AJ Dance Legacy

DERRICK CARTER

2435

What is Chicago’s obsession with Mary J. Blige?  Chi-town’s Emmaculate, Terry Hunter, and now Derrick Carter have remixed her latest chart-topper.  Carter’s version jumpstarts the party with kick drums, hi-hats and the Queen of Hip Hop cooing “Good Morning Gorgeous.”

And gorgeous, they are.  The femmes and doms are out!  For Atlanta’s 51st Pride Celebration.  The must-attend Queen Butch’s “The Last Ball” closes the weekender.  Queen Butch dressed in all black leather.  His furry chest exposed, unzipped biker jacket, fitted pants, and tipped beret brings the boys to his backyard.  Their painted nails, protruding eyelashes and ass less chaps.

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Derrick Carter & His Flock of Retired Ravers

2300 CST 

I’m A House Gangsta

Playing a game of “excuse me(s)” while trying not to step on sneakers takes balance and observation. Brushing shoulders and bumping against tatted biceps is the only way to maneuver through T-shirts that read, “I’m A House Gangsta” and “Nashville.” Watch out! Dance circle front and center. A group of six bodies stands in a circumference as if they are mother hens protecting their offspring from outsiders. Within their love nest, a dancer sporting a red Mohawk performs an asymmetric handstand. Into view, a six-foot frame slides three feet as people jump to avoid the whirlwind. Positioned left stage is a hand raver, with one limb, showing off his skills like it’s a badge of honor. As additional b-boys and one b-girl arrive the circle grows and snakes towards the room’s epicenter. Burly hugs, smooches on the cheeks, and handshakes fill the void. As one out-of-towner eloquently explains, “Brown. White. Old. Young. Tall. Short. Fat. Skinny. Beautiful. Ugly. Look at the diversity in this place.” (more…)