Bashment Review: The 2nd Annual All White Affair

If The All White Affair on Sunday is an indication of what Summer 2007 has in store for dancehall lovers – then this will be a Summer to remember!

With a kickstart to a slow building bash, the party was in full swing by 1am. As the crowd was feeling the tunes of CB and Ricky Hype of Star Temple the great tunes kept coming from guest sounds of the evening, Mighty Young Hawk and YHP who entertained the masses with their latest dub plates and remixes. The selectors kept the party to a level of niceness until Leisa Engel and DJ Chubby brought the crowd to a white hot blaze with a (n i c e) mix of old and new dancehall tunes.

Chat ‘Bout looks forward to The All White Affair as it is always a treat to see everyone look so ‘pure’ in their all white ensembles. Of the sea of white there were a few fashion standouts including the cutie in the white hotpants suit and a few gals rocking various dress styles. Big up to the honey rocking the bohemian look complete with wood accents.

As usual, there were a the dancehall celebrities in the crowd including Maggie Untouchable (changing from mix and match to all white quite effortlessly). Our fave fashion icon Eye (real men wear ruffle collars and cuffs!), The Designing Women Crew, Dee, The Uprising Crew, Ms. Brandi and Pumpkin from the Caribbean Flavor Crew, KC Platinum – keeping a low profile, New Horizon was in the place demonstrating the latest dances from Jamaica, Ms. Onnie in the sexy halter top and Soldie.

Added attractions to the evening included giveaways to a few very specific ladies, as well as a photographer capturing the crowd along and a few very selected posed shots. Another highlight: the arrival of a few biker boys to the bash (the names are still a mystery, but NOT for long!)

As the night came to a predictable end at 3am, the resistant crowd remained on hand to hear a few more tunes from past and present. As the temperature rises this season, let hope the good vibes keep up as well!

Stay Bashy!

bashybloggette

P.S. We recieved several requests for more pics to the blog...We are working on it - trust me it will be worth the wait!

Chat 'Bout Cleveland's Promoter of the Month: Maggie Untouchable: Queen of the Dancehall!

Year after year and time after time, all you have to say is Maggie’s keeping a party and you know that you have to be there. No matter if you have considered yourself ‘retired’ from the dancehall scene, everyone in Cleveland (and beyond) make sure to not miss Ms. Maggie’s bash. These dances have become the most anticipated events of the year. With themes such as Army dance, Throwback jersey party and this years Mix and Match Bashment Party, this is definitely a bash guaranteed to SELL OFF! In anticipation of this event, Chat ‘bout Cleveland’s Bashy Bloggette took a few moments to talk with Ms. Maggie to find out how she brings on the bashes that makes us want to come back again and again……

Bashybloggette: First and foremost, Maggie, The Untouchable Crew is one of the most recognizable on Cleveland’s dancehall scene. Most crews are usually dubbed by a selector, where did you all get the name?

Maggie: My girlfriends and I got the name from the movie, ‘The Untouchables’

Bashybloggette: How did you begin to promote dances?

Maggie: I began having dances about 12 years ago. I started with my birthday bashes which grew to bigger dances that I keep a few times a year. Depending on my mood, I keep about 3-4 dances a year.

Bashybloggette: The theme of this dance is ‘Mix and Match’, how did you come up with this theme?

Maggie: People always ask me how I come up with my party themes. It’s just natural the way I come up with the themes. I kept the first ‘Mix and Match’ dance in 2003; I thought it would be a nice idea to have that dance again to promote the Spring and Summer colors.

Bashybloggette: What do you think about the dancehall scene in Cleveland? Do you feel we are as up to date as other cities such as Chicago and New York?

Maggie: Sometimes I think the scene has taken a turn for the worst. I think the Chicago scene is better than New York and of course we are not as current as some other cities, but I do feel that our scene is a definitely getting better…. We are getting better.

Bashybloggette: That being said, what about the fashion and music as it relates to the dancehall scene in Cleveland. People tend to say we are not as with the music and clothes, where do you stand on that?

Maggie: I notice that Cleveland people like to hear the old music again and again. We need to upgrade our music so when we have special guest selectors play we can relate and vibe to what they play instead of standing there looking around because we don’t know the tune or that dance. We need to upgrade!

Bashybloggette: Well, I must admit, I am one of those people who enjoy the old tunes, but I also keep current with the new as well. All in all, what do you think makes a great dance?

Maggie: The right sound system, the right vibe and a variety of people.

(..By the way, Maggie’s ‘Mix and Match’ Bashment Party will have sounds by New Horizon with Monk and Curly, Star Temple with Ricky Hype and CB, and Sample Jack with Lava….)

Bashybloggette: Over the years, who are some of the people you still enjoy seeing coming out to support you?

Maggie: I just love seeing a variety of people who come out to my dances. Jamaican people, American people, I really just enjoy seeing everyone come out and enjoy themselves.

Bashybloggette: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Maggie: I like to keep parties to have a good time myself as well as seeing all the people have a good time. Seeing everyone satisfied with the dances always makes me feel good.

See you all there! This Saturday, May 26th at Dailey’s Blue Mountain Inn! Be there in your Mix and Match Best!

Maggie & The Untouchable Crew;
(from left to right) Tina, Maggie, Sharon and Jodi.
Photo Credit: Ke Photography

Know someone making moves in Cleveland's Dancehall Scene? (Crews, Selectors, Promoters, etc.) Link us up! chat_bout_cleveland@yahoo.com.

Sell off! Buju - Madison Square Garden - A G A I N !

For all who love Buju (and who doesn't?) here is the latest on the star......

Gargamel Music, Inc. is extremely pleased to announce that Buju Banton sold out the Theater at Madison Square Garden this past Sunday May 6th. It was the third time Banton graced the world famous stage, playing to a capacity crowd of over 5,000 energetic patrons that included former New York Knick and Jamaican national Patrick Ewing.
Billed as a "Pre-Mother's Day Driver Concert," in recognition of Buju Banton's latest smash single "Driver A," the blockbuster event featured live performances by Jovi Rockwell, Khari Kill, Da'Ville, Lady Saw, Tony Matterhorn and Gargamel Music artist New Kidz, whose lively set included a brief lesson on the latest dance moves out of Jamaica.
Banton and his Shiloh Band were in prime form, running gracefully through his diverse and extensive catalog of hits-old and new, keeping the audience on their feet the entire time. Climax came when Banton brought out dancehall legend Shabba Ranks, to perform a few songs for the amped up crowd. Indeed, it was a night to remember. Produced by veteran Caribbean radio personality Dahved Levy with partners GB God Bless and Don Grant of Roti Plus, the sold out show proved once more that Reggae music is not a niche and that artists the caliber Buju Banton not only deserve bigger and better venues, they can actually pack the house.

-compiled from jamaica.com

Star Temple Birthnight Bash - 5.5.07

What started out as a night of good vibes and great tunes quickly turned into a dancehall edition of (Bashment) Girlz Gone Wild!

As Chat ‘Bout made a more that fashionable entrance close to 2am, the dance was in full swing to the tunes of Ricky Hype and Star Temple. Joining in the birthnight celebration, KC Platinum made a cameo appearance and played a few tunes including the latest dub plates from Sample Jack
(Can you say - N I C E!!!!?)

Just as the dance reached its potential, the night’s special guests – straight from Detroit- made their way onto the scene. The honeys with the cute ‘fros and the hotpants made a great first impression on this reporter, but the fascination quickly faded amongst the lack of dancehall moves and clearly choreographed routines for some popular tunes. I can’t put my finger on it, but I sensed the trio lacked the bashy attitude and the ability to rule the dance floor that comes with the territory being a dancehall/bashment crew. I hope the little Ms. Cuties take a lesson from the styling our own Destiny and Ms. Trini or have a talk with Lady Spyda on how to rule the crowd and gain that dancehall respect as a dancehall queen/crew. With many years ahead for the young ladies, I suspect in time they will have the full finesse and attitude to match their fashion sense. But as of Saturday, unfortunately, let’s just say the crowd obviously had the same feeling as one partygoer (no names, please) proceeded to pour a drink onto one of the dancing Detroit Girlz as they demonstrated some of the latest dancehall moves.

Speaking of Destiny and Ms. Trini (who was on her BEST behavior), decided to represent C-Town with their own moves as the ladies took over the speakers, tables, chairs and anything else to show why they are Cleveland’s Dancehall Queens. Much props to Ms. Destiny and she avoided a nasty accident between her signature headstand and an uncooperative table. The headstands became a little more stable with a chair and the dance floor. Whew!

Also in the crowd for this night of high energy and dancing were Maggie Untouchable and crew (who still is looking for that Killer Mix and Match ensemble for her big dance in a few weeks), Onnie (rocking the latest from the House of De’Leon), Tammy Trendz with her crew, The Designing Women, King of the Dancehall – Blacka and Nicholi (sans Dylan, again), The Big Man himself, Mr. Dailey, making an appearance with an Anti Smoking message on the mike, and as I live and breath, my eyes were not playing tricks on me, but Lady Spyda made a laid back appearance onto the scene as well (It was definitely good to see you in the place, Lady!)

If this dance was a sign of things to come, I am definitely looking forward to the Dance-O-Rama THIS Friday at Caribbean Flavor!

Comments? Hit us up at www.chat_bout_cleveland@yahoo.com. We are listening!