5 Alarm Blaze
After Kes & Friends, I had just enough time to grab a sandwich with my designated driver, take a quick wash up and change into more comfortable clothes before heading a few blocks over to Stage 48 for 5 Alarm Blaze.
After Kes & Friends, I had just enough time to grab a sandwich with my designated driver, take a quick wash up and change into more comfortable clothes before heading a few blocks over to Stage 48 for 5 Alarm Blaze. (Don't judge me and yes, it is that serious.) Despite the annoyance of being herded up ad down through the club's labyrinth, I was happy to see that both the ground floor and the balcony was packed. I took one of the few vacant spots on the ground floor and vibed to the music playing.
With hosts like DJ Young Chow and The Natural Born Club Killa, Kevin Crown, I knew some antics were inevitable, but I was not prepared for what I witnessed. Let me give quick shouts to the dancers who proved that slim and fluffy girls can get on bad.
The lineup included both dancehall and soca artists, but when only a segment of the crowd was excited to hear "Ah Feeling" and "To Meh Heart" performed live, I knew that this was primarily a non-soca crowd. Let me say that I like my dancehall and reggae, but soca has a way of getting people to move and many party goers seemed planted where they stood. Well, Fay-Ann Lyons changed that.
With a stern warning to "take yuh monkey ass to de back" if you don't want to participate, she began to instruct the crowd. I looked around and saw that there were some confused but intrigued expressions and I was sure that they had no idea what was about to happen. For those unfamiliar, if you hear Fay-Ann Lyons say this, just go to the back of the party immediately.
"Point yuh fingers so!" When all fingers pointed to the left confusion turned to fear for the uninitiated. Within seconds everyone bounced, ran, and lept to the left side of the club. I heard a young lady say that she refused to move. Poor thing. It was involuntary, but she moved.
We moved to the right, to the front, and to the back of the club in unison. I could have gone home right after that. I loved it! However, I stayed to see the other acts. By the way, I cannot believe that DJ Big Reef, who was supposed to be recuperating at home, made it to the event and even did the shmoney dance with broken ribs. Now that's dedication.
Last to perform was dancehall artist Mavado. It is always interesting to me to see the difference in how party people react to different genres of music. The jumping up and waving was replaced with swaying and finger guns as he sang "Last Night," "Real McCoy," and "So Special." While I am not one for dancehall during Carnival weekend, it was good to hear the Gully God sing a song appropriate for Labor Day weekend, "Caribbean Girls." This was the wind down for me. I suppose it was good to end the night with a slow wine.
I will certainly attend 5 Alarm Blaze again, but as I am a true soca head, I will probably leave after the last soca act. Come on. I can't end my weekend on dancehall. Carnival is soca.
Kes & Friends
I had never been to 760 Rooftop at The Copacabana before, but when I found out that Kes the Band would be there for a free concert, I figured it was worth the trip to Midtown. Despite the coolness of the room, rags and napkins were used to dab sweaty faces as we danced. Yes, this was a great warm up for the sexy, soca superstar.
I had never been to 760 Rooftop at The Copacabana before, but when I found out that Kes the Band would be there for a free concert, I figured it was worth the trip to Midtown.
The bi-level (air-conditioned) rooftop club was a welcome change from the steamy Pulse 48 yard I was in earlier. Not only were the people full of vibes, DJ Angel was hyping up the crowd with some throwback and new soca and keeping the flow consistent. Despite the coolness of the room, rags and napkins were used to dab sweaty faces as we danced. Yes, this was a great warm up for the sexy, soca superstar.
When radio legend Dahved Levy announced him, Kees Dieffenthaller wasted no time getting to the stage and serenading the crowd with the recent hit, "Endless Summer." After energetic renditions of "Where Yuh From," "Ah Ting," and "Tuesday on the Rocks," he called out the Wotless crew by singing our anthem.
He introduced the local overnight sensation Kranium, who had women singing along to his hit "Nobody Has To Know." As the party was named Kes & Friends, he had to bring out his long-time friend and season 5 winner of NBC's The Voice, Tessane Chin. The strong and sultry voice of Tessane boomed across the entire floor as she belted out "Try". Although I enjoyed the show, I admit that I was disappointed that the two did not do their duet, "Loving You."
Shortly after the Tessane left the stage, the party ended abruptly. There was a very curt announcement that the second level was closing and everyone needed to head downstairs to the smaller lounge area. I did as instructed, but shortly after that, we were told that this room would be closing also. There is nothing like disorganization to spoil a good night. Luckily, this was not my final stop.
Sunny Side Up
Sunday was a marathon day for me. While most good people were in church or lounging at a backyard barbecues with their families, DysChick was running from fete to fete. My day began with the annual morning fete, Sunny Side Up - the Brooklyn edition. This party is known in Trinidad as a beach lime, but Brooklynites were able to enjoy a version of it at Pulse 48 yard.
Sunday was a marathon day for me. While most good people were in church or lounging at a backyard barbecues with their families, DysChick was running from fete to fete.
My day began with the annual morning fete, Sunny Side Up - the Brooklyn edition. This party is known in Trinidad as a beach lime, but Brooklynites were able to enjoy a version of it at Pulse 48 yard. First, I think I read the event description wrong. I'm pretty sure it did not say anything about water and foam. Imagine my chagrin when I walk in with my skirt and cute shoes and am immediately sprinkled with cold water. Regardless, I spent my money to jump up. And so I did.
I must admit that the success of this event was strictly due to the vibes of the people. If you have been following me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you know I have my favorite deejays that can turn around the crappiest parties. However, the deejays I heard towards the end of Sunny Side Up did not impress me at all. There were several times when the cadence of the music was so inconsistent that I went from jumping up to a wining slow. I also think they overdosed on "We Want Mor" and "Ah Feeling." With all the music released this year, a good deejay should be able to move from old to new without relying on just a few popular songs.
That being said, I had so much fun vibing with my friends and meeting new people. Even when the music turned off, those who were reluctant to leave grabbed bottles and cans and created their own. Had the music been better, I might have rated this event more.
Wii Carnival
There were rumors that this party would be shut down and that the headliner, Machel Montano, would not show up. Thankfully, none of that was true. Every listed artist showed up, performed, and left the stage amidst cheers and applause. As the only party I went to that was purely soca from start to finish, Wii Carnival definitely the best party of the weekend.
I have to say that this was the best party of the weekend. Strong drinks and straight soca all night. This is how a fete on Brooklyn Carnival weekend should be.
Kudos to whomever created the lineup. Leonce and Rayzor of The Request Band kicked off the Bess Fete, Yankey Boy sang the anthems for drinkers, the Vincentian General Skinny Fabulous brought out our worst behavior, and Trinidad's Olatunji "buss up the place like TADOW!" I am not sure why promoters do not bring Maximus Dan to Brooklyn more often, but he certainly destroyed everything!
Despite his recent injuries that caused him to rely on a cane to walk, Mr. Killa still managed to wuk up his Rolly Polly dancer, Simone (and I thought I had bamsee). The Grenadian artist even took time to explain and perform his latest single, "Panty Dropper." Get your mind out of the gutter. It is just a song promoting his clothing drop-off service. Yeah. That's it.
Despite the rumors that he would not show up, Machel Montano not only made his appearance, but he turned up Pulse 48! No matter how many times I hear "Happiest Man Alive," "Haunted," or "Possessed," I always get excited. However, he reminded his fans that with his 30 + years in the business, he could get us moving with "Big Truck," "Mocking Meh" and "Music Farm," for which he brought out fellow Xtatic bandmate, Farmer Nappy. Shortly after he broke into "Big People Party," the power went out and the stage was dark. Believing that this was someone's way of shutting down the fete, some patrons were angry and confused. Thankfully, within minutes, the power was back on and the show continued.
I had an amazing time at this fete. Each performer was amazing and gave a good show. My only complaint is that the party ended at 3am. Really, for Carnival weekend? However, strong drinks, a lively audience, and a great stage show make for an EPIC night.
Island Colors
This event was evidence that a good deejay can change the vibe of the party. Although I am a socaholic, I wanted to see what the Jamaicans were up this weekend. For the first hour or so, I was bored! Yes, bored! But when Freeze International touched the set, this party turned into a fete.
This event was evidence that a good deejay can change the vibe of the party. Although I am a socaholic, I wanted to see what the Jamaicans were up this weekend. I headed to Club Nova for Island Colors featuring Elephant Man (not sure if he ever made it). For the first hour or so, I was bored! Yes, bored! DJ Fugi Slim was playing throwback soca and dancehall hits, but the crowd had no apparent energy. I have no idea how people hear good music and stand still. However, when Freeze International touched the set, this party turned into a fete.
He began with a roll call to see which islands were representing. Upon hearing their nation being called out, people screamed and proudly threw rags (which I didn't even see until this moment) into the air. Then he went on to play soca throwbacks while simultaneously engaging with the crowd (who says you NEED an emcee?). The crowd perked up and finally started to move and dance and get on like true West Indians. Of course, no soca party is complete without a palance.
This was the perfect set up for Tallpree to touch the stage. The Grenadian's energy and lively antics had us playing a wicked jab.
Although they always represent, I was surprised to see so many Haitians at a reggae event. It became clear when DJ Shortman entered the club. I figured he was notable since he came in with a videographer following him from the entrance to the stage. Clearly he is well known in the Haitian community, because when he started playing, the Haitian crew exploded! I loved it! I have got to start hitting up some Haitian parties.
I cannot say that this was a can't-miss event, but it was good to mix with some non-soca folks... briefly.
Meet & Greet with Machel Montano at Miss Lily's
After work on Thursday, I headed down to Miss Lily's restaurant on Houston Street for the first time. Not because I had a sudden craving for Jamaican food, but because Machel Montano was scheduled to be there for a meet and greet and interview with LargeUp.com.
After work on Thursday, I headed down to Miss Lily's restaurant on Houston Street for the first time. Not because I had a sudden craving for Jamaican food, but because Machel Montano was scheduled to be there for a meet and greet and interview with LargeUp.com.
While I waited for Mr. HD, I sat sipping my "Dutty Wine" (sangria with a splash of prosecco). I was so engrossed in my drink that I did not realize that the voice that said "Greetings, greetings all" belonged to Machel Montano.
As I saw him leaving from the restaurant, I decided to stop him for a quick selfie. Without hesitation he said, "Of course" and posed for a quick pic with DysChick before heading to the lounge area.
The place was so crowded with people waiting to see him, that even he had trouble getting in the door. I circled around back and found a spot far away from the makeshift stage.
My distance did not matter. For two hours fans listened to Machel Montano talk about his life in the soca music industry with several breaks for singing, joking, and engaging with his fans in the crowded space. What was supposed to be an interview turned into an impromptu concert.
The event was supposed to run from 6pm-8pm, but with so many fans clamoring to see the Happiest Man Alive, it was 10pm before people finally left the restaurant. With my signed copy of HD's latest album "Happiest Man Alive," I reluctantly left. An excellent start to my party weekend.