{"id":5161,"date":"2023-12-08T00:17:07","date_gmt":"2023-12-08T00:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/?p=5161"},"modified":"2023-12-09T22:09:37","modified_gmt":"2023-12-09T22:09:37","slug":"rock-the-party-dc-wndr-pt-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/rock-the-party-dc-wndr-pt-i\/","title":{"rendered":"ROCK THE PARK DC WKNDR Pt I.    21.10.23"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"695\" height=\"391\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zNKdxTQFwOE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtowndc.org\/event\/rockthepark2023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rock The Park DC<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/richmedina.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rich Medina<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Day 2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Exit the McPherson Square Metro Station, at the corner of I and 14th Streets.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Watch out! \u00a0Carefully, look both ways before crossing the bustling intersection. Turn right onto the walkway.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>That leads to the fountain, the epicenter of the greenspace named after a Founding Father.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Forward north is the performance stage.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>A steel beam structure with canopy top protects the music equipment from torrential elements.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Rain?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Not today.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The sky appears as a glass ocean. Cloudless. Without celestial disturbance. However, the wind gusts at 30 miles per hour. Today, the temperature is chillier than twenty-four hours earlier at this exact location. The sun\u2019s rays are challenged to warm the family of five picnicking on the grassy knoll.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Their jackets and hoods blow in the air as screaming children run to<\/span> the play area. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Already, a sizable dance circle has cropped to the sounds of Brazil eschewing from 10,000 watts of high-voltage amplifiers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Two hip hoppers bounce and bop on an elevated dance platform rear park. As maracas shake underneath the quiver of lyrics sung in Portuguese.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The mighty O\u2019 Jays\u2019 \u201cMessage In Our Music\u201d even brings the unhoused, a man who takes off his t-shirt revealing his body fur, parks his bike and nods his head at a lady. \u201cWho\u2019s he?\u201d She shrugs as he two-steps the platform stairs. Foot soldiers and their fancy feet shuffle. Top rocks and back rocks entertain gathered spectators on a disco journey of talking guitars and good vibes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cWhat\u2019s the name of that song?\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>A stranger asks.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>She is pleasant.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Cordial. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">You reply. \u201cLouie Vega featuring Unlimited Touch\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/louievega.bandcamp.com\/track\/music-is-my-life-feat-unlimited-touch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Music Is My Life<\/a>.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cIt\u2019s about time!\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Your friend says as you join the family of dancers adjacent the dance circle just in time for \u201cOh, oh, oh.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The familiar vocal spits fire.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tony Touch\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/title\/1905733\/apaga-la-luz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apaga la Luz<\/a>\u201d (OG Main Mix) brings the dance ritual. Most everyone is bent over at the torso. Possessed by Latin rhythms. The melody that makes mouths howl at the moon.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>One spirited dancer rolls on the ground tiles.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Rolling and rolling.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>She turns about inside the dance circle.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>There is a chorus of cheers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">As the sun disappears, and the temperature plunges, Rich Medina scorches.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Philly native wows with his sermon where the underground shuffles with pop, the latest whops with the classics, and hip hop freestyles with house. Distinguished and diversity dance together on Black Coffee\u2019s featuring Nathan Toure \u201cWe Dance Again.\u201d The anthem brings out the slow-motion ground to floor movements of spins, twists and windmills. Time to grab a light bite from one of the advertised food trucks parked on 13th Street when hearing Prince\u2019s \u201cI Wanna Be Your Lover.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Disco divas and soul crooners continue to serenade the crowd like the free bottles of water delivered to dry-mouthed guests.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Before the most familiar voice in the universe sings \u201cDance With Me.\u201d The extended edit of track number four from MJ\u2019s \u201cOff The Wall\u201d closes out Medina\u2019s two-hour spirited journey.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Welcome to day two at Rock the Park D.C. The third annual house, funk, gogo, and dance music festival held in the heart of Washington.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Flashed across a theatre-sized monitor are the faces of DJ Keenan Orr and J. Rocc who played earlier sets, and DJ Miss Her, Trouble Funk, and Dam Funk who played the day before of the weekender.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>But the can\u2019t miss set came from Detroit&#8217;s own son twenty-four hours earlier.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Look around and listen, Detroit appears everywhere, spotted on graphic tees, the sound of Detroit thumps from Theo Parrish to the several \u201cDetroit\u201d shout-outs from the stage.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>One would be remiss to think this is Hart Plaza on the Waterfront.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Day One<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">20:00 hours<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cD.C. How ya\u2019ll doing?\u201d That familiar baritone asks the multi-hued faces numbering in the hundreds. \u201cWe gonna start the music in South Africa.\u201d His signature drawl sounds inebriated. Smooth as shea butter. High as a kite.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">But wait.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The crowd wants to address the unspoken issue.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Viewing the time on their wrists and smart devices.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Only icons are allowed to start their set times fifteen minutes late and be forgiven by agog visages. \u201cYa\u2019ll give it up for the sound crew. They had to get everything right for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">All eyes turn to a 10X10 pop up tent afore the fountain. Where two men standing, control the audio and visuals. If DowntownDC BID is involved, every detail will be thoroughly planned and properly executed.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Look ahead.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Upward the welcoming platform stairs.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>There, dressed in a lime green sweatshirt, wearing the hood up, and a black veil covering his face, he stands, his enigma illuminated by ruby and cobalt flashes falling from a canopy of steel beams.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Front and center the theater-size monitor flickering videoclips of 1980s aerobic workouts to Rick James\u2019 \u201cSuper Freak\u201d is borderline fatigue. Then the kick drum sounds.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The bass drops.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>A reminder of knocks and thumps that bump in the dark.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Not only is this a musical voyage of locality but a GPS of sound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Amapiano excites!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>De Mthuda &amp; Sir Trill featuring Da Musical Chef\u2019s \u201cEmlanjeni\u201d (at the water) is engaging.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The groove starts slow and simmers into Gaba Cannal featuring Ard Matthews\u2019 \u201cMidnight Sun,\u201d another deep tech South African scorcher.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The selector is proving a point.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The music transports to a dark pulsating club in East London, courtesy Sticks &amp; Stonez &amp; Liv East\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/glitterboxrecordings.bandcamp.com\/album\/youre-my\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">You\u2019re My<\/a>.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Surprise! A brilliant sample of the Gamble &amp; Huff produced O\u2019 Jays\u2019 \u201cDarlin\u2019 Darlin\u2019 Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)\u201d eschews from hanging sound gear equipped for stadium arenas. The bass bellowing the John Barry statue, bounces off the Franklin School and onward the Washington Post.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtowndc.org\/franklinpark\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Franklin Park<\/a>. The urban landscape on a chilly, balmy night. Manicure lawns. Meandering pathways. And facilities with the cleanest restrooms dot the newly-renovated greenspace. The perfect locale to view, limb\u2019s flaying, hands outstretched in the air as if gasping to reach the stars.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Hearing the screams at the moon.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Heads tilted toward the aphotic sky. Your eyes closed. Experiencing the WTF moment, thus far. Joey Purp rapping \u201cElastic.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Midwest born Joseph Davis\u2019 swag sets fire at the intersection where hip hop meets electronic beats.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Time travel from the now to then-from Chicago to the East Coast-as Main Source\u2019s \u201cKnocking At the Front Door\u201d is signed by the ASL Interpreter who not only translates with his hands, but his entire body.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>His feet, torso and body slides, twists and turns while multitasking onstage. He deserves the Best Dance Award.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The deejay is clever.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He draws the dancers deeper, and deeper into the hypnotic groove.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Dancing feet are submerged.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Like being baptized in the waters of holy house music. So why not throw in some Sunday church?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/track\/9239695\/praise-him-retro-tech\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Praise Him<\/a>\u201d(Retro Tech) from Chymamusique featuring Brian Temba &amp; Da Vynalist brings the shouts and stomps courtesy Johannesburg, SA.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Oftentimes, after sweating three hours to a proper house music set, dancing to disco and soul for the final 30 minutes of a journey is understandable. But early on the \u201cFreaky Mother F\u2026..\u201d of house music weaves the classics into his captivating tapestry.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAye!\u201d Voices yell to The Emotions\u2019 \u201cI Don\u2019t Wanna Lose Your Love\u201d (M+M Mix), before the UK\u2019s Damian Lazarus &amp; The Ancient Moons\u2019 \u201cVermillion\u201d (&amp;ME Remix) returns to space disco on the classic, Jamiroquai\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/track\/11689800\/little-l-dave-lee-disco-re-blend\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Little L<\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">All the while your body inches closer to the pulse of the energy as Inaya Day belts \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/title\/1626963\/feelin-feelin-12-inch-extended-club-mix\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Feelin\u2019 Feelin<\/a>\u2019.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Your black hightop sock sneakers two-stepping the platform stairs before finding a residence on steps one and two as \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/track\/10206033\/let-it-basic-club-kerris-full-vocal-mix\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Let It<\/a>\u201d (Basic Club) arrives.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cD.C. How ya\u2019ll doing?\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Again, the music selector vibe checks the crowd before informing.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThis track is Kerri Chandler.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Man With A Story<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">To choose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moodymann.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Moodymann<\/a> as a headliner is obvious. The Detroiter is the fourth deejay to play the day, preceded by DJ Miss Her-the only woman playing the two-day weekender-Trouble Funk, and Dam Funk.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>All delivered great sets, but Moodymann has the people talking.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What will he play? What will he wear? Will he deliver? Who is he?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The legend of Moodymann goes back. Way back.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>To the economic discourse in urban Detroit.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>Post Motown.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>Post automobile industry.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>A city bankrupt.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>Moodymann has seen it all. The Electrifying Mojo.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>Detroit Techo. Charivari.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>He is all ride or die Detroit. \u00a0No one reps the \u201cD\u201d like him. Period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Born Kenny Dixon Jr., the affable artist has always had one foot in music, and the other foot in the streets. A former rapper, record store buyer, independent music label owner, hit maker, sampled by the 6 god, Moodymann has just about done it all-even being illustrated as a game character-he has lived to tell his tales. The man with a story, has played sold-out festivals worldwide to hosting intimate hometown roller skating jams. \u00a0His most recent Spirit of Detroit Award recognizes his give back ethos of charity in the Motor City.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Even his live music sets showcases his true love.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>Take the standout played thus far. Agreeably, Amsterdam\u2019s Paris Greene is the mastermind of the \u201cOh Yes\u201d edit, but Moodymann made the Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell Motown duet a global anthem, having anointed the rework in his live playlists. The remix looped and extended to five minutes levels a seismic response at Rock the Park DC.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">When the four-on-the-floor gives way to\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>that jazzy house swing of piano keys and horns the energy intensifies. There you spot her. Dressed in all black. With her guy friend. She pivots her leg and thrusts into that familiar fancy foot shuffle. Like a magnet, your feet copy the exact same gesture. Suddenly you two are swing housing together. In perfect sync. In one accord. Speaking the exact language.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>The vibe is so magnetic, automatically, people pull away to form a perfect circle. Without prior notice, you two shuffle around each other in the middle of the circumference. Jazz hands. Feet kicking out to the sides. All smiles. Transported back to 1920\u2019s Harlem when the Charleston ruled.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>You jump kick into the air and slowly land on your right knee as your left leg steps to the front and your foot falls left to right, side-to-side as she side shuffles around you in a perfect rotation. Listen, a dance circle should never be singular-all about you.\u00a0<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>A dance circle should evoke to showcase others-a collective effort. Remembering, the dance is most strongest when all are allowed to shine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Experience tells the teacher that veteran music selectors challenge dancing feet.\u00a0 How do you dance to the rhythm switch or the drumming on three counts? Dixon throws dancers for a loop needle-dropping Detroit Techno. The unrecognizable track is jarring. You don\u2019t have to love the track. You don\u2019t have to hate the track. However, you do respect the track.\u00a0 This is Dixon Jr. at his best. He plays a hodgepodge of eclectic digs. He is the ultimate digger. Setting off tracks from Sun\u2019s \u201cSun Is Here\u201d to Quartz\u2019s \u201cBeyond the Clouds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">As soulful house charges the sound sphere, courtesy Chicago\u2019s Kelly G\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/djkellyg.bandcamp.com\/album\/feels-good-yeah\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Feels Good (Yeah!)<\/a>\u201d when Aretha Franklin croons, the track skips.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Oops. Moodymann never proclaimed he is the best deejay. What he lacks in skills, is where he excels.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>His delivery of unapologetic Black music is an experience to behold. The shoutout to goddess Tina Marie\u2019s \u201cLoverboy,\u201d the mass of bodies swaying to \u201cThem Changes\u201d from Thundercat, Josh Milan\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/honeycombmusic.bandcamp.com\/album\/your-body-unreleased-collection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Your Body<\/a>,\u201d the Louie Vega Dance Ritual dropping a dancer to his knees in supta virasana as Intrallazzi\u2019s \u201cPik Nik\u201d conjures beads of sweat even as the recorded temperature nosedives to 55 degrees.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Even the Hostess with the Mostest, <a href=\"https:\/\/maimounayoussef.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mumu Fresh<\/a> reappears onstage, reenergized, and joins the fun, chanting, \u201cMoodymann makes you\u2026\u201d with her Baltimore swag. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cD.C. How ya\u2019ll feeling?\u201d All are having the time of their lives. Singing, dancing, and smiling.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDC you here.\u201d His sexy drawl continues. \u201cI met people from Philly, New York and Atlanta here.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What I\u2019m saying is, DC, people came from all over to be here.\u201dMore whoohoos erupt as strumming guitars and a drum kicks at 120 beats per minute. \u201cEvery time I play this song, it sets me off.\u201d And with that those left dancing are dropped off in NYC at the Paradise Garage, where The First Lady, the late Gwen McCrae\u2019s \u201cKeep the Fire Burning\u201d closes out a music lover\u2019s wet dream. The best Moodymann two-hour set ever!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/rock-the-park-dc-wkndr-pt-ii-22-10-23\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part II<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">wrds: aj dance<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"fcbkbttn_buttons_block\" id=\"fcbkbttn_left\"><div class=\"fcbkbttn_button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ajdance76\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/plugins\/facebook-button-plugin\/images\/standard-facebook-ico.png?w=695&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Fb-Button\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"fcbkbttn_like \"><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/rock-the-party-dc-wndr-pt-i\/\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\" layout=\"standard\"  width=\"450px\" size=\"small\"><\/fb:like><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rock The Park DC\u00a0 Rich Medina Day 2\u00a0 Exit the McPherson Square Metro Station, at the corner of I and 14th Streets.\u00a0 Watch out! \u00a0Carefully, look both ways before crossing the bustling intersection. Turn right onto the walkway.\u00a0 That leads to the fountain, the epicenter of the greenspace named after a Founding Father.\u00a0 Forward north [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5169,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[406,529,528,534,287,8,239,532,527,535,530,531,7,307,538,526,508,525,254,533,262],"class_list":["post-5161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-dancefloormagic-housemusicexcellence","tag-abbyoneill","tag-adrianloving","tag-dam-funk","tag-dance","tag-deep-house-music","tag-disco","tag-dj-miss-her","tag-downtowndcbid","tag-franklin-park","tag-funk","tag-gogo","tag-house-music","tag-house-music-dancing","tag-kenny-dixon-jr","tag-moodymann","tag-rich-medina","tag-rocktheparkdc","tag-soulful-house-music","tag-trouble-funk","tag-washington-d-c"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Image2-1.jpeg?fit=1440%2C2560&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2JDhj-1lf","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5193,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/5193-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":5161,"position":0},"title":"ROCK THE PARK DC WKNDR. 21.10.23","author":"ajdance","date":"December 9, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Rock The Park DC WKNDR 21.10.23 Enter \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Image2-1.jpeg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Image2-1.jpeg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Image2-1.jpeg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5174,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/rock-the-park-dc-wkndr-pt-ii-22-10-23\/","url_meta":{"origin":5161,"position":1},"title":"ROCK THE PARK DC WKNDR Pt II    22.10.23","author":"ajdance","date":"November 20, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Rock The Park DC Miguel Migs Day 2 2000 \u201cOh, I did aight.\u201d Kenny Dixon Jr jokes with you the following afternoon. He walks arm and arm showing off his lady around Franklin Park.\u00a0 You marvel, he appears refreshed, his skin polished in the glowing sun. \u00a0 Later that evening,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Image2-1.jpeg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Image2-1.jpeg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Image2-1.jpeg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":755,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/house-in-the-park-6-05-09-10\/","url_meta":{"origin":5161,"position":2},"title":"HOUSE IN THE PARK 6 05.09.10","author":"ajdance","date":"September 6, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"House In The Park had become a musical destination for those around the globe to partake. People traveled near and far to attend; some as far away as California, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, The Carolinas and Florida. Seattle, Chicago, DC, and Detroit were all in the house.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/01.-TheCrowd-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5484,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/grammy-weekend-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":5161,"position":3},"title":"GRAMMY WEEKEND 2026","author":"ajdance","date":"March 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Ron Trent & DJ Terry Hunter GRAMMY WEEKEND 2026 \u00a0 Enter \u00a0 \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DJTerryHunterLogo.jpg?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DJTerryHunterLogo.jpg?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DJTerryHunterLogo.jpg?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DJTerryHunterLogo.jpg?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DJTerryHunterLogo.jpg?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5103,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/rock-steady-sound-system-block-party-03-07-23\/","url_meta":{"origin":5161,"position":4},"title":"ROCK STEADY SOUND SYSTEM BLOCK PARTY 03.07.23","author":"ajdance","date":"July 12, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The Sun. The Rain. \u00a0The Super Moon. Kai Alc\u00e9 \u201cPut em\u2019 up.\u00a0 Put em\u2019 up.\u00a0 Put em\u2019 up.\u201d\u00a0 The host yells into the microphone.\u00a0 There is not one but two of em yelling into microphones. Their mumblings about someone later giving hugs and then that someone giving two hugs after\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Rocksteady2023.jpeg?fit=720%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Rocksteady2023.jpeg?fit=720%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Rocksteady2023.jpeg?fit=720%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Rocksteady2023.jpeg?fit=720%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4201,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/king-louie-vega-16-05-01-part-ii\/","url_meta":{"origin":5161,"position":5},"title":"KING LOUIE VEGA 16.05.01 PART II","author":"ajdance","date":"May 30, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"All Hail, the King. 1650 Interlude 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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5161","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5161"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5161\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5199,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5161\/revisions\/5199"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5161"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5161"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5161"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}