AJ Dance Legacy

CARLOS MENA
BEMBE

“In order for this to be a real BEMBE party, I need at least FIVE drinks,” announced Carlos Mena over the microphone on the platform DJ stage behind the DJ equipment.

Much can be said of an intoxicated DJ behind the music decks. While some DJs under the influence BOMB their sets-train wrecks, pressing the incorrect control knobs and spewing explicitness at the audience-others are functional and can hold their ground.… Continue

PEVEN EVERETT

& The Jam Band

Space2 harkens the memories of raving in an old abandoned warehouse by railroad tracks of yesteryear. The space hinges on the border of a dilapidated makeshift and an underground dance heaven. Somewhere along the line, lacking is the polished aesthetics. That exclusive charm that delivers a punch or an interior theme that applies a namesake.… Continue

BODDHI SATVA

Invocation means to call upon the spirit of a deity. And on this night the ancestors answered the call. The congregation of those gathered heard angelic voices of sharp high notes float amongst their midst. The fancy footwork of the living danced with the graceful oscillates of motley spirits in perfect harmony that had transitioned from this world to the next many moons ago.… Continue

SOUL CLAP

1980’s neon headbands, candy cane stripped leg warmers and gold trimmed aviator sun glasses danced underneath the soft red glow of a shiny disco ball. It was 1984 and the freaks came out at night. Boston boys, Soul Clap travelled the timeline of soul in a funtastic spaceship of funk. From 2003 Outkast’s, “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” to 1974 William DeVaughn’s, “Be Thankful For What You Got” the room rumbled like a travelling space ship storming through a meteor shower.… Continue

IAN FRIDAY

A steady down pour could be heard beating against the car’s windshield on the way to Tambor. The pitter patter claps of drip drop provided the trip’s soundtrack as black wiper blades lazily moaned, “Swish Swash” in a predictable game of back and forth. The night was off to a wet start as the day’s earlier sunny sky succumbed to evening clouds and precipitation.… Continue

LARS BEHRENROTH/JEREMY ELLIS

In the air there was a movement brewing called the Great Divide. The Great Divide could be seen in the distance on the horizon. An obvious choice would soon have to be made. However, the choice would not be made now but at a later time. Why make a decision today when the decision can be made tomorrow?… Continue

Timmy Regisford

Outdoors in the starry-eyed January night the warm sounds of DJ Octopuz’s, “House Music All Nite Long” (Deep Octopuz Mix) escaped the wooden locked doors to the heart of the venue. But indoors the saga played a different tune. The night was off to a slow start; a super slow start; so slow that a budding sense of sympathy was felt for Tambor’s founding fathers DJ Stan Zeff and DJ BE and apprehension for Timmy Regisford.… Continue

Photography by John Crooms

BEN WESTBEECH
Prologue

Winter kissed the stiff dark air with the breath of icy condensation on perhaps one of the coldest nights of the year thus far. Within the heated warmth of a cozy bar in the heart of midtown a deep conversation ensued about the lack of qualified dance venues in town and how this misfortune contributes to the want of souls on the dance floor.… Continue