This past weekend we FINALLY got a little slice of music heaven in the form of the Charivari music festival. At our 4th and last location (insert applause). It was so very needed. I'm sure the organizers worked tirelessly to bring out some of the best local and out of state talent. Historic Fort Wayne is the perfect venue for growth and expansion. We left enough room for dancing and the passing of the torch for the next generation of House and Techno up and comers to fill that space with a weekend love fest. And the food venders were AMAZING! Please bring them back shout out to Wella's Kitchen yall need a brick and motor cause that was the BEST Mexican food ever. Trust me I know, plus always trust the palette of the "thickems we know what's good"
I'm gonna deviate a bit but I promise it will all come together by the end of this read. I may make some mad, pearls might be clutch and heads may shake, but I wouldn't be authentically me if I didn't evoke those feelings.
So after what seems to be an eternity I finally gave in and gave myself to someone I had been putting off for a few years. And afterwards my 1st words to him were, "that's all you got" my thought was, "I waited 5 plus years for THIS SHIT! Where do I go for my "do over" cause this some bullshit"! Not that it wasn't good, it just wasn't...enough! I wanted more. All I heard in my head was the line from Purple Rain, " I don't like it... and Morris doesn't like it either"! I needed more more and then even more! I needed to be satisfied! Its cool I'll give ol boy another chance and I'm willing to bet the neighbors will know my name!
That's kinda how I felt about missing out on the music, the clubs, the scene, the events, the festivals. I(we) needed more. We had taken a whole year off ( thanks to our then dick head president) We needed to be satisfied. We needed more, more, and then... even more. That is just what we got. Now, there are some who uttered the phrase, "this some bullshit" and that just ain't cool but more about that later.
It had gotten to the point where I didn't think I even wanted to party anymore. The streaming, while great just wasn't doing it for me. Its like masturbatory self gratification... are you REALLY satisfied? Well some of of ya'll maybe but for me there is nothing better than the real thing!
There was an abundance of that and more this past weekend. We had a master class in DJology from all who took to the one's and two's. I will attempt to cover them all. There were several key sets I missed so if you don't get a mention its only because I didn't hear your set.
I came to call this weekend, The days of futures past. The passing of the torch. What some started must be carried on into the future. The organizer's understand this and it was shown with the talented line up of up and comers, there were a few that I felt should have been on the bill but alas they will NOT let me in those meetings. I mean I have ideas ya know 😀 I didn't think they had the proper time slots..way to early for my taste and others who may not have heard them play missed some really good music. Don't ask me their names! I'm old!!!... hell I get my kids names mixed up and I have a son and daughter.
By the time we got it really going DJ Serena Tyler was on the box and she had me, Ya see I'd gotten a text from my sister and she informed me my brother had passed away, but as foggy as my mind was at that time I still have a very vivid memory of her set. ANNNNND it was my 1st time hearing her play. Serena you helped me focus. You helped ease the pain and I thank you! Let me say this, the women did NOT come to play with the children PERIODT!!! DJ Cent reminded me of why I am such a fan of hers, Then came Jennifer "Minx" Witcher she is sunn'in special. Poor lil William Guest had his mouth opened her entire set, he had a look between amazement and disbelief. He had his mouth open so long Im sure he had to swallow 9,999 insects. I glanced over an saw Karizma behind her. I have NO idea where his mind was, if I were to guess it was somewhere between euphoria and exotica's 10th level. He felt everything she put down. There we were Michael Denomme, Jessica Laus, and myself dancing our cares away. That felt good...real good. It reminded me of many things, but Ill get to that later. Glenn Undergound was at the 2nd stage and as MUCH as I LOVES me some GU, if this were a fight he bought a bushido blade, she bought an AK47 "when you got to kill every motherfucka in the room" (in my Samuel L. Jackson voice) she did it! All danty like. She has it all brains, beauty, sex appeal and a collection of music to keep ya on your feet. Sabine Blazin took over without a hitch AND did her hair in the middle of a mix. She had that call from Mother Afrika vibe, I have a feeling you will be seeing more of her in The D
Hol'up let me take a moment to give Karizma a special shout out. He rolled up his sleeves and ask if he could be of any assistance. Class act right there. Cause some of yawl entitled mofo's think all you have to do is show up and play.
Anywho...
I wasn't there for Osunlade's full set but I was there for the master class he and Karizma gave. They moved in sync each feeling the vibe of the other, and it was effortless.
Rick had played earlier in the day and of course he did NOT disappoint. Aside from being one of my favorite DJs he's also one of my favorite people...on Earth!!!, yet another class act and Master turntablist. Fast forward to Sunday and there I was sitting next to so many great talents both in front of and behind the music. I was so honored, the fav was on and of course as does, he beat the white meat outta folks. Norm just doing Norm making the folks dance and smile! Im not sure what Delano was on but he was on one fa'sho! Let me take a moment and say, for as much as I love Delano sometimes he makes me so mad. Like big brother lil sister mad, like Im finna tell on you mad. Im trying to understand why I feel this way, hopefully I figure it out before I die, and for those who wonder, he didn't even know until now. I felt like I cheated on Norm cause Delano (middle name unknown) Smith gave us errrrr'thang. I wondered if this is how he plays overseas (prolly not) but I took what he gave, and I was satisfied, fulfilled even. His skill set and selection gave me what ol boy didn't! I still wanted more tho! Hey, Im greedy and... yeah, there's that! Now the day before I told him about the passing of my brother and informed him that I NEEDED him to bang it out! Not that he was going to give us anything less than perfection. The House Pimpstress in me said, "he did what I told him to do"! The respectful fan said he did what he was born to do! At the end of his set he gave an, in memorandum to those we have lost, then dropped a remix of Stairway to heaven by the O'Jays maaaan that joint was smokin hot! But it wasn't so much what he played as it was the crowds reaction to it. They danced in a calm reverence. Respect Delano mad mad love and respect. Unfortunately his set ended with another one of my favorite people fucking up the mix and sound, but his cute so imma give him a pass. THIS time! He took us to church, then dropped us off at the hoe house, that's when the main pimp blew his pimp horn and had Michael Whyteout moving like no White man had moved before that Norm Talley is a fire starter burning up the tables and our feet!
Derrick "Train" Thompson aka Reggie's little brother, folks don't sleep on this cat! This is a Train you want to ride and will take you to destinations you've never been! He gave I think 2 hours of musical bliss. And then Tom Linder walked in looking like a whole ass snack! No disrespect Angie, but ya man is fine as frogs hair and has the talent to back up that winning smile, and great pecks ! Tom and Bill might sound like ordinary names but they are by no means ordinary DJs. I'm not much of a techno fan EXCEPT when they play it! Bummed I missed Alton, Eddie, Kai, Gary ( it was Karyn Neeleys fault I missed them) Al and a few others but from the reaction of the people they truly loved every minute. Like Im really bummed out about Alton he was the 1st DJ to make me shed a tear.
The Dezi Magby set..OMG no!! OMfuckinG! If ever there was a DJ who ain't afraid he is it! He played all the tunes that made us love music! Not just House music but music music! When he dropped Rhinestone cowboy followed up by Run DMC my 1st thought was.. "the fuck is this man doing" Then I said, "its Dezi just roll with it". That RUN DMC follow up had that crowd in the palm of his hand. He played so good his needles said, "fuck it, Im tappin out"!
Chicago bread Detroit fed Demetrius Orr.. Ohhh baby, that man knows what to play and when to play it, always seamless blends and transitions. Thank you Chi town but he is ours now and when not sending him back.
Now there are a few people I think should be in the line up ( are you listening Todd C Johnson) - no relation. David James Spivey I repeat David James Spivey, just in case you didn't hear/read me David James Spivey! Marv Prather, Body Mechanic, Phil tha Mixx, Tink Thomas, Los Hermanos, Darryl Dyer, Jon Easley, Gari Romalis, Big Strick! Marc Duncan and of course my distinguished gentleman John E. Collins. I mean if you're going to feature home talent add them to the line up. Ya slept on Nervous and now he's gone. The House Gallery, Walter Glasshouse and my favorite nerd and all around great dad/human Todd Weston. and where was Big Joe Hix?
I like that I94 connection if I had my druthers of course Im going with my favorite Chi Town DJ Alan King. Greg Gray, Celeste Alexander, Ms Nicky. Alicia has played but she can always come back ya know. and that low hat wearing DJ Boxx.
Now let's take a moment to address you entitled, "Im on the list and I know Todd or insert any DJ". No negro ( for this part of the story, all of yall are all negro's no matter your racial, sexual, or ethnic orientation) you cannot get in free. Listen I use to be that same person until a DJ and former friend put it in perspective. Thank you Jon Easley! If Im working the door and a negro wants to get in free Im going to ask questions like, " what's Todd's middle name? What's his momma's name? Where does Theresa work? Who taught Bruce how to spin"? If you can't answer those questions you don't know the motherfucker! $30.00 please! And DJs and other folks, umm.. you ain't got no entourage. 1 to 2 guest list people please and thank you!
I'd also like to address someone I resect, love, and hold in VERY high regard, no Dee Charivari has not lost it's soul, it's broadened its base, they understand that we have to pass this on or it will die. And yes they have moved the venue over and over but have found a forever home., and yes there was a lot of field, but that simply means when this thing of ours gets to the next level we will have space for everyone.
Everyone knows I am NOT a fan of Paxahau? IMO they have ZERO respect for Detroit DJs and Black DJs in general unless you're a big name. So I applaud the team for keeping it local for showcasing the talent that the trust fund babies have used and abused (pearl clutching time) cause YES I SAID IT! Im willing to bet a dime to a bucket of shit they will use their influence and money to throw a monkey wrench into what Charivari is building. If they haven't already. #fuckem! Keep building. This is a House built by Black and Brown people and WE welcome everyone.
Music draws all kinds, and that we had in droves. But when we get back to our Facebook lives and statuses we dog each other out! Why? It's stupid and serves no purpose. One person even commented that they are glad they didn't come.. really, and you call yourself a promoter? And you throw parties with some of the same people that played at Charivari. Don't let your ego write a check your behind can't cash! People wonder why I do what I do. Its simple, because I believe in you no matter who you are for the most part. But mostly because I made a promise to the man who's dream he made into a reality. And while he is no longer with us, his dream will live on and no one is going to stop that! I will always be by Chauncia Dunbars side if she ask me Im going to do it! Period, because in a short span of time Steve Dunbar became my mentor and brother I know how much he love this thing of ours and how deeply in love he was with his wife!
Carol Johnson can't believe how much we have Todd's back, its not only for the much needed adult supervision but also because we know how hard he works at making this happen ok plus he pays us to say nice things about him. Dancing next to Michael and Jessica took me back to when I first came on the scene they are my babies but its they who taught me. We live in a world of so much discord but for a brief moment we come together united in music.
Good sex and good music should never be compromised or an option. If ya don't get it in the bedroom, get it on the dancefloor. I guess I'll just have to wait for the good sex thingy.. this past weekend however... now I was totally satisfied with those I had the pleasure of hearing... and I want more!
After so much loss this past year, I want us to go into this next phase more understanding, with a broader mind, I too need to improve on this. I never want to leave you unfulfilled but mostly when we are dead and gone I want the generations to remember why they started what they started.(days of futures past) I want them to remember Jessie Saunders, Eddie Fowlkes, Paul L Johnson, Kelly Hand, Nervous Breakdown, Jason Garcia, Big Rob Martinez Jr, Scan 7, Detroit Techno Militia, Claude Young Jr. and everyone in between. I want them to know this is how it started but mostly I want them to
Let the music play
~P
