Mix and mingle in Atlanta
It’s been a super busy week with about 20 different events going on in the city! It’s one of the many reasons I love Atlanta. I went to a film festival, listened to live hip hop music, Nina Simone tribute that was a spoken word/art event and singles mixer! I am exhausted as that sounds but I had a wonderful time running around town. I will tell you about the events in more detail next week.
On Tuesday, I braved the crowd and ventured to Buckhead to attend the 13th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase the Havana Club in Atlanta. The event was hosted by R&B crooner Lloyd and DJ Drama, the showcase featured performances by hip-hop heir apparent Drake and Atlanta-bred Travis Porter.
One of the exciting moments for me was when BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton and members of Organized Noize and Goodie Mob presented rapper/producer Big Boi with the Legends of ATL Award. I am a HUGE OutKast fan, so it was great to see Bib Boi aka Sir Luscious Left Foot!
After I stopped pouting about being in a club on a Tuesday night, I relaxed a bit and had a great time catching up with my friend “SuperStar.” We mingled around as she caught up with friends, including one of the BMI representatives. Let me tell you, there are a lot of perks to knowing people in high places! He was kind enough to help us throughout the evening and kept us posted on Drake’s E.T.A. on stage.
The crowd was getting bigger and bigger, and it was getting later and later. I have been wanting to see Drake perform live since the buzz about him began. Just when I was feeling too old and too irritated to endure that crowd, Drake came on stage. I was pretty impressed by his stage presence. He worked the crowd and really did his thing. I get why there was so much industry buzz about him.
It ended up being a really great event that made me almost fall back in love with hip hop again. One thing I noticed about the crowd that night was that it was pretty diverse. I know I felt older *cough* then the average attendee, but the truth is there were people there of all ages.
When you go out, are you mindful of the age range of people? For the younger readers, do you prefer to hang out at events with people in your age/demographic? How can you tell when an event is geared toward you?
Are there certain places or events that you totally rule out because you know that the crowd won’t be your scene? Is it a good idea to discount any place you have a preconceived notion about? I actually met an older man, in the music industry while we were in line. He was pretty cool and not African American, so I would not necessarily have expected to swap business cards with someone like him that night. Which is my point. Do we mix and mingle with an open mind?
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601 comments Add your comment
SexyCool
April 23rd, 2010
10:43 am
I just learned from FaceBook that one of my brothers and his wife are getting divorced.
Um…wow….
I mean I know we’re not that close, but dang…..
Kym--Square Peg
April 23rd, 2010
10:43 am
@Dig That I was there completely sober..which is why I remember going.
Sassy Me..Sun Kissed :-)
April 23rd, 2010
10:44 am
..I will and have gone to the Clermont Lounge.
SexyCool
April 23rd, 2010
10:46 am
Why am I about to buy a flutophone off ebay?
Gotta revive my inner musician.
i'm swiss
April 23rd, 2010
10:46 am
@ Kym — Yeah, that place is definitely a melting pot…
But it is definitely not boring… 
abc
April 23rd, 2010
10:47 am
You know, if you want to hear live jazz with top notch players, you pretty much aren’t going to find it in clubs in Atlanta. Go to Knoxville, check out Baker Peters and a couple of the other local clubs. That town has some jazz playing. There’s a couple really talented young guys I know playing jazz around here, but the only way they get a gig is to play blues and old school funk in BBQ joints and stuff like that.
The best players from Atlanta that I ever met, I met them on the road in other places. They don’t play here; there aren’t any gigs.
Jazz in clubs, no matter where you go, is getting more and more scarce. I can imagine it becoming a concert-only scene, similar to classical music. That isn’t such a bad thing, after all; it might even be a very good thing.
Dig That
April 23rd, 2010
10:49 am
Will somebody else feed the blog monster besides me. I’m being good. Let my post go thru
Carlito
April 23rd, 2010
10:51 am
Dig That, those conversations make my head hurt.
i'm swiss
April 23rd, 2010
10:51 am
“Will somebody else feed the blog monster besides me. I’m being good. Let my post go thru”
C’mon, now, Dig… You should know by now that the blog monster only eats the innocent posts. Drop a couple F-bombs & talk about pu$$y & your post will go right through…
i'm swiss
April 23rd, 2010
10:52 am
See what I mean?
Kym--Square Peg
April 23rd, 2010
10:52 am
@Swiss..no its not boring.
@abc..thats really kind of a shame that you would have to go all the way out of state to get a gig..when Atlanta has or should have a great mix here.
Dig That
April 23rd, 2010
10:53 am
@swiss- you must be right. Let me try it.
@Kym- Wow!! Completely sober. I can’t even imagine. I frequent Dugan’s and so I leave there and go next door to the Clermont with my white friends and get wasted. They lose there mind every single time. It is a blast.
<—-Was banned from MJQ. For good reason. LMAO!!! Eff em'
Pu$$y
AmazonRed™
April 23rd, 2010
10:54 am
abc – Have you heard of Studio 281, the REAL jazz spot? I’ve never been for a show, but I’m on their email list.
Dig That
April 23rd, 2010
10:55 am
@Carlito- I know man. I just realized this. I hated to be rude to this chick but I’m thinking what the F is she talking about.
@swiss- It is really pissing me off. Let me see if this goes thru.
Pu$$y
Dig That
April 23rd, 2010
10:55 am
Wow
DreamsMaterialize
April 23rd, 2010
10:55 am
Honestly I like Del The Funky Homosapien especially on that DELTRON 3030
Hey Del is hot, hands down. A lot of the west coast rappers didn’t get their due. Ras Kas, Souls of Mischief, Hieroglyphics, The Alkaholiks (when Xzibit was with them).
I’m a musician; musicians don’t like hip-hop.
Miles Davis, Ron Carter, Roy Hargrove, Herbie Hancock, Gil Scott-Heron, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Branford Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Roy Ayers, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Boston Pops are just a few of the musicians who have done collaborations with hip hop artists. Are they not musicians?
Lady J What’s up with you and the Bostonians. You like that Beantown swag I know. lol
Dan
April 23rd, 2010
11:00 am
Ras Kas? Really?
That dude had no flow.
Now, some Devin the Dude or -blanking- the 5 member group from LA you’d have something. But not Ras Kas.
Raqi...Working for The Man
April 23rd, 2010
11:00 am
SexyCool, I guess that’s what it means to settle down with someone which is what you friend is failing to do because she needs to settle down herself.
After a certain age it’s just not the bees knees to be all up in the most popular joints at all times of the night. Hell we likes to be in the bed by 10:30 these days. And what a lot of folks don’t realize is we are still “dating”. We are going out and having fun. And guess what we have a great intimate relationship on top of all that. LOL
But heck we are getting up there. We don’t need all of that “the place to be” to have fun. Getting out of the house just to have dinner at the friend’s is quite enjoyable.
abc
April 23rd, 2010
11:01 am
Well now, the reason there’s no jazz in clubs in Atlanta is because nobody will go. Every now and then another club opens and closes, but if nobody shows up to spend money on it, it doesn’t last long.
Studio 281 is kind of a dinky hole in the wall (albeit a nicely decorated one), like Churchill Grounds is. The reason you can’t fit more than 25 people or so is that’s all that will show up! But hey, I wish them well. More gigs are more gigs, the local players sure need them. I notice that they don’t book acts in advance, or at least, don’t publicize them.
Carlito
April 23rd, 2010
11:01 am
So, the next time I will see Julia is when we meet at the Kentucky Derby. I am going to ask her to marry me then. How do I find out her ring size without her knowing? If I ask anyone to help back home she will know. I already talked to her dad and he is fine with it and promised me he would not tell her mother.
Professor
April 23rd, 2010
11:01 am
Professor – being able to play the flutophone does not make you a musician. (teasing)
Sexycool, just as lickin’ on a dizzle does not mean you are giving PSH. (not teasing, because I don’t play with you.)
THE INFAMOUS DK AKA THE GOD OF WAR
April 23rd, 2010
11:02 am
Dreams M – Yeah the West didnt get its due.. I get Rakim is the God MC but man I shole like Face.. That dude spits it for real. In the game right now.. My Fav Rapper would have to be 3 Stacks.. I dunno he just gives em the business.. And he ate Lil Wayne and Snoop on Hollywood Divorce..
Dan
April 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
I missed something – PSH?
Professor
April 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
DreamsM,
10:55 is the truth!
Carrington
April 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
Good Morning Bloggers and Bloggetts! Good to see the good conversations and input. I’m one of the original bloggers from this blog….was here when the Diva was out here with us….responding to Mia. Sup Diva, SexyCool……I see you out there.
First thing I want to say -Wise, I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Blog and what you are/have been doing with it. Work had me blocked…but as you can see, they have re -opened the gates for me. so I’ll be here giving you the support that I can….
I’m going to try and read up on said topic and post -if I can. Looks like you guys have been going strong already. So I may just get in where I fit in….
THE INFAMOUS DK AKA THE GOD OF WAR
April 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
Dan – Ras had flow ridiculous.. And Devin is you favorite rappers favorite Rapper.. Im actually listening to Lacville 79 right now.. Devin is in my right now top 5..
abc
April 23rd, 2010
11:04 am
All of those are just trying to broaden their appeal to what sells, Dreams. You won’t find a symphonic musician that appreciates hip hop; Maceo doesn’t much count as a player; now, maybe they’d like to introduce something of musical value to the genre and thus reach more people, but they don’t get hip hop notoriety because the thing with hip hop is flat basic groove that doesn’t move, and the words.
Lady J-Lioness
April 23rd, 2010
11:07 am
professor between astrology, talking about past relationships, likes and dislikes, wants and needs, this guy say “So when are YOU” going to ask for my number???? Yall I busted out laughing so hard thnking about what you just told me and that was the 1st time a dude throw it back to me to ask for his #…….While he still wouldn’t move out my space i left the room bc tears were about to fall laughing so hard and I gotta tinkle…..lol I played it off telling him how cute that was and I gave him the #…….40 and lives in the WestEnd area….that was smooth! I feel so guilty though bc my mind is somewhere else thinking aomebody else…..I need to let it go right???? LOL
He asked if I had in plans for the weekend I explained I am mentally drained and tired and just want to sleep…he said you ever had a nap date I was sure but not so early on and we both laughed………this was so unexpectant ok I gotta go get my ish! LOL
DreamsM they gravitate to me so you being from Boston what do yall like!!!!???!!!! LOL
Carlito
April 23rd, 2010
11:08 am
A nap date?
SexyCool
April 23rd, 2010
11:09 am
Can’t do nothing but laugh.
Melo
April 23rd, 2010
11:09 am
abc
I wonder what liberal musicians like Bruce Springsteen wld pay members of his E street band who have been with him for a long time.
Wld they be millionaires like him??
It saddens me to see singers/celebrities get broke esp in the twilight of their careers and lyves!
AmazonRed™
April 23rd, 2010
11:11 am
Carlito – That is so exciting! The Derby is like in 2 weeks!!! Yay for another blog engagement!
How do I find out her ring size without her knowing?
Too bad you won’t see her before then. You could take any other ring she wears or has and just trace the outline. I guess you’re just gonna have to go big and get it sized later. She won’t mind at all!
How did the talk go? I’m guessing well!
Raqi...Working for The Man
April 23rd, 2010
11:11 am
I just learned from FaceBook that one of my brothers and his wife are getting divorced
SexyCool, now that is horrible. Not just that they are divorcing but that his own sister found out via FaceBook. People are just getting so disconnected these days.
Professor
April 23rd, 2010
11:11 am
Lady J,
Wise, did something a while back on lines, and if they work. I need to use that one the next time a young buck comes my way. Let me check with Melo since he is taking me under his wing so I can get married…happily ever after. LMBO.
Kym--Square Peg
April 23rd, 2010
11:11 am
Jokers to the right..Clowns..to the left..
Melo
April 23rd, 2010
11:13 am
A nap date?
Lady J-Gone Baby Go, Don't be long-I can't wait to see what you DO!!!!
April 23rd, 2010
11:16 am
melo I thought the samething what the hell
SexyCool
April 23rd, 2010
11:16 am
Hey Carrington!!! – OldHead in da house!!!
AmazonRed™
April 23rd, 2010
11:16 am
Yeah, my aunt, who has been married to my uncle for 31 years just changed her relationship status to “it’s complicated.”
The crazy thing is that she hasn’t even finished setting up her profile yet, but she figured THAT part out. WTF?!
Carlito
April 23rd, 2010
11:16 am
AmazonRed, it went very well. I actually spoke to her father first to make sure he was okay with it and me moving his daughter here. Then I called her and she was actually complaining about wanting to spend more time together, the conversation kind of flowed from there. She does not know about me wanting to propose but she has agreed in principle to moving here. It should go well.
DreamsMaterialize
April 23rd, 2010
11:17 am
They don’t play here; there aren’t any gigs.
I used to look for jazz spots in Atlanta years ago, but never found any that were consistent or could stay open.
maybe they’d like to introduce something of musical value to the genre and thus reach more people
Real musicians selling out? Say it ain’t so!!! lol There was a time when musicians didn’t consider jazz or blues real music either. I understand your perspective though. Most hip hop artists wouldn’t consider themselves musicians…more aligned with poets/spoken word than anything else.
Lady J-Gone Baby Go, Don't be long-I can't wait to see what you DO!!!!
April 23rd, 2010
11:17 am
i think he was just trying to be cute and cater to my tiredness I think who knows but I will be napping in decatur this weekend….lol
lurker
April 23rd, 2010
11:17 am
Off topic: I just wanted to tell ya’ll that I thought maybe the ballplayer was trying to be on good behavior these last few weeks but maybe not. Right after my initial post about him, he asked me to do lunch weekly to discuss issues but never broached after that. I thought maybe he felt maybe he overstepped. Since then, it’s been business. A few personal questions that I sort of ignore but nothing to sound alarms. Anyway, this week, we (him really) had a couple of issues per our clients, who said was caused by associates in other areas and naturally called him to complain. He when in half cocked and just reacted…copying folks and wanting to pull these associates managers, bullet points of this that and the other….what?! No matter any issue there are always two sides. He should have gathered details surrounding the incidents, drilling to the root. I have almost 10 years on him and more often than not the folks that’s doing the leg work may not be the best paid or recognized but in my experience, know what they’re doing. After “I” got things resolved and calmed, I went to his office and told him I wanted to revisit his approach and how things might be handled differently and he went left with some relationship analogy crap to which retorted, let’s not talk about me. Funny to see him get embarrassed. By now we’ve gone back and forth because he’s really got this I am man and the head of these relationships and I have the last say so attitude. He ain’t got the time nor experience as evident by how he handle. I’m irked by now cause he’s just looking at me, skirting around bluntly saying man don’t put folks on blast and go in half cocked unless it’s deemed. So he’s not getting where I’m coming from and I suggest we finish tomorrow. He’s still here working when I left so decided to send an email from my blackberry listing the issues and point to him. Well wouldn’t you know it….lunch scheduled the next day. I ordered and went straight to it. When we finished one issue all you could hear was the clinking of forks hitting the plates until the next issue…lol Although in the end he tried to break the convo with some sexist remark, I stood up as an indication that it was time to go. You try to see the good or positive but sometimes folks just don’t have it.
Lady J-Gone Baby Go, Don't be long-I can't wait to see what you DO!!!!
April 23rd, 2010
11:18 am
geesh that is over……he is subbing here and he still through me for a loop…..
THE INFAMOUS DK AKA THE GOD OF WAR
April 23rd, 2010
11:22 am
Lurker – Huh..
Lady J-Gone Baby Go, Don't be long-I can't wait to see what you DO!!!!
April 23rd, 2010
11:23 am
melo and for the record if we have been together for a min I would love to do a nap date after the week I just had…..being somewhere quiet and serene without any demands or anyone calling my name to let me rest sure……lol
SexyCool
April 23rd, 2010
11:23 am
Carlito – I thought you said Julia reads here sometimes.
Anyways, yeah – Rock, it’s actually not *that* surprising that I would find out like that. He’s one of my father’s many sons and I didn’t grow up with him, hence, we’re not that close. In fact, I’m not that close with any of my biological’s family.
Just thought it was a telling “Sign of the Times.”
Carlito
April 23rd, 2010
11:24 am
A nap date, would just give me blueballs.
Lady J-Gone Baby Go, Don't be long-I can't wait to see what you DO!!!!
April 23rd, 2010
11:24 am
Carlito what’s your take???
DreamsMaterialize
April 23rd, 2010
11:24 am
I feel so guilty though bc my mind is somewhere else thinking aomebody else
Awwww, you should have just let dude down easy. Now he has false hope.
DreamsM they gravitate to me so you being from Boston what do yall like!!!!???!!!!
Apparently YOU.