For 4th of July weekend, I decided to check out Aki Carter’s Red, White, and Smoove Event in Columbus, Ohio. After seeing Aki in Chicago a few times, I felt he had firsthand experience of the Chicago vibe for a great steppers party weekend and that Chicago might be in strong attendance. Seeing Chicago DJs – DJ Black Cool, The Playlist, and J-Boogie – on the flyer convinced me that Aki was definitely going for a Chicago musical soundscape at his event.
The weekend pass was $75. I passed on the VIP option because I had no business sitting down for the type of weekend I was expecting. Just get me in the door! So let me dig in on the Red, White, and Smoove experience with this review.
The People
From the start, I felt good energy at every party – everyone smiling and having a good time. Beyond the Ohio turnout, I saw steppers from Dallas, Milwaukee, Orlando, Atlanta, Detroit, New York, and Chicago. I reconnected with a lot of people. It was a wonderful reunion. At the Sunday Brunch, the conversations were as loud as the music. No one sat by themselves. People were dancing, socializing, laughing, talking, taking photos, and capturing video. As a reminder to every stepper, “Don’t say nothin’ bad about nobody at anyone’s party or on the set. You don’t know who knows who in the building.” Let’s keep it positive. I made lemonade out of those lemons. Overall, for the event, it was much love in the room. One Chicago friend said to me, “This is another Black & Bling in the making right here!”
The Host of Red, White, and Smoove
On Friday, the host, Aki Carter, was the first person I saw in the lobby. He greeted me with a smile, a hug, and a compliment. A great start! During the weekend, I saw Aki everywhere, busy tending to things to ensure his team had what they needed. On Sunday, he handed out water to servers at the brunch station to keep them hydrated as they served food. He was everywhere, and he cared to make sure that everyone was having a good time. I almost felt a little bad about stopping him for a photo, but I did, and he gladly obliged.
The team behind the event worked hard too. They were beautiful inside and out, and I can appreciate it when the person at the door remembers me. I went to show my wristband, and she smiled and said, “Please go right in. I remember you.” When Rho said, “Sonji, would you like some spaghetti?” She got my attention and I looked up from the food and smiled. Every guest loves to be greeted by name. This was the nicest team. Oh, and on all of Friday night, I thought it was Aki’s birthday. He kindly informed me that his birthday was in March. LOL.
The Vibe of the Party and Dancing
While I was there, the dance floor stayed packed, and the music never stopped for long. I like “brief” intermissions. The Ladies Lead Contest was quick. All the couples danced at the same time and the winner was picked by audience applause. My only disappointment here is that the contestants were announced by numbers and not names, so I can’t tell you by name who won. From the applause and screams, I could tell she was a crowd favorite! Apart from that, some DJs recognized and greeted a few guests by name and city over the mic. Splendid!
I danced maybe no more than ten times and I asked for most of my dances. Simply touching hands with men I haven’t danced with for a long time made me happy. I missed a dance with Tabaka, but will definitely catch him another time. I enjoyed people-watching. My favorite moment was watching Lolita Hite, Tyk Mann, Will Barnes, and Drewry Alexander dance at the Saturday day party. Lolita was hanging like the pro she is. It was beautiful! If you missed it, Denise Stiger posted footage of this moment in the Facebook group, The Original Old School/New School Heavy Hitters.
Although the main parties ended at midnight instead of the usual 2 a.m., after-parties continued at the host hotel. That was convenient for the patrons at the hotel who partied through the night. You know the hotel after-parties at weekend events are the best time! I saw the videos. The event workshop instructors danced and socialized during the event. When I saw Tyk on Saturday night sitting with a big fan in his lap and looking a “little” danced out, I laughed inside just a little. I had seen him moving around “working” at the day party, and yes it was a little warm on Saturday night.
The Music
I arrived well into every party, each night. I like an even split of Old School and New School music and I expected all New School so a late arrival was my plan to fit in this party vibe. Yet, every day was a great musical experience for me. I didn’t know DJ D-Real of Cincinnati, but I will remember him and look for his name on flyers. He took me back in time when he played one of my favorite songs for the weekend – “Baby Come to Me” – Regina Belle.
DJ Paul has been my long-time favorite Ohio DJ. I have heard him in Ohio and at Virginia’s Emerald Set. When I saw him on Sunday I stayed later than I planned so I could hear him play. I was not disappointed. I noticed a lot more women than men at this event with some sitting for a while, but I saw men working the room. At one point on Friday, J-Boogie had the room so lit, everyone was standing up and dancing even at the tables. DJ Black Cool did his thing for the main event and put out some new music. I missed out on some of the DJs – DJ Butta and The Playlist – but I knew the lineup was hot! The music I heard kept me delighted through and through.
Food and Refreshments
I ate at the Sunday Brunch. Can I have some more of that mac and cheese, please? The food was delicious and catered from Shirley D’s Kitchen. The food was not heavy and just enough with variety to keep me satisfied. My only suggestion with the food service is for servers with long hair to cover it and/or tie it back. To note, I heard some complaints in the Ladies Room at Eclipse where the Saturday day party was hosted. There was not much of a liquor selection at the bar. When someone asked for a Marguerita, the bartender did not have the ingredients and offered an alternative. The Sunday Brunch was BYOB which was a plus, and the host provided free bottled water. I wasn’t drinking at this set, so that was not a bother for me, but some drinkers were looking for more on Saturday.
Logistics and Comfort of Red, White, and Smoove
What’s important to me in terms of logistics is knowing where to be when and being comfortable when I get there.
Location
Quies Martin reached out early on Friday to find out if I had transportation and let me know about the available shuttle service. I appreciated the courtesy although I had a vehicle. I was a little confused because the flyer listed a couple of addresses and I was unsure where to go on Friday night. All the parties were not at the host hotel and that was okay. A quick message to Quies straightened me out. I realized later that Aki had posted a detailed schedule on his personal Facebook page earlier in the day. That was helpful for the weekend. A good add-on could be event signage to direct out-of-town visitors, particularly at The Culture Lounge.
VIP
I did not clearly recognize reserved VIP seating on any night and one VIP on Saturday mentioned to me that she was disappointed not having an assigned seat. On Sunday, I wished I was VIP. They got first priority service for food. I am not sure what I missed out on on access to the Hospitality Suite.
Comfort
I think, for the most part, steppers have gotten used to “hot” parties with no ventilation or poor air-conditioning so we don’t complain too much about it. We work our fans and still we dance in the heat. At Eclipse I stood outside in the patio area in the sunlight to cool down. Despite the fans available, it was super hot and I sweated through my t-shirt. I didn’t like that. The other parties were comfortable for the most part for me and I kept cool. As far as dance floors, the best floor for the weekend was at the ballroom in the host hotel on Friday night. I wish I had that floor experience for every party.
Something to bear note of is that I keep mentioning Eclipse. I heard about the music delay at the Saturday day party. Because the venue was not properly equipped, there was an issue to set up and start the music. The doors opened on time but with no music while patrons waited for the problem to be resolved and to sweep the venue. It’s critical to plan and get this part right. I had a good time at the day party.
Masks
Few steppers wore masks at the Columbus event. I was happy to see so many smiles again. As we navigate emerging from COVID from different states, I understand that some steppers are not sure how to act as far as masks are concerned. A stepper asked me this question on the weekend.
“I am fully vaccinated and I am carrying masks. I’d like to be able to remove my mask if my partner is vaccinated, but not sure if it would be bad form to ask at the steppers set. What do you advise?” – Undisclosed
I responded that it is unethical and even impolite to ask someone about their vaccination status. This is sensitive information that a lot of people are still debating. If someone volunteers their vaccination status, take it from there but don’t ask. If concerned about the spread, despite being vaccinated, keep wearing your mask until someone volunteers that they have been vaccinated. However, this is just my thought on the matter. Coming out of this COVID pandemic may call for a new attitude even if it changes what someone considers socially inappropriate. So, I’d like to know from readers:
What is your opinion? Take the poll.
Would it offend you if someone about to dance with you on the set asks whether or not you got the COVID vaccine?
I give the Red, White, and Smoove Event a huge thumbs up! Thank you for the invitation to party in Columbus, Ohio. I had a good time and I hope it will be back for 2022. I already got at least two calls from Chicago since the event telling me that from what they heard about Red, White, and Smoove, they shoulda been there. Ya diggg!!!
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