April 29, 2007
End of NY/Beg of Chi (sigh)
RaShaan Houston singing @ Moonshine |
Friday night of last week I return to the Sullivan Room for the Brazilian House party and see Manchild Black promoting and Rich Medina spinning. There were crews of capoeristas in full uniform doing routines, more dancers, a live performance by a Brazilian band and of course me and more new friends. The next day me and my New York residing ex have lunch at the same Filipino restaurant and eat like pigs. It's the first time I've seen him in a long time and he's grown a very scary beard, but hey to each his own. Later that night is the Shelter, and though I was supposed to stay one more week, I had to jump back on a plane Sunday right after the club. I was so so so sad to leave.
Tuesday I go see Rashaan Huston sing at Moonshine, Wednesday night I hear Andre Hatchett at the Dating Game, Thursday I hear Papo sing Lego's song "El Corillo" at the Victor Hotel, then end the night at a kinda dead Smart Bar. Late late Thursday I realized I had to let go of something that was once dear to me, because if I didn't I'd probably get physically hurt. I'm so tired of being forgiving and getting stepped on, so as a favor to us and my peace of mind/dignity, I said my goodbyes.
Friday night I stay in, continue writing my upcoming dance show, and enjoy my solitude.
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April 21, 2007
Funk, Flip food and Asian fingers
Thursday night me and my new NY dancer friends go to the much anticipated "Jump N' Funk" party. Because their party in Miami was so dope I was geeked to go to its source, and DJs Karizma and Rich Medina delivered an amazing night of songs in tribute to the late Fela Kuti.
Friday I finally got to check out the Filipino restaurant a few blocks down, and I literally walked back into the Philippines. Everyone was warm, and I felt like I was in my aunt's living room. Pinoys always bug their eyes out when I start speaking Tagalog, they all would never have guessed. They say I look "Spanish" (translate: Puerto Rican, Dominican, etc.)
Me and Kevin Hedge of Blaze were talking about possible collaborations between 5 Mag and their start-up mag called Listen. Last year when I first heard about it I bristled in automatic defense mode, but then promptly checked myself because anyone who tries to promote House culture is a forever friend. Kevin and the whole crew at West End Records are so cool, plus their music is some of the most soulful you will ever hear.
Had another Asian massage. Ahhhh.....
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April 20, 2007
Roots Party
Donnie and his band performing at the Roots 3 year anniversary party @ Cielo |
Wednesday I interview Jon Cutler (the man responsible for the club anthems "It's Yours" and "You Groove Me"). Later I go to the Roots party at Club Cielo with residents Kevin Hedge of Blaze and Louie Vega. They were celebrating their 3 year anniversary and had singer Donnie and his band do a live performance. He did a sexy and soulful set (he's the voice behind that House track "Twisted".)
Everyone and their mama was there: Ultra Nate, DJ Spinna, Armand Van Helden, Todd Terry, Mr. V, Tony Touch, Crazy Legs, The New York City Breakers and MC Serch (from MTV's "The White Rapper Show") to name a few. It was a perfect mix of House and hip-hop heads combined, and Louie ended the night with old school b-boy songs such as "The Mexican" (which I loathe but got all the uprockers out on the circle.) What a great night.
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April 17, 2007
New York
Spinna and Kevin Hedge at the West End Records office |
I want to live here. I want to live here, stay here, and go back to Chicago maybe for Christmas. Sorry Chicago, I love you, I really do. Saturday me, David Sabat and his crazy cousin go and hear Julius the Mad Thinker and Monna at a small lower east side venue, then head out to the Shelter. We get there at 3am, and I end up staying there until Sunday 4pm (that's when they close..) Now people know that I've been a Shelter head since 1998, but I've never in my life stayed out that late. It was beautiful. People are just so free and expressive by that time, they become the music. People dressed as African kings and queens, scrubs, leotards and tights, everything. And they are just rolling around on the ground like little kids, so happy to be in their church.
Later during the week I interview Dennis Ferrer and Kevin Hedge of Blaze at the West End Records office. Wednesday night I go to Cielo to hear Kevin Hedge and Louie Vega spin, and Friday I hear Jellybean Benitez and Jon Cutler for
their monthly "Ain't Nuthin But a House Party."
Saturday I'm back at the Shelter with two of my Chi to NY transplanted gay boys, who not only do my makeup, but party with me until Sunday closing once again.
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April 8, 2007
Recap
Okay so I've been on diary hiatus for quite some time. I really really wanted to give you daily updates of my time in Miami for the Winter Music Conference, but I was too busy running around trying to hit up every damn party there was! Now I know why they call it the Winter Conference, because quite frankly Miami aint as warm that time as it's cut up to be. There's sun, but the wind be blowing some cold ass nipple hardening air.
MIAMI:
Quick recap: I got to hang with lots of my girls and guys such as Lugo Rosado, Indiana Chris (eternally looking for the next party), Skendar (came with 1 bag the size of a girl's purse, that's it), Lego and Aida (thanks for the rides!), Dave Sabat, Kenny Ray, Marcello, Unified Records, Wanda, Alphonso and Pea (she got to meet my stripclub girlfriend of many years Angelina of Club Madonna and see her flexibility talents). Many many more but those pop up in my head. The next issue should have all the pictures, but saw and spoke with lots of our favorite House personalities such as Maurice Joshua, Stacy Kidd, Wayne Williams, Osunlade, 3 Degrees, Louie Louie, JoJo Flores, Tortured Soul, Alix Alvarez, Mr. V, King Britt, Rich Medina, Ron Carroll, CeCe Peniston, Frankie Knuckles, Dave Morales (had his shirt open at his party, be still my beating heart), Timmy Regisford, Gene Hunt, Vic Lavender, Ron Trent, Barbara Tucker, Andre Harris, DJ Spinna, Dave Harness, the Groove Junkies, Jellybean Benitez (I know he's done so much more, but I'll forever know him as Madonna's former boyfriend who first played her music at the Limelight and blew her up), Dennis Ferrer, Karizma, and so many many more.
I hosted 3 parties, and the most important one... the Unified Records Party at Rain which closed out the conference... the one where I actually had to get up on the mic and introduce all the fabulous DJs/singers such as Tony Humphries and Robert Owens... I had by then lost my voice. GONE. The flaming and very drunk bartender at Rain insisted I try his "magic throat potion", but all it did was make me even more mute. So thank you Alphonso of I Love House Music Wednesdays for being my voice and making people think I'm really a drag queen.
Favorite parties were of course Shelter and the Jump N' Funk event. East Coast heads just be *dancing*.
SHOW:
Upon my return from Miami, I immediately had to jump into tech and dress rehearsals the whole week for my dance show, so I was locked into the Harold Washington Library theater for hours and hours on end, capping it off with great shows for the GI Alliance (congrats to my very good friend Jen whose company it is) 5 year anniversary dance concert. Saturday was the last show, and I was WIPED OUT. Early Sunday morning and going on no sleep for 2 weeks... flight to... YEY! NEW YORK CITY!!!
NEW YORK:
I get to stay here in a subletted apartment on the Lower East Side for most of April so I can dance, write my new show and get-away-far-far-away from painful Chicago, sort of relax, and enjoy my muse called New York. I haven't gotten a chance to spend a lot of time here like I used to do pre-magazine days, so I'm soaking it all in. So far I've checked out the House Dance Conference (monthly event for dancers), the 3 Degrees party at the Sullivan Room last night, and the Shelter tonight! I've taken dance and gymnastics classes, had a DOPE massage from one of those Asian massage places (no happy ending), hooked up with my old dance teachers and friends, met some really cool people, and I've only been here a week. And not one drink, even when I was at the clubs. If only I could live here for a year. Or two.
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