An Open Letter To Carlos Mena
Dear Carlos,
Several BEMBE enthusiasts surveyed the decorated room of cloth banners hanging with “THAT GYRL Inc.” posters and judged, “The crowd was light.” In fact so light, more pockets of empty spaces danced than people. For sure that would all change once the night’s headliner dressed in an ochre Ocha tee would take to the musical controls. Disappointedly that would not occur. “So, where were the people?”
Being BEMBE’s second installment in the minimal establishment the attendance had dismally plummeted like second week music sales determined by SoundScan. Yes, other events were held at the same time in various fractions of the city. Yes, there was a massive party taking place in the restaurant next door. However, none of these conditions justified the ebb. Please be mindful, this disturbing trend plagues many monthly parties across the city. Throw the debut party and everyone including their momma’s show up. Throw the sophomore installment and the audience falls flat. Many DJ’s swear they’d rather service five esoteric than five-hundred obtuse but as we know in this current club environment successful parties must meet the demands for dollars via front door cover or bar tabs. Proof exists a DJ’s A game heightens with superfluous support compared to bare necessities. And that scenario seemed to play the night. Not to say, Omar’s, “As Long As You Believe” (Layabouts Future Retro Mix), Bob Marley’s vs. Dennis Ferrer’s vs. Sunburst Band’s, “Exodus” (Adam Auburn Mix) and MJ’s, “Thriller” didn’t bring the heat. Surely they did. Even your jocular phrases, “Should we skip the foreplay and get to straight fuckin’?” and “I’ve got two Rum and Cokes!” brought out several laughs. Nonetheless, there seemed to be distractions; a music set challenged. A mask of disappointment hung on the party promoter’s visage as she rescued a flameless candle that had once burnt bright. Even the dancers played support; armed with combustible energy thrown at the DJ stage that at times felt muddied. In the world of party promotions such grief speaks without words. Sorry for the night. Sorry for the lack souls. Don’t give up on us. Truly we appreciate you and your efforts for bringing BEMBE the monthly installment to this hungry city. So, cheers to a much larger more jovial crowd next month. Seriously, “WE HOUSE HEADZ HAVE NOT TIRED OF CARLOS MENA.”
Sincerely,
A Deep House Head
Photography by AJ Dance
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Tags: Atlanta Georgia, BEMBE, Carlos Mena, deep house music, house music