We are now, about three weeks in since the Charivari Picnic and I have to say, I should have written this Blog just after..but I'm human and honestly just wanted to let it all sink in.
Gotta say, the folks that threw this all together did one helluva job. - Shouts out to the DJs who "MADE" the picnic they will be addressed later in the Blog.
If you want to know the story of Charivari you'll just have to read my last Blog..( well it was copied from Todd Johnson with a forward by yours truly) cause honestly its too long to rehash the story... anywho just read it!
A group of now mid 40ish men and women who were at the forefront of the party scene here in Detroit decided they wanted to showcase who they are and what made this scene what it is today. We are the party generation.. yeah we are some pretty cool middle aged folks..(don't trip! its the truth)
The feeling was electric..the musical vibe was right on point, and the people danced! They enjoyed each other, they enjoyed the music, the park.. the kids even had a great time.
--I have to sidebar here and say, one of the things I liked best about the picnic was the fundraising that took place for our very own angel Ms. Angela Patillo-Burns, it showed me that we do look out for our own.. hats off to everyone who contributed!-smile
When my, top 40 music loving daughter had a great time. ( she is STILL talking about it) and has stated SEVERAL times she can not wait until next year... I KNEW they had a hit.
The face of the event was Steve Dunbar, Todd Johnson and Teresa Hill but there are so many more. Kevin Bledso, Grant Grey,Al Heath, Hasan Nurulla(lord I hope I spelled that right) and countless others.. sorry I don't know all of your names. The volunteers.. the support of others who believed in this just as the Charivari Detroit team did. We pulled together to make this event all about US ( you, me, them, black, white, young, old) ! Street teams, other connections banding together for the greater good! The sponsors, very well put together sponsorship package.. this was no fly by night event! Many man/woman hours were spent to make this thing jump.
You all DID IT!! and did it well! From the after parties to the picnic it was a just a fabulous time had by all.
The look on Tamar Dunns face when she said, " I haven't seen some of these people in 30 years" she was damned near giddy.. we had the perfect spot.. the set up as well as the weather was perfect. God surely blessed this event. The focus was Detroit DJs, but being the forward thinkers that they are they also brought in others. The stand out was a twelve year old girl., DJ Young 1 she was the highlight of the event. The music lives in her and our children.. and she wants to learn how to play vinyl..DIG THAT! DeeJay Alicia came in to show that Chitown love and as she always does... she turned it out!
DJ Roach, Jason Garcia, DJ Psycho, and a helluva set by Earl Mixxin McKinney ( more about him later)! Mike Clark, Gulf Clap, D. Wynn, Kevin Dysard the list goes on and on.. I mean they thought of just about everyone.
THIS is another reason why I loved this event.. the focus was on "our own" Detroit LOVE! Don't compare this to MOVEMENT..its Charivari! Don't compare this to The Chosen Few.. again, its Charivari its its own entity..competing for nothing and no one, all inclusive love, but they wanted to show love 1st to home! Righteous y'all... real real right!
Now, listen.. I know y'all think I'm bias, and perhaps I am..but when Earl...and I do mean as SOON as he hit the stage he took over..people came from EVERYWHERE to hear him.. it looked just like that scene in the Color Purple when everybody left the juke joint and headed over to Ms. Shug Averys daddies church! hell maybe God WAS trying to tell us something. He hit us with a track, Now this is how it started. BUT!! I have to give credit where credit is due.. it was Al Ester who played it the night before at TV. DJ Psycho and Gary Chandler had me under their musical spell! Tom Linder.. BOY!!! YOU DID THE DAMN THING!
When Delano ( who was at TV) jumped to his feet and said, "man where you get that" I KNEW it was a hit.. not just because Delano had turned into a kid at Christmas but also by the reaction of the people. Al had the crowd in the palm of his hand that night and Earl had the crowd in his hand the next day. That song and that song alone was the theme of the event!
When you see a DJs eyes light up you know you working with a monster! Norm, followed The Sonic Natives., and you know I sat there mesmerized by what I heard before and what I was hearing from him. Rick followed Norm, and he had just gotten back from somewhere overseas..but he played like he had rested for days. Both Norm and Rick's set was perfection.. I don't expect any less from them! There I sat, behind The Sonic Natives, Norm Talley, and Rick feeling like a proud mom.. saying, "look at my boys"!
I did not get to hear Moody's set.. I'm sorry KDJ Jr. you know I loves me some YOU but I'll catch you on the rebound lil homie! WAIT!! I didn't get to hear Delano either..damn, I'm so ashamed!
Point is these DJs played with SO much enthusiasm.. they were so happy to be there and we were just as happy to hear them. In my opinion they played so well because the focus was on THEM! ( well some did not) -hears a clue.. if nobody was dancing then you were NOT playing like you should...another side bar. If I hear ONE MORE DJ say, " I started to REALLY hit em with some hot shit" I'm going to fucking shoot you! I don't care if you play for a crowd of 30 or 300 you PLAY!! all that, "I can't play for no hour" is BULL---SHIT!! yo ass KNEW you had an hour to play when they ask you! and another thing.. if you didn't like your time slot, ya punk ass should have respectfully declined instead of whine.. It was up to YOU to select a BANGIN ass set.. sucks to be you if you didn't! Save all that smack for someone who doesn't know any better!- and any DJ that doesn't care if people are dancing to what they are playing is a special kinda stupid!
I got to meet some of my new Facebook friends.. Shane Cox- he is such a cutie! Pretty bummed that I did not get to meet Bryan Bright or that Adam Francesconi or Gari Romalis did not get to play. ( um, Charivari crew TRUST me on this.. Adam, Gari, Marcellus, Huck, and Theo should be on the bill next year)- are there some I would say should NOT play next year, but of course I think there are..but out of respect to both the organizers and the ( in my opinion) lack luster DJs I will reserve my comment. They are some pretty smart Cats so they know what to do!
Over all it was a COMPLETE success.. a standing ovation is needed, and not just for the organizers, but also for their partners, who I am SURE endured massive headaches, late nights, long phone calls, endless meetings, running arounds, and husbands/wives who went AWOL.., but THAT is the sign of a GREAT partnership.. when you have someone who has your back 100 % and your dreams are their dreams.. you're working with winners., so for the wives.. girlfriends and boyfriends, hats off to you! - and anyone who does not understand and recognize that their dream is your dream and they are willing and happy to share you with others is INCREDIBLY STUPID! but stupid is as stupid does!! but I digress...
My prediction, ya going to out grow that park.. sad but true! You all kept it 98% Detroit, and that's more than I can say for some. You gave back..and yes there are some who feel you don't play well with others ( not everyone is going to love/like you) here is one thing NO ONE can dispute, the turn out and the vibe was phenomenal the music was top notch.. you showed us, you made us remember the feeling we all had when we 1st feel in love with this thing of ours!
No clicks, no hate ( well..I mean..) not from those who REALLY matter.. all others were peons so fuck em! No one had that, "Look at me, I'm the best" attitude..well, one or two did but again.. not everyone can see the greater good!
Keep up the good work peoples... this event will go on and on and on! The music lives on, as is evident in our children who ALL had a wonderful time., and that's what its all about!
Let the Music Play
P~
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