Music. Is the reason for this journey. An expedition meandering through space and time.Arriving.At the V.Where 54th Street veers from Flushing Avenue. In Maspeth.A working class community located somewhere in the borough of Queens.That is New York City.Where a brick and motor mammoth slumps with two erected smoke stacks.That eyes you. Only if in your imagination.… Continue
Darkness has crept up to slowly reveal its face. Black. Devoid of light. That traces around and about the atmosphere.Invisible.Upward, the stars keep watch over night.Night’s all seeing eye, the moon is lucent, keeps watch over the people, the party, the property.
Yeah, you are at the right place.As the car door closes, you overhear faint thumps where you are parked adjacent a curb monitored by vagrants. Walk a block pass the open air parking structure as the ontz expands in the atmosphere.Juxtaposed against the skyline of high rises, onward forward lies the destination.… Continue
“You, you, you….’ The F sharp and C minor notes dot the soundscape.When the tappings of drums dissipates leaving only emptiness to expand.A sound of sweeping ocean waves builds and builds to a climatic fall that washes away Upper Alabama Street. A refreshing rain of vibe and rhythm drenches the tops of heads.… Continue
The atmosphere transforms.A new presence is felt.A new spirit arrives. Although he nor his fedora are visible from the rear of the dance floor adjacent the bar.No longer Little Louie, Vega gives life when playing the Dance Ritual chart-topper from the early aughts.“Brand New Day” never sounded more engaging.… Continue
“LOUIE VEGA COME ON!” Yells an overzealous Vega fan holding a vinyl record. “LOUIE. I WANNA HEAR SOME OF THAT HAL-LE-LUJIAH!” He sings. “LOUIE PLAY THAT BLACK MUSIC.” He continues. “Then watch all these kids leave the room.”
“COMING THROUGH. DJ COMING THROUGH.” Security courteously yelled. There is no shock that LV has an entourage of eight that trekked through the thick mass of privilege minutes earlier. After all, Louie is the host with the most. His charm oozing through the soundtrack he curates. His ability to make any cast of characters feel inclusive.… Continue
The music comes to a silence. There is an interlude of talking into a microphone from the founder of Indigenous House and the master of ceremonies. Yasss chyle! Most people are aware that Indigenous House is LGBTQIA affiliated, sadly most people are unaware the event is not called house music in the park. More words are spoken about acceptance and monetary donations.… Continue