"
~butterflies~ said to write, "They're the best".
Packy was on the dance floor.
The following old school was performed in honor of Godfather:
8) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Announcements - Donnell said, "Everything from Essence that man (Godfather) made up. Anybody here at the Howard Theatre? Maverick Room? Tradewinds? Triples?" / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease) / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon (tease)
9) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel -->
10) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
11) Donnell & James-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario - the crowd sang along
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - the frontline danced the Roll Call dance, after the set, 02 told me to write "Sean missed a step in the Roll Call dance"
June was there.
14) Alternating Donnell & James-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - the crowd sang along/ James-led Parliament's Night of the Thumpasorous Peoples (tease) - "Gaga googa ga ga googa"
15) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (literal tease)
Donnell said, "Look how they change, they were all sophisticated."

I danced with Danielle.

Sonya, Tyrell, 6'9, Big Don Pimp, and Nikiya were there.

Third Set
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
2) Donnell-led D4L's Laffy Taffy
Donnell said, "Switch gears, wait a minute"
3) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G
4) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell chanted "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Ho" / Donnell chanted, "Brandywine, friends of mine"
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - James sang back up / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" echoes / / Announcements - Donnell said, "Everything from Essence that man (Godfather) made up. Anybody here at the Howard Theatre? Maverick Room? Tradewinds? Triples?" / Fans chanted, "Southeast, South, Southeast"
6) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
7) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh"
8) Donnell & Halima-led Prince's Take Me With You - girls sang it
9) Donnell-led Hold the Note
10) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
11) Halima-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You - I danced with Krystal
12) Instrumental - grooving