"A Different Kind of Party"
by: Jennifer Angellatta
It was New Year's Eve. Everyone was talking about their plans. There were club parties, house parties....the same old thing. There was a different kind of party being held in town, though. Club JC's, a gospel dance club, was having a New Year's Eve party. When I heard that there was no cover before midnight, I knew where I was partying.
If you are picturing your grandma's choir singing hymns, you've got the wrong idea. Club JC's is a spot for young men and women to meet, socialize, and party. The difference between JC's and your everyday club can be found in the club's motto- "We getz down for the Most High." Praising God is the reason and the music and dancing is the way that it is done. Club JC's is held in the gym of Shiloh Baptist Church at 1510 9th street NW. The club, which is approaching its second year, is a showcase for local artists as well as accomplished Christian musicians.
On the bill that night were New York rappers Corey Red and MC Precise and local acts Enyaphace, Gideon Band, and gospel go-go band Proclaimers of Christ (POC.) "DJ What" worked the turntables in between bands to make sure the party on the floor kept going.
When I arrived at 11:00, the crowd size was about 100. By 11:45, there was a rush of headz at the door trying to beat the cover. Hey, $5 is $5, right? The party grew to more than 500 people, some coming from Baltimore and New York. A group of fraternity brothers did their thang in step and had everybody dancing. I can't even say which fraternity they were because they didn't stay still long enough for me to read their letters. Brothers, if you read this, let me know who you are!
As 12:00 approached, Eric Kellum-the man behind JC's- took the mic to count down to the new year. He had to borrow someone's watch from the crowd to do this, but as Eric says, "we are all family" (at Club JC's.) He says that is the mentality that we need to embrace to accomplish things for the Kingdom. The new year was met not with bottles of Cristal or gunshots, but with balloons and confetti dropping from above.
All the acts were tight, but you know a go-go junkie saves her energy for the best. POC came out last and turned the place out. They started out with a few holiday tunes and eased into their own groove. I've been to a lot of go-go's, but never have felt love like this crowd had. The first four or five rows were completely in step; some brothers had their arms around each others shoulder. It was definitely God's people under one groove. Because of earlier sound problems, things ran late and POC's time got cut short. Even with lost time, they cranked so hard that when 3:00 a.m. came around, I was sorry I wore boots with heels. The people were jumping to their version of "Live It Up," but we were already past closing time and the place was shutting down. So, what's left to do after your groove gets cut short? Get some breakfast, play your tapes and wait for the next show. You can get information on the next Club JC's event by checking out www.clubjcs.com.
