AJ Dance Legacy

MARK FARINA

Outdoors in the cold night’s air, the crisp breathe of old man winter kissed the dark sky decorated with twinkling stars. On the corner of 13^th and Peachtree Walk sat a cozy little nook-the lounge that resembled the gingerbread house from fabled fairytales of old. From its chimney smoke piped into the cool clear air while four count beats marched outdoors onto the empty city streets.

Inside the heated nook equipped with a fireplace tucked neatly off to the side, its interior screamed, “Happy Holidays!” A lighted Christmas tree sat in a corner of the foyer as holey snaked its way around shelves and techno colored snowflakes danced on a wall right above the bar. But the establishment’s best display lied right through the club’s backdoor; a well lit, spacious and heated patio with surround sound that entertained several tables, several chairs and one cocktail bar. For all you conversation-ist, smoke-puffers and standing models this was the place to be and see. Once the fresh oxygen of the impressive patio was inhaled, several employees in black “staff” shirts gearing up for the night’s activities were followed back indoors into the lounge area. In plain view sat a handful of guests on bar stools at the empty bar while two patrons graced the tables inside the club. One empty roped-off VIP table way too small for more than two guests sat lonely in a dead end corner adjacent the bar. From time to time a few stragglers struggled into the lounge, conversing on smart phones while ordering drinks far too busy to notice the serene surroundings. Of course, this was due to change as the night progressed. For the night was young; still in its birth of infancy for the massive crowd that would later form and soak the room’s funk filled energy from none other; DJ Mark Farina.

Up above in the space-challenged DJ booth, situated approximately six feet off the ground, the night’s first party-starter, DJ Sublime A.K.A. Jory Johnson wasted no time warming up the musical 1’s and 2’s. Sublime played a brilliant spectrum of mind bending genres from soulful house to 1980’s soul with beats per minute slowed down to a safe groove. One stand out, Kerri Chandler’s featuring Treasa “Diva” Fennie’s, “Heal My Heart” shined brightly on a dark night. With lyrics, “Heal My Heart/Ease My Pain/Give Me The Strength/To Love Again” the song’s message of healing hope to love again was much needed.

Soon, Atlanta’s Lil Steven hopped on board and bought a bangin’ dub of Moloko’s 1999 classic, “Sing It Back” that brought the ever growing crowd to its feet. Cheers!

Next up, 4Deep’s DJC went hard with heavy beats from the likes of a swinging dub of Joey Negro’s featuring Shea Soul’s, “No Sugar.” “Don’t Get Me Mad/You’ll Get No Sugar” soared through the ears of the crowd. With in your face lyrics that tell the truth the crowd should take caution of their actions.

Finally, the night’s headliner arrived. Short in stature but sweet in spirit, west coast house music pioneer, mid-west born and bred, Mark Farina autographed posters and vinyl sleeves and posed for pictures with various subjects all the while maintaining an amiable smile. This is what house music is all about having the down-to-earth heart of sharing your gifts (music) and talent (mixing skills) with the world and the ones you love.

Photography by Lil Steven. Used by permission.

Photography by Maggie May