Sept 13, 2009: 16th Annual Clubhouse Jamboree

It's already September and that only means one thing: This year's installment of the annual Clubhouse Jamboree is just around the corner. Sunday, September 13th, 2009, from noon to 6pm, at Brooklyn's Prostpect Park, to be more exact.

I rarely promote events on this blog but always make an exception for the Jamboree because it's always such an amazing outdoor party. It also remains a bit of an undiscovered gem, even on this, it's 16th incarnation.

This year's guests include a couple of folk who have performed at past Jamboree events.


There's Spinna, for one, spinning Li'l Louis & The World's "Club Lonely" (feat. Joi Cardwell) above, at the 13th Jamboree. He'll be back this year.


There's Karizma, spinning an unreleased mash-up of Frankie Knuckles/Satoshii Tomiie classic "Tears" with the vocal from Jazmina's "Rain". He'll be back this year.


The vibe? The sound might not be pretty, but catch a wiff above as Brian Coxx from Soulgasm spins a remix of Jill Scott's "Hate on Me" (unfortunately, Brian will not make an appearance this year).

Lastly, the event is free and put together by the great Li'l Ray who, year after year, pulls this thing together with the help of dozens of househeads and volunteers. Last year I lost my cell phone at the event and the man drove all the way to Manhattan to return it to me when someone found it and left it with him. Amazing, no? So, if you are up for it in a couple of weeks, please try to make it. I promise it will be unforgettable.

Musica: Clubhouse Jamboree forever!

I keep saying this is the best party of the year and people still do not believe me. Sunday saw me trekking to Prospect Park in Brooklyn for Li'l Ray's 15th annual Clubhouse Jamboree in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Chicago DJ Jamie 3:26 (above) performed and really got the crowd worked up (see video here, here, here and here).

Then came the legendary DJ Spinna (above) who had a truly inspired set (check it out here).

Seen: Former Jamboree headliner Brian Coxx from Soulgasm (above, in the cool sneakers). More of him here. And...

Supah'star Karizma who headlined in 2006 (more here).

Best thing? Li'l Ray! Who puts these things together year after year after year and promises to do it for 15 more years! For free! Which is amazing because he avoids and hates self-promotion. Still, the guy was great enough to keep my cell phone after I lost it (!) and returned it to me yesterday even though he had to drive from Long Island to Manhattan to do the deed. Talk about a great guy!

One of the many reasons I truly believe the Clubhouse Jamboree is my favorite event of the summer.

Previously:

• I guess you had to be there (Sept. 10, 2007)
• Karizma blows up the joint (Sept. 12, 2006)
• Beautiful people (Sept. 19, 2005)

Musica: 15th Annual Clubhouse Jamboree is coming up!

Year after year after year we keep going back: This year is no different as DJ Li'l Ray brings us yet another Clubhouse Jamboree at Brooklyn's Prospect Park scheduled for Sunday, September 14th.

This year marks the 15th such event and features Chicago house music producer Glenn Underground, Chicago's Jaime 3:26, Dede, Soul Finger Jam and, of course, DJ Spinna.

A highlight from past years? Karizma spinning the rare mash-up of Jazmina's "Rain Come Down" with Frankie Knuckles and Satoshie Tommie's "Tears" at the 13th Annual Jamboree. Classic!

Musica: I guess you just had to be there...

Yesterday we made our annual pilgrimage to Brooklyn for - yes - the 14th annual Prospect Park Clubhouse Jamboree (and a damn pilgrimage it was - the trains were a mess).

Aside from DJ Spinna, who always makes an effort to be there, the star attraction was the up and coming Martinez Bothers from the Bronx who showed up with their, em, dad, as they have yet to turn twenty but are certainly getting some major attention.

For my money (and I guess that's pretty cheap because the event is always free and you also get a free plateful of really good food), the star of the afternoon was DJ Brian Coxx of Soulgasm. He just had an amazing set and was pretty damn sexy to boot! In any case, I took a few video snippets so I could show you some of the fun.

First up, Brian Coxx showing that a DJ can actually really get into his sets:

Then we have proof that if a DJ gets into his sets, the crowd might follow:

Then we have another groovy encounter with Afro Mosaic Soul who did something special with a Thom Yorke ditty:

We nearly missed the Martinez Brothers because we were standing in the long-ass line to get food but we did get DJ Spinna dropping a classic:

And, because there is no such thing as too little dancing, well, here's more dancing:

Props to DJ Li'l Ray and his crew of volunteers who always manage to make this one of the most enjoyable summer experiences!

• More vids here
• More photos here

My New York: Karizma blows up the joint

If you've been here recently, then you know that I had been plugging Saturday's 13th Annual Clubhouse Jamboree at Prospect Park ever since I had a blast last year at the 12th.

It might not have been as gloriously sunny as last year, but it didn't rain either and the temperature was just right. Diamond Temple and the Temple Dynasty did their soulful choir thing and took the whole throng to the heavens and back and Brooklyn's own Afro Mosaic Soul Dance Company dedicated their dance performance to Willi Ninja and Robert, who they described as an 18 year old dancer who had been following on Willi's steps who had also passed away last week.

DJ Soto did a groovy mix of the current crop of discofied R&B and Carlos Sanchez followed with a funkier groove. DJ Spinna closed the day with his usual uplifting grooves.

Still, the man who stole the show was Baltimore's own Karizma (pictured above) who just blew the place up with his set, which mixed chunky-dubs and extra bass over already pumping tracks and demonstrated his amazing mixing skills. As the organizer, liL Ray said, "hear my words, he's a DJ to watch."

Not that in any way, shape or form does this capture the amazing vibe (the sound quality sucks for one) but I thought some video might show you what I mean. So jump-on over and check these out and tell me that the man was not on fire:

• Karizma letting the Rain Come Down
• Karizma dropping some Rej by Ame
• Karizma invokes Beyonice's Deja Vu as DJ Spinna prepares to go on deck

Just simply, magic.

My New York: A couple of reminders

Funeral services for Willi Ninja are tonight at the Roy L. Gitmore Funeral Home in St. Alban's, Queens. Gay City News ran their obituary yesterday.

The truly unique 13th Annual Clubhouse Jamboree takes place this Sunday at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. For more info, visit DJ lil Ray. (yup, that's DJ Spinna above spinning records at last year's event, he's on the bill again this year). Other DJ's on this year's line up include Karisma ("4 the Love"), Carlos Sanchez, DJ Soto. There will also be a performances by the Diamond Temple & The Temple Dynasty and Afro Mosaic Soul Dance Company.

For the politically inclined, there'll be lots of pavement pounding by those running for political office and those they are challenging as they brace for Tuesday's primary. My suggestion is that if you decide to volunteer, you stay away from the larger and better-funded campaigns, and devote a couple of hours to a local campaign that you like in your district.

13th Annual Clubhouse Jamboree: Sept. 10th @ Prospect Park

Last year, the mighty bass from DJ Spinna's thumping DJ set made our whole body vibrate (at least 'til the power generator gave out) after we'd thrilled to a vocal set by Ms. Barbara "Most Precious Love" Tucker under a glorious Brooklyn forest sun. Think we're tripping? Proof (and photos) here.

It's baaack! The 13th Annual Clubhouse Jamboree is set to hit Prospect Park on Sunday, September 10th with another DJ set from DJ Spinna (fresh from releasing a new album), as well as DJ's Karisma and Carlos Sanchez, and the Diamond Temple & The Temple Dynasty Afro Mosaic Soul dance company to boot! Thanks lil Ray and hope for a sunny day.

UPDATES:

• 14th Annual Clubhouse Jamboree set for Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007
  
• Karisma blows up the joint (Sept. 12, 2006)

My New York: Beautiful People

So this blog has some benefits: I recently blogged about how much I like the new Blaze single, "Most Precious Love," featuring Barbara Tucker. Well, my friend Noel alerted me to one of the things I love this city for so much: A free summer concert at Brooklyn's Prospect Park featuring - who else - Miss Barbara Tucker (as well as the great DJ Spinna). Aparently this was the 12th so-called Clubhouse Jamboree (where was I the last 11 years?) and summer blessed us with a beautiful day. The setting was sublime, a great crowd dancing under the shade of some trees. Miss Tucker, who had just flown in from Ibiza, didn't dissapoint and introduced a couple of songs from her upcoming album as well as the classics: "Beautiful People," "I Get Lifted," and "Most Precious Love."

DJ Spinna's set also lifted up to some euphoric heights. At one point I was sitting on the bass while I took some pictures and, damn, you could really feel that pulse surge through you! Unfortunately his set got cut short when the system went down.

Amazing day. More photos here.

[...and if you are in New York tomorrow Tuesday, have ten bucks to spare, and want a chance to see and hear Barbara Tucker, just head to Discotheque at 17 W 19th Street around 10PM. She'll be joined by chanteuse Joi Cardwell, Danny Krivits and members of Blaze and the Basement Boys]