Return bus trip
Hampton Inn, 1460 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114

After I woke up, I watched TV, showered, dressed, packed and checked out. I sat in the lobby, where I was really zoning out. I was more tired then than when I first woke up. Tom Ellis sat at a table over by me (with his laptop open) with Little Benny and JuJu. JuJu and Chuck came over to me. JuJu talked about "Chopped barbeque" (how Chuck wants his drummer to play). Chuck said, "He don't know about chopped barbeque", which was not true, since Donnell had talked about it at rehearsal on October 11th. Chuck said, "Then when he exaggerates it, it's hot chopped barbeque". Tom asked me if I wanted a poster, I said yes and he gave me one. One of the hotel employees asked Chuck about his band. Chuck said something about playing in Baltimore. Chuck's bus was the first to leave.

The other two buses left at 1 PM. Everyone got on the same bus as the trip up. They asked me to switch seats a couple of times, the second time so Chris could join in a drinking game of 7 Up. They drank Hennessey. At first they were not pouring even amounts, Nece was pouring "drinks" not shots. Pinky said, "That's so ghetto" about them comparing the level of their drinks. Dana made a makeshift shot glass by ripping a Styrofoam cup, but then went the bus stopped for gas, they bought a shot glass. Some of the participants in the game of 7 Up were: LJ, Darrell, Nece, Simone, Chris, and Tracy. Darrell was the first out. You had to do two shots to leave the game. Darrell had previously declared that he never throws up, but that vow went unfulfilled. He threw up into trash bags several times and then passed out for most of the rest of the trip.

Picture taken by and Copyright - Pinky
Ironically, when he left the bathroom, Nece went in. Nece was the second person to leave the game. She ended up passing out in the bathroom for about two hours. This was despite the fact that a number of people banged on the door to try to wake her up for concern over her. We ended up taking an unscheduled stop in Somerset, PA so that people could go to the bathroom since she made it unavailable for others' use. Most of us went to the Wendy's (1030 North Center Av, Somerset, PA 15501), but some went to Ruby Tuesdays (1019 North Center Av). I was the last to return to the bus. Godfather didn't realize I don't have a cell phone, so he called my home. Pinky called Donnell at the Wendy’s, who told me they were waiting on me. We didn't leave until the other bus was also ready anyway. When I got on the bus, I saw Godfather get in the bathroom. During the stop, Nece had woken up, so after fifteen minutes of telling her how to unlock it and her doing it, they got her out. Chris held a bad for her to puke in. Then she passed out for most of the rest of the trip.

Chris & Nece
Picture taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
Among the movies we watched this trip were Antwone Fisher and The Brothers. I finished reading Dave Barry's Big Trouble - a hysterical novel. We in the back smelled burning and could tell something was wrong. Tim stopped on the shoulder and checked it out. He said nothing was wrong, but that was not true. We stopped again and he told us that a belt in the motor had broken. He tried driving more, making a few more short trips. During this time, Nece woke up and cursed a blue streak. She hadn't realized how long she had passed out in the bathroom (Marvin timed it) or that she had puked. She kept talking, so her sister Simone and others, including surprisingly Angie, joned on her. Tim drove to the next exit #22 on 270, because it was safe to be off the highway. He called another bus. It took so long waiting for the bus that some people left and got people to pick them up. It was at least an hour before another bus came. Tim said the driver was a mechanic and that he would drive to fix our bus. He had us switch to the new bus, but he said we would leave the luggage and have the original bus follow the new one unless it couldn't get fixed now. It ended up that the original bus couldn't be fixed, so all the luggage was transferred over and we left. During this time Darrell woke up. The new bus had a DVD player, and we watched Bruce Bruce. When we got to the parking lot, it was about 10:15 PM. When I walked to my car, one of the other women said to me, "Did you have a good time?" I told her yes. She said, "When you got on, I thought you were on the wrong bus (I guess because I am white)." It was late enough that by the time I got home, I would have to leave for Tradewinds, so I hung out at the nearby McDonald's, changed my clothes, and headed over to Tradewinds.

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

I was not surprised that Godfather was the first band member I saw at Tradewinds, since he lives even further away from it than I do. Britney & Shelley, June, Simone, Nece, JoJo, BY, Archie Paige, Sanisse, James, and Peg Leg (and Charlie) were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell said, "A lot of people thought we wasn't going to be here tonight. We'll be here every Saturday if we have to fly from Alaska. I was here last week (despite the snow)..."
1) Alternating Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
Tiffany F., Tamika, and Janetta were there.
Donnell said, "Sanisse, I almost ran you over when you was crossing the street."
2) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny - there was distortion in the speakers
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
5) Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You (tease) - instrumental / Percussion solo / Donnell-led "___ Is on the floor" -->
6) Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Donnell rapped, there was a nice crank, the lighting alternated between dark and lit (though still somewhat dark), Donnell gave his mic to Kay Kay (celebrating her birthday), she rapped
7) Alternating Brown & White - Donnell sang, "Who’s that girl?" / Ride Out - Slick Rick and Roe went onstage / Northeast Groovers' The Water (tease) / Mike-led Parliament's Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) (tease)
Danielle and Lolo (Celebrating her birthday) were there.
8) Alternating Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - a guy shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!" repeatedly, Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho" / Donnell-led Kanye West's Gold Digger (tease) - "Go down baby, Go down" / Donnell chanted, "This is for my man Skip, This is for my main man Skip, This is for my man Chuckie, This is for my main man Chuckie"
Shawn (monitor) was there.
9) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind - Donnell said, "Rest in peace Ronnie T.", Donnell did a birthday shout out to Kay Kay
Tony was there.

Second Set
Donnell did birthday shout outs to a number of women including Lolo and Kay Kay. He said, "A whole lot of ladies are getting older."
Mia, the bartender from Cranberries, was there. Donnell asked her her name.
Donnell joked about just "Ladies at the Zanzibar, we don't need the million man march."
1) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable - there was a nice crank
2) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar
3) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Donnell said, "Lolo, it's your birthday!"
4) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Donnell rapped, Sean sang
5) Roe-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Pee Wee danced on the stage floor, Donnell said, "This is how we got started y'all, Pee Wee.", I think Roe's rap including more than just lyrics from Lock It, Roe was still celebrating his birthday
6) Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning / Scarface's I Seen a Man Die (tease) / Donnell chanted, "Ladies free all night, each and every Sunday night"
7) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
8) Donnell-led Trina Was Great - Mike danced with a female fan (I would guess one of the birthday girls), there was a nice crank, Packy played the cowbell
9) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
10) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls
11) Donnell-led DIP
12) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go
13) 6 Minutes percussion solo - Smoke had a cranking conga solo, Mike said something I couldn't make out, Donnell said, "Wave to 'em Smoke", Smoke waved while playing, Donnell waved also
14) DP played the Odd Couple theme on his trumpet Donnell said, "Come out tomorrow ladies, James will take care of you".
Donnell told a woman, "Come out tomorrow, I'm going to leave your name at the door, so you can come free, just for you." Shawn was laughing since it's free for every woman.
Donnell said, "I like the way you shake / tote that..."
Donnell joked, "You too Nicole. Too bad I know your man; I'm too young to die."

When I walked out to my car, JoJo said, "Simone says good night."

Familiar Faces & Chuck Brown at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, 1 Key Plaza, Cleveland, Ohio 44114

We walked in and went to the left where the ripped our tickets and gave us wristbands.

The end of the room had the stage they performed in. The hall is multiple floors, with escalators behind the stage. Some people watched the performance from the floors above.

While waiting for them to set up, they encouraged everyone to go downstairs. I talked with Tom Ellis, the curator of the Funk events going on at the Hall this month. I then went downstairs. Downstairs they had bathrooms, a coat check, and drinks. They had a cashier who took cash and exchanged for different colors of tickets depending on what kind of drink you wanted.

Then we went upstairs for the performance. I talked with Ro'chelle (Toosweet) and told her I was surprised she came.

Familiar Faces

DP, Stomp, Smoke, Jacques, Packy
Tom Ellis introduced them.

Lorenzo, Godfather, Stomp, Tom Ellis
1) Halima-led Pearls - initially it was only Halima (with the same red and black hair as she had for the New Year's shows, I hadn't seen it earlier today because she had her denim Rasta cap on), Lorenzo, Godfather, and Stomp performing

Lorenzo, Godfather, Stomp, Halima
Donnell said, "Cleveland, thank you for having us"
2) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) / Percussion solo

Lorenzo, Godfather, Sean, Mike, Stomp
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Sean-led Gerald Levert's Funny

Lorenzo, Godfather, Doc, Sean, Mike, Stomp
5) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
6) Donnell-led "When you walk in the door & you're going to GoGo. Say what?" - the crowd responded, "Hello"
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - the lighting changed onstage, Halima jumped around
Halima said, "It's getting a little hot in here."
8) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar - Donnell held his mic to the crowd, the frontline, Doc, and Packy danced
9) Alternating Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - Donnell held his mic for women in the crowd to sing first on the right side of the stage then the left, then DP held his mic to the women on the right / Prince's Sexy M.F.
Lorenzo, Donnell, Godfather, Sean, Doc, Mike, Dwayne, Stomp
10) Donnell-led Hold the Note - a spotlight briefly came on facing the audience
11) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That / Percussion solo - it sounded like the music to Floetry's Supastar, Donnell did announcements
12) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "What you say LJ, You want Smoke to wind it up? Wind it up, Smoke!", the crowd shouted, "GoGo Smoke-ay", Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Woo" repeatedly, Donnell said, "Y'all feel that?", Donnell did a birthday shout out to Keisha
13) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - blue spotlights came on the audience, Packy played a tambourine, the frontline (other than Halima), and Packy (who came up from behind the percussion) danced behind Halima
14) Alternating Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease)
15) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease) - different blue spotlights aimed at the fans
16) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease)
17) Mike & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - Smoke played the congas with drumsticks
18) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
19) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean sang
20) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go - Donnell held his mic to the fans, Donnell introduced Stomp / Stomp played a drum solo

Lorenzo, Godfather, Sean, Doc, Dwayne, Stomp, Mike, Packy, Jacques, Smoke, DP
Tom Ellis did the outtro

Godfather, Tom Ellis, Dwayne, Packy, Vincent
There were a few hundred fans in attendance. The performance cost $5 for the general public. It was a nice performance.

Tom Goldfogle, Chuck's manager and co-founder of Liaison, came onstage. It was the first we saw of Chuck's entourage.

We went downstairs again. Little Benny was down there.


Front: Simone, Nece, Sharika
Back: Darrell, Marvin, Tony


Pinky, Angie, RE Angie, and Kim - picture taken by and Copyright - Darrell Foster

Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers
The line up was different from the last time I saw them: Chuck Brown (lead vocals & guitar), Sweet Cherie (vocals & keyboard), Bryan Mills (saxophone & keyboard), young white trumpet player, young Black trombone (same as last time) & keyboard player, bass player, William "JuJu" House (drums), a young Black conga player. Little Benny later joined in on vocals and trumpet. I was surprised Kay Kay wasn't there.
Sweet Cherie let me know:
bass...Doug Crowley from suttle thoughts
bone..Mark.. howard univ grad student (my alma mater woohoo!!)
tpt.....Brad (Clements)...been with chuck for at least 5 yrs and is on the 930 dvd
perc...Foxxy Rob..been w/ chuck and eu for more than 10 years

Chuck Brown - picture taken by and Copyright - Darrell Foster


Sweet Cherie, Bryan, JuJu, Brad, Mark, Foxxy Rob, Chuck

Sweet Cherie, Bryan, Doug, Brad, JuJu, Mark, Chuck

Bryan, Doug, Brad, Mark, Foxxy Rob, Chuck, Little Benny's & Chuck's significant others

Bryan, Doug, Brad, Sweet Cherie, Chuck, Foxxy Rob, Little Benny

Mark, Bryan, Brad, Doug, JuJu, Sweet Cherie, Foxxy Rob
1) Chuck-led "Tell me what you feeling like doing y'all" - the crowd responded, "Feel like moving that body" / Hoochie Coochie Man
2) Chuck said, "What's up, Cleveland? What's up, DC?" - Chuck played grinding guitar riffs
Chuck thanked the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for inviting them. He said he traveled around back in the "Salt of the Earth" days
3) Chuck-led Wind Me Up, Chuck - Chuck said, "Give yourself a hand", Chuck said, "The first time I came to Cleveland I was driving a tractor trailer."
4) Chuck-led T-Bone Walker's Stormy Monday - nice horn solo
5) Chuck-led Duke Ellington's It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That GoGo Swing) - Chuck held his mic to the fans who said, "Doo wop doo wop doo wop doo", Sweet Cherie played a nice (and different) solo
6) Chuck-led Lionel Hampton's Midnight Sun
7) Chuck-led Moody's Mood for Love - the horns would move to the right, then left to the mic to play: it was synchronized
8) Chuck-led Louis Jordan's Woody Woodpecker - a woman approached me and asked me to take a picture of her and her friend, they later danced with me Chocoltchp said they are Nora and Shaun and that one of them (Shaun) is her older sister.

the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Chuck!", Bryan Mills temporarily left the stage
9) Chuck-led Louis Jordan's Run Joe - the crowd sang along, Chuck held his mic to the fans, Chuck chanted something I couldn't make out
10) Chuck-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease)
11) Rare Essence instrumental (familiar, but don't remember the name of it) - keyboard driven
12) Chuck-led Rare Essence's Do You Know What Time It Is? - Chuck said, "Tick tock don't stop"
Sweet Cherie left her keyboard and took over on vocals (there was a towel on her mic which she took off to perform)
13) Sweet Cherie-led "1, 2, 3 Cleveland, what you want me to do?" - it was reminiscent of one of Kay Kay's raps
14) Sweet Cherie-led Jill Scott's It's Love? - Sweet Cherie held her mic to fans
15) Little Benny-led "Do you feel that?" - Chuck chanted "Eya eya" and the crowd responded "Woo"
16) Sweet Cherie-led Beyonce's Check on It
17) Little Benny-led "Work that sucker... Sweat..." - Sweet Cherie went back to her keyboard
18) Little Benny-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - Little Benny held his mic to the crowd
19) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Body Moves - Little Benny started it off by saying, "Hey ladies!", Little Benny said, "Work it overtime", Little Benny said, "Everybody in the club, hands up" and fans put their hands up, Little Benny said, "Hold up, wait a minute"
20) Little Benny-led Cat in the Hat
21) Little Benny-led Kanye West's Gold Digger - Chuck was on backup vocals
Chuck said, "Thank you Cleveland. Three more generations of you wonderful, beautiful people."
22) Chuck-led Bustin' Loose - Little Benny played trumpet (only song he did) and held his mic to the fans
Kimberly came up and said hello. She had driven up, which she told me she would do a few weeks ago at Zanzibar. Little Benny said, "Give it up for Chuck Brown!"
Chuck said, "Please drive carefully 'cause we love you so much. We need to learn to love each other." They seemed to be done, but Tom Ellis got them started again by chanting, "Chuck don't give a f*ck!" repeatedly
23) Chuck-led Chuck Don't Give a F*ck
24) Chuck-led 2001 Theme (actually the intro to Richard Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra)
25) Little Benny acapella Wind Me up, Chuck - the crowd responded
Chuck said, "Thank you very much. God bless you."
Chuck said, "The first time I came to Cleveland I drove a tractor trailer. I never dreamed of playing here."
This was much tighter performance than the last time I saw them.
After the performance, Chuck and the members of Familiar Faces sat at tables facing the front door and signed autographs. CDs of Chuck and Familiar Faces were being sold. Some people had LP covers being autographed as well. Donnell sat to Mike's left and Tiffany G. to Mike's right. Donnell said to me, "Jordan, you've got to hear Tiffany's new nickname for Mike, this is priceless!" Tiffany G. finally repeated it, "Mike is the motherf*cking Hurricane!"

Closest to furthest: Stomp, Smoke, Lorenzo, Doc, DP, Halima
Toosweet, Donnell, Mike, Tiffany G.

Mike and Tiffany G. - the stage is in the background
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich (except as noted)

Posted by funkmasterj at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: Saturday, 8 April 2006 4:14 AM EDT

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Bus Trip to Cleveland
A big thank you to Tim (LJ) and Nephew for allowing me to join the bus trip at the last minute.

Most of us met at the parking lot by the former Chesapeake Bay Seafood House. 8321 Annapolis Rd, New Carrollton, MD 20784. Chuck Brown's bus (including Vincent among the passengers) left later on from Liaison in Laurel, MD.

Tracy S. came by, she dropped Angie off. Michon dropped Jacques off.

On my bus were (whose names I know): Tim (LJ) the co-organizer, Simone and Tony (first time I met him) were in the row in front of me, with Simone's sister Nece (celebrating her birthday) across the aisle. Tim's brother Roosevelt and his girlfriend, Darrell F., Angie W., Dana, Tracy (first time I met her), Pinky, L-Boogie, Neita, Marvin (first time I met him), Chris (first time I met him), Los, Kim (first time I met her), and Sharika. Our driver was named Tim.


On the other bus were (whose names I know): Nephew the other co-organizer, Sean, Mike, Halima, Donnell, DP, Doc, Dwayne, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, Tony (security), Omar, Googie, Packy, Jacques, Tyrell, RE Angie, "original" Nikki, Ebony, Shawn, Arielle, another Dana, Nora, Shaun, and Tiffany G.

The band bus left about fifteen minutes before our bus left (a little after 9 AM). We pulled onto Annapolis Road. We weren't even at an intersection when Godfather stopped the bus and came on. Despite the other bus having left fifteen minutes before us, we caught up to it on the highway. LJ asked us if we wanted music or movies first. We chose music, a number of people slept.

The three (Simone, Tony, Nece) in the row ahead of me and Darrell, who kept moving around, were the most active on the trip. They and others drank Hennessey and Remy.

Tim (LJ) (Arm only visible), Nece, Darrell, Tony, and Simone

The bus had a CD player, and Tony gave over some CDs, including Familiar Faces' October 15, 2005 PA, and a compilation of GoGo Soul. Dana kept asked for Jazz and they kept kidding her, "next track." We stopped at a rest stop. There was a McDonald's there and most of us went in. We saw snow flurries. It was there that I saw that all the members of FF were on the two buses.

We watched Juwanna Mann, which was directed by Jesse Vaughan, who had directed Familiar Faces' Lap Dance video. Someone mentioned that Tommy Davidson went to B-CC, which I didn't know before.

Tim talked about co-organizing this trip. He said that he has an annual ski trip with eight buses. We went by a housing project and people talked about it being like home. We turned in there, people were joking about our hotel being there. They said it was like Barry Farms. Tim talked about some of the difficulties of organizing the trip. He tried to do an impression of Donnell Floyd by using Simone's scarf as a bandana.

All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
It was hard for him, since he was obviously drunk. Tim gave out party favors. To Pinky, who had been the first to pay him, he gave a clock. To Chris, who always whines, he gave a pacifier. He gave out a hoop to a guy he called "Baller." L-Boogie worried about whether everything would go as planned, so Tim said there was no itinerary so it wouldn't be a trap. Tim gave L-Boogie a glue trap. Tim gave Dana a thermometer because she had to deal with the heat from him. They joned on people they saw on the street. First there was a woman that limped, then a guy at our hotel: Hampton Inn, who wore a green riding cap, a dark brown fur coat, a jeweled earring, a plaid shirt, and blue jeans. We arrived at around 4 PM. Hampton Inn, 1460 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114

Ro'chelle (Toosweet) apparently drove up.

I went to cancel my reservation at the Holiday Inn Express. We were told to meet in the lobby at 8:10 PM to go to the performance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It actually wasn't that far from the Hampton Inn, but because it was so cold, it made sense to take the bus.

I took a nap (I only had a couple of hours of sleep since Zanzibar), then ate at the Subway's across the street. Since it was so cold and there was no dress code, I wore a sweatshirt instead of a button down shirt.

When we gathered in the lobby, Nephew passed out tickets.

The buses dropped us off right in front of the Hall.

Cleveland After Performance
Panini's Warehouse District, 1290 West 6th St, Cleveland, OH 44113

I went back the hotel and changed, and then went with Simone, Nece, Marvin, and Chris to get something to eat. We ate sandwiches at Panini's, recommended by our cab driver. For some reason, they put the coleslaw and french fries directly on all of the sandwiches. We then took a cab to two gas stations (one was closed) so people could get sodas and cigarettes. Then we went back to our hotel.

The after party was supposed to be at Club 75, 75 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113, but I didn’t go.

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

Maya said, "Hi Jordan!" Then to the other bartender she said, "That's my boyfriend." I said, "Not yet."

Missshaunte, Danielle (Wellfhed), her sister Che're, China (celebrating her birthday), Shameika, Nataki (~butterflies~), Ebo and Natalie were there. Missshaunte introduced me to T-Bird. Big G of Backyard Band, Renee and "original" Nikki were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Grover Washington's Mr. Magic
2) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You - first time they've performed it in a while
3) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva / Floetry's Supastar (tease) - instrumental
Mike Smith, Dey (celebrating her birthday, which is actually on the 21st), Mo (Slim Goodie) was there, celebrating her birthday, which is actually on the 20th).
4) Halima-led Mary Blige's Be Without You / (Jamie Foxx's) Mother's Finest's Love Changes
5) Sean-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
L-Boogie was there.
6) Mike-led Eric Benet's I Wanna Be Loved? (it’s hard to make out my notes)
A woman named Kim with Mo referred to me by name, I asked her her name. Mo introduced me to twin sisters also celebrating their birthdays, Weenie (sexy in her glasses (actually sexier with them) and I told her so), and Toonie.

Pinky, Bryant "Luther" Roberts, Slick Rick, Arielle, Regi, Mona (Celebrating her birthday, Donnell gave her a birthday shout out), and Ebony were there.

Second Set
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
2) Halima-led Beyonce's Check on It
Candall was there.
3) Donnell-led "___ Is in the House"
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
5) Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You (tease) - instrumental / Donnell-led "___ is yeah!" / Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Tell Your Heart I Love You - Donnell chanted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
6) NORE's I'm a G (tease) - instrumental / Donnell-led "___ Is on the floor" / Donnell-led NORE's I'm a G - Donnell said, "Oh my my my", a woman asked me, "You a G?", Big G rapped including "I know they don't love me"
6'9 and Sixx of Raw Image were there.
7) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) - Donnell did the keyboard effects vocally
Tamika and Tiffany F. were there. They had waited an hour to get in.
8) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
9) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario (tease)
June was there.
11) Mike & Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock It - it cranked / Donnell & Halima-led Sade's No Ordinary Love (tease) - altered lyrics
12) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" - Sean rapped & sang, "Come in my bedroom... once we get into... you won't want to stop"
Shadonna was there.
Cookie, Simone and Nece were there.

Michelle H., Tiffany G., Tyrell, Yolanda, Sanisse, Big Don Pimp, and Dynomite were there. I introduced myself to Shannon. I also introduced myself to Laurie.

Third Set
1) Instrumental
2) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable
GoGo Mickey was there. I introduced myself to a woman named Maya.
3) Halima-led Floetry's Supastar / Donnell-led Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood" / Donnell-led "___ Where you at?"
4) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Dwayne's guitar riffs were more prominent that usual for this song
5) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
6) Donnell-led Trina Was Great
7) Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
8) Sean-led Trey Songz' Gotta Go
Scooby, Tuffy and O from L!ssen Da Grew ^p, Darrell F., Peg Leg, and 32 of Rare Essence were there.
There was an argument and Donnell said, "Anyone over twenty-one fighting, that's the most 'Bama sh*t. I don't care who it is, you need to grow up, get out of the sandbox."
It was packed to capacity again.

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